called for a vehicle capable of putting 20000 to 40000 lb into orbit, or accelerating 6000 to 11900 kg to trans-lunar injection. Existing U.S. launchers could place a maximum of about 3900 lb in orbit, but might be expanded to as much as 9900 lb with new high-energy upper stages. In any event, these upper stages would not be available until 1961 at the earliest, and would still not meet the DoD requirements for heavy loads.

Wernher von Braun's team