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Project IDEALIST—OXCART—CORONA—GAmert — 

QUILL- -DORIANANNUAL REPORT 

TO THE 

PRESIDENTS FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE 

ADVISORY BOARD 

ON THE 

ACTIVITIES OF THE 

NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM 

1 NOVEMBER 1964 — 31 OCTOBER 1965 

COPY OF — 

BYE 

—11”—Stekef-- 

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COMINT 

ANNUAL REPORT 

TO THE 

PRESIDENT'S FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE 

ADVISORY BOARD 

ON ACTIVITIES OF 

THE NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE PROGRAM 

1 Nov 64 - 31 Oct 65 

MIELE VIA Byittml 

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IDEALIST/ OXCART / CORONA / GAMBIT / QUILL 

DORIAN, CoPY---4-of___Coples 

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models. The double replication method of producing this mirror is 

continuing but has less emphasis than formerly. SuccesSful replications have been accomplished on flat mirrors up to 651-- the stereo 

mirror size. This work will be continued although fused silica mirrors 

may also be used here on initial flight models. 

DORIAN: In December 1964, agreement was reached between 

NASA, the Bureau of the Budget, the Secretary of Defense, and the 

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President's Scientific Advisor to make the development of technology 

contributing to improved military observational capability a primary 

objective of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program. 

A number of concurrent studies were initiated and resulted 

(in June 1965) in a recommendation to the Secretary of Defense to 

authorize the Contract Definition Phase. Primary emphasis was on 

development of manned optical reconnaissance system as a means of 

achieving the earliest capability of a ground resolution of ■- 

A camera incorporating a lens with an aperture of 60-inches 

would be the primary payload, with growth identical to systems capable 

of even better resolution. 

In August, the major contractors were selected and the 

President publicly announced his decision to proceed with the MOL 

development. Although not announced, the primary mission of MOL 

was confirmed as high resolution photographic reconnaissance. The 

program proceeded with the requirement that the optical sensor be 

designed to function in either a manned or unmanned mode with 

essentially the same performance in each. 

During October 1965, negotiations were completed for contracts for the definition phase with Douglas Aircraft Company for the 

Laboratory Module, the General Electric Company for the Mission 

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Module, and Eastman Koc:Wc for the Optical Payload. All reconnaissance aspects of the MOL program are protected in the BYEMAN 

security system under the codeword DORIAN. 

RADAR: QUILL is a project to demonstrate on orbit the 

feasibility of satellite-borne radar for terrain reconnaissance and to 

define a more sophisticated radar designed for specific satellite 

reconnaissance application. 

On December 21, 1964, the QUILL feasibility payload consisting of a modified off-the-shelf aircraft side-looking radar was successfully orbited by a THOR/AGENA booster combination. The equipment 

demonstrated a ground resolution capability of 100 feet or better, and 

obtained radar imagery data by both recovery and electronic readout 

methods. The radar signals received in the satellite were stored on 

film and 'sound into a standard MARK V recovery capsule. The data 

were also transmitted in real time to one of two tracking stations and 

recorded on both photographic film and recorded on a magnetic tape as 

an intermediate storage device from which pictures were later made. 

Thus, the QUILL feasibility demonstration produced three types and 

different quality products -- the recovered film, the film obtained from 

direct readout, and the film obtained from the intermediate storage on 

the graaund tape recorder. Radar operation during this mission was 

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