Aug 17 1964
From The Space Library
Two NASA sounding rockets were launched from Kronogard, Sweden, in early morning coordinated launchings. Nike-Apache with micrometeoroid-particle-collector payload reached 77-mi- altitude in conditions of moderate noctilucent cloud display. The payload impacted in a lake and was recovered safely. USAF Cambridge Research Laboratories and Stockholm Univ.'s Meteorological Institute cooperated in the experiment. Twenty minutes later, Nike-Cajun was launched with grenade payload to 80-mi. altitude, providing good data on atmospheric temperature, wind, air density, and pressure. Stockholm Univ.'s Meteorological Institute cooperated with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in this experiment (NASA Rpt. SRL)
NASA Nike-Cajun sounding rockets launched within 10 min. of each other to provide data on evening atmospheric temperatures, winds, densities, and pressures from Ft. Churchill, Canada, and Wallops Island, Va., using explosive-grenade technique. Ft. Churchill rocket reached 77.5-mi. altitude, ejecting and detonating all 12 grenades. Wallops Island rocket reached 74.9-mi. altitude, ejecting and detonating all but the ninth grenade. (NASA Rpts. SRL)
NASA launched Nike-Cajun sounding rocket from Ascension Island to peak altitude of 75.8-mi., in flight to measure wind and temperature and derive density and pressure from 12 grenade explosions during rocket ascent. All grenades ejected and detonated as programmed, and ground micro-phones recorded the sounds. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
Lightning damaged certain electrical systems in Titan II launch vehicle and ground checkout equipment at Cape Kennedy, where the booster rocket was being prepared for launching of unmanned Gemini spacecraft (GT-2). NASA spokesman said: "The over-all effect of this condition may result in a delay of the first manned flight (GT-3) into next year." (Houston Post, 8/19/64; UPI, NYT, 8/19/64, 15)
U.S.S.R. was developing an "aerospace craft" capable of taking off and landing on a conventional air strip as well as flight in outer space, Chief Air Marshal Konstantin Vershinin announced in Moscow. "Our generation will definitely witness the flight of such an aerial- spacecraft," Vershinin said. (PI, NYT, 8/18/64, 17)
Numerous reports of an "unidentified flying object" observed in the skies over northeastern Ohio early in the morning were recorded, but R. A. Thompson, Assistant Director of the Sohio Tracking Station, identified the UFO as ECHO I. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 8/18/64)
Plans for military communications satellite system were described in Aviation Week & Space Technology, which reported that latest DOD plan for interim military comsat network called for two or three Titan III-C boosters to place 16-24 satellites into near-equatorial orbit. First launch was scheduled for February 1966. (Av. Wk., 8/17/64, 19)
USAF was reported to be interested in possible use of air-cushion vehicles (similar to "hovercraft") for transporting heavy missiles and space boosters over land, and scientists from Republic Aviation Corp. were planning presentation to USAF on this adaptation of the transporters. (Getler, M&R, 8/17/64, 18)
Dr. Winston R. Markey, Associate Professor of MIT Dept of Aeronautics and Astronautics and Director, MIT Experimental Astronomy Laboratory, was named to succeed Dr. Robert W. Buchheim as Chief Scientist of USAF. (DCD Release 600-64)
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