Science and Public Policy: National Security 107 



chemical means of determining fission mass distributions of 

 the kinds and numbers and weights of the atoms which result 

 from splitting of the uranium nucleus, have been replaced. 

 The counter-derived curve of the mass yield distribution is 

 obtained in a few hours of work, in contrast with many man 

 months of effort that is needed by earlier means (Fig. 6). 

 Further, the fission mass yield is obtained for specific regions 

 of total kinetic energy and has yielded some new insights into 

 the fission process itself. But this is not our major point here, 

 anymore than would be the recent dramatic use of these 

 lithium drifted germanium detectors by Wu, Rainwater and 

 Devons and also by Anderson, Fincks and their associates for 

 the elucidation of the shape and structure of the muonic atom. 

 (This is derived as the "atom" emits, fleetingly. X-rays when 

 the muons jump between orbits around the nucleus during 

 their life of a few millionths of a second.) Also, we shall only 

 mention their use, coupled with modern computer techniques, 

 for the recent discovery of an excited state of the alpha particle. 

 Rather, we shall look once more at their astonishing impact 

 on major systems development, of sun-powered, electrically 

 regulated satellites of primary importance for the national se- 

 curity. These systems are crucially influenced by the behavior 

 of crystals under particle bombardment in outer space. 



The first active satellite system for communi- 

 Partides in cations was the forerunner of present and 



"Empty" Space oncoming global systems of the highest value 



for international security support services. 

 This TELSTAR was also a close relative of many satellite systems 

 important for naval navigation, position fixing, weather studies 

 and so forth (Fig. 7). This satellite was destined to operate in 

 parts of the earth's magnetosphere containing Van Allen belts 

 of trapped radiation, phenomena already studied with strong 

 ONR sponsorship. The first space exposures of the vital semi- 

 conductor solar cells, transistors and diodes in these satellites 

 gravely shortened their functional life (and in the case of some 

 experimental vehicles launched by other agencies actually pre- 



