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Aurora I and Owl Satellite records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 0381
Finding aid note: Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Scope and Contents

This collection contains details of the original proposal for the Aurora I and Owl research satellites, photographs and video of the project, and papers/publications related to the project.

Dates

  • 1964 - 1968

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Access Restrictions

This material is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish from the Aurora I and Owl Satellite records must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Biographical / Historical

Under contract Nonr-4964(1), dated February 5, 1965, with the Office of Naval Research, Rice University scientists designed and constructed two research satellites, eventually named “Aurora I” and “Owl.” Brian J. O’Brien, professor of Space Science, was the principal investigator, seconded by Ramon Trachta, payload manager, and Harold Killen and John W. Davis, payload engineers. Magnetically oriented for auroral research primarily in the northern hemisphere, the 125-lb. Aurora I had telemetry to facilitate collaborative work into the phenomena of what is commonly called “northern lights” among world-wide groups particularly interested in input (particle flux)-output (auroral light) studies. The first combined space effort among the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, Aurora I was launched into orbit 2,000 miles from Earth on June 29, 1967, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Possible outcomes of Aurora’s data were attempts to control fusion reaction for the production of electrical power. Owl, the second satellite, was cancelled in 1968 because of delays and cost overruns.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Overview

This collection contains details of the original proposal for the Aurora I and Owl research satellites, photographs and video of the project, and papers/publications related to the project.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

THe Aurora I and Owl Satellite records were donated by John M. Davis August 15,2016.

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the Aurora I and Owl Satellite records, 1964-1968
Status
Completed
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

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Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892