User:Jagaer meister/sandbox

History of Weapons System 117L (WS-117L)

The first discussion on the advisability of the U.S. developing a satellite program came as early as May 1946 when PROJECT RAND (forerunner of the RAND Corporation and at this time part of Douglas Aircraft Ltd.) first suggested the creation of such a capability.

It wasn't until around 1956 that the USAF started on the development of a strategic satellite reconnaissance program, subsequently designated Weapon System 117L (WS-117L). Originally under the auspices of the WRIGHT AIR DEVELOPMENT CENTRE, the program was, in October 1955 transferred to the WESTERN DEVELOPMENT DIVISION (WDD). The WDD (Later renamed BALLISTIC MISSILE DEFENCE)had been created the year previously to manage the ballistic missile program.

In December 1954, LOCKHEED MISSILE and SPACE DIVISION (LMSD)and EASTMAN KODAK, BELL TELEPHONE LABORATORIES, GLENN L. MARTIN CO., and RCA had been issued solicitations to bids on the new program. BELL for some reason declined the invitation. The proposals from the other three contenders were studied by a selection board. On 29 October 1956, the board selected LMSD to be the prime contractor for the program.

The original planning for WS-117L looked at the creation of a whole family of separate systems and subsystems capable of collection photographic, electronic and infrared intelligence.

The WS-117L program was divided into three phases:

PHASE I. Was to start in November 1958 and was to be the development/initial testing stage using the THOR rocket as its test bed;

PHASE II. Commencement of Phase II was to start in June 1959 was to complete the testing stage and the transition to the operational stage. The ATLAS rocket was to be used to prove that the ATLAS was capable of propelling heavy loads into space; and,

PHASE III. This was the operational stage and was to start in March 1960.

There were two problems that hindered the WS-117L program and that was the lack of funding and the indifference to the space program by the present Secretary of the Air Force Donald L. Quarles. It wasn't until the Soviets launched SPUTNIK-I and the replacement of Quarles in late 1957, that sufficient funding allocated to the program.

Subsequent discussions between the President Eisenhower, new Secretary of the AIr Force, the National Security Council, the CIA and the USAF resulted, sometime in late 1957/early 1958 in the creation of PROJECT CORONA under the joint management of the CIA-USAF.

Jagaer meister (talk) 22:11, 23 December 2014 (UTC)