/'. Approved !or Rele.as~: 20~ 7/01 /25 C05096212 ·~ llllllll\llllllllllllllllllllll\lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll . 14 000078160 

STIC: Biblio - STIC_:- Comm Satt .,..., ... , ,,,... '.-. .: 

WASl":JNCION, D. C. 20;}01 

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STIC: Nucl -:bet Satt 

STIC: MOL 

Policy: MOL -

-1 9 MAR 1966 --

ME~ORANDyM FOR THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY 

THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY 

THE SECRET~RY OF THE AIR FORCE 

THE DIRECTOR OF DEFENSE RESEARCH 

AND ENGINEERING 

THE DIRECTOR1 DEFENSE COMMUNICATIONS 

AGENCY 

SUBJECT: Public Information Handlin,'.; of the TITAN IIIC Space 

Launches from Cape Kennedy During 1966 

The space launches scheduled during the :remainder of 1966 at 

the TITAN IIIC complex at Cape Kennedy will be conducted under 11 open launch" procedures: In view of the unusual configuration 

of the launch complex, the geographical considerations, and other 

factors, it is unlikely that closed launches would reduce public 

visibility and it is probable that strict security procedures would 

intensify media. interest and create undesirable speculation aI\d 

adverse publicity. 

The Cape Kennedy space launches noted which include the Initial 

Defense Communications Satellite (IDCSP), VELA Nuclear Test 

Detection Satellite, and the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) 

programs are to be considered exceptions to paragraph V. B. 

Depa1·tn1ent of Defense Directive, S-,5200. 13, subject: Security 

Policy fo1· Military Space Prog1·ams · (u), November 15, 1962. 

The Air Force will develop annexes to the TITAN III Information 

Plan, June 6, 1963, and the Manned Orbiting Laboratory Information Plan, 'January 5, 1966, to p1·ovide detailed procedures which 

will be submitted to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public 

. Affairs for approval. 

Im 6 11 · "" t[~D-1~;;•,· '' "°':;7'j)~D--:-;;:~~'i~ 1""' I,;·,.,;;:-VALS · J !Jl.. '~ 0 -Ii I fi\,tI, • .f'\, '~' H.t. \,) ;.:.J 1.!,\ j.'fA&.:JAl t J 

. . I . DOD DIB 5200.10 . 

Sec Def Cont N;r. z ... ___ :._:_~··- DECLASSIFIED AFTER 12 YEARS. 1

1 

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£~~~.-.-::~'. ___ t_fi _ _o_l_~~~-;. · .... ·gEGRET. 

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Because of the classified rn.<~(crial involved, 1::1c Departrnent of 

Defense desires to maintain t'.c.:-.t co~1crol of h1:Cormation released 

pertaining to the MOL program, Al.though an exception to S-5200. 13 

has been ;;;i-anted .for the MOL heat: shield qualification test sch...:duled 

io:: October 1966 £ron1. Cape Kennedy, the basic policy outlined in the 

MOL Inforrnation Plan applies, That is, the rnission may be described 1 

solely as that of lea:;:oning- more <.:.bout wl1at rDan is able to do in space 

and how that, capability can.be used for defense pu1·poscs, The objective is to,.1n."ovicJ.c r:i.ate:dal in :i.•csponso to lcgitin1ato public interest 

rather than'to generate publicity. I 

All other public information that is not included in the material attach-· 

ed to the MOL In.formation Plan will process for approval through a 

single DoD point of review - - - Office of the Assistant Secretary of 

Defense for Public Affairs, Directorate for Plans and Programs. 

This information includes but is not lim:ted to press releases, stater.1.ents,. speeches, proposed 1·esponses to queries from news n1edia 

•• 01· local uublic officials and uroposed letters or other unclassified ... ... 

responses to Congress through Legislative Liaison or other channels. 

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affai:.i.•s 

will coordinate the material before release with the Bureau of Public 

Affairs, Department of S~ate. This provision was. coordina~ed with 

the Department of State, Ato:r.1ic Energy Commission, and the · 

Na;ional Aeronautics and Space Agency, and it applies to all 'executive 

dep .rtments and agencies. 

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Approved for Release: 2017/01 /25 C050962.12. 

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