U.S. Plans A- Bomb as a Space Engine; U.S. Plans to Test Atom Space Drive

John A Osmundsen
August 16, 1959, Sunday
Page 1! New York Times

American scientists plan to use and atomic bomb for the first time to test the feasibility of powering space ships as big as ocean liners with controlled nuclear explosions.

The plans have evolved from pilot studies of so-called "nuclear pulse" rocket propulsion. Specialists familiar with this project have told The New York Times that recent developments in this field have been extremely encouraging."

Whether the first test involving the use of an atomic device will be made as planned rests on the outcome of the nuclear test-ban talks in Geneva.

The Defense Department has already stated that it will be ready to resume nuclear tests after Ot. 31 of no agreement has been reached by that time.

On the basis of new developments...

Continued on page 60, Column 3

QBR: 0* :Aiming for the Stars

Quick Book Review: Zero Stars
Aiming for the Stars
The Dreamers and Doers of the Space Age
By Tom D Crouch 1999 Smithsonian Institution



Covers Space Exploration
Index Counts:
"Project Orion" : 0
Ulam: 0
Atomic propulsion: 0
Sagan's Nuke the Moon: 0
Dyson: 0
Nelson Rockefeller: 0
Sakharov: 1, no mention of PK-5000
General Atomic: 0

Total : 0 Points No stars earned.

QBR: 0*: Exploring Space:Voyages in the Solar Sytem and Beyond

Quick Book Review: Zero Stars, non-attentive.
Exploring Space:
Voyages in the Solar Sytem and Beyond
By William Burrows 1990


Covers (low energy fuel based) Space Exploration from Kepler to 1989
Index Counts:
"Project Orion" : 0
Ulam: 0
Atomic propulsion: 0
Sagan's Nuke the Moon: 1 (looses points for attitude) final credit 0
Dyson: 0
Nelson Rockefeller: 0
Sakharov: 0
General Atomic:0

Total : 0 Points No start earned.

Bohr Helps Open an Atom Center

New York Times June 26, 1959
Pg. 6

San Diego, Calif., June 25 - Dr. Niels Bohr, whose research helped make atomic bombs possible said today that mankind's "common inheritance" of science and technology presented both opportunities and obligations for promoting international understanding.

"Any increase in our knowledge and abilities at the same time implies a greater responsibility due to our increased power of shaping the conditions of human life.", he said.

In one of his rare public appearances the 73-year-old scientist, director of the of the Institute for Theoretical Physics in Copenhagen, was principal speaker at the dedication of the $10,000,000 Johns Jay Hopkins Laboratory for Pure and Applied Science here.

Industrial Project

The laboaratory is an operation of the General Atomic Division of the General Dynsamics Corporation, whose products range from atomic submarines to Atlas intercontenental missiles.
Mr. Hopkins led the corporation when he died in 1957.

Two of its major projects are power generators for groups of utility companies centered in Philadelphia and Texas. Another is the Orion project, a study for the Defense Department of propulsion of 1,00o-ton "space platform by controlled atomic reactions. Another project is for the production of gas-cooled nuclear turbine engine for ships.

The dedication was attended by about 2,000 persons, including an international aggregation of scientists.

Reactor Power Used

Mr. Hopkins' widow pressed two buttons, unveiling a commemorative plaque using combined nuclear fission and fusion power for two of the laboratory's reactors.