Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Satellite Tracking Program Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Note:
This series consists of station files maintained by the Engineering Section of the Station Operations Division (after 1965 the Engineering Division of the Satellite
Tracking and Data Acquisition Department) for each of the STP tracking stations, as well as other stations cooperating on STP operations. The records are similar to those
found in Series 8 and are arranged in the SAO numerical-subject records management system (see appendix 1 in the Archives).
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 263, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Satellite Tracking Program, Satellite Tracking Station Records
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Assistant Director (Management) Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Note:
This series consists of records concerning the administration of SAO's Satellite Tracking Program (STP). The records deal with public relations, fiscal matters,
STP personnel, procurement, and special projects of STP. Also included are publications and reports. Of special interest are files concerning United States Air Force support
of STP and the STP's geodetic camera project. The records are arranged in the SAO numerical-subject records management system (see appendix 1, off-line, in Archives). For
other records concerning STP, see series 1 and 4.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 259, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Assistant Director (Management), Records
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Satellite Tracking Program Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Note:
This series consists primarily of administrative records of the Satellite Tracking Program's (STP) Station Operations Division (SOD), 1961-1965, and its predecessor,
the Satellite Tracking and Data Acquisition Department (STADAD), 1965-1967. A small amount of material, mostly concerning budgetary matters, precedes the creation of the Station
Operations Division in 1961. Records include correspondence and memoranda, reports, and technical data concerning conferences and meetings; public relations; budgetary and
fiscal matters; personnel; administrative procedures and organization; the procurement of equipment and supplies; and technical questions. Of special interest are records
documenting special projects conducted by SOD and STADAD. The records are arranged in the SAO numerical-subject records management system (see appendix 1 in the Archives).
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 263, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Satellite Tracking Program, Satellite Tracking Station Records
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Satellite Tracking Program Search this
Extent:
41 cu. ft. (82 document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Color photographs
Black-and-white photographs
Maps
Clippings
Manuscripts
Architectural drawings
Date:
1953-1968
Descriptive Entry:
This record unit consists mostly of records documenting the administration and operation of the STP tracking stations and includes files on the stations kept by the
Photographic Observation Section, 1956-1961; SOD, 1961-1965; and STADAD, 1965-1968. The station files consist of incoming and outgoing correspondence and memoranda, reports,
and technical data concerning satellite tracking operations; station fiscal matters; the construction and maintenance of station buildings and facilities; conferences and
meetings held at the stations; the procurement of equipment and supplies for the stations; station personnel; and special projects conducted at each station. Also included
are administrative records of SOD and STADAD; station files and administrative records of the Engineering Section of SOD and STADAD, mostly concerning the operation of the
Baker-Nunn tracking cameras at each station; station financial statements; and records documenting relations between SAO and foreign countries or states where tracking stations
were located.
Many of the files in this record unit are arranged in a numerical-subject records management system instituted at SAO about 1964. In the system, records were assigned a
number code based on subject classification and filed numerically. Often records prior to 1964 were refiled using the numerical-subject system. Retrieval of records using
the system is difficult. For a detailed explanation of the SAO numerical-subject filing system, see appendix 1 in the Archives.
Historical Note:
Created in 1956 as part of the International Geophysical Year, the Satellite Tracking Program (STP) of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) was a world-wide
network of stations responsible for the optical tracking of satellites. From 1956 until June 1959, the program was funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation.
In July 1959, funding was assumed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The goal of STP was to obtain photographs of satellites in sufficient number
and accuracy to allow the determination of highly precise orbits. Data derived from the orbits provided information concerning variations in the density and temperature of
the upper atmosphere and helped construct new representations of the earth's gravitational potential and geometrical figure. Twelve camera stations were established around
the world between 36 degrees north and 36 degrees south of the equator. Stations were located at Jupiter, Florida (closed in 1967); Organ Pass, New Mexico (moved to Mt. Hopkins,
Arizona in 1968); Maui, Hawaii; Curacao, Netherlands Antilles, West Indies (moved to Natal, Brazil, in 1966); Arequipa, Peru; Villa Dolores, Argentina (moved to Comodoro Rivadavia,
Argentina, in 1966); Shiraz, Iran (moved to Debre Zeit, Ethiopia, in 1966); Olifantsfontein, South Africa; Naini Tal, India; San Fernando, Spain; Tokyo, Japan (closed in 1968);
and Woomera, Australia (moved to the Space Research Site at Island Lagoon, Australia, in 1964). Cooperative programs enabled STP to track satellites at United States Air Force
stations at Oslo, Norway, and Johnston and Kwajalein Islands in the Pacific Ocean; the Royal Canadian Air Force station at Cold Lake, Alberta; Harvard University's Agassiz
Station; and the geodetic station at the National Technical University of Athens, Greece. A special satellite tracking camera, designed by James C. Baker and Joseph Nunn,
was installed in each station.
When it was created in 1956, STP was a part of SAO's Upper Atmosphere Studies Division. The 12 satellite tracking camera stations were administered by the Photographic
Observation Section, under the direction of Karl G. Henize. In 1961, STP became a separate Department of SAO. At that time the Station Operations Division (SOD) was created
within STP for the administrative direction and logistical support of all satellite tracking camera stations, for maintenance of equipment and development of new equipment
and techniques, and for technical support in observing procedures. SOD was organized into three sections: Administrative, Operations, and Engineering. Richard C. Brock became
the first chief of the Station Operations Division in June 1961. Other incumbents included Jan Rolff, 1962-1964, and Carl W. Hagge, acting chief, 1964-1965. In 1965, SOD was
abolished and replaced by the Satellite Tracking and Data Acquisition Department (STADAD). STADAD assumed the duties of its predecessor and was also responsible for administering
SAO's Meteor Simulation Project station at Wallops Island, Virginia. STADAD was comprised of five divisions: Optical Tracking Division, Moonwatch Division, Wallops Island
Division, Engineering Division, and Administrative Support Division. John I. Hsia was appointed the first manager of STADAD in 1965. Other incumbents included Jack A. Coffey,
1966-1968, and Harry Albers, 1968- .
Topic:
International Geophysical Year, 1957-1958 Search this
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 263, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Satellite Tracking Program, Satellite Tracking Station Records
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Satellite Tracking Program Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Note:
This series consists of administrative records maintained by the Engineering Section of the Station Operations Division (after 1965, the Engineering Division of
the Satellite Tracking and Data Acquisition Department). Records include correspondence and memoranda, reports, and technical data concerning conferences and meetings; budgetary
and fiscal matters; personnel; administrative procedures and organization; the procurement of equipment and supplies; and technical questions. Of special interest are records
documenting special projects of the Satellite Tracking Program in which the Engineering Section was involved. The records are arranged in the SAO numerical-subject records
management system (see appendix 1 in the Archives).
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 263, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Satellite Tracking Program, Satellite Tracking Station Records
National Air and Space Museum. Archives Division Search this
Extent:
0.25 cu. ft. (1 half document box)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Microfiche
Date:
1978-1992
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of records documenting the development and management of archival collections at the National Air and Space Museum. The archival collections
were originally managed by the Smithsonian Institution Libraries, National Air and Space Museum Branch until the museum created its Records Management Division in 1982. The
division underwent several organizational changes until it became the Archives Division in 1989. Materials include memoranda, meeting minutes, reports, statistics, proposals,
and related materials. Some materials are on microfiche.
The Bigger Picture: Exploring Archives and Smithsonian History (Blog)
From Smithson to Smithsonian (Online exhibition)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Electronic records
Web sites
Date:
2009-2018
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of the Smithsonian Institution Archives website as it existed on January 30, 2018. The website includes information for researchers, staff,
and the general public regarding reference, records management, and preservation. It also includes publications, resources for teachers, online exhibitions, historical images,
and narrative histories of the Smithsonian Institution and its museums, research centers, activities, and staff as well as the blog, "The Bigger Picture: Exploring Archives
and Smithsonian History," with posts dating from January 2009. Materials are in electronic format.
This accession consists of the Smithsonian Institution Archives website which was crawled in two parts on April 4 and 9, 2012. The website includes information for
researchers, staff, and the general public regarding reference, records management, and preservation. It also includes publications, resources for teachers, online exhibitions,
historical images, and narrative histories of the Smithsonian Institution and its museums, research centers, activities, and staff. In addition, the website includes the blog,
"The Bigger Picture: Exploring Archives and Smithsonian History." Materials are in electronic format.
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Assistant Director (Management) Search this
Type:
Archival materials
Note:
This series consists of records concerning public relations, fiscal matters, SAO personnel, equipment and procurement, and special projects of SAO. Also included
are publications and reports. The records are arranged in the numerical-subject records management system instituted at SAO (see appendix 1, off-line, in Archives). For other
administrative files see series 1.
Collection Citation:
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Record Unit 259, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Assistant Director (Management), Records
The Bigger Picture: Exploring Archives and Smithsonian History (Blog)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Electronic records
Date:
2009-2017
Descriptive Entry:
This accession consists of the Smithsonian Institution Archives website as it existed on September 20, 2017. The website includes information for researchers, staff,
and the general public regarding reference, records management, and preservation. It also includes publications, resources for teachers, online exhibitions, historical images,
and narrative histories of the Smithsonian Institution and its museums, research centers, activities, and staff as well as the blog, "The Bigger Picture: Exploring Archives
and Smithsonian History," with posts dating from January 2009. In addition, the online exhibition "From Smithson to Smithsonian" was crawled separately on the same day. Materials
are in electronic format.
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Assistant Director (Management) Search this
Extent:
12.5 cu. ft. (25 document boxes)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Date:
1956-1967
Descriptive Entry:
This record unit consists primarily of records maintained by Assistant Director Carlton W. Tillinghast, 1961-1969, with smaller amounts created by his predecessor Kenneth
H. Drummond, 1959-1961, and the executive officer, Vaughan Harmon. Also included is correspondence and memoranda addressed to Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) Director
Fred L. Whipple. This material was usually referred to the assistant director for action. Records include general correspondence, 1957-1964, concerning SAO administration
and scientific projects including Project Celescope; the Harvard Radio Meteor Project; SAO-International Year of the Quiet Sun Comet Project; the Prairie Network; and the
Satellite Tracking Program. Of special interest is correspondence regarding the closing of SAO's Table Mountain, California, station in 1961. The record unit also includes
administrative files, 1956-1966; Satellite Tracking Program records, 1957-1964, including administrative and tracking station files; and a buildings file, 1957-1966.
Around 1964, a numerical-subject records management system was instituted at SAO. Records were assigned a number code based on subject classification and filed numerically.
Often records prior to 1964 were refiled using the numerical-subject system. Retrieval of records using the system is difficult. For a detailed explanation of the SAO numerical-subject
filing system, see appendix 1 (off-line, in Archives).
Historical Note:
Prior to 1959 the duties of this office were performed by the executive officer, Vaughan Harmon. For an administrative history of the office of the assistant director
(Management), see Record Unit 256.
