w tft.'!"....:0
Introduction

UNCLASSIFIED

=Ton OF DISCOVERER

TABLE OF CONTENTS

History of Discoverer General

DRAFT TABLE OF =TENTS

FOR DRAFT HISTORY OF

DTRNIVRRER

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Man-in-Space Aspects 

Bioastronautics Organization 

Discoverer Vehicle No. 1025 54

Discoverer Fligts and Funding 61

Index

Appendix Al Bicestronautics-Discoverer Board RepOrt, - 22 Sep 59 • • 78

Appendix B, Launch Data Digest 151

sekopendix C, Biomedical Space Specimens Fact Sheet .

May be found in Volume 2

velppendix D, Notes and Editorial Background for Primate Launch

May be found in Volume 2

of Appendix E, News Release (Approved for release after launch of primate)

May be found in Volume 2

E?Appendix F, Photo History of Discoverer (Photographs and Captions as

published by Information Office) May be found in Volumes 2 and 3

Appendix G, Discoverer XIII Like Cyclp (Presented by 6594 Test Wing

(Satellite) (A,R.D.C.) Sunnyvale, California) May be found in

Volume 3 •

Appendix H, Untitled ffiarrative of launch and recovery of Discoverer

XIV by Capt Harold E. Mitchell as told to Robert Cahg May be

found in Volume 3

ming

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• N

SAEO BY
AFFMTDIX C

HOLD FOR RELEASE

UNTIL LAUNCH

BIOMEDICAL SPACE spEcimr,

FACT SHEET

The four black mice that will be passengers aboard the DISCOVERER

III satellite to be launched from California's Vandenberg Air Force Base

are not ordinary mice. They are the best specimens of a special strain

of hardy laboratory animals, selected and trained specifically for their

round trip into space and planned return to earth. This unique biomedical

experiment is being conducted by the Bioastronantics Directorate of the

Air Force Ballistic Missile Division.

The mice will be borne into orbit inside a special life capsule

in the DISCOVERER III payload. Plans are to return the mice to earth by

means of recovery devices carried in the payload. If recovery is successful, the mice will be returned to Vandenberg and then to the Aeromedical

Field Laboratory at Holloman Air Force Base where they are born.

If the satellite is successful, the mice will be the . first known

living beings in the world to orbit the earth in space and return safely.

Their trip will furnish a mass of data for application to later programs,

including man in space.

Mice were selected as the first round-trip biomedical specimens

because of their stable reactions and convenient size and weight. The

particular strain of mice has the genetic code name of C-57. Unlike

ordinary mice, the 0-57 c/an of laboratory mice have a fully documented

history showing unusual strength, hardiness, adaptibility and stability.

The strain was first developed at Jackson Laboratories in Bar

Harbor, Michigan, in 1933. A third-generation colony was later established

(MORE)
2

at the . University of -California's Cancer and Genetics Laboratory in

Los Angeles. From this colony, C-57's were supplied to Hallman, where

the birth of an additional three generations brought the C-57

genealogy to the present time. Of this sixth generation colony at

Bollomen, 60 mice ,in number, most were selected for the trip to

Vandenberg and the DISCOVERER III launch site. A few hours before

the launch, tour mice will be selected. The sex of the C-57's will

not be a factor in selection. The four space mice chow-milli be

eight to nine weeks old and in prime physical condition.

The C-57 strain are of normal. dimensions, with one exception.

They average 20-22 grams in weight and 2 / 3/4 inches long6 less tail,

but they measure about en inch vide - a considerable girth for a

mouse. However, the beamy-set build of the C-57's is due to their

unusual macular strength. The C-57's are considerably stronger

than the average laboratory or field mice.

The only special training given the 0-57's concerns use of

the food and water devices aboard the life cell. When the mice

arrived at Vandenberg, they were placed in the capsule for increasing

periods of time, the first lasting two hours or so, to accustom the

tiny animals to their space home.

In the Air Force biomedical vans at Vandenberg where the

waiting mice live, temperature is controlled to within five degrees

of seventy-five degrees fahrenheit. Relative humidity stays between

thirty-five and fifty percent, and no humans with colds or other

minor ailments are allowed in the vans. Upon their arrival at

Vandenberg, the C-57's switched from their usual diet, consisting
of a standard brand of dog meal, to a special menu - a preparation made

of oatmeal, orange juice, ground unsalted peanuts, and gelatine, mixed

and meatured in exact amounts. This pre-flight diet is similar to an

athlete's careful pre-game seal, although no physical feats will be

required of the mice in space.

The life capsule, the recovery system, and the fully controlled

environment of the life support symtez are made by Lockheed Missiles

and Space Division, prime contractor for the DISOMEMEtswoject.

Genera/ Electric particpated as a sub-contractor. The life support

system includes a mouse-sized ox ►gen bottle, an air conditioner, and

a variety of instruments to monitor and send back complete behavior

and reaction data on the C-57's. If recovered successfully, the mice

mill undergo an immediate medical checkup at Vandenberg before going

back to Holleman for another exhaustive checkup and extended observation.

This attempt to develop a complete artifical environment to

sustain life in space, and to return the mice to earth, is a joint

program. The rascommR III project includes the effOrts.of the Air

Force Ballistic Missile Division; the Air Force School of Aviation

Medicine at San Antonio, Texas; the Aeromedical Laboratory of Wright

Air Development Center, Ohio; the Aero-Medical Field. Laboratory at

Hellman Air Force Base in ?fey Mexico; Lockheed, vho developed and

built major portions of the life-sustaining satellite; and the

General Electric Company, Philadelphia. The entire project is under

the direction of the Advanced Research Projects Agency.

-30-

See etch
. 
APPT.NDIX

NOTES AND EDITORIAL BACKGROUND FOR PRIM= LAUNCE

Animal.

The animals to be used in the bio-astronautic experiments to be conducted

as part of Project Discoverer are American-born Macaca Mnllata monkeys,

more commonly known as Rhesus. The colony of space monkeys is maintained

for the Air Force at the University of Texas -- USAF Radio-Biology Laboratory, Balcones Research Laboratory, Austin, Texas. This activity falls

under the cognizance of the Aerospace Medical Center, School of Aviation

Medicine, Air Training Command, Brooks Air Force Base, Austin, Texas.

This activity is being carried on as a support activity of the Air Training Command to the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division, AMC.

The key individual associated with this undertaking is Dr. W. Lynn Brown,

Professor of Psychology, University of Texas and Head of Experimental

Psychology for the bio-astronautics portion of the Discoverer program.

Dr. Brown is one of the U. S. pioneers in the field which encompasses the

training of animals to perform psychomotor functions under various environmental conditions. He was one of the first to maintain that monkeys,

• a species of animal which does not lend itself to restraint, could be

effectively used in this.type of experiments. Dr. Brown was responsible

for the training of MR. SAM, the USAF space monkey which was launched in

a ballistic trajectory and vas recovered in the NASA Little Joe test.
?axe -2- 1

Altho• gh the Radio-Biology Laboratory maintains the largest colony of

Rhesus monkeys in America, we will not deal with this information in

connection with the Discoverer program. The majority of these animals

are being used in other classified and unclassified Air Force research

programs all of which are extremely sensitive. For our purposes, we

will deal with the space mcnxey colony which at this counting numbers

31 animals, all designated by a number followed by the letter "X",

which have been born in captivity at the laboratory. There are a handful

of other animals designated by the suffix "Y" following the number, which

have been born elsewhere in the United States and have been purchased

by the laboratory.

The three primary candidates for the first Discoverer launch are, at the

time of this writing, 21X, 20X, and 3Y. In the order given, they are

first, second and third choice candidates. 2IX is a female, born on

26 January 1959 (present weight 4 pounds); in the Univeroity =taw,

her parents were C4 and A4.

20X is a female, born 22 January 1959 (present weight 5 pounds); in the

University Colony; her parents were 299+ and 893.

3Y is a male, born 14 April 1958, at Shamrock Farms, Middletown, New York;

(present weight 5 pounds).

According to Dr. Brown, the criteria for selection of the space candidates

are: emotional stability, performance, weight and physical condition.
Page -3-

All the specimens must be between four and five and a quarter pounds at

launch. They must be in perfect health. In applying the other two

criteria, Dr. Brown points out that they naturally would like to fly

the best performer but that selection on this basis alone is not sp.,

propriate. They must combine optimum performance with optimum emotional

stability. The best performer sometimes tends to react adversely under

emotional pressure. Therefore, it is important to strike a happy medium.

If, in the end analysis, the best performer does not appear to be

entirely dependable --- that is, would not cortinus . to perform his

psychomotor tasks over an extended period, when effected by the environmental stresses of space flight --- another specimen whose excellence in performance might be slightly lower, would be selected on the

basis of greater dependability.

This is the case in the selection of 21X over 20X. Omit performance

exceeds that of the other, but the other has proved to have greater

emotional stability and can therefore be depended upon to provide more

and better data over the full time span of the actual flight test.

The Rhesus monkey has been selected for these experiments over other

species of primates because he is exceptionally hardy, is basically

inquisitive, and to quote Dr. Brown, "is spunky."

In comparison, chimpanzees are inclined to brood and to pout. A .

chimpanzee, once.he learns to solve a problem becomes bored,with the

problem and will no longer pexfurm. The Rhesus, on the other hand,
Page -4-

once he learns the solution to a problem continues to react to outside

stimuli and continues to perform. The Rhesus, states Dr. Brown, is

in his opinion the best for testing p ► l

%

ogical reactions. The Rhesus

AL

is also a monkey born in tenperate allele and therefore is physically

more adaptable to the range of temperatures which will be encountered

in manned space flight. He is neither excessively sensitive to heat

nor cold.

Dr. Brown relates this anecdote which underlines the intelligence and

inquisitiveness of the Rhesus: "They are so smart", he says, "that

when one gets out of his cage, that one will go about the room letting

out all the others."

It became necessary at the laboratory to devise a special latch that

the monkeys could not unfasten. Before this was devised, on several

occasions, one animal would succeea in unlatching his x.m. cag and

would go around his bay, an area housing perhaps 25 individual cages

and let out all the rest of them. The result, needless to say, was

approaching chaotic. Additional interesting background on this particular species includes the fact that foreign-born animals are wild

and inclined to be vicious. They have long, extremely sharp incisors

as powerful and dangerous as the fangs of a wolf.

Full grown Rhesus monkeys weigh 40-50 pounds, stand 3 to 4 feet high

and are as strong as a men Al]. of the foreign-born animals in the
Page -5-

colow must be handled by male animal caretakers Who use heavily padded

gauntlets to protect their hands and arms. The American-born space

monkeys, however, are relatively docile. Most of them can be handled

with the bare hands and although they will occasiona ll y nip their

handlers, they do so only when frightened. 21X and 20X are so docile,

in fact, that even the female technicians handle them like pets. This,

by the way, is frowned upon because one of the first rules of animal

research is not to form emotional attachments.

Dr. Brown is assisted at the Radio-Biology laboratory by a staff of

Air Force personnel of the School of Aviation Medicine. Those who

should be identified as making aigsifidant :contributions to this

program are: Dr. (Major) Robert Young, Head of Veteri nary Services;

Dr. (Captain) Donald B...Geisler, Assistant Head of Veterinary Services;

and. L/Col Daniel B. Williams, USAF Contract Monitor. One additional

individual on the staff of the University of Texas who should be ideatified editorially and who is identified visUally in the still aad

motion picture coverage, is Dr. Hugh C. Blodgett, Chairman of the

DepartMent of Psychology at the University of Texas and Research

Scientist of the Bio-Astronautics program of the Discoverer project.
Page 6

Pre-requisites in the selection of the animals for space flight primarily

resolve around a colony of candidates raised under control conditions.

The animals in the space colony are given the finest medical attention to

be found anywhere. They undergo regular physical examinations including

blood tests and analyses of their waste products; they are weighed on a

regular schedule and their growth is carefully charted; a complete clinical

history of both major and minor weaknesses is kept. They are feed a control

diet, a. food compounded of grains and vegetable products selected for their

nutritional benefits serves as their main diet. This is supplemented with

certain fresh fruits and vegetables. They are feed this standardized

diet once each day. The laboratory has developed a special machine for

processing the principal food. This machine adds molasses to the grainvegetable master, giving it a malleable consistency and turns the food out

formed into cakes weighing exactly one-fourth pound each. In this way

their diet also is standardized.

The method by which these animals are trained to perform psychomotor

experiments to the environmental stresses of space flight is relatively

simple. It is based on the principal that the animal, if he reacts to a

visual signal by depressing a lever, is rewarded. In the early training

stages, this process is used. Because we cannot continually reward the

animal for his performance the second step is to then condition the animal

to perform the same actinn not for a reward but in order to avoid the

unpleasant sensation of a mild electrical shock. Early in the training

program the animals are introduced to the couch-like seat for protective

restraint garment with which they will be associated in the actual space

• flight, a special training device as developed by Dr. Brown which simulates

t'ne m'-yr'co l l ayout of the biomedical capsule.
Page 7

The animal, installed in his seat and restraint garment is placed in the

training chamber and electrical connections are made to a timing device.

The timing can be adjusted so that over a period of weeks the time period

between the visual signal and the electrical shock can be adjusted as the

animals profiency in reacting to the visual signal increases. The animal

is then conditioned to pull the handle each time he sees the red light go

on. Early in the program it was discovered that the animals quickly learned

that by holding the handle down and not releasing it at all they could

avoid the shock. Therefore, the training device wqs modified so that the

animal receives the mild shock either if he fails to react to the visual

signal or if he fails to release the handle after he pulls it. This

insures an animal so trained that in actual space flight he will perform'

his psychomotor test on Nole n, at pre-determined times throughout the

space flight.

In order to record the animals physiological reactions to space flight

minor surgery is performed on the flight and test specimens in which tiny;

stainless steel wires, serving as electrodes are anchored to cartilage in

the chest, back and groin. These tiny stainless steel wires are then

covered with plastic insulation and are led under the loose skin of the

animal to a central point where a single lead is brought out through a

tiny incision under the arm. The seat is wired to provide connections to

these leads and in this manner ground observers will receive by telemetry

an EKG of the animal in flight. The seat was also designed so that a

chest strap, attached to a potentiometer will provide a record of both the

rapidity and the depth of the animals respiration. Ground observers also

•
Page&

will receive via telemetry information on the oxygen level in the bio-pack,

the temperature and the humidity being maintained by the life support

sustem.

In connection with the bio-pack or life support system, it is important

to note that although this was designed and fabricated by the General

Electric Missile and Space Vehicle Division in Philadelphia, the designing

was controlled largely by criteria developed by the USAF School of Aviation

Medicine at Brooks Air Force Base, Texas. In 1958 SAM was given the

responsibility by the Air Force Ballistic Missile Division to establish a

phychological criteria for the capsule. SAM was also given the responsibility

for constant evaluation of the design which was being performed by General

Electric. SAM had already, over a period of years, performed exhaustive

laboratory experiments to determine, for.instance, how many cubic centimeters of oxygen a mouse or monkey would require per hour; for instance,

how much CO2 lithium hydroxide would absorb per hour. SAM, throughout

long laboratory experience also could provide, even that early in the program, very exact figures on what the specimen would need in the way of heat,

nutrition, humidity and capsule pressure would have to be maintained by the

life support system. Act fly, SAM had gone so far as to develop a prototype bio-pack. SAM's experimentation with the proto-type bio-pack and

Dr. Brown's techniques in training the animals to perform psychomotor

tests were found to be easily adaptable to space flight experiments.

The MARK II bio-pack, or life support system provides the following

environment:

1. The proper level of oxygen together with iMinimum amount of

. humidity and CO2.
Page 9

An average temperature which ranges between 70 and 85 degrees

Fahrenheit.

Adequate nutrition for the animal over the extended period.

Providing adequate nutrition was a considerable problem in the early

stages of design. It was considered to be impracticable to attempt to

give the animal water or other liquids under the condition of negative

gravity which would be encountered in space. Therefore, some research

•

went into the selection of the ideal nutritional element - one which would .

provide both food and water to the animal. The solution to this problem

was found in the apple. High in food and energy value, fresh apples are

approximately 80 percent water, therefore, in the apple both food and

water requirements can be provided in an easy to handle form. Next came

the.problem of providing this food in small increments over an extended

period of time. The nature of the monkey is such that if you provide him

with the total amount of food he will immediately gorge himself and would

go hungry for the rest of the flight. Therefore, a feeder which would

give the animal a wedge of apple weighing from 10 .to 15 grams once every

four hours was developed. From the onset it was decided to make the feeder

as simple as possible -- vuxely mechanical in operatiOn as opposed to

one which would rewire a complex timing mechanism.

Here a popular child's toy was found to be the answer. The silicon substance, known variously as "nutty putty, or "silly putty" which has been

a child's play thing for several years was found to have the exact characteristics necessary as a timing element when combined with a simple hydraulic mechanism. The feeder is in cf fl.lt+flm..-.A

pie-shaped compartments -- each compartment holdinr a -ana Es= fyr aysrla
Page le

•

it

The cylinder is turned by a spring-loaded ratchet so that with each turn

a fresh piece of apple is made available tbrouah an opening in the feeder

cylinder. Each wedge of apple, by the way, is dipped in paraffin to keep

the apple fresh so that'it maintains its water content. The actuating

mechanism consists of a small tube closed at one end with a very small

hole drilled in the closure; a piston which fits tightly into the tube

which is actuated by a powerful spring. The tube is then filled with

nutty putty. The so called "nutty putty" reacts as an extreme viscous

liquid when gradual pressures are applied to it. The rate at which this

material was forced out of the small hole was such that it gave the

researchers the exact timing necessary. Now, if ordinary hydraulic liquids

were used, the "G" forces of the initial accelerationl second stage

acceleration, retro-rocket flying, parachute deployment and recovery impact would be such that the liquid in the tube would be prematurely

exhausted on the hour when abrupt pressures are applied to the "nutty

putty" which acquires the properties of a solid, thus providing just

the answer that the technicians needed. The viscosity of the substance is

such that it allows the piston to move at a constant rate. As the piston

moves, it periodically trips the spring-loaded ratchet providing food on

a regular basis for the specimen. Project authorities say that this

particular design of the bio-pack is "the most dependable we have found."

There also is a waste problem to be reckoned with. Early in the program

several complicated methods of waste disposal were tried. In the final

priplysis it was discovered that a baby diaper and plastic pants were tne

azswer. Zecal:se 3f WAN,. aimuaitive size of the morfzey, by the way, doll-
•

•

•

Page 11

size plastic pants were used. The source of all of the above information on the design of the bio-pack is Dr. Richard W. Bancroft, Project

Officer for Biomedical Support in the DISCOVERER Program, from the

School of Aviation Medicine. Dr. Bancroft is considered to be the overall SAM project coordinator for support to END on this undertaking and

he is an individual who should be identified biographically in material

to be released.

The rolloving information concerning the installation came from Mt. Robert

Adams, Chief or the iiu-electronic Laboratory at SAM and the man in charge

of installation for the bio-astronautic portion of the DISCOVERER Ptoject.

Mt. Adams a1sO should be identified is the press material by a picture and

biography.

The installation for this program vas designed to provide the following

data on the animal during the flight;

Psychomotor performance

Electro-cardiogram (EKG)

Respiratory rate

Compartment pressure

compartment relative humidity

Compartment oxygen pressure and

7 . Photographs of the animal •

During space fli ght all the communications, with the exclption of the

photography, are transmitted by analogical telemetry. All of this data,

except psychorcto response, res piration and Wal. are commutated. The camera
4 page 12

is electrically operated and it takes intermittent still films of the

animal and thus provides continuous camera coverage over an extended

period of time while at the same time occupying minimum space and being

of minimum weight. In addition to receiving telemetry on the biomedical

specimen during space flight, the recovery capsule has been instrumented

to provide this same data during the re-entry phase. The multi-channel

tape recorder has been installed in the capsule. On the tape recorder's

seven channels during the approximately 30 minute period from re-entry

vehicle separation through either air recovery or the first few minutes of

emersion in the sea, data on acceleration in three axes -- temperature,

respiration, ECG, compartment pressure and accoustic noise will be

recorded for recovery along with the experiment.

These notes cover the editorial background acquired during my staff visit

to San Antonio and Austin, Texas.

In addition, the following information is provided; . the MARK II Biopack

with Specimen, ready for flight will weigh approximately 60 pounds. The

recovery capsule with MARK II Biopack, inatrwnentation, parachute,' radio

becon and flash light will weigh approximately 120 pounds. The re-entry

vehicle with capsule, after structure, retro rocket, and associated

componentry will weigh approximately 300 pounds. All other information as

to DISCOVERER hardware, launch, orbit, re-entry, recovery, and tracking

will be identical to that information contained in the Official USAF

DISCOVERER Fact Sheet issued for DISCOVERER XVI. (launched 26 Oct 19607

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SAFOI-38 • 12 January 1961

Biomedical Release

AMID ( Lt.Col /Minty) AF Unit PO, Los Angeles,Calif.

Forwarded herewith is the completed and approved (with amendments)

DOD release of your Biomed photo package minus the photos. Please note

the redlined photos and captions DOD desires to eliminate. Date of DOD

approval is 10 January 1961. The "Life Cell e group has been resubmitted

to DOD with new captions for consideration. NO problem is expected and

the approval is anticipated in a matter of amok.

The State Department expressed a desire tab, advised of any forthcoldaureleaao date. on thie sub**.

RE TES CHEW OP VW

SEERWOOD A. PARK

 - USAF- -

Pictorial Bran&

•

lattok

Putrlio-Inforoatizn-DkiriaiteOffice of Latorastios •
•

- 4

•2-7

OFFICE OF INFORMATION

Bqs, lorce.3a111stic_MisaileDiiiSionAir Research and Development Comalar

Los Angeles 45,

---,--

- HOLD FOR BUZAU term LAurta

(Node to Photo Fditorshe-41h4ographs attached are Part II of a

two4art photo series-dectiftenting4heL;welection, conditioning and training of the USAF space monkeys and::t*ezhaustive test program which the

Air Force has carried ,,ontte-Ustui 712,0saximunrchance for success in

•

today's hi4tozy,".mstligidskart Part II deals exclusively

.t • with the test prograt.. - Jfi:. is technologically possible, all

conditions of the aCtual . spadCgijigii, have been artifically induced

during the test-rqpriaiSilAiRi&rof etch of the tests which have

been_run_ . e r. -weight and training

as the-oiay. ..the. ioh-adale of an actual

countdown, launch, orbit an& 4.--- -:•"rescovelurizig-a flight test. In the Air

Force Ballistic Missile DiviiiivierRedical vans at Vandenberg Air Force

Base the test animal undergoes all at. the step, of actual launch count-

_

down. After the biopack is seiliollind the life support system is activated

the pack is placed in sa.aetual401:4OVERBR recovery capsule. The capsule 7:T

is :then placed aboard :COSAVL.Tianiaport plane and is flown to the Lockheed

•

---. —24.1.1sile and Space Division..... 

e, California: The period of time

_cam-bg the -hanthe capsule coiScides with the

 _ period of-time dsulnirierrerTARVAPIK:SatelLite vehicle — • and its THOR

ISBM booster Would be insieijoingwfinal countdown prior to launch.
psychology for 'MO -DiAlegyerer ice program.

• -

At Sunnyvale the capsule is introdudia.i4to an environmental Chamber

which will simulate all of the pismootala of space flight except aceelerar

tion and weightlessness; • The-capsuli-immeins in the chamber during the

27 hours it would normaly be in orbit During this time, the scientists

and technicians are receiving, throuth:-41eintronic instrumentation, .

complete data on the reaction of thijiiicimee and on the operation of the

life support system. At the coutlxiltr mihe 27 hour period, the

capsule is removed and is immemildtpec-Olod of several hours in a •'

vat of salt water simulating sea iamersion. On one of the last tests

conducted prior to today's ldudcIOW6e-Whiger emergedhealthy and active

-- ----aftermare-thmr1551Wilmmr-dOrtimr- - "

AFEMD - 07393-60 .• • — .• . ..ar• ,

In the medical vans at VendWnitAk elese, a test animal is

examined prior o&oux teat in ch. c1ete =COMM flight

_

is simulated. Dr. (Major) Robert Yodag,.4ciier, Veterinary Services at

'•

the University of Teceilalittedjit*.44,1Kr Force Radio-biology

Laboratory, examinestheIntiM7, -Reii assisted by Airman 2c Billy

_ .

Carter (center) and Dr. W. I1 charge of experimental

4.

ATESO - 07392-

--The-iest--sterjecti ormrfitting foam rtbberciffaiset prate-a:SF traint garment. The flight

Jf 

cough is identiciflO sthatUsietiitatititiiiscomerer launch.

=7"-r:7"7.—

. _ .
•

test subject has beemanitalled in the General Electric Mirk II k • • • .

.t:?- •

opack.,--iote4hit-tha*bient_has-its hand_on_the_ psyehomotor performance

-•

--''tth.:'±ki; e4DirectlY'riob&ceiite lklibjectts:,:fame7-ean be seen the red signal, light

which win triggittidlOpeifOTMance of the psychomotor tasks for which he —

;arlbsta,betwtrainedatriliekratigt of his face can be seen a white light

------111141-lal-beMELig la-Provide 31.1AMInstion whenever the electrically-

--operated single-fraae 441V:camera is activated. The camera, in flight,

will record the animiral

▪

soial expressions at certain designated times.

. . •

vir.•

MED - o7lme=610 

27.

.•n•n

•

- -Captain Brace l'inisirigip) _ , chief, Biomedicine, AFBMD Directorate of

llioastronsaticsi Art-Rachild, General Electric technician, install

the-cover:to thek Biopack. Once the cover is installed, the life

fiEmi gpon'AFTilin . 9h4CRPEWIEJmdxtains a constant

es-asupp oxygen, absorbs carbon

441Liitile-'1Umidity and-tempbrettiire within acceptable

. . . . . .

-and alsolirOVIdet;forr •the-aiimal i s nutrition -- a wedge of fresh troettc,wrA

avant'. 4 hiittist-

,

•

!" - igvi-mrre.Otual General Electric DISCOVERER recovery

.... .'7:" ..... " ' . . . .......-............--...........

•

- .1.;" tr__Xif_V•lL.m.ILeite:StiNtiiteekv -..: '''' after_arrtial-4t-tha•lockheed Missile

..#

...1__...,,,..--;....celtirt-oraii. --Cliptain Pima and

--t-= 1 ,

-------- ..."".."1.-4- to the capsule before ....,;.— --:-.- -----7---

••

• ---";••-•"8 ifiliftitledte

„„.

rDECOVailai ifiiiiry'ViiCel for the simulated 'space

• •

.157.-;74144,17A14k 

•

i‘P
r.

designed to function

• life . m port VOWS

antetheffeiiistaIEleCtric _

1.8 positioned .on a bydrenti.'

---

raised into the-environmental:

reentryvehicle

This pallet will be

4- We . laboratory where,

for 27 hours/ the t

Slight 'sill be ariifically- indue

• n —.141 • --111 of space

-AMID - 46431

This is the -Iong-vaitr-itaptain

it out" watching theAa*.of

electrocardlograsis as yell

AMID '11004-6a_

I

roject personnel "sweat.

nstruaents 'bleb are

space flight. The

,respiration and

life support system.

capsule is being _ .

ew hCuta,'esersion

this period, the

•

for more than 50 hours. 77: •

16112960

•

ezzata 

7'

..

. . . .

4110_461030 -rfer--, 5.

on wittier test.

/41.-: Art BaChl 3 A are

:.nn•—••

•••n• • esiMay,. --,•••••••Alms...01,1..PtTNereiliWA •

.

• . • ' .

••• . • . •

Tbe recovery capiple containing:4** -bas_nov been

••••••••••••• •••••• go-

_

----

The.aning A8 -14SYCII*Vollairtei riallarAe'bioPack• The

sneees of:SW:Uiir:TiMpen:MSWface— -Althono* the

asalle of

_ADOcesta_ •

. 'am .

• •

.....

-•ftmiiimma•n•., •



°
's•n••n ••nn••

1

'11, •

•

It • fl .0

.40111

f4s,‘,"44014

4014 'ti,!,11.

s
'11
:I

• f".•-nn•-40.*•41-P7 r•+
With the launching of_this TRM-AMDA. combination from Vandenberg

Air Force Base, California, 28 February 1959, the free iforldl,e -

most ambitious apace development program, and the moat successful, Tre.,

got underway. This marked the launching of DISCOVERER I. --

•• .• • . • • •

Initially directed by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the

• Department of Defense (AIWA), Project DISCOVERER is an open ended

. •

research and developmert program designed :to perfect A 3343,040,-,7::.-

. _

military satellite vehicle which will become the basis' for a whole

family of versatile military space systems. In late 1959 executive

management of Project DISCOVERER was turned over by ARPA to the Air.

. . • .

ForCe. The Air Force Ball.istic Mesas Division continuad.,aa the • •

.

executivemanager.---:Thelwooster used in Project 1Y/SCOVERBa

•,--.7ertandluid-ktrlitertw-t1 . -ffeirlirternedlat missile

to accommodate the ifIZNA satellite vehicle. ' The TE(P is the product tof an Air Force-Industry team headed by AMID and including Douglas

Aircraft and Rocketdyne. The AORTA satellite was developed by

Lockheed Aircraft Company.

- • .v11)-

77-7:±' • - •

• •

UNITED *St ASZI1 AlICYCIRet.,PROZO_IAFISID 00962-59)

bass11414irilion • •••.'

Angeleta 5, .baironiii --

/••

•

r•

it

7
7,7ir

..X.4334r*

coci62 sc)
Competition is keen among the crews of the 6593rd Test Squadron,

aerial recovery unit assigned to Project DISCOVERER. Each rigger

assigned to a C-115 recovery aircraft makes his own individual

modifications to the standard recovery harness which he feels will

give his craw a definite edge on the others.. .Bach rigger keeps

_^ -its' harness 'storedTinder lock and key to be used only by himself

on his own aircraft.

UNITED STATES AIR o, FSOTO (AiD 01629-59)

Released by the Office of Information

-1111i:: .F.* liarrati idifisiie jlivialon

Los Angeles 45, California.

T/Sgt- Staaley Sojda„ Whitesboro, New York, fastens a safety strap

to his parachute harness before extending the recovery equipment

through rear cargo doors of the c-119- aircraft. During recovery

.operations the plain kill fly.as high as 15,000 feet.

Official U. S. Air Force Photo Released by AFBMD, Hq ARM, Inglewood,

California (01631-59 BID)

An especially modified C-119 its recovery gear extended is about

to score a "hit" on a simulated recovery capsule and parachute.

tethniqdê ditielbpid to retrieve the recovery capsule

in Project IOCCNERES. Recovery crews of the 6593rd Test Squadron,

the '6594th Recovery.Control Group (AFBRD)) Rickham Air Force Base,

Hawaii, have been successful in more than 90 percent of their

recovery training missions. A. high flying_jet aircraft drops a

'...iiimallatAltd_redoVery7Capsulesomewhere ine, broad, predetermined area

--0-119:Mirdiatt-itationed in the

area must home on the radio beacon in the stsulated capsule, visually

acquire the deeceadiag package and successfully execute an air-snatch.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PHOTO (MIND 0163T-59) .

Released by the Office of Information

Ekr...MT .FoxsP .413401.0. 141081.1e Division

Los Angeles 45, California

.01

•

S/Sgt Lynwood Pickett makes adjustments on the special radio receiver

antenna on the nose of the C-119 aircraft used in the recovery. The i

short range set homes on the beacon in the parachuting capsule.

OFFICIAL U. S. AIR FORCE PHOTO (01635-59)

RELKAIMMXIZAFBMD; HQ ARDC, INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA

•

n • •• -••• •---•• _-_-_-_•-• -• • • - -•-_-_••-- •
,ffiAln • •

,e

•
Captain Charles Clawson site in the co-pilot's seat of the

converted C-119 as the capsule recovery aircraft patrols a wide

sector of the Pacific.

OFFICIAL U. EL, AIR FORCE PHOTO RELEASED BY AFBMD, HQ ARLC,

INCELEw0012,, .CALIFORNIA (01640-59 MD)

This is an artist's concept of the air-snatch recovery technique

'developed by the Air Force Ballistic Moine Division as part of

Project DISCOVERER. One of the overall test objectives of Project

DISCOVERER is the development of a cepibility to recover a capsule

which has been returned from a satellite orbiting in space. It

siaa_determined-that-maximmo..mobility was a prime requisite in

choosing a recovery technique. An aerial 'technique obviously

permitted maximum mobility of the recovery force. Depicted from

left to right (top), an Air Force C-119 recovery aircraft approaches

the descending capsule 'which is supported by a parachute. The C-119

aircraft coamander orients his aircraft so that the "trapeeze-like"

-.

recovery gear will contact the parachute,..just below. the. point where

the shroud lines are attached to the canopy. (bcittcat) The recovery

gear anclrors onto the detceriding 'parachute and capsule; and fina.U.y,

the capsule is drawn aboard by a poser winch.

IftilISD STATES AIR FORCE PHOTO (AFIND 01642-59)

-Released-1y he Officio • of Intonation

.._Hqtz_..Air Force Ballistic DivisiOn

Loa_Augeles743; •
"

.4

E

1

i
This is the DDICOVERER -TraCicing 'Station at Vandenberg Air Force

Base, California. • . The huge 65-foot parabolic antenna receives

telemetry simiala l.nli..161:VeSiCie during its launch phase and

later as it orbiii the earth.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PHOTO (AFBMD . 02031-59) ,

Released by the Office of Information ..

Eq., Air Force Ballistic Missile Divisicu

Los Angeles 45 California

'to

.111.1••n••
r=e,!.

' • • ^ • • •

. ,,•Ntre•`•••n•: • •

.700.••••••••11:;?''' • '" 

eliF.F.f:.

-c a 1

-f 3r 1

• --;;;;;••••7-•

02031-59
• - •

The recovery package and recovery capsule is installed in the

AGENA re-entry vehicle. Separated from the AGENA satellite on

orbit, by a timing device, the re-entry vehicle is slowed by a.

retro-rocket. Once-it is expended, the rocket, together with

theafter-structure is jettisoned. The ablative shield 'which

protects the re-entry vehicle from burning-up as it enters the

atmosphere also is jettisoned after its job is done. The

parachute then lOveri the recovery capsule.

em STATES AIR FORCE PHOTO (AP o2a,52)

Raddifed- by the Offite OrinfOriation

Hq., Air Force Bmllistic Missile Division

Los Apples, California.

Technicians at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation make the final

adjustments to a recovery package, part of the re-entry vehicle

for an AGENA Satellite.. . _ 

is the satellite vehicle used in

. . Project DISCOVERER, a research and development proven to perfect

a versatile satellite to be used in several military space systems.

- his recovery package contains a parach4e . Vhich is deployed when

a "G" switch is activated by decelleration forces; radio booing

beacon, and a high intensity flashing light.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PROM (AFB4D Ce163-59)

- Released by the Office of Infonsation

Re., -Air Force Ballistic Missile Division

LoevAngeriee-.#5,-. Ca2.1±DritlA;- 
. . .

I Y.%

- I.'?

*.: 1'. - •

.,

• .
Lockheed technicians install the fairing on an AGM re-entry

—......umhimle—an yrojemtDISCQVIERER, these re-entry vehicles may

carry biomedical specimens and scientific instruments.

UNITED STATE AIR FORCIE PHOPO(AFEMD 02156-59)

Released by the Office of Information

HI., Air Force BallisticAissile Division
.1:t :4111. - -

t , g

• 1411 py.

J. 4 l ir,1,4 it Li;.,4
This is a completed AGM re-entry vehicle. The re-entry vehicle

is separated fras the AMA satellite by series of springs and

explosive bolts actuated by a. timing device. Ground controllers

—cam-adjust4he-timing . device-by radio nammand.vbile the satellite

is on orbit. A retro-rocket firei after separation, the rocket

and its after structure, together vith the protective ablative

Shield are jettisoned'it the aPprOpriate time. The recovery

_

--------capettle-then-deseerireetzt/rirparacirate. Although the capsule

is designed for recovery by an air-snatch technique, it is built

..to . float4D tbe_aVeMt_aftlal.recovery is not possible.

IMMO STATES AIRFORCE 1110TO arse 32244943T fl)

Released by the Office of. Information

Hq., Air Force Ballistic Missile Division

Los Angeles 45,...California.

a

3

le►

Lockheed technicians attach the retro-rocket to an AGM re-entry

vehicle. After the vehicle is separated from the ANNA satellite

on orbit the retro-rocket fires. This rocket provides a velocity

vector which, when applied to the velocity vector of the satellite

results in the re-entry trajectory. The. after structure and retrorocket is jettisoned after its work is done.

UNITED STATES 'AIR FORCE PHOTO (AFDC 02157-59)

- Release& by-the-Office of LI:rection._

Eq., Air Force Ballistic Missile Divisio.a

--tos—Angeles *5, -
1'- 1"O
-Here the re-entry vehicle is mated with an AGEE& satellite vehicle

at the launch site. The recovery capsule in the re-entry vehicle

could carry a vide variety of scientific payloads including biomedical specimens.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PHOTO (AFRO 02160-59)

Released by the Office of Information

Hq., Air Force ftllistic Missile Division

Los Angeles 45, California.

Lockheed teanicians mount the after structure to the recovery

capsule to be used in a Project DISCOVERER flight test. The

after structure will support the retro-rocket which will slow the

. _

re-entry vehicle to a safe re-entry speed.

ONTO STATES AIRFORCE •PRaro (AFEND 02162-59)

Peleased by the Office of Information

Hq., Air Force Ballistic Missile Division

Los Angeles 45, California.
"IC • 74-1!qt.';—":'

%,

. e

MP.

•

'17! Pal

a •

- --""---1,:77 7-- • Tte ro.C.T
The THOR-AGENA combination is poised for launching. "Men from

Mars" (left foreground) are really missile technicians who are

supervising the loading of rocket fuel into the AGENA satellite

vehicle. The most ambitious space program ever undertaken,

Pwojeat-DISOGVERER-is designed to develop a reliable military

satellite having certain specific capabilities. The military

satellite systems which will use the AGERA vehicle call for precisely defined orbits - near circular, polar orbits; the

capability to stabilize and control the vehicle on orbit, the

capability to communicate with ____..... . . . the-vekicle and to ommmand it on

orbit; the capability to separate the portion of the vehicle and

bring it safely back to earth with its payload of instruments or

and the : capability to 'recover the re-entry

•

vehicle and its cargo.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PHOTO (NERD 05333-59)

-1144eatred-br-Obe.70trite-of.lartorastion.

• Los _Angeles 45, California. ...

••n••••••n•••nn•••••

. The AGEN& satellite vehicle uses a powerful new propellant combination, unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDC and inhibited red

fuming nitric acid (IRFNA). The THOR booster uses the standard

liquid oxygen oxidizer and a kerosenelase rocket fuel known as

11.71 - similar to ram jet fuel el. .

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PHOTO (AFDC 05336-59)

Released by the Office of Information'.

Hq., Air.Force 2allistic Missile Division

Los Angeles 451 -California.

I

-One of the primary test objectives of Project DISCOVERZR_ is the

development of control, tracking and communications equipment

and techniques necessary in the operation of several military

space systems. All Project DISCOVER/CH flight tests are controlled

fiCa_tebA.ZPOS at.. the . .Air_Pnrce Satellite Test Center, Sunnyvale,

• California. The Satellite Test Center is operated by the 6594th

Test Wing (Satellite), Air Force Ballistic Missile Division.

Here Air Force and Lockheed technicians work side by side. The . ,

aontict with the launch site

at -VW-California,' tracking stations in Alaska and Hawaii and

with AFSID Headquarters in Loa .Angeles.

mem STATES AIR FCRCE PHOTO (AMC 0079-59)

Released by the Office of Infonnatien

Eq., Air Force Realistic Missile Division

Los Angeles 45, California
(nInI:' 0

1 14 V. ••, Irl ,, I 1.4.1,41 r 1 1 li V , r. r • 4: i a,. .1 , I. .

... r•Z rel, , .1 .... AL .1. —.4...,....4

,jil 1 ,,: '11_1 r:—`7±" -0, =,

iOe'b6

. ' e) epiu 1

1 -

1 I

111.1.....11111
.7 4-11

-11.14 4. Are.1... is)

't -00--;xixao 'No

''•

!ZVI-

-

•

i;.461,144.1.714-. "It'etr,m. ,

si
. ~ `

This is the Coniutei rocs at Lockheed Missile and Space

— irmiitiiriai•—didtfOiniiit'—trtarral data ibeCei7iiid by teletipe from

in • Hawaii, Alaska and ,fton

instrumentation ships at sea and is redtided by a .141IVAC electronic

ccmuter. Theicntputer iakPares actual orbital characteristics

itht' Igirdlbirelnairdr- a particularnight test and tells

- - tht- test -control..I:ere steet',a4;iustneirts must be made to the satellites

:delnices to trigger certain activities at specific . points in

•

ttAtebstri: Iret,aet-e,

...

„ . spew_ tine. • • •

..

Released by the Office of Information

, A3.r Fqrce AL1.1.1.8tipe Missile. Division

. Angel-64-45-

•

.

.

77:- : '

.41;40;;;n;•/ .4:1",•• .4/ 7.1 • L e

• --." '

, . •
4'

When an AGED. satellite is launched in Project DISCOVERER on its

orbital path from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California over the

poles, the first station which will track it is located on Kodiak

Island, Alaska. Even when launch and injection data indicate a

successful orbit has been obtained, project scientists it anxiously

during the first 90 minutes for "Kody" to report the satellite as it

appears over the Borth Pole. 'When "Kody" confirms 'the orbit another

DISCOVERER flight test is well underway.

mum En= AzR FORCE PHOTO (Ann 05888-59)

---1 -1 ------ReieavedlarldurVETtes-of Inforeetton .

• Hq. Air Force Ballistic Missile Division

I
-

. •
This is the interior of the station at Kodiak. A project

technician signals his associates to activate the tracking and

command equipment as an AWL satellite approaches within range

of the station's radar and telemetry antennas.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE TWO (AMID 05890-59)

Released by the Office of Information

Eq., Air Force Ballistic Missile Division

Los Angeles 45, California.

AA a practice mission reaches its conclusion, crewmen of the

6593rd Test Squadron signal the winch operator during the final

steps in bringing aboard a simulated recovery capsule. The 6593rd

Test Squadron trains constantly against the day when they will have

an oppoitiinaty- tb alk=Mhatch a recovery capsule which has re-entered

from a military satellite orbiting in space. This activity is part

• of Project DISCCNERER, an open ended research and development

program to perfect a basic satellite vehicle for a whole family of

versatile military space systems.

1:111TEITZTATES—Xte7CEMPROZO(13110-06015=59)--

Hq., Air Force Ballistic Missile Division

Los Angeles 45, California.
4_11n1 8Z. Itiuttir

-•••••••

•
• - •

. • • , .

• •

•

.At4and.enberg Air Force Base, compatibility tests are performed on the

. • . • . :

. .

THOR IRT6Lbooster_mmi-tha_AGENA2 -- the newest version of

. - .

..( iversatile AGENA - satellitelelitle under development as part of

,TEFEM MISCOVERER. The launch today of DISCOVERER XVI masks the

.Sirstwiaundh of en AGM B vehicle: Versions of the AURA B will con-

.. ....... launched in pinnumtascomea. Other AGM B vehicles

-41.11--bei-launched as pert of PROJECT NUM and in the SAMOS research and 1---4:-....,....-

development program. The vehicle shown mated here to the THOR is a

flimmwirehicle used for checkout purposes It also will, be noted that it

•

does not have a nosecone. TheEyersion is twenty-five long, five and a

--DAIX-fddt - Ionger than the Al and weighs almost twice as much, 15,000

. .

ploUdnsat launch. Orbital weight after fuel exhaustion is approximately

• :-opounds.. TO acCommodate-the-MENA El-tie-guidance compartment of

tifOrMStein-TarfuTitilifiwi ,__Maniten.ing.:thelooster by some 10 feet

.•

- - --"Wrfigheill3TECOV7i7e --- 'THOR — boo a"---rokitrOleed .4 tape-fed auto-

-,74ilov......"-The inertial guidance system is no used. Although the AGENA B

-1sUmehoidtodey does, not have a restart capability, such a capability is

plinUed.for future vehicles. PROJECT DISCOVERER is a research and

:t4melopMent program to perfect a versatile satellite vehicle for use

semins of military space programa,, The Air Force Ballistic Missile

D4.411-1Dra*RDC ) is executive manager of the program. Launch, tracking,

rtiom1gw. 47(ins and recovery is the reiiensibility of the .6694th Satellite

and Spaci:Liviwion is the prime contractor.

Itellite vehicle.

• • • • • y •

= AIR 'ORCE PHOTO (Aals161121.1-66)

Re

tie ofi .le orJaprmatim. -

Missile

Los Angeles
MO.
An Air Force C-119 recovery aircraft ammeuVers in close to a . -

training capsule which has been successfully air-snatched by its

-rePort

_sn sonstition of the parachute, shroud lines, and the recovery

..

gear, indicating whether or not the capsule can successfully be

brought aboard the recovery aircraft.

UN= STATES AIR FCIRCI PROM (AFRO 06017-59)

• Rg.., Air Force Fe.111stic Missile Division

-1"--"' Los Angeles TiT—dafforaa

-A-successful air-snatch accomplished, crewmen of the C-119' relax

. _

during the 30-minute period necessary for the winch operator to

-- - •

bring the capsule aboard.

IMMOSTATES ATREOBCE PHOTO (AFR4D 0601849)

Released! by the Office of information

111. 0 'Ur Porce'Bellistic Missile Division

_1104 .4&024M.:115;:CiltgPqnii,

.A...••••••••n•nnn•n••;;IIMOI*" •••• ••••n•••nn•••nnn••••••••••• MM.*

.. . . . . .

A thousand gert above the Pacific Ocean at Nee= Paint, Oahu,

-Hawaii is another Project DISCOVERER tracking station. These

stations track, communicate with and command the AGENA satellite

vehicle as it passes overhead on orbit. Timing devices in the

satellite turn on its transmitters only vhen it is in range of

...a..DISCOVCRER ,tracking_ station..

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PEOtO (AMC 0482-39)

•Released by the Office of Information

Force . Ballistic Missile Division

Los Angeles 45, 'California:

•••••••n•••1.

Here iku_AGInksatellite, its re-entry vehicle is mated to

the TROR IR4 booster. The Al2NA satellite vehicle has its own

11Q-ea-3on eniin -" " e; a T5,00-CT-ipOliad .tbrust liquid rocket

-engine derelope- I If Bell Aircraft Corporation.

( trini) spins Ani FORCE PHOTO (ATM 07011-60)

Released. by the Office of Wornatica

-Stir; Ibriorte13LIEMid.ittaliiesibli

Los Angeles 45 California_
•

-
wff

Launches in the Project DISCOVERER series are conducted from one

of ti modified THOR IB.4 training sites at Vandenberg Air Force

Base, California. Here the AGENA satellite vehicle and its THOR

. _

booster are being erected fli66 Iidnch position.

ufirraineflOrm -rommTSCTO (AFBMD 07013-60)

Released by the Office of Information

nq., -Force-Ballistie-Missile Division

Los Angeles 45, California.

of .Baja2 California.

wenn STATES AIR ?CRCS HEM (AFDC ofteit.69)

Released by the Office of Information

Eq., Air Force Pa3/istic Missile Division

rag )171111*s2 -1337-ornis. .

•

To augment tracking facilities during the launch and orbital

injection phase of Project DISCOVEREt flight tests, the Pacific

Missile Range provides this instrumentation ship, the WS Kings

County. Telemetry and tracking equipment on the ship is operated

by Air Force contractor personnel assigned to Project DISCOVERER.

J.0..601igneci station doun-range from VAP93 off the coast

The USES Private Joe E. Mann, another instrumentation ship

provided by the Pacific Missile Range in support of Project

-----LTSCOVEREC—This ship Is positioned about half-way between

the tracking stations at Kodiak, Alaska and Keene Point Hawaii.

This ship provides facilities for receiving telemetry from the

re-entry vehicle as it follows its trajectory tram a point over

the tar north, where it is separated from the satellite, to the

_mecovery area_mouth.of the Hawaiian Islands.

UNITED STATES AIR FORCE PHOTO(AFBC 003824P)

Released by the Office of Information

Air–Vorria Ballistic Missile Division

Los Angeles-45, California.

At Vandenberg Air Forbe Base Compatibility tests are performed on the Air

Force TBOR IRPM booster and the AURA B -- the newest version of the versatile

AGENA satellite vehicle under development as part of PROJECT DISCOVERER. The

launch today of MSCOVERER XVI marks the first launch of an AGM' B vehicle.

Versions of the AGM will continue 

 . _

.to be launched as part of PROJECT

DISCOVERER. Other MENA B vehicles will be launched as part of PROJECT MIDAS

. • 4., • • •••.. •. • • •

and in the SANDS research and development program. The vehicle shown mated

here to the THOR is a dummy vehicle used for checkout purposes. It also will

be hatia-iiiitat- doii nothiie -i ioieConi. The B version is twenty-five

feet long, five and a half feet longer than the A, and weighs almost twice

:As much, 15,500 pounds, at launch. Orbital weight after fuel exhaustion is

approximately 2,100 pounds. To accommodate the AGM B the guidance compartment of the THOR has been eliminated, shortening the booster by some 10 feet.

-U-ISOMT-DISOOVERER-the THOR booster is controlled by tape-fed autopilot.

— .Although. the -AMA B launched

today does not have a restart capability, such a capability is planned for

future vehicles. PROJECT DISCOVERER is a research and development program

..

to perfect a versatile satellite for use in a series of military space

programs. The Air Force Ballistic Missile Division (ARDC) is executive

manager of the prograd: Launch, tracking communications and recovery is the

tesponsibility of the 6501th Satellite Test Wing. Lockheed Missile and . .

-Space Division is the prima contractor for the AGM satellite vehicle.

..

'untgb gtAttgatkitikiiitard tAnimoigo6-60)

Released by the Office of Information

Forciaalliatic-Missile Division

Loa Angele0 45, California

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