History of Research in Space Biology and Biodynamics
 
 
- SOURCE NOTES FOR PART II -
 
 
 
1. The Beginnings of Research in Space Biology at the Air Force Missile Development Center, Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, 1946-1952 (Holloman AFB: AFMDC Historical Office, January 1958).
 
2. Maj. David G. Simons, Stratosphere Balloon Techniques for Exposing Living Specimens to Primary Cosmic Bay Particles (HADC Technical Report 54-16, November 1954), pp. 1-2.
 
3. Ibid., pp. 4, 7-9, 27, 39, 42-43, 50, 54; Information Services Office, HADC, news release on balloon operations, about 1 November 1954.
 
4. Simons, Stratosphere Balloon Techniques, pp. 8, 54-55; "Major FY 54 Accomplishment; Improved tracking and recovery techniques for high altitude balloon research," incl. 10 to DF, Lt. Col. Wilbur D. Pritchard, Cmdr., 6580th Test Sq. (Special), to Plans and Programs Division, DCS/O, HADC, subj.: "Summary Letter, FY 54," 30 June 1954.
 
5. Maj. David G. Simons, Military Aspects of Observed Biological Effects of Cosmic Ray Particles (HAFB, June 1956), p. 7; Simons, Stratosphere Balloon Techniques, pp. 41-42, 57.
 
6. Maj. David G. Simons and Lt. Druey P. Parks, "Improved Techniques for Exposing Animals to Primary Cosmic Ray Particles," Journal of Aviation Medicine, Vol. 47, p. 318 (August 1956).
 
7. Beginnings of Research in Space Biology, p. 20; Bernard D. Gildenberg, Development of Shroud Inflation Technique for Plastic Balloons (HADC Technical Note 54-4), April 1954, and Crane Launch Technique for Polyethylene Balloons (HADC Technical Note 57-3); interview, Mr. Bernard D. Gildenberg, Chief, Technical Support Section, Balloon Branch, by Dr. David Bushnell, AFMDC Historian, 30 September 1957.
 
8. Table supplied by AFMDC Balloon Branch, 23 September 1957; "Research and Development Accomplishments of FY 54: Balloon Unit, 6580th Test Squadron (Special)," incl. 11 to DF, Col. Pritchard to Plans and Programs Division, subj.: "Summary Letter, FY 54," 30 June 1954; Interview, Mr. Gildenberg by Dr. Bushnell, 30 September 1957.
 
9. Aeromedical Field Laboratory, Test Report on Aeromedical Field Laboratory Balloon Flights 61 and 62, 25 July 1955; ltr., Mr. Joseph C. Groth, Jr., Winzen Research, Inc., to Dr. Bushnell, subj.: [Balloon Altitude Records), 3 December 1957.
 
10. Maj. David G. Simons and Lt. C. H. Steinmetz, "The 1954 Aeromedical Field Laboratory Balloon Flights, Physiological and Radiobiological Aspects," Journal of Aviation Medicine, Vol. 27, pp. 105-106 (April 1956).
 
11. Simons, Stratosphere Balloon Techniques, p. 4; Management Report (ARDC Form 111), Human Factors of Space Flight, 1 October 1955.
 
12. Simons, Stratosphere Balloon Techniques, pp. 19-24; Interview, Maj. David G. Simons, Chief, Space Biology Branch, by Dr. Bushnell, 13 December 1957.
 
13. Simons, Stratosphere Balloon Techniques, pp. 24-25; interview, Mr. Gildenberg by Dr. Bushnell, 18 September 1957.
 
14. Simons, Stratosphere Balloon Techniques, pp. 25-38.
 
15. Ibid., pp. 40-49.
 
16. Simons and Steinmetz, "The 1954 Aeromedical Field Laboratory Balloon Flights," Journal of Aviation Medicine, Vol. 27, pp. 100-110; Simons and Steinmetz, Physiological and Radiobiological Aspects of the 1954 Aeromedical Field Laboratory Balloon Flights (HAFB, n.d.), p. 13; Dr. Webb Haymaker "Operation Stratomouse," Military Medicine, Vol. 119, p. 154 (September 1956); Lt. Charles H. Steinmetz, Experimental Material Flown on Aeromedical Field Laboratory Balloon Flights 46 Through 71 (HADC Technical Note 56-2), p. 7; folder on Aeromedical Field Laboratory Flight 45, in Space Biology Branch files; Aeromedical Field Laboratory, "Historical Data... 1 April through 30 June 1957," p. 11.
 
17. Haymaker, "Operation Stratomouse," Military Medicine, Vol. 119, pp. 151-171; Steinmetz, Experimental Material, pp. 1, 11.
 
18. Interviews, Lt. Harold H. Kuehn, Task Scientist, Radiation Hazards, by Dr. Bushnell, 27 November and 2 December 1957; interview, Maj. Simons by Dr. Bushnell, 14 February 1958; Management Report (ARDC Form 111), Task 78500 - Radiation Hazards, 28 October 1957. Actually, the refusal of headquarters to let Holloman negotiate cosmic ray research contracts antedated the start of fiscal year 1957 by several months. See TWX, Hq., ARDC, to Cmdr., HADC, subj.: [Disapproval of Contract Proposal], March 1956.
 
19. Interview, Lt. Kuehn by Dr. Bushnell, 27 November 1957; Test Report on AMFL Balloon Flight 72A, 23 April 1956; Test Report on AMFL Balloon Flight 73, 17 May 1956; Aeromedical Field Laboratory, "Historical Data. . . 1 April through 30 June 1957," p. 9 and "Historical Data... 1 July through 30 September 1957," p. 7.
 
20. Test Report on AMFL Balloon Flights 67, 68, 69, 70, and 71, 6 October 1955.
 
21. Cf. Alamogordo News, 26 April 1951 and Alamogordo Daily News, 31 August 1956.
 
22. Simons, Stratosphere Balloon Techniques, pp. 19, 25-26, 29-31, 38-40, 57-59; folder on Aeromedical Field Laboratory Flight 43, In Space Biology Branch files; interview, Capt. Druey P. Parks, R & D Staff Assistant, by Dr. Bushnell, 4 December 1957.
 
23. Sgt. William J. Longmore, Preparation of Control Specimens for the 1954 Aero, Medical Field Laboratory Balloon Flights (HADC Technical Note 55-6, May 1955). The ideal method would have been to include non-radiated controls in the same capsule as the exposed specimens, but shield them against cosmic rays; however, the weight of shielding would have been prohibitive.
 
24. Simons, Military Aspects of Observed Biological Effects of Cosmic Ray Particles, p. 15; Steinmetz, Experimental Material, p. 4.
 
25. Simons, Military Aspects, p. 10. See also Lt. C. H. Steinmetz and Sgt. Wayne Lamke, Control of Drosophila Egg Laying and Offspring Production by Refrigeration (HADC Technical Report 54-17).
 
26. Simons, Stratosphere Balloon Techniques pp. 5-6, 24, 36, 61-62; Dr. Berry Campbell, Research on the Biological Effects of the Heavy Primary Cosmic Rays (HADC Technical Report 55-8), December 1955.
 
27. Steinmetz, Experimental Material, p. 2; Simons, Military Aspects, p. 19; Herman B. Chase, et al, Effects on the Side by Cosmic Ray Heavy Particles (HADC Technical Report 55-2, May 1955).
 
28. Harry F. Harlow, Allan M. Schrier, and D. G. Simons, "Exposure of Primates to Cosmic Radiation Above 90,000 Feet," Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, Vol. 49, pp. 195-200 (April 1956); Simons and Steinmetz, "The 1954 Aeromedical Field Laboratory Balloon Flights," Journal of Aviation Medicine, Vol. 27, pp. 105-106, 110; Simons, Military Aspects, p. 18.
 
29. Jakob A. G. Eugster, Effects on Living Tissue by Primary Cosmic Ray Particles (AF Office of Scientific Research Technical Report 56-19, February 1956); interview, Maj. Simons by Dr. Bushnell, 13 December 1957; R & D Project Card (DD Form 613), Human Factors of Space Flight, 19 September 1957, p. 6; Simons, Military Aspects, pp. 12, 17.
 
30. Ltr., Maj. Simons to Col. John M. Talbot, Chief, Human Factors Division, Hq., ARDC, subj.: [Biological Results of Cosmic Ray Experiments], 6 January 1956; interview, Lt. Kuehn by Dr. Bushnell, 27 November 1957; Aeromedical Field Laboratory, "Historical Data. . . 1 July through 30 September 1957," p. 7.
 
31. Haymaker, "Operation Stratomouse," Military Medicine, Vol. 119, pp. 151-171; Steinmetz, Experimental Material, pp. 2-3.
 
32. Steimnetz, Experimental Material, pp. 3-4.
 
33. Alamogordo Daily News, 28 December 1954; Interview, Maj. Simons by Dr. Bushnell, 6 September 1957.
 
34. Cf. Lt. C. H. Steinmetz, Techniques Used for Monitoring Biological Specimens on the 1954 and 1955 Aero Medical Field Laboratory Balloon Flights (HADC Technical Note 57-1).
 
35. Simons and Parks, "Improved Techniques for Exposing Animals," Journal of Aviation Medicine, Vol. 47, p. 320.
 
36. Steinmetz, Experimental Material, p. 6.
 
37. Military Medicine, Vol. 119, pp. 151-171.
 
38. Simons, Military Aspects, p. 22; ltr., Maj. Simons to Col. Talbot, subj.: [Biological Results of Cosmic Ray Experiments], 6 January 1956; interview, Maj. Simons by Dr. Bushnell, 13 December 1957.
 
39. Ltr., Maj. Simons to Col. Talbot, subj.: [Biological Results of Cosmic Ray Experiments], 6 January 1956.
 
40. Aeromedical Meld Laboratory, "Historical Data... 1 October through 31 December 1957," p. 10.
 
41. Maj. Simons, trip report to Director of Laboratories, HADC, 14 October 1955.
 
42. Ltr., Lt. Col. John P. Stapp, Chief, Aeromedical Field Laboratory, to Capt. Edward G. Sperry, Hq., ARDC, subj.: (Manned Balloon Flights], 25 June 1956.
 
43. Cf. R. L. Schwoebel, Strato-Lab Development, Final Report, May 1955 - November 1956 (General Mills, Inc., Minneapolis, December 1956).
 
44. Col. Stapp, trip report to Director of Laboratories, HADC, 29 February 1956.
 
45 Ltr., Col. Talbot to Cmdr., HADC, subj.: "Manned Balloon Flights Under Project 7851," 30 January 1956; Management Report (ARDC Form 111), Human Factors of Space Flight, 1 October 1955 and 24 January 1956.
 
46. Air Force Contract 29(600)808.
 
47. Ltr., Lt. Edward J. Schneider, Chief, R & D Contracting Branch, Directorate of Procurement, HADC, to Mr. J.E. Barkley, Manager, Physics and Chemistry Research, Mechanical Division, General Mills, Inc., subj.: [Capsule Design Contract], 30 November 1955; memo, Lt. Alexander P. Aven, Procurement Officer, to Maj. David G. Simons, same subject and date; Supplemental Agreements to Contract 29(600)808, especially Supplemental Agreement No. 4, 31 August 1956.
 
48. Management Report (ARDC Form 111), Human Factors of Space Flight, 1 October 1955.
 
49. Ltr., Col. Talbot to Hq., HADC, subj.: [Manned Balloon Project], 26 March 1956; interview, Maj. Simons by Dr. Bushnell, 13 December 1957; Office of Information Services, AFMDC, Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, 23 September 1957, pp. 2-3. The Fact Sheet cited is substantially identical with one distributed to the press by Winzen Research on 14 August 1957, just prior to the final ascent.
 
50. Col. Stapp, trip report to Director of Laboratories, HADC, 29 February 1956; Project Development Directive, signed by Col. John R. V. Dickson, Director of Development, Dep. Cmdr./R & D, Hq., ARDC, 10 April 1956; Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, passim.
 
51. Contract AF 29(600)808 and Supplemental Agreements, especially No. 9 (27 June 1957) and No. 13 (26 December 1957); interview, Maj. Simons by Dr. Bushnell, 13 December 1957; interview, Lt. Edward W. Kozial, Procurement Officer, AFMDC, by Dr. Bushnell, 26 February 1958.
 
52. Memo, Maj. Simons to Hq., 6580th Test Sq. (Special), subj.: "Balloon Flight," 16 March 1954.
 
53. Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, pp. 8-10; interview, Capt. Parks by Dr. Bushnell, 17 December 1957; Maj. David G. Simons and Capt. Erwin R. Archibald, Selection of a Sealed Cabin Atmosphere (HAFB, November 1957); Otto C. Winzen, "Bridgehead in Space," Interavia, Vol. XII, p. 1040 (October 1957).
 
54. Otto C. Winzen and Druey P. Parks, Operation Manhigh II (American Rocket Society, New York, 1957), pp. 3, 7, 10; motion picture films of water testing.
 
55. Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, p. 3; Time, 17 June 1957. One of the more interesting items tested by "Sky Car" was a gravity meter, which the Center's Directorate of Research and Development hoped to include on the definitive manned flight as a means of obtaining improved data on the size and shape of the earth. Measurements taken from the "Sky Car" in December 1956 were overly influenced by "man-made disturbances," but showed that the procedure was feasible; unfortunately, the meter was simply on loan from Houston Technical Laboratories, and had to be returned shortly before the planned high-altitude test. (Charles S. Bagley, Global Gravity Program [AFMDC Technical Memorandum 57-14, October 1957], p. 2; interview, Mr. Charles S. Bagley, Geodesist, Directorate of Research and Development, AFMDC, by Dr. Bushnell, 16 December 1957.)
 
56. Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, pp. 4, 6; ltr., Col. Stapp to Mr. Irwin Hersey, Editor, Astronautics, subj.: [Story on Kittinger Flight], 26 June 1957; Aeromedical Field Laboratory, "Historical Data... 1 April through 30 June 1957," p. 10; Time, 17 June 1957; interview, Maj. Simons by Dr. Bushnell, 13 December 1957.
 
57. Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, p. 11; Aeromedical Field Laboratory, "Historical Data..... 1 July through 30 September 1957," p. 33; Dr. Bushnell, memo to record, subj.: "On-the-spot Historical Coverage of Project Man-High," 23 August 1957; Contract AF 29(600)808, Supplemental Agreement No. 9, 27 June 1957.
 
58. Winzen, "Bridgehead in Space," Interavia, Vol. XII, pp. 1040-1041; Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, pp. 4-5.
 
59. Aeromedical Field Laboratory, "Historical Data. . . 1 July through 30 September 1957," pp. 31-32; Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, p. 3.
 
60. Interview, Maj. Hubert S. Williams, Chief of Maintenance, 6580th Field Maintenance Sq., AF-MDC, by Dr. Bushnell, 3 December 1957; Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, p. 11.
 
61. Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, pp. 10-12; Dr. Bushnell, memo to record, subj.: "Coverage of Project Man-High," 23 August 1957.
 
62. Information Services Office, AFMDC, "Information Services Summary," 10 October 1957; Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, p. 12; Dr. Bushnell, memo to record, subj.: "Coverage of Project Man-High," 23 August 1957.
 
63. Fact Sheet, Project Manhigh, p. 6; Winzen, "Bridgehead in Space, "Interavia, Vol. XII, p. 1040.
 
64. Dr. Bushnell, memo to record, subj.: "Coverage of Project Man-High," 23 August 1957; Winzen, "Bridgehead in Space," Interavia, Vol. XII, p. 1041.
 
65. Dr. Bushnell, memo to record, subj.: "Coverage of Project Man-High," 23 August 1957; Minneapolis Star, 20 August 1957; Winzen," Bridgehead in Space," Interavia, Vol. XII, pp. 1040-1041; Winzen and Parks, Operation Manhigh II, p. 19.
 
66. Minnespolis Morning Tribune, 15 and 21 August 1957; Winzen, "Bridgehead in Space," Interavia, Vol. XII, p. 1041; Dr. Bushnell, memo to record, subj.: "Coverage of Project Man-High," 23 August 1957.
 
67. Minneapolis Morning Tribune, 21 August 1957.
 
68. Transcript of Man-High capsule tape, p. 8 and passim; Minneapolis Star, 20 August 1957. Later Major Simons published a strikingly unusual description of the thunderheads that gathered beneath him during the night: "Although fascinatingly beautiful to watch, especially impressive for their fine detail and fantastic forms like gigantic cauliflowers or brains lighted from within, the thunderheads below posed a threat ("Pilot Reactions During Manhigh II Balloon Flight," Journal of Aviation Medicine, Vol. 29, p. 9, January 1958).
 
69. Information Services Office, Hq., ARDC, news release 24 August 1957; Holloman Rocketeer, 13 September 1957.
 
70. Aeromedical Field Laboratory, "Historical Data. . . 1 July through 30 September 1957," pp. 31-32; interview, Captain Erwin R. Archibald, Task Scientist, Environmental Control in Sealed Cabins, by Dr. Bushnell, 19 December 1957.
 
71. Winzen Research, Inc., Proposal for an Airborne Laboratory of Space Physiology (Minneapolis, April 1957).
 
72. Interview, Capt. Archibald by Dr. Bushnell, 19 December 1957.
 
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