320 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1961 



prepare predictions of satellite passages over the Baker-Nunn stations 

 and send these data to the stations; and these, in turn, after photo- 

 graphing the satellite, could return the results of their observations to 

 Cambridge. 



Specific links of the network were established through the facili- 

 ties of military agencies and several private communications com- 

 panies. For each Baker-Nunn camera station, the link had to be 

 worked out on an individual basis. The plans as laid out by Mr. 

 Pease called for completion of the communications center by No- 

 vember 1, at which time the following facilities were to be available: 



First, a teletype machine Model 28, linked with the commercial 

 network of the American Telephone & Telegraph Co.; this was to 

 be used primarily for two-way conference calls. 



Second, a teletype machine Model 19, also linked with the com- 

 mercial network of the American Telephone & Telegraph Co., to 

 be used principally for the transmission of messages to domestic 

 sources and for the establishment of outgoing and incoming contact 

 with overseas networks through the American Cable and Radio, West- 

 ern Union, and RCA. 



Third, a Navy teletype machine Model 19, to provide noncommercial 

 contact with all government and military installations on the Mili- 

 tary Communications Network, and to serve for the delivery of mes- 

 sages via military installations to various observatories and to Moon- 

 watch leaders throughout the world. 



Finally, a Western Union machine to provide commercial linkage 

 with Cambridge and with Boston Western Union offices for transmis- 

 sion of domestic messages. 



In August, Charles Peterson, who had formerly served as a com- 

 munications expert with the U.S. Navy, was appointed supervisor 

 of the communications of the Observatory. 



ACCELERATING 



The schedule called for the completion of the jEirst camera in South 

 Pasadena by September 30 and full operation of the station at Organ 

 Pass by November 15, 1957. In Cambridge the Moonwatch program 

 was progressing beyond all expectations, and computations and com- 

 munications were well advanced. 



Voices were heard, however, particularly in Washington circles, 

 that the tracking program was behind schedule. There was even the 

 strikmg suggestion that Project Vanguard was being slowed down 

 because there were no facilities for tracking the satellite once it was 

 in orbit. Meanwhile, an IGY meeting was scheduled for late Sep- 

 tember and early October in Washington. Dr. Whipple felt it was 

 imperative that the Observatory have a working camera and that 



