WOOMERA PLAN

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29778, 22 March 1962, Page 13

WOOMERA PLAN

Orbiting Of Satellite (N.Z.P.A .-Reuter—Copyright) NEW YORK, March 21. A three-stage satellite launcher is planned to be fired from Woomera, South Australia early in 1966. Britain’s United Nations resident representative (Sir Patrick Dean) disclosed this to the United Nations Outer Space Committee yesterday. He said the firing of the launcher would be a joint programme by the European Launcher Development Organisation (E.L.D.0.), comprising Australia, Britain, France, the Netherlands, West Germany, Italy and Belgium.

An attempt would be made in the trial to place a satellite test vehicle in orbit, Sir Patrick Dean said. Earlier, he told the committee that the first Britishinstrumented satellite would be launched into space this year with “several” others due to follow it. He was outlining his Government’s plan for cosmic research as the committee continued discussion on the prospects for international co-operation in this field.

Referring to E.L.D.0., he said: “It is planned that E.L.D.O. should undertake an initial programme of work for the development of a launcher, using a first stage based on the United Kingdom Blue Streak rocket, a French rocket as the second stage and a third stage to be developed under the leadership of the Federal Republic of Germany. “The first series of satellite test vehicles is to be developed under the leadership of Italy, long range telemetry links are to be developed under the leadership of the Netherlands and equipment for the down-range guidance stations is tp be developed under the leadership of Belgium.” Technical information acquired in the course of the organisation’s work would be freely exchanged among member States and all participating countries would be able to join in the scientific, engineering and other activities of E.L.D.O.

German Submarine.— West Germany’s first submarine designed and built since the end of World War II was handed over for active service today, according to the Associated Press. The new submarine is the first of a series of 12 vessels of this type.—Bonn, March 21.