Jul 18 1963
From The Space Library
X-15 No. 1 flown by Maj. Robert Rushworth (USAF) to 3,925mph speed (mach 5.63) and 104,800-ft. altitude, the X-15 engine burning for 84 sec. In test to determine stability of the rocket powered research aircraft, automatic stability controls were turned off, and in spite of yawing the X-15 remained successfully on course. This was first such test of X-15 without lower tail fin. (FRC Release; FRC X-15 Flight Log; NASA Hq. X-15 Proj. Off.)
House of Representatives passed H.R. 5171 to authorize automatic data processing coordination by General Services Administration. No amendment was passed to exempt NASA from bill's provisions. (NASA Leg. Act. Rpt. II/109; CR, 7/18/63,12277)
National Federation of Business and Professional Women's Clubs, convening in Dallas, adopted resolution calling upon NASA to give qualified women equal opportunity for astronaut-training selection. (Wash. Post, 7/19/63)
NASA announced signing $980,488 contract with Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Div. of United Aircraft Corp. to conduct research in use of fluorine/hydrogen and fluorine-oxygen/hydrogen as rocket propellants. Objective of 13-month research project was to demonstrate feasibility of a complete engine system using the two mixtures. (NASA Release 63-158)
In ceremony at NASA Hq., Francis M. Rogallo and Gertrude S. Rogallo were awarded $35,000 for their invention of flexible wing paraglider. Other awards: Walter K. Victor and Dr. Eberhardt Rechtin, $5,000 for deep space communication system: William J. Alford, Edward C. Polhemus, and Thomas A. Toll, $3,000 for inventions leading to application of variable-sweep wing to supersonic aircraft; Noah S. Davis and Andrew J. Kubica, $1,500 for decomposition unit; Robert V. Hess, $1,200 for Hall-current plasma accelerator; Curt P. Herold, $1,000 for multiple quick disconnector; and Elden C. Whipple, Jr., $1,000 for method and apparatus for determining orientation of a space vehicle. (NASA AB, Memo, 7/11/63; NASA Release 63-154)
NASA announced withdrawal of controversial research grant to Columbia Univ. School of Journalism at the University's request because of an apparent misunderstanding of its scope and purpose. NASA had awarded the grant for studying "ways of making scientific advances of the space program more readily available" to news media. (Simons, Wash. Post, 7/19/63)
Polaris A-3 missile launched from Cape Canaveral land pad in successful flight down AMR. (M&R, 7/29/63, 28)
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