1957  to  1960

Original Vintage NASA Photographs

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£8.95

Lockheed X-17 R-25

Designed to study the aerothermodynamics of atmospheric re-entry.

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy USAF Photograph

USAF No.  PL-21626

21 March 1957

The Lockheed X-17 R-25 is seen ready to launch on Launch Pad 3 at the Cape for a 4203-A4 re-entry vehicle test flight. Apogee 103 km (64 mi).

This fine vintage USAF glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Lockheed X-17A

Designed to study the aerothermodynamics of atmospheric re-entry.

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy USN Photograph

USN No.  1039753

9 July 1958

The Lockheed X-17A is ready to launch from the Fantail onboard the USS Norton Sound some where off the coast of San Clemente for a Argus Test Flight. Apogee 450 km  (270 mi).

This fine vintage USN glossy photograph is in very good condition.

Jupiter C

The Jupiter-C is a Redstone missile that was stretched and modified with different propellants to serve as a first stage for IRBM nose cone/orbital test vehicles.

The Jupiter-C was developed by the rocket development team directed by Dr. Wernher von Braun and was employed to launch Explorer 1, 3 and 4.

£8.95

Jupiter C RS-29 And Explorer 1

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  Space-12

31 January 1958

A very beautiful close up of the Jupiter C RS-29 booster with Explorer 1 onboard as it lifts off from Launch Complex 26A at the Cape.

Explorer 1 - Discovered Van Allen radiation belts and was the first successful US orbital launch. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space.

This very  fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG-

This is a late 1970's NASA Reissue

£5.95

Explorer 1 Satellite

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  58-Explorer I-2

31 January 1958

This is a photograph of a model of Explorer I in a space atmosphere. This 18-lb. satellite was placed in orbit 1 February 1958 by the Jupiter-C RS-29 rocket. Explorer I discovered the first of two circular radiation belts surrounding the Earth.

Spacecraft Explorer A - Discovered Van Allen radiation belts. Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space.

This fine 1970's NASA glossy reissue is in very good condition with NASA's purple worm logo and text on the back. VG+

NASA's Vanguard Program

The Vanguard was a 'civilian' vehicle developed by the US Navy to launch America's first satellite as part of the International Geophysical Year. The Army & von Braun's Jupiter-C ended up launching the first US satellite after pressure to act because of the USSR's Sputnik and Vanguard's public launch failures. Vanguard's second stage design led to the Able upper stage for Thor, Atlas and Delta as well as the third stage of Scout. Furthermore its solid-propellant stages were used in Polaris and Minuteman missiles. These advances are still in use in the 21st Century.

Vanguard 1 was a 2 lb. engineering test satellite that drew data based on its orbital position. The actual shape of the Earth was recorded more accurately as a result of data derived from Vanguard 1's transmissions.

After completing three years in orbit, Vanguard 1 continued transmitting its data. Vanguard 1 provided much useful data on orbits, solar pressure and was mostly noted for data that identified the slight pear-shape of the Earth.

Vanguard 1 Chronology

1955 August 1 - Vanguard selected to launch first US satellite: - Ad Hoc Committee on Special Capabilities rejects Army/Von Brauns's Project Orbiter (Redstone) and USAF Atlas proposals; selects Navy/Vanguard for first US satellite.

1955 September 9 - Project Vanguard began operations: - The Department of Defense's Stewart Committee reviewed the alternatives for an IGY satellite program: wait for the development of an Atlas launcher, use a modified Redstone, or develop a rocket derived from the Viking missile. The committee voted seven to two in favor of abandoning Project Orbiter (Redstone) and developing Vanguard (Viking derivative with and Aerobee-Hi upper stage). Secretary Donald Quarles ruled with the committee majority in the Department of Defense Policy Committee, which approved the decision. The Department of Defense wrote a letter to the Department of Navy authorizing the Navy Research Laboratory to proceed with the Vanguard proposal. The responsibility for carrying out the program was placed with the Office of Naval Research. Objectives of Project Vanguard were: to develop and procure a satellite-launching vehicle; to place at least one satellite in orbit around the earth during IGY; to accomplish one scientific experiment; and to track flight to demonstrate the satellite actually attained orbit.

1955 October 7 - Vanguard contract awarded: -  Prime contract for Project Vanguard awarded the Martin Co.

1957 April 11 - Vanguard payload tested on sounding rocket: - U.S.-IGY scientific satellite equipment, including a radio transmitter and instruments for measuring temperature, pressure, cosmic rays, and meteoric dust encounters, was tested above earth for the first time, as a rocket containing this equipment was fired by the Navy to a 126-mile altitude.

1957 May 1 - Vanguard suborbital test:  Vanguard Test Vehicle (TV-1), a modified Martin Viking first-stage and Vanguard solid-propellant third-stage Grand Central Rocket as second-stage, launched with instrumented nose cone to an altitude of 121 miles and met all test objectives.

1957 October 1 - Vanguard tracking system operational:  Project Vanguard world-wide tracking system (minitrack) became operational.

1957 October 9 - Vanguard supported by Eisenhower: - President Eisenhower in a White House press release congratulated the Soviet scientists on SPUTNIK I. He gave a brief history of the development of the U.S.-IGY satellite program and pointed to the separation of Project Vanguard from work on ballistic missiles.

1957 October 23 - Vanguard TV2 Test mission: - IGY Vanguard prototype (TV-2) with simulated second and third stage successfully met test objectives, by reaching 109-mile altitude and 4,250 mph.

1957 December 6 - Vanguard 1A:  First US orbital attempt. IGY Vanguard (TV-3), the first with three live stages, failed to launch the test satellite. The vehicle lost thrust and exploded 2 seconds after lift off.

1958 February 5 - Vanguard 1B: - Trial firing of IGY Vanguard (TV-3Bu) satellite. Control system malfunction - control was lost 57 sec. after lift off.

1958 March 17 - Vanguard 1: - This time it was successful and the 2 lb. satellite was placed into orbit around the Earth. Perigee: 654 km (406 mi). Apogee: 3,868 km (2,403 mi). Vanguard 1 transmitted pear-shaped earth data and had a life expectancy of perhaps a 1,000 years. The satellite had a mass of 1.6 kg and a diameter of 175 cm.

1961 March 17 - Vanguard 1 Third Anniversary: - Vanguard 1 completed its third year in orbit and was still transmitting data. Vanguard 1 provided much useful data on orbits, including the slight pear-shape of the Earth and the effect of solar pressure. The Vanguard Launch Vehicle program also provided the second stage for the Able, Delta, and Able-Star, as well as the third stage of Scout, pioneering solid-propellant stages used in Polaris and Minuteman.

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Cut Away View Of Vanguard 1

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

March 1958

Cut away view giving all primary details of the Vanguard Launch Vehicle.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Vanguard 1 Lift Off

U.S. Second Satellite.

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  PL-33939

17 March 1958

The Vanguard LV and Vanguard 1 satellite lifts off from the Cape. This time it was successful and the 2 lb. satellite was placed into orbit around the Earth. Perigee: 654 km (406 mi). Apogee: 3,868 km (2,403 mi).

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Vanguard 1 Lift Off  #2

U.S. Second Satellite.

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  PL-33939

17 March 1958

The Vanguard LV and Vanguard 1 satellite lifts off from the Cape. This time it was successful and the 2 lb. satellite was placed into orbit around the Earth. Perigee: 654 km (406 mi). Apogee: 3,868 km (2,403 mi).

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Vanguard 1 Lift Off  #3

U.S. Second Satellite.

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  PL-33938

17 March 1958

The Vanguard LV and Vanguard 1 satellite lifts off from the Cape. This time it was successful and the 2 lb. satellite was placed into orbit around the Earth. Perigee: 654 km (406 mi). Apogee: 3,868 km (2,403 mi).

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

SOLD

Vanguard 1 Lift Off  #4

U.S. Second Satellite.

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  PL-33933

17 March 1958

The Vanguard LV and Vanguard 1 satellite lifts off from the Cape. This time it was successful and the 2 lb. satellite was placed into orbit around the Earth. Perigee: 654 km (406 mi). Apogee: 3,868 km (2,403 mi).

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Vanguard 1 Lift Off  #5

U.S. Second Satellite.

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  PL-33932

17 March 1958

The Vanguard LV and Vanguard 1 satellite lifts off from the Cape. This time it was successful and the 2 lb. satellite was placed into orbit around the Earth. Perigee: 654 km (406 mi). Apogee: 3,868 km (2,403 mi).

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

Vanguard 3

It took 3 attempts to get the Vanguard 3 satellite into orbit. The first attempt (Vanguard 3A) on 14 April 1959 on board the Vanguard SLV-5 and a 30 inch Sphere Air Density Satellite was a second payload on that launch attempt. The second stage was damaged on separation and the Vanguard launch vehicle only reached apogee of 100 km. As the Vanguard satellite did not reach orbit it was named Vanguard 3A.

The second attempt (Vanguard 3B) was on 22 June 1959 using the Vanguard SLV-6 but it developed second stage propulsion problems and only reached an apogee 140 km.

On 18 September 1959 Vanguard 3 reached orbit. launched from the Cape's Launch Complex 18A onboard the Vanguard SLV-7 launch vehicle. However, the launch was not without its problems. The third stage failed to separate from its payload so the burned out fiberglass third stage was left attached to the Satellite. Since the fiberglass case did not adversely affect the experiments the mission was logged as a success and the satellite was noted as Vanguard 3.

£8.95

Vanguard 3A Satellite(s) Before Mating

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

April 1959

Seen on display is the Vanguard 3 Satellite and the 30 inch Sphere Air Density Satellite that will be mated with the Vanguard SLV-5 Launch Vehicle.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£5.95

Vanguard 3A 30 Inch Sphere

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

March 1958

Seen on display is the inflatable 30 inch Sphere Air Density Satellite that will be mated with the Vanguard SLV-5 Launch Vehicle along with the Vanguard 3A Satellite.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£5.95

Vanguard 30 Inch Sphere Test

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

April 1959

The test infatuation of the 30 inch Sphere Air Density Satellite that will be mated with the Vanguard SLV-5 Launch Vehicle along with the Vanguard 3 Satellite is seen floating above the Cape.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£7.95

Vanguard 3A Satellite Ready For Mating

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

14 April 1959

The Vanguard Satellite is seen just prior to mating with the Vanguard SLV-5 Launch Vehicle on Pad A of Launch Complex 18 at the Cape.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Vanguard 3A Satellite Mated With SLV-5

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

14 April 1959

The Vanguard 3A is being mated with the Vanguard SLV-5 Launch Vehicle along with the 30 inch Sphere Air Density Satellite that sits under it. A wonderful vintage birds eye view at Pad A of Launch Complex 18 at the Cape.

The Vanguard SLV-5 was launched on April 14, 1959 from LC18A at the Cape but about 100 km downrange the second stage received damage at separation and the mission was a failure so the Satellite was noted as Vanguard 3A. If it would have achieved orbit it would have been named just Vanguard 3.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£7.95

Unidentified Vanguard

10  x  8  Colour Glossy Photograph

This fine vintage colour glossy photograph is in fair condition as it has a few age spots in the gloss in the upper portion of the picture.

£8.95

The Jupiter C RS-24 And Explorer 3

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  EX-280/3

26 March 1958

The Jupiter-C RS-24 lifts off from Launch Complex 5 at the Cape at 17:38 GMT with Explorer 3 onboard.

The Explorer 3 spacecraft was successfully launched onboard the Redstone RS-24 (Jupiter C Model);  Perigee: 186 km (115 mi). Apogee: 2,799 km (1,739 mi). Inclination: 33.40 deg. Period: 115.70 min. and returned its radiation, micrometeoroid data to the ground crew.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Jupiter C RS/CC #44 And Explorer 4

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  PL58-44349

26 July 1958

A very beautiful close up of the Jupiter C #44 booster (modified Redstone) with Explorer 4 (Explorer B Spacecraft) onboard as it lifts off from Launch Complex 05 at the Cape.

Explorer B - A Magnetosphere Spacecraft that mapped Argus radiation.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Jupiter C RS/CC #44 And Explorer 4   #2

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  PL58-44349

26 July 1958

A very beautiful close up of the Jupiter C #44 booster with Explorer 4 onboard as it lifts off from Launch Complex 05 at the Cape.

Explorer B - A Magnetosphere Spacecraft that mapped Argus radiation.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Jupiter C RS/CC #44 And Explorer 4   #3

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  M60-731-3

26 July 1958

A very beautiful close up of the Jupiter C #44 booster with Explorer 4 onboard as it lifts off from Launch Complex 05 at the Cape.

Explorer B - A Magnetosphere Spacecraft that mapped Argus radiation.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

Pioneers 0, 1 and 2 -  These were the first U. S. spacecraft to attempt to leave Earth orbit. Propelled by the U. S. 's desire to beat the Soviet Union to the moon, each of the three vehicles was designed to go into orbit around the Moon and photograph the Moon's surface. None of the vehicles accomplished its intended mission, although some useful data was returned.

The first vehicle, Pioneer 0, was launched by the USAF and was destroyed 77 seconds after launch when the rocket's first stage exploded. Following this attempt, Pioneer 1 and Pioneer 2 were turned over to United States' newly formed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Pioneer 1 was the first spacecraft launched by NASA. A programming error in the Pioneer 1 launch vehicle upper stage resulted in Pioneer 1 being given insufficient velocity to escape the Earth's gravitational field. Although lunar orbit was not achieved, it did reach an altitude of 113854 km above Earth and provided data on the extent of the Earth's radiation belts. The vehicle re-entered over the Pacific Ocean 2 days later. Pioneer 2 also suffered a launch vehicle failure and re-entered the Earth's atmosphere 6 hours and 52 minutes after launch (it did not return any significant data). Some details of the spacecraft: Paint pattern for thermal control of multi-instrument payload. Spin stabilised. Retro-rocket for lunar orbit insertion. Payload: TV camera. Magnetometer. Micrometeroid impact detector and they had a radiation detector.

£10.95

NASA's First Spacecraft Launch

Thor Able-I #130 And Pioneer 1

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  PL-58-46804

11 October 1958

The Thor Able I No. 133 and Pioneer 1 (Lunar Probe #2) is seen lifting off into the night sky from Launch Complex 17 Pad A at the Cape.

The Pioneer 1 mission set a distance record but failed to reach the moon due to the third stage that did not produced sufficient thrust to escape Earth's gravity.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£14.95

Thor Able-I #129 And Pioneer 2

10  x  8  Colour High Glossy NASA Photograph

November 1958

A fantastic vintage scene on top of the pad at Launch Complex 17B during pre-flight activities and mating of the Pioneer 2 spacecraft to the Thor Able launch vehicle.

Pioneer 2 was launched from the Atlantic Missile Range, using a Thor-Able booster, by the Air Force acting as executive agent to NASA. The 86.3-pound instrumented payload was intended as a lunar probe but it did not reach escape velocity as the third stage failed to ignite.

This fine vintage high glossy NASA photograph is in very good condition, near mint.

SOLD

Juno II and Pioneer 3

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy USAF Photograph

USAF No.  PL-58-48751

6 December 1958

A brilliant night scene as the Juno II (Jupiter AM-11 configuration) launch vehicle lifts off from Launch Complex 5 with Pioneer 3 onboard as its payload.

Pioneer 3 was intended to be a  lunar probe under the direction of NASA with the Army acting as executive agent however it failed when the launch vehicle first's stage cut-off prematurely. Although Pioneer 3 did not achieve escape velocity, it reached an altitude of 102,332 km and discovered a second radiation belt around Earth.

This fine vintage USAF glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Juno II and NASA's Team

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  MFL-58-1635

1958

NASA first Juno II, Jupiter configuration test launch vehicle and the team that will see the Explorer spacecrafts are launched into space, are all assembled together at Launch Complex 5 at the Cape.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in good to very good condition.

£8.95

Juno II and Explorer S-1

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  PL-59-17818

16 July 1959

The Juno II, Jupiter configuration stands proudly on Pad 5 at the Cape with Explorer S-1 as its payload. Launched by the Jupiter LV it ended as a failure. Control was lost after 5.5 sec. and it was destroyed by the range safety officer. 

NASA's Explorer S-1 Spacecraft was a Earth Class Magnetosphere type spacecraft to study Magnetic fields and to return solar flare data.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

SOLD

Thor Able-III No. 134 & Explorer 6

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy USAF Photograph

7 August 1959

A beautiful view of the Thor Able-3 #134 carrying Explorer-6 into space. This Thor Delta configuration successfully launched Explorer-6 into orbit from Launch Complex 17 at the Cape.

Explorer 6 S-2 Spacecraft: A Magnetosphere Spacecraft that took the first Earth photos and returned radiation data.

This fine vintage USAF glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Jupiter #AM-19A And Explorer 7

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  PL-59-22397

13 October 1959

A very beautiful View of the Jupiter configuration with Explorer 7 onboard as it lifts off from Launch Complex 5 at the Cape.

Explorer 7 S-1 Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space and returned magnetic field and solar flare data.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Jupiter AM-19B And Beacon 2

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy USAF Photograph

USAF No. PL-59-18585

14 August 1959

Pre-Launch activity at Pad 26B of the Jupiter launch vehicle and Beacon 2. This second attempt ended as a failure because the first stage shut down too early and the launch vehicle had no attitude control for its upper stages.

NASA with the Army as executive agent attempted to launch a 12-foot-diameter inflatable satellite of micro-thin plastic covered with aluminium foil known as BEACON.

Beacon 1 was launched by a modified Redstone and the payload (upper stages) separated prior to burnout and structural failure occurred after 149 sec into the flight due to vibration disturbances generated by the spinning payload.

This fine vintage USAF glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Pioneer 5 Pre-Flight Checks

10  x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  PL-59-34110

12 July 1959

The Pioneer-5 Spacecraft is seen mated with the dummy third stage on the Thor Able-IV Launch Vehicle at the top of the service gantry at Pad 17A.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Thor Able-IV #219 Shroud Hoisted For Mating

10  x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

12 July 1959

The shroud that will protect the Pioneer-5 Spacecraft until it is released from the dummy third stage is seen being hoisted up at Pad A of Launch Complex 17 at the Cape.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

SOLD

Thor Able-4 No. 219 And Pioneer-5

10  x  8  Colour Glossy NASA Photograph

11 March 1960

The Thor Able-4 stands ready for lift off with Pioneer-5 aboard the Delta configuration at Launch Complex 17A at the Cape. This Thor Delta configuration successfully launched Pioneer-5 on it cosmic journey.

This fine vintage colour NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG+

£8.95

Thor Able-4 No. 219 Lift Off

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

11 March 1960

The Thor Able-4 is launched with Pioneer-5 aboard the Delta second stage from Launch Complex 17A at the Cape. This Thor Delta configuration successfully launched Pioneer-5 on it cosmic journey.

Pioneer 5 was designed to provide the first map of the interplanetary magnetic field. The vehicle functioned for a record 106 days, and communicated with Earth from a record distance of 36.2 million km. It was spin stabilised and had four deployed-fixed solar paddles providing 16 watts of power.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG+

£5.95

Thor Able-4 No. 219 Lift Off  #2

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy USAF Photograph

NASA  No.  PL-60-52596

11 March 1960

The Thor Able-4 is launched with Pioneer-5 aboard the Delta second stage from Launch Complex 17A at the Cape. This Thor Delta configuration successfully launched Pioneer-5 on it cosmic journey.

Pioneer 5 was designed to provide the first map of the interplanetary magnetic field. The vehicle functioned for a record 106 days, and communicated with Earth from a record distance of 36.2 million km. It was spin stabilised and had four deployed-fixed solar paddles providing 16 watts of power.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in poor to good condition.

£8.95

Thor Able-2 #148 And TIROS-1

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy USAF Photograph

USAF  No. PL-60-52693

14 March 1960

Second stage erection at Pad 17A of the Thor Delta and Tiros-1. This modified Thor Delta configuration successfully launched the first Tiros Satellite into orbit on 1 April 1960.

TIROS-1 was a TV and Infrared Observation Satellite and it returned 22952 cloud cover photographs. The spacecraft was engaged in practical applications and the uses of space technology such as weather or communication.

This fine vintage USAF glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG+

£6.95

Thor Able-2 #148 And TIROS-1 Lift Off

10  x  8  B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

1 April 1960

Lift off from Pad 17A at the Cape of the Thor Delta and Tiros-1. This modified Thor Delta configuration successfully launched the first Tiros Satellite into orbit on 1 April 1960.

TIROS-1 was a TV and Infrared Observation Satellite and it returned 22952 cloud cover photographs. The spacecraft was engaged in practical applications and the uses of space technology such as weather or communication.

This fine vintage glossy NASA photograph is in good condition. G-

£12.95

Thor Able-2 #148 And TIROS-1 Lift Off

10  x  8  Colour Glossy NASA Photograph

1 April 1960

Lift off from Pad 17A of the Thor Delta and Tiros-1. This modified Thor Delta configuration successfully launched the first Tiros Satellite into orbit on 1 April 1960.

TIROS-1 was a TV and Infrared Observation Satellite and it returned 22952 cloud cover photographs. The spacecraft was engaged in practical applications and the uses of space technology such as weather or communication.

This fine vintage colour glossy NASA photograph is in very good condition, near mint.

£8.95

TIROS-3 And Hurricane Betsy

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy USAF Photograph

NASA No.  61-Tiros III-26

8 September 1961

Tiros III photographs Hurricane "Betsy" at 5:00 p.m. EDT September 7th at about 920 statute miles east of Hatteras, N.C. The eye of the hurricane is clearly visible and is approximately 200 miles in diameter. The surrounding mass of cyclonically swirling clouds which surround the eye extend several hundred miles. The centre of the eye was near 35 deg. North and 59 deg. West. This picuure was relayed from Tiros III satellite and transmitted from the satellite to special receiving and readout equipment to NASA's Wallops Station, Va.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG+

£9.95

TIROS World's First Weather Satellite

10 x 8  Colour Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  S-64-31386

Tiros was the very first weather satellite put in orbit. The term TIORS is an abbreviation for Television Infra-Red Observation Satellite.

This fine vintage NASA colour glossy photograph is in very good condition. Printed on heavy 'A Kodak Paper'.

£8.95

TIROS (TOS-G) ESSA-9

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No.  69-H-280

February 1969

The Tiros Operational Satellite (TOS-G) spacecraft is shown in final check-out prior to being placed atop the Delta Launch Vehicle. NASA successfully launched the ESSA-9 spacecraft from launch complex 17B at 2:47 EST, 26 Feb. 1969 for the Evironmental Science Services Administration (ESSA).

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

NASA's  Echo  Project

Echo 1 and 1A were 30.5 m diameter balloons made of 0.0127 mm thick mylar polyester film. A set of 107.9-MHz beacon transmitters were carried for telemetry. The transmitters were powered by five nickel-cadmium batteries that were charged by 70 solar cells mounted on the balloon.

The Echo satellites were NASA's first experimental communications satellite project. Each spacecraft was a large metallized balloon designed to act as a passive communications reflector to bounce communication signals transmitted from one point on Earth to another.

Following the failure of the launch vehicle carrying Echo 1, Echo 1A (commonly referred to as Echo 1) was successfully orbited, and was used to redirect transcontinental and intercontinental telephone, radio, and television signals. The success of Echo 1A proved that microwave transmission to and from satellites in space was understood and demonstrated the promise of communications satellites. The vehicle also provided data for the calculation of atmospheric density and solar pressure due to its large area-to-mass ratio. Echo 1A was visible to the unaided eye over most of the Earth (brighter than most stars) and was probably seen by more people than any other man-made object in space. Echo 2 continued the passive communications experiments, and also investigated the dynamics of large spacecraft and was used for global geometric geodesy. Although NASA abandoned passive communications systems in favor of active satellites following Echo 2, the Echo systems demonstrated several ground station and tracking technologies that would be used by active systems. Echo 1A re-entered on May 24, 1968 followed by Echo 2 on June 7, 1969.

£8.95

Thor-Delta #144 And Echo-1 Lift Off

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

13 May 1960

Just moments after ignition at Launch Complex 17A for the first Thor-Delta 3 Stage configuration. The payload is Echo-1, a 100-foot communications sphere. This first Echo/Delta launch failed because of second stage altitude control failure.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG++

£7.95

Three Stage Delta Launch Vehicle

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  60-E-2

August 1960

This drawing identifies major components of the three stage Delta Launch Vehicle used for NASA's Project Echo passive communications satellite. Prime contractor is Douglas Aircraft Company. The 92-foot Delta weighs 112,000 pounds fueled and develops 150,000 pounds thrust at lift-off.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Project Echo Satellite Preparations

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  L-60-4067

August 1960

NASA technicians at the Langley Research Centre prepare two Project Echo aluminum-coated plastic satellites. On the work table, each satellite is slightly more than 157 feet long. They will be compactly folded into metal payload containers 26.5 inches in diameter. The Satellite at right is in the early stages of folding and is held in place by 12-inch clothes pins. The satellite at left, further along in the intricate folding process, is being encased in a vinyl sleeve preparatory to the evacuation of bulk air trapped inside.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Project Echo Satellite Preparations #2

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  L-60-4068

August 1960

NASA technicians at the Langley Research Centre prepare a Project Echo aluminium-coated plastic satellite. A technician (background) checks a plastic cap which will be placed over the opening (foreground), sealing the ends of 82 flat gores fitted and cemented together to form the satellite. On the work table, the satellite - held in place by 12-inch clothes pins and partly obscured by a white vinyl covering - is slightly more than 157 feet long. It will be compactly folded into a metal payload container 26.5 inches in diameter.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£5.95

Thor Delta 270/D2 And Echo 1A

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  60-E2-1

12 August 1960

Echo 1A was boosted into Earth orbit at 5:39 a.m. EDT on 12 August 1960 by the Thor Delta from Launch Complex 17 Pad A at the Cape. The Delta Launch Vehicle is seen venting its liquid oxygen prior to launch.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Echo-1A  Flight Chart

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

1960

A fine glossy photographic reproduction of ECHO-1's flight path for the first 24 hours after orbit injection. Each line indicates its path per hour and are numbered accordingly. Altitude 900 nautical miles - Inclination 48 deg. of normal orbit.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Single Stage Thor Echo Test Flight

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA  No.  62-E2-4

7 January 1962

The single stage Thor booster waits in gantry 17B for the arrival of the 135-foot rigidized inflatable sphere. This test is to evaluate the inflation system of the 500-pound sphere prior to orbital launch as a passive communication satellite. The 30 minute flight will take the balloon to an expected peak altitude of 950 statute miles and re-enter the atmosphere 600 statute miles off the east coast of Florida.

This fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Atlas Agena A 29D And Midas I

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy USAF Photograph

USAF No. PL-60-51889

26 February 1960

Pre-launch activity at Launch Complex 14 for the Atlas LV-3A Agena A configuration with Midas I as a payload is seen on launch day. The second stage failed to separate and this was logged as a failure.

Midas I is the first USAF Missile Defence Early Warning Satellite. First tested onboard a Thor Agena B launched from Vandenberg in December 1960 with IR sensors but did not carry its camera or film capsule.

This fine vintage USAF glossy photograph is in very good condition.

£8.95

Atlas Agena A 45D And Midas II Mating

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy USAF Photograph

May 1960

A fine view of the Agena A 1007 with Midas II as its payload being hoisted for mating with the Atlas 45D booster at Launch Complex 14. Midas II is a Early Warning Missile Defence Alarm System satellite with W-17 sensors.

This fine vintage USAF glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG+

£8.95

Atlas Agena A 45D And Midas II

10  x  8  B/W  Glossy USAF Photograph

USAF No. PL-60-54756

24 May 1960

Atlas LV-3A Agena A configuration with Midas II as a payload is seen lifting off from Launch Complex 14. This was a successful test launch and placed the Defence Alarm System with W-17 sensors in orbit. Midas II remained in Earth orbit until July 1974.

This fine vintage USAF glossy photograph is in very good condition. VG+

£12.95

Thor Able-Star No. 293 And Courier-1B

10  x  8  Colour Glossy USAF Photograph

4 October 1960

The Thor Able-Star lifts off from Launch Complex 17B with Courier-1B onboard.

Courier was a experimental communications satellite and two were launched by the Thor Able-Star launch Vehicle. Courier 1A was launched 18 August 1960 but exploded 2.5 minutes after lift off.

This fine vintage colour USAF glossy photograph is in very good condition, near mint.