Memorandum for Record: Meeting of Upper Atmosphere Rocket Research Panel

This Memorandum for Record, dated 16 September 1954, summarizes a meeting of the Upper Atmosphere Rocket Research Panel held on 8 September 1954 at the Naval Research Laboratory in Anacostia. The panel, chaired by Dr. James A. Van Allen, was established in 1946 to coordinate upper atmosphere research. The meeting focused on the current state of rocket technology and the future of Earth Satellite Vehicles (ESV). The document outlines the capabilities of existing rockets, such as the Viking and the Aerobee, and discusses the technical challenges of achieving orbit. A significant portion of the discussion centers on the three-phase development plan for the ESV: first, launching an observable object; second, launching an instrumented vehicle capable of transmitting data; and third, the eventual goal of a manned satellite vehicle. The panel also reviewed specific projects, including the Loki booster and various studies conducted by the Douglas Aircraft Corporation and the Aero Jet Laboratory. The author, P. G. Stave, notes the importance of civilian research and the potential for military applications, emphasizing the need for high-priority government support to achieve orbital flight. The document concludes with a brief mention of funding from the National Science Foundation and reflections on the technical difficulties encountered in high-altitude rocket research, particularly regarding instrumentation and power plants.