KH-8 GAMBIT Reconnaissance Satellite

[rguser]

Please disregard my previous question on 03/08/2012 10:23 AM  involving the G-Cubed resolution, as my question has been answered by the NRO release of the following quote in one of their declassified documents. "GAMBIT's contribution to scientific and technical (S&T) Intelligence were unsurpassed. The mature system produced examples of imagery better than four inches ground-resolved distance (GRD). Furthermore, it exhibited excellent mensuration capabilities, allowing the S&T photointerpreter to perform accurate measurements on foreign weapons systems...". The long rumored 3 to 4 inch resolution was in fact reality.

[rguser]

In an NRO released document, I found one reference to a term called "OTEX" "(eff #10)" in a "white" budget item and I assume that the same term was used in the "black" budget items but the term is redacted.  I have not been able to find any information regarding this term. Has anyone read or know anything about "OTEX" and what is is in regard to the G-Cubed program?

[Blackstar]

Please disregard my previous question on 03/08/2012 10:23 AM  involving the G-Cubed resolution, as my question has been answered by the NRO release of the following quote in one of their declassified documents. "GAMBIT's contribution to scientific and technical (S&T) Intelligence were unsurpassed. The mature system produced examples of imagery better than four inches ground-resolved distance (GRD). Furthermore, it exhibited excellent mensuration capabilities, allowing the S&T photointerpreter to perform accurate measurements on foreign weapons systems...". The long rumored 3 to 4 inch resolution was in fact reality.

What is the citation for that quote?

[jcm]

I've asked my editor to make some changes to the article and make my mistakes disappear. On the internet, I'm a genius who makes no mistakes...

So, your nominal trajectory indicates that it was only aloft for about 73 minutes. Is that correct?

Dwayne - sorry I was distracted by science and missed this... yes, I would say it was aloft for 73 +/- 5 minutes - perhaps "a little over an hour" is the fairest statement.

[rguser]

Please disregard my previous question on 03/08/2012 10:23 AM  involving the G-Cubed resolution, as my question has been answered by the NRO release of the following quote in one of their declassified documents. "GAMBIT's contribution to scientific and technical (S&T) Intelligence were unsurpassed. The mature system produced examples of imagery better than four inches ground-resolved distance (GRD). Furthermore, it exhibited excellent mensuration capabilities, allowing the S&T photointerpreter to perform accurate measurements on foreign weapons systems...". The long rumored 3 to 4 inch resolution was in fact reality.

What is the citation for that quote?

It would appear that the NRO made a mistake when they first released "The Gambit Story" because on page 154 the above quote is not redacted. I just verified that in a subsequent release of the file, part of the quote is redacted. Do you want me to attach the original release of "The Gambit Story"?
On the NRO wev site, the file is located under the GAMBIT and HEXAGON Histories link and it is the  ID 6  "The Gambit Story" link.  Byeman Doc. Number 140002-90 pg #. 154.  When opened in Adobe Reader, the software indicates that the page number is 161.

Secondly do you know what the term "OTEX" means?

[Blackstar]

It would appear that the NRO made a mistake when they first released "The Gambit Story" because on page 154 the above quote is not redacted. I just verified that in a subsequent release of the file, part of the quote is redacted. Do you want me to attach the original release of "The Gambit Story"?
On the NRO wev site, the file is located under the GAMBIT and HEXAGON Histories link and it is the  ID 6  "The Gambit Story" link.  Byeman Doc. Number 140002-90 pg #. 154.  When opened in Adobe Reader, the software indicates that the page number is 161.

Secondly do you know what the term "OTEX" means?

Yes, please post it.

No, I don't know what OTEX means. JCM might.

[rguser]

Yes, please post it.

No, I don't know what OTEX means. JCM might.

I have posted the original release of "The Gambit Story" except for the fact that I had to reduce the file size from 30 MBs to 12 MBs to fit within the limits of the posting software used at this site.

[ChileVerde]

I have posted the original release of "The Gambit Story" except for the fact that I had to reduce the file size from 30 MBs to 12 MBs to fit within the limits of the posting software used at this site.

Thanks much, it's useful to have an official source for the < 4 inch figure. 

[Blackstar]

Here it is as a jpeg.

[jcm]

It would appear that the NRO made a mistake when they first released "The Gambit Story" because on page 154 the above quote is not redacted. I just verified that in a subsequent release of the file, part of the quote is redacted. Do you want me to attach the original release of "The Gambit Story"?
On the NRO wev site, the file is located under the GAMBIT and HEXAGON Histories link and it is the  ID 6  "The Gambit Story" link.  Byeman Doc. Number 140002-90 pg #. 154.  When opened in Adobe Reader, the software indicates that the page number is 161.

Secondly do you know what the term "OTEX" means?

Yes, please post it.

No, I don't know what OTEX means. JCM might.

I don't know what it stands for, but it seems to be associated with small
piggyback instruments - I might guess "Orbital Technology Experiment" or something meaningless like that...

[rguser]

It would appear that the NRO made a mistake when they first released "The Gambit Story" because on page 154 the above quote is not redacted. I just verified that in a subsequent release of the file, part of the quote is redacted. Do you want me to attach the original release of "The Gambit Story"?
On the NRO wev site, the file is located under the GAMBIT and HEXAGON Histories link and it is the  ID 6  "The Gambit Story" link.  Byeman Doc. Number 140002-90 pg #. 154.  When opened in Adobe Reader, the software indicates that the page number is 161.

Secondly do you know what the term "OTEX" means?

Yes, please post it.

No, I don't know what OTEX means. JCM might.

I don't know what it stands for, but it seems to be associated with small
piggyback instruments - I might guess "Orbital Technology Experiment" or something meaningless like that...

Thank you for your response to what "OTEX" might mean.

[Blackstar]

Because the resolution is classified, we don't know when they achieved what resolution. MOL/DORIAN was supposed to have resolution of four inches. It was canceled in summer 1969. So what was the resolution of GAMBIT when MOL/DORIAN was canceled? Was it already close to four inches? Was one of the selling points for MOL evaporating by then?

[rguser]

It would appear that the NRO made a mistake when they first released "The Gambit Story" because on page 154 the above quote is not redacted. I just verified that in a subsequent release of the file, part of the quote is redacted. Do you want me to attach the original release of "The Gambit Story"?
On the NRO wev site, the file is located under the GAMBIT and HEXAGON Histories link and it is the  ID 6  "The Gambit Story" link.  Byeman Doc. Number 140002-90 pg #. 154.  When opened in Adobe Reader, the software indicates that the page number is 161.

Secondly do you know what the term "OTEX" means?

Yes, please post it.

No, I don't know what OTEX means. JCM might.

I don't know what it stands for, but it seems to be associated with small
piggyback instruments - I might guess "Orbital Technology Experiment" or something meaningless like that...

Thank you for your response to what "OTEX" might mean.

After rereading memo BYE-16762-70 (see attached file) I suspect that OTEX (whatever it was) was a regular part of G-3 based on the following quote on page 6 (when opened in Adobe Reader).
"Recurring cost of the (Redacted), Redundant Roll Joint System and Redundant Attitude Control System were not effective until Flights 10, 12 and 16 respectively."

My assumption is that the redacted word is OTEX since OTEX was effective on vehicle 10 as stated on page 23 (when opened in Adobe Reader) in the WHITE portion of the GAMBIT cost summary.  If my assumption is correct, I do not think they would have recurring costs on every flight for experiments.

In regard to MOL, I only have limited knowledge on the Gemini B portion of the program not the laboratory itself.  I have not seen any official documentation on the proposed resolution of the MOL laboratory.  I do know that the people working on the MOL were not happy when the program was first canceled as they felt that MOL was an important program for the nation.  That attitude changed when some of the MOL people were transferred to HEXAGON.

[Blackstar]

After rereading memo BYE-16762-70 (see attached file) I suspect that OTEX (whatever it was) was a regular part of G-3 based on the following quote on page 6 (when opened in Adobe Reader).
"Recurring cost of the (Redacted), Redundant Roll Joint System and Redundant Attitude Control System were not effective until Flights 10, 12 and 16 respectively."

My assumption is that the redacted word is OTEX since OTEX was effective on vehicle 10 as stated on page 23 (when opened in Adobe Reader) in the WHITE portion of the GAMBIT cost summary.  If my assumption is correct, I do not think they would have recurring costs on every flight for experiments.

I'm trying to figure this out. How is this connected to costs? If OTEX was carried on every flight, then how come they state that there were costs starting with the tenth flight?

[yinzer]

Page 23 lists OTEX under the White contract as effective from flight #10 and also has something under the Black contract as effective from flight #10.  It seems odd to list OTEX under both contracts.

As for the costs starting on the 10th flight, earlier in the memo they talk about trying to assign recurring costs to flights and how the recurring cost for a flight may have not been spent in that fiscal year.  This seems to be because payload components were purchased in years prior to the flight - the Redundant Attitude Control System was present on Flight #12 and onward, but was probably purchased in previous years.

The document also mentions SGLS as being developed under the White contract, and other references describe this as the Space Ground Link System and say that it first flew on KH-7 #33 in December 1966.  If it proved successful there maybe it was integrated onto the KH-8 starting with Flight #10 in December 1967?

But SGLS was developed under the White contract, and OTEX is listed under the white contract, and the other redacted element effective from Flight #10 onward was developed under the Black contract...

Also, something could easily start out as an Orbital Technology Experiment (orbit trim experiment? they mention more accurate predictions of orbital drag leading to being able to image more targets with less film...), turn out to work, and then become a part of the standard spacecraft without getting a new name.

[Blackstar]

Here you go.

[Blackstar]

Key milestones in the evolution of the Gambit-3 (KH-8) high-resolution reconnaissance satellite. Have I missed any?

1966   First launch
1967   Ultra thin base film
1968   Use of SO-121 color film
1969   Dual SRVs, 14-day orbital life
1970   Use of 1414 High definition black and white film
1970   Low coefficient optical materials
1970   PPS factory to pad operations
1971   20-day orbital life
1971   Lens formula change R-5
1972   30-day orbital life
1972   Exposure slit change
1973   Increased film capacity (10,800 feet)
1973   Improved optical quality
1973   Satellite-to-satellite (S2) imaging capability demonstrated
1973   Use of SO-124 high-definition black and white film
1973   Use of SO-131 false color IR film
1974   45-day orbital life
1977   9x5 dual platen camera
1977   75-day orbital life
1982   Dual mode capability demonstrated

[Targeteer]

New release on the NRO website today

GAMBIT Dual Mode

http://www.nro.gov/foia/declass/GAMBIT%20Dual%20Mode.html

57 documents--let the reading begin

[kevin-rf]

I'm overwhelmed ... Blackstar, please write us a nice short article.

"GAMBIT Dual Mode - An Image Collection System for the 1980s" is very interesting.

Forgot which document, but looks like part of the justification for dual mode once HEXAGON was operational was fear of a HEXAGON falling victim to an ASAT.

Flip, Flip, Flip.... "GAMBIT Flyout Strategy" very interesting.

I think Blackstar has much new material to work with

[Blackstar]

I'm overwhelmed ... Blackstar, please write us a nice short article.

Believe it or not, I did write one, months ago. However, I had to hold off on publishing it. But now I can. You'll see it on TSR on Monday, with a more detailed version eventually.