Mr. HORTON. Yes.

General GLASSER. Yes, sir.

Mr. HORTON. There will be different satellites?

General GLASSER. Yes, sir; in all respects.

Mr. HORTON. Will this be similar to the so-called random orbit system that was talked about some time before?

General GLASSER. No, sir. It will be quite different from that.
Mr. ROBACK. Like synchronous ?

General GLASSER. It will be synchronous and it will be station kept synchronous.

Mr. ROBACK. Yes.

Mr. HORTON. Why do you have to have a different system? Why can't you utilize the system being put up now?

General GLASSER. Because the disadvantage with the present system, the IDCSP, is that in order to make a very simple on-orbit satellite much of the complexity goes into the ground terminals. These terminals then, are movable but hardly mobile. In order to get a tactical device, one that you can have on board aircraft and manpacks that a team of soldiers on the ground can carry, the ground system has to be very low power and very, very simple.

Mr. HORTON. The limiting factor, then, is the ground station? General GLASSER. Yes, sir. In the case of the IDCSP, you are favoring the on-orbit satellite at the expense of the ground terminals because they are relatively fixed.

In the tactical area you want to favor the ground terminals because they are with the fighting forces and you want to give them the simplest possible communications device.

Mr. HORTON. Could this satellite have been designed so that it covered both purposes?

General GLASSER. No, sir, it would not be practical. The power differentials between them differ by several orders of magnitude.

Mr. HORTON. But this has nothing to do with whether the system is synchronous or whether it is this so-called random orbiting system. General GLASSER. Well, the purpose of making it a synchronous system is to put that single satellite up over an area, looking down, to enable all of the users within that area to work with that single satellite.

Mr. HORTON. Do you have anything else?

Mr. ROBACK. We were going to ask-I think we raised it with Mr. Rogers but I think we want the Air Force to give us some information on the allocation to satellite communications work at MIT, in other words, what part of the Air Force effort at MIT in terms of contract dollars goes to this.

General GLASSER. Yes, sir.

(The following information was supplied for the record :)

AIR FORCE CONTRACT DOLLARS AT MIT LINCOLN LABORATORY

The space communications program had its origin in the West Ford orbiting dipole belt project which was initiated in 1958. In May 1963, a 40-pound dipole belt was successfully placed in orbit and communications tests were carried out. This experiment successfully demonstrated the predicted communications capability of an orbiting dipole belt. Moreover, the dipoles' orbital behavior were as predicted and they returned to earth harmlessly early this year.

The Lincoln Laboratory space communications experiments development program has, as its primary objective, the development of techniques and com

ponents for both the space and surface aspects of communications satellite technology.

Initially, the program addressed the problem of providing highly reliable communications between fixed locations. The primary emphasis was on the development of techniques suitable for relatively lightweight satellites and on the development of techniques for moderately sized transportable ground terminals. These technologies are of value to the IDCSP and ADCSP. Currently, the program also includes efforts oriented to reliable mobile, tactical communications in direct support of the efforts of the three military departments in the tactical satellite communications program.

Research on communications spacecraft techniques emphasize methods of obtaining high effective radiated power for a given satellite mass. Investigations are being carried out on high efficiency, high power, all solid state repeaters and high gain satellite antenna systems. Automatic methods of antenna aiming on spinning satellites and long life three-axis satellite stabilization techniques are being investigated together with automatic stationkeeping systems. There are laboratory studies on such topics as radiation environment and damage studies, command systems, optical earth sensors, orbit correction thrusters, and the use of timing beacon signals for communications systems synchronization and navigation.

The spacecraft techniques developed in this program are tested by means of an evolving series of Lincoln experimental satellites (LES). In early 1965, LES-1 and LES-2 were launched as bonus payloads by Titan III-C R. & D. boosters. Although LES-1 failed to achieve its planned orbit, its electrical operation was successful, though limited in usefulness. LES-2 performed as planned. In December 1965, two additional satellites, LES-3 and LES-4 were launched; these were placed in a highly eliptical orbit rather than quasi-synchronous orbit due to malfunction of the Titan III-C trans-stage.

The successful operation of these first experimental satellites demonstrated the operation of solid state satellite communication repeaters, satellite antenna beam switching employing varactor diode RF switches, visible light sensors feeding the on-board antenna control system independent of ground command, and a lightweight and efficient magnetic spin axis control system also independent of ground command. LES-3 carried an UHF beacon transmitter and has been used to make accurate measurements of UHF propagation phenomena. An experiment aboard LES-4 is yielding the longest series of accumulated measurements of electron radiation at quasi-synchronous altitudes.

Research on terminal techniques emphasizes methods of maximizing communication capability for a given signal strength received from communications satellites, provision of efficient satellites multiple access, and operation at very low signal-to-noise ratios. There are efforts to develop higher quality speech processors operating at high bit rates, as well as research on improved X-band low noise receivers operating at room temperature, and on techniques for using small digital computers to carry out communication functions such as signal detection, speech processing, and coding.

The surface terminal techniques developed under this program were tested by means of a series of Lincoln experimental terminals (LET). LET-1 completed in May 1965, is a transportable terminal with a 15-foot antenna. This terminal contains many innovations, such as field-operable cooled parametric amplifiers that use a closed cycle refrigerator; an efficient digital modulating/demodulating system that employs frequency hopped transmission with a sequential coderdecoder; a high quality digitized speech processor; and a small general purpose digital computer which simultaneously points the 15-foot antenna and controls the communications equipment. LET has been evaluated in operations with LES repeaters and the IDCSP satellites.

Propogation studies to determine the influence of rainfall and ionospheric disturbances on microwave and UHF transmissions will be continued. These studies include measurement of thermal radiation and scattering characteristics of precipitation at X-band and K-band, UHF noise and interference at terminals, UHF propagation from satellite to airborne terminals using LES-3 as a signal source, rainfall distribution studies by means of weather radars, and microwave transmission tests through artificial rains.

Studies have been completed on galactic noise, earth temperature, radio frequency interference, precipitation static, atmospherics, and city noise at UHF. The measurements were made from airborne platforms in order to determine the noise background that an aircraft receiving terminal might encounter.

Early in 1967, LES-5 will be launched into a quasi-synchronous orbit. It will spin stabilized, include a solid state UHF repeater, and a circularly polarized antenna to achieve high-radiated power. Also included will be an UHF search receiver to measure radiofrequency interference, as well as an automatic magnetic spin axis stabilization system. Later in 1967, LES-6 will be completed for launch into synchronous orbit. This satellite will be similar in mechanical configuration to LES-5. This will be used to test a high power UHF repeater and circularly polarized electronically despun antenna which will yield much higher effective radiated power than that of LES-5. LES-6 will also be used in automatic stationkeeping system experiments and to test a magnetic spin axis controller.

In addition, development work for future satellites is being carried out on a long lifetime three-axis stabilization system, high power supply systems, and techniques leading to high power UHF and X-band repeaters. Research will be performed on deployed high-gain UHF and X-band antennas which are mechanically aimed at the earth. It is expected that these techniques will be incorporated. for test in LES-7 during 1969.

Work has been initiated on UHF terminal equipments which incorporate a simple UHF antenna system with hemispherical coverage, high-power transmitter, low-noise receiver, and interference resistance anti-multi-path modulation system. This equipment will be designed for teletype transmission to and from various ground, sea, and aircraft terminals by means of UHF satellites such as LES-5 or LES-6. These terminals will be with LES-5 during 1967.

Development work will also be undertaken on a high bit rate UHF terminal which will permit data and digitized speech transmission to and from various terminals by means of LES-6 or larger UHF satellites. These techniques may be incorporated in future mobile X-band voice terminals.

The Air Force fiscal year 1967 budget contains $24.8 million for the Lincoln Laboratory under program element No. 6.54.04.18.4. Twelve million dollars of that amount is applied to the research in space communications described above.

PASSIVE SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS PROJECTS

Mr. ROBACK. Now, do you know what the status of passive satellite work is? West Ford was mentioned by Mr. Rogers. Is this still going on in terms of analysis of data?

General GLASSER. It is relatively quiescent at this point.

Mr. ROBACK. But there is still some analytical work going on? General GLASSER. I would assume so, but I would have to investi-, gate.

Mr. ROBACK. Are you doing any work with wire mesh or balloon satellites?

General GLASSER. The last satellite that we launched was of that. type.

Mr. ROBACK. The last satellite was a wire mesh, passive satellite? General GLASSER. That is right.

Mr. ROBACK. In some technology, passive technology, NASA is now pursuing.

General GLASSER. I am not familiar with the NASA program in that respect.

Mr. ROBACK. There isn't any NASA cooperation on this, I mean NASA participation? This is strictly for military inquiries?

Colonel POLIO. I might clarify what this one was. This was probably the last one that we had on the books, and it has been built for some time.

It was just a matter of waiting for a berth, a free ride on a booster, and this one has a wire mesh and it is materials oriented, to see whether or not large structures can be inflated in space. This is one of the basic objectives.

67-906-66- -14

Mr. ROBACK. There has been particularly a NASA technology. I mean a NASA interest, on inflating big structures. Is that the only purpose of this experiment?

Colonel POLIO. It was a materials oriented on inflating large structures and it was conducted by the research group within the Air Force rather than as advanced development. This is a basic research type of experiment rather than a system type oriented experiment.

Mr. ROBACK. That was its main purpose?

Colonel POLIO. Yes.

Mr. ROBACK. Inflation?

Colonel POLIO. The primary.

Mr. ROBACK. Postorbit inflation or postlaunch inflation?
Colonel POLIO. That is correct.

Mr. HORTON. Thank you, General Glasser, and your colleagues. We appreciate your coming before the committee. General GLASSER. Thank you, sir.

Colonel GIBSON. Thank you.

Mr. ROBACK. I just wanted to make a few more requests of Colonel Forbes. In the Electronic News on Monday, August 15, there is a communications problem discussed and we can let you see this and we would like to have commentary by the DCA on the problems set forth

there for the record.

(The comments requested were not received at the time of printing. The article referred to follows:)

[From the Electronic News, Monday, Aug. 15, 1966]

DE GAULLE MAY "SALVAGE" U.S. GEAR, DISRUPT COM NET

(By Jack Robertson)

DALLAS.-NATO and United States military communications in Europe will be curtailed for several years-if President De Gaulle holds fast to his March deadline to evacuate Allied forces.

Sources close to the scene said it would take at least 2 years to replace com'munication networks now criss-crossing France.

In the meantime, France stands to pick up millions of dollars in United States communications gear-if the March evacuation deadline sticks. Sources said even if the United States worked around the clock to remove equipment, tons of gear would be left in March.

As it is, the military has removed only limited equipment so far. Sources felt it would be some time yet before a full plan is drawn up on what equipment to move-and what gear would just be written off. Air Force Electronic Systems division held its first meeting recently to wrestle with the problem of revamping the European communication complex.

Observers watching the situation believe the United States is hoping to negotiate a deadline extension with France. In another year or two, the United States could build duplicate networks and make an orderly transfer from systems now in France.

THOSE AFFECTED

Major communication nets affected are parts of 409L defense Autovon switching net, 493L voice communication net, and microwave nets through France connecting England, Spain, Italy and Holland.

NATO and SHAPE headquarters communication centers and their interfaces with United States Military nets will also be moved. However, sources said NATO and SHAPE communications are not extensive and moving them will pose no major obstacles. SHAPE headquarters will be moved Apr. 1 to ChievresCasteau, a village southwest of Brussels.

The communications snarl goes well beyond just moving equipment.

The United States military in France leases a wide variety of telecommuniIcation lines from the French. If these lines must be terminated, this country

must substitute leased lines in other countries. "But there just aren't that many communication lines open," a source explained.

Communication capacity in Europe is highly saturated, and trying to duplicate communication leased lines in France in other nations is a major feat, it was

said.

Replacing microwave nets is also a headache. European nations may have different frequencies allocated for United States military use. Thus the United States cannot simply take microwave stations in France and put them in another country. In many cases, entirely new frequency networks must be set up.

ITALY POSER

Another problem is posed by Italy, which gave the United States 1 year to vacate an entire microwave frequency link. It will be given over to Italian television, sources said.

The United States also faces problems of microwave nets crossing national boundaries.

One solution being studied is going to higher frequency microwave networks— up as high as 8 GH2 sources said. Equipment is now becoming available in these higher ranges. Because the frequencies are uncrowded, the United States may be able to get the high capacity military channels it needs.

The military is also considering expanding its tropo-scatter nets in Europe to meet the communication crisis. Tropo lends itself to the "building block" approach.

United States military communications may also rely a little more on long distance HF to replace ground nets lost in France. However, sources said the reliability problems of HF will probably restrict it from taking over much of the lost communications.

The United States undoubtedly will use the French evacuation to upgrade its European communications. Microwave systems will be upgraded to dual and quad diversity and will probably go to solid-state repeater stations, Higher channel capacity will also be added, it was said.

Mr. ROBACK. General Starbird also said at page 171 of the transcript hearings, there was a discussion of vital and unique requirements that there had been a listing and he said he had supplied these to us previously and would give us the reference.

We would like the reference because I am not sure we are talking on the same wavelength.

I also said that with regard to contracting with Comsat, I would discuss with him, and I omitted to do it because of time, what kind of problems arise as far as maintaining security classifications go, that is to say, Comsat is a company and would be dealt with as other companies are dealt with presumably as far as industrial security goes, but on the other hand, it is part of an international consortium and the consortium members have rights and privileges.

How do you sort out this rather delicate issue?

That can be also in the form of a commentary submitted for the record.

(The following comments were supplied for the record:)

We expect no security problems with respect to DCA's contract with Comsat. The contract is unclassified as is the contemplated configuration of the circuits. If there is classified information to be passed over the circuits, it will be encrypted prior to transmission as is our normal practice. It should also be noted that there is a similarity between dealing with Comsat and its foreign partners and with the international carriers and their foreign partners in the cable systems.

Mr. HORTON. The hearings will be adjourned until tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock, when they will continue.

The meeting is adjourned at 12:15.

(Whereupon, at 12:15 p.m., the subcommittee recessed, to reconvene at 10 a.m., August 19, 1966.)