Feb 27 1962
From The Space Library
NASA Administrator Webb introduced Robert R. Gilruth and Astronauts Shepard, Grissom, and Glenn to NASA Headquarters' personnel assembled in FOB No. 6, Washington.
House Committee on Science and Astronautics began hearings on $3.7-billion NASA authorization request. Administrator Webb, Robert R. Gilruth (Director MSC), and Astronauts Glenn, Grissom. and Shepard appeared as witnesses.
Mr. Webb outlined NASA’s projected program to be covered in detail in subsequent testimony: (1) total ten year program ahead may cost over $35 billion; (2) new astronaut training program to include scientists will be announced shortly; (3) future manned spacecraft will be capable of landing on land or water; (4) NASA is opposed to using astronauts as goodwill ambassadors, as they are needed on the current program; (5) 92% of NASA’s budget will be spent through industry and universities.
Astronaut Glenn pointed out that the Nation "must be prepared" for failures in future manned space flights. "We don't envision every flight," he said, "coming back as successfully as the three we have had so far . . . I hope we will always have the confidence in the program that we now have despite the fact there will be times when we arc not riding a crest of happiness and enthusiasm as we now are." NASA witnesses appeared before the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences hearings on communication satellites system, Deputy NASA Administrator Dryden stated that the U.S. would have operational satellite communications within five years.
USAF DISCOVERER XXXVIII launched into orbit with undisclosed payload.
Second Saturn flight vehicle (SA-2) arrived at Cape Canaveral aboard the barge Promise.
In testimony before closed session of the House Appropriations Committee, Prof. James A. Van Allen stated that man-in-space programs were not necessary for scientific space exploration. "For the same investment of effort we learn much more without the man A monkey made the first orbital trip and he made out alright." In testifying on behalf of the National Science Foundation appropriation, Van Allen said that the U.S. should not rush into a cooperative Space program with Russia; failures would worsen relations since Russia has more to gain from such a program. The U.S., he said, had surpassed Russia "in nearly all areas of purely scientific investigation of outer space" but some American scientists have "an uneasy, creeping feeling that Russia is about to launch a manned flight around the moon." Testimony was released on May 14.
USAF witnesses before the Senate Military Appropriations Subcommittee testified under questioning that DOD budget was not adequate in all areas. Gen. Curtis E. LeMay, USAF Chief of Staff, said that funds should be provided for "at least 100 more Minuteman ICBM's" than in present budget, and that he favored a "little more emphasis" in the military space program on early-warning systems. Secretary Eugene Zuckert indicated that he favored development of the RS-70 as a full-fledged weapon system.
Dr. Nancy Roman, Chief of Astronomy and Solar Physics in NASA's Office of Space Sciences, was one of six receiving the Federal Women's Award.
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
