NRO-MOL_2015

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42 The Dorian Files Revealed: a Compendium of the NRO’s Manned Orbiting Laboratory Documents agencies and categorized them into a number of technical areas. Committees of experts were then formed in such specialties as optics, infrared, radar, communications, etc., to analyze the proposals to determine whether common objectives and equipment might satisfy mere than one experimental objective. 33 After eliminations and consolidations, 59 experiments were identified. These were further scrutinized, evaluated, and finally reduced to 12 primary and 18 secondary MOL experiments which were incorporated into the preliminary technical development plan submitted to AFSC on 1 April. The 12 original primary experiments were: P-1—Acquisition and Tracking of Ground Targets. To evaluate man’s performance in acquiring pre-assigned targets and precisely tracking them to an accuracy compatible with the requirements for precise Image Motion Compensation (IMC) determination. P-2— {remains classified.} P-3—Direct Viewing for Ground and Sea Targets. To evaluate man’s-ability to scan and acquire land targets of -opportunity, to scan and detect ships and surfaced submarines, and to examine ships and surfaced submarines for classification purposes. P-4—Electromagnetic Signal Detection. To evaluate man’s capability for making semi-analytical decisions and control adjustments to optimize the orbital collection of intercept data from advanced electromagnetic emitters. P-5—In Space Maintenance. To evaluate man’s capability to perform-malfunction detection, repair, and maintenance of complex military peculiar equipment. P6—Extravehicular Activity. To evaluate man’s ability in the performance of extravehicular operations peculiar to future military operations, including external spacecraft maintenance. P-7—Remote Maneuvering Unit. To evaluate the astronaut’s ability to control the Remote Maneuvering Unit (RMU). P-8—Autonomous Spacecraft Position Fixing and Navigation. To evaluate the-capability of a man-using various combinations of equipment to act as a spacecraft navigator and provide autonomous navigation. P-10—Multiband Spectral Observations. To evaluate man’s ability to detect high radiance gradient background events and missile signatures using multiband spectral sensors and to provide additional measurement data on backgrounds and missile signatures. P-11—General Performance in Military Space Operations. To obtain reliable and valid measurements of more basic performance as it relates to applied mission functions and physiological changes occurring during the stresses of the MOL flights. P-12—Biomedical and Physical Evaluation. To evaluate those effects of weightlessness which can potentially compromise mission success. Sufficient data are required to validate supporting measures employed, devise improved methods, if necessary, and afford plausible estimates of biomedical status for missions longer than 30 days. Three other experiments, later added, were: P-13, ocean surveillance; p-14, manned assembly and service of large antennas; and F-15, manned assembly and service of large telescopes. The SSD development plan described the pre-Phase I MOL activities which would precede issuance of a request for proposals to industry for project definition. It discussed the US approach to program management, procurement philosophy (i.e., adopting the “associate contractor” concept to procure major elements of the system), organizational responsibilities, and steps leading to a first unmanned launch, which the plan tentatively scheduled for June 1968, and the first manned flight sometime in calendar year 1969. 34 After General Bleymaier and Colonel Brady briefed Dr. Flax on the plan on 6 April, it was officially submitted to Headquarters USAF on the 8th. AFSC requested authority to proceed with the pre-Phase I effort and estimated the cost at $5.5 million (another $500,000 was later added for the Navy’s ocean surveillance studies). Concerning the OSS contracts, whose cost was included in the above total,.AFSC brought to the attention of the Headquarters that it had never received authority to award them. Dr. Flax subsequently signed a “Determination and Findings” (D&F) on 13 April 1964 authorizing AFSC to negotiate the final OSS study contracts. 35 P-9—Negation and Damage Assessment. To evaluate man’s ability to carry out a negation and damage assessment function.
Chapter IV - PLANNING THE MANNED ORBITNG LABORATORY December 1963-June 1964 43 MOL Pre-Phase I Go-Ahead is Approved On 10 April Dr. Flax forwarded to Dr. Brown two copies of the AFSC plan and requested funds and authority to proceed with pre- Phase I MOL activities. The Defense Research Director, after reviewing the document, reported to Secretary McNamara on 21 April that OSD- Air Force discussions had clarified the MOL experiments approach and that the Air Force had requested go-ahead authority for the pre-Phase I studies only, with funding listed as follows: 36 Millions 6 Experiment Study Contracts (USAF to Industry) $1.0 3 Experiment Studies (Navy in-house) 0.5 6 Support Studies of Laboratory Subsystems 1.2 Gemini B. Detailed Study (McDonnell) 1.0 Titan III Interface Study (Martin) 1.0 Apollo Applications Study (North American) 0.2 One-Man Gemini Applications Study (McDonnell) 0.1 Aerospace Corporation Support 1.0 Total $6.0 So that McNamara might know the spectrum and detail of the experiments already selected by the Air Force, Dr. Brown listed the 12 primary and 18 secondary experiments. He explained that the advantages of having a man in space vehicle were in his ability to recognize patterns, interpret them in real time, and report the results, and his ability to point a sensor (telescopecamera) and provide image motion compensation. He said the proposed MOL experiments should provide answers to the question whether better results could be obtained by using a man as compared to an unmanned system of the same weight. He advised he planned to release $6 million of deferred fiscal year 1964 funds for the Air Force to begin the studies-if the Defense Secretary did not object. 37 On 27 April, Dr. McMillan also reported to McNamara on USAF plans for reconnaissance studies, experiments, and possible developments connected with the MOL project, and NRO actions. He advised that the “black” effort was being handled within the BYEMAN control system, while certain other studies were carried out openly as part of the MOL program under normal classification. He said: Should the MOL experiments demonstrate satisfactorily that a man may be able to make important contributions to the effectiveness of satellite reconnaissance missions, it will be necessary to compare carefully the potential cost and performance of very high resolution systems, manned and unmanned. Such comparisons will require complete access to the present unmanned satellite reconnaissance program. They will be carried out exclusively by the (S) NRO as Project DORIAN. 38 Based upon this information from two of his top scientific and technical advisors, Secretary McNamara authorized the start of pre-Phase I activities. Whereupon, on 29 April Dr. Brown advised Zuckert of the release of the $6 million for the MOL studies. However, he laid down certain conditions by requiring the Air Force to: (1) delay contract negotiations for Apollo and one-man Gemini studies until his office had approved the proposed work statements; (2) delete experiment P-9 unless the -Air Force could show its compelling importance; and (3) give special emphasis to ground simulation testing during all experimental studies. 39 On 4 May, Dr. Flax forwarded Brown’s instructions to the Vice Chief of Staff for “action as directed,” noting that AFSC would have to obtain advance approval of all work statements. AFSC and SSD, however, found the latter requirement irksome since the procedure was time-consuming and would delay the letting of contracts. The OSS study contracts were an example. The work statements, first submitted to Headquarters USAF on 19 February, were not approved until 12 March, the D&F was not signed until 13 April, and authority to proceed with the contracts was not given until 20 May. Actual letting of three contracts—to Douglas, Martin-Marietta, and General Electric—was not accomplished until 27 May 1964. 40 As expected, there were long delays which served to extend the contracting process through the spring and summer months. Thirteen additional contracts were awarded on the following dates: 8 June, the Gemini B
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The DORIAN Files Revealed: A Compen
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Center for the Study of National Re
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Contents v Contents Foreword.......
Page 9 and 10: Contents vii Chapter XII: Congress,
Page 11 and 12: Foreword ix I am pleased to see the
Page 13 and 14: Preface xi The Dorian Files Reveale
Page 15 and 16: Introduction xiii President Lyndon
Page 17 and 18: Introduction xv as determining the
Page 19 and 20: Chapter I - Early Space Station Pla
Page 33 and 34: Chapter II - A National Space Stati
Page 43 and 44: Chapter III - DYNA-SOAR KILLED, MOL
Page 52 and 53: Chapter IV: PLANNING THE MANNED ORB
Page 54 and 55: 36 The Dorian Files Revealed: a Com
Page 64 and 65: Chapter V: EVOLUTION OF THE MOL MAN
Page 68 and 69: Chapter VI: RESULTS OF THE PRE-PHAS
Page 76 and 77: Chapter VII: THE LABORATORY VEHICLE
Page 88 and 89: Chapter VIII: THE MOL PROGRAM DECIS
Page 98 and 99: Chapter IX: ORGANIZING FOR CONTRACT
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Chapter X - THE MANNED/UNMANNED SYS
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Chapter XI - BUDGET, DEVELOPMENTAL,
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Chapter XII: CONGRESS, MOL SECURITY
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Chapter XV: THE PROJECT TERMINATED
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Chapter XVI: POST-MORTEM
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Supplemental Documents InDeX
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