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-1-S-1- NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

THE NRO STAFF 2 2 SEP 1969 

MEMORANDUM FOR DR. McLUCAS 

SUBJECT: NASA Proposals to Study MOL ATS and DORIAN 

Technology 

I have prepared a brief memorandum for your signature 

to Dr. Seamans summarizing the application of the MOL ATS, 

the GE Mission Simulator, and DORIAN Optical Technology to 

future NASA needs. This memorandum points out that the 

NASA study proposals are quite feasible. Further, the 

fact that they will be carried out under BYEMAN control 

defers the major policy issues until a later date. 

The memorandum also transmits a letter for Dr. Seamans' 

signature to Dr. Newell accepting the NASA proposals and 

identifying Colonel Lew Allen as the point of contact to 

work out the details of implementation. Although Colonel 

Allen is identified to NASA as the point of contact, I 

will actually undertake to work out the details of implementation with NASA as an extension of the NRO Staff for 

these matters. Should I be reassigned once I have completed my MOL close-out tasks, Colonel Allen would, of 

course, move these implementation responsibilities back 

into the NRO Staff proper. 

I propose that we set up a small task group immediately 

to meet with the appropriate NASA people and begin the 

preparation of work statements and plans. To do this, I 

recommend that we request the assistance of the MOL Office lP 

and two or three of the officers previously assigned to MOL rO, 

now at AFSC; specifically Colonels White, Loret and Gandy. 

This can be done informally. 

DORIAN ToaThig PAPER 

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As soon as we have progressed to the appropriate point 

I will prepare guidance for you to send to General King. 

In the near future, I will provide him with copies of the 

correspondence and seek his advice and assistance as 

appropriate. 

Ra-4■)- Ovk 

RAL H t J. FORD 

Colonel, USAF 

2 Atch 

1. Memo for Dr. Seamans 

2. Ltr for Dr. Newell 

DORIAN 
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4E+ NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR 

2 4 SEP 1969 

MEMORANDUM FOR DR. SEAMANS 

SUBJECT: NASA Proposals to Study MOL ATS and DORIAN 

Technology 

NASA has proposed two actions related to continuing 

examination of their potential for using MOL developed 

hardware and technology. These are contained in their 

letters of 12 September 1969 (Atch 1 and 2). These actions 

involve the Acquisition and Tracking System (ATS) and the 

DORIAN optics technology. 

Regarding the ATS, NASA desires to contract with 

General Electric Co. and possibly ITEK through the Air 

Force (SAFSP) to study the applicability of this hardware 

to their experiments program. This appears to be a 

straight forward first step and we agree with NASA's suggestion that the existing security guidelines remain in 

effect during such a study. To support this activity, we 

should inform the affected termination contracting officer 

of the need to freeze the ATS and related equipment pending 

completion of the study and/or transfer of the equipment to 

NASA. Required from NASA are the funds and a statement of 

work to form a basis for an SAFSP contract. 

Preparation of the work statement might be expedited 

by providing NASA with the assistance of two or three Air 

Force officers, now in AFSC Headquarters and thoroughly 

familiar with the equipment in question. Such an arrangement would also facilitate establishing a DOD/Air Force 

position of interest and intent regarding the experiment. 

WORKING PAPIli 

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The question relating to the DORIAN optics technology 

appears equally straight forward and workable through the 

steps suggested by NASA. Arrangements have been made for 

a visit to the Eastman facility for the purpose proposed. 

Mr. Hubbard of the MOL Office will represent the NRO and 

accompany the party to Rochester. 

In general, we feel it is most advisable to conduct 

all studies related to determining feasibility and desirability of using these equipments within the BYEMAN security 

system. At the appropriate time the pertinent policy 

questions will be addressed. 

I have prepared a letter for your signature to Dr. Newell 

expressing our willingness to cooperate in both areas at 

least to the extent addressed in their request. It also 

suggests that steps be taken at the working level to prepare necessary work statements, arrange for transfer of 

funds, and proceed with the task. By separate means, I 

will enlist General King's assistance with contracting and 

related activities. 

L 

2 Atch 

a/s 

ail' 4 

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OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR September 12, 1969 

Honorable Robert C. Seamans, Jr. 

Secretary of the Air Force 

Washington, D. C. 20330 

Dear Bob: 

This door meet consists of ‘3.!.. pages 7

No. of Copies, Seriesigit.. 

As you know, NASA's long range plans in space astronomy point toward 

the eventual development and operation of very large diffraction 

limited orbital telescopes. One step along the way that we are considering is a large stellar telescope (ATM-B) for operation with the 

second "dry workshop", planned for flight in 1974. We have, with the 

assistance of the MOL team, taken steps to have Dr. Aden Meinel of the 

University of Arizona and Messrs. Olivier and Waite from the Marshall 

Space Flight Center examine the existing MOL hardware at Eastman Kodak. 

Their purpose is to make a preliminary evaluation as to the suitability 

of this equipment for stellar astronomy, the steps that might be 

required to so modify it, and the probable compatibility of the system 

with the Apollo Telescope Mount and dry workshop. We expect to have 

their preliminary findings within several weeks. 

In the event their report is positive, NASA would see the next step as 

a detailed technical feasibility study. Under the circumstances, this 

study would be classified and probably best contracted' for by the DOD 

with reimbursement from NASA. We feel we can progress this far without 

any commitment being sought or implied as to the actual use of DORIAN 

systems or technology by NASA. 

If the feasibility study were to show significant advantages of such 

utilization, we could then come to grips with the security and program 

policy issues that this might raise. 

In the longer term, we are vitally interested in the question of how 

NASA should move in the development and testing of very large optics, 

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and what role the classified capabilities — technology and facilities — 

should play therein. This topic can await further elaboration until the 

more immediate questions of existing hardware have been resolved. 

Sincerely, 

Homer E. Newell • 

Associate Administrator 

cc: Colonel Lew Allen, Jr. USAF 

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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON 20330 

September 29, 1969 

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Dear Homer: 

We have your letters of September 12 relating to 

NASA interest in exploring utilization of certain MOL 

developed hardware and related technology. It is 

reasonable, I believe, to proceed with these studies 

to the extent you suggest and we are prepared to assist 

as you require. 

Colonel Lew Allen of my Office of Space Systems 

will be the focal point for our support and he will 

make arrangements as required with SAFSP. 

To help prepare the work statement, may I offer the 

assistance of certain Air Force personnel now in the 

Washington area, and thoroughly familiar with the equipment. 

I would like to have some of our people participate 

at least in the initial studies involving the ATS. This 

would permit us to determine at an early date, what 

further interest we will have in the experiment as it may 

proceed. 

I agree that it is necessary to conc,—c the initial 

analyses within the existing security arrangements (the 

BYEMAN Control System). We will arrange for a suitable 

method of contracting upon receipt of your work statement and appropriate funds. 

As you '.lave suggested, there are a number of policy 

questions .7:: must be addressed if the results of your 

initial inv,_:tigation so warrant. However, such 

1;TaiC:111.\:IG PAPER 

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considerations are not required at this time and should 

present no obstacle to your immediate plan. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Homer E. Newell 

Associate Administrator 

National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration 

Washington, D. C. 20546 

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