Exploring the Unknown - NASA's History Office

EXPLORING THE UNKNOWN 15
16. The receiving equipment at the earth end would consist of small parabolas perhaps
a foot in diameter with dipole pickup. These would be sufficiently directive to prevent
interference in the three doubly-illuminated zones. They would be aimed towards the
station with the least zenithal distance and once adjusted need never be touched again.
Mobile equipment would require automatic following which presents slight mechanical
complications (a few valves and a servo motor) but no technical difficulties.
17. The efficiency of the system would be nearly 100%, since almost all the power
would fall on the service area. A preliminary investigation shows that the world broadcast
would require about ten kilowatts, while the beam relay services would require only fractions
of a kilowatt. These powers are very small compared with present-day broadcasting
stations, some of which radiate hundreds of kilowatts. All the power required for a large
number of simultaneous services could be obtained from solar generators with mirrors
about ten metres in radius, assuming an efficiency of about 40%. In addition, the conditions
of vacuum make it easy to use large and fully demountable valves.
18. No communication development which can be imagined will render the chain of
stations obsolete and since it fills what will eventually be an urgent need, its economic
value will be enormous.
19. For completeness, other major uses of the station are listed below:—
a) Research.—Astrophysical, Physical, Electronic.
These applications are obvious. The space-station would be justified on these
grounds alone, as there are many experiments which can only be conducted above the
atmosphere.
b) Meteorological.
The station would be absolutely invaluable for weather forecasting as the
movement of fronts, etc. would be visible from space.
c) Traffic.
This is looking a good deal further ahead, but ultimately the chain will be
used extensively for controlling and checking, possibly by radar, the movement of ships
approaching or leaving the earth. It will also play an extremely important role as the first
link in the solar communication system.
References
1. Noordung, Hermann. “Das Problem der Befahrung des Weltraums.”
2. Hansell, C. W. “Radio-Relay-Systems Development.” (Proceedings of the Institute of Radio
Engineers, March 1945, pp 156 - 168.)
3. Guy, Raymond F. Address to I.R.E., Philadelphia, December 7th, 1944.