PENTAGON TO FIRE HEAVY SATELLITES, ANIMALS IN SOME

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85B00803R000100040037-0
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 13, 2004
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: December 3, 1958
• Content Type: REPORT

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Approved For Release 2004/0W/31/FIi4LR 8 0`0$03' Q0b 00~0~37-0
Pentagon to Fire Heavy Satellites, Animals in Some
Program of Monthly Shots Through '59 is Aimed at Putting
Man in Space -- Tests Set for Coast
Air Force Looks Ultimately to Launching of a 5-Ton
Vehicle with Atlas
-- by John W. Finney
Special to the N.Y.T.
Washington, D. C, Dec. 3--The Defense Dept announced today
a long-range satellite program aimed at placing mice,
monkeys, then man in space.
The first satellite in the program, known as Project Discoverer,
is scheduled to be launched within the next month from the
Vandenberg AFB, near Santa Maria, Calif.
Satellite launchings will be attempted as frequebtly as once
a month, with the satellites becoming progressively bigger.
They are expected to reach weights of up to five tons after
the Atlas intercontinantal ballistic missile becomes available
for satellite firings in about a year.
For the first time attempts will be made to put instruments
and animals into orbit and to bring them safely back to earth.
24 Launchings a Year
The Defense Dept and the new NASA together will be launching
up to 24 space probes a year from the East and West coasts
starting in 1959.
The emphasis of the eight to twelve probes planned by the
space agency will be on acquiring more fundamental knowledge
about space.
The Defense Department will be seeking basic information
for use in future practical satellites, such as reconnaissance a]
and early-warning satellites, navigational communications and
weather satellites, and recoverable space capsules.
Plans for Project Discoverer were announced by the Defense
Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency in a statement
at a news conference held by Roy W. Johnson, agency director.
The project will be carried out by the AF under the agency's
direction. S
NRO review(s) completed.
Approved For Release 2004/08/31 : CIA-RDP85B00803R000100040037-0