Derbyshire
Rush
[stamped, OCT 7 1959]
You may remember that an important element of our discussion was the utility of a vidicon-microscope for exobiological study. It would be very desirable to know, in time for the SSB meeting where this desire now stands. I assume, but do not know, that the vidicon is already being pushed hard for lunar orbiter; however it may have to be modified somewhat for planetfall, though the specs. for flight may be rigorous enough. I also imagine that the microscope end has only been talked about. If so it may be desirable to set up an ad hoc committee for the contracting of this instrument, analogous to the one on mass spectrometers. There are several people at Stanford, including Villard and myself who would be happy to nurse this, but we could do only a limited amount of development here.
Yours,
J.L.
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