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BY EM AN CONTROL SYSTEM 

~ NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

THE NRO STAFF October 12, 1966 

MEMORANDUM FOR DR. FLAX 

SUBJECT: Release of News Item 

You have probably seen the recent newspaper articles 

quoting Hillard Paige of G.E., as announcing a "collision 

in space" of two experimental satellites (sample newspaper 

articles attached, Tab A). 

The two vehicles in question are POPPY satell~tes. 

We have requested, but not yet received, copi~s of the 

text of Dr. Paige's presentation. According to th~ local 

G.E. office, Paige's comment on the collision in space was 

made in an "off-hand" manner--and apart from the text. 

I' 

The DOD information people have received numerous queries~ 

HANDLE VIA 

on this subject. Attached is a response-to-query (Tab B), 

prepared by the Navy. We recommend clearance of the release 

exce t for ara ra h bottom of a e 1) marked in red. 

Request your approval to release this item as outlined 

above. 

2 attachments Ri d S. Quiggins 

Colonel, USAF 

Assistant Deputy Director 

Plans & Policy, NRO Staff 

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COLLIDING VEHICLES - The two ex· 

perimental satellites that collided in 

space are shown in an artist's drawing. 

A microrocket aboard the craft at left 

1 O OcT 61-

WASl:l\'lVl"-rc ·po~· 

/ ' . 

J 

slowed it down enough for the satellite 

at right to catch up. The antennas of the 

two vehicles made contact and caused the 

satellites to come together briefly. 

irst Satellite Collision in- Space, 

A Sideswipe in 1965, Is e orted I 

By Thomas O'Toole The space mishap was dis-ifirst discovered at the North 

Washington Post staf! Writer closed, of all places, in Ma-I Amer_ ic~n Air Defense 0omTwo unmanned United States drid Spain at the opening. mand m Colorado Sprmgs, 

t 11. 1 · · .' ' ·Colo. where the two craft sa e ites apparently co llded rn sessmn of the 17th Interna- 'b · t k d · · were emg rac e . 

space last year, but were un- tional Astronautical Congress A th · t f t . . ' t · e porn o. apparen 

damaged and are still workrng. by Dr. Hilliard W. Paige, gen- collision, telemetered data 

The first known collision in eral manager of General Elec- from both spacecraft showed 

space, it was more a side- tric Co.'s Missile and Space a "slight shift in the direction 

swipe than a head-on crash. Division in Valley Forge, Pa. of each spacecraft's tracking 

It involved a pair of experi- Dr. Paige dropped his some- orbit," said one space official, 

mental 100-pound spacecraft what sensational bombshell as which indicated the two craft 

that had been "piggybacked" he discussed the workings of had brushed together, then 

into orbit by an Air Force the two colliding spacecraft- come apart. 

rocket with six other satellites called Gravity Gradient satel- But despite their speed of 

from the Pacific Missile Range lites by GE, which built them 20,000 miles an hour, neither on March 9, 1965. · for the U.S. Naval Research, craft was damaged enough to 

The accident occurred dur- Laboratory. I affect its instruments, which 

ing the satellites' 1756th orbit, Purely .. experimental, the are still working and sending 

more than a month after two satellites are of a type data. 

launch and was only disclosed that stabilize themselves in "The bang they made in 

yesterday. flight through the use of long space," said one space offii It happened 560 miles above weighted an_tennas. The an- cial, "was probably not _much 

the earth when one of the two tei::nas act like dumbbells to stronger t?an the bumpmg of 

satellites slowed itself up with p_omt the , spacetraft at all I a car agamst t?e back of anan on-board microthruster- times to"."ard the earth. othc'. c~r sl?wmg down at a 

described as a "very, very The mishap was apparently traffic light. · 

small rocket which helps the 

satellite maintain orbit." 

When the first craft slowed 

down, the second caught up, 

and the antenna booms of the 

two craft came together. like 

a pair of clanging swords. 

For a few seconds, both: 

/craft swung locked in space I together, but then moved 

apart and have not brushed 

i antennas since. · Space experts figured the 

collision took place only be- cause the 'two-satel:lites·-rfa~d 

be.!'!:ii _ _)priilig . seconds apart 

into ve1'Y Close-orbits,,r· 

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·/ ff.--,,~1-~\)'·.-1il'-if n p I . u NJ"' VU~:e.U.1...-.. 

By JOHN NOBLID W1LFOl.m 

Special to The New York Timi:"~ 

MADRID, Oct. 10--With all 

1 

the traffic in space npwadays, a 

/collision was bound to occur -

:and it did. Two unmanned Unit-

! 

ed States spa-cccrafr bumped/ 

each other in orbit 18 months 

Iago, it was disclosed here today 

at~ an international conference 

on space. 

As far as anyone knows, it. is 

1 the only collision to h'we occurred in space. 'l'he odds 

against such an accicient were 

estimated at better th:'.n a mil- ~· 

:lion to one. 

American space eng' nee rs reNV· T'MSS 

__ l \ Cc:Toe&'R. \q'6 

ported at the 17th annual Inter• , I ~liminating the ·need for theifinCimg out how they are national Astronautical Congress ;ma1l l·ockcts used to keep most fcctcd by narcotics, cardiov:";. 

that two naval research labora- ipacecraft,in uosition. · cular dr~gs and _ stimuiar. 

tory communications satellites 1 • _ · • , • • _ when subJeoted to tne acccler 

with long antenna-like bo'Oms For some reason no~ yet un tlon processes t;1e bodies -· 

.had drifted togther and crossed ~xplained, two montns after zcstronauts unde:r;:;r, in space. 

b l'k f 0 , ;hey were launched on their Apart from this comment;:;:".' · o_oms i _ e encei;,s cr~"s,ng ~lassified missions, one satellite on drugs, the 33-man Sov;c;c 

tfo1ls. Thc:y soon par.ed, 1:1:ndam- overtook the other. They were delegation to .the meeti_ng here 

an·ed, ~,nd are still workin&:'. flyfog in Similar orbit;; at .an has, SO !'.ir, been _consplCUOUSI"j' · b . , . .· · , "' · . al ti tu de of about 400 miles but reticent.' Two Soviet papers· on s_oy1et scientists reported 0;1Jshould have been more than lOOiwcather satellite applications 

their recent research on am·jmiles apart. : · :were abr1;1ptly withdrawn. today. 1 

.·.:tds to develop new drugs and: Grnund trackers followed the[· ·Accordmg to a delegation of• 

,_:waidncs to hdp ciJ>1ice t1«1vc1.'!s;ttdlltcs on_ tholt' c?llls!01'\ 1ficlal, the two ,,sc~entlst~- who•"' 

""'S overcome the adverse cf-I' course, but were unable to do!wcrc to have de.,v •. red tne -pa~"'-( •'e ·ts· of lo no· fli ~"h's . , anything about it. after _the ;pcrs _were unable; to come tQ 1•

1 • ·'· •. ' 0 ·• ,0 '· • vollicles had clashed booms, theyiNi:adnd. No ofefr ~was made t9"Ji 

Vi/ithout givmg details from quickly separated.· · · ·· have someone else ·read the pa_:'.; 

Soviet flights .to i11dicate what N "ti H t l C 1 pcrs for the absent scientists."" 

effC:cts they had in mind, the ~ 81 . :er ur iy ras 1 . ~he chief Soviet space phyiJ b. 

Soviet scientists said tl1c need! Dr. H1llmrd W. Paige, gener".-1 s1C1anr, Dr .. -Oleg G .. GazenJ_to,,:; . . . 1 manager of the General Electric confmed himself to genera.ht1cs .... _;_or such drugs was "urgent." [missile and . space '.'Ji vision at i 2.hout the stresses of spa~d'"jRoyalty in Attendance_ I Valley Forge, Pa., sa1s tl1at both ,:io-ht on t.li.e human body.- . · 

Tile six-day space Con "TCSS is vehicles were still in a stable: 0 

• ' .. /)0?' 

" . ' 01·b1t and opcrntmg nornally. ,\ . ponsored by -the International i The accident went unreported 1:

1 

'<'ederation, a nongr1nmmcnt:1l, b;1 the Navy until today for ti 

1~roup. It opened tbs morninc:;!the same reason that a wifel, 

'vith ceremonies acLcncied by!bites her lip long bcfee telling ,i 

)"rince Juan C<trlos, son of tl1c ! lwr husband of the dcctcd fen-' 

)pretender . to ~h': _Sp:mishjdcr. . , 1 throne; !us wife. Prmc_css: "It was mmor," s2,id a Gen-

/

Sophia, and her ino\;_1c;-, Queen;_.era.l Electric engineer, "but em-._, 

Mother F.'redencka 1'1: c;i'eecc. !barrass111g," I 

More than 1,0,00 sc -~':1tists and; Five satellites using the so-:: i ;:ngi,~~crs_ from 30 c" .:11 ;·:es arc '\c'.1Hcd gravity-gra_di:nt sta~ili· •' 

;c>.tte"amg. . .. z,1.t10n have.been la1rnchcd srnce,J 

; The ·case of the collidingl1D64-thrce by the_ Navy, onei 

;S)acecraft was des,:rib1·c! in a 

1

. b)' the National Aeronautics' 1 

i FPCr by four· engineer:; of the and Space· Administration and! 1 

I Gener<1l Electric _ Cfimp_any, I one by .tl1e Air Force. ) ; 

!which built· the svccllitcs for Tl1e appeal for development1' 

/the .Navy. The gra,:i·-r stabil-10£ new space drugs was madef; 

'ized research ve:bic:c·s were :bv three Soviet scientists-,-V. E., 1 

f ls.unched sin. ml.taneo.:sly in Feb-,1B.clai, P. V. Vassily and G. D.i1 

1raary, 1965.· · -. Glod. rrhei ·rresearch suggested/'1 

I' One wa.s shaped 'i1'e an un·j that "significant changes in the 

l

b:1lanced bar-bell, wj;•-, '" 30-foot 1e.r£ect of va1·ious pharmaceuti-, rigid rod ·extended nc:twecn its, cal preparations" lmd been 1 

/

spherical body and the smaller;fc,und under space flight condi- 1 

ball-shaped tip at th.: other end.'~ions. 

The other had th1'<.' nids ex- They said that, therefore, new 1 

i tended from its body n.i'dicines especially. _ adapted : The elong<J.ted s]-ilpc::: ::i.llow <1.:-d tested for space conditions 

·the satellites to hci.--e one parl:\1' ·:·c n2ccssary. Such' drugs are closer to earth anc: tugged 1nj<,_.;o ::icrcded, the Soviet scientists 1

• 

that direc.tion by e: l'th's gra.v-1s:.1d, to increase the .resistance I 

it:-'.· The other· end i; pulled off or human organisms to the un-1 

!:1co ·space by centrifugal force.I fa vornble effects of long flights 

'c'i _e stand-off bet\\Ter. Lhe two Soviet experiments with ani- ~., ·ces result_s in a s'.abk flight,:mals have been directed ·at·· 

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... ,,_ . ..,-,_; ........ ~--"-·"···-~"--·"'"-' 

l::c.::~: 4C-l000 

Q,L\,SD (?A) 

D;:£.:JCRlPTl01'~ 

:i10:\: Il\IFOFJ0:2.1I:IC:J 

SERVICES (Ns~·:-y) 

l:..nf:r;>rer·-to-Quer-y, 

for~ 

:-,~\',,,;:;' GY d.S 0F .h .1'CC0i'W.-\NCE \'.'iTH THE Gl.JiDc:U~-ES ON TH.:; F\EVERSE SIDE OF THIS FORM, RESULTS IN Ti-iE FOLLO 

-:<...·~ ,,JSJEc·;-_z:._\; :.sws_;;:c.·;- TO AMENDMENTS MAD~' GY THIS 0?F~C2 (in black pencil). 

- · 3DNS -:·;:-,;:..~ A~;,.::,r., ..:, .. ,.;;:-.:--:~~S (secu,.ti(v1 pciicy, 01' t:,_~::t..:?DCY) ARS SPECl.FiED SY~ AGE NUMBERS LISTED BELOW. 

~.,._~.;~.:.:::TIO,-.. ~.;vi:.:N.:.;-_.,>.:::NTS TO PERMIT PUBLIC.J,TlC~..,1 ARE IMPRACTICABLE. REASONS ARE STATED BELOW. 

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,. 

,, 

:J 
.. 

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I<i~MOR"l·::JUM TO DIRECTORi''d:'E FOR SECTJRI'I'Y REVIEW 

~ .~;{; .. :;e:}: Ei,J?P~'OP~:ietel:i .. ) 

J:::2F:2l'JS!~ i\'EWS BBAl\JCH ( ) 

).?j:VJ:ED f'ORCES liJEWS BRl\i\JCH ( 

P;:::·ro.y Member ( ) 

Navy Member (~_,, .. ) 

Mar'ine Corps Meraber ( ) 

Air Force Meznber ( ) 

) 

·~ 

) 

Xttc:,ch22l. proposed !'ll?'"il',o·y·ste·lc:c-,·s\~-:.frwswer-to-inauiry is forwarded to your 

c=-::'i.ce :::'or c2-e2.rance ~d.~'"';~:;~;·t·o-~this branch ~s soon as practicable. 

:::·~~::'..;3 p:'.'cuosed ,y.-.s.}.qi~-e./answer-to-innuiry has been cleared with the service - ..,_-)..&;,.... ........ :i.."':i...fl.,il:• ':1 

co(,,:,:::'.'.'::.::::d -by the f'ollowing offices: 

,i;'..f':~--"°'~·8!'.';/answer-to-inquiry is retv.:rnedrto this branch, please 

clearances obtained by your office' in addition to those indicated 

Chief:; ~~avv Nev.rs Branch ... 

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8 0,-.0 JbU 
-.,:,,,.,' .. ·· 

:, ...... ,,) 

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·-;.. .. _, ' ...... ;, 

(.-2>f,;1f.:'.C \-1 

I 

.2~:__~.~~~l ~~£~. ;O""i.~C tOj.~y p :;_-oduceclJlGr.a:vi t)7 

III - passed close cnouzh 

~esca:cch Laboratory scie~tists 

accuracy of tJ:·:.e 

~.:2c. ~ll that could be dete~ni~cd definitely was that the two were 

Got·;_·t satellites st::erted. to tu:.n~)le~ according to data 1:eceived at th.e 

5, 19G5, both satellites stopped 

i~~u~ and restabilized with no no~iccable deterioration in pcrformarice. 

T,:,,,; t•10 Gravity Gradient Satell:i. tes e:-;.nd several o2:her satellites had 

in orbit 1_):55 ty 2 Thor Agena D rocket. Gravity 

8960 

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50X1 
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sLt2~lite, thereby ac 

ty, slightly greate~ O" the end closer to the earth 

-~--~ ~P with the center of the ea~th. 

'.~'he cl.1ances of two unmanned ;3ai:eJ.lites colliding in orbit are 

extremely remote, if they are placed in orbit by separate launch vehicles. 

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.. 

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•TOP SEERET 

~NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

HANDLE VIA 

BY EM AN CONTROL SYSTEM 

THE NRO STAFF 

13 October 1966 

MEMORANDUM FOR DR. FLAX 

SUBJECT: 'Poppy News Release 

Following is additional information, concerning the 

"interaction" of two Poppy satellites, which you requested - plus some additional pertinent facts: 

position and orbital elements Delta 

V of 

Relative osition; 

~~~----·nteraction caused both to 

oth the then stabilized in an 

inverted position. nversion of the vehicles did not interfere with their data collection function. 

After the interaction, the relativ:eP,ositions of the two 

sub-satellites reversed - that is, I ~as now in front of 50X1 

I I On 16 June, NRL advised separation between the two 

payloads was approximately 62 N.M. 

The nominal altitude of both Poppy vehicles was 500 nautical 

miles. Actual altitude ranged from 495 to 506 nautical miles. 

Delta V of Displacement: (relative velocity at time of 

impact). At the moment of interaction, the relative velocity 

was estimated at .04 miles per hour. 

Additional pertinent data: Incident occurred between revs 

761-767 on J May 1965. 

The satellites were launchef 9 Mal-ch 1965 aboard Thor Agena 

D booster - Poppy mission number - Poppy sub-satellites 

ejected into separate orbits same day. 

CONTROL SYSTEM 

BY EM AN EXCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC REGRADING PAGE 1 OF PAGES 

TOP SECRET HANDLE VIA CONTROL NO._I_n_t_e_r_n_a_l __ COPY ___ OF 'Q COPIES 

non nlRFCTIVE 5200 10 OOF'<; NOTAPPIV 

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HANDLE VIA 

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BY EM AN CONTROL SYSTEM 

The planned optimum sepa.ration rate was 1.0 to 1.8 N.M. 

per day. Poppy payloads were launched with spring eject 

systems set at 1.1 N.M. per day (see Tab A). 

Nine days after launch, ~V of displacement was 1.6 N.M. 

per day - which was nominal. 

In August 1965, the two Poppy balls crossed within 600 

feet of each other. 

Tab B is an additional item from this mornings Washington 

Post on this subject. 

We will insure that the text of the release contains the 

emphasis which you noted on the original. 

OASD/PA advises that the text of Dr. Paige's presentation 

in Madrid was not submitted to, or cleared by, either OASD;PA 

or by the Army-;-N'avy or Air Force public affairs people. We 

have requested General Electric, through their local Washington 

office, to verify this with Dr. Paige, personally. 

Attached, Tab C, is a copy of Dr. Paige 1 s presentation, 

which we just received. The reference to the Poppy satellites 

is contained in the last paragraph of page 3. 

Richard s. uiggins 

Colonel, USAF 

\.I 

CONTROLNointerua] 

_1,, 

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non nlRE:C:T!VE" S?OO 10 on~.:; NO'f 4PPIV 

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Space Secrets 

Belated disclosure that two Air Force space 

vehicles collided in space in April, 1965, ought 

to remind the country that part of its space program is being carried on behind a cloak of secrecy 

as absolute as that which conceals space operations in the Soviet Union. The open policy of 

NASA, which has done so much to keep the 

whole nation interested in and excited about space 

progress, is in sharp contrast to the policy of 

the Air Force. 

It is no doubt a comfortable environment for 

the bureaucracy in charge. Their launchings go 

unrecorded and unwitnessed. Their failures are 

reported and acknowledged only when they are 

pleased to disclose them. It saves them the awkward embarrassments that would result if a project 

blew up during hearings on their appropriations. 

As our chief source of information about enemy 

space operations, it also permits the timely release of enemy data at times and places that will 

best serve Air Force interest. 

This particular incident might never have been 

known by American citizens if it had not seemed 

opportune for the Government to have it released at the Astronautical Congress meeting in 

Madrid. It is going~. to be .more difficult to keep 

up American s'uppo'rt .· ailQ. enthusiasm for our 

expensive space .. ~~qg~~w'.:.~~: ·. s. can find out 

about a major part of.cit· .o as the result of 

information first .. released in other countries. It 

is simply nonsen'se to say thiit this, and all other 

information about the· Air ·Force program, must 

be shrouded in secrecy for reasons of military 

security. 

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RECENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE 

OF 

EARTH-ORBITING GRAVITY GRAD 1ENT 

STABILIZATION SYSTEMS 

AUTHORS: L K. Davis 

R. V. Davis 

R. J. Katucki 

H. W. Paige 

· General Electric Company 

PRESENTED BY: Dr. H. W. P_aige 

Vice President, General Electric Company 

General Manager, Missile and Space Division 

-'PRESENTED AT: XVI I CONGRESS OF THE INTERNATIONAL 

ASTRONAUT I CAL FEDERATION 

OCTOBER 10, 1966 MADRID, SPAIN. 

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Thank you Dr. Bollay. Good morning gentlemen: 

I sincerely appreciate th is opportunity to discuss our recent flight experience 

with earth-orbiting, gravity gradient stab ii ization systems. 

Last year, at the Sixteenth IAF Congress in Athens, I presented a paper on the 

fundamentals of gravity gradient stab ii ization systems and reported preliminary 

flight results on three G-E systems then in orbit. 

This year, I will present more recent flight data on those three systems, report 

preliminary information on two new g_ravity gradient systems presently in orbit 

and discuss the status of future gravity gradient development programs. 

The first successful gravity gradient stab ii ized satellite was launched by the 

Nava1 Research Laboratory in January 1964 in a 600-kilometer orbit. Initially 

the satellite had oscillations of plus and minus 45 degrees. Within three days, 

as we reported last year, the G-E gravity gradient system reduced these oscillations 

to less than five degrees. Today, almost three years later, the latest information 

from orbit confirms that osicillations are still below that value. Incidentally, th is 

spacecraft has the second best record for long I ife operation of an earth -pointing 

g ravity-g radient-stabil ized satellite. The best record is still held by the moon. 

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. ., 

2 

In Athens, we mentioned that the Nava,! Research Laboratory launched two 

gravity-stabilized satellites into a 600 kilometer orbit from a single booster in 

March 1965. Both gravity gradient systems were built by General Electric; 

one was a two-axis system, the other was three-axis. 

As an experiment, two inversion maneuvers were performed with the two-axis 

system. l n performing these maneuvers, the rod was retracted on command 

and the satel I ite turned over due to conservation of momentum; the rod was 

th en extended again and both times the satelf ite stab ii ized quickly to three degrees. 

Oscillations in the three-axis system were damped to steady state conditions 

within three dayso However, the satellite stabilized with a 78-degree yaw bias. 

An analysis of all available data appears to indicate that one of the rods is not 

erected in the proper position. Although the analysis has been extensive, both 

at NRL and at G-E, it has failed to yield data which would perm it us to determine 

the exact cause for the apparent error in rod position. 

Almost two months later, these two satellites drifted together and collided in 

what is probably the first man made satellite collision in space. After colliding, 

both satellites were quickly re=stabilized ?Y their gravity gradient systems. 

Today, 18 months after launch, both of these satellites a re still stab ii ized in 

orbit. 

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• 3 • 

Since the last report to you, our gravity gradient systems have been used on 

two.spacecraft, NASA's Geodetic Earth O~biting Satellite, or "GEOS" as it's 

called, and the Air Force's Gravity Gradi1'.mtTest Satellite designated "GGTS". 

Th_e purpose of GEOS was to provide a reference point in orbit for locating 

accurately a point on the earths surface. It was equipped with a two-axis 

gravity-stabilized system. 

GEOS was injected into an eccentric orbit of 2600 kilometers apogee and 1300 

kilometers perigee. Upon injection, the satellite was de-spun by a yo-yo to 

·one rpm at which time the gravity gradient rod was extended about one meter. 

Th is partial rod extension freed the damper magnet from any magnetic field in 

the satellite. When next observed, the satellite's tumbling had been reduced 

to near orbital rate by the damper. 

However, GEOS was captured with its payload facing into space and, to perform 

its geodetic miss ion, the payload had to look at the earth. Therefore, during 

its 83 rd orb it, the sate I I ite was inverted by the rod retraction and re-extension 

technique developed six months earlier. The inversion maneuver was comp I eted 

successfully in 32 minutes. 

The most recent data shows that the total pointing error of the system is with in 

plus-and-min us ten deg reeso This error is the same as predicted by ·computer 

analysis for the eccentric orbit achieveda 

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. • '"t - . 

Another geodetic earth orbiting satel I ite, :cal I ed GEOS B, will be launched next 

year. This satellite will be similar in design to the previous GEOS and will 

utilize the same gravity gradient control system. 

Until June of th is year, all gravity stab ii ized satel I ites had been flown at altitudes 

of 2600 kilometers· or less. At the synchronous altitude of 36, 000 kilometers, 

some people thought that low restoring torques, poorly defined magnetic field 

and relatively large effects of solar pressure, wou Id prevent operation of gravity 

gradient stabilization systems. On June 16, 1966, a Titan 3C booster launched 

eight satellites into a near-synchronous altitude of 34, 000 kilometers. Seven 

of these spacecraft were spin-stabilized communication satellites; the eighth 

was GGTS, the Gravity Gradient Test Satellite. The satellite itself and the gravity 

gradient stab ii ization system were built by G-E. 

GGTS has a two-axis stab ii ization system utilizing rods and dampers of the same 

design as those flown at lower altitudes. The satellite is symmetrical about all 

axes to minimize solar disturbance torques. Magnetic disturbance torques were 

reduced by. using non-magnetic materials whenever possible. Damper fluid 

viscosity was carefully chosen to provide an optimum trade-off between damping 

and damper induced disturbances. 

Upon injection into orb it, the satellite tu f!lbl ed. With in two days, the gravity 

gradient dampers had removed enough system energy to perm it capture. Thirty~ 

eight days after launch (instead of 80 days as originally predicted) the gravity 

gradient system had reduced the pitch oscillation to plus-and-minus seven degrees 

and the roll oscillation to plus-and-minus five degrees. 

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• 5 ,.. 

However, the satellite is not aligned with the local vertical but instead has 

a roll bias of about 13 degrees in a direction over the North Pole. It has been 

suggested that a magnetic particle held to the outside of the damper by the 

damper magnet would cause this pointing bias. Computer analysis of the 

orbital motion and damping period supports this suggestion. In addition, 

th is theory is further emphasized by data obtained before and du ring a recent 

solar storm. The peak disturbance in pitch before the storm was measured at 

minus 6 degrees. On September 4th, at the time the storm had reached the 

satellite at earths synchronous altitude, the peak disturbance in pitch was I 

plus 14 degre~s. A change in amplitude this great can .only be explained by 

the presence of a dipole generated by a magnetic particle. Although our in= 

vestigation is still underway, it appears that correction of the bias in tutu re 

flights will be a straightforward engineering solutiono 

The gravity gradient test satellite is still returning data to the Air Force's 

tracking net and this data is being analyzed to provide additional information • 

. However, on the bas is of information received to-date, the flight has shown 

that: 

(I) Gravity stab ii ization is feasible at near synchronous altitudes; 

(2) Magnetically-anchored dampers will perform satisfactorily and 

according to predictions at this altitude; 

(3) The two-rod symmetrical configuration solves the problems of 

solar disturbance torques. 

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A1other gravity gradient test satellite, designated GG 11, will be launched by · 

the Air Force early next year into a near synchronous orbit. This satellite, 

also built by General Electric will include three mercury fluid flywheels and 

earth and sun sensors to improve the stabilization system and to reduce the 

initial damping time. 

The pitch and roll flywheels will be controlled by the earth sensor and are 

expected to reduce the initial damping time to five or six days. The third flywheel will control the yaw axis so that one face of the satellite always points 

at the sun. Th_is yaw control, call "Sun Guide"; is required to point the 

station keeping thrusters. 

-. 

Later this year the Naval Research Laboratory will launch a new series of 

gravity gradient stabilized satellites in a I, 000 kilometer orbit. 

Three of the satellites wil I use a two-axis gravity gradient stab ii ization system 

• 

built by G.,,E and based on one of our designs previously proven in orbit Since 

the payload of these satellites are required to point to the earth, each gravity 

gradient system wil I have the capability to invert the spacecraft if it is captured 

upside down. These satellites will be on operational missions; therefore, no 

gravity gradient experimentation is planned. 

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• < 

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One of the NRL satellites will have a three;-axis system and will be used for 

in·.,flight stabilization experiments. Accordingly, it will be the best instrumented 

gravity gradient stabilized satellite ever flown. For example, an infrared earthhorizon detector, a sun sensor, and a t.hree-axis magnetometer will provide 

attitude data; an on=board tape recorder will permit a continuous record of 

attitude data. Improvements will also be incorporated in the stabilization system. 

For example, the satellite will be rotated about the vertical by a yaw axis fl heel. 

Th is yaw-a round maneuver can also be accomplished by gyro compass action of 

a pitch axis flywheel being precessed by gravity torques. As part of the in~flight 

experiments planned for this vehicle, an inversion maneuver will be attempted 

for the first time on a three-axis satellite. 

About the middle of ~ext year, the ti rst in a series of three G-E gravity gradient 

stabilization systems will be tested in orbit as part of NASA's Application Technology 

Satellite Program. The first satellite in this series will orbit at a medium altitude 

of 11,300 kilometers; the other two spacecraft will orbit at the synchronous altitude. 

In order to evaluate the relative merits of hysterises and eddy-current damping, 

the gravity gradient system in these sate I I ites wil I con ta in two independent 

dampers so constructed that either may be engaged and the other dis-engaged 

upon ground command. The combination damper, with its clutch arrangement, 

is shown in schematic form on this slide. 

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Another unique requirement associated with the experimental objective of ATS 

is the capability to "re-configure" the spacecraft while in orbit. By changing 

the I ength of the primary boom, the spacecraft moment of inertia magnitudes 

can be varied; by changing the angle between the primary boom, the spacecraft 

m :iment of inertia ratios can be varied. Thus, with the capability for retraction, 

re-extension and "scissoring" of the prima r; boom system, numerous configurations 

can be studied in orbit. 

The material presented in this paper has been concerned solely with the 

application of gravity gradient stab ii ization systems to unmanned spacecraft. 

During the past year, we also studied the application of gravity systems to 

manned spacecraft. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is 

considering the us~ of an empty s'aturn S IV B stage as a manned space 

laboratory. We have completed a design study which shows that three dampers 

identical to those al ready in orbit on the gravity gradient test satellite could 

s ta bi I ize the SI V B and al I ow it to be oriented by the gravity field. Previous 

tests and computer programs on the dynamics of stabilized vehicles indicate 

that the space pilots of the Saturn would be able to move around extensively 

without any noticeable tipping of the vehicle. The overall study is currently 

being reviewed by NASA • 

. In review gen ti em en, thirteen of our gravity gradient stab ii ization systems a re 

either performing in space or will be launched through 1968. These systems 

include: two and three axis designs, experimental and operational units, and 

flights at altitudes from 600 kilometers to synchronous. 

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• 9 • 

On the basis of this experience, we feel that it is possible to develop an effective 

stab ii ization system to meet all requirements of unmanned spacecraft • 

. We think that passive, gravity gradient systems I ike those described in th is 

paper are the right approach to general applications where the required pointing 

accuracy is one or two degrees or more and where a damping time of five or 

six days is permitted. 

We believe that active stab ii ization systems, I ike that on Nimbus 11, a re the 

right approach toward specialized applications where extremely high pointing 

accuracy is required and where damping time is measured in seconds or a 

few hours. (Incidentally, the stab ii ization system in Nimbus 11, currently 

in orbit, has operated perfectly for al most five months). 

Both the passive and the active stab ii ization systems can be designed, developed 

and built to meet the universal requirements of long life operation in space. 

Thank you. 

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PATi DES IGNATlON l"oN WBRICATioN DESCR

0

IPTl,ON o'ES.11o' ORBIT INCLINATION PERFORMANCE 

1962 - 65 .Trans it APL APL One Rod lossy Spring 7401<m Satellite Dead 

Two Axis GG Oscillations 

10° - 20 ° 

1962 - 65 Transit APL APL One Rod Lossy Spring 140 km Satell Ue Dead 

Two Axis GG Oscillations 

111' - 20 ° 

1962 - 65 Transit APL APL One·Rod Lossy Spring 740km Satellite oea;rTwo Axis GG Oscillations 

IO 0

- 20° 

Jan. II, 1964 1964-1 Bl GGSE-1 NRL GE One i~od Magnetic 9351910 km 69. 9 ° ! 5 0 

Two Axis Vixcous Flu id 

Mar. 9, 1965 1965-168/ GGSE-2 NRl GE One Rod Magnetic 9421907 km 70.1" f5 apparently 

Two Axis Eddy Current cancelled with 

1965·· 16C 

Mar. 9, 1965 1965-16CI GGSE-3 NRL GE Three Rod M3gnetic 943/ 906 km 70.1 ° Pitch~-

Three Axis Viscous Fluid Roll -:20; 

Yaw !32 ; 

Sate! I ite on a 78° 

Bias 

Nov-6, 1965 1965-89A/ GEOS-A APL GE One Rod Magnetic 2600' 1300 km 59. 4° Pitch & Roll 

TWO Axis Eddy Current =r. Yaw 10' 

Mar. 30, 1966 1966-2581 OVl-5 Convair Convair Six Rod Gravity llD9/ 987km 144.r Stab ii ized 

Vert ls tat Viscous Fluid Su~cessfull~ 

Jun 16, 1966 1966-53A/ GGTS GE GE Two Rod Magnetic 33835133683km 0. (f}' Pitrh & Roll13; 

Two Axis Viscous Fluid 15 °pointing bias 

over North Pole 

Jul. 14, 1966 OVl-7 Convair Convair Six Rod Gravity Failed to Orbit 

Vertis tat Viscous Fluid 

Nov. 1966 NRL-1966 NRL GE One Rod Magnetic 925 km 

Two Axis Edd~ Current Planned --- NRL GE One Rod Magnetic 925 km 

Two Axis Edd~ Current Planned 

NRL GE One Rod Magnetic 925 km 

Two Axis Edd~ Current Planned 

NRL GE Three Rod Magnetic 925 km 

Three Axis Edd~ Current Planned --- NRL Philco Three Axis Magnetic 925 km 

Edd Current Planned 

Jan. 1967 GG 11 GE GE Two Rod Flywheels 34, 000 km 

Three Axis Planned 

Jan. 1967 Dodge APL APL Ten Rod Eddy Current 36, 000 km 

er es is Planned 

1967 - 1968 Dodge M APL APL Ten Rod rent 36, 000 km 

H steres is Planned 

Jun 1967 ATS-A Hughes GE Six Rod Gravity 6, 000 km 

Three Axis Eddy Current Planned 

is 

Sept. 1967 GEOS B APL GE One Rod 1100' 1500 km 

Two Axis Edd~ Current Planned 

1968 ATS -D Hughes G E Six Rod Gravity 36, 000 km 

Three Axis Eddy Current Planned 

Hysteresis 

1968 ATS -E Hughes G E Six Rod Gravity 36, 000 km 

Three Axis Eddy Current Planned 

Hysteresis 

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111111111111111111111111111 14 

TOP SECRET BY EM AN CONTROL SYSTEM 

+st NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

THE NRO STAFF 

HANDLE VIA 

BY EM AN CONTROL SYSTEM 

18 October 1966 

MEMORANDUM FOR DR. FLAX 

SUBJECT: Release of News Item 

Attached (Tab A) is a response, prepared by General 

Garland, to your query concerning clearance of Hilliard 

Paige's recent speech in Madrid. 

Tab B is a proposed memorandum to Mr. Sylvester 

requesting his assistance in reminding GE and NRL of the 

importance of following established clearance procedures 

involving matters of interest to DOD. Recommend you sign 

this memo. 

// 

( 

Richard s. Quiggins 

Colonel, USAF 

COPY ___ OF ___ COPIES TOP SECRET CONTROL NO ______ _ 

EXCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC REGRADING PAGE ___ OF ___ PAGES 

DOD DIRECTIVE 5200.10 DOES NOT APPLY 

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. .. DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE \-. 

WASHINGTON 

\;' I 

. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY 

OCT 14 1966 

MEMORANDUM FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF AIR FORCE (RESEARCH 

AND DEVELOPMENT) 

The speech presentation made by Dr. H. W. Paige, Vice 

President of General Electric Company and General Manager of 

it.s Missile and Space Division, before t.he XVII Congress of -. 

the International Astronautical Federation at Madrid, Spain, 

on 10 October 1966, was not submitted to Department of 

Defense, or any of the three Service Departments, for review · 

and clearance prior to its delivery. 

General Electric Company wrote the presentation for 

Dr. Paige from previously cleared material except for the 

incident of the two satellites drifting together and colliding 

"in what is probably the first man made satellite collision 

in space." Dr. Paige, according to GE, had knowledge of this 

and asked the Naval Research Laboratory for permission to use 

the information in his presentation. This permission was 

granted by Mr. Robert Beale, project manager on GE-Navy space 

programs, about two weeks before the presentation. Neither 

Mr. Beale nor the Naval Research Laboratory has authority to 

clear speeches, news releases, or other informational items 

of national interest intended for public release. 

The only clearance and releasing authority on this, and 

similar items intended for public dissemination, is the 

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, 

Mr. Sylvester. His office is aware of this infraction of the 

regulations. 

w 

Brigadier General, USAF 

.- Deputy Director of Information 

..... ( 
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""6~ @f;@~""w;o ~ ryt ~::vKL:. ~ CONTROL SYSTEM 

t&t- NATIONAL RECONNAISSANCE OFFICE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 

OFi'ICE Or THE DIRECTOR 31 OCT "i966 

xEMOR.AJ.~DUM FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE (PUBLIC AFFAIRS) 

SUEJECT: Release of News Item 

This is in regard to the newspaper articles which resulted 

when Dr. Hilliard Paige, of the General Electric Company, 

described a "collision-in-space" during a recent presentation 

in Madrid, Spain. 

The General Electric Company is a contractor for certain 

classified projects in the NRP, but was not involved in the 

classified aspects of the two satellites in question. For 

these sa~ellites, they provided certain components of the 

gravity gradient stabilization system and provided data reduction services relative to performance of this system. 

I am quite concerned about this incident for several reasons. 

First, the two space vehicles, involved are National Reconnaissance 

t e ~a_c_t_u_a_l_c_o_n_t_a_c_t __ o_r_i_n_t_e_r_a_c_t_::;..,_· _o_n_o_f~--t-l--.._e_v_e_h_i_c_l_e_s_w_a_s_t_h_e __ r_e_s_u_l-,------ft of SOX 1 

a malfunction. Secondly, Dr. Paige 1 s remarks inflate an insignif~. 

icant incident into a major catastrophe (while the two vehicles 

did in fact touch, or interact, there was no violent collision). 

Significantly, Dr. Paige's intent to announce this incident was 

not properly cleared in advance with the Department of Defense. 

Attached is a memorandilia prepared by General Garland, of 

SAFOI, which describes the background concerning clearance of 

this material. 

I would appreciate any action which your office might 

iniciate with General Electric and the Naval Research Laboratory 

~C/('/Y1;izdfl/ 

CONTROL NO·---~----

~6 

;"' \. 7-:;-, .... ,~ '\: 

t,.,,I i.; r-111111•• .... diii \i 

CONTROL SYS HM EXCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC AEGRAOING 

000 DIRECTIVE !5200,10 OOES NOT APPLY • 

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COPY OF 2 -~- COPIES 

PAGE~l~_OF 2 PAGES 
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7;~·0 cr:r:wrcif HAN0l1£ VIA 

<. ~~ ._;;;..\fJ1ii~--il 

to assure future compliance with approved procedures for prior 

clearance of public information involving matters of interest 

to the Department of Defense. 

Alexander H. Flax 

Attacr..ment 

SAFOI Memo, Oct 14, 1966 

2 

HANOL.E VIA 

CONTROi. ~ 

f';\7~;::-: l\r•\ -..J Iii '-M"•M"\.il\J 

COHTROL. SYSTEM 

..,.""'"" ""'"""""'~""I" l ry::J <$.,I"' r ~ ':• d ~ uu u .. uu~I.:... Iii con ___ or __ 2__ coP1Es 

EXCLUDf;O f'ROM AUTOMATIC REGRADING 

000 D1RECTIV£ 5200.\0 DOES NOT APPL.V 

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PAGE 2 or 2 --~-- PAGES 
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o~=-,:-:-.;c.:: OF 7h.: SO:CRETARY 

;;;2~v:JRP~:JlJ11 FO~{ ~~ss:ST.1.D.1\7 SEC:lETARY o~ AIR lORCE (RESE.A..._-q_CH 

AND DEVZLGPiv.:ENT) 

The speech presentation made by ~r. H. W. Paige, Vice 

President of Gene:;::-al Electric Co·,11)any and Ge;.i.eral Manager of 

its Missile &nd Space Division, before the XVII Congress of 

t~e International Astronautical Federation at Madrid, Spain, 

o:..:. lO Oc·cobe:r 19 66, ws.s r..o·;: subraitted to Depa:::-t:ment of 

:J0:;"ense, o:::- a:u.y of the three Se:::-vice :;)e:;?art;:ne:L":::::s, for review 

&~G clearance prior to its ~elivery. 

G-2:.-:e::-a.: :S~ec ·~:::!..c Coht~J&~::y wro~e ·;::-12 :)rese:.~tat:ion :Cor 

Dr. Pa~ge from ?reviously cleared ~aterial except for the 

-- ide·;-,·;: of tt-.e two satelli·:::es drif·:::ing ·::ogetc1er and colliding ·,,_. __ T.7'~.-::--~ -':s r.,,-o"o~-b-:y _,_-h".> _:=:;~~co-~~·--,- 'C''~_:;C::. s:=:·,~e-1-.L1·,-{'°> co-:li"si•on ~.11..A. VYl ... .:......_. ..._ J:.l..i- C4- .A- \..L c l..LJ...wi..... h.A.C4.a..J. .. u.aUC:! -- --- ..... 

:':::1 S?&C e. 11 Dr. Paige, acco:::-ding to GZ, had know: edge of this 

&:.1G. as-:zeC. -;:".."J.e Naval R.esearcl-. L::.bor.s.;:ory for pe:Lmiss:..on to use 

-;::-... e info:.."111a·tion ::.T1 ~J.is prese;.T:::a-:::ion. ::1.is ?ermission was 

;;::c.s.:..---.ted by i"i:::-. Robert Bes.le, ?::-oj e.::<: raana.ger on GE-Navy space 

)Togra:ms, about '.::.wo weeks before t~i.e presentation. Neither 

/.:::. Beale nor ".:he No.val R.es2.s.rch Laborato::cy l-:as authority to 

cie&:::- S?eeches, news rele.s.s2s, or o·::her inforra.s.tional items 

oc ::-..atio·:-.c.l interest intended fo:;: 7u.olic reiease. 

The only clearance &nc. re:Leasing autho:-:ity on this, and 

sir.::::.lar :::::e-.T..s intended for public disse:;1ination, is the 

..:: ... ssistarr::: Secretary of Defe:ise for Public Affai:;:s, 

Xr. Sylv2ster. Ris office is awa::ce of this infraction of the 

-:cegulations. 

DIST: lcy Addressee 

lcy SS-1 

lcy SS-3 

.lcy RF 

/ lcy SS-5 

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MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD 

SUBJECT: Poppy Security 

9 November 1966 

.,.. ·c p<?..-

On Monday, 7 November, Mr. Sylvester (in response to 

a request from Dr. Flax) met with representatives of General 

Electric to discuss Dr. Paig'e 1 s "collision-in-space" announce -

ment. 

On 'Tuesday, 8 November, Colonel Reavis, OASD/ PA 

(Security Review) called to report the results of the meeting. 

1. GE was represented by Messrs. Huffman and Cohen. 

2. GE representatives said they had reviewed circumstances of incident and concluded that GE was not at fault 

since (1) GE work was done under an unclassified contract 

(2) No form 254 - Security Requirement - had been filed or 

requested in connection with the contract and (3) The incident 

had been previously reported in Aviation Week and Look 

Magazine. 

I advised Reavis that I would check to verify items (1) 

and (2). OASD/PA had checked item (3) and was unable to 

locate any such reference in Aviation Week or Look. 

Richard S. Quiggins 

Colonel, USAF 

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