Feb 14 1966
From The Space Library
Benefits of U.S. space program were emphasized by NASC Executive Secretary Dr. Edward C. Welsh at AIAA meeting in St. Paul. He cited in particular space program’s contributions to education, saying, “it has added immeasurably to total available knowledge of man, of the earth, and of the solar system. . . . Funds have flowed from NASA . . . to our educational institutions in the form of scholarships and fellowships, in the form of new laboratories, and research opportunities. It is estimated that from this one source about 1,000 new Ph.D.’s are added annually to this resource of the Nation. . . and . . . it has been a catalyst and a stimulus to education throughout the whole country. . . .” ‘‘(Text)’’
Threat of contamination of Mars made search for that planet’s indigenous life, at any stage of evolution from prebiotic to extinct, an urgent undertaking, according to Biology Working Group’s section on exobiology in third and final report of NAS Space Science Board Summer Study (June-July 1965) at Woods Hole, Mass. Report, Space Research: Directions for the Future, Part Three, said: “. . . the exploration of Mars, with initial emphasis on the detection and characterization of possible Martian life, should constitute the major scientific goal of the United States space program in the period following the manned lunar landing.” High priority in field of environmental biology was given to study effects of weightlessness, with particular attention to “synergistic or antagonistic effects from simultaneously imposed stresses of radiation and weightlessness.” Orbiting research facilities with six-to eight-man crews to study effects of prolonged space flight preceding extended manned missions were recommended by Medicine and Physiology Working Group. Report urged series of manned flights, ground-based studies, and biosatellite experiments to yield data for planetary exploration. Group examining NASA-university relations urged increases in training budget and facilities and research grants, plus a program providing graduate students-with flight opportunities. ‘‘(Text)’’
D. Brainerd Holmes, former NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight (1961-1963) and now with Raytheon Co., reflected upon his NASA experience at National Space Club luncheon in Washington, D.C. “NASA has done well” to date but today decisions must be shaping up for continuing space exploration beyond the lunar landing by an American by 1970. “Whither now NASA?” was the question, Holmes said, and in the democratic process of decision an informed public must play a vital part. He asserted that it was not only NASA’s job to inform but the duty of everyone aware of the significance and challenge of space exploration to the future of the U.S. ‘‘(EH)’’
NASA Apollo Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) ascent engine test completed at Arnold Engineering Development Center. (AEDC) Col. Jack Bollerud (USAF) was named Acting Director, Space Medicine, NASA Office of Manned Space Flight, and would assume all duties assigned to the late Dr. W. Randolph Lovelace. He would also continue to discharge the functions of Deputy Director, Space Medicine, a position he had held since May 1965. (NASA Hq. Bull., 2/14/66, 2)’’
Vice President Hubert Humphrey designated Col. Donald W. Paffell (USAF) his Assistant for Aeronautics and Space Matters. ‘‘ (USAF Hq. Bull., 2/14/66,2)’’
Development of sealed cities enclosed by domes “utilizing the sealed [space] cabin concept on a more grandiose scale, such as the astrodome environmental module” to assure mankind an environment free from air and water pollution, was urged by Dr. Eugene Konecci, of NASC staff, at the National Cybernetics Foundation symposium on “Ecological Technology-Space, Earth, Sea,” at the Smithsonian Institution. Konecci envisioned self-sufficient community “modules” of several thousand persons consisting of “a series of astrodomes enclosing the atmosphere,” which would be cleansed and regenerated continuously. Each community would have ‘‘its own self-contained, recirculating water supply’’ and facilities for converting sewage back into useful products. Food would be largely synthetic, but there would be “meat factories” in which animals would be raised “in modern air-conditioned surroundings and fed the high nutrient feeds provided through biosynthesis.” ‘‘(UPI, NYT, 2/15/66,23)’’
DOD awarded General Dynamics Corp. Convair Div. $4-million contract to refurbish and update 23 retired Atlas ICBM’s to launch upper-stage vehicles for ABRES (Advanced Ballistic Reentry Systems), Nike target, and scientific satellite programs. ‘‘(General Dynamics Release)’’
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