SUBJECT: NASA Proposals to Study MOL ATS and DORIAN 

Technology 

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THE DIRECTOR 

 MEMORANDUM FOR DR. SEAMANS 

if) 

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WASHINGTON, D.G. 

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NASA has proposed two actions related to continuing 

examination of their potential for using MOL developed 

hardware and technology. These are contained in their 

 letters of 12 September 1969 (Atch 1 and 2). These actions 

 involve the Acquisition and Tracking System (ATS) and the 

 DORIAN optics technology. 

Regarding the ATS, NASA desires to contract with 

General Electric Co. and possibly ITEK through the Air 

Force (SAFSP) to study the applicability of this hardware 

to their experiments program. This appears to be a 

straight forward first step and we agree with NASA's suggestion that the existing security guidelines remain in 

effect during such a study. To support this activity, we 

should inform the affected termination contracting officer 

of the need to freeze the ATS and related equipment pending 

 completion of the study and/or transfer of the equipment to 

 NASA. Required from NASA are the funds and a statement of 

 work to form a basis f : an SAFSP contract. 

Preparation of the work statement might be expedited 

by providing NASA with the assistance of two or three Air 

Force officers, now in AFSC Headquarters and thoroughly 

familiar with the equipment in question. Such an arrangement would also facilitate establishing a DOD/Air Force 

position of interest and intent regarding the experiment. 

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The question relating to the DORIAN optics technology 

appears equally straight forward and workable through the 

steps suggested by NASA. Arrangements have been made for 

a visit to the Eastman facility for the purpose proposed. 

Mr. Hubbard of the MOL Office will represent the NRO and 

accompany the party to Rochester. 

In general, we feel it is most advisable to conduct 

all studies related to determining feasibility and desirability of using these equipments within the BYEMAN security 

system. At the appropriate time the pertinent policy 

questions will be addressed. 

I have prepared a letter for your signature to Dr. Newell 

expressing our willingness to cooperate in both areas at 

least to the extent addressed in their request. It also 

suggests that steps be taken at the working level to prepare necessary work statements, arrange for transfer of 

funds, and proceed with the task. By separate means, I 

will enlist General King's assistance with contracting and 

related activities. 

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September 12, 1969 

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

WASHINGTON. D.C. NW 

OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR 

Honorable Robert C. Seamans, Jr. 

Secretary of the Air Force 

Washington, D. C. 20330 

Dear Bob: • 

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We have been discus)Fing with your staff the possible use of the 

Acquisition and Tracking System (ATS) and the ATS simulator from the 

 MOL program in conjunction with the NASA Apollo Applications and 

 Earth Observations Programs. It also appears there is some interest 

 on the part of the Air Force in a manned experiment built around the 

 same device. 

 Although we have already set in motion consideration of NASA interest 

 in this MOL technology, we are not in a position now to make a final 

 recommendation as to whether, or how, this asset should best be employed. 

 In order to look into these possibilities with the thoroughness they 

 require, however, we feel it would be wise to retain the MOL mission 

 simulator in its existing condition for at least 60 days. This would 

 ,permit NASA to evaluate the applicability of the ATS and simulation 

 equipment to the Earth Resources Survey Program under the lead of 

 Mr. Jaffe, and to examine the technical feasibility of carrying the ATS 

 on board the orbital workshop under the lead of Mr. Schneider. These 

 studies would be closely tied together and would require contractor 

 support from General Electric and perhaps from Itek. We are prepared 

 to fund this effort during the 60-day study period. 

C•1 carry out the necessary-contracting activity through SAFSP. We would 

 It might be simplest for NASA to fund the Air Force, who could, in turn, 

 assume this phase of the activity would remain highly classified. 

 During this same period, the DOD could further define any potential 

experiment objectives and requirements; if appropriate, NASA and DOD 

could combine forces and carry out the necessary studies jointly. 

If, after completing the studies, it were found desirable to make use of 

the ATS or a derivative for an AAP experiment, there would be a number 

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of classification and policy decisions to reach. For example, if the 

ATS were a NASA experiment, should we contract for it directly in the 

white? How should its prior history as part of an Air Force development be treated? Should there be constraints on the imagery returned 

or released? If the experiment were to be joint with DOD, there would 

be the additional -question of NASA's image if any classification were 

required. 

These questions do not, in ou; mind, require immediate resolution; they 

can be worked on concurrently with the critical tasks of experiment 

definition and technical analysis. I am aware of the great pressures 

upon you to terminate all MOL-related activity, but I feel that the 

suggested 60-day continuation and limited supporting effort is in the 

best interests of both agencies and would not impact Air Force funding 

requirements adversely. 

Sincerely, 

Homer E. Newell 

Associate Administrator 

',Cc: Colonel Lew Allen, Jr., USAF 

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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

WASHINGTON. D.C. 20546 

OFFICE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR September 12, 1969 

,norable Robert C. Seamans, Jr. This document consists of & pag 

acretary of the Air Force No. of Copies, Series 

co ashington, D. C. 20330 

• 

ear Bob: 

In the event their report is positive, NASA would see the next step as 

a detailed technical feasibility study. Under the circumstances, this 

study would be classified and probably best contracted for by the DOD 

with reimbursement from NASA. We feel we can progress this far without 

any commitment being sought or implied as to the'actual use of DORIAN 

systems or technology by NASA. 

If the feasibility study were to show significant advantages of such 

(-4 utilization, we could then come to grips with the security and program 

policy issues that this might raise. 

In the longer term, we are vitally interested in the question of how 

NASA should move in the development and testing of very large optics, 

s you know, NASA's long range plans in space astronomy point toward 

he eventual development and operation of very large diffraction 

invited orbital telescopes. One step along the way that we are con - 

idering is a large stellar telescope (ATM-B) for operation with the 

econd "dry workshop", planned for flight in 1974. We have, with the 

 msistance of the MOL team, taken steps to have Dr. Aden Meinel of the 

fniversity of Arizona and Messrs. Olivier and Waite from the Marshall 

apace Flight Center examine the existing MDL hardware at Eastman Kodak. 

['heir purpose is to make a preliminary evaluation as to the suitability 

)f this equipment for stellar astronomy, the steps that might be 

 required to so modify it, and the probable compatibility of the system 

 with the Apollo Telescope Mount and dry workshop. We expect to have 

their preliminary findings within several weeks. 

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and what role the classified capabilities — technology and facilities -- 

should play therein. This topic can await further elaboration until the 

more immediate questions of existing hardware have been resolved.. 

Sincerely, 

--51tAftstArow 

Homer E. Newell 

Associate Administrator 

cc: Colonel Lew Allen, Jr. USAF 

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