Apr 2 1963
From The Space Library
NASA launched EXPLORER XVII (S-6) atmospheric structure satellite from Cape Canaveral, using Thor-Delta launch vehicle (its 16th consecutive success in 17 attempts). Satellite attained orbit of 571-mi. apogee, 158.9-mi. perigee, 96.4-min. period, 57.6° inclination to the equator. The sphere-shaped satellite, measuring 35 inches in diameter and weighing 405 lbs., contained instruments (two neutral mass spectrometers, four pressure gauges, and two electrostatic probes) to measure density, composition, pressure, and temperature of the atmosphere; it was equipped to make direct samplings of atmospheric constituents such as helium, nitrogen, and oxygen. Under project management of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, EXPLORER XVII was the first scientific earth satellite to use new pulse-code-modulation telemetry system, a solid-state system providing output, power of 500 milliwatts and capable of supplying 40 separate channels of information in digital form. Useful lifetime of the satellite was estimated at two-three months. (NASA Release 63-59; NASA Project EXPLORER XVII Prog. Rpt. No. l)
U.S.S.R. announced successful launching of LUNIK IV probe on a 31/2-day flight toward the moon. Mission of 3,135-lb. instrumented spacecraft, said to have been placed in parking orbit around the earth and then fired toward the moon, was not disclosed. Tass announcement said all onboard equipment was functioning normally, scientific stations in U.S.S.R. were tracking the probe and receiving scientific information from it. "According to data which was already processed the flight of the automatic station continues along a trajectory which is close to the calculated trajectory." At 4:00 p.m. Moscow time, LUNIK IV was reported 50,486 km. (31,350 mi.) from earth. (NYT, 4/3/63, 1, 14; Pravda, 4/3/63, EOS Trans.)
Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., NASA Associate Administrator, testifying before House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Applications and Tracking and Data Acquisition, described the four areas of NASA's applications program communications systems, meteorological systems, future applications satellites, and industrial applications "The space research and development: effort is so broad that there will be ideas and innovations in almost every field. Products, based upon space development and produced using techniques and materials created for space use, may become increasingly evident with time in the everyday life of the nation. "The applications program ranges over a very broad spectrum of scientific and industrial activity. We are concerned with investigations from purely scientific interest in atmospheric physics to problems associated with commercial communications satellites. It is a very challenging area of work and it is most satisfying to our people to find that great benefits are accruing to the nation from meteorological and communications satellite developments, and now from industrial applications as well." (Testimony)
NASA announced signing of $456.6 million contract for Project Gemini spacecraft with McDonnell Aircraft Corp. Development of the two-man spacecraft began at McDonnell in December 1961 under preliminary letter contract. Contract called for 13 flight rated spacecraft, 12 of which would be used for space flight and one for round testing. McDonnell would provide other services and equipment under the contract, including two mission simulator trainers, a docking simulator trainer, five boilerplate spacecraft, and three "static articles"-spacecraft for ground test evaluation in vibration and impact tests. (NASA Release 63-66; MSC Release 63-71)
Leonard Jaffe, NASA Director of Communications Systems, testified before the House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Applications and Tracking and Data Acquisition "NASA program objectives in this area . . [communications satellite systems] are first, to insure the full development and realization of communications satellite potentials through continued research, development and flight test and second, to assist in the early establishment of operational communications satellite systems. The fact that communications satellites are feasible has certainly been demonstrated with the Echo, Telstar, and Relay satellites. Much information and experience has been gained as a result of the last year's experiments with regard to the satellites, the space environment, and with the earth-based elements of such systems. Much remains, however, to be done before economically practical systems can be established, but a sound foundation has been laid and all of the established interests are cooperating to the fullest extent in the research and developmental programs. "In all areas of satellite applications, NASA has many interactions with other organizations. Typical interactions already in existence in the area of communications satellites are those with the Department of Defense, and the American Telephone and Telegraph Company. Shortly, a continuing liaison will be initiated with the new Communications Satellite Corporation . . . ." (Testimony)
NASA Director of Manned Space Flight, D. Brainerd Holmes, said in response to questions by members of House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight that there was nothing about Soviet LUNIK IV probe ` to cause us to reevaluate our [space] program . . . . "As far as our lunar program, as far as our program for Gemini, for man's greater conquest in space, I think the rate at which we are going is reasonable .... "I think it would be foolish to squander funds on an all-out program. I think it would be unnecessary to lose lives just to get there first. I think it is necessary to run a sound program .... " (Transcript)
Dr. Albert J. Kelley, NASA Director of Electronics and Control, testified before House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Space Sciences and Advanced Research and Technology: "As a result of our review and study on the implementation of electronics responsibilities for future space missions, in our FY 64 Budget we are requesting Congressional approval for initial funding of $5M to establish a new Electronics Research Center to be located in the Greater Boston Area. Our long range plans call for an installation buildup over a period of six to seven years yielding a staff of approximately 2,000 personnel, of whom 600-700 would be professionals, and a plant value of approximately $50M. "The rate of Center growth will be gradual and represents an investment in the future of space flight, analogous to the investment made in the older research centers many years ago which is paying off so handsomely today. This rate of growth together with up-grading of Center personnel by continued graduate education after they are on-board is expected to allow us to meet our staffing requirements with little or no impact on scientific and engineering manpower as projected during this growth period. "The NASA considered many potential sites throughout the country for location of the Electronics Research Center. On balance, the overall university-industrial strength and capability in electronics and guidance research in the Greater Boston Area resulted in its selection as the location for the Center. This area, noted for its past and current heavy concentration on electronic research, both in industry and universities, provides a compatible, stimulating environment for growth of NASA capabilities in this important area of technology. "The Center will have the principal function of conducting and directing research and component technique investigations in the related fields of communications, data processing, guidance, instrumentation, and control. It will be staffed and equipped to perform original work and to work closely with industries and universities with common interests. For example, component test facilities will be provided for evaluation of industrially developed experimental components. The Center will serve to focus the increasing NASA out-of-house efforts in the burgeoning area of electronic technology. Most important, it will provide a regenerative path for the early exploitation of advanced techniques of developments for space flight, whatever their source." (Testimony )
Charles H. Zimmerman, NASA Director of Aeronautical Research, testified before House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Space Sciences and Advanced Research and Technology: "Our goals are to provide the research and advanced technology which will "1. Enable our aircraft industry to produce aircraft which will, to the greatest practicable extent, make the convenience and speed of air transportation available, and economically feasible, to the people of this country; "2. Enable our armed services, working with our industry, to develop military aircraft superior in performance, in utility, and in requirements for logistics and manpower support to those of any other country. "In working toward these goals, we coordinate our efforts closely with the Federal Aviation Agency, the Department of Defense, and other government agencies . . . and with the aircraft manufacturers and their customers . . . "Aviation no longer offers the glamor and excitement which so strongly influenced its growth in its early years. We are not striving for speed and altitude records. Men have circled the earth at orbital speeds. The X-15 has flown practically out, of the atmosphere. Our objective now is transportation, economically feasible transportation for commercial purposes, militarily superior transportation for military purposes. I would like for you to consider our program as directed toward maintenance and enhancement of our leadership in air transportation . . . ." (Testimony)
Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, NASA Deputy Administrator, said in address at Annual Dinner Meeting of Pittsburgh Post, Society of American Military Engineers: "Space science and technology require research and development at the frontiers of almost every branch of science and technology. Any industrial nation which refuses to devote substantial effort to space exploration is incurring the hazard of future technological obsolescence of its industries, the hazard of potential loss of leadership, and the hazard of military surprise by potential enemies . . . . "While the new technological developments offer the earliest contributions to economic development, in the long run the scientific knowledge bodies in the great unknown environment of the celestial bodies and interplanetary space may bring much greater returns. For, judging from past experience, advances in scientific knowledge are the foundation of advances in technology, which are a key knowledge for in economic development . . . . "We live, in the language of the old cliché, at a great moment in history. Man has begun to lift himself above the restrictions of his planet into a new and strange environment and to expand his intellectual horizons. This is no visionary activity but one essential to the strength and security of our nation and to the future of man in the universe." (Text)
Newly created NASA Management Advisory Committee on Manned Space Flight Visited NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Chairman of committee was Dr. Marvin J. Kelley, retired President and Board Chairman of Bell Telephone Laboratories; other members were Dr. Hendrick W. Bode, James McCormack, Dr. Hector R. Skifter, and Dr. Arthur E. Raymond. (Huntsville Times, 4/4/63)
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