MEMORANDUM FOR (Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B01709A000400010013-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 31, 2004
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: March 28, 1967
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2004/09/15 : CIA-RDP79BO1709A000400010013-4
28 March 1967
The following points may be, of interest with respect to
paragraph 4 of the attached memo:
1. Environmental information portrayed at various scales
is a recognized military requirement. The nature of the terrain and
surface materials, the types and densities of vegetation, and the
hydrology and soil moisture conditions are among the factors of
interest particularly to the Army. More R&D in the study of color
photography for analyzing and mapping the distribution of significant
environmental data should be of great benefit to the military. Much
can be done in varying color densities, etc. , to assist in photo-
interpretation. Also exposure parameters are important and contro-
versial, particularly the sun angle.
2. The reference to compatible data reduction procedures
brings to mind a report that the UNAMAC can be used to obtain
orthophotos in color. Color separations can be made on plates and
introduced individually into the UNAMAC for scanning. This means
three runs for the three primary colors. The resultant color-separated
films can then be processed to obtain the full color orthophotos.
STAT
DIA review(s) completed.
STAT
ILLEGIB
Approved For Release 2004/09/15 : CIA-RDP79BO1709A000400010013-4
 /?i t
Approved For Release 2004/09/15 : CIA-RDP79BO1709A000400010013-4
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20301
MAR } 1967
STAT
SUBJECT: Color Photography for DoD Mapping, Charting and Geodesy
from Satellite Systems
TO: Distribution List
Enclosure, subject as above, represents the present DoD position as
developed with technical representatives of the Military Departments
and coordinated with DoD members of the COMOR Mapping, Charting and
Geodesy Working Group.
DIA Member
COMOR MC&G Working Group 1 Encl a/s
Distribution:
Chairman, COMOR MC&GWG
COMOR Members:
DIA
Army
Navy
Air Force
ACSI (LtCol Stukhart)
OCE (Mr. Rinehart)
NAVOCEANO (Mr. Wolf)
AFNINCB (Mr. Eldridge)
ILLEGIB
Approved For Release 2004/09/15: CIA-RDP
 Approved For-Release 2004/09/15 : CIA-RDP79B017dMA000400010013-4
COLOR PHOTOGRAPHY FOR DOD MAPPING, CHARTING AND GEODESY
FROM SATELLITE SYSTEMS
1. Requirement
For cultural and physical features, color photography provides input to
the interpretation of features for maps and charts. However, the advantages
of color are not sufficiently great to offset significant degradation in
resolution obtainable from black and white photography. For underwater
features of concern to the Navy, down to depths of 10 fathoms, color
photography may provide useful information for hydrographic charting.
Aircraft tests in progress should further define this underwater require-
ment in 60-90 days.
2. Standard Color Photography
This data, already available from satellites, is sufficient for analysis
of possible application. Its loss in resolution, compared to black and white,
does not justify additional photography being collected by satellites except
as it may be possible to arrange for some portion of the film to be allotted
to Navy needs for underwater features, assuming color photography proves
useful for this purpose.
3. Improved Color Photography
The MC&G community is interested in further developments in the direction
of Bi-color photography and photography of the Tech-Ops, Incorporated type.
Insofar as it may become practical to collect this type of photography with-
out significant loss in resolution, the MC&G community would like to partici-
pate in the planning of tests or operations using color photography, and will
establish appropriate utilization tests. Separate activities will be under
taken, both in the development and acquiring of aerial color photography, to
enable more definitive testing and to obtain coverage for Navy needs.
4. Future R&D
In recognition of the limited analysis and experience to date, the
specific role of color photography in mapping and charting is being examined
in an R&D environment, outlining specific objectives and developing utiliza-
tion techniques and procedures. Progress has resulted from examining
several techniques, but more R&D is justified. The MC&G community desires
to be kept informed of important technical developments in color photography
in the acquisition field, in order that compatible data reduction procedures
are developed.
Approved For Release 2004/09/15 : CIA-RDP79BO1709A000400010013-4