The Central Intelligence Agency and Overhead Reconnaissance; The U-2 and OXCART Programs, 1954-1974

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~eeFet PJOFORN
Chapter 6
weight, Kelly Johnson did not attempt to insulate the interior of the
aircraft. The pilot would therefore have to wear a type of space suit
with its own cooling, pressure control. oxygen supply, and other
necessities for survival.
DESIGNING THE OXCART'S CAMERAS
Providing cameras for the A-12 posed a number of unique problems.
In late 1959, OXCART managers asked Perkin-Elmer, Eastman
Kodak, and Hycon to develop three different photographic systems
for the new aircraft. These cameras would provide a range of photog­
raphy from high-ground-resolution stereo to extremely-high-resolu­
tion spotting data.
The Perkin-Elmer (P-E) entry. known as the Type-I camera. was
a high-ground-resolution general stereo camera using an f/4.0 18-inch
lens and 6.6-inch film. It produced pairs of photographs covering a
. s~ath 71 miles wide with an approximately 30-percent stereo overlap.
The system had a 5,000-foot film supply and was able to ·resolve 140
lines per millimeter and provide a ground resolution of 12 inches.
To meet severe design constraints in the areas of size, weight.
thermal environment, desired photographic resolution, and coverage,
Perkin Elmer's Dr. Roderick M. Scott employed concepts never be­
fore used in camera systems. These included the use of a reflecting
cube rather than a prism for the scanner, a concentric film supply and
takeup system to minimize weight shift. a constant-velocity film
transport that provided for the contiguous placement of stereo images
on one piece of film, and airbars for the film transport and takeup
systems.c3
Eastman Kodak's entry, called the Type-II camera, was a
high-convergent stereo device using a 21-inch lens and 8-inch film. It
produced pairs of photographs covering a swath 60 miles wide with
an approximately 30-percent stereo overlap. It had an 8,400-foot film
supply and was able to resolve 105 lines per millimeter and provide a
ground resolution of 17 inches.
'' OSA History. chap. 20. p. 26 (TS Codc:word): Minnich, "OXCART Story," p. ~ (S).
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