Dec 26 1963
From The Space Library
NASA announced it would negotiate extension to existing contract with Control Data Corp. for procurement of computers and associated equipment for Apollo spacecraft Pre-Flight Acceptance Checkout Equipment (PACE) stations. Cost of the equipment for the nine stations was expected to exceed $25 million. General Electric Co. would receive the equipment as government-furnished equipment, would deliver first two PACE systems to North American Aviation, Inc., for checkout of Apollo command and service modules. Four systems would be delivered to John F. Kennedy Space Center, two to Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., and one to NASA Manned Spacecraft Center. (NASA Release 63-286)
Spectroscopic studies of Mars indicate Martian atmosphere is too thin (10 millibars pressure) for wing- or parachute-landings by spacecraft, according to Dr. Gerard P. Kuiper, Director of Lunar and Planetary Laboratory of the Univ. of Arizona. Until recently, pressure on Mars was generally considered to be 85 millibars, based largely on observations by Dr. Audouin Dollfus of the Paris Observatory. Earlier this year, Dr. Kuiper had estimated surface pressure to be 17 millibars, but more precise analysis led him to 10-millibar conclusion. NASA scientists planned further observations for March 1965, when Mars is closest to earth, to gain decisive evidence. (Sullivan, NYT, 12/26/63, 1)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb submitted to Sen. Richard B. Russell, Chairman of Committee on Armed Services, NASA'S recommendations on S. 960, bill to establish joint committee to investigate defense and space contracts, and S. 961, bill to amend U.S. Code on procurement to require NASA to establish central file on contract communications. Regarding S. 960, Mr. Webb said "it is not apparent to this agency that more effective machinery is needed for the investigation of the NASA procurement program by the Congress than exists today . . . ." Regarding S. 961, Mr. Webb said "it is felt that current practices provide ample opportunity for the committees of the Congress to review and investigate the handling of any particular procurement action of NASA without resorting to the assembling of a mass of miscellaneous communications in a central file.' (NASA Leg. Act. Rpt. 11/217; Letter, 12/26/63)
Unnamed NASA official said NASA had reviewed Pratt and Whitney's prototype of fuel cell for Apollo spacecraft and had accepted the fuel cell. Recent criticism had previously been reported that the fuel cells fell short of NASA'S requirements. (Simons, Wash. Post, 12/27/63)
U.S.S.R. has not yet named delegates for working groups to work out details implementing U.S.-U.S.S.R. space agreements reached this year by Dr. Hugh L. Dryden and Academician Anatoli A. Blagonravov, Howard Simons reported in Washington Post. U.S. and U.S.S.R. had agreed on coordinated communications satellite experiments weather and magnetic mapping Simons also pointed out Soviet lack of definite response to proposal for negotiations leading to U.S.-U.S.S.R. cooperation in lunar exploration, presented by President Kennedy Sept. 20 and reiterated this month by President Johnson. (Simons, Wash. Post, 12/26/63)
AFSC/SSD awarded $4,396,000 increment to existing contract to Aerojet General Corp. for work on Titan III liquid rocket engines for space programs. (DOD Release 1599-63)
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