,/filip APPROVED FOR. 

ASE 1 JULY 2015 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASH1N6TON 

OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY 

MORAMUM FOR COLONEL 1.-7-.3E:-.1.2, ASSISTANT FOR MANNO3 1

ORBrIINC• LA:50EATORY, AF DC} 

SUBJECT: MOL Experiment.3 Electromagnetic Signal 

Detection' 

I am returning! the attached statement of work for 

revision in accordance with the following comments. 

One objective of th. , ).101. is to provide for tests of 

man's contribution to military missions in space. It is, 

a stated MOL policy that orbital tests will be conducted' 

only when it is determined, frm all necessary studies an 

tests short of orbital, that it is both desirable and 

necessary to perform tests in space. rase,rules apply 

to the detection, identification, recording, etc. of 

electromagnetic signals, and this policy Provides an 

objective framework 'within when a pre-Phase I must be 

defined and accomplished. 

The Study/ tasks should in ude the fol 

1. A preliminary estimate made of man's potenti.al 

contribution to the mission of signal detection, based 

the best current data as to signal environment, man's 

capabilities, etc., and using such simulations as can be 

accomplished within the time and funds available. 

2. A preliminary determination made that man's poten,tia 

contribution warrants pursuit of the necessary experiments 

Since this determination will be made by the Secretary o 

Defense prior to the approval of the initiation of 

the determination must be supported by results of, a substa 

tive comparison of man's capabilities helped by automati 

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NR-APPROVED FOR 

1 JULY 2015 

equipment against pure; tctic equipment. Such, a 

comparison should make 2f =isting tests and 

simulations, existing hadoere, and suitable extrapolations 

to denser signalenvircznent. 

3. A preliminary icentification of the questions which 

must be settled by further experiment. 

1. A preliminary identification of those experiments, 

short of orbital ones, which appear to be required. 

5. Preliminary designs and statements of objectives 

for the necessary non-orbital experiments, and an evaluation 

of their feasibility. 

6. A preliminary identification of the orbital experiments 

that are thought to be necessary, with a statement of thc 

criteria to be applied in determining whether these are to 

be performed. 

7. Preliminary dosns, and, statements of objectives 

for the proposed orbita-- I :.yeriments, and evaluations of 

their feasibility. 

8. Development of a 31an for Phase I. This plan will 

provide for detailed p. Lg during Phase I of experiment 

as identified above, end for conduct of such non-orbit 

experiments as are deternined:to be necessary and be 

feasible within the period of Phase I. Criteria and data 

are to be developed in Phase 1 - which will apply to decision 

at the close of Phase i about the further experiments, 

including orbital ones, that will or may be conducted,durin 

Phase II. 

The proposed RFF aadiesses only the question of 

feasibility, not the desirability of orbital tests. It 

raises the issue of non-orbital experiments only incidentally 

It does not directly face the problem of defining the necessary experiments, orbital or otherwise, or of establishing 

criteria or data upon 'which to base the decision to conduct 
.N RO.APPROVEliTOR 

E 1 JULY 2015 

orbital experiments. In paY.ticular, the matter c.'f signsl 

environment is crucial to such decisions; the RFP does 

not provide for a realistic estimate of this environment, 

or for giving the contractor information necessary to make 

such an estimate. 

One promising area for a contribution by man has been 

completely overlooked. It may not be practical to explore 

this area with the same contractors that are involved •with 

the issues discussed above, but the matter must be considered: 

One advantage of the benign space environment is that a very 

large antenna could be supported by a light structure, 

provided it could be erected and adjusted. Wm's best 

contribution might be in erecting and adjusting such an 

antenna outside a vehicle in orbit. Both the value of 

such an antenna to the electromagnetic mission, and the 

feasibility of manag,ing its construction, must bo considered 

as the MOL program takes shape. 

It is implicit within this guidance that a clear analys 

and summary of "man'scontribution" in this area must be 

defined, taking into account tae relative performance of 

man versus unmanned systams, tas worth-of "man's contribution 

relative costs, confidence of success, comparative risks, a 

the probability that most ofy. the penalties of the life support. 

system are borne by other experiments. 

Pre-phase I studies must conform to the criteria set 

forth above. A new OP, or new MI6 as necessary, should 

be prepared accordingly for my approval. Every effort wi 

be made to expedite approval upon their submission 

BROCKWX Mali/ LAW 

_Under:Secretary of the Air Eorde, 

Attachment 

i-ttatemebt Of 14ork for. 

MOT Experiments: