Status Reports on Optical Observations of Satellites 1958 Alpha and 1958 Beta

This document, Special Report No. 11 from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, dated March 31, 1958, serves as a status report on the optical observations of U.S. earth satellites 1958 Alpha and 1958 Beta. The report outlines the complex operations performed by the Optical Satellite Tracking Program during the International Geophysical Year. It details the acquisition of artificial earth satellites, the computation of search ephemerides, and the operation of a worldwide network of precision tracking cameras. The report highlights the teamwork involved, including the volunteer Moonwatch team, and the cooperation of various international governments and organizations such as the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and IBM. The document provides technical chapters on scientific results, including the orbit and variable acceleration of Satellite 1958 Alpha, the density of the upper atmosphere, and the life expectancy of the satellite. It also describes the network of precision photographic tracking stations, listing their locations and instrumentation, and discusses the photographic reduction and analysis of satellite data. Furthermore, the report covers the Moonwatch observations, noting that 13 stations reported 59 observations of satellites 1958 Alpha and 1958 Beta. The report concludes with technical appendices and charts illustrating satellite positions and prediction programs, emphasizing the importance of disseminating satellite information to the scientific community and the public.