Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in ... - The Black Vault

Exploring the Unknown 117
Document I-14
Document Title: Paul E. Purser, Aeronautical Research Engineer, NASA, to Mr. R.
R. Gilruth, NASA, “Procurement of Ballistic Missiles for Use as Boosters in NASA
Research Leading to Manned Space Flight,” 8 October 1958, with attached, “Letter
of Intent to AOMC (ABMA), Draft of Technical Content,” 8 October 1958.
Source: Folder 18674, NASA Historical Reference Collection, NASA History
Division, NASA Headquarters, Washington DC.
When NASA was established it had virtually no in-house capability to build its own launch
vehicles, and so its leaders quickly moved to procure that capability from other organizations
in the federal government. This effort took two forms. First, it met with organizations that
were developing ballistic missiles with the intention of acquiring some of them for its use.
Second, it sought to acquire and enhance capability to develop its own launchers in the
future. One was a short-term fix and the other a more long-term solution. This memorandum
documents the short-term fix, reporting on a key meeting at the Army’s Redstone Arsenal in
Huntsville, Alabama, in which NASA and the Army agreed to acquire eight Redstone ballistic
missiles for test and operations during Project Mercury for recompense of approximately
$7.5 million.
MEMORANDUM For Mr. R. R. Gilruth
NASA – Langley
October 8, 1958
Subject: Procurement of ballistic missiles for use as boosters in NASA research
leading to manned space flight
1. A meeting of NASA, ARPA, and Army personnel was held on October 5, 1958
at the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, Huntsville, Alabama. Personnel involved
were: Mr. P. D. Purser, NASA; Mr. M. A. Faget, NASA; Mr. W. J. North, NASA;
Dr. S. B. Batdorf, ARPA; Major Dunham (?), Army; Brigadier General Barclay,
ABMA; Dr. W. von Braun, ABMA; Mr. Mrazek, ABMA; Mr. Carter, ABMA;
Colonel Drewry, AOMC; Lieutenant Colonel James, AOMC; and other ABMA
personnel. As a result of this meeting, it appears that the services and facilities
of the Army Ballistic Missile Agency should be utilized in the NASA research
program leading to manned space flight and that the Army is interested in
participating in this program.
2. It appears that ABMA has available, in various stages of completion, some
4 to 6 REDSTONE missile boosters which probably can be used as boosters
for sub-orbital reentry tests of manned capsules. Other REDSTONEs can be
made available on 12 to 14 month lead time basis.
3. It is anticipated that ABMA would furnish the design, construction, and
launching of the boosters and the mating of the boosters and capsules.