DEC 6 1967 

NRO APPROVED FOR 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON 20330 

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DORIAN 

GAMBIT 

"r- 7t74 r",? a ; r1 1 

MEMORANDUM FOR DR. LEONARD 

SUBJECT: ATS Resolution Capability 

You will recall, during a recent visit, that I 

expressed some concern to you and Mr. Bernstein about the 

resolution capability of the Acquisition and Tracking 

Scope in the high magnification range. More specifically, 

I doubted that the practical ATS resolving capability 

would be anywhere near GAMBIT results and therefore 

questioned that the "active indicator" mode would be as 

worthwhile as our simulations indicated. If so, I 

wondered if we should not relax the resolution goals for 

the ATS, require only one or two magnification ranges, 

and thereby reduce weight, complexity, and cost. The 

reasons behind my concern are set forth briefly in the 

following paragraphs. 

As you know, NPIC and EK did comprehensive analyses of 

all readable photography from the GAMBIT missions. The 

effects of haze, altitude, obliquity, and illumination were 

therefore present. Attachment 1 is a smoothed plot of all 

data from both sources showing relatively frequency of 

occurrence of the varying ground resolutions measured. 

The best from GAMBIT were judged to have a resolution of 

while 20 percent were better than 30 inches, and 

85 percent better than four feet. This would indicate the 

GAMBIT system performed much better than its initial 

resolution goal (three feet, 90 miles; 2:1 contrast) because 

of improved optics, film, lower operating altitude, etc. 

A more realistic specification for the last 15 or so 

GAMBIT's probably was closer to two feet at 80 miles and 

2:1 contrast ratio. 

By comparison, I understand the ATS design specification in the high magnification range to be 3.6 or 3.7 feet 

at 80 miles and 2:1 contrast ratio. However, in use, 

DORIAN/GAMBIT 

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the ATS will almost always be looking ahead at angles of 

20° or more when operated in the weather avoidance or 

"active indicator" role. Attachment 2 is a predicated 

resolution range for the ATS system, in the high magnification range, under various contrast conditions, at 37° 

pitch and 00 obliquity. Attachment 3 is a predicted 

resolution range at view angles varying from 200 to 60°. 

These indicate that the average resolution will be somewhere in the 7-10 foot range. 

Attachment 4 is a 1965 study by COMOR on the resolutions 

needed for identification and mensuration purposes for 

intelligence information elements among the various target 

categories. This document would indicate that unless one 

does achieve GAMBIT-like resolution, there is not much to 

be gained between 7 and 20 foot resolutions. 

The preceding suggests to me that the astronauts are 

not going to detect any subtle "active indicators" at the 

resolutions which the ATS apparently will provide. Perhaps, 

an image enhazcewtt technique will improve apparent 

resolUtidn. If not, it appears that we may have set a goal 

that's somewhere in-between the best trade-off positions. 

At the least, if the attachments are anywhere near correct, 

if appears that we need to re-evaluate the simulation 

results. 

Let us discuss this subject further at your 

convenience. 

S T. STEWART 

Major General, USAF 

Vice Director, MOL Program 

4 Attachments 

a/ s 

cc: General Bleymaier 

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