HISTORICAL CHRONOLOGY

1 July 1961 - 31 December 1961

7 July 1961

8 July 1961

9 July 1961

10 July 1961

15 July 1961

18 July 1961

20 July 1961

1

The initial release of Ey 1962 funds to 7 Project was in the amount of

Budget Authorization Was

contained in AMC message SCCBP-3-7-3

dated 7 July 1961. It is ant=tlgat the full programmed amount of

will be made available by 1 Sept 561.

Systems testing for Project 101A first

flyable payload with Agana 2120 vehicle

was successfully accomplished.

A space radiation package, including a

sample of 101A film and processing web,

was recovered with the DISCOVER= XXVI

payload after 32 orbits. Analysis test of samples verified that the payload

experienced a radiation dose of one half

roentgen which was 20 to 50 times less

than that of sensitized film used on

present SAMOS Programs.

Work was initiated on four ( 10 buildings

of the Johnston Island BeCovery Operations

Center.

Project 10I0 satellite vehicle 2202 completed

the Agana subsystem testing phase and was

transferred into a systems checkout complex.

Delivery of the payload is the pacing item for this vehicle. The Aeons is

scheduled to be ready for a mid-October

launch.

SAFMB and SAFUS were briefed on the

proposed SANDS Development Plan for 1961. The plan was subsequently reduced and

redesignated SAMOS Specifications

Document.

Program 202 Planning Estimate vas meted

to the Commander, Atlantic Missile Bange.

Pad 15 was subsequently assigned for Program use .

SAM-0A-18 SECRET
The design criteria for the Vehicle

Support Building at PAW 1, Point Arguello,

was finalized with Aerospace and associate

contractor's concurrence and forwarded

to the SSD Facilities Office. A BOD of

1 January 1962, was established.

21 July 1961 The Orbit and Recovery Program Requirements

document for Prograt 201 was issued.

20 July 1961

29 July 1961

7 August 1961

9 August 1961

12 August 1961

13 August 1961

15 August 1961

Five (5) JC-13OB aircraft with Program 101B

recovery gear were deployed to Hawaii.

Tests are continuing at Edwards Air Force Base

with test aircraft JC-13014 No. 526. This

aircraft accomplished pickup of a 2000 pound

dummy Rau capsule in June.

Construction modifications to Missile

Assembly Building No. 3 at Vandenberg

Air Force Base were initiated.

The PERT Program evaluation and reporting

techniques became operational for

Program II.

pro

for Agena vehicles 2312 through 2314 was

completed and engineering releabes for the

remaining digital payload vehicles are

wogressing toward completion in November 1961.

Agena vehicle 2301 and its associated

airborne and ACC are now being programmed

to a SOD desired first flight date in early

The Age= for Project 101B satellite 2202

is in LMSC Systems Checkout. The recovery

payload was received from ITEK on this date.

Efforts are being directed toward launch

readiness at PMR Pad 1 on 17 October 1961.

SAFSP-0A-18
SECRET18 August 1961

18 August 1961 .

18 August 1963.

20 August 1961

30 August 1961

31 August 1961

31 August 1961

The first drop test vehicle for

Program 201 was picked up for delivery

to AFSWC, Kirtilimd Air Force Base.

A high altitude balloon drop test of

a PrOject 1018 RETU capsule Was completed

over the White Sands Missile Range.

The drop vas accoagaished at an altitude

of 100,200 feet guiding satisfactory in

all respects. This balloon drop followed

another successfUl B-52 drap on 1 August

at Edwards AFB.

Effective this date, responsibility for

development of payload recovery systems

was centralised in a Recovery Office(SAM-R)

within the SAME Project Office. The

Recovery Office will provide recovery

system support to the SANDS and DISCOVERER

rrograms. Menposer spaces were provided

from Space Systems Division Offices,

SSZAA-3 and SSZSR.

Thermal environmental and distortion tests

on Program 201 lens No. 3 were started at ASD, Wright-Patterson Air FOree Base.

Negotiation of the fellow-on contract

with Lockheed Corporation for Program I,

covering the period through May 1962,

was completed during August.

Project 101A satellite 2120 continued

through launch preparations. Correction

of difficulties with the Atlas booster

electronics was effected and launch

preparations were resumed at R-7.

Significant progress was made toward

first flight availability of equipment

to be used in post recovery operations

for Project 1018 satellite 2202 and those

subsequent. TOo of the four processors

have been delivered and installed at

AMPL. Acceptance testing of these units

SAM-OA-18
is in progress. The Data Block Readers

for AFSPPL have advanced to the final

assembly stage. The Manual Data Block

Reader for the STC was cancelled by SSD.

Also, deleted were the wet film handling

and treatment equipment and the rewind'

and feed belt.

1 September 1961

5 September 1961

7 September 1961

The second Pegasus was launched at the White Sands Missile Range at 1422Z hours.

The Pegasus vehicle is a solid-propellant

rocket used to carry a Program I test

re-entr ► vehicle to altitude to test the

parachute system. On this launch the

Pegasus vehicle and recovery system

performed normally until deployment of the

air pickup chute. This chute was supposed

to deploy in a reefed condition; however,

it deployed and opened immediately. The

subsequent snatch load exceeded the main

chute suspension line design strength

causing main chute failure. it has been

concluded that a dereefing squib was

accidentally fired prior to launch or

fired immediately on deployment. Some

changes in parachute packing have been

made as corrective measures prior to the

third Pegasus launch currently sdheduled

for 11 October 1961.

Program Authorization No. 624CAS-50 dated 5 September increased the - fund

allocation for FY 196g

to a revised total off'

Budget Authorization in same amount

was issued No. 36 (DCAS). Of the

authorized SANDS for FY 1962,

The Developmant Plan Annex for Program 202

was accepted by AMR (Martin Company Follow-on

Program).

SAFSP-0A718
7 September 1961

9 September 1961

9 September 1961

10 September 1961

10 September 1961

A Ptogram II Management Nketing and

Schedule Review was held at IMSC, Sunnyvale.

Results of the meeting indicated that

Lockheed is generally on schedule with the

exception of a few component test programs

which should not affect the overall

Program 201 schedule.

Project 101A Satellite 2120 was launched

unsuccessfully at Pt Arguello Pad 1. The

attempted launch took place at 12:38 PDT.

Loss of electrical power caused the Atlas

106D booster engines to shutdown immediately

after liftoff, resulting in the Atlas/Agena

falling back on the launch pad and

subsequently exploding at approximately

T plus 1.5 seconds. Destruction of the 101A

advanced readout payload resulted from the

explosion and fire. Damage to the launch

pad was moderate and primarily of an external

nature. The loss of Atlas electrical power

was attributed to a 0.21 seconds delay of the

booster electrical umbilical disconnect

after the vehicle two-inch vertical motion.

Failure of this disconnect to disengage

at the proper time resulted in recycling of

the booster power changeover switch from

internal to external power. Repair and

refurbishing of Pad 1 are progressing on

schedule and should be ready to support

Project 101B first launch by 1 November 1961.

Damage to PNR Pad 1, caused by Satellite 2120

explosion on 9 September has necessitated

rescheduling of subsequent satellites.

Satellite 2202 is now scheduled for 12 December 1961; 2203 for 18 January 1962; 2204 for 22 February 1962;

and all subsequent flights have slipped

nineteen work days on a six day work week.

Test assembly of Program 201 ingineering

Model Payload was completed.

The Facilities Annex to the Development Plan

Was approved by the Secretary of the Air Force.

Release of FY 1962 MCP funds is expected

in the near future.

5

SAM-Oh-18
11 September 1961

15 September 1961

22 September 1961

Two recovery test units (EMU) for Project 101B

were dropped from a B-52 aircraft over the

Hawaiian Islands on this date. Aerial

recovery of the first drop WAS abandoned at

approximately 5000 feet, and retrieved by

surface ship without difficulty. The second

drop was successfully recovered by a JC-130B aircraft at approximately 13,000 feet. These

drop recoveries followed five successful

air recoveries out of six attempts at

Hickam Air Force Base on 8 September 1961.

Facilities construction for the recovery site

WAS approved in final form by PACAF and the

Program Office. All work is on or ahead of

schedule.

The first drop of Program 201 recovery vehicle

from a B-52 was completed successfully at

tot C"lan tiep?ntoft reimpa e-Baacele wasrelietr"at ved."-

Training plans, classes and schedules for

indoctrination of personnel engaged in recovery

activities for Program 201 were finalized

at a 6594th Test Wing conference. Requirement

for RC-121 aircraft in support of training

and actual recovery operations was deleted.

This action was taken after assessing the

factors involved in supporting RC-121 from

the recovery site versus the contribution

it was predictea to make toward the recovery

effort.

A final decision VAS made to implement a

secure ccamunications system using XW -26

cryptographic equipment between the STC

and all tracking stations supporting

Program 201.

18 September 1961

18 September 1961

27 September 196i

Sae-OA-18
29 September 1961

30 September 1961

11 October 1961

13 October 1961

17 October 1961

Contract negotiations (Wwere completed on

29 September at the AFPR, Sunnyvale. The

definitive contract will be written and

forwarded to Lockheed for signature on 9 October 1961. Target date for definitization

is 23 October 1961.

Satellite Vehicle 2121 was deleted from

Program I flight schedule and placed in

bonded storage at Lockheed. This action

was necessitated by higher priority use of

critical pad time.

The third Pegasus recovery system test vehicle

was launched at White Sands Missile Range.

The test vehicle and recovery systaa performed

as designed. This test was a successful

demonstration of the complete parachute system.

Project 101A was officially terminated by

AFSSD direction to the contractor (LMSC).

Project 101E is continuing on an accelerated

schedule.

LMSC was directed to accelerate the Project 1018

launch schedule. To accomplish this effort,

MSC established a hard core group of key

personnel on a "task force basis" to devote

100 percent of their effort toward meeting

program objectives. Personnel are working

under a 24-hour seven-day week schedule.

Project 101B, Vehicle 2202 originally scheduled

for launch 17 October was rescheduled for

12 December due to Pad 1, PMR damage sustained

from a booster explosion. Under the accelerated

program vehicle 2202 is progressing to a

2 December launch. Vehicle 2203, originally

SAFSP-OA-18
17 October 1961

31 October 1961

31 October 1961

31 October 1961

31 October 1961

9 November 1961

10 November 1961

20 November 1961

scheduled for a 7 December launch,

was rescheduled to a 18 January 1962

launch. Under an accelerated effort

Vehicle 2203 is progressing to a 19 December 1961 launch.

A recovery simulation exercise was conducted

on 17 October near the Hawaiian Islands.

Two Project 101E training capsules were

dropped from a B-52 aircraft. One capsule

was recovered on the first pass by a

JC-130B aircraft. The second capsule

was not recovered. A parachute malfunction

was assumed.

Recovery site facilities at Johnston Island

were completed for Project 201 recovery

requirements.

Contract for Project IA was completed.

This program was cutback to a three payload

completion only. The LMSC Contract AF 04 -41 was definitized in the amount of

•

Rehabilitation of launch Pad I, PMR, was

completed. Damage to the pad was caused

by Vehicle 2120 explosion on 9 September 1961..

General Electric Company Contract AF 04 -6

was definitized in the amount of

A decision was made to delete the MOD II

Secure Command System from Project 201.

Aerospace ground equipment for the Missile

Assembly Building, Project 201, was shipped

to Vandenberg Air Force Base from Eastman

Kodak Company. This completed equipment

requirements for the MAB except for one viewer.

Secretary of the Air Force Order No. 116.1

designsbulMsjor General Robert E. Greer

as Director of Special Projects, OSAF, with

additional duty as Vice Coe:sander Air Force

Space Systems Division. This order superseded

SAF Order No. 116.1 which established the

SAMOS Project Office 31 August 1960.

SAFSP-0A-16
22 November 1961

30 November 1961

1 December 1961

4 December 1961

Satellite Vehicle 2202 was launched from

Pad 1, Pt Arguello Launch Complex at

12:45 PST. Ascent of the booster/satellite

was satisfactory until 247 seconds after

liftoff. At this time the Atlas lost

pitch attitude control ;emitting the Atlas

to pitch upward into an attitude which

prevented the Agena from assuming the proper

attitude after separation from the firststage booster. Results caused the Agana to

stabilize approximately tall-first and its

thrust acted to retard its speed rather than

accelerate it into orbit. Additional difficulty

was encountered in a premature first-stage shutdown.

Instructions were received from SAFMS to

discontinue reference to the title "Program I".

Special Projects 101B was designated the

proper title.

Project 201 Recovery Test Program. A land

drop test of a simulated payload was

conducted at Stallion Station White Sands

Missile Range, New Mexico. All systems

fUnctioned properly. On 6 December a water

drop of a simulated payload was conducted at the Pacific Missile Range. All systems

functioned properly. However, a miscalculation

of upper winds caused the parachute load to

deviate krom its planned course causing the

vehicle to land on San Nicolas Island severely

damaging the recovery vehicle.

SAFMS message DIR-61-157 directed termination

of all engineering and support efforts on

Project 101E Vehicles 2205, 2206, 2207, 2208,

and 2209. Vehicles 2203 and 2204 were to be

continued on the planned launch schedule.

All contracting and associated agencies were

notified and the required termination action

taken within 138 hours after receipt of

SAFMS message. Termination action provided an

estimated saving of \to the Air

Force. \\\

SAFSP-OA-18
-SEC-IU6 December 1961

8 December 1961

11 December 1961

12 December 1961

18 December 1961

22 December 1961

SAFSP Revised FY 1962 Financial Plan

and FY 1963 Budget Estimate was submitted

to the Secretary of the Air Force for

P-630 funds.

The Missile AsamWalyBuilding at Vandenberg

Air Force Base was completed and accepted

by the Air Force. The MAB was constructed

primarily to support Project 201 and

subsequent space programs.

Special Pro ects Director , approved reprograming

action of\ from LMBC contract

AF *647)- 3 to LMBC Philco Satellite Control

Contracts to realize reduction of Project 10IB

development effort and to cover communication

and control costs across-the-board for the

program.

Special Projects Director approved an

established initial program of1111.1111111IIK

to cover funding cost of PMR launch service

by LIM under contract AF 04(695)-52.

Based on information setforth in message

SAFSP-18-12-32 the recovery area for the

first three payloads, Project 201, has been

relocated from Johnston Island to approximately

boo miles south of Hickam Air Force Base.

No change in Johnston as recovery site for

remaining 201 recoveries was indicated.

Satellite Vehicle 2203 was launched from

Pad 2, PMR, at 1113 PST (Project 101B). A

clean countdown was completed on the first

attempt. Orbit was achieved with an overall

mission success factor of approximately

84 percent. All subsystems functioned

satisfactorily, except (a) propulaion were

a malfunction in the Atlas sustainer cutoff

resulted in an orbital period 4i minutes

longer than planned; (b) malfunction

10

SAFSP-OA -18
experienced either in frame counter or

unplanned camera shutoff with indications

of smaller frame count than planned; and

(c) UHF command system was unsatisfactory

due to unplanned early selection of recovery

Channel. Preliminary estimates at the

time indicated that the Agena re-entered in

an approxjiate area south of Borneo on

31 DeceMber 1961, and the capsule should

re-enter on or about 9 January 1962. No attempt for air recovery of the capsule will be made due to its dead recovery system

caused by the premature activation of the

retro mechanism.

As a result of information gained from

Vehicle 2203, several modifications are

planned for 2204. These modifications

will be design improvements in the Agena

auxiliary power and control subsystems.