Sphere & Shadow

The latest model of the satellite that the U.S. hopes to shoot into space during 1958 was shown last week by the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington. It looked like the last word in gadgetry (see cut). The 20-in. magnesium sphere surrounds a canister of instruments, batteries and components of the small radio transmitter that will send information back to earth. When ready for space, the magnesium will be plated, first with gold, then with aluminum, then with a final thin layer of a silicon compound. Small amounts of gold will be used as solder to stick the magnesium and aluminum together.

When the satellite finally reaches space it may be followed on its orbit by a frail, light, short-lived companion. Developed by William J. O'Sullivan Jr. (following a long-discussed idea), the inflated sub-satellite is a balloon of Mylar plastic .0025 in. thick covered with an aluminum film .0006 in. thick. When released from the third-stage rocket, it will weigh 10 1/2 oz. complete and look like a wad of aluminum foil. A small capsule of compressed dry nitrogen will expand the plastic to a sphere 20 in. in diameter, which will follow at first the same orbit as the hardshelled satellite. Gradually the two will separate. The sub-satellite will have more drag per unit of weight, and so will slow down more quickly. The speed with which it falls behind will tell watchers on the earth below the density of the air that it is passing through.

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