Jan 10 1962
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (2MB PDF)
NASA announced that the Advanced Saturn launch vehicle, to be used for maimed flights around the moon and for manned lunar landings with rendezvous technique, would have five-engined first and second stages. The first stage (S–IB) would be powered by five F-1 engines (total of 7.5 million pounds thrust) and the Second stage (S–II) would be powered with five J-2 engines (total of 1 million pounds thrust). A third stage (S-IVB) with a single J-2 engine would be used on escape missions.
X-15 No. 1 piloted by Cdr. Forrest S. Petersen (USN) made its first forced landing in 47 flights when its rocket engine failed to ignite in mid-air after two attempts. X-15 was brought down without incident at Mud Lake, Nevada.
NASA and AEC awarded 5-yr. contract for the development of the Nerva engine to Aerojet-General Corp. At same time, Aerojet-General signed a subcontract with Westinghouse Electric Corp. for nuclear portions of the development which began in 1955.
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