February 1962
From The Space Library
Kenneth C. Sanderson of NASA’s Flight Research Center was named Chairman of the Dyna-Soar Instrument Development Team, a joint USAF-NASA-Industry group formed to provide technical direction over the development of sensors, communications systems, signal conditioners, airborne recorders and telemetry, ground recovery devices, and data processing equipment. Sanderson succeeded Frank Smith of NASA’s Langley Research Center.
Pilot course in the practical engineering aspects of space satellites began at Texas A&M College under an agreement with NASA.
Major problem under study by Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories' Sacramento Peak Observatory was the prediction of safe intervals for manned space flight. Since March 1961, intensive study has been made of proton showers originating from solar flares and arriving at the earth from 30 minutes to 6 hours after the flare has peaked. One major flare out of every four produces proton showers which follow the 11-year cycle of activity. Sunspot maximum occurred in 1957-1958 and the minimum is expected in 1964-1965.
Army announced establishment of Space Construction Office in the Office of the Chief of Engineers to coordinate all activities carried out for NASA, to be headed by Brig. Gen. T. J. Hayes, III.
Dr. Alla G. Masevich, Deputy Chairman of the Soviet Astronomical Council, published first serious mention of ECHO I in a leading non-technical Russian magazine (Ogonyok). Virtually nothing has been said about ECHO I in the Soviet press since its launch in August 1960, although it has remained in orbit longer than any Soviet satellite and was visible to Soviet citizens.
Draft convention presented to Australia covering joint use of the Woomera Rocket Range by space research program of the western European nations.
NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center was presented an Award of Honor by the National Safety Council for having logged nearly 4 million working hours without a disabling injury or fatality.
Astronaut John Glenn's orbital space flight produced a great propaganda dividend for the United States, Mr. Edward R. Murrow, Director of the United States Information Agency, said. "The contrast was immediately drawn around the world between the openness, the complete coverage of the flight, compared to the Russian efforts in this area . . . More newspapers normally hostile to the United States had to admit not only the scientific achievement but the fact that we were prepared to let our own people and the rest of the world see the entire operation from beginning to end."
“Tracking America's Man in Orbit” article appears in National Geographic Magazine
- February
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