356. Memorandum From the Acting Secretary of Defense (Quarles) to the President1
The Director of Guided Missiles has provided the following preliminary report concerning today’s unsuccessful Vanguard firing:
“The countdown for the TV–3 Vanguard launching on 6 December 1957 was quite normal after an early hold near the beginning of the count. All components appeared to be working correctly. At 1145 countdown was completed and the vehicle lifted off the stand. After two seconds, it settled back on the pad apparently due to loss of thrust in the first stage motor. It fell over and burst into flames. Both the first and second stages were destroyed and the third stage was thrown clear without igniting.
“A preliminary study of the instrumentation records by the Naval Research Laboratory personnel has been made, and at last report the cause of the accident had not been ascertained with certainty. For safety reasons, a close inspection of the vehicle and launching pad had not been completed at last report. As far as yet determined, there has been only limited damage to the launching pad. No personnel were injured.
“Unless more substantial damage to the launching pad is discovered in further inspection, the back-up TV–3 vehicle will be mounted on it and should be ready for launching before the end of the calendar year. Barring unforeseen delays, the Navy still expects to adhere to its previous launching schedules for the full scale satellite.”
We will furnish a more complete report as soon as necessary details are available.