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-fel- NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

THE NRO STAFF August 24, 1971 

MEMORANDUM FOR DR. NAKA 

et. 

SUBJECT: Manned Space Flights Over the Soviet Union, 

MOL/STS 

We have done some research regarding the history of 

deliberations of MOL overflights of the Soviet Union. As 

near as we can determine there never was a specific formal 

addressing of this question. There were two associated 

questions considered during the 1965 time period which 

relate to this issue to some degree. The first, in July 

1965, was the creation of an in-house DOD MOL policy paper 

which addressed the public information aspects and international reactions to MOL. NSAM 2454 provided the main 

basis for this policy paper. Thus, the fact of manned 

flights over the Soviet Union was perceived to be 

legitimate and peaceful. Operations of MOL, in terms of 

its reconnaissance mission, were to be conducted within 

a carefully disciplined security environment. 

The second, in September 1965, was a NSAM 156 meeting 

where the subject of a State initiative of an offer of prelaunch inspecting of MOL was discussed. This initiative 

was subsequently beaten down by OSD/NRO as unnecessary. 

Stimulating this initiative was public agitation by the 

Soviets over a potential "weapons in orbit" situation. 

It appears then, that even though MOL was to overfly 

the Soviet Union, the feeling was that the international 

pressures would not be significant, and that the NSC 2454 

directive was still valid. 

With regard to the expensive dog leg maneuvers by the 

STS, I spoke with Col Ralph Ford. He says that the primary 

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reason for designing in the lateral cross-range capability 

was for crew safety and orbit flexibility. The matter of 

optionally not overflying the Soviet Union on launch is 

purely a side benefit and not the reason for the capability. 

It is felt that this characteristic provides a flexibility 

which might be useful in time of international uncertainty 

in minimizing provocation. 

It is interesting also that neither GEMINI nor APOLLO 

has overflown the Soviet Union. The inclination of those 

earth orbital flights was 32 degrees. About one-half of 

China was overflown and hand-held photography was obtained 

of the southern half of that country. The contingency plans 

for APOLLO 13, 14, and 15, if needed, would have caused 

overflight of the Soviet Union, however. 

If you wish any further elaboration on the subject, 

please let us know. 

HAROLD S. LE, JR. 

Major, USAF 

I 
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Bud, 

At staff meeting on Friday we discussed manned space 

flights over the Soviet Union. The STS people are planning 

elaborate orbits complete with expensive dog leg maneuvers 

to avoid over-flying the Soviet Union while launching their 

payloads. 

Dr. Naka pointed out that there must have been considerable deliberation before the decision was made to permit 

manned MOL spacecraft to overfly the Soviets. Would you 

please investigate and find out what considerations were 

involved in the MOL Program? 

I pointed out that the Gemini and Apollo programs overflew China--and I thought the Soviet Union--and we have 

released photography taken by hand-held camera; during those 

missions. Dr. Naka replied that he had thought the Southem 

Soviet Union must have been traversed but that Dr. Seamans 

(and because of his NASA association he should know) said 

that we had not overflown the Soviet Union with our manned 

spacecraft. This question needs to be answered. 

I suggest a short paper for Dr. Naka's use. 

$4.41,,L.firze, 

1 -r