ABSTRACT
Lloyd Berkner was a central figure behind the 1954 decision of the international scientific unions to request the launching of scientific satellites during the International Geophysical Year. Satellites, argued the IGY planning organization, could make unique and important contributions to the scientific program already planned for the period 1957–58. A “minimal earth satellite” had long had a vociferous advocate in the person of geophysicist S. Fred Singer. Berkner, by encouraging and legitimizing that formerly marginal proposal, transformed it into a program acceptable both to American scientists familiar with classified military rocket development and to those more closely associated with cutting-edge upper atmospheric research. As important, Berkner’s efforts on behalf of the IGY satellite request, wittingly or not, created a perfect stalking-horse for legitimizing under international law future military and intelligence satellites. 1
