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MANNED ORBITING 

LABORATORY NOCIANI DoVIECTOVE 

MOL PLANETARY OBSERVATIONS 

NO. 67-6 

HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE 

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WASHINGTON, D.C. 

MOL PROGRAM OFFICE 

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APPROVED 

JAMES iBEGUSON 

General, USAF 

Director, MOLOAram 

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MOL PROGRAM OFFICE 

DIRECTIVE NO. 67-6 

MOL PLANETARY OBSERVATIONS 

PROGRAM REQUIREMENT DOCUMENT 

THIS DOCUMENT IS AN OFFICIAL RELEASE OF THE MOL 

PROGRAM OFFICE AND ITS REQUIREMENTS ARE DIRECTIVE 

ON ALL COGNIZANT ELEMENTS OF THE MOL PROGRAM 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

I. PURPOSE 1 

II. SCOPE 1 

III. BASIC CONSIDERATIONS 1 

IV. OBJECTIVES 3 

V. TASK SUMMARY 4 

VI. SECURITY 5 

VII. FUNDING 5 

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I. PURPOSE 

This directive provides authority and guidance for the implementation of activity associated with the conduct of planetary observations 

by the MOL Program on behalf of the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration. Authority and guidance is also provided for the study 

of MOL capabilities as they might be adapted to the total spectrum of 

astronomical observations. 

II. SCOPE 

A. The provisions of this directive are applicable to all elements 

of the MOL Program in accordance with the terms of responsibility and 

authority provided the Director, MOL Program by the Secretary of the 

Air Force. 

B. This directive is limited by the security requirements of the 

MOL Program, and by the DNRO guidelines concerning DOD involvement with 

NASA in programs using optical photographic systems. 

C. The terms of this directive shall not be construed as authority 

to enter into new financial commitments with MOL Program contractors 

without Director, MOL approval, except for planning and study activity 

now included in the baseline MOL Program and described in the Manned 

Orbiting Laboratory Program Plan and Funding Requirements document, 

December 15, 1966 revision. 

III. BASIC CONSIDERATIONS 

A. The initial primary mission of the MOL Program is the 

development and early demonstration of an operationally usellta 

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resolution optical reconnaissance system capable of achieving 

IIIIIIIIII ground resolution. The program approval includes, however, 

provisions for the conduct of activity satisfying general scientific needs 

on the basis of non-interference with primary mission objectives. 

B. NASA has examined the MOL optical sensor system and its 

capabilities, as related to astronomical research requirements, in the 

following categories: 

1. Use of existing MOL design and equipment configuration 

without significant modification or addition to the basic instrumentation 

or operation plan. 

2. Minor changes to the MOL system, such as longer exposure 

times, tighter stabilization tolerances, and the provision of an 

alternate image station to accommodate specialized analytical detectors. 

3. Major redesign of MOL instrumentation to provide optimum 

capabilities for specialized astronomical observations. 

4. Application of MOL technology (Components, subsystems, 

procedures, etc) to the development by NASA of astronomical research 

instrumentation. 

C. NASA has concluded that there is some rationale for securing 

random planetary observations as the opportunity arises during the 

course of the baseline MOL Program. NASA. has described the scientific 

interest in such observations, and has commended the acquisition of 

such planetary photographs as may be obtainable on a non-interference 

(with the primary MOL mission) basis. 

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D. The conduct of astronomical observations by the MOL Program 

involves political and security ramifications of considerable sensitivity. 

Of primary concern is the protection of the security of the National 

Reconnaissance Program. At the same time the NASA image of peaceful 

space activities must be maintained. Activity by elements of the MOL 

Program must therefore be managed and conducted with extra precautions 

in accordance with these concerns. 

IV. OBJECTIVES 

A tertiary objective of the MOL Program is to conduct astronomical 

activity and missions that further the progress of science in this field 

for the benefit of the scientific community, and to secure economical 

savings for the total U. S. space program through effective use of 

available technology, programs and systems. More specific objectives are: 

A. Secure planetary photographs for use by NASA and the 

scientific community. 

B. Determine the feasibility and requirements for adapting MOL 

operations, systems and components to the conduct of astronomical 

observations of all kinds (planetary, stellar, solar). 

C. Make maximum use in the MOL Program of NASA technology 

and effort associated with astronomical observation programs such as the 

Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) program, particularly in areas of precision 

tracking, stabilization and thermal control. 

D. Make available to NASA as much of the MOL-developed technology 

in optical/camera systems as is possible within the limits of security 

considerations. 

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V. TASK SUMMARY 

In accordance with this directive the MOL Systems Office will: 

A. Prepare and submit to the Director, MOL for approval a plan 

of tasks and activity necessary to accomplish planetary observations 

on baseline MOL flights. Only manned automatic mode flights will be 

considered in this plan. The plan shall be forwarded to the Director, 

MOL by May 1, 1967. The plan shall address, at a minimum, the 

following considerations: 

1. Technical/system requirements (hardware and software) 

2. Crew training 

3. Mission planning and operations 

4. Schedules 

5. Costs 

6. Security and data handling 

B. Initiate the analysis and study activity that is either 

included in the plan required in paragraph A. above or is necessary 

to prepare the plan; and which is possible in view of the limitation 

set forth in paragraph II. C. of this directive. 

C. Conduct a study and submit to the Director, MOL by June 1, 

1967 a report on the feasibility, requirements and time-phasing 

associated with the use of modified or redesigned MOL systems for 

astronomical observations in accordance with paragraphs III.B.2. 

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VI. SECURITY 

A. Existing provisions, requirements and procedures in the 

BYEMAN/DORIAN security system shall apply to all activity set forth 

in this directive. 

B. Any requirements for new DORIAN clearances created by tasks 

directed herein shall be submitted to the MOL Program Office prior to 

processing through normal clearance channels. 

VII. FUNDING AND SCHEDULES 

A. Analytical and study activity related to Tasks V.A. and B. 

shall be conducted without request for additional funding. 

B. Additional fund requirements determined to be necessary to 

accomplish Task V.C. shall be submitted to the Director, MOL for 

disposition. 

C. Tasks directed herein shall be conducted in accordance with 

submittal dates specified in paragraph V. 

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