NRO-MOL_2015

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The Dorian Files Revealed: a Compendium of the NRO’s Manned Orbiting Laboratory Documents
Chapter VII: The Laboratory Vehicle Design Competition January-June 1965........................................................59
Worries Over MOL Security .........................................................................................................................60
A Revised MOL Management Structure ......................................................................................................60
NASA’s MOL/Apollo Study ...........................................................................................................................62
Approaching a MOL Decision ......................................................................................................................64
Chapter VIII: The MOL Program Decision 25 August 1965.....................................................................................71
The Air Force Proposal ................................................................................................................................71
Dr. Hornig Approves, with Qualifications ......................................................................................................72
The Budget Bureau Expresses Doubt .........................................................................................................73
State Department and CIA Views ................................................................................................................74
McNamara Recommends MOL Program Approval .....................................................................................75
The President’s Decision and Public Reaction ............................................................................................76
Chapter IX: Organizing for Contract Definition ........................................................................................................81
The New MOL Structure: Two Management Channels ...............................................................................81
Procedures for Guidance and Direction of NRO Aspects of MOL ...............................................................83
MOL Financial Procedures ..........................................................................................................................85
The MOL Systems Office .............................................................................................................................85
The Contractor Team ...................................................................................................................................86
Initiating Contract Definition .........................................................................................................................87
Chapter X: The Manned/Unmanned System Studies 1965 - 1966..........................................................................93
PSAC Reemphasizes the Unmanned System .............................................................................................94
The Role of Man in the MOL ........................................................................................................................96
The Budget Bureau Asks a Reexamination of MOL ...................................................................................99
The Reconnaissance Panel Briefing, August 1966 ...................................................................................102
General Schriever’s Farewell Remarks .....................................................................................................103
Chapter XI: Budget, Developmental, and Schedule Problems—1965-1966.........................................................107
Sensor Development Slippage ..................................................................................................................108
The FY 1967 Budget Review .....................................................................................................................109
Initiating MOL Engineering Development .................................................................................................. 111