Before Apollo: Project Horizon - 1959 Army Proposal to Build a Lunar Outpost, Manned Military Base on the Moon, Saturn Rockets, Moon Suits, Operations, Launch Site Plans, Life Support

This fascinating 1959 report from the U.S. Army describes an unapproved plan for building a large manned military base on the moon in the 1960s. The document - in two volumes - provides many details of the plan, including launch and rocket plans and information about the base, life support, moon suits, and much more. Contents: CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION * CHAPTER II: TECHNICAL CONSIDERATIONS AND PLANS * Objectives and Scope of the Study * Resume of the Technical Program * Outpost * Space Transportation System * Transportation System Integration * Communications Electronics * Launch Site * Program Logistics * Research and Development * CHAPTER III: MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS * Scope of Operations * Organization and Operational Concepts * CHAPTER IV: NON-TECHNICAL SUPPORTING CONSIDERATIONS * General * Policy * Political, Psychological, and Security Implications * APPENDIX A: POLICY OF THE UNITED STATES WITH RESPECT TO ACTIVITIES IN SPACE * Statements by the President of the United States * Policy Declarations by the Congress * APPENDIX B: LEGAL AND POLITICAL IMPLICATIONS * General * Possible Precedents * The Law of Space * Political Implications * Specific Problems * APPENDIX C: TECHNICAL SERVICES SUPPORT CAPABILITIES * Resources and Capabilities * Ordnance * Engineer * Signal * Army Medical Service * Quartermaster * Transportation * Chemical * Conclusions * * CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION * CHAPTER II: OUTPOST * Location * Design Criteria * Construction Procedure and Schedule * Medical Requirements * Personal Equipment * Life Essentials Supplies * Surface Transportation * Environmental Research and Support Activities * CHAPTER III: SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM * Flight Mechanics * Orbital Carrier and Space Vehicles * Transportation System Integration * CHAPTER IV: COMMUNICATIONS ELECTRONICS * Introduction * Communications Requirements * Surveillance Requirements * CHAPTER V: LAUNCH SITE * Requirement * General Criteria for Launch Site Selection * Launch Site Operations * Launch Facilities * Possible Equatorial Launch Sites * Christmas Island Versus Brazil * CHAPTER VI: PROGRAM LOGISTICS * Manufacturing Considerations * Transportation Considerations * Movement Control * Personnel and Administration * Operations and Training * CHAPTER VII: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT * Project Phases * Basic and Supporting Research * Program Requirements, R&D * R&D, Supporting Research, Project HORIZON * Supporting Role of Other U.S. Programs * CHAPTER VIII: PROGRAM COST AND SCHEDULE * Outpost Cost * Orbital Station * Vehicles * Payload Containers * Launch Site and Operation * Communications and Electronics System * Personnel Training * Research and Development * Program Management

The introduction states: There is a requirement for a manned military outpost on the moon. The lunar outpost is required to develop and protect potential United States interests on the moon; to develop techniques in moon-based surveillance of the earth and space, in communications relay, and in operations on the surface of the moon; to serve as a base for exploration of the moon, for further exploration into space and for military operations on the moon if required; and to support scientific investigations on the moon. Initially the outpost will be of sufficient size and contain sufficient equipment to permit the survival and moderate constructive activity of a minimum number of personnel (about 10-20) on a sustained basis. It must be designed for expansion of facilities, resupply, and rotation of personnel to insure maximum extension of sustained occupancy. It should be designed to be self-sufficient for as long as possible without outside support.