NASA contract indexes
| Submitted | Sept. 27, 2017 |
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Communications
From: Ansel Halliburton
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request the following records:
Indexes or lists of research and development contracts between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other parties, which would indicate at least the identity of the other contracting party and the corresponding contract number, covering the years 1960–1969.
This request is part of a research project looking into work done under contract to NASA by a San Ramon, CA company called MBAssociates. MBAssociates is primarily known for developing and manufacturing unique firearms with small rockets as ammunition under the "Gyrojet" brand. However, MBAssociates also apparently conducted research and development work under contract to NASA during the 1960s, relating to satellite defense and micrometeorite strike simulation.
The ultimate goals of this research project are to obtain NASA’s contracts with MBAssociates, and then to request additional materials related to the work performed under those contracts. However, from a separate FOIA request to NASA (NASA FOIA no. 17-HQ-F-00974), I understand NASA does not file contracts by contractor name. Therefore, this request is for contract lists or indexes that cover 1961–1969, that include contract numbers, and are by their nature likely to include contracts with MBAssociates for research and development work.
Below are two excerpts from an online post by Mel Carpenter, a researcher and author of an extensive book on MBAssociates (An Introduction to MBA Gyrojets and Other Ordnance). These excerpts mention two specific NASA contracts with MBAssociates.
"As requested in another thread, here are two pics of a .50-caliber, aluminum case 12.7x36.9mm Gyrojet developed by MBAssociates (MBA) under a NASA contract in the 1960s. The purpose of the rocket was for satellite defense, and the idea was that if a U.S. satellite detected an enemy satellite or warhead about to attack, the U.S. satellite would fire one or more of these rockets to destroy or disable it. During testing (on the ground), the rocket achieved 3,500 feet per second (fps)."
"Also of possible interest, MBA had another NASA contract in 1961 for a feasibility study of a hypervelocity gun that would fire small projectiles at up to 100,000 fps to simulate micrometeorites, which NASA thought would be dangerous to spacecraft. MBA used a 1.3-pound high explosive detonation to compress a magnetic field to very high flux and energy levels, and then as the field expanded (theoretically at the speed of light), it would accelerate particles to a very high velocity. By July 1962, MBA had achieved velocities of 32,800 fps, proving its hypervelocity gun was at least feasible.”
Source: https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/gyrojet-for-space/6720 (archived: https://perma.cc/4N9X-Q6HN)
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Ansel Halliburton
From: Jodi Foor
Dear Mr. Halliburton,
Thank you for submitting your Freedom of Information Act request to the
National Archives and Records Administration.
Due to the nature of your request, we have forwarded your request to our
Office of Research Services, Special Access and FOIA staff, for appropriate
handling. You will be assigned a new tracking number by that office and if
you would like to follow up with that office directly please contact them
at specialaccess_FOIA@nara.gov.
For your reference, below you will find your original submission.
Thank you for contacting the National Archives and please visit our website
at www.archives.gov/foia for further information.
Please also visit our main website, www.archives.gov, to learn more about
the many exciting resources we offer the public.
Sincerely,
Jodi L. Foor
Deputy Freedom of Information Act Officer/Archivist
National Archives and Records Administration
Office of General Counsel
College Park, MD
301-837-2099
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <requests@muckrock.com>
Date: Wed, Sep 27, 2017 at 5:31 AM
Subject: Freedom of Information Request: NASA contract indexes
To: foia@nara.gov
September 27, 2017
National Archives and Records Administration
FOIA Officer
National Archives and Records Administration
8601 Adelphi Road, Room 3110
<https://maps.google.com/?q=8601+Adelphi+Road,+Room+3110+College+Park,+MD+20740&entry=gmail&source=g>
College Park, MD 20740
<https://maps.google.com/?q=8601+Adelphi+Road,+Room+3110+College+Park,+MD+20740&entry=gmail&source=g>
To Whom It May Concern:
This is a request under the Freedom of Information Act. I hereby request
the following records:
Indexes or lists of research and development contracts between the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and other parties, which would
indicate at least the identity of the other contracting party and the
corresponding contract number, covering the years 1960–1969.
This request is part of a research project looking into work done under
contract to NASA by a San Ramon, CA company called MBAssociates.
MBAssociates is primarily known for developing and manufacturing unique
firearms with small rockets as ammunition under the "Gyrojet" brand.
However, MBAssociates also apparently conducted research and development
work under contract to NASA during the 1960s, relating to satellite defense
and micrometeorite strike simulation.
The ultimate goals of this research project are to obtain NASA’s contracts
with MBAssociates, and then to request additional materials related to the
work performed under those contracts. However, from a separate FOIA request
to NASA (NASA FOIA no. 17-HQ-F-00974), I understand NASA does not file
contracts by contractor name. Therefore, this request is for contract lists
or indexes that cover 1961–1969, that include contract numbers, and are by
their nature likely to include contracts with MBAssociates for research and
development work.
Below are two excerpts from an online post by Mel Carpenter, a researcher
and author of an extensive book on MBAssociates (An Introduction to MBA
Gyrojets and Other Ordnance). These excerpts mention two specific NASA
contracts with MBAssociates.
"As requested in another thread, here are two pics of a .50-caliber,
aluminum case 12.7x36.9mm Gyrojet developed by MBAssociates (MBA) under a
NASA contract in the 1960s. The purpose of the rocket was for satellite
defense, and the idea was that if a U.S. satellite detected an enemy
satellite or warhead about to attack, the U.S. satellite would fire one or
more of these rockets to destroy or disable it. During testing (on the
ground), the rocket achieved 3,500 feet per second (fps)."
"Also of possible interest, MBA had another NASA contract in 1961 for a
feasibility study of a hypervelocity gun that would fire small projectiles
at up to 100,000 fps to simulate micrometeorites, which NASA thought would
be dangerous to spacecraft. MBA used a 1.3-pound high explosive detonation
to compress a magnetic field to very high flux and energy levels, and then
as the field expanded (theoretically at the speed of light), it would
accelerate particles to a very high velocity. By July 1962, MBA had
achieved velocities of 32,800 fps, proving its hypervelocity gun was at
least feasible.”
Source: https://forum.cartridgecollectors.org/t/gyrojet-for-space/6720
(archived: https://perma.cc/4N9X-Q6HN)
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and
this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform
me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer
the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or
CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I
look forward to receiving your response to this request within 20 business
days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Ansel Halliburton
------
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------
From: Gene Morris
Mr. Halliburton:
Attached, please find our response to your September 27, 2017, Freedom of
Information Act request (RD-54420), for information about the records of
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Gene Morris
Archives II Textual Reference Branch (RDT2)
Room 2400
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