NASA SPACE PHOTOGRAPHY

Document Type: 
Collection: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
T
Document Page Count: 
15
Document Creation Date: 
December 23, 2016
Document Release Date: 
April 3, 2013
Sequence Number: 
17
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
November 9, 1965
Content Type: 
MEMO
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6.pdf406.44 KB
Body: 
? f ? Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 ? OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE WASHINGTON 9 NOV 196c MEMORANDUM FOR THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL IN l'ELLIGENCE SUBJECT: NASA Space Photography I appreciate your memorandum of October 16 regarding NASA space photography and certainly agree with the necessity to formalize the review of these activities in terms of their security impact on intelligence programs. My staff will be pleased to participate as necessary in setting up and operating the review procedures. Mr. Louis F. Mazza will arrange the initial contact between your security staff and representatives of the NRO, in this regard. IEXCLUDED FRi'M fiTOYATIC P.EGRADING; DOD DIR. 5200.10 DOES NOT APPLY Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 Ate'271 Alexander H. Flax Director National Reconnaissance Office 50X1 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 _IP 12 Nov 65 TO: ER ROOM NO. BUILDING REMARKS: - Copies have been sent to DWI, D/DCl/NIPE, D/Security via DD/S, C/COMOR, and CIA Director of Reconnaissance. , ? FROM: O/ExDir/HKnoche ROOM NO. BUILDING EXTENSION FORM NO.2,4.1 REPLACES FORM 36-8 * GPO .1957-0-439445 1 FEB 55 WHICH MAY BE USED. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP8OR01580R002004220017-6 (47) Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP8OR01580R002004220017-6 KtMUKANUUM Executive Director DCI has not seen. Suggest copies to Sheldon and DDI, who started this exercise. W. Elder 10 Nov 65 ( DATE ) Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP8OR01580R002004220017-6 50X1 (47) Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 Iv f 1 6 OCT 1965 itstionel isconamlissettat, Office IlhatehrsphY 1. f have noted the recent memorendua on the headline el photography obtsiaed b tteQueotar emcee durins the MINI V flight. 2. The ineressIng use of photoaraOhtw wewtionent IA Protrows would necomitsto emasidervitioe of the security of intolllawsne program in terms al both equipmest end prodoet If pooh use should result in photography opproeshins intelligence recommsimssmco qualltf. I hallow. that poltwV goidamoo tor equipment is adequately established at this illos hy the OolliCIA-MaS0 *greenest of August 1$43. Moverver, slime 1 as charged with the otototoa7 responsibtlity tar the protection of istelligenoe sources and methods from unauthorised dlaslosure, I geoid prefer to hoe, a more forma procedure for ossaidering the intelligence aignitiosece and security tid the photegrephie product obtained fres these programa ThervIere. I am asking my ietelligawne end security prineipsle to examine the existine simengemouts regarding this problem, in coosultsties with the airector, WIC, Chairman. MIMS (in his cepocity as WIWI Centrol Officer, CIA). Your afAttf nod aitimPrw, as appropriate, sad to report their findings and recoumnedstions to me O n procedures tor dissemination of the photographic product. 3. %weld then review the.. fielding* with tho Valk it seeessery, sad tormalste appropriate guiltlesso with their essistsoca I invite you to join I. this effort se that complete represontotton can be achieved. : J. lhince Seastus EGRET (signed) W. F. Pab-orn 5. 7,1110.11011111 50X1 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 bUA"I DDIAGSfieeonnaissanee Group: Distribution: Copy #1 2 2 I #4 ? 6 .4 6 #7 #8 #9 #10 4114 11/19 #13 014 016 Addressee ? Mr. Venue - Dr. Sesnses - Signer - 22 - 20/27Pli ? 20/8214 ^ Streeter of Severity - ilirseter, MSC - Chairmen, COMM - 002/2seee - CGS/teem - COS (8 Oct 85) 50X1 50X1 50X1 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 ? Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26 : CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 rION TOP AND Borrom . , r UNCLASSIFIED I I CONFIDENTIAL I SECRET CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP TO NAME AND ADDRESS DATE INITIALS lI. Executive Director /0//g AI/ 2 3 DDC I it44, Austif;T. /eV/3 4 5 /4_,LI___,A, DCI 67 bLi /4 tr,T bi 1-2,- " ? 6 ACTION DIRECT REPLY PREPARE REPLY APPROVAL DISPATCH RECOMMENDATION COMMENT FILE RETURN CONCURRENCE INFORMATION SIGNATURE Remarks: The attached letter to D/NRO for the DCI's signature was prompted by D/NRO's letter to the DCI on the handling of Gemini V photography. As a result of our experience in this case, we believe it would be prudent to put on the record the principle of an intelligence and security role in release of NASA and DOD space photography. Attached text has been coordinated with DDS&T, Director of Security, Chairman COMOR, and D/NIPE. FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER FROM: NAME, ADDRESS AND PHONE NO. DATE DDI.IA) 7E32 12 Oct UNCLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL I SECRET Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26 5 GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1961 0-587282 : CIA-RDP8OR01580R002004220017-6 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 ? Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 /V/1 ? r DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE WASHINGTON OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY MEMORANDUM FOR DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE SUBJECT: GEMINI V Photography 3 SEP 196b ? As you know, arrangements previously were made between Dr.'McMillan and Dr. Seamans to process and review, here in Washington, all film taken from GEMINI V with the Questar cathera 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. r.V14:71. r !0:'.7 CA.LED 50X1 50X1 rE0 10"s 7c,72 ' ,Y I Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 ? 4. Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 , ' .? 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; lb. All of the DoD film (black and white, plus color through an IR filter) would be classified; c. The DoD film would and appropriate members of the material. This review for the evaluating mission performance end. be reviewed with the astronauts GEMINI team as classified purpose of assisting them in will be accomplished this week- 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 Le2ailly has been instructed that, if necessary to release these prints, it will be done from Houston and with minithum 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. 51101..LED 2 Sk..Su.C1 ? J Alexander H. Flax Acting Director ional Reconnaissance Office 50X1 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP8OR01580R002004220017-6 MtMUKANUUM rUK: (4e?burtA"..c./ ? eA) , rr av-b , eP.44,) .) icp 2/0 (DATE) Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP8OR01580R002004220017-6 (47) Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 50X1 Declassified in Part- Sanitized Copy Approved forRelease2013/06/26 : CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 12RLI OCT 1965 MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence SUBJECT : Response to Memorandum from Acting Director, NRO, dated 3 September 1965 Concerning Release of GEMINI-5 Photography 1. This memorandum contains a recommendation in paragraph 5 concerning the attached memorandum to Director, National Reconnaissance Office. 2. The purpose of this memorandum to the Director, National Reconnaissance Office is to establish better management over the security aspects resulting from the acquisition of photography by NASA flights. DDCl/NIPE, DD/S&T and the Director of Security concur in the memorandum as drafted. 3. Formalizing the procedure for reviewing and determining the security classification of NASA-acquired photography is ? considered necessary because of your statutory responsibility of protecting intelligence sources and methods. You will recall that a meeting was arranged by Dr. McMillan and Dr. Seamans on 1 September at NPIC to process and review the photography obtained by GEMINI-5. The decisions made at this meeting (i.e., that all the DOD film would be classified but reviewed further for possible release of individual pictures, and that all NASA color photography would be released) were reported to you in a memorandum from Dr. Flax on 3 September. Our representatives at this meeting were in agreement with the decisions made at the meeting but it must be noted that the DOD film was to be reviewed further and that some "would probably have to be released as typical of results obtained." This also posed no objections on our part because of the simplicity of the security problems involved. The decisions on releasing future acquisitions, however, will become more of a security problem since future experiments in the NASA manned programs may well produce photography of sufficient quality to reveal U.S. intelligence capabilities for photo-satellite reconnaissance. 50X1 50X1 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 5nx1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 UUllt I 4. It is for these reasons that we feel a response to Dr. Flax' memorandum is in order and that more formalized control over the use of future photography gained from the NASA programs is necessary and commensurate with your statutory responsibility. 5. It is recommended that you sign the attached memorandum to Dr. Flax. Attachment RAY S. C NE Deputy Director fo Intelligence SECRET 50X1 50X1 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6 50X1 Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/06/26: CIA-RDP80R01580R002004220017-6