FOUR ROCKETS TEST FIRED FROM KEWEENAW PENINSULA
COPPER HARBOR- The University of Michigan in cooperation with the Space Defense Corporation of Birmingham, successfully fired four rockets from the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula Wednesday about 3 p.m. All firing phases went off according to plan with the result that the projectiles were sent into the skies between the Point and Manitou Island to a height of some 19,000 feet.
The main purpose of the series of firings was to test the launcher which is a slightly different type of container than those previously used.
Four men were in charge of the work. Under the direction of Dr. Harold Allen of the astronomical division of the university, the remaining trio included Mike Brian and Leonard Williams of the Space Defense unit, and Guy Snyder, a sargent of the air base on Gratiot Lake.
The delegation moved into the area Monday evening with the expectation of sending the “head” aloft on each rocket Tuesday. Adverse weather factors postponed the firing to Wednesday. With temperatures approaching the 60 mark and virtually no wind at the Point, the weather was almost ideal.
The eight-mile road from Copper Harbor to the Point was was wet. Were it not for the logging going on in the area it is doubtful it would have been passable. Loggers had bolstered the highway somewhat so that, except for a few areas, the route was in fairly passable condition.
The men moved to the site slightly before 10 a.m. Their first duty was to determine if it would be possible to get communications working between Copper Harbor and the Point and to the outside via phone.
They had tried out their improvised line Tuesday and everything functioned excellently. Except for their own telephone instrument and connecting wires, the line used was that which serves the Coast Guard unit on Manitou Island. At the Point the wires leave their pole mounts and move into the pipe container. The missile men place their instrument close to where the cable went into the iron piping.
Insomuch as it is necessary to keep shipping and airplane traffic away from the firing range, communications is necessary for adequate warning. When the men went to use the instruments Wednesday, however, there was no response.
It was the delegation on Manitou, perceiving that the line was out, that informed the Hancock Canal Coast Guard that personnel should be dispatched to the site to eradicate the non-functioning causes.
The Coast Guarders who ultimately got the line back in working order were C.L. Gibbs and Larry Dimalignon.
Before it was possible to use the communication four hours had passed with the result that the firing did not take place until about 3 p.m.
All rockets fired properly. Dr. Allen and his aides, Mike and Leonard, were highly satisfied with the results achieved.
Michigan Technological University supported the project mainly through the use of equipment. Snyder had handled the previous December’s communications so he was selected again to aid in the Wednesday work.
Following the dispatch of the rockets from the Point which is open to water on three sides, the men involved reported back to their quarters in Copper Harbor and then began moving back to Ann Arbor and Birmingham.
Asked concerning future launchings, Dr. Allen said, “I can make no helpful statement at the present time in that as far as I know there are no monies appropriated for the continuance of their project.
Asked concerning future launchings, Dr. Allen said, “I can make no helpful statement at the present time in that as far as I know there are no monies appropriated for the continuance of their project.
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