Aug 21 1962
From The Space Library
Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, in news conference, stated that U.S.S.R. was "substantially ahead" in some phases of military space development but the U.S. was acting to overtake the lead. Confirming reports that DOD space budget would not be increased, McNamara added: "Lest you interpret that as an indication that the Russian flight was not a great one, or lest you interpret it as my belief that the Russians didn't do anything we couldn't do, let me hasten to add that we have not accomplished what they have accomplished to date.
"We are behind in certain space developments, particularly those associated with large booster capabilities." He cited development of Titan III booster as a major step toward overtaking the Soviet Union. Titan III would have between two and three times the thrust of the Soviet boosters used to launch maimed Vostok satellites. Secretary of Defense McNamara stated that DOD FY 1964 funding would include increases for development of 120-in., 156-in., and 260-in. solid- propellant rocket motors. 120-in. motors would be used in Titan III launch vehicles.
Secretary of Labor Arthur Goldberg, in telegram message, told unions involved in strike at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center it was "imperative" that union members "return to work immediately and remain at work." Astronaut M. Scott Carpenter, at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center conference on Project Mercury flight MA-7, stated that his May 24 orbital space flight demonstrated there was no problem associated with prolonged drifting flight, a procedure necessary in future long-duration space flights. Reporting on re-entry and landing, he said that his preoccupation with floating particles in space consumed time available for stowing loose gear, so that Ins attention to last-minute stowing and to difficulties in horizon pitch scanner circuit, coupled with shift to manual control of retrofire, resulted in 3-sec. delay of retrofire and 250-mi. overshoot of target landing point.
Soviet cosmonauts held news conference in Moscow, revealing they had parachuted to earth from their space capsules, landing about 124 mi. apart. Maj. Nikolayev reported that he and Col. Popovich had unstrapped themselves and floated weightless in their cabins for an hour, maintaining communications with each other at the same time. He also stated that the flight program had not called for rendezvous of VOSTOK III and IV, and that the closest the two capsules had come to each other was 5 kilometers (a little over 3 mi.).
Col. Popovich reported they both had observed the glowing particles seen by Cosmonauts Gagarin and Titov and by U.S. Astronaut John Glenn. Popovich said they believed the particles had been "merely the exhaust of the rocket motors." It was stated that the results of the cosmonauts' flights would be published after the collected data had been processed.
In response to statement by Col. Gen. Pyetr Braiko, Soviet Air Force chief of Staff, regarding U.S.S.R. lead over U.S. in aircraft records, National Aeronautic Association president Martin M. Decker announced that Soviet claim was based on January 1, 1961, figures. At that time, U.S.S.R. held 176 world records-113 aircraft, and 63 parachute; U.S. held 106 world records—all aircraft. By July 20, 1962, U.S.S.R. still led U.S. in total world records (including parachute), but U.S. held more aircraft records than U.S.S.R. Parachute records: 83 U.S.S.R. to 3 U.S.; aircraft records: 112 U.S.S.R. to 161 U.S.
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