(5 of 5)
TV in the Sky. As man ventures forth into space, General Dynamics is sure to have a planet-sized chunk of any U.S. undertaking. The company's task, as Frank Pace sees it, is not to reach too far ahead, but to plan carefully what it feels can be accomplished in the next 25 years. Its scientists have already placed on Washington desks a four-phase plan that would put manned satellites into space within five years. An improved Atlas would, by mid-1959, put a reconnaissance satellite into orbit 350 miles up to transmit televised images to earth. This would be followed by a series of satellites that, by early 1960, would keep a 24-hour watch on every part of the earth's surface. By late 1960—provided the Government adopts the plan soon—Atlas would push a manned hypersonic glider (five times the speed of sound) into orbit, finally lift freight ships into space to provide living quarters for a new generation of space residents. Not content with this plan, General Dynamics' scientists also have their eyes, minds and scientific talents fixed firmly on developing spaceships (called "Probes") to explore outer space. Surveying such projects, Frank Pace is convinced that defense industries have seen the last of the old feast-or-famine cycle. Says he: "If you have a good staff, you can count on business far into the future. There is competition, but basically the decisions are made on the basis of competence rather than price." Pace is convinced that General Dynamics has both the competence and the staff to help push back the frontiers of modern technology. Says he: "We may be behind the Russians for the moment, but we'll catch up—and go away beyond."
* Each Atlas launching tests different components in the missile. Last week's flight was not for distance, but to make the first test of the small rocket engines on the side of the missile that 1) maintain speed while the missile cuts off its two take-off engines (after about 130 sec. in flight), leaving only the main sustaining engine; and 2) control direction and velocity of the missile.