Feb 11 1963
From The Space Library
Editorial in New York Times (Western Edition), inserted in Congressional Record by Senator William Proxmire (R.-Wis.) , said : “. . . Energetic research and development efforts in space are vital, as a report just issued by the President makes clear, but intensive work (and expenditures) in the vast expanse of space studies is far different from -and far more important than- a mere race with the Russians. Whether the $20 billion (or $40 billion) race to the moon is justified on scientific, political, or military grounds, we do not think the matter has been sufficiently explained or sufficiently debated. We hope it will be in the present Congress.” (CR, 2/11/63,1989)
New NASA-DOD Contractor Performance Rating System would be “just like pulling a Dun and Bradstreet report on a contractor’s performance,” NASA Director of Procurement and Supply, Ernest Brackett, said in Missiles and Rockets. System would provide central file of past contractor performance evaluations which DOD and NASA would be required to consult before awarding future contracts. It would apply only to engineering and systems research and development contractors not to small study contracts. Bracket disclosed the plan was first considered by committee in office of John Rubel, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Rasearch and Engineering. “We joined the effort later,” he said. (M&R, 2/11/63,14)
NASA devices for detecting life on Mars, to be ejected from Mariner interplanetary probes and soft-landed onto planet‘s surface, were discussed in article in The National Observer. Gulliver, first in series, would be 1.5-lb. dome-shaped device equipped with two 23-ft. sticky strings; upon landing strings would shoot out of dome and then reel back inside, gathering up samples of whatever is on surface to be deposited in solution of distilled water, sterile beef broth, malt extract, vitamins, other nutrients, and radioactive carbon. If adhesive gathers microbes similar to those on earth, microbes would multiply in the solution and produce radioactive carbon dioxide which would be detected by Geiger counter in dome and radioed back to earth. Another device known as Multivator, designed by Joshua Lederberg of Stanford Univ. and still under development was designed to make 24 different biological and chemical tests of micro-organisms. Third life-detecting device is Wolf Trap, named after its designer, Dr. Wolf Vishniac of Univ. of Rochester; it would suck in samples of planetary soil or air and introduce them to broth somewhat like that of Gulliver. (National Observer, 2/11/63)
NASA announced manned orbital flights were being considered for three months’ duration, to study human reaction to prolonged weightlessness in space. “If men can tolerate weightlessness for three months they probably could withstand the rigors of a year-long planetary mission." (L.A. Times, Wash. Post, 2/12/63, B8)
First series of tests of Gemini spacecraft back-up parachute recovery system was successfully completed at El Centro, Calif., NASA Manned Spacecraft Center announced. 20-test series checked deployment characteristics of the system and structural integrity of individual parachutes. Parachute system, primarily a back up to paraglider recovery system, would be used for wet landings of early unmanned and manned Gemini spacecraft. Paraglider, designed for dry landings, would be primary recovery system in later Gemini two-man space flights. (MSC Release 63-25)
Writing on possible effects of subgravity on human beings, Dr. Tau-Yi Toong, consultant, USAF OAR, said: “Two major difficulties present themselves in a study of such effects in earth-bound laboratories; first it is difficult to simulate subgravity on earth for long durations and, secondly, it is impossible to scale human beings up or down. . . . “It was pointed out to the author by Dr. Harold J. von Beckh that part of the effort of a human heart is spent to overcome gravity. It would seem that a lighter load is imposed on the heart of a man on the moon and thus his heart beat slows down. . . . The human heart might possibly degenerate to such an extent that its beat slows down further to something corresponding to the ‘normal heart beat of an abnormal giant’ on the earth. The situation might become even worse should he again return to the earth’s gravitational field with his weakened heart. . . .” (OAR Research Review, 2/11/63, 3)
NASA Argo D-8 (Journeyman) rocket launched from Pt. Arguello, Calif., the four-stage sounding rocket carrying 104-lb. instrumented payload to probe hazards of the radiation belts. Designed by Univ. of Minnesota scientists, payload reached 990-mi. altitude and relayed valuable information during its 27-min. flight, then impacted in Pacific Ocean 1,250-mi. south of Pt. Arguello. Launch was conducted by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center with support by NASA Wallops Station personnel. (Wallops Release 63-12 ; AP, Newport News Times-Herald, 2/12/63)
USN announced successful flight-test of advanced Polaris A-3, the missile traveling 1,800-mi. down Atlantic Missile Range after being launched from launch pad at Cape Canaveral. (AP Wash. Post, 2/12/63, A13)
Prof. V. Kovda. Director of UNESCO’S Dept. of Natural Sciences. told UNCAST in Geneva that up to 25 percent of the newly trained scientists in underdeveloped countries emigrate to other countries. Charles V. Kidd, Associate Training Director at National Institutes of Health (U.S.), told conference that as many as 20 percent of the 43,500 scientists and engineers who moved to U.S. between 1949 and 1961 had come from Asia and Latin America. He called the migration “a national catastrophe” for emerging nations because “not only are the talents of the individuals as scientists lost, but the nucleus of people who can alone build an indigenous base for science is dissipated.” (Manchester Guardian, Wash. Post, 2/12/63, A9)
National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council announced receiving $200,000 Ford Foundation grant to support its study of U.S. utilization of scientific and engineering manpower. In accepting the grant, Dr. Frederick Seitz, President of the Academy-Research Council, said: “The study, already in progress . . . reflects the growing concern in all sectors that heightened competition for highly qualified scientists and engineers may be leading us into policies and practices that are wasteful of this scarce talent. "Our goal is to develop guidelines and suggest measures that will enable this vital supply of specialized manpower to work most creatively and productively. (NAS-NRC Release)
MSC announced the award of a formal contract to Raytheon Company’s Space and Information Systems Division of Lexington, Mass., for industrial support to MIT, which is developing the guidance and navigation systems for Apollo, in the design and development of the onboard digital computer for the command module. (MSC Fact Sheet #96)
Second NASA-Industry Program Plans Conference held in Washington, featuring NASA briefings on all major NASA programs. (Advance Agenda)
Ernest W. Brackett, Director, Procurement and Supply, at the NASA-Industry Programs Plans Conference, Washington, D.C., explained the role of small business in NASA contracting. “During fiscal year 1962 small business companies received 66 percent of the total number of contractual actions, large and small, placed by NASA. This small business share of NASA procurement amounted to approximately $125 million, or 12 percent of the total NASA procurement placed with all business firms . . . They are able to compete successfully for many of NASA’s contracts, particularly in furnishing components and supplies. During fiscal year 1962, of the hundred contractors who received the largest dollar value of NASA prime contracts, 24 were small business concerns. In those procurements where small business concerns submitted bids, they were successful in receiving 57 percent of the dollar value of the awards.” (Proceedings, NASA SP-29 ; Text)
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