Trade.Information

Product Name: Biomedical Planning for Launch, Tracking, and Recovery

Product Description

While the astronauts were in the midst of their training and indoctrination program in the summer of 1959, plans were underway to develop testing facilities for both manned and un-manned vehicles. NASA had turned for assistance to DOD, which controlled the Atlantic Missile Range, including Cape Canaveral Missile Test Center, Cape Canaveral, Fla. Since 1951 this range had been used to test missiles.1 The Executive Agent for DOD was the USAF, with its Air Force Missile Test Center at Patrick Air Force Base, a few miles inland. Organizationally, the Test Center was a part of the Air Force Research and Development Command. Maj. Gen. D. N. Yates was commander of AFMTC and Col. George M. Knauf, USAF (MC), was staff surgeon at AFMTC, Patrick AFB. These two officers were to play an increasingly important role in the development of NASA’s Project Mercury. On August 10, 1959, the Secretary of Defense designated General Yates the Department of Defense Representative for Project Mercury Support Operations.2 There would be a Naval deputy to assist in recovery operations for Project Mercury.3 As DOD Representative for Project Mercury Support Operations, General Yates would be responsible for the preparation and submission for review and approval of top-level plans and requirements in support of Project Mercury, including appropriate recommendation for implementation. (During development, these plans would be coordinated as appropriate with the Director of Defense Research and Engineering, office of the Secretary of Defense. Completed plans would be forwarded by DDR&E to the Joint Chiefs of Staff who in turn would review them and provide comment and recommendation for final approval by the Secretary of Defense.) General Yates would direct and control DOD facilities, forces, and assets assigned for support of Project Mercury. DOD performance of specific missions assigned for support of Project Mercury was also his responsibility, although budget as-pects of DOD participation would conform with policies and procedures of the Office of the Comptroller and Director of Public Affairs. In the basic memorandum of August 10, the Deputy Secretary of Defense clarified policies and procedures: It is desired that use of existing organizations be made. Accordingly, while General Yates is authorized such staff as may be required for the execution of his duties and as approved by the Secretary of Defense, it is expected that he will make maximum utilization of the existing agencies in the Department of Defense and military departments. He is authorized to have direct access to and communication with any elements of the mili-tary department, unified and specified commands. and other DOD agencies, and other appropriate departments and agencies of the Government perform-ing functions related to those of Project Mercury over which he exercises direction and control.4 For the next 11 months General Yates would serve both as Commander, AFMTC, and as DOD representative for support of Project Mercury. On July 9, 1960, he was succeeded by Maj. Gen. Leighton I. Davis, USAF.5 Meanwhile, on December 1, 1959, General Yates officially designated his staff surgeon, Colonel Knauf, as his Assistant for Bioastronautics.6 He served in this capacity for the next 25 months.7