at
SECRET -
Mr. Floberg inquired whether it was possible that this shot
would make outer space uninhabitable for years. General Starbird
responded that it would not, but that it would interfere with the
counting rate of satellites for an indefinite time, perhaps weeks or
months,
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General Starbird pointed out that the rocket equipment is at
the Test Site and the warheads are in transit,
The Redstone Team
has been assigned to this test and any changes now would affect
already tight schedules of the satellite program, These considerations
must be weighed against the desirability of using a low yleld shot
which vould pull in the flash range by only 25 percent.
Even though he thought the HARDTACK test series would be the
last in the Pacific and he could appreciate the need for this vital
defense information, the Chairman questioned the element of urgency,
inasmuch as the Commission had known nothing of this development
six months ago,
After further discussion of possible protective measures which
might be established, the Commission requested General Starbird to
provide further information on the requirements for shot yield and on
protective procedures for test area persomel. General Starbird said
he would obtain from the Commander, Joint Task Force-7, a detailed
plan on the shot procedures and that he would also inform the DOD
that the firing of this shot was under consideration by the Commission,
since this might affect the firing of the satellite.
Mr. Graham asked that the record
that the required information must be
proposed yield, with these dangers to
added that while it is clear that the
show that he was disturbed
obtained from a shot of the
personnel, and Mr. Strauss
Commission is sympathetic