History of Evolution of the AFBMD Advanced Ballistic Missile and Space Program (Prior to and immediately after Sputnik) (1955-1958)

Abstract

.Among the areas of activity in which the Western Development Division (WDD) found itself involved as early as late 1955 were those of ballistic missile "product improvement," advanced ballistic missile weapon system study, and intensive thinking about potential space programs beyond WS 117L. In general this involvement was the result of direct and indirect WDD participation in Air Research and Development Command (ARDC) and Air Force studies in such areas. The purpose of this essay is to attempt to trace the main outline of how WDD, an reorganization which was set up in mid-1954 to perform a specific mission, gradually found that mission expanded into follow-on missile and space activities. Although Air Force and ARDC directives specified that the mission of the Division was reorientation and acceleration of Project ATLAS, and after 1955 management of the TITAN, THOR and advanced Reconnaissance System, the scope of technological advances and the scientific capabilities focused at WDD for furthering these complex programs rendered work in more advanced areas almost inevitable.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 11, 1960
Accession Number
ADA637368

Entities

People

  • Alfred Rockefeller Jr.

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Corporations
  • Guided Missiles
  • Guided Weapons
  • Information Operations
  • Missions
  • Personal Information Managers
  • Rockets
  • Space Missions
  • Spacecraft
  • Vehicles
  • Weapon Systems
  • Weapons

Readers

  • Breast cancer cell signaling and growth regulation.
  • Military History / Militaries and War Studies
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.

Technology Areas

  • Space