Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative "Star Wars" Defence Program : Extensive Rockwell International Archive of Original Handwritten Engineering Research, Nuclear Background Suppression, and Infrared Missile Detection, 1986–1987

Cold War military technology Rockwell International

Archive

Substantial Cold War engineering archive documenting technical research associated with President Ronald Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), popularly known as the “Star Wars” program, comprising more than 1,000 pages, the majority consisting of original handwritten engineering calculations, mathematical derivations, technical analyses, and working research notes, together with extensively corrected FORTRAN computer programs and internal Rockwell International reports. Announced in 1983, SDI sought to develop a defensive system capable of detecting, tracking, and intercepting incoming Soviet ballistic missiles. One of its central technological challenges was distinguishing genuine missile targets from nuclear radiation backgrounds, optical interference, and other forms of signal clutter that could obscure or confuse detection systems. This archive preserves extensive evidence of the actual mathematical, experimental, and computer programming work undertaken to address these difficulties, documenting the complex engineering behind one of the most ambitious American defense initiatives of the Cold War.

Rockwell International engineering research archive, Anaheim, California, circa 1986–1987. Extensive archive of predominantly original handwritten engineering research, mostly mathematical formulas, Fourier-transform calculations, experimental graphs, technical diagrams, annotated and corrected FORTRAN computer-code listings, and internal corporate documentation, Anaheim, California, circa 1986–1987, preserved in a substantial black three-ring binder measuring approximately 4 x 11.5 inches with contents. Comprises more than 500 pages overall, containing approximately 11 printed technical reports. The extensive handwritten mathematical derivations, calculations, programming corrections, and working notes document the development and refinement of nuclear background suppression and infrared signal-processing techniques. Rather than merely preserving the finished results of defense contractor research, the archive provides a detailed record of the engineering process itself, including experimental problems, mathematical solutions, and successive modifications to computer programs.

The binder contains material associated with the work of John G. Poksheva, a member of Rockwell International’s systems engineering staff. A copy of his June 10, 1987 internal letter transmits the final report “Control Program for Nuclear Background Suppression Analysis,” numbered 87/674-041/NHV-013. The report describes a program designed to evaluate filters against simulated backgrounds, including clutter, white noise, and nuclear striations. An accompanying directory lists 81 computer files associated with the On-Array Signal Processor program, while annotated FORTRAN listings and handwritten calculations document aspects of the work. The binder also includes a Rockwell specification dated January 31, 1986, titled “Characterization of Advanced Low Background Mosaics (CALM) Performance and Design.” Together, the documents and annotations offer insight into the mathematical and programming work involved in signal-processing research during the Cold War.

The predominance of original handwritten engineering research distinguishes this archive from conventional defense contractor publications, preserving an extensive record of the calculations, experimentation, and programming involved in developing advanced missile-detection technology during the final decade of the Cold War. Poksheva’s subsequent published research, which included infrared detector technology for the Hubble Space Telescope, provides an additional connection between military electronics research and the broader development of American infrared detection systems. The archive offers researchers in Cold War history, military technology, computer science, and the history of engineering a substantial body of original working material associated with Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative. Contents exhibit moderate age toning, occasional creasing, edge wear, minor tears, and extensive contemporary handwritten annotations. Overall Good condition.

Item #24034

Price: $2,850.00