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1 JAN 1966 

59/ZOOTZ

-3AEil 

Brigadier Giara1 Russell A. Berg 

Depaty Director, MOL Program 

Space Systems Division (SAF*SIA) 

AP Unit Pest Mice 

Is Angeles, California 

Dear Buss: 

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Over the past year a tremendous amount of progress barn been 

made in the MOL Program. The program has been approved, its 

objectives reoriented, and then reoriented again,Contract Definition 

Phase is well underway ant, particularly during be last few months, 

many significant program decisions have been made. There is, however, 

• at least one major and fundamental problem remaining with us, which X 

believe require concerted effort frees all of us to solve. 241s 

is the broadening of the MOL Provo& to increase its cape-

' bilities to perform useful military functions and experiments is space. 

In addition t swam concern, I think it is pertinent to review 

certain of the statements and positions taken by W. Mannar& and by 

the President at tbe time the MOL Programmes approved. Utracted 

immediately below are quotes framer. Mblemarats memo to the 

President dated 24 August 1965. Be stated: 

"Basted upon a thorough review of the conclusions 

I recommene the following: 

2. That the MOL program proceed toward the fallowing 

Objectives: 

a. Semi-operational use beginning in late 1968 

to secure photographs of resolutions of 

significant targets. This is approximately 

better than the best satellite photography we are 

not/obtaining, and approximately better 

than the best expected 062 photograpbs or the G3 

satellite system, now under development, frem which 

we expect photographs in about 15 months. 

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b. Development *thigh-resolution optical 

technology and systems fax either manned or unmanned 

use. This teellftftlegy will provide the 

resolution and be aimed at ultimately even better 

resolution 

c. ProvieLm; of a fecilityfor the developments 

test and use of other potential military applications 

*Rah as 2101NT collections reder observation and 

ocean surveillances as the utility and feasibility of 

such applications become established. 

d. Provision of an experimmatal program ter 

determination of man's utility in assembling large 

structures, and in adjusting, maintaining and pro. 

ceasing the output from complex military equipment in 

space." 

At another point, aecretaryNknamara states: "I have the cow. 

currence at Secretaryftsk, Mr, Webb, Admiral &bores and Dr. Hornig 

on the above recommendations." Later in the paper hr. Monemare dustiest 

"The plan for MIX es proposed bY the DePartmeat Of 

Defense has been prepared specifically to moat deftmse 

needs. Provision has been made, bowevers for /Deluging 

experiments and technology of special relevance to 

certain military needs other than reconnaissance. As 

the propoussatmeedss they may increase in importamae. 

Preliminary study has been made as well to determine whet 

general scientific needs could be melded. CM the basis 

of further SeDminABA cooperative studies, IAEA, will 

determine which of its scientific or general technological 

experiments sbould b carried out using the capability 

on the heels et noni-interferesse. with define* priority 

objectives." 

Also extracted from the uses release provided b) the Department 

of Defense on August 25, 1965 are the followings 

"The primary objectives of the /Via Program are to: 

(a) learn more about what man is able to do in 

space and bow that ability can be used for military 

purposes. 

(b) develop techeolocrand equipment which will 

help advance manned end unmanned space flight. 

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(c) experiment with this teehnology and evipeent. 

Later on in this release the following paragraph is 'extracted: 

"On the basin of Iktpartment of Defense-WA studies, the National 

Aeronautics and Spec, Administration all decide which of its scientific 

or techo0logies1 experiments are darted out in the NAL. These will not 

interfere with DoD experiments," 

It would epee that the statements above elearly indicate that we 

should proceed with a-NOL Program considerably broader then is currently 

being pursued. leen without the direction which ve have received, it 

seems very rink),to make an *priori determimetiOn that there is nothies 

of military significance in ;pace Other than TOCOODAUSWIWO, Theratft, 

we need to improve our ergear iestion and our capabilities to WW1 thee* 

braider objectives. I think it is particularly pertinent to initiate 

action along thee* lines immediately because of the obviously anima 

questions which will be forthooming in some of our Congressional sessions 

this sprieg. We have held preliminary discuesions an this subjects I 

have had some *fay people examine better ways to con4mmt our Wain -ill 

the sense of broseening our previa. I would like to send Dr* ihrenoeych 

and one or two °Abaft from the NOL Program Office and Colonel Ione from 

her to meet with wtomever you designate next week to c at least the 

fellowleg: 

s4 To review our previous list of primary end secondary 

experiments to detendamvhieh of those experiments should be rosettes:toed 

and carried on in the white program, YOr instance, la a revive ed'the 

primary experiments it seems that the extragmenioular work done under 

experiment P-3 should be re-energised* I think it is oar:muck in 

consonance with the objective listed in paragraph 24 of Kr. Wieners's 

memo for the President. I 4111011 belies that some of the remaining "P" 

experiments *which have been incorporated into the primer: mission 

activities should -continue to be considered as separate exparimeets for 

the sale purpose of having sae white objectives which *ma be discussed 

under proper security elassifioations of AYR 205-23 on those occasions 

where we are pressured into diocesans oar experimental activities It 

is my personal view that the P-designation should be eliulmetedbut to 

same experimental work carried on under some new designator. The 

reason is quite simple, If Ira continue to talk about P65, people will 

want to know what happened to the rest of the experiments, It seems that 

some change in name is appropriate, 

b. The second /major task that I think needs to be addressed 

is to build a broader and more enduring management inaenipulimational 

spproseh to the generation, sponsorship, and develop et of manned 'pace 

flight experiments, I should explain that my definition of experiments 

is just that. I do not view our cork in optical reconnaissance, in 

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MINT, or in ocean surveiLlence as experimental; r think it is 

developmental, missien-orieuted, and generally in response to accepted 

military requirements. Although we have not done too veil in defining 

mar and ocean surveillance hardware, at least there are people and 

some money being spplied to those tasks. My concern is providing some 

means of advancing the state of the art, or identifying those other 

she activities which are'necessary to the national defense and the 

coniutquont develoyment of space xateriel or the state teethe art 

essential to carry the activiSiss to a sseS1 sessIssiSs. It is sr 

view that these kinds *futilities must involve the whole of the 

Air force totems Command or at least those parts of it that atlns*. 

a substantive contrilsition. In a general wee, I think that AVOC most 

generate and sponsor such manned she flight experiments. Ogee a 

decision is taken to flight test, then they become the responsibility 

of the KM Program to integrate and to flight test. 

e. The final major activity that needs to be addressed is 

how we shape ourselves to suppertNOWIA4 should they desire to participate 

in the MIL.Progasta, it is significant that this be done tar the low 

earth orbit regime where tWeidavebiele presumably is the meet cost 

effective way to provide for manned spec* flight experimentetien, 

As you know, General Schriever is quite concerned about this 

entire subject, end has directed that / proceed expeditiously to evolve 

a *course of action to provide alternate missions for the MOIL I would 

appreciate your comments and cooperation for the forthcoming trip for 

Nike Tarynovyon. 

Sint:erely, 

SIGNED 

sunerL. ETAMS 

Brigadier Geoeral, DRAP 

Tice Director, M. Program 

Gen Rvans/4Jan66/rad 

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