Jan 30 1952

From The Space Library

Robert J. Woods of the Bell Aircraft Company recommended to the Committee on Aerodynamics of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) that a small study group be formed to investigate the problems of space flight. On June 24, the NACA Committee adopted a resolution (1) that NACA research effort on problems of manned and unmanned flight in the upper stratosphere at altitudes between 12 and 50 miles and at Mach numbers between 4 and 10 be increased, and (2) that NACA devote a modest effort to problems associated with manned and unmanned flight at altitudes from 50 miles to infinity and at speeds from Mach 10 to the velocity of escape from earth's gravity. On July 14, the NACA Executive Committee approved an almost identical resolution and a month later authorized Langley Aeronautical Laboratory to set up a preliminary study group. Other NACA laboratories were requested to submit comments and recommendations. Formal authorization for the research study was forwarded to Langley on September 8.

Minutes of meeting, NACA Committee on Aerodynamics, June 24, 1952, pp. 19, 21 ; letters, Milton B. Ames, Jr., Acting Assistant Director for Research, to Langley Aeronautical Laboratory, July 10, 1952; John W. Crowley, Associate Director for Research, to Langley Aeronautical Laboratory, August 14, 1952; Research Authorization A73L95, NACA, September 8, 1952.