See FS/Chief, Flight Support DivisionJAN 23 196767-FM1-8FM/Deputy Chief, Mission Planning and Analysis DivisionJustification for SCAMA circuit to MIT/Boston
This memorandum is to provide justification for the addition of a SCAMA circuit between Houston and MIT/Boston and two additional telephones in Building 30, MSC.
The Flight Control Division has established a requirement that consulta- tive services by knowledgeable MIT personnel be readily available during Apollo flight operations. Since the impact on future computer program development of extended tours of duty at Mission Control Center-Houston by key MIT personnel is unacceptable, an alternate approach has been proposed by MPAD and accepted by FCD. This approach is for Flight Soft- ware Branch personnel to provide this service in the Mission Control Center-Houston with immediate access by special communication circuits to the aforementioned MIT people at their disposal. Discussions with personnel of your Division have led to the conclusion that a special SCAMA circuit directly between MSC and MIT/Boston is most suitable and economical for this purpose. This circuit should be terminated at the MIT switchboard in Boston. Access to it must be available in the Flight Dynamics Staff Support Room of Building 30, MSC.
The need for rapid and convenient communications between those persons at MSC responsible for technical direction of MIT in the area of space- craft computer programming has long been recognized. Present communica- tions are of poor quality and often result in significant delays in the relay of important information. It is estimated that in the order of 200 telephone calls per month have been made over the last several months, and it is anticipated that the frequency is likely to increase. It is evident that addition of a SCAMA phone providing access to the mission support circuit requested above will not only improve communications but should result in a significant savings to the government by its absorp- tion of telephone calls which are otherwise carried out on commercial and FTS circuits. This instrument should be located in the offices of the Flight Software Branch on the second floor of Building 30.
Since the AS-204 simulations and actual operation are imminent, and since the non-operational need is continuing, it is requested that these addi- tional facilities be provided as soon as possible. If further assist- ance is required in establishing our needs in more detail, please con- tact either Stan Mann (Flight Software Branch) or myself.