Feb 20 1963
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (2MB PDF)
Nike-Apache and Nike-Cajun sounding rockets were launched from NASA Wallops Station with scientific experiments designed to measure atmospheric temperatures, winds and diffusion rates at high altitudes. Nike-Apache's payload ejected sodium vapor trail from 25-mi. altitude to 100-mi. altitude, the vapor clouds visible for several hundred miles. Nike-Cajun's payload consisted of 12 special explosive charges ejected and detonated at intervals from 24- to 55-mi. altitudes. Experiments were part of continuing program by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center to study characteristics and composition of the upper atmosphere. (Wallops Release 63-17)
Nike-Cajun sounding rocket with experiments to measure winds and temperatures and to derive densities and pressures up to 90 km. was launched from Ft. Churchill, Canada. Twelve grenades ejected and exploded successfully at altitudes from 39 to 91.3 km. A simultaneous launching with Wallops Island was achieved. (NASA Rpt. of S. Rkt. Launching, 3/11/63)
On anniversary of first U.S. manned orbital space flight, Kenneth S. Kleinknecht, Mercury Project Manager at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, said "Three U.S. Astronauts have accumulated 1,144.51 minutes in orbital space flights. The flights of Glenn, Carpenter and Schirra have confirmed that man can perform in a space environment and that he can enhance the mission success and flight safety by virtue of his flexibility and his capability to exercise judgment to solve operational problems. "The flights have also confirmed that the approach and philosophy followed in the design of the Mercury spacecraft was technically sound. Each of these flights has elevated our confidence level in the spacecraft systems and has demonstrated that, although not a simple task, the resources of the United States- that is, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Department of Defense, private industry and other elements-can be unified toward a common end with unparalleled cooperation to accomplish a national objective on a minimum time schedule. "All these benefits derived from the Mercury Project are directly applicable to future manned space flight programs and provide a solid foundation on which to base the Gemini and Apollo programs." (MSC Release 63-30)
In realignment of NASA Office of Manned Space Flight, two new deputy directors were appointed: Dr. Joseph F. Shea, Deputy Director for Systems, and George M. Low, Deputy Director for OMSF Programs. All major OMSF directorates had previously reported directly to D. Brainerd Holmes, Director, OMSF. In realigned structure, reporting to Dr. Shea would be Director of Systems Studies, Dr. William A. Lee; Director of Systems Enginering, John A. Gautrand; and Director of Integration and Checkout, James E. Sloan. Reporting to Low would be Director of Launch Vehicles, Milton Rosen; Director of Space Medicine, Dr. Charles Roadman; and Director of Spacecraft and Flight Missions, presently vacant. Director of Administration, William E. Lilly, would provide administrative support in both major areas. (NASA Release 63-32)
On first anniversary of first U.S. manned orbital space flight, Astronaut John H. Glenn's Mercury spacecraft FRIENDSHIP 7 was presented to Smithsonian Institution by Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, NASA Deputy Administrator. Astronaut Glenn presented to the Smithsonian the flight suit, boots, and gloves he had worn and the tiny American flag he had carried during his three-orbit space flight. Making the presentation, Dr. Dryden remarked: "It is appropriate that John Glenn's FRIENDSHIP 7 spacecraft should join the Wright Brothers' first airplane in this hall, dedicated to man's pioneering efforts in flight. "These two machines ... stand as constant reminders that mankind aspires to the stars .... "As in the early days of aeronautics we can only dimly foresee the future of space exploration, what we Shall find, and what benefits will come to us. We know only that we must move forward in knowledge and practical accomplishment as we strive to discover the nature of our universe .... "We are surrounded hereby the cherished treasures of the Nation. Today, we add still another to bring to mind the promise of the future that men of imagination and courage will always find new frontiers to conquer . . . ." (Wash. Post, 2/21/63, B1; Text)
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center announced award of formal contract to General Dynamics/Convair for four Little Joe II vehicles, two launchers, and launch support for testing boilerplate models of Apollo spacecraft in unmanned, suborbital flight from White Sands Missile Range, N.M. (MSC Release 63-31)
NASA plans for new Electronics Research Center in the Greater Boston Area were outlined by Albert J. Kelley, Director of Electronics and Control in NASA Office of Advanced Research and Technology, in his address before Engineering Societies of New England, Boston: ". . . The principal function of this research center will consist of research and component technological development in the related fields of communications, data processing, guidance, instrumentation, control, and energy conversion. It will be staffed and equipped to perform original work and applied research as well as evaluation of industry and university efforts. It will sponsor NASA research and development efforts in these areas with industries and universities and act as a focal point for NASA research in these related fields . . . ." (Text)
USAF announced Minuteman ICBM was flown on 3,000-mi. research and development flight from Cape Canaveral, the launch conducted by an all-USAF crew. (DOD Release 247-62)
U.S. Army announced successful test-firing of Nike-Zeus antimissile missile at White Sands Missile Range. Colonel I. O. Drewry, Nike-Zeus Project Manager, said test objectives were met. (DOD Release 239-62)
John Hawkinson, president of Television Shares Management Corp., said in-St. Louis that electronics and aerospace industries provided more favorable investment prospects than any segment of U.S. 'business. (UPI, Chic. Trib., 2/20/63)
Appointment of Dr. Augustus B. Kinzel to NASA Industrial Applications Advisory Committee was announced by NASA Administrator James E. Webb. Dr. Kinzel was vice president for research at Union Carbide Corp. since 1955. (NASA Release 63-31)
Soviet press agency Tass reported in Krasnaya Zvezda that routine radio communications with MARS I interplanetary probe were conducted Feb. 13-19 and that telemetry information was received from the probe. Tass said that at 9:00 a.m. Moscow time MARS I was 67,432,000 km. from earth. (Krasnaya Zvezda, 2/20/63,1, AFSS-T trans.)
Deputy Commander of Soviet Strategic Rocket Troops, Col. Gen. Vladimir Fedorovich Tolobko, said in Krasnaya Zvezda that U.S.S.R. had perfected 100-megaton nuclear warheads for its missiles and had succeeded in creating antimissile defenses. (UPI, Wash. Post, 2/21/63, A21)
Dr. Joseph Kaplan, U.S. Chairman of International Geophysical Year, declared greatest success of IGY was in preparing the way for other international research. Such studies would increasingly fall within scope of United Nations, he said. Dr. Kaplan was speaking before joint meeting of Peninsula Engineers Club and Institute of Aerospace Sciences in Newport News, Va. (Newport News Daily Press, 2/21/63)
Special camera for optical tracking of satellites at Royal Radar Establishment, Malvern, England, described in London Times. Camera weighed 81/2 tons, had focal length of 24 in. with aperture of f/1. According to Ministry of Aviation, the instrument had been working since last November and had photographed Discoverer and Anna satellites in orbit. A second identical camera would be operating at Malvern in several weeks. (London Times, 2/20/63,15, and 2/22/63,22)
Report by Britain's Royal Society said number of British scientists holding doctorates that had emigrated to U.S. had doubled between 1952 and 1962 and the number was still rising. (UPI, Wash. Post, 2/21/63, A5)
Jet Propulsion Laboratory said that Goldstone Tracking Station had made first radar contact Jan 21 with planet Mars in a 12 hour per day experiment which would end early in March. 25-billion watt signal made 125-million mi. round trip Jan. 21 (the return signal being only one-billionth of one-trillionth of a watt) and indicated Mars has both rough and smooth surfaces. (JPL Release; Wash. Eve. Star, 2/22/63, A2; Wash. Post, 2/22/63, A10)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
