study to determine the feasibility of constructing a scientific/military base. “| was one of the lucky thirteen,” George remembers. “In fact, you don’ t have to be a rocket scientist to be a rocket scientist. Von Braun told me that many of his ideas came from science-fiction magazines. “The project was so secret that the thirteen of us could not even tell our bosses--they didn’ t have what was called ‘need to know.’ | would tell [my wife] Judith that | was going to Washington, D.C., and then | would change planes to go to Huntsville, Alabama, where much of the work was done. | made up stories about Washington for her, while | really was in Huntsville, which also was the watercress capital of the world. I’ d make up a story about the cherry blossoms, or seeing a senator in the street. “Unfortunately, when | left the government after nine years (two in the army), | lost my own security rating and need-to-know, so | had no idea if the station was ever built on the moon, and | no longer got cheap watercress.” According to Wikipedia, “The permanent outpost was predicted to cost $6 billion and become operational in December 1966. A lunar landing-and-return vehicle would have shuttled up to 16 astronauts at a time to the base and back. Horizon never progressed past the feasibility stage in an official capacity.” HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_015432