A 19 Jan. 60 from Starbird to Hertford and the labs discusses the status of
geen
possible high altitude tests.
In addition to the Willow tests, he notes a 30 Sept. Z GSE
59 letter from Teller proposes that the AEC labs conduct their own outerspace
demonstration of calibration shot at 100,000 kilometers with a Tuba carried on a
3-stage Atlas fired from the EPG,
Starbird says a 5 Nov. 59 DASA letter forwarded
an ARDC proposal for an outerspace test (prepared by AFBMD) similar "in nearly all
respects to Dr. Teller's proposal, and asks AEC to recommend if DOD should proceed with
planning and engineering therefore."
Starbird sets forth his proposal for cooperating
with the DOD by agreeing to provide the warhead and diagnostic packages. for the 2 highest
Willow tests and encouraging the DOD to proceed with the planning and engineering studies
for the outerspace shot as proposed by ARDC.
Starbird says that “except for
organizational concept and assignment of responsibilities this will accompli
sh the
purpose of Dr. Teller's proposal."
Starbird sees ALOO and Sandia as the principal
organizations involved in these efforts and requests the addresses to comment
on his
plans by 26 Jan. so he can communicate with the DOD.