PROJECT GEMINI PHOTOGRAPHY

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP68R00530A000100090042-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: T
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 18, 2007
• Sequence Number: 42
• Publication Date: September 13, 1965
• Content Type: MF

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1U~ ago
tai 1.: Acting Director, National Reconnaissance Office
B CI Project t3MIIQI Photography
1. your memorandum of 3 September regarding review of the
public releasibility of G 1INI-V photography was Of special interest
to me. I note with approval the recognition and careful consideration
given by the reviewing group to the clear and potentially very
important relationship between G3' (INI photography and the photo-
product of senittive intelligence satellite programs, present and
projected. In my opinion, moreover, the criteria used and the judg-
ments made with respect to the intelligence significance of the
ORMINI-V photographs as well as the actions which were taken on the
basis of this inter agency examination were appropriate.
2. 1 think the coordination process used in meeting the immediate
release problem posed by the GEMINI-V film was quite satisfactory in
view of the simplicity of the problem. Nevertheless, I an concerned
that similar future experiments in the GEMINI and succeeding NASA
manned space programs may well produce pbotography of sufficiently
improvgd quality and resolution as to reveal U .N. intelligence capabil-
ities for photo-satellite reconnaissance. Since disclosures about such
NRO review(s) completed.
NASA Review Completed.
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1 14-J.
d the cameras employed might do serious damn, to our national
security, we should uow take action to insure against that eeveentuelity.
In view of my statutory responsibility for the protection
of intelligence sources and methods from unauthorized disclosure.
I feel we should set up a somewhat more formal procedure which would
guarantee to the intelligence commity that this protection 3s being
provided in handling photography obtained during G 11NI and later
manned space flights. In addition to providing for an Intelligence
security review on behalf of the Director of Central Intelligence
prior to public release, the procedure should also Include examination
of the question as to whether any socurity controls should be Imposed
on the cameras themselves. My intent, with which I an sure you will
agree, is to facilitate orderly presentation of tb,e a problems to the
United States Intelligence Board (UBIB), icch I chair and frequently
consult on national security Intelligence, matters of this sort. I
would, of course, invitee representatives of the KABA wad HHO to
participate in the 9818 deliberations when their progrow are under
discussion.
4. I should like to request, therefore, that you make the
necessary basic arrangements to develop a procedure as outlined above
which would provide on opportunity for USI8 consideration and a security
clearance by the Director of Central Intelligence on releaseesef this kind.
ILLEGIB
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mir n of the USER Committee an Overhead Reconneissa nce (C k) .
ca: Mr. Vance
Dr, Seamans
I'll
ST. I- I
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REFERRED TO
OFFICE
RECEIVED
SIGNATURE
DATE TIME
DATE TIMENAME & OFFICE SYMBOL
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vm
UNCLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL SECRET
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
TO
NAME AND ADDRESS
DATE
INITIALS
3
I
De ut Director for Support
Deputy Director for Science
Technol
Cron
5
'e
6
ACTION J
DIRECT REPLY
PREPARE REPLY
APPROVAL
DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATION
COMMENT
FILE
RETURN
CONCURRENCE
_
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks :
I. Per recent conversation with ZxDir,
action on memo at Tab B from Acting Director
,
NW assigned to DWI.
2. Draft proposed response for DCI
signature is attached. Please review and
provide your comments, ooncurrencea, or other
views to CG:
by 17 September, It possible.
3. Copies have been provided to each
addressee.
FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER
FROM: NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NO.
DATE
Chief, COB 7-0-00
9/16/65
UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL
SECRET
FORM NO. 917 Use previous editions (40)
9_L1
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 ILLEGIB
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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY
MEMORANDUM FOR DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
L 5~;, 19.6
SUBJECT: GEMINI V Photography
As you know, arrangements previously were made between
Dr.YMcMilian and Dr. Seamans to process and review, here in
Washington, all film taken from GEMINI V with the Questar
ca era prior to any public release. This included not only
DoD experiments but also NASA. film exposed in the same
camera.
Dr. Seamans and I, along with representatives from CIA,.
State Department, the NRO, and NPIC, reviewed the film last
Wednesday. There follows a brief summary of my observations:
a. Although several DoD facilities and systems
were photographed (for example: Bergstrom AFB and the air-
craft carrier Champlain), the bulk of the astronauts' attention
was directed toward cloud patterns and unusual terrain features
around the world;
b. Resolution varied from about 20 to 50' with the
black and white film, and from about 40 to 60" with the color
film;
c. Although there probably is no real intelligence
value in any of the photography, the fact remains that air-
craft can be observed in the Bergstrom AFB photo and the USS
Champlain is clearly identifiable, as an aircraft carrier.
d. The ability of man to identify a specific ground
target, and point his spacecraft at and track that target, is
obvious from the photography.
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 III F(,IR
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At the meeting, we agreed to the following:
a. NASA color film taken with the Questar camera
was all releasable, subject only to State Department guidance
with regard to possible foreign relationship problems. There
is no significant intelligence information evident in any of
these photographs;
b. All of the DoD film (black and white, plus color
through an IR filter) would be classified;
c. The DoD film would be reviewed with.the astronauts
and appropriate members of the GEMINI team as classified
material. This review for the purpose of assisting them in
evaluating mission performance will be accomplished this week-
end.
d. Since the press was aware of the DoD experiments,
some DoD film would probably have to be released as typical
of the results obtained.
We have reviewed the DoD film and are taking the following
action;
a. Several prints are being delivered to General
LeBailly as releasable to the press, if necessary. Specifically,
these include photographs of Dallas, the Cape Kennedy NASA
industrial area, the moon, Venus, and Alpha Centaur.
b. General Le ailly has been instructed that, if
necessary to release these prints, it will be done from
Houston and with minimum fanfare. His spokesman will be
cautioned that we seek minimum DoD publicity, and that all
aspects of DoD Washington interest in this event are classified.
Acting Director
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