Nov 10 1959

From The Space Library

Five-stage sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Island to an altitude of 1,050 miles to measure density of electrons in upper atmosphere.

The AEC's SNAP 2 Experimental Reactor (SER) achieved initial design power of 50 thermal kilowatts in developmental tests at the Atomics International, Santa Susana, Calif., test site. SER the first reactor designed for use in space, was being developed for Air Force surveillance satellite systems.

Air Force placed contracts for Dyna-Soar project with Boeing and Martin.