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[TEASE 4,--JkaitY-42t 1•5 

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:ri 1 a I P 1 10 NANOLING. INDICATOR .W......,- .— • 

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INFO:'.: Amembassy LONDON, .CINCPAC---,, 1 . ' Sc. I . .• :„,....;„,..: . , : . , , 

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'C.014 FRU /1...1 .1. FROM i. :.. 

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Department of•:State 

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•.'e. • :- • . ,' ..-... DATE:- 

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-414° 1 . SUBJECT : i 

-Use Of 'Easter Island' for;MOL:-PTograpa.. 

AF 

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1.! ■77-77‘t417:ztivt,4 METIZSMNNTIO:(: 

CA-■3148. 

NO. 

•• NAVY -050 REF 

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i STATE/DEFENSE MESSAGE 

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DIST RI M1TiON 1 :DOD Manned Orbiting Laboratory (NOL) Program irivolVeS-.. 

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following objectives: (a)-, to learn, more about man's 

ability in space and how that ability can be used for 

military purposes, (b) to develop technology and equi 

ment which will help advance manned and unmanned flight 

and (c) to experiment with this technology and equipmeh 

Flights will be launched on southerly azimuth from 

Western Test Range in California. ' Although not -veryprobable, spacecraft could be forced down during a.acaTIt

anywhere along course being overflown. Recovery forces 

need to be positioned so that, if abort should occur 

spacecraft can be located .on-scene assistance provide 

and retrieval accomplidhed in shortest time 'possible. 

To provide recovery capability, downrange staging area 

for aircraft and helicopters is needed. 

2. USAF desires use Easter Island as aircraft staging 

area. Facilities needed consist of bard Surface' airstri 

approximately 6600 feet long, lighting and navigation 

aids, communications, crash and rescue services„ storage 

space, fuel storage aircraft maintenance temporary 'she 

ter (housing), and messlms for approximately CO 1 men 

parking space for about 8 or 9 aircraft and IvAicopters 

GROU1' 1 

lIxraudad .from autOr1e.■;14 

downgrading ara 

Ds .323 doclassiti - :D.LCRET 

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NRO APPROVE10 FOR . . . 

RELEASE 1 'JULY 2015 

eke1/4!:.e power, water arid.tred:.cal facilities. During PiCeijltro..JK fperations, aircra-ft -and-men would normally be de: ,oyed 

island for a few days, but possibly ,up to thre.:? weeks 

2aunch postponed, Aite-.-E:fa, lau-Ach aircDpft and L'..1r1 

1cP,ving special MM fncilities in caretaker zits. 

0-e:.ziosal date for staging area is approximately April 1, 1969 

.:ould continue at least throtgh'1970 with launches at about • 

3 or 4 month intervals. ' 

3. le.ny facilities needed for MOL staging area will be constructed at Easter Is operations wil 

require permanent facilities and relatively complete support 

Aai'2_4.onal support needed for MOL and to be supplied by DOD 

of (a) application of hard surface to airstrip, (b) 

c, 1,:ional aircraft parking area, (c) storage shelter, (d) 

r.ddizional aircraft fuel storage tank, and (e) austere living 

inc'ssing facilities for periodic temporary operating force. 

0011 .11ternative site for staging area, Henderson Island 

`, 7?i:7-.:airn), would require much more construction. Use 

:aster island would, therefore, result-in substantial financia 

77tablishment of this station is not in itself sensitive 

of MOL program and would be classifred primarily to 

is premature speculation in news media. Operating part 

-:-.).11d, however, have classified material and would receive 

and send classified communications, thus requiring right of 

e.nzr.- 7 without customs or other inspections. 

5. Request Embassy seek COO approval for MOL staging area at 

Ester Island. Embassy may brief) on classified basis, 

appropriate GOC officials on MOL program generally and specifi 

activities we wish established at. Easter Island. In describin 

proposed MOL plans for Easter Island, 'Embassy should not refer 

except to thole few COC officialS-briefed'On- 
ft 

NRO-ARPROVED FOR 

RELEASE' 1 JULIff..2015 

gliiks$1 sees some objection, we . .think e=hange of letters, 

to meet MOL needs, between IiSAF Chief of. Staff 

commindin5z Officer.Air Fore Of. Chile 

Toe appropriate. Will- such - an..eltchange:insure.00 

orovid.ing necessary, duty free e.,4empt:I.on? 

C1:1!c.nees: 

- Mr. Fimbresy 

VT.,\S - Mr. Sharp 

- Mr. Dic14 

Mr. Lee," 

"' r. Judd' M,

L,ST - Mrs. McDowell..... 

XAZENLACE,ACTING