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Control System $ MAR 1966 

MEMORANDUM FOR GENERAL EVANS 

SUBJECT: Status of MOL Readout 

Introduction 

1. A survey was made to determine the status of all effort relative 

to the photographic readout link in the MOL system. Information was 

collected through available documentation and informal contact with 

persons listed in Tab A. 

Readout Requirement 

1. MOL Program Office Directive 65-2 of 25 August 1965 states that 

the Laboratory Module, "will be equipped with a wide bandwidth 

communications system capable of rapid relaying of selected payload 

output and telemetry data." It further directs that, "channel 

capacity and reliability to support wide bandwidth data transmission 

to selected stations in ConUS . . . will be provided." 

2. The Phase I efforts required of EKC and GE are defined by tasks 

4 and 6 respectively and are extracted from the respective work 

statements in Tab B. DAC is responsible for the TT&C Sub-system 

which would include the wide band data link. 

3. The requirements for the MOL readout equipments are defined in 

the Preliminary General System Specification of December 1965 

(SSS-149) as summarized in Tab C. 

 Discussion 

1. System Definition - the MOL readout system as presently conceived 

consists of the major components listed below arranged according to 

jo 

'm=m— the responsible contractor. 

EKC - Film Viewer oo 

Binocular Microscope 

ula 

Film Chemical Storage 

Processor and Dryer 

Frame Selector and Splicer 

GE - Film Scanner 

DAC - Wide bank link (part of TT&C Sub-system) 

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The film scanner assigned to GE by their work statement must 

also include signal processing after film scan such as is 

provided by analog to digital conversion, amplification, and 

modulation equipment. Some confusion exists as to contractor 

responsibility in the interface between the scanner output 

equipment and the wide band transmitter. No definition of ground 

reconstruction and/or recording equipment responsibility has been 

made. Since use of the 20-megabit wide band link presently being 

developed for the satellite control facilities! SGLS system is 

contemplated, the readout system capacity is being molded around 

these specifications. The readout system parameters outlined in 

Tab C (General System Specification) can be expected to change to 

conform with this SGLS system. (GE has estimated the maximum 

output quantity over the 20-megabit link at about 12 square inches 

per five minutes as opposed to the specification value of 50 

square inches.) 

2. MOL Activity - As of this date very little program effort has 

been expended on the MOL readout system. EKC was given the job 

(see Tab B) of investigating all methods of readout. As seen by 

the extracts of their monthly progress letters (Tab D), only 

preliminary investigations have been made. GE has reported no 

progress through their report of 10 January 1966. No documentation 

other than that referenced herein could be uncovered. Discussions 

with SAF-SL1, SAF-SP and Aerospace supporting personnel indicate 

a lack of understanding as to the requirement for photographic 

readout and a lack of emphasis on this part of the MOL system 

in favor of "more pressing problems." 

3. Other Activity - Two related activities not originated by MOL 

program are summarized below: 

a. Philco WDL has submitted an unsolicited proposal entitled 

"MOL Surveillance Mission" which describes a 30-inch cassegrainian 

optical system, the complete output of which is transmitted to the 

ground via a wide band link. The proposal contains a very comprehensive analysis of the readout problem, including a comparison with 

re-entry capsules, and recommends and establishes feasibility for up 

to 500 mcps links to transmit photographic information. During his 

visit to Philco on 8 February 1966, Colonel Norman witnessed a 

demonstration of the breadboarded system. The complete proposal is 

available in Mission Planning Division. 

2 

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b. CBS - Bell Telephone Laboratories - Contractual 

effort has been conducted by CBS and BTL on wide band readout 

systems for other programs. GE personnel plan to contact these 

companies for detailed information. Additional information is 

also available from SAFSS if desirAi 

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LEWIS S. NORMAN 

Colonel, USAF 

Mission Planning Division 

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SAF -SP 

Colonel L. Allen 

Major J. Wallace 

Major R. Burke 

SAF-SL1 

Lt Colonel P. O'Toole 

Lt Colonel R. Dees 

Major R. Pipher 

Captain W. Greenwood 

Aerospace 

Mr. R. Brandell 

SAFSS 

Colonel D. Carter 

GE 

Mr. H. Bried 

EKC 

Mr. B. Herrington 

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Work Statement Requirements 

EKC Work Statement, 28 September 1965 

Task 4 System Performance Analysis 

4. "Specifically identify performance requirements and 

potential methods for implementing readout to the ground 

and ground reconstruction of selected portions of imagery 

developed on board. Air-ground data link mechanization 

will be determined by SAF-SP program office." 

GE Work Statement and Addendum No. 1, 13 January 1966 

Task 6 Detailed Design 

3. Data Readout Subsystem (Preliminary submittal of detailed 

design specification, 29 March 1966). In addition, integrate 

into MM & Lab items to be furnished by EKC. 

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General System Specification (SSS-149) December 1965 

Readout 

a. Capacity - Readout 50 square inches of basic 

photographic take in five minutes required with a goal of 

100 square inches. This is expected to be changed to 25 

square inches and 30 square inches respectively in the next 

specification revision, to be consistent with the 20-megabit 

channel being developed for the Space Ground Link Subsystem(SGLS). 

b. Degradation - The system should degrade the 

reconstructed photo by less than 20% from the original processed 

photo. 

c. Security - With an effort expenditure of $1,000,000 

and 1 year the probab4lity of unauthorized photo reconstruction 

will be less than 10'. NSA will review design for security. 

d. Ground Support - The ground stations and equipment 

used will be a function of cost. Decryption and processing at the 

receiving station are not required. 

e. Manual Functions - The design will be such as to require 

minimum time of the astronauts. 
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CONTRACTOR PROGRESS 

EKC Monthly Progress Letter for October 1965, dated 16 November 1965 

"2.4.3 Photographic Readout - A study which includes literature 

search of various photographic readout techniques has been initiated. 

A preliminary development plan for major items such as Bimat Soaker, 

processor, and readout breadboards was completed and a detailed 

plan of job assignments and responsibilities has been initiated." 

EKC Monthly Progress Letter for November 1965, dated 15 December 1965 

"2.4.2 Photographic Readout - To achieve the design objectives of 

the Dorian Program three possible methods of converting imaged data 

to transmittable information are being considered. These methods 

are direct electron beam scanning, scanning with a laser beam source, 

and scanning with a phosphor illumination source. The results of 

these considerations will be reported at a later date. The report 

will describe the advantages and disadvantages of each system and 

will recommend the optimum choice. 

Initial design studies for a processor and dryer have been 

started and preliminary sketches of several possible designs have 

been completed."