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MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD 111110111NER191131111 

SUBJECT: Briefing to PSAC on MOL 

At the request of Dr. Steininger from OST the Overhead Reconnaissance Panel of PSAC heard a br:efing on the comparison of MOL and 

unmanned DORIAN reconnaissance systems. The briefing was held in the 

Executive Cvfice Building on 13 August between 1030 and 1700 hours. 

 It was preceeded ky a short resume on the results of •the recent 

successiul GAMBIT mission. The briefing was given in the following 

order: 

••■•••••■■•••• 

General Evans Introduction 

Mr. Michael Weeks MOL Baseline 

Mr. Samuel Tennant Wholly Unmanned DORIAN System 

Dr. Leonard/Mr. Pierson - Manned/Autamatic and Automatic 

Systems Analyses 

A copy of the briefing charts used in the presentation is on file 

In SAF-SL. 

Representing the PSAC panel were Dr. Land, Chairman; Dr. J. Baker; 

Dr. D. P. Ling; Dr. P. Puckett; Dr. J. Shea; and Dr. N. Garvin. 

The Bureau of the Budget was represented by Messrs. Thomas and 

 Fisher. 

Dr. D. Steintnger was the host from OST. 

The Department of Defense was represented by Mr. John Kirk and 

Mr. Samuel I(oslov. 

In add,t.on to the primary briefers, in attendance were: Dr. Flax, 

st7 General Stewart, General Berg, Dr. Yarymovych, Colonel Carter, and 

 Colonel Battle. 

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Mr. Weeks' presentation on the baseline MOL passed uneventfully. 

The reference to our plans for electronic readout was not challenged. 

Dr. Land was satisfied to see a well-designed automatic mode vehicle 

in the baseline MOL concept. The concept of complete automaticity, 

even in the manned mode, and insistence on reliability through 

redundancy rather than extensive on-board manual maintenance, was 

very well received by the Panel and complimented, especially by Dr. 

Shea. 

Mr. Tennant's presentation was also well received although it 

prompted extensive discussion. Mr. Tennant, in describing the 

various automatic devices necessary for achieving resolution 

in ae nnmerned fashion, left the impression that we were indeed working very hard on perfecting these devices and that although there 

were no problems in the feasibility and principle of achieving our 

resolution and automaticity goals, serious development problems still 

remained. 

The subject of reliability, which was addressed by Mr. Tennant 

and extensively discussed by the Panel, led to some very significant 

statements at the end of the briefing. Mr. Tennant demonstrated, and 

atter some discussion apparently convinced the Panel, that after 

reaching a certain level of reliability it was not very useful to 

proceed to increase basic reliability further, but rather one should 

add expendables in such a way that vehicle life time on orbit could 

be increased—thus, increasing the mean mission life. 

Dr. Shea, supported by Dr. Puckett, expressed very much the 

opinion that the concept of random failures is rapidly disappearing 

since we are learning more and more about failure mechanisms and thus 

can engineer around any potential trouble spots. Although the Chairman did not formally acknowledge the stipulation, it was clearly 

implied by Dr. Shea and Dr. Puckett that this level of maturity is 

only achievable at a cost and motivation which is representative of a 

manned program like Apollo or a program subject to high public 

scrutiny like Surveyor. This discussion led to en expressed opinion 

by the Panel that probably a new era in space flight has arrived 

where the old statistical method of calculating reliability is no 

longer valid and that it is quite reasonable to expect automatic . 

systems to work in apace for prolonged periods of time considerably 

in excess of 30 days. 

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DT. Leonard's presentation was geared toward establishing relative effectiveness factors of manned and automatic versions of Mat 

and the wholly unmanned concept of DORIAN. The fact that man could 

perform a better function in weather avoidance was not challenged. 

Target photography verification, however, was not accepted as being 

an additional benefit to man's presencd, because Dr. Darwin struck 

upon the idea that the ITEK mechanism of the image motion sensor 

lent itself very well to the verification task by means of recording 

the output from the sensor. 

Dr. Leonard's major thesis for manned advantages rested upon 

his ability to detect active indicators and thus enhance intelligence 

content by increasing the number of special photographs taken on a 

mission. The Panel was interested in this concept but did not accept 

it fully, primarily for the following reasons, 

It was not at a►ll clear to them that the laboratory simnlAtione 

done until now were sufficiently representative of the real viewing 

conditions, particularly because of contrast enhancement possible 

with film. Thus, one could not determine whether man could, indeed, 

perform the necessary discriminating function in the 10 seconds 

allotted to bine It was suggested that if we are to pursue the 

thought of special photography any further that we embark upon en 

extensive aircraft simulation program, or even possibly try to introduce some active indicator searching tasks into the earth orbital 

flights at Apollo. 

Doubt was expressed whether our present design of a 5-inch 

Acquisition and Tracking Scope was sufficient to spot active indicators. it was suggested that a 15-inch aperture might be closer to 

what is required. In this area we were not well prepared to entertain a discussion, and it became quite obvious that a systems 

enelysis and design effort in this area needs to be accelerated. Dr. 

Land speculated that the capability provided by such direct viewing 

high-powered telescopes* as now being necessary for special target 

identification, could be an added benefit in increasing man's contribution to improved intelligence collection. 

When comparing the manned/automatic MOL with the wholly unmanned 

system, the point was made that actually a direct comparison is not 

possible, because of the various ways of using the two systems. The 

basic wholly unmanned system used for comparison was patterned around 

the 5-segment Titan III capability, and therefore limited to a 35-day 

life, which when degraded by the lower reliability of the eneenned 

system was really equivalent in terms of the number of mean mission 

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days to the manned version of MOL. It was pointed out to the Panel 

that on the basis of special photographs, the maimed system was vastly 

superior. The automatic version of MOL was Presented as one that emerges 

from the same basic 30-day system but utilizes the excess booster 

capacity provided by the 7-segment Titan III after removal of the Gemini 

to achieve a lifetime of up to 65 days by carrying more expendables. 

Although not presented at the briefing, the Panel extensively discussed 

a single version of the wholly unmenned system which would be flyable 

on a 7-segment Titan III. The impression was that there was hardly 

any difference in design between the two 7-segment systems with respect 

to technical approach, performance and system reliability, and only a 

small difference in development and recurring costs. 

Based on the previous discussions of reliability, it was readily 

conceded that a 60-day system is quite feasible and because of cost 

effectiveness highly desirable. The Chairman of the Panel made' it 

quite emphatically clear that he is expecting the automatic mode of 

the MOL to be designed in such a way that a 60-day lifetime is achieve 

able. The Panel concluded that an the basis of these large and long 

duration systems the question of man's presence or absence was not so 

important. At this point, there was some objection from the representatives of the BOB that the contractor quotations on MOL weie significantly 

in excess of the AP cost estimates, and therefore the cost disparity 

between the two approaches might be significant. These objections were 

dismissed by the Panel with expressions that this statement might apply 

equally well to the unmanned system. 

In addition to Dr. Shea's earlier statement that manual maintenance 

and the necessary accessibility may compromise the performance of automatic devices more than it would help total system reliability, the 

question of overall reliability of man in the system was raised by 

Mr. Koslov. Although Dr. Shea stated that he was 95% sure that man 

could stay in space for 30 days, Mr. Doslov appeared unconvinced. Dr. 

Steininger suggested that a biomedical panel of PSAC examine our 

activities in the area of assuring man's well being on orbit. 

A brief discussion followed the questions on man's capability to 

withstand 30 days of weightlessness and the subject of the possibility 

of preserving the vehicle and the mission in spite of the need for 

abort of the crewmen. This subject needs further examination. 

Dr. Lana summarized his opinions with the statement that the Panel 

wants assurances that as a matter of national need, an unmanned reconnaissance capability be provided. Man may not be able to go on these 

missions because of political reasons. Dr. Land does not care if the 

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Air Force luta nan in the system for some mission enhancement, which 

he is quite to accelt as fact; but it should never be done at 

the expense of eompromisin:. the stated need -- unmanned reconnaissance 

capability. The Pane/ was anxious for us to proceed vdth the various 

studies necessary to answer the qi.zestions raised, but they also were 

adamant that we should not hold up any contractual proceedings wile 

these questions were being settled. 

MICHAEL I. YARYKOWCH 

Technical Director 

MCI. Program 

DORIAN/GAMBIT 

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INEMINIOUNS011 

05? CIT 

DORIAN FOR GEN BERG FROM GEN EVANS* THIS 

NIESSAGE IN 4 PARTS* PART 10 PROPOSED AGENDA FOR PSAC HAS BEEN RE. 

Vine BY MYSELF AND DR. FLAX AND THE PRESENTATION OUTLINE BELOW 

HAS BEEN ADOPTED. EACH OUTLINE ENTRY REPRESENTS SUBJECT MATTER TO 

BE ADDRESSED, AND NOT INDIVIDUAL IIRIEFING'CHMITts (A) INTRODUCTION. 

DA* FLAX, 5 MINUTES. (B) PROGRAM STATUS*: 04 -.Note EVAPAIii ';15-010itITESt 

Cl) GENERAL PROGRAM COALS; (2) SPECIFIC PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. ) 

GENERAL CONTRACTOR STRUCTURE MEN GE/EKOIDAC-RELATI, 

SHOO; (4) CURRENT PROGRAM SCHEDULE - MAJOR MILESTOWE: Pitt , 

AUGUST 1965, INCLUOM DATES or too**.03001F04, START A fiNISH 

OF OOP BY EACH Of THE MAJOR CONTRACTORS, COP, ETC. 1 (5) FUNDING 

STATUS*(C) IMMIX Kt* INF* oairOoxiitaitIODTES* THIS SUTTON 

SHOULD BE A BRIEF CLINICAL, TECHNICAL DESCRIPTIONS Cl) ITY::DASEP. 

LINE - GENERAL stacaorriool (2) moo GENERAL grown* 

WITH BRIEF REFERENCE TO 14$41 FLIGHT; .(3) LABORATORY MOQIILIE!,. 

DESCRIPTION; (4) LABORATORY SUBSYSTEMS BRIEF DESCRIPIIMm'Or' 

MAJOR SUBSYSTEMS; (5) MISSION NODULE f-CENERAL DESCRIPTION; 

OPTICAL PAILOND DETAILED DESCRIPTION, BRIEF STATUS*:. 

INC,- IMAGE MOTION SENSOR, 'FOCUS SENSOR; (1) PAYLOAD-, 014IPATIDD 

ACTERISTICS NOM, "HANDS OFT .AUTOMATIC," thouali.go :0TOgai 

(8) BASIC SYSTEM CAPABILITIES; (9) 'ROOSTER; (10) ASCENT 

(if) CM.ORIII I COMM (12) ORBIT ALTITUDE CONTROL; (14) 

OPERATIONS. (0) MAIMED SYSTEM, S. TENSAW. 45 MINUTES, THIS 

WOULD BE PATTER/El) AFTER TAR A ENTITLED *ammo -er •ON041410:111traff 

AN EQUIVALENT WHOLLY UNMANNED SYSTEM," A COPY OF THIS 0 

SYSTEM" ATTACHED TO THE PROPOSED MEMO FOR DORM, SOW pr. 

HAS BEEN FURNISHED TO SAFSL-1; Cl) SYSTEM DESCRIPTION; 2) DEVELOPMENT 

PROGRAM; (3) OPERATIONS ANALYSIS; (4) DEVELOPMENT RISKS; (0) RELIABILITY; (6) COSTS* (E) BASELINE MIL EFFECTIVENESS FACTORS. 011 

P. LEONARD, 1.HOUR,-'45 MINUTES; (1) INTRODUCTION * SUBJECTS To 

BE DISCUSSED OUTLINED; (2) RAMC CREW' FUNCTIONS - MTV DISIAW1011 OF 

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES; (3) RELIABILITY, DEVELOPMENT RTON.I.MIniolN 

SUCCESS; (4) NEW DEVELOPMENTS PREFORNANCE REQUIRED, DISTIPAK:01*.DISIIE4 

STATE-OF-ART PREFORmANCE CIF ANY), DETAILED STATUS, CONFIDENCE IN 
SERF 

Handle via 

tontrol 

ATTAIN ENT OF REQUIRED PREFORMANCE OF THE PRIOCIAPL DEVICES AND 

steSysTEmS ESSENTIAL TO EFFECTIVE MISSION PERFORNANCE; C31 

APTATION OF EXISTING DESIGNS ANA sueGYSTEms; (6) BASIC RELIABILITY 

PROJECTIDNG - DISCUSS HON ARRIVED AT, BASIS FOR PROJECTIONS, COt.AR" 

ISON WITH OTHER SYSTEMS. NASA MANNED SPACE FLIGHT Exffitincts 

(7) INFL.IGHT MAINTENANCE - TROUBLESHOOTING. ADJUsTMENT. *EPA 

REPLACEMENT' CS) mAINTENANCE OF MISSION PERFORMANCE - IMMIX 

INITCH101. OR OVERRIDING FUNCTIONING toUIPOENTs (9) MOT 

OF MISSION PERFORMANCE S AND FERFORIUINU CUMULATIVE 

SYSTEM DEGRADATION' (10) ASSESSMENT OF MAW'S ROLE IN SYSTEM 

RENT! (11) MISSION ORIENTED CREW !VICTIM; (12) TAISET ANALYSIS 

4. DISCUSS FIELD Of VIET, COMPARE WITH G, cues# DAVE fitomors 

PiNTERIAL, EMPHASIZE PREMIUM ON CAREFUL TARGET SELECTION* AND CIP• 

TIMIZATION ON TECHNIQUES TO EXTRACT MAXIMUM INTELLIGEMMI tin 

TECHNIQUES FOR INCREASING CLOUD FREE TARGET PHOTOGRAPHY; (14) VERIF40- 

1CATION OF TARGET PHOTOGRAPHY; ( 415) SELECTION OF ACTIVE AND TRANS,. 

WIRT TARGETS; (16) FIELD Of VIEW AND RESOLUTION OF ACQUISITION AND 

TRACKING SCOPES; (17) TYPICAL ACTIVE INDICATOR TIMELINE; CIOVISONt 

RECONNAISSANCE - GROSS CAPABILITIES CONTRISUTION TO OVERALL 

INTELLIGENCE VALUE OF VISUAL 

"Nos-sEtEcTior OF A TARGET SHEN OPERATING 

IN "ACTIVE 

INDICA/OR MOOE;* (19) 7141ELINESS •Of DATA:RETURN - Mein *IDE* 

SAND READOUT; C20) OTHER 9ASELINE VOL APPLICATIONS; WTI CRISIS 

StRVEILLANCE- DISCUSS ACCESS TO SANCTUARIES ORBIT 

ALTERATION TO PROVIDE FREQUENT REPEATED 

BROADENED MED OF VIES AND. AREA ACCESSINA gin Olt 11I; 

aufsTuntit NO REDACTION IN MISSION-DORATION; (22) 

(231 PLANET/AY ASTRONOMY; (24) 

BASELINE INPROvEmEmi sucH.As eCR-VIT, EPS; (214 EPS,. ELIOT 

POINTINC SYSTEM • DISCUSS,ADDITION OF DOS TO POINT OPTICS TO 

ACTIVE EMITTERS ORAN ANALOGY OF ACTIVE EMITTER AS Ali ACTIVE NCI. 

CATOR, Discuss flIKEREMT CAPABILITY or EPS TO 00 SOPHIST 1111. 

*Mann NIFINL OuNINC NIGHT OR CL OW COM) PASSEic CMOS 

(24) OTHER MISSION- APPLICATIONS 

A VE NCE• (IF) SYSTEM *WARNS* SAIMINUIT • COL 

• • 45 MINUTES: (1) RELIABILITY AND PROBABILITY OF MISSION 

SUCCESS; (2) THE VALUE OF CLAD FREE PHOTOGRAPHY; (3) REAL TINE 

VERIFICATION OF TARGET PHOTOGRAPHY; (k) THE VALUE OF ACTIVE TARGET' 

COLLECTED; 0) TIMELY DATA RETRIEVAL; (6) SUMO, Of CPABILITIES. 

PART I I. PREPARATION SHOULD BE MADE TO RESPOND TO EXTENSIVE QUM 

WONG ON LIFE SI.TPORT. CONFIDENCE IN MANS ABILITY TO TION 

EFFECTIVELY MC WITHOUT HARM FOR 3D DAYS, AND IVRY; AI 3 ImPtICATIONS 

OF RECENT SOVIET LONC DURATION FLIGHTS WITH DOGS. BACK AP $1100.0 

DE PREPARED TO ADDRESS IRIS SUBJECT IF_C0WIDERIO ItEcacArfit pert III* 

SECTION A-INTRODUCTION; SECTION 8-PROORAM STATUS; Al SECTION f• 

SYSTEM COMPARISON SWART BILL BE PREPARED BY THIS OFFICE ON TIE EAST 

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Control System, 

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Control System, 

COAST. TOGETHER WITH AN AGEMA CHART. SECTION C4ASELINE MOL SHOULD 

SE KEPT BRIEF, WITH THE PRINCIPAL PAAPOSE OF ORIENTING PSAC TO THEE-- 

CURRENT CONFIGURATIONS* PART IV* 

CURRENT TENTATIVE SCHEDULE CALLS FOR ONE SESSION 15004700, MONDAY* 

AUGUST DURING WHICH SECTIONS AlS, C AND 0 OE COVERED* SECOND 

SESSION FOLLOWS 0900.4200, TUESDAY' 2 AUGUST Mt* WI ICH REIMAININ 

SECTIONS E AND F WILL BE COVERED* YOU WILL BE ADVISED ASAP OF ANY' 

CHANCES. DESIRE BRIEFING TEAM AND MATERIALS BE PRESENT MOL PROGRAM 

OFFICE* ROOM 50227, PENTAGON t MO SATURDAY, 30 JULY 146 FOR 

REVIEW OF PRESENTATiONS AND FINAL PREPARATIONS* OR. FLAX DESIRES 

TO DRY RON ONLY SECTION F.SYSTEM COMPARISON SUMMARY* 

SECRET 

ST -