![]() ![]() We suspect that the design was well under way before the feasibility of thermonuclear bombs was proven and that it was probably designed to carry ordinary nuclear weapons which are much heavier. We do not fully understand why the Soviets chose to make so large a ballistic missile, because it is undoubtedly a nuisance to operate. This corresponds roughly to the difference we believe to exist in the payload capability of the USSR vs. These figures indicate that the Soviets have approximately a three-to-one advantage in weight-lifting capability at this time. This combination was used to launch the recent Samos shot. ![]() We know that the Soviet booster can put payloads of the order of several tons (the most recent one was announced to be seven tons) in a low orbit, while the best we can do at the present time, using our latest combination rocket Atlas-Agena, is approximately 5,000 pounds. ![]() The most significant factor, as we have said many times, is that the Soviets have developed a rocket as part of their ballistic missile program with considerably more thrust or lifting power than anything we have available. Confidential.įollowing up on our conversation of the other evening, I would like to elaborate on the questions posed by the Russian Venus shot and our relative positions in the general fields of space exploration and science. ![]() 1/Source: Kennedy Library, National Security Files, Departments and Agencies Series, Space Activities, General, 1/61-3/61, Box 307. Memorandum From the President's Special Assistant for Science and Technology (Wiesner) to President Kennedy /1/ Organization of Foreign Policy Information Policy United Nations Scientific Mattersģ86. Mercury memorial marble monument on launch ramp.You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Office of the Historian > Foreign Relations of the United States > Kennedy Administration > Volume XXV The time capsule contains reports, photographs, a movie, and other memorabilia designed to give the historians of the day a glimpse of man’s first steps in space. Time capsule buried in 1964 beneath the monument to be opened in the year 2464. 10 November 1964 – Mercury 7 monument dedicated, 13 feet high, stainless steel, dedicated to the Mercury Project.1963 – 1965 – Modified for the Atlas-Agena with new 101′ umbilical tower, Agena fuel system, spacecraft clean room and dismantled the egress tower to accommodate the Agena-Gemini target vehicle in 1964-1965 time frame.Four manned Atlas Mercury launches, Friendship 7 (20 February 1962) Aurora 7 () Sigma 7 (3 October 1962) Faith 7 ().29 November 1961 – Mercury Atlas launched Chimpanzee “Enos”.21 February, 25 April and 13 September 1961 – Three successful unmanned Mercury Atlas launches.26 February 1960 and – Two Atlas Agena A Missile Defense Alarm System (MIDAS) sponsored by ARPA were launched.9 September 1959 and 29 July 1960 – Two unmanned Mercury Atlas capsule missions.1959-1960 – Minor modifications to the launch complex were made to support the Mercury Program - emergency egress tower, gantry modified to accommodate the escape rocket tower, and white room.26 November 1959 – Unsuccessful Atlas Able launch.– 22 October 1960 – Four Atlas D launches.14 September 1958 – 16 January 1959 – Three 3 Atlas B launches.11 June 1957 – 5 April 1958 – Five Atlas A launched.Liquid oxygen storage tank contains 28,000 gallons and RP-1 tank 16,000 gallons The blockhouse is about 750′ from the launch stand and is 60′ in diameter. Rails were used to move the structure 300′ from the stand for launch. The service structure consists of 14 movable decks of steel framework trapezoidal in shape, 154’8″ high. The launch pad building was 57′ by 20′ and extended under the ramp. The ramp was 24′ wide and 92′ long gradually increased to 22′ high to the launch stand, 60′ wide and 78′ long and supported the umbilical mast, which is 84’6″ above the launch stand. The launch complex consists of a launch stand and ramp and a blockhouse.August 1957 – Air Force accepted the launch complex.January 1957 – Occupancy of the facility.Army Corps of Engineers initiated construction ![]()
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