Air Force Space Systems Program – October 20, 1959

There exists an urgent need to define and initiate a coordinated Air Force Space Systems Program. The following pages outline in broad terms a space program based on established Air Force General Operational Requirements plus other requirements which appear to be necessary to complete and integrate the over-all program. This planning guide, which we call SPADE for Space Development, has the following objectives:

1. To delineate Air Force space requirements
2. To define the systems under development or being considered to meet these requirements and
3. To promote the recognition and advancement of the technology needed to achieve the systems.

This initial report, which is very preliminary, is designed to serve as the framework for continuing study. It is to be modified periodically as the need arises.

This document is intended as a tool to assist in coordinating and ordering the Air Force space program definition and development, and is for the use of using commands in defining operational requirements, and centers and laboratories in analyzing development requirements. With the assistance of interested commands and agencies, the study ultimately should define and provide an. analysis of each of the required systems in sufficient detail to show the inter-relationship of the various technical requirements. The results of this analysis will indicate critical areas in which technological advancements are required to permit timely development of systems to accomplish the space-age missions.

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Air Force Space Systems Program – October 20, 1959 [137 Pages, 5.5MB]

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