astronomers established by the Space Science Board of the National Academy of Sciences) should be carefully considered in such analysis and evaluation.
Any decision to place additional quantities of dipoles in orbit, subsequent to the West Ford experiment, will be contingent upon the results of the analysis and evaluation and the development of necessary safeguards against harmful interference with space activities or with any branch of science.
Optical and radio astronomers throughout the world should be invited to cooperate in the West Ford experiment to ascertain the effects of the experimental belt in both the optical and the radio parts of the spectrum. To assist in such cooperation, they should be given appropriate information on a timely basis. Scientific data derived from the experiment should be made available to the public as promptly as feasible after the launching.[1]
The issuance of this policy statement did not quell the astronomer's dissent.
Later in August, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) passed a resolution appealing "to all governments...launching space experiments which could possibly affect astronautical research to consult with the IAU before undertaking such experiments and to refrain from launching until it is established beyond doubt that no damage will be done to astronautical research."[2] A second IAU resolution thanked the US government for announcing its plans well in advance of launching West Ford and for assuring that future launches would not be undertaken unless sufficient safeguards were obtained against harmful interference with astronomical observations. Nevertheless, the resolution expressed concem that the dipole belt would be long-lived and opposed the experiment until proven otherwise. After the IAU General Assembly meeting, Goldberg again wrote Berkner and informed him of the IAU's actions. He argued that the SSE report failed to indicate that its conclusion that the project would have no adverse affect on science was premised on Project West Ford being short lived. Professor Goldberg noted that subsequent discussions indicated the duration of the experiment depended on the altitude of dispersal.[3]
The Air Force launched a Project West Ford package on 21 October 1961, but the dipoles failed to disperse properly. Subsequent to the
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