HANDLE vIN BYEMAft 

CONTROL' SYSTE 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

MANNED ORBITING LABORATORY, SYSTEMS PROGRAM OFFICE (OSAF) 

AF UNIT POST OFFICE, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90045 

9 APR 1968 

BYE-89655/68 

1 

DORIAN 

HANDLE VIA BYEMAM 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY -SECRETCopy / of 02. Copies 

Page of Pages 

NRO APPROVED FOR 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 

SAFTL-4 

MEMORANDUM FOR GENERAL SrEWART 

SUBJECT: MOL Monthly Management Report, 25 Feb - 25 Mar 1968 

Attached is the monthly report of significant events, 25 February -

25 March 1968. 

1 Atch 

Report 

. 8. ER, Maj Gen, USAF 

Deputy ► rector, MOL 

EXCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC 

REGRADING; DOD DIR 5200.10 

DOES NOT APPLY yk 
NRO APPROVED FOR 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 

HANDLE VIA BYEMAN 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 

MONTHLY REPORT 

OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS 

25 FEBRUARY - 25 MARCH 1968 

EXCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC 

REGRADING; DOD DIR 5200.10 

DOES NOT APPLY 

46W- 0 Y655---"‘ 

Copylof a./Copies 

Page / offrages 

DORI AN 

HANDLE VIA BYEMAN 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY SECRET 
NRO APPROVED FOR 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 SECRET HANDLE VIA BYEMAT( 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 

1. Project Upgrade Progress: 

a. The final coordinated SP/DR is scheduled to be transmitted to 

the contractors on 1 April. The entire SP/DR task, to this point, has 

been black. A white version will be prepared and distributed by 10 April 

along with a "disposition" document which shows traceability of old 

contractual SP/DR requirements to the new SP/DR or other requirements 

documents. 

b. An unclassified documentation tree is in the final stages of 

preparation. A DORIAN version will be prepared by replacing the appropriate 

pages in the unclassified document tree with DORIAN pages. The first 

edition of the DORIAN documentation tree should be available for review 

by 10 April. 

c. There are 197 interface specifications identified on the MOL 

Program. Procedures initiated at an 8 Jan 1968 Configuration Management 

meeting established the basic policies and procedures for the Interface 

Technical Signoff Meeting (TSOM). To date, 104 of the basic 197 interface 

specifications have been technice1ly signed by the participating contractors 

and the MOL SPO. Schedules have been generated which identify TSOM's for 

all interfaces yet to be worked. 

d. The revised draft of the SPP is in final stages of approval by 

the Deputy Program Director. Submittal to the Program Director for 

approval is planned for 15 April. 

2. Effective 15 Mar 1968, the functions and personnel of the Gemini B 

Division of the Systems Office were transferred to the Laboratory Vehicle 

Directorate. Gemini B will retain its identity as a discrete system 

segment, although its procurement functions will be combined into the 

present Laboratory Vehicle Procurement Division. This move will consolidate, 

under a single engineering management office, all activities associated 

with the McDonnell Astronautics, and the Douglas Missile and Space Systems 

Divisions of the McDonnell Douglas Corporation. 

3. Mt. Lloyd Wilson, ODDR&E, visited Douglas MSSD, Huntington Beach, 

California on 7 March. He was given a comprehensive presentation on 

Douglas responsibilities in the MOL Program, with emphasis on Douglas 

management and cost control activities. Mr. Wilson expressed considerable 

interest in the MOL Interface Ptogram, in particular, and in engineering 

integration activities in general. 

a.)14 P? 4S-S7- U 

Copy / of c2- Copies 

Page 747-7of 777 Pages DORIAN 

HANDLE VIA BYEMAN 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 
HANDLE VIA BYENVM4 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 

NRO APPROVED FOR 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 

4. Col Xarstens and Ma.) Wilson participated in a NOL Aerospace Medical 

Division (AMD) bioastronautics exchange briefing for Ma.) Gen Humphries, 

Hq NASA, and the NASA Scientific and Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) 

on 15 Mar 1968. AMD personnel presented detailed reports on the research 

and testing being accomplished either in direct support of the NCI, or in 

support of manned space flight generally. Very favorable comments were 

made by members of the STAC regarding the timeliness and quality of the 

work, and regarding the enthusiasms amongst the rank and file of AMD 

professional personnel for this area of R&D. 

5. At a meeting with the associate contractor program managers on 

26 March the following topics were discussed: 

a. Contractors' questions and proposed changes to the Systems 

Office's 28 Feb publication of MOL Program Objectives and Constraints. 

(Based on this discussion, changes are being made to the 28 Feb document). 

b. Latest results of shielded Kapton wire testing. The importance 

of adequate circuit breaker protection of shielded circuits was emphasized 

and the continued use of Kapton wire in the MOL system was confirmed. 

c. Program planning for Flights 6 and 7 leading to a completion 

of Phase 1B and 1C by Dec 1968. 

d. Impact of contractor recommended changes to the Test Operations 

Review Board's recommendations. A meeting is scheduled for 9 April to 

finalize implementation decisions regarding the Board's recommendations. 

6. Flights 6 and 7: 

a. Flights 6 and 7 integrated criteria which comprises configuration, 

test flow, roles and responsibilities, schedules, ground rules and program 

objectives has been updated. This updat ed criteria has been levied on 

General Electric as a SAFSL EXhibit to a CCN effective 20 March 1968. 

Douglas and Eastman Kodak have the updated criteria as a guide on their 

respective CCN's which are presently in force. Procurement cover letters 

to the updated criteria were sent to all three contractors on 15 March 1968 

establishing the intent and schedule for a contract definition phase 1B/1C. 

y ri 

Copy of a- Copies 

Page ir of Q Pages 

DORIAN 

HANDLE VW's. BYEMAI1/41 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 
HANDLE VIA BYEMAN 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 

NRO APPROVED FOR 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 

b. Eastman Kodak will brief and work with Douglas, General Electric, 

Aerospace and the Air Force on 27 and 28 March 1968. This session will 

develop present status of their design, test, schedules, as well as plans 

for changes that are pending. The main objectives of this meeting are 

to begin to assure compatibility of system engineering segments such as 

requirements snAlysis, design, test, schedules, program plans, in addition 

to identifying interfaces. This meeting will be the first of a series of 

working groups which will integrate all segments into a team effort. 

7. On 14 March 1968, IBM, the Douglas subcontractor for the spaceborne 

data computation subsystem, delivered a comprehensive presentation on the 

IBM Reliability Program associated with MOT, hardware. Some questions had 

been raised as to the reliability predictions which IBM bad computed relative 

to the IBM computer. The presentation adequately explained IBM's reliability 

prediction procedures and did confirm that these procedures were technically 

sound. 

8. The Laboratory Module,Partial Forward Structure Substitute, (CEI 207261.A) 

was due to be shipped to cD onnell Astronautics on 28 Mar 68. Recent 

requirements have been received from McDonnell which necessitate a change to 

this structure. These new requirements incorporate a separation spring load 

reaction, where previously separation of the Gemini B from the Laboratory 

was accomplished by separation rockets. Basically, this change provides 

reaction pads for the springs in appropriate areas and will cause a skin 

thickness change on the forward panels of the Laboratory Unpressurized 

Section. The structure will remain at, and be reworked by Douglas. Douglas 

has reviewed the new requirements and is proceeding on a schedule which will 

allow them to ship this substitute on 3 June 68. That date is compatible 

with McDonnell Astronautics' requirements. 

9. The corrector/diagonal mirror support structure (RI?GO) assembly for 

Structural Development Model (SDM) #2 was completed 8 Mar 1968. This piece 

supports the folding mirrors and is mounted on the front of the Camera 

Optics Assembly (COA) structure. 

10. The first test on SDK #1 has been completed. It consisted of a 

weight and center of gravity test on the COA structure. 

11. A Modal Survey test was started on the SDM #1, COA structure. The 

structure is hard mounted to a rigid test fixture with three flight mounts 

and then vibrated to determine its dynamic characteristics. 

DORIAN 

HANDLE VIA BYEMAN 

CONTROL v." n7•11 V SECRET 

.73. y4 t9 

Copy / ofCOpies 

Page of - r Pages 
NRO APPROVED FOR 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 HANDLE VIA BYEMAN 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 

12. The "RINGO" structure for the Engineering Model (EM) was received 

15 Mar 1968 at EKC. 

13. The EKC Thermal Model (THM) design was released to manufacturing 

on 18 Mar 1968. 

14. The sliding mask sizing study has been completed by GE and a twoposition servo drive can be designed which requires less weight and power. 

EKC will determine if a two-position mask can be tolerated from a thermal 

control and resolution standpoint. 

15. A Preliminary Design Review (PDR) on the Acquisition Subsystem was 

held on 6-8 March 1968 at GE. Previously, the Systems Office team attended 

the contractor-held PDR's for the Visual Display Projector (VDP) and Optic 

Assembly. The minutes and action items of these reviews were included in 

the overall PDR. The contractor provided excellent technical support and 

back-up material. The overall results of the PDR were very good. However, 

there are several action items concerning weight, orbit alignment, and 

power that are to be resolved prior to final sign-off. 

16. GE Contractual. Action Requests 012 and 021 were approved on 20 March 68. 

These CARS provide for GE to refurbish consoles 2 and 8, which were used to 

support the Vehicle 115 qualification teats, for use on Flight Vehicle 120 

for Flight 5. The estimated cost reduction as a result of this action is 

$720K. 

17. An incremental Critical Design Review was held on the Mission Module 

Transporter (CEI 001, 104A) at York, Pa., on 1 March 1968. Systems Office 

representatives felt that the design is satisfactorily fulfilling Part 1 

CSI Specification Requirements. 

18. A design Review was held at Aerojet General Corporation for the TIIIM 

booster system on 5-6 March 1968. All four of the major Associate Contractors 

participated in the review. No great surprises came out of this review, 

however, a review of this magnitude is a good management tool for getting 

everyone on the program on the same frequency with respect to the technical 

content and on the same schedule. 

19. The 2401, Systems Office and Aerospace have reached agreement on the general 

configuration of the Payload vehicle for Flight #1. It will be an upper stage 

that closely resembles the shape and length of the OV but will be designed 

and fabricated by Martin Co. This will eliminate interface and support with/by 

other contractors. A Request for Proposal and a Statement of Work are being 

drafted to assure maximum side benefits in the POGO and flight dynamics area. 

DORIAN 

HANDLE VIA BYENUM 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY SECRET 

8y' r9 65"-- 6 e 

Copy / . of Copies 

Page 3 of Q Pages 
HANDLE VIA BMW 

NRO APPROVED FOR CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 

20. A survey of the usability of surplus NASA Gemini AVE residuals at 

seven major McDonnell subcontractors has been conducted. Approximately 

seven million dollars worth of AVE had been set aside as being potentially 

usable to satisfy Gemini B spares requirements. As a result of this survey, 

it has been determined that all electronic type equipment is unsatisfactory 

for flight use. The more rigorous Gemini B screening on piece parts, and 

the inability to ascertain whether disapproved electronic piece parts were 

used in the building of electronic subassemblies, cause all electronic 

components to be suspect. Mechanical type assemblies were determined to 

be usable and a screening process has been agreed to with MAC which will 

insure maximum utilization of the residual hardware in the spare hardware 

deferred procurement. 

21. A series of extra vehiCular crew transfer Zero G development tests 

commenced at Wright-Patterson AFB during the week of 18 March 1968. The 

mockups used were developed by the McDonnell Astronautics Division. Prior 

to shipping the mockups from McDonnell, the Systems Office conducted a 

review of hardware and procedures with an emphasis on crew safety features. 

The March flights were the first of a series to evaluate various possible 

modes of body orientations while transferring, to test the hatch external 

opening and closing device, to work out Data Return Container handling 

procedures, to reveal procedural transfer problems, and to give the 

crewmen practice ingressing/egressing from the Gemini B. Pressure Suits 

and technicians to support the transfer simulations were provided by the 

Pressure Suit Assembly Project Office. These development tests are. 

expected to take approximately one year with flights occuring every two 

months. 

22. The AF Western Test Range has been requested to take appropriate action 

to keep the Instrumentation Ship Displays for ascent information on board 

the Apollo ships until 1 July. At that time, the inhouse data-link 

reliability studies now in progress will be completed. The results of the 

studies will determine whether or not MOL will employ these displays during 

powered flight. 

23. Capt Johnson, Staff Meteorologist, attended a 27 Feb meeting of the 

Joint Density Working Group, consisting of representatives of SAMSO, Air 

Weather Service, Cambridge Research Laboratories, Aerospace Defense 

Command and supporting contractors. Dr. Price, Aerospace Satellite. 

Navigation repartment, briefed on the May 1967 Local Gravity Accelerometer 

Experiment (LOGAX) orbital density measurements. LOGAX density values 

show extremely poor agreement at 81 NM with several prevalent model 

atmospheres. A comparison with corresponding density data obtained from 

the orbital decay of the Agena spacecraft indicates serious discrepancies. 

LOGAX density data varied greatly in response to the extreme solar and 

geomagnetic activity prevalent during the last two days of the LOGAX flight. 

DORIAN 

HANDLE VIA BYEIVIAN 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY SECRET 

vx 

Copy , 42, Copies 

Page _A__ of Pages 
NRO APPROVED FOR 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 HANDLE VIA BYEMA11 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 

24. A Statement of Work for TRW's Ascent and Reentry Mission Control Center 

Software effort beyond 30 Jun 1968 has been drafted and is being circulated 

for comments. The TRW Software effort will continue until the last manned 

flight according to present plans. 

25. USAF School of Aerospace Medicine has just completed a 30 day test of 

the first delivered prototype of the MOL Feeding System. This was done in 

5 psi oxygen using four men. Detailed results will be forthcoming after 

further data analysis. There was a distinct improvement in the essential 

characteristics of the food items and all MOL developmental milestones 

were met. 

26. The Pressure Suit Assembly Project Office demonstrated the MOL prototype 

pressure suit to NASA, MSC Crew Systems Division personnel and discussed the 

MOL and Apollo pressure suit programs. Tentative arrangements have been 

made for surveying NASA surplus suit equipment for the purpose of transferring 

needed equipment to the Air Force. Surplus equipment includes some A-5-H 

pressure suits which will be useful for neutral buoyancy simulations and use 

by the associate contractors. The prototype MOL pressure suit was also 

demonstrated at the NASA/STAC briefing session at Brooks APB on 15 March. 

27. Construction at SLC-6, Vandenberg AFB, was marked by the erection of 

structural steel to the top level of the Umbilical Tower. In addition, a 

Beneficial Occupancy Date inspection of Missile Assembly Building-5 was 

completed on the 25th of March. The alterations to the original facility 

were accepted. The addition to the facility for U.T.C., however, was not 

accepted due to construction deficiencies. 

28. The first integrated summary PERT on the January 1968 Baseline was 

cycled on 3 March 1968. A detailed PERT submittal is scheduled for 

31 March 1968. 

29. A Hardware Exchange Meeting was held 19-20 March 1968 at Douglas. 

A detail cleanup was achieved to bring the Hardware EXchange List (HEL) 

into alignment with the unpriced supplemental agreements. It was evident 

that as a result of the recent detail program planning reviews, such as the 

Test Operations Review Board and the Integrated Testing, the contractors' 

visibility as to what hardware they require has improved. There was an 

increase of approximately 10% in new proposed EEL items and a decrease of 

approximately 9% in previously identified HEL items. Program hard point 

schedules remained unchanged. 

HANDLRW BYEMAN 

CONTROL SYcTrM ONLY 

.71KE grd ‘C 

Copy of c2- Copies 

Page __7___ of f Pages 
NRO APPROVED FOR 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 HANDLE VIA BYEMAN 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 

30. Dr. Fred Shulman, Headquarters NASA, was briefed by the Advanced Plans 

office on follow-on program power requirements. Dr. Shulman's office is 

responsible for the development of NASA's Brayton Cycle power conversion 

system. A. letter is being prepared to be sent from your office requesting 

NASA to consider possible MOL power requirements while developing this 

system. 

31. The MOL CCB processed 67 ECPs; 30 were approved; 3 were disapproved 

and 34 were deferred for further evaluation. The major cost bearing ECPs 

approved by CCB action totalled approximately $83,000 based upon nonnegotiated 

contractor estimates. 

32. The TIIIM CCB processed 71 ECPs; 23 were approved; 6 were disapproved 

and 42 were deferred for further evaluation. The major cost bearing ECPs 

approved by CCB action totalled approximately $31,667,000 based upon 

nonnegotiated contractor estimates. Two HMIs account for the majority 

of this cost. They are: t4? C05834, TIIIM Schedule Change, $27,780,000 

and AGC 60053, Stage 1 Turbine Rotor Redesign Program, $2,280,000. 

33. The financial statement for this reporting period is as follows: 

Of the 430.0 million FT 68 funds released to the Systems Office, 

423.6 million has been initiated. 

34. MOL Manpower Status: 

*OFFICERS 

AIRMEN 

CIVILIANS 

HIGEGRADES 

CLERICAL 

AUTHORIZED 

136 

9 

102 

6 

,4.8) 34) 

260 

ASSIGNED 

157 

8 

95 

r 

2 7 

*MOL Flight Crew included. Six attached officers (4 Navy/Marine Flight 

Crew, 1 SAC and 1 MAC are not included). 

T-IIIM military not shown. 

HANDLE VIA BYEMAN 

CONTROL SYSTEM ONLY 

DORIAN -SECRET- 

'8 y4, 794ss- 61 

Copy / of a2 Copies 

Page g of —1-7 Pages