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[Next] | ORIGINS OF THE USAF SPACE PROGRAM 1945-1956 |
1890 Hermann Ganswindt proposes a reaction-powered space
ship.
1895-1898
First publication of Konstantin Tsiolkovski articles
on the mechanics and theory of space flight.
1906-1908
Robert H. Goddard begins experiments with powder
1914 rockets.
Jan 1919 Goddard patents liquid rocket engine.
Publication of Goddard's "A Method of Reaching Extreme
1923 Altitudes".
Nov Hermann Oberth publishes his doctoral thesis on space
flight.
Jul 1927 Goddard successfully static tests the world's first
liquid fuel rocket engine.
1929
German Society for Space Flight is formed.
Jan 1933 Oberth's book, Wege zur Raumschiffahrt, containing
engineering
details of a satellite rendezvous proposal, is
published.
May 1935
Wehrmacht assumes control of German rocket
1938 experimentation;
Captain Walter Dornberger is assigned to monitor
Oct 2 1942 program for the
eventual development of a bombardment rocket.
Sep 8 1944
Goddard fires a liquid-fuel test rocket to an altitude
Oct 3 1945 of 7,000 feet.
Formal development of A-4 (V-2) missile begins at
Nov 1945 Peenemunde.
V-2, on third attempt, successfully completes its
initial field trial.
Dec 1945
The first V-2 hits London.
Mar 7 1946 U S Navy Bureau of Aeronautics proposes development of
an American satellite.
Apr 9
General of the Armies H.H. Arnold urges that the air
service start the development of long range ballistic
May 12 missiles and space vehicles.
Dr. Vannevar Bush ridicules Arnold recommendations in
testimony before Senate committee.
May 14
U.S. Navy proposes interservice space program.
Aeronautical Board of Research and Development
Jan 1947 Committee first discusses proposal for American
satellite program.
Jun U.S. Army Air Forces receive the RAND study proposing
early
Sep 18 development of an American satellite and attesting to
the feasibility of the undertaking.
Sep 25
Major General C.E. LeMay presents AAF-RAND study to
the
Aeronautics Board of the Research and Development
(Fall) Committee; board fails to take any action.
U.S. Navy asks Research and Development Board for
Dec authority over United States satellite development.
Aeronautical Board requests authority to fund
Dec 8 satellite studies.
United States Air Force officially created and
Dec 19 activated.
USAF headquarters directed Air Materiel Command
Engineering
Jan 15 1948 Division to evaluate RAND satellite studies received
the previous
February.
Jan 16
White Sands Proving Ground designs and proposes Army
Oct space
flight experiment.
1951 Navy claims satellite jurisdiction; USAF rocket
programs dropped.
May 22 1953 Engineering Division completes evaluation of RAND
satellite proposals.
Joint Research and Development Board Committee on
Jun 16 Guided Missiles acquires Department of Defense
responsibility for coordination and control of Earth
Satellite Vehicle programs.
Sep 8
General H.S. Vandenberg issues policy statement on
primacy of USAF space interest.
Dec 3
Navy withdraws claim for control of satellite
development.
Mar 1 1954 "Grimminger Report" is published, starting United
States interest in a scientific satellite.
Aug The Artificial Satellite, first published work on
scientific space
experimentation, appears.
Sep 15
USAF headquarters directs the Air Research and
Development Command to investigate the feasibility of
Oct starting development of an auxiliary nuclear power
source for satellites.
Defense Secretary C E Wilson directs review of all
guided missile programs with the objective of
Nov 27 eliminating duplicative effort.
RAND recommends that the USAF let a contract for
Dec 14 development of a satellite system with a
reconnaissance mission.
Mar 16 1955 Weapon System 117L, Advanced Reconnaissance System, is
documented by ARDC as firs step toward securing
approval for a system program.
May 26
RAND formally recommends early start on the
development of a
Aug reconnaissance satellite.
Congress approves United States participation in the
Aug 31 International
Geophysical Year program.
Oct 10 Army Ordnance proposes development of a minimum
satellite under the name "Project Orbiter".
USAF Assistant Secretary Trevor Gardner asks the
Oct 14 Scientific Advisory Group to study and report on the
interaction of current
satellite proposals with the recently accelerated
Nov 1 intercontinental ballistic missile program.
System Requirement Number 5 is issued, covering a
Jan 14 1956 reconnaissance satellite.
Army representatives approach the other services with
proposals for cooperative development of Project
Orbiter.
Jan 16
General Operational Requirement Number 80 is issued,
Feb covering development of a reconnaissance satellite.
Apr 2 The National Security Council rules that military
rockets may not be used in the United States
scientific satellite program.
Jul 24
The Stewart Committee selects the Navy Vanguard
proposal as the United States scientific satellite
program.
USAF headquarters directs ARDC to establish a
scientific satellite auxiliary to Weapon System 117L
program.
Responsibility for Weapon System 117L is transferred
from Wright Air Development Center to the Western
Development Division of ARDC.
USAF cancels the requirement for a scientific
satellite version of Weapon System 117L.
USAF directs re-establishment of scientific satellite
program and submission of development plan.
Preliminary development plan cove ring a scientific
satellite version of Weapon System 117L is published;
Western Development Division emphasizes urgency of
support requirements if program is to have any
chance of success.
ARDC headquarters approves preliminary development
plan.
Presentation of ARDC plan to Stewart Committee.
Western Development Division publishes full
development plan for Weapon System 117L.
USAF approves development plan for Weapon System 117L.