NRO-MOL_2015

122 The Dorian Files Revealed: a Compendium of the NRO’s Manned Orbiting Laboratory Documents
To satisfy these requirements, there
is no question but that we must
place the MOL payload in near polar
orbits. Orbital inclinations from 80 0
to 100°are considered mandatory. To
assure overall success of the program
and minimum system costs, we have
given careful attention to maximum
use of NASA developed subsystems,
the minimum weight payload which
can meet the requirements, and
the most effective launch vehicle
approach. We have also considered
the range constraints which might
limit our ability to launch payloads
as planned during early flight of the
MOL Program and any follow on which
may develop as a result of the MOL
program. 30
Dr. Foster reviewed the problems of possible land
impact of the MOL and security of the payload in
such a circumstance. He pointed out that ETR launch
trajectories would involve land overflight, with the vehicle
passing directly over southern Florida and Miami, and
that this was ‘”totally unacceptable in my opinion due
to the hazards involved.” He said that, in the case of
MOL, a decision had been made a year earlier to avoid
unnecessary land overflight, “particularly since this
program involves repeated launches of classified military
payloads.” He assured the committee that the Defense
Department planned to continue various Titan III launch
operations from Cape Kennedy. 31
Senator Holland began his lengthy interrogation of
Dr. Foster by remarking that other scientists (who were
not named) had challenged the basic premises of the
MOL program, particularly the need for polar orbits. He
continually pressed Foster to answer “why polar orbit’’
was needed. Part of the colloquy went as follows:
Senator Holland: What I am trying
to ask is, if you will, state why
the polar orbit is the sole and
exclusively chosen one, under the
thinking of the Air Force.
Dr. Foster : I am sorry, I can only
say that it is a requirement of the
program.
Senator Holland: Yes, but, in other
words, you are not going to state to
this committee why you choose the
polar orbit rather than the other
courses that can be fired to greater
advantage and more cheaply out of
Cape Kennedy.
Dr. Foster: No, other than to say
that in order to fulfill the purpose
of the program, these inclinations
are required.
Senator Holland: Doctor, this
committee is composed of Senators of
the United States who are entitled to
know something about this program,
and so far as the Senator from
Florida is concerned, he thinks he is
just as safe to trust with knowledge
of this program...as yourself or
anybody else, and I want to know why
the polar flight is the only one that
will fulfill the requirements of the
Air Force... 32
At this point Sen. Howard W. Cannon of Nevada came
to the rescue of the besieged witness. He posed a series
of questions to the Defense Research Director which
elicited the general information that MOL flight objectives
required “that areas be overflown in a polar orbit that
cannot be overflown in an equatorial orbit.” ‡‡33
Holland also raised questions about several Air Force
reports he had learned of, which he said confirmed the
view that the Cape could be used to launch MOL. Dr. Flax
replied that the reports mentioned had been prepared by
Air Force officials at Cape Kennedy who were “not fully
aware of the MOL requirements, have no responsibility
for the MOL program,” and were “merely speculating
across the board” on all possible applications of the Titan
III family flown out of the Cape. He agreed to provide the
Committee copies of these reports. 34
During the afternoon session, the main witness was
Dr. Seamans of NASA. He had earlier assured the Air
Force that he would take “a real hard position” on MOL
launchings from the West Coast and “remain firm,” 35
and he did so. He reported on NASA’s future plans for
launchings from both coasts, emphasizing that Cape
Kennedy would be the primary base. He described the
‡‡ Two documents, “Titan IIID Comparison, WTR vs ETR,” and “Briefing on
Titan III Capability at Cape Kennedy,” were forwarded to the Committee by Dr.
Flax on 25 February. [Ltr, Flax to Gehrig, Cmte on Aeronautical and Space
Sciences, 25 Feb 66