Dec 1 1962
From The Space Library
Three sounding rockets were launched from NASA Wallops Station in series of GSFC experiments to study structure and composition of upper atmosphere and ionosphere: Nike-Apache carried 65-lb. payload to 105-mi. altitude, payload designed to measure electron density and temperature and ion density and conductivity of the ionosphere.
Nike-Apache with 70-lb. payload containing pitot-static probe reached 82-mi. altitude, instrumentation designed to measure pressure, temperature, density, and winds in upper atmosphere.
Nike-Cajun with payload to measure, winds and temperatures in upper atmosphere, payload consisting of 12 special explosive charges which were detonated at intervals from about 24 to 58 mi.
NASA Nike-Apache was also launched from Eglin Gulf Test Range, Fla., to 128-mi. altitude to measure winds by sodium vapor method.
Medium-angle camera on TIROS VI meteorological satellite stopped transmitting pictures, during orbit 1,074, but satellite's wide-angle camera was still sending pictures of "excellent quality." Through orbit 1,073, the medium-angle, Tegea-lens camera took 12,337 cloud-cover pictures of which 11,131 or 90.2% were usable for weather analysis.
President Kennedy was reported by New York Times to have requested Bureau of the Budget to look into possibility of obtaining extra funds for U.S. manned lunar flight program. An additional $300,000,000 to $400,000,000 was estimated requirement for fiscal year 1963. President's request came after White House meeting with NASA Administrator James E. Webb and NASA Director of Manned Space Flight D. Brainerd Holmes.
Unnamed DOD spokesman said DOD was preparing a list of exceptions to its ban against disclosing information on military space shots. New list of exceptions would provide for information about both launch and subsequent performance of USAF, USN, and U.S. Army Scientific research vehicles. Specifically included were X-20 (Dyna-Soar) manned space vehicle; Project West, Ford (orbiting metallic filaments); space projects to gain scientific data; Transit, navigational satellite; Project Anna geodetic satellite; and U.S. Army scientific rocket launchings from White Sands Missile Range, N.M.
Harold Berger, Associate Physicist at Argonne National Laboratory, said recent experiments with neutron beams had demonstrated they not only match penetrating power of x-rays but also reveal structural features which x-rays cannot expose. "It has been known virtually from the time the neutron was discovered 30 years ago that these particles might be used to make pictures through objects opaque to light," Berger said. "But neutron radiography could not be developed until sources of slow neutron beams became available. Such sources were provided by the development of the nuclear reactor and particle accelerator.
The value of neutrons is that their absorption characteristics are quite different from those of x-rays. . . .
"One of the fascinating things that has emerged concerning neutron radiography is that the same neutron beam used to inspect several inches of uranium or lead can be used to inspect specimens such as leaves, insects, and thinner biological specimens.
"Upper Mantle Project" to explore outermost 600 mi. of earth's solid-rock interior was reported by National Academy of Sciences' Geophysics Research Board. The $31 million international study would take three years.
Aerospace Industries Association told designers and manufacturers that the "number one target in all technical fields" in coming decade would be improved reliability. "An entirely new methodology must be developed to obtain the necessary reliability of space missions," AIA report said.
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