Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-12-05
Continued From Hirst Page

Gamma"
The name would signify that
this was the third handmade
moon Of the year. If the So
viets launch a third Sputnik
before Gamma gets going, the
United States orbiter presum-
ably would take the name of
Delta, or No. 4.
In missing Its date to become
a moon. Gamma provided this
part Of Florida with unusual
drama and excitement.
1t had been indicated at first
that at Q am. Tuesday the
launching crews would start
an i1-hour countdown or
check-off period during which
every detail Of the complicated
rocket vehicle would be made
ready for functioning. At the
end Of the countdown, presum-
ably around 8 am. yesterday,
the first Of the three rocket
stages would be touched of
and the device would start its
climb to 300-mile high orbital
altitude.
First 7 Hours Smooth
There were delays, and the
proposed 1l-hour countdown
actually started at 5 am.
Wednesday. with 4 pm. as the
tentative hour of launching.
The checkoff pro C ee d e d
smoothly and on schedule for
more than seven hours. Then
the "holds"-temporary delays,
during which the countdown
was suspended-began. The
anticipated launching hour
changed progressively to $40
pm. $3.50. 6:45. TAO. 800.
All Florida kept tabs on the
launching attempt and a good
ly part Of the population OF
this area thronged to the
beaches providing a view Of the
cape launching area. The test
center itself is closed to the
public. Newsmen joined the
public in 'bird-watching" from
the beach.
A morning overcast lifted
after noon for the launching.
Unhappily the wind also rose
Winds Of Is miles an hour can
make difficult the launching OF
a tall rocket. A 20-mile-an-
hour wind can topple 1t.
Beach Areas Crowded
Throughout the sunny after
noon and into moonlit night
the beach areas fronting on the
cape became crowded with au-
tomobiles and people. The
word had got around that the
greatest show on earth might
soon begin--the first move
ment Of an American satellite
into space-with free seats and
a splendid view for all.
A motel owner set UP an
elaborate buffet for newsmen
at the beach area closest to the
reservation. Automobile traf-
fic damned not only the streets
and highways along the beach
but the firm sandy seashore it
self.
All this happened on one of
the coolest days Of the Florida
winter season. Bone-chilling
winds sent home many a mis-
sile watcher who might have
stayed on the beaches until
the test was called OF.
Groups Of residents banded
together at beachside spots to
build fires for warmth. Young
sters cooked hot dogs.
The curious got little chance
to see what went on at the
Vanguard launching site. Even
with high-powered binoculars
II was impossible to detect the
activities Of the scores Of tech
nical men who tried to get the
rocket in working order.
Red Light Quenched
When the red warning light
flashed on. signifWng a rocket
or missile shoot was imminent,
residents of this boomtime area
poured out in droves for van
tage points. Then came the
postponement. Old hands at
missile watching knew the
game was up for last night
when the red light was extin-
guiShed.
Press. newsreel and tele-
vision cameramen who stayed
to the end on Bird Watch
Knoll"-about two miles from
the spot where Vanguard was
to be launched-protested that
the military did not inform
them when the shoot was of but
left them standing in the cold.
As the night became colder
and the delays longer the pub
lies enthusiasm declined.
Promptly at 8 pm. there was a
sudden concerted exodus from
the beach. by hundreds Of auto
their headlights CLINT
ing across the fingers Of surf.
The decision to quit for the
night did not become official
however. until 1915 pm. Re-
porters were told that the order
to scrub" came from Daniel
G. Mazur Of Buffalo. N. Y.
head of the project for the
Naval Research Laboratory.
Among workmen streaming
home after the exhausting
hours on the launching site
there were expressions of con-
fldence that the next attempt
would be successful.
After all. the long hours Of
delay were a part Of every new
program. and the inevitable
product Of growing completely.
But other workers were
disguised and discour-
aged. The loading and then the
unloading Of LIQUID oxygen had