Press Release by the National Science Foundation and the National Academy of Science, "Plans for Construction of Earth Satellite Vehicle Announced"

NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Washington 25, D. C. Washington 25, D. C. FOR PRESS AND RADIO NSF-121 FOR RELEASE Telephone: FRIDAY, JULY 29, 1955 NSF, STerling 3-2140, Ext. 3589 NAS, Executive 3-8100, Exts., 450, 488 PLANS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF EARTH SATELLITE VEHICLE ANNOUNCED Plans for the construction of a small, urmanned, earth-circling satellite vehicle to be used for basic scientific observations during the fortheoming International Geophysical Year were anounced today by Detlev W. Bron's, President of the National Academy of Sciences, and Alan T. Waterman, Director of the XOF68 National Science Foundation. The project, which is entirely scientific in nature XOF 39 will be sponsored by these two organizations as part of the United States program of participation in the International Geophysical Year. Technical advice and assistance will be provided by the scientists of the Department of Defense who have long been engaged in research on the upper atmosphere. The Department of Defense will provide the required equipment and facilities for launching the satellite. The program for such a vehicle was stimulated by a resolution passed by the Special Committee for the International Geophysical Year (French abbreviation CSAGI) at its Rome Meeting in October, 1954. It is planned that the developmental work be completed in time for a successful launching during the International Geophysical Year, which is a period set aside during 1957 and 1958 for world- wide observations in the fields of the earth sciences by some 40 nations. The planning for this period of intensive research on an international basis is under the sponsorship of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) which established CSAGI to plan, organize, and direct the cooperative effort. Each participating country is planning and developing its own program for this period, and the results obtained will be made available to the scientists of the world. In its resolution, the Committee stressed the great importance of observa- tions of extraterrestrial radiations and geophysical phenomena for extended periods of time. The Committee!s recommendation urged that participating nations give consideration to the construction of small satellite vehicles, instrumented to provide such data as may be feasible from outside the earth's atmosphere. The Chairman of the U. S. National Committee for the International Geophysical Year has formally notified the President of CSAGI that the United States: program of participation now includes definite plans for the launching of small satellites during that period. The text of this letter is appended. The atmosphere of the earth acts as a huge shield against many of the types of radiation and objects that are found in outer space. It protects the earth (more)