Oct 18 1954

From The Space Library

October 18-19: At the suggestion of Theodore von Karman and following a request of Gen. H. B. Thatcher, an Ad Hoc Committee of the Scientific Advisory Board met In the Pentagon to consider the application of nuclear energy to missile propulsion. In its report, the Commlttee "noted that there was an almost complete hiatus in the study of the nuclear rocket from 1947 following a report by North American Aviation, until a 1953 report by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Because the technical problems appear so severe, and because another 6 years of no progress in this area would seem to be unfortunate," the Committee felt that a continuing study both analytical and experimental, at a modest level of effort, should be carried on.