Effective at the end of March 1958, the U.S. Army Ordnance Missile Command (AOMC), encompassing the ABMA and its newly operational space programs. In August, AOMC and Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA, a Department of Defense organization) jointly initiated a program managed by ABMA to develop a large space booster of approximately 1.5-million-pounds thrust using a cluster of available rocket engines. In early 1959, this vehicle was designated Saturn.
effECtivE AT the enD Of mARcH 1958, tHe u.S. army ordnaNce mIssile COMmANd (AoMc), encompaSsing THe abma and its neWLY OpeRaTionaL spACe prograMs. iN august, Aomc aND AdVAnCed reSearch ProjeCts aGeNcy (ArPA, a dEpartmEnt Of defensE ORganizAtiOn) joInTLY inItiated a pROGRam maNageD By Abma TO DeveloP a LargE SPaCe BooStEr Of Approximately 1.5-million-pouNds THruSt using a cluSter of availaBlE rockeT engines. IN early 1959, tHIs VEhicle was desigNATeD saturn.