V • 

NRO APPROVED FOR 

RE L1 JULY 2015 

COPY National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Washington 25, D. C. 

M-C G 8115. 252 Oct 11, 1963 

Dr. Alexander H. F1'ax 

Assistant Secretary of the Air Force 

(Research and Development) 

The Pentagon 

Washington, D. C. 

Dear Dr. Flax: 

Tile Department of Defense had indicated certain reservations regarding the second phase of the Manned Orbital Research Laboratory study 

as originally proposed by NASA. This phase called for an optimization of selected concepts and a preliminary design culminating in a 

systems specification on the Manned Orbital Laboratory system. The 

particular objection of the DOD was against the preliminary design 

(Phase lib) prior to the completion of the Air Force Orbital Space 

Station study which would define the military requirements. 

In the enclosure we are submitting a revised version of the task 

description of Phase Ha of the Manned Orbital Research Laboratory 

study for your reconsideration within the scope of the DOD-NASA Coordination Agreement. Ti.is study is directed toward a more refined 

definition of the MORL system to lay a broad foundation for a versatile space laboratory in such a way as to allow for later incorporation of a wide variety of experimental requirements. Thus the NASA 

MORL Phase Ha study when carried out during the coming months in 

parallel with the DOD OSS studies will make it possible for a merging of the two with a minimum of delay. This will facilitate the 

early initiation of a preliminary design phase which would accommodate the requirements of both the DOD and the NASA. We, therefore, 

relieve that the proposed Phase Ha study is in the best interest of 

both agencies. 

Sincerely yours, 

/t/s/ George E. Mueller 

Deputy Associate Administrator 

for Manned Space Flight 

Enclosure 

c: Admiral W. F. Boone (Ret) 

MAF - General Ritland 
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NROAZPROVED FORREEAS1 1 JULf 2015 

1. C;TUDY TITLE: 

Optinization of a Manned Orbital Research Laboratory (Maar.) 

2. :wuny OBJECTIVE: 

Optimization and refinement of system elements and operational 

plans of preferred (MORL) system concept(s). 

3. STUDY EAFAGERS: 

Headnuarters OMSF: C. A. Huebner, Manned Satellite System Studies 

Center LRC : W. H. Gardner 

Contractor : To be selected 

O 

4. "Z.STLIATZD COST (in thousands) 

;L,1,200,000 (48 man-years) FY 1964 funds 

5. mscRIPTIoN or STUDY: 

This task represents Phase II(a) of the study program aimed at 

defining a small Manned Orbital Laboratory (MOL) system. In 

Phase (981-15-10-00) candidate system concepts were compared 

relative to practicability, reliability, cost and timing. A 

preferred major system concept(s) is being selected from these 

comp01-isons on the basis of non-interference with Apollo, 

mini= additional development and capability of accomplishing 

mission objectives. 

In the proposed Phase II(a), system elements within the preferred 

concept are to be refined. If a single major system concept is 

not resolved in phase I, it may 'be desireable to reconfigure a 

ncw concept from several contenders. .Phase II(a) is aimed at the 

selection of major subsystems such as docking system, artificial 

g system, data handling system, etc., and will incorporate- results of the modified Gemini and Apollo Ferry studies {981-15-

31-03) and (981-15-06-00) respectively currently underway.. Tice 

proposed study will be responsive to updated mission objectives 

going generated in Phase I, in the current Biomedical and Human 

Factors Study (981-15-109-00) and by in-house panels and working 

groups evaluating potential civilian MOL uses.. Refined program 

costs and schedules for the,selected system concept are to be .. 

derived from operations analyses based on refined mission profiles to be generated in, the current mission definition studies. 
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NRO APPROVED FOR 

1 JULY, 201; 

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A broad look.at subsystem integration is planned utilizing 

inputs from such current studies as Nuclear Isotope Power • 

(22-71-710-701-03) and integrated Life Support System (23- 

WO-127753-01-02). 

Soft nocImps will be used to facilitate general studies of experimental and subsystem integration. Specific problem areas . 

requiring advanced technoloof or system integration studies or 

tests will be defined. 

This study phaSe will provide information Oh a technical plan, 

schedule and resources requirements, which after incorporation 

of the requirements of other agencies, will facilitate the preparation of a project proposal. 

The following anticipated phase 11(b) preliminary design study, 

trill be aimed at further concept refinements such as detailed 

definition of subsystems and integration of specific experiments 

and should pave the way for preparation of a System specification should an MOL project prove attractive. That phase trill, be 

covered by a separate task description to be submitted at a 

later date. 

5. DURATION OP STUDY: 

Six months.