Aug 15 1961
From The Space Library
Explorer XII (S-3) placed into highly eccentric orbit by Thor-Delta from Atlantic Missile Range, which would provide detailed evaluation of behavior of energetic particles between 170- and 50-000-mile altitude. Under Goddard Space Flight Center, this "windmill" satellite carried six experiments developed by Ames Research Center, State University of Iowa, University of New Hampshire, and Goddard Space Flight Center. Several days were required to confirm orbit.
Sir Bernard Lovell, director of the radiotelescope at Jodrell Bank, England, expressed concern in an interview about the USAF Project West Ford, to place 350 million small pieces of wire into an orbital band encircling the Earth at a height of 500 to 1,000 miles. Sir Bernard stated that "the published intention of the plan is to provide a reflector for radio communications from one side of the Earth to the other. Those of us who have studied this notice it is being carried out under the auspices of the USAF and not the NASA." Dr. Frank B. Voris, captain, Medical Corps, U.S. Navy, Navy liaison officer to Project Mercury since 1958, reported aboard as Assistant Director for Aerospace Medicine in NASA's Office of Life Science Programs.
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