The Telescope Program for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, West Virginia

A brief account is given of the initiation of the feasibility study on the establishment and operation of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, West Virginia. The principal research facilities will be the radio telescopes, and a series of such telescopes have been proposed. The desired performance characteristics are reviewed. A 140-foot steerable paraboloid on an equatorial mount has been designed. The steps leading to this design are described, as well as the general features of the designed and the expected operating performance. The National Radio Astronomy Observatory is being sponsored by the National Science Foundation.