PROVED: FOR• 

RELEASE44443/44*441, 

SY 

DEPARTMENT OF THE MR FORCE, 

WASHINGTON 20330 

OFPVIC 

MORANODM FOR RECORD' 

SUBJECT: MOL Briefing for Dr. Townes/Space TMek, Group 

I gave an abbreviMtedNML/DORIAN briefing to Dr, TOlanesi 

Space Task Group (established by the President-Elect) on 

December 23 at the National Academy of Sciences building. 

Members of the Space Task Group who were present are listed 

in Atch 1. 

The MOL presentation was part of a brief DoD Space Program 

overview requested by Dr. Townes. Representing the DoD were 

Mr. Barfield and Captain Lobdell (DDR&E '-- the latter is not 

cleared and was not present during the MOL session), General 

Hedrick and Colonel Brill (AFRDS), (SAPSS), and 

myself. 

We understood that in the morning the Space Task Group 

had been briefed by NASA (AAP was one subject) and the CIA 

(an SI/TK briefing on the Russian Space Program. Dr. Lauderdale 

advised me that none of the NRP systems were discussed). 

Captain Loboell first discussed the portion of the DoD 

budget allocated to space activities over the _oast eight years 

($2.1 billion in FY 69) and briefly described each of the 

major BAR-classified systems (Comsat, 949, etc.) in operation 

and/or developrent (including 417, which was described as a 

"sensitive" ?rogram. I later advised them that its primary 

purpose was to serve as a weather 'scout" for the NRP). 

Mr. Barfield then described the various DOD-NASA "economy" 

areas studied by various joint task groups under the guidance 

of Dr. Foster and Dr. Newell. Generally, only routine questions 

were asked and answezed satisfactorily. The Group did inquire 

into the booster area and this was discussed briefly. 

I then briefed on MOL, preceding that discussion with a 

few words on t4= NRO/NRP and the special security measures 

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accorded national reconnaissance activities. I advised them 

that virtually all of the pictures of Russia and much of the 

SIGINT info in the CIA briefing were products of the NRP 

(single covert national program, joint DoD-CIA undertaking, 

under SecDef, managed by Dr. flax). I pointed out that 

Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy had imposed extraordinary 

security measures (to avoid a confrontation with Soviets or 

embarrassment to our allies, gain tacit recognition, etc.) 

and we had compartmented the products and operational/technical 

characteristics of the systems. I stressed that all reconnais», 

same aspects of MOL (although not technically a part of the 

NRP) was in a code-named compartment. I stated that there were 

numerous systems in the NRP, that Dr. Flax would be pleased 

to brief them at their convenience, that several hours were 

required, etc. 

I then stated that we wished to brief them on MOL which, 

while like the NRP systems in having a covert mission, was 

also an acknowledged program and budgeted as an open line item. 

The charts used are listed in Attachment 2 (all are available 

in the MOL Program Office). 

There were a number of routine questions (asked mostly by 

Dr. Townes, Dr. Branscomb,. and Mr. Puckett). The following 

are worth noting: 

1. Did we have the option initially of Roing either 

manned or unmanned? I pointed out that when MOL was first 

proposed, it was not believed practical to operate the camera 

in an "automatic" mode; that when the latter became feasible, 

an unmanned system was included for various reasons (see 

Chart 7, reproduced as Atch 3); but that the manned system was 

being developed and would be flown first for valid reasons 

(see Atch 3). I noted that we had not yet demonstrated the 

feasibility of automatic pointing and tracking and would not 

for another 1 - 2 years. 

2. Would the manned system be cost-competitive 

(see Atch 3)? I stated it was my opinion that on a recurring 

cost basis, despite the inherently longer lifetime of the 

unmanned system, the manned system would be more than 

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cost-competitive (cloud-avoidance; time-sensitive, fleeting 

targets; color and other film; 

visual reconnaissance, etc.). 1 noted that the "antomatic4 

camera operation was Important in the manned system; however, 

so we would use man's brain-power rather than as a "servo" 

I noted that we had recently discussed this in DoD and decided 

to continue the unmanned system as "insurance" against the 

internati.inal objection/foreign threat possibility, etc. 

3. Was the Ng" and NZ included in the 

This was answered affirmatively (about for NAP 

systems and support, $515 million fortHi; and the remainder 

for all else). 

4. How about advancing apace teehnologv and civilian 

use of advanced camera systems -- MY personal thoughts were 

solicited in, this area. I pointed out that this question had 

been considered almost annually for the past several Years 

(at Cabinet level) and that each time, it had been decided to 

restrain civilian (NASA) efforts in this regard because of our 

concern over upsetting the apparent tacit acceptance by the 

Soviets of U.S. satellite reconnaissance activities. / noted 

that an appropriate group had studied classified satellite 

photography and assessed its value for oceanography, geology, 

transportation, etc., and also that a procedure had been 

established whereby certain mapping/charting results were 

released (without revealing the source). I also indicated that 

there was agreement that there should and would be a gradual 

relaxation of the constraints on NASA in this area, but that 

the specifics of how and when had not yet been established. 

I repeated to Dr. Townes the offer by Dr. Flax to brief 

them, if desired, on the NRP systems, and we also offered to 

brief them further on NOL and other DoD space activities. 

I cautioned them again about the security surrounding the NRP 

and the reconnaissance aspects of MOL, and suggested if they 

desired to include any of this in their report to the 

President-Elect that they have their Secretariat contact 

Dr. Flax, General Berg, or myself, and we would assist them 

administratively. 

The Space Task Group could not help but get the impression 

that the DoD really is applications minded and views space as 

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RANDCZWN 

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NRO APPROVED OR : 

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a place rather than•a-Missiort;... 

loge, akkierity at DoD space dollars is allocated.. to 

systems :.(levelopment.,anol. ..emplopMent 

. . . 

• get . ..the iMpessi.o...

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the civilian than the uiilitar -43 ate:;:::00 

space technology to.'08400a: 

application; future goals; ot 

DOD' and NASA,-etc.). • I '..;'044eratfal. 

J0000rY.14-hOWever, their precise 

S focused more on 

(the value of 

occur 

coordination between 

1 meet again after 

e not revealed. 

(SAYS.5. _ 

statement signatures, arr 

present, etc. 

StuP nthele• 

JAmEp T. STEWART 

VWdorpenekalt. uSVice Director, )L Po 

3 Atchs 

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BYEiVIAN-TALP::" ". '7= 

CONT. SY_ 
NRO APPROVE FOR 

2015 

toøfr 

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24 December 1555 

umar: 702 G- L STEWART 

SUBJ:CT: Nizon Stan Thvorce on Space BrieZing 

The Zollowing pereenzel 170r esent during your 

briefing 0: clo Ninon Stall: Task Force on Space; 

Dz. Charles Townes 

Jamem Van Allem 

Char',es Z. 

Norman Z. Zerevitz 

Louis Branscomb, Jr. 

Walter Orr geherts 

;Jaen Z. Puckett 

Francis B4 Clauser 

SpergcerL4 Zores2ord 

Sannal Leah= 

-y LGC2IS 

Ceozza A. Derbyslire vas present during the 

introductiona, but left the ream tpzior to the start el 

the hziefiag. 2e will be ie-* 25 December 1SSO so 

that be a.iy acaplete his cemnittea lunctionc. I will 

provide hia appropriate telephone numbers lor any 

assistance they may require at that time. 

SIGNED 

Captain, USI 

Assistant Zor Security 

011it.e wait Space Systems 
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RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 

1, MIL Title Chart (44) 

, 1101, hrono= 

3. MI01, 01;4 

4, laseitna NM 

5.,, Itssetine $01-#ti 

6. 101. 

Hada via BYEMAN 

Cpltre! !3.74I9 
NRO APPROVED FOR 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 

Handle via BflMAt4 

Ctitral•SIstes 
I 

cc: Mr. Charles Bohlen 

CROW I Mr. Charles Zwick 

II 

J. 

bee tootle 

NRO APPROVED FOR 

RELEASE 1 JULY 2015 

TOP SECRET 

THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 

WASHINGTON, O. C. 20301 

14 - 

1.3izt-7 

Mr. Richard Helms 24 MAY 1968 

Director of Central Intelligence 

Washington, D. C. 

Dear Dick: 

I have seen your May 15th letter to Chip concerning the MOL program. 

Certainly the scope and significance of this program have made it im-- 

perative that we keep all aspects of it under constant review. 

Both of the items you suggest be studied have been periodically studied 

throughout the MOL program. In December of 1967, these subjects were 

given very careful consideration in preparing the MOL Development 

Concept Paper and the FY 69 budget. 

Within the next several weeks, the Department of Defense must make 

many important budget decisions. We will be making our FY 69 

apportionment, taking into account the budget cuts which Congress is, 

asking the President to incorporate in his FY 69 expenditure plan. T 

make the appropriate decisions regarding MOL, we are pviewing in 

detail all of our previous work over the past few years which is pertine 

to the value of the type of intelligence to be derived as well as those studies 

on alternative ways to achieve the desired objective. As a contribution 

to our examination of this subject, we would appreciate receiving copies 

of the review cited in paragraph two of the memorandum attached to your 

letter. 

After we make these immediate FY 69 budget apportionment decitions, 

Will then be in a position to decide on a consistent set of new, longer ran • 

studies and will certainty consider your recommendations and your offer 

to provide participants in such studies. 

With reference to the last paragraph of your letter, I want to reitera 

that without reservation we have always planned to have the MOL missio 

tasking and control handled by the current NAP process in full respori 

to the intelligence community. The only additional major factor whic 

feel will need to be considered at all times is the safety of the MO. 

Sincerely, 

TOP SECRET 

Copy S .