DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON 20330 

SEP 1967 

S FERGUSON 

General, USAF 

Director, MOL Program 

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OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE 

SUBJECT: Manned Orbiting Laboratory Monthly Status Report 

The attached Status Report on the Manned Orbiting Laboratory 

(MOL) Program covers activities through August 31, 1967 and is 

sUomitted in accordance with the August 16, 1967 memorandum from 

th., Office of the Secretary. 

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I. PROBLEMS 

None. 

II. CHANGE PAST MONTH . 

A. Briefing to COMIREX 

General Stewart gave a MOL Program briefing on August 3, 

1967 to the newly-constituted Committee on Imagery Requirements and 

Exploitation. The briefing was attended by a rather large group --

from 25 to 30 -- and was well-received. Aside from the usual questions 

requiring clarification,_the main thrust of the discussion was aimed 

at the deletion of the Data Readout System from MOL. It was clear 

from the reaction of the Committee that COMIREX questions the decision 

to delete Readout from the baseline MOL Program. 

B. Briefing to the Reconnaissance Panel of PSAC 

On August 29 an extensive, all-day review of MOL was conducted 

by the PSAC Panel. The briefings began with an overview of the results 

of the current GAMBIT-3 program in an attempt to draw parallels in the 

learning process. The Committee was dissatisfied with the current performance of GAMBIT-3 and insisted that MOL make all efforts to assure 

that it, indeed, will deliver the specified IFT7777resolution) performance on the first flight. The Chairman expressed some doubt 

whether that goal could be achieved on the first flight. The review 

of progress on MOL was very well-received. The Panel was obviously 

impressed with the progress made in facility construction and the stage 

of test hardware production. The Chairman, Dr. Land, is still skeptics.; 

(7_,/,K) about the usefulness of man,in MOL, although his attitude is becoming 

increasingly more positive, particularly in the context of his suggestion 

to use an image enhancing device within the astronaut's Acquisition and 

Tracking Scope. This would overcome some of the viewing difficulties 

the MOL crew might'have because of low contrast conditions at typical 

targets. The Panel also expressed its concern about the deletion of 

the Readout .System-from since this does restrict the utility and 

flexibility of the manned system as compared to the unmanned system 

equipped with multiple re-entry, capsules. 

C. Mission Planning and Evaluation Software 

The Systems Office completed contract negotiations on August 18 

with TRW for the Mission Planning and Evaluation (MP&E) Computer Programs 

for MOL reconnaissance operations. Estimated cost for the CPIF contract 

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is $2.44 million. The computer programs to be developed under this 

contract are the ground software which will select operational sequences 

for the camera and two telescopes from the list of targets provided 

by the USIB. Some existing computer programs can be used or modified 

to meet MOL Program requirements. The contract includes (1) studies 

and analyses of various photographic and operating problems associated 

with the DORIAN system which will influence design of computer programs; 

(2) design, development, test and evaluation of the required computer 

programs; (3) initial support and training to Air Force personnel on 

the computer programs which are delivered; and (4) operational support 

and maintenance needed to improve, modify or maintain the 1/.780E software through Flight 7. 

III. CURRENT STATUS 

Funds 

Of the $120,000,000 (FY 68) released by DoD to MOL on July 1, 

approximately $113,400,000 will be obligated by September 30. After 

review of actual August contractor expenditures, the MOL Program Office 

will prepare a request to DDR&E for release of additional FY 68 deferred 

funds. 

IV. FORECAST FOR FUTURE 

A. Secretary McNamara Visit 

The Secretary of Defense will visit Eastman Kodak on September 14 

for a review of Eastman and General Electric MOL status and progress. The 

Secretary is scheduled to depart Washington at 4:30 P.M. and return at 

11:30 P.M. 

B. Executive Council Meeting 

The MOL Executive Council will meet at the General Electric 

Valley Forge Space Technology Center on October 17, 1967. This group, 

which is composed of senior Air Force and Industry MOL managers, was 

established to provide a forum for the periodic exchange of views between 

Government and Contractor management. 

V. DUE DATE FOR NEXT PROGRESS REPORT 

The next monthly MOL Progress Report will be submitted October 6, 

1967. 

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