•

-11111U-Milaier=

-IIINE41611112

Sit' 441p-sEefer--

27 September 1962

r.NSUMMARY OF SATELLITE RECODINAMSANCE PROGRAM 

1. CORONA-11 - 162 

The CORONA-II project is an extended version ot the CORONA

effort, coneisting of two CORONA 24" focal length IL 5 panoramic

cameras mounted at a 80° convergent angle for stereo. Capacity a

each camera is 7800 feet of 70 mm ada-base fib% m iring 4.5 million

square miles per flight. la addition, a I. 5" focal length framing camera

and 85 mm Stellar camera is included, to enhance the use et the

panoramic photography. The system utilises the THORiApna vehicle

and the recovery method is the same as previously used in the single.

camera CORONA flights.

The first CORONA-38 flight launched In February 1969 resulted

in a satisfactory mission and subsequent operation has confirmed the

high qualities and dependability of this configuration. To date, there

. . •

have been 12 launches a

ten ot wMch have resulted in the saccessful : •

recovery of the pa,yload.

Since 15 June 1982, seven Lunches have been accomplished and

all have been successful.

Mission 9037 was launched an 22 June and was recovered after

50 orbits with no "a'ct'in. 9028, the first using an Agana D,

ENKE VIA -maw

OILY

ROLE 6.1111,131111 ToP-sEeftt

. •

Copy--2z-of--24:Coplos •

Page---1-0..4627-Pages..

ST:j4-02.37-1214fitg

Coatroi BO .
WM IM Wilk-

-10112111311111

Illy

--TOP-SECREf

imma 111111TEN 11110

was launched on 2$ June and recovered ales 8$ orbits. bat the feelefell

camera did mat operate. 9034, launched an 30 July, was recovered

after 2 days because at a programmer failure. The frame camera

again failed and there was fogged film. 9040. lannehed an 27 July was

recovered after 4 days. The frame camera !!ailed. 9041 hannehed on

1 August, and recovered on achedele. shaved fogging at the frame

camera film 9042 was launched on 29 August and again the frame

camera felled. The frame camera failures have resulted from abutter

malfunctions this primarily to the aludter design. The sew Frame/etcher

camera has been redesigned and will be in all !share missions. 9043

was launched on 18 September and this to velocity meter malfunction

had an orbit that was higher than normal (283 inn). Apogee was in the

In addition to the 7 CORONA-11 vehicles presently scheduled boar

flight (see schedule on last page) 8 COR011114 vehicles are scheduled

for next year. The CORONA-I is a CORONA system modified to have

two complete recovery systems. These will provide double the present

;11:

• .*

q

3

Ww"arynal —TOP-SECIEF

Copy aZ of Asia_Coploo

Page-a:2— of AM—PQM .

Conirri itf:4 k8-
•

NNE NA

WILL NAM

OILY

MIRE nellial

capacity and will result in a 11-41ey active life. A total el 30 days can

elopes (130 nut perigee deeming to &minim= dSS am) between

Luanda and recovery of the second capsule. The first operation will

be for 4 days. /shalom* to the first recovery the orbiting vehicle

will be spin up and infregeout TIM readings AU be taken to determine

status. Rpheaneris will be nagatakod by SPADA= The second

operation will be for 3 days with the same recovery prooederes for

recovery of the second operation. The problems are to provide heat

to the IRP and restabilhaation. The first CORONA-JiTAT system is

planned May 1943, with a total of I scanduled for CY U. CORONAAN

will be interohanyable with CORONA-J.

3. LANYARD 

This project was initiated in May 1963, in order to obtain photography at an early data with resolution betweenialliod CORONA-1L

The system ounsists at a greatly Amplified version of the discontinued

101B (16-5) project, using the same IN" focal length optical system and

some of the camera hardware already produced. The recovery miyatezu

is the same as that used for CORONA-M. The Winch vehicle is a

TBOR/Agena, with the TEIOR augmented by three X11..33 solid rocket

•

.-•

Copy__12.._of-4_Copies

Pase_1--_ot A _-Pages. .

CogjoZt;;23 7 — 2— 

"

3

MULL 11111113 ONLY --TOP-SECRET—
•••••• n01n11..1.

• ---TOP-SECRET IA-TROIV

au

sula velima NlY IIILT

boosters which will be dropped at about SO amends after Imumb. The

veldele will have a 4-day Ifs and simuld prod..* photolinfb7 with •

ground resolution et from 4.5 to 5. 5 feet at altitudes of 110430 am.

The 5 LANYARD pegyleads will be interdempable with the

additional CORONA-11 and ARGON payloads which are available,

afforeng eswiderable

3. ARGON

ARGON is a photographic project for podstie and mapping

purposes. ft consists of a 3" local length inane*-type terrain camera

of high geometric fidelity, supplemented by a 3" focal length stellar

camera, both reoarding images on a single roll of 5" film. The terrain

camera capacity is $000 photographs (235 z 335 am 'karma) covering

156 =MOD square miles in a 4-day mission. Neros is provided by

overlap in the photographs. Expected positional accuracy obtainable

from this photography (alone) is 750 feet, and expected contour accuracy

is 1500 feet. The same basic =Magma vehicle and recovery system

is used for ARGON as for CORONA.

After 4 previous unsuccessful attempts, the Noy INN ARGON

flight was successfuL Results were useful but not as good as expected

IEEE YIAlitER--

--WERE RAMS

ONLY

IMRE

4

Page_L_ola^.Z pages.

Sr I 7- 42-101 Control ho.

"
MOIL SA TAM

—IBISE =MEM

MAME VINITUEll mu

ONLY

des to Incorrect stellar exposure, and dim to a terrabi camera shutter

malfunction during the latter pert el the flight.

Manion 0042 was laneched as 1 August 1902, and performed

iminessfally. *mow the capsule was lest due the parachute

impended from the capsule daring to aircraft match operation.

Two ARGON millstone sahedded tier October, but some

doubt exists as to whether the soma one, presently imbedded for

21 October, will be leached before spring as sun angle mud anew

coverage in the tarpt area. redbme the value et sods film taken that

late in the year.

4. 722 (49118.1-201/E 

Project 722 is a photographic area coverage astern designed

for 11-10 feet resolution. The maw consists d two N H food length

pansesmic cameras with a 22.4 degree stereo angle. Development .• •

•

was initiated in October 1960. The system will obtain 14, 000, 000 .

 •

4.4

square nautical miles of coverage daring a 11-ile1 Imagist= of which . • •

•

9, 000, 000 square nautical miles will be non-redundent.

Four flights have been made with this astern. While these

flights did not result in obtaining record, they were extremely 'valuable

in obtaining data relating to the design, development and operation of

the system.

PADIc

NUKE r -TOPIEORE1-

cop7_4._or__ALcopies

pazo_4::_a_ata:pages.

ST n4-42 C Z— K if Celn.rn1 ;.4).
•

ausi a Osumi NU

likikligg-

_IgagranlaS

I ILI

The first flight, on MI April Ms was described In the June

report. but is included in the steadied summary chart.

The wound test vends was launched on IT June BM. The

vehicle experienced • high control gas consiunption rate caused by

a cometamt pitching and yawing terse apparently resulting from a look

in the Agana tool system. As a remelt of the high pa rate, a decision

to attempt to recover the vehicle on the 10th orbit ta night, soutbeilp

-north pass near Hawaii). The de-boost velocity was kr. doe to Agana

fuel depletion caused by the leak and the vehicle impacted 800 miles

long. The re-entry vehicle did not separate from the mid-sectkon

because of a short in the separation. squib circuit. Both cameras

apparently operated properly, although there was an indication that

B camera failed after transporting 3800 feet at film. Analysis ballasts*

that this was probably • telemetry monitor point flaws rather than

a camera failure.

The third flight test vehicle was launched on 18 July. The

secondary propulsion system did not fire prior to Agana bora daring

injection. Orbital operations were nominal except that A camera failed

after transporting 3800 feet of film. When de-boost was attempted, the

Agent Wisp rocket again failed to fire and since the remaining Apes

. ,

"7"7

rims

ONLY

MAIL V MILY

• •

10e 0• 1

Copy--A--of--Y.L_Copios •

Page_- -- -Z.-Pages.

s T is--.217-d.2-kli

Control No.
TOP SECRET UNE Wr-TAM

MIN 0E11 IV

—MIN- COMM

ONLY

•

fuel was not properly positioned in the talks after having been in a

earn-G onvireamente the Alas seein g did not ere.

The fourth flight test vehicle was launched on 5 August. The

vehicle operated properly throughout the issech. Injection and orbital

phases of the nsissiou. The A camera Man transport was inoperative

during the satire mission. This was meet probably doe to a swims

commend airing pre-kbanch activitiea a camera tidied dies transporting 1530 feet of film. The de-boost and seperadan sequenoes were

performed as programmed. The parachute did not open. and the

recovery veldcle was destroyed on impact. This failure was most

probably caused by wake hooting mewing the access holes In the sit

end of the vehicle. The recovery vehicle is being nobjected to

caudderable testing and modification to puma • recurrence of this

failure prior to the Next Wild. The access holes are being closed or

baffled, wires are being re-routed and the thermal protection compoind •

on the aft end has been clanged.

As may be noted, from the above, each problem with the exception .

of film transport has been corrected and has not occurred a secood :

.„

•

.

:

. .

:

. • .

•

time. Extensive minor minim and modification of the lila transport.

system and changes in the test procedures promise better performance

in this area on subseqient flights.

!M mar.

:MEE CLIMELS

GEV --TOP-SEORETNuou cny 7

Copies

Cantrol No 
• ,

•

.TOP-SECRET- •

MINE leMi SET

•

VALE Ultialt---

—WW1 COMBS

SILT

Iligeffieaut changes duo the June report ere

The proven lanach rate has bee* docreased as shown

on the schedule chart.

A decision has been reached with regard to recover/

methods. Mr emit& of the rammer, vehicle haw bees: dotermbed

to be feasible and will become the primary noway mode at aa swig

dote.

V.:.:;!.; ELI

LE CHAO:ELT CUE'

hAkUtE VIA.STEy,

-TOP-KNEE

8

Copy__.2...-of--4L-Cop /es •

-saf-Pages.

.1 7 - -104

Control No.-
".•

. •

—TOP-SECRET-

. muli ill= an

UNE II WEB-

--1011111LVIDIS

1111

NAM VIA-101r-

--1811111-DIANMS

DilY

MEL V

---TOP-SEC-REI--

a

aar

Pcsze—g--of42—g—Pagegi• • •

ris-.2 "7- 1.2 -NW Control
CIIMINEU

W

MU WI 11111 TOP SECRET

Copy--.0--o14Copies

Page-ors:2- -- Le...

Pages• •

Control ma.

bra 7 e? - -

..........

• •

-TOP-SECRET- una wrumw-

--wastunims

.‘11LY

.......... - .

. - . ......
40P-SECREF

41111211"f

VIA-TAW111111NICIAIIMS

NU

•

. • ••

IAUIIWA

—110111E- CMOS

H

• ailai Vi. ILA WM --TOP-SEREF--

Copy NZ of t Copies

Page—a-of-ati.-PaSso •

/S-,02.7 7 te2- if te

Control No.
-TOP-SECREF- IMME 311-TAMIt.

--MIKEIMINE13

1.1 1MI SILY

Z.;

Illy

...........

:::!PMELLn

!arta VINIFYSIEN ONLY

.py

Page_12i—efa2.,__Pages. •

S r 7—‘.2-h1/1 •

Control

• • •••••••RIT1M1
Copy_re2--_of--1E--Copies

Page—La-of.mg-Z-Pages.

Sr is-2.3?-

Control

NAME VIAIALENI---

--iniaLE-CIAINEIS

ONLY

011. .: .111; E.i.

,

1

13

•

-TOP-SECRETNNE VOW MT

MITI VIA AUX=

Anistrammas

I L
TOP SECRET WILE WA TAMIV

IIILE

flu

Ccpy ••2- of- d- Copies

Pago-.20-of-22.g.-Pages.

Control 

4 -r Z-12.3 - 4.2 - 14 BO • ..............emaramaorlb

14

--TOP-SECREr
.EAULE V INLI

.................. .......

IMRE VIA -MOW-

--Emu-oures

H

.•.

z.

U

HANDLE VIA-TAMIPONLY

STEM OILY

TOP StsCRET

Page..../-an.of.o? --Pages.

i47.237 — 42- 1:04 Control o.---

•

• •••• • " • • • •• -•••v• ••••-i
VALE NAIVE=

---1/1111111141191

ME VIII= NU OILY

--TOP-SICRET

16

wmti VIA -

-1E1110111:00011113

0

aritai WtL

Ceps ae _at_ _Copilg

Page-1-&—ofatIL-Pages.

ST MV,Y7--62-K - Control No.--

• : ;
ME VIA-TAM

--1811111111111181

1111

TOP SECRET

........

HANDLE MAIM=

CIANNELS

ONLY

ODLE 11111P81

17

--TOP-SEGREr-

.; .

Copy__at_of-_41_-Coplei

Page 12__of

_bra .3 1- - 1Y'14 •

Control .

_...... ......_-,...--1--n•n"'"-P--.7. • P X.41144;

•.

.113•'. 4
NNE

1 I LI -TOP-MRET-

•

-TOP-SECRET

18

•

Page-1..L-of.a.-Z-Pages.

Co nt

S -it AWE V EN ONLY so.-

LIME VIA -HIRT=

-*YIN CUM

ON

a. POPPY .• •

Project POPPY is an electronic drat collection effort vdoich is

providing IiLINT infornudion through the use of an orbiting leserlife
--TOP-SECREV

PLY

sifigual repeaters readies

In analog form at the ground ststioas and retuned

reductiso.

IAMILE WSW

--101111-132MEL1

IllY

..• . . .

. - .

• .

The first lama was accomplished in 22 J 11180, mid operated

tutil 28 September len. Tide mission covered the 11-lead and provided the coatirmstios et lmowa site

•

PAM% RA -MN.-

ONLY

MU say 541111

le

-TOP-MGMCopy-- -of---:-Coplei

Page--of-far--Page's:. •

Control lo. " •
tt rti+- CRAWLS

65LY

Y101.31EM

MEE ONLY

_......._

illilltElit

-1911111112.46193 ---4011-SEGIErThere have been three other attempts

one in MO and two in 1962. All of these failed to orbit dbe to booster

failure. Although original planning provided for two more Lunches

using SCOUT vehicles during 1962. steps have been taken to provide a

Lunch 0111111OPPY myload in November, using a 211011/Agena

booster, in place of the two SCOUT launches.

Copy—Ja_of_—if:-CoPios •

Page_44.-of-atf -Pages.

r /S-n2 3 7-4,2-RN Centro No 

20
Copy— _ of _ _f _Coploq

rage_i_of c2 g __Pages,

Contro

ST 14". 237 -e.2 -A,At

l no.—

CRANNELS TOP SEi P.

NAM ulletaul Y 21

IL 417 (P-35/128/110 

Project 417 was Initiated in August 1261, with the objective of
• •

WEE NA-29112.--

—181111-12A116.1

OILY

LUME

providing doily cloud cover information of the area of interest in direct

support at the forecasting activities which support the satellite

reconnaissance program. The 417 space vehicle weighs 100 pounds,

and is spin stabilised in a 400-mile orbit. Expected useful 'if* as orbit

is 90 -100 days. 'Through magnetic tape re garding of a video image.

vertical (gond cover pictures of abed ase -mile resolution will be provided to read-out stations at Vandenberg APB and lbw Boston, N. I.

The first launch was attempted as 23 Noy 1912. Oa that launch

the second stage of the BLUE SCOUT vehicle exploded and orbit was

not achieved.

The second launch was accomplished 33 August 1912. AU booster

systems operated normally, and the 417 payload mildewed an excellent

orbit with apogee of 463 nra and perigee of 340 am. The progression

rate is just over 10 per dear. This is well within the sondes' reedred -

for successful accomplishment of the mission. All satellite subsystems have been operating satisfactorily since the bench. Attitude

re-orientation was completed by the 50th pass and full mission coverage

began an pass N. As al 23 September 1913 (one month after hivinch).

1411 pictures were received of a total of ENT which could have been

received. This represents a retrieval rate of approximately 901i.

MOLE YIA-TAMurr--

—ILYMILI-OANNE13

ONLY

MIME Vara ONLY

---TOP-SECREr

22

copy of- _Cop1011

Page-4. Pagsg„

Coti rol ite°2 3 "

77. "77 71".4/M
TOP SECRET

NNE lemei oar

MEE

1 L I

Of the pictures retrieved, fewer than 1111 have been uenseable all

others have been incorporated into didly operational forecasts

prepared by the Global Weather Central, he direct support of the

satellite remennaissanee activities. Present kWh:Miens are that the

satellite can continue to provide useful information through about

mid-January 1063. The Global Weather Central has evaluated the

picture quality and usefulness of 417 material as being excellent to

superior.

The third 417 vehicle will be ready for lama by late October,

but it is not planned to make this launch until the psy/oad presently

on orbit fails.

The program costs to date, which include buying the first law

vehicles and payloads, have bean just ova

ViAliditsi—

!,:rEPc violas

r: t r --1131'-SECRET

HAW V 23

Copy_ of__Z_Copiea

Page_c?_...tof-A.Ir-Pages.

s 7-** /4-6) -4.2-/ei Control No.
IA u re.

111113

-TOP-SECREr

Copy,-ofACCoples

Palle -of—I-Wages.

ST /5-4 .5 7-4:r • K

Rant pal NA

UNE Illi-TIMeltr

--if1111111111110

ams.

-TOP-SEGREf-
UWE NAIAMIP

—MilIMAMS

11111 ru --Tel3-SECREFCort——ot--.4.-Copies

Pasea-C...otALC-Pages.

3 7" /.31.t .3 7 — 4.0

Control No.
OK TS IN, NA OK

% OK

Ilmovory f to

Whyte. /rte

MI moo Ammo, 'In

orolooloo

ogolool win Ilaolop.

IV OK OK

Ittooktool Moro

At .PS kid So

IN OK NI ado MIPS ooWm on *Am.

Po word

oft also sit -TOP-SECRET- MINE NA-TME11-- -

-1211111M11111EIS •

1111.1

Payload Reser•

D'aviportal leselet N AN A.N. • Perim. Wale vs. Camemoded -Astimi

 Rowan, WNW C Eumg C

Plum of NW

slow rook* l.-

NO ado

mob woolly

dolowst ham

OK T 0 % NA OK

•

amp to drootto

M lido oot esOK OK NO WANT olowelloo

prowomast.

T % NA OK

NOM. I CSC Corm wood Melon so Dell as ootionot oyotow oporottat.

NO • Moo olIooloo Piton.

NA - pots. not otilvotod.

MAMIE VIA ihtfilry

--KENN Mal

IIILY 111111L -TOP-SECREfCopy._rief-of-z-m. 1 -Copts'

Poselleaft...ote-Z—PaStw. ST /412,7 2-ta- ConVtol No.— _...
UMW VA VW

—INIRE-OMMOS

Olt I ---10P-SECRET--

LAUNCH SCHEDULE as of .58 flop 85

. •

1983 1964 .

ONDI 1 A 11111111 11111111111111

einnnrammumneffmnri '4'

inn BOHM 1111111111MIFINiiiiumems

A III I • Ili A It

11771 O.NDJ i:80

, °J. • • J . ,T,

I d

• le:ft' r4tit 4?

PHOTOGRAPHIC

ELECTRONIC

a

. •

•

1982

N D I

wzA yr

•rmni

. .

•