SATELLITE-TRACKING PROGRAM — HAYES 341 



complex and vital program. The miique success of Moonwatcli 

 demonstrated what amateurs could do when properly inspired and led. 

 And it should not be overlooked that it was certainly the least expen- 

 sive effort of the entire IG Y program of the United States. 



Toward the end of 1957, two significant steps were taken to improve 

 the Moonwatch observations. On November 1 a satellite simulator 

 built under contract by Jack A. Wegener of Gloucester, N.J., was 

 delivered, with arrangements being made for the completion of two 

 more by early 1958. The instrument was intended for training Moon- 

 watch teams in observing satellites. Through an eyepiece the ob- 

 server could watch an image similar to that which would appear 

 through a Moonwatch telescope sighted on a satellite. The first 

 simulator was sent to a team in the southwest United States, and the 

 Observatory then planned to send it from station to station for train- 

 ing purposes. 



As an aid to the many Moonwatch teams scattered around the 

 earth and distributed through a considerable range of latitude, the 

 National Geographic Society in cooperation with the Observatory 

 had by the end of 1957 designed a map and overlay kit that could 

 be used for making estimates of the times at which observation of 

 Sputnik I or II should begin and the altitude and azimuth of the 

 probable passage. These aided considerably in providing the teams 

 with the means of making their own satellite predictions. 



By the end of 1957 there were 115 Moonwatch teams registered in 

 the United States, and another 90 in foreign countries — 71 of them 

 in Japan. Teams in the United States, Australia, Chile, Japan, and 

 Curagao had made a total of approximately 700 observations of satel- 

 lites 1957 Alpha and 1957 Beta. The program had successfully de- 

 veloped into a tracking project not only for the acquisition of satellites 

 but also for observations of them during their "dying" stages. 



COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS 



Meanwhile, an efficient communications network had been built up 

 by "Chief" Peterson. Messages were being handled through teletype 

 machine models 28 and 19 linked with the commercial network of 

 American Telephone and Telegraph. The first was used primarily 

 for two-way conference calls, the second for the transmission of data 

 to domestic sources and for contacts with overseas networks via 

 American Cable and Eadio, Western Union, and R.C.A. A Navy 

 teletype macliine (NTX) model 19 provided noncommercial contact 

 with all Government and military installations through the military 

 comLmunications network. Operations were conducted on an around- 

 the-clock basis. 



Peterson had an extraordinary ability to conjure up the communi- 

 cations facilities needed and to get word to anyone anywhere. He 



720-018—64 23 



