NRO-MOL_2015

Chapter III - DYNA-SOAR KILLED, MOL APPROVED
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agencies also had agreed that, although it was under
USAF management, NASA’s requests for participation
in MOL would be recognized “to the extent that does
not compromise the Air Force mission, in the same way
that the Gemini has recognized the Air Force request for
piggyback payloads... to the extent it doesn’t compromise
the lunar landing priority and requirement.” 19
The DoD-NASA MOL Agreement
On 27 December 1963 Dr. Albert C. Hall, representing
DDR&E, and Dr. George Mueller of NASA summarized
in a joint paper their agencies’ views and agreements on
MOL and ‘’the minimum elements of manned earth orbit
programs.” They agreed that DoD requirements—”the
early effective demonstration of man’s utility in performing
military functions (for example, earth surveillance) from
orbit”—would not be aimed at an operational “space
station” in the context usually attributed to that term. They
also agreed that NASA’s requirements would properly
emphasize scientific and research aspects of orbital flight. 20
In the paper, Drs. Hall and Mueller reviewed various
possible system candidates for manned orbital flight and
the OSD decision to select the Gemini/MOL approach.
They agreed that continuing space agency studies might
confirm NASA’s need “for a space station of proportions
which will permit a centrifuge and/or require crew
sizes of four or more.” They recognized that a national
requirement might develop for a large orbiting station and
agreed that both agencies would continue to coordinate
their studies in that direction. Concerning management
interfaces for the Gemini/MOL, they concurred that “if the
Gemini B capsule is procured from the Gemini contractor
that it should be procured through NASA’’ and that a
coordinating board should be established to define the
relationships and execute the necessary agreements.
In summary, Drs. Hall and Mueller listed the following
NASA- DoD agreements and conclusions:
1. The Gemini B/MOL was a single military project
within “the National Space Program” and was
being implemented by DoD in response to military
test requirements in preparation for possible
requirements.
2. DoD would initiate, under USAF management,
a MOL program directed toward determining the
military utility of man in orbit.
3. DoD would make use of the NASA-developed
Gemini, modified as required to be the passenger
vehicle for the laboratory**.
4. Titan III would be employed as the MOL
booster.
5. NASA experimental requirements would be
incorporated in the MOL Program.
6. A Coordinating Board would be constituted to
resolve Gemini B/MOL interface between DoD and
NASA.
7. The X-20 program would be cancelled in favor of
the MOL Program.
8. The ASSET program would be augmented by
DoD.
9. DoD and NASA would coordinate on an
accelerated test program to determine the
characteristics and suitability of various forms of
maneuverable recovery vehicles.
10. Both agencies would continue their study of
requirements for large or operational type space
stations and would utilize the AACB and its panels to
coordinate these studies. 21
11. In late January 1964 Drs. Brown and Seamans
signed a DoD/NASA agreement authorizing the
Air Force to negotiate a Gemini B design contract
with McDonnell, provided that the arrangement did
not set a pattern for any follow-on engineering and
procurement contracts. A new contract would require
NASA’s specific concurrence so as not to interfere
with its Gemini program. ††
** In late January 1964 Drs. Brown and Seamans signed a DoD/NASA
agreement authorizing the Air Force to negotiate a Gemini B design contract
with McDonnell, provided that the arrangement did not set a pattern for any
follow-on engineering and procurement contracts. A new contract would
require NASA’s specific concurrence so as not to interfere with its Gemini
program. See Chapter XIII, History of MOL, Plans and Policies, Vol. II.
†† See Chapter XIII, History of MOL, Plans and Policies, Vol. II.