FOIA: AI-1009

Space_Ships_Considerations.pdf
AI-1009
A very interesting letter that seems to be part of a much larger document.
Document date: 1948-12-13
Department: Missiles Division USAF
Author: J.E. Lipp
Document type: Letter
pages: 9


Archivist's Notes: I found this to be a very intriguing document. J.E. Lipp talks at length about the possibility of visitation from either planets within our without our solar system.

He discusses(very scientifically) the possibilities (or lack there of) of life on Mars and Venus as well as calculating the possible inhabitable planets within 16 light years of our sun.

Mr. Lipp seems to believe that life is most likely abundant though he considers visitaion unlikely.

He does draw some very intriguing conclusions and it's a very interesting read especially considering its from 1948. Again another indication that the military took this very seriously.

There is mention of a large RAND briefing and also a Mr. Collbohm in regards to discussing/investigation of the "flying object" problem.

He discusses various types of fuel and rockets that would be needed, again from the perspective of 1948

Letter from J. E. Lipp of The Rand Corporation (Missiles Division) to Brigadier General Putt. Ref AI-1009. (Could be read as AL-1009).

This letter from J.E. Lipp is in response to a request from Brigadier General Putt to the Founding President of the Rand Corporation, F.R. Collbohm, to consider what features may be expected to be typical of spaceships and, therefore, help in understanding what may be behind what is described as the "flying object problem". (Note: this description of the "problem" appears by inference to be General Putt's).

Lipp approaches the question by considering the following factors:

1. The likelihood of advanced civilisations existing within our own solar system
2. The likelihood of advanced civilisations existing in star systems relatively close to our own.
3. The characteristics of a space ship capable of travelling from and to either of the above locations.
4. Comparing likely space ship design to the reported characteristics and performance of UFOs.

It is interesting to read Lipp's rather matter of fact approach to the concept that there may be advanced civilisations on Venus or Mars but ultimately he concludes that visits are more likely from other star systems. However he also goes on to conclude that the reported performance of UFOs is not consistent with the requirements of any craft capable of travelling interstellar distances and that UFOs are actually probably "of Earthly origin" although he does not speculate on what they may be or where they may come from.

Lipp's logic is clearly hamstrung by the engineering knowledge of the day and he seems not to be able, or perhaps willing, to consider propulsion systems or other developments outside of the known concepts at the time. (In fairness to Lipp we do not know the precise terms of reference he was given so it is unfair to judge him harshly). It is, nonetheless an interesting read, giving a fascinating insight to the thought processes surrounding alien civilisations and their development in the 1940s.

Note:

The letter appears as an appendix to the Condon Report of 1968 where it is also recorded as being attached to the Project Sign Report of 1948.
The Condon Report

The letter is also called up as Appendix E-2 of the Project Grudge Report of 1949.
Project Grudge


[edit on 19-11-2007 by timeless test]

This is interesting reading simply because it shows us that people in serious positions were discussing the idea of aliens and their craft at that early date. It is striking to note how the matter-of-fact approach here is not seen later on by the public.

Though there is no direct mention of the idea, I got the feeling that the propellant issue was introduced not so much for what these "unknown objects" were using, as what was then thought to be fuels that humans might use to explore other planets.

All in all, worth reading. Very much like sitting down and watching an old black and white episode of the Outer Limits, only without a good plot. But it was how people were thinking at the time.

My favorite part of this little packet is when Lipp, discussing his belief about life being abundant in the universe, ends his statement with an exclamation mark.

The only time he does that in the letter, to me that was very interesting.

Just sayin'

spiderj

Edit because I'm just not that awake yet...yeesh I needs more coffee!

[edit on 11/20/2007 by Spiderj]

I guess it was a time indeed when it was talks of extraterrestrial life and important enough to produce letters like that one.

But I wonder if up to this day the sentiment is still alive and well or just has been dismissed as speculations.