FirstEnergy Foundation Grant Highlights NJ Experiment That Sparked the Space Age

In 1946, Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) helped power a breakthrough that changed communications history: the first successful effort to bounce a radar signal off the moon. The experiment, codenamed Project Diana by the U.S. Army Signal Corps, marked the birth of radio astronomy and set the stage for the U.S. space program.

Today, the site of that historic achievement is home to the InfoAge Science & History Museum in Wall Township (Monmouth County), where a new FirstEnergy Foundation grant will help inspire the next generation of history-making scientists. The museum will use the $5,000 grant to educate visitors about the pioneering “moon bounce” experiment.  

“The FirstEnergy Foundation’s grant allows us to foster the critical thinking and creativity STEM brings by enhancing how we educate students about this site’s history,” said InfoAge Founder Fred Carl. “We’re going to be able to design and build a large-scale visual display of just how the first moon bounce, powered by JCP&L, worked.”

A Site That Helped Launch the Space Age

The property’s history stretches back to 1912,  when it operated as a Marconi Wireless Receiving Station, collecting trans-Atlantic messages via a mile-long bronze-wire antenna strung on six 400-foot-tall masts.

The U.S. military acquired the property in the late 1930s and designated it as Camp Evans in 1942, using it as a radar testing facility during World War II. Researchers adapted the radars to detect Japanese kamikazes and developed enhancements that identified whether aircraft were friends or foes.

After the war, Camp Evans continued its research and development mission.

On Jan. 10, 1946, scientists used a large antenna along the Shark River – powered by JCP&L – to send VHF radar pulses towards the moon through the ionosphere. Exactly 2.5 seconds later, the rebounding pulses were detected returning to Earth -- a feat once thought impossible.

From Moon Bounce to STEM Mission

Today, the museum is a National Historic Landmark that hosts school groups and a two-week summer camp focused on hands-on learning about communications and electronics.

“New Jersey has always been the home to innovation. InfoAge is inspiring future generations to ensure that this great legacy will continue,” said Doug Mokoid, FirstEnergy’s President, New Jersey. “JCP&L has powered New Jersey’s past, present and we’ll continue to power and support organizations that are building an even better future.”

JCP&L Volunteers Keep InfoAge & Camp Evans Fresh

In addition to supporting InfoAge through the FirstEnergy Foundation grant, JCP&L employees used company-provided volunteer hours to spruce up the property for visitors. Representatives of the company’s engineering, network and local affairs departments worked to clear overgrowth, pull weeds and trim bushes.

View photos of JCP&L employees volunteering at the InfoAge complex on the company’s Flickr page.

“Volunteering at InfoAge was especially meaningful for me because it showcased the history of radios, which directly relates to my team’s work,” said Paul Han, a Network & Transport Specialist with FirstEnergy. “Seeing how it evolved over time gave me a deeper appreciation for the systems we use today.”

How to Apply for a FirstEnergy Foundation Grant in New Jersey  

The FirstEnergy Foundation provides support to 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits that serve and meet the critical needs of our customers in communities served by JCP&L and FirstEnergy’s electric operating companies and in areas where the company conducts business. The grant to InfoAge is part of more than $7 million in community support distributed across FirstEnergy’s operational area in 2025.

The FirstEnergy Foundation does not accept unsolicited grant applications. To inquire about grant opportunities, contact Alix Hayes, Community Involvement Consultant at ahayes@firstenergycorp.com. 

CONTACT: News Media Contact: Chris Hoenig , (609) 350-8599