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INTRODUCTION 

There are many academic reasons why the United States may be 

interested in obtaining a geodetic map of the globe. One of these 

is the ability of modern weapon systems to hit their target only as 

accurately as one can direct the missiles from the launching point. 

From the military point of view this particular use of an over-all grid 

.. of known reference points seems to have an overriding urgency with 

respect to all other possible uses for such a ·geodetic grid. The 

targeting problem, however, may be a special case of a world-wide survey and the specialized nature of the launch points as well as the 

targets may allow a solution without emphasizing the over-all world-wide 

grid as a necessary means to this end. 

With this thought in mind several questions have been listed 

to indicate a course of action which would lead to a method of obtaining 

targeting information with somewhat less effort than if the world-wide 

grid approach were used. This approach is based on the very limited 

area of the world which is considered to have military targets worthy 

of ICBM weapon assignment, with the additional factor that such weapons 

will be launched from an area that is also limited in scope. 

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THE PROBLEM 

In reducing data from a geodetical satellite, one is confronted 

with the problem of accurate m~asurements from known reference points 

and the extrapolation of these points to new reference points of interest. 

Two questions arise: 

(1) How well do we know the reference points? 

(2) What methods are available to measure the new 

points with respect to the references? 

The first question has been studied for years by many groups 

throughout the world. Indications are that we do know reference points 

to within a tolerance of 500 to 1,000 feet. Some optimistic estimates 

are much closer than this. 

In addition we have information about several hundred points 

within the Soviet; a significant number of these are recognizable from 

aerial pho~ography. Assuming that these facts are true, it is our contention that any geodetic data reduction system should be geared this 

known information to the utmost in an attempt to measure new target 

points which may be found by future photography. 

clarified. 

To design such a system adequately, several points must be 

(1) How many reference points do we have on a world-wide 

basis? 

Probable answer: We expect to find several thousand 

points on a world-wide basis which are considered prime 

reference points. 

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(2) How many reference points do we have in the Soviet 

Union? 

Probable answer: It is our understanding that there 

are undoubtedly over a thousand reference points in 

the Soviet Union that are well-known. 

(3) What degree of confidence do we have in these points? 

Probable answer: Existing confirmation indicates a 

varying degree of confidence with many points being 

referred to within 300 feet of a grid which is referent to the eastern world. Other points are indicated as 

being known to around 5000 feet. The same is true of 

points in the western world with a 300 foot norm generally 

showing as a confidence level. It is also expected that 

two reference datum grids between western and eastern 

worlds will be the subject of debate. Indications are 

that these reference grids can be tied together at sea 

level within 300 to a thousand feet~ based on present 

information. 

(4) How many of these are recognizable from the air? 

The probable answer here would depend on looking 

at existing information/ dk$-\r-- .,._,~,~ ·c6-....·t·"0.. ;,c~L~1 ·n.sotu -ho...... .t +c, 

(5) What is the distribution of these points with respect 

to probable target areas in the Soviet Union? 

Probable answer: It is expected that these reference 

+ f.ll\.-,-t....,.'I.. £,;;:.sh.,."' 

_points cluster in the westernApart of the Soviet Union 

and that a significant area of unknown points exist 

between the western and the eastern part of this 

continent. 

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(6) How much (if any) aerial photography do we already have 

of these reference points? 

The answer to this question will be the subject of a 

study ; it is expected that we should have photographs 

of at least 10 per cent of the points which are presently 

referenced. 

(7) What is the best method of using existing knowledge as 

a means of recognizing these reference points in "new" 

photography, such as is now being planned? 

Probable answer: The question of air recognition is one 

of the key points in resolving this problem. As will 

be seen later, this point will bec::ritical in determining I 

the nature of the grotmd-handling system. 

Once these questions have been answered in a quantitative way, the design 

of the actual ground handling system can begin intelligently. 

Several significant points are already clear in terms of ground 

handling problems. These are mentioned without attempting to resolve them 

at this point. 

(a) What integrity can we expect from the film itself? 

i.e. Will it stretch or change dimension in process, 

significantly confusing the end use. 

The answer to this question will depend on the film 

used and the method of handling. It may or may not 

be important depending on the over-all tolerances 

which one expects to work with. It may be necessary 

to go to glass plates imnediately in order to preserve 

many changes film-wise. This will 3ffect the design 

of the ground-handling factors in measuring equipment. 

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(b) What degrees of rectification should be attempted 

and by what method (electtonic, optical, computational) 

to preserve integrity? 

Apparently, the experts disagree to some extent on the 

need for rectification in order to do photogramnetry. 

There seems to be a feeling that improved tolerances 

will result if recttfication is not used and photogra.m:netry and computational correction for distortions 

would be better. 

(c) Should rectification be used only for photographic 

matching and reserve the original material for photogrammetry after the recognition process? 

Probable answer: At the scales involved, rectification 

may not be necessary in order to optimize recognition. 

However, some simulation would be needed to clearly 

resolve this point. The recognition process may be 

so acute in these high altitudes that photographic 

matching would have to be applied and this in turn 

may necessitate rectification and scale change in order 

to effect this process. 

(d) Is there a possibility that photo matching to aid the 

recognition process could be accomplished by a modification to the existing twin viewer in Subsystem I. 

Probable answer: The present Subsystem I viewer is 

particularly applicable for st1perimposing two photographs for optical matching where the hum.an is used 

as the detector. The economics of doing this would 

have to be studied. It is expected that such an applica• 

tion may save considerable dollars in development. 

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(e) Should this be accomplished by using center formats 

from originals or not? 

Probable answer: Central formats may be useful in the 

recognition process and in using available some 

filing systems. It is felt that the centr.:. form.at may 

be a way of tying together existing photographs from 

many other sources and such new photographs as we could 

collect in a frame of reference that was compatible. 

Such compatibility would allow the use of considerable 

existing equipment. This does not imply that this would 

€..\-.-i.c: 

be adequate for the photogra~ process. 

(f) In measuring the distance between points~ should the 

photography be exploited on the Nistri type of instrument 

"presently available" coupled to a standard computer and 

plotter? If not, what are the objections to this? 

Probable answer: It is expected that the bridging process 

between known and unknown points will allow present state 

of the a.rt photogramnetry to be used to measure new points. 

It is expected that presently available computers also 

can be used after being properly programmed to take advantage 

of statistical methods of data smoothing and that these 

can be efficiently coupled to prime instrumentation as 

mentioned above. 

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(g.) Will the volmne and time involved require a separate 

set of instruments and computers or can existing equipment be used? 

Probable answer: It is expected that presently available 

instruments and computers will have to be expanded in 

their capacities in order to handle the volmne of 

data which will be gathered from other sources than 

the one being disaussed here. It is also expected that 

ebl-' 

the " loads" imposed by such systems will be 

accompanied by significa~ periods of light loads on these 

computers. There is little doubt that the nature of the 

program being discussed, the volume of photographs that 

will be collected and the time needed for data reduction 

could be sandwiched into presently conceived systems which 

are being considered for complimentary programs. ~ 

~ ;z:mtt:: $uch systems do not exist( to the writer's knowledge) 

in the Army Mapping Service and tl!lllllra new and different 

system for their use robably be the subject of a 

discussion outside the scope of this paper. 

(h.) What advantages in tolerances accrue from using the stars 

as a means of establishing the NADIR point? 

The answer to this question is a very difficult one. The 

accuracy.with which one can find the nadir of a photograph 

NT:-tiuR 1:· 

will depend not only on !the ~ of the star photograph 

which is being proposed but the position in the orbit 

which the vehicle holds at the time the photograph is taken. 

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(h. continued) 

This predicted position will be the result of the 

changing velocity of the vehicle as it passes around the 

earth in its orbit. The orbital mechanics are such this 

tolerance will have a prime effect on the ability to 

establish a true nadir point. The answer to this ~uestion 

will probably not be clear until considerable analysis 

is made of data on a given vehicle with respect to its 

orbit and it is felt that final photogrammetry will be 

..,,,t£_, ../-t,.,,..U·M.) 

the result of an: i.te:tative process wlli ch ed•"'1ieh.,.. 

orbital points and ground check points ier the two t'lr' 

(i.) Wha~ instruments and computers (if any) are needed to 

exploit this possible advantage? 

'lbe answer to this question will depend almost entirely 

on the ~esolution of the difficult points raised in 

question h. 

(j.) What tie in is desirable between the phorogran:rmetry 

process and the orbital data received from the 1104 to 

improve and refine orbit data? 

dM4 

Probable answer: It is almost certain that a very ~ 

tie should exist (between?) ground points established 

by photogra.mmetry and the orbital points predicted 

from the tracking computer and it is expected that the 

accuracy of both of these systems is interdependent and 

the present system which is being worked out on the 

complimentary program to the one being discussed should 

be expanded and revised in order that this tie between 

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(j. continued) 

systems be made as efficient as possible. It is 

felt that both the 1104 computer presently planned 

for tracking and such a computer as is chosen for 

this function should be programmed concurrently 

and in a complimentary way so that this tie-in can 

be made as automatic as possible and not cause 

tremendous delays or use up tremendous amotmts of 

manpower. 

(k.) What effect does the camera have on the over-all 

ground-handling system? 

Probable answer: It is expected that the recognition 

$4'W4Y~ 

~cesses will be IMlll?eral and that the longest focal 

length camera consistent with wide-angle coverage 

will optimize the usefulness of the system. '!'he angles 

chosen and the direction of flight which would tend to 

minimize the coverage of unknown territory with respect 

to known territory would tend to minimize the errors 

(_t:o...,- ~~ in reducing the data. 'rha.ii '1 ~= •8!',1, if one could 

arrange to fly over control points immediately before 

entering and immediately after leaving an area of 

unknown points one would be in the best position to 

do photogrammetry. /A.e_ ;'!:'·n;j-..PI"" e-!uJ-~ 1U.. r.1 

' h d . ~ I.· ..L~u' _,,, .....__, !<..e.. -0, :. _,(,.,,_~ 1; ~-'-· ,. ,r"4j..{.l.1-v r , .. j..._,t ..... <l r' ~ ·- "' "-... -.. .....,..._ . . . J I I 

~.v ,._ ... r~c..-lr: 

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The above comments on ground-handling would probably apply 

to any camera that was used but degree of accuracy obtained in the overall system would be affected materially by choosing an optimum camera. 

There is some question whether the sently planned camera is adequate 

in the minds of photogrammetrists In summary, the following points 

seem pertinent to accurately resolve this problem regarding the camera; 

that the longest focal length and largest format compatible with vehicle 

size and shape would give the best results; that the greatest angular 

(,~t:l. 

the orbital track would give further enhancement to 

the tolerance problem; in regard to operational , that each 

pass be made an attempt to minimize the a.mount of unknown territorY, 

coverage; in regard to ground handling, that a minimum of 

ro ~s,s1 ..... 1 

.r duplication,rectification be done on the original film before data 

reduction is attempted; that maximum use be made of existing information 

and goncwtrent information gathered by other systems, that exliting 

photograxmietry equipment and existing computers are probably adequate 

to do the job. 

The above conments are ma.de in the context of ~ special case 

of tatget information for a specific mission, as opposed to creating a 

world-wide grid for a multiple purpose mission. It is not intended that 

these comments represent a general purpose solution to all problems but 

that it would be helpful in solving the specific problems with target. 

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