Jul 19 1963
From The Space Library
X-15 No. 3 flown by NASA pilot Joseph A. Walker attained record altitude of 347,800 ft. (65.9 mi.) and speed of 3,710 mph (mach 5.50). Flight was planned as 315,000-ft. altitude build-up for pilot Walker in preparation for later 350,000-ft. attempt, but X-15's engine burned 85 sec. instead of planned 83 sec. Nitrogen filled balloon was to have ejected from X-15's tail during ascent to obtain altitude density measurements, but electrical ejection signal did not function properly. This was 90th flight, of X-15. (FRC Release 25-63; FRC X-15 Flight Log; NASA Hq. X-15 Proj. Off.; NASA Release 63-160)
Aerobee 150A sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station with 230-lb. instrumented payload to measure intensity of light from stars. Equipped with four scanning photoelectric spectro photometers, payload reached 115-mi. altitude, impacted in Atlantic Ocean 68 mi. downrange. (Wallops Release 63-68)
NASA announced appointment of James T. Dennison and Dr. Thomas P. Murphy as special assistants to NASA Assistant Administrator for Technology Utilization and Policy Planning, Dr. George L. Simpson. Dennison, formerly Director of Research and Engineering at Dennison Manufacturing Co., was assigned overall responsibilities in technology utilization. Dr. Murphy, formerly staff assistant to NASA Administrator, was assigned responsibilities in policy planning, socio-economic studies, and research projects. (NASA Release 63-159)
Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr., repeated in Washington press conference that he was not planning a career in politics. (Hines, Wash. Eve. Star, 7/20/63)
USAF OAR announced formation of Scientific Advisory Group, composed of 12 leading U.S. scientists: Dr. Joseph Kaplan, chairman; Dr. Oliver G. Haywood, Jr.; Prof. Robert J. Havighurst; Prof. Henry Houghton; Dr. John P. Howe; Dr. Mark Kac; Dr. Carl Kaplan; Dr. Nathan L. Krisberg; Dr. Gerard P. Kuiper; Dr. David B. Langmuir; Prof. Leonard Schieff ; and Prof. Frederick Seitz. Group would serve as advisory body to OAR Commander, Maj. Gen. Don R. Ostrander. (OAR Release 7-63-4)
USAF launched three unidentified satellites and a Tetrahedral, Research Satellite (TRS) from Pt. Arguello: a single unidentified satellite from a Thor-Agena D vehicle and the other two unidentified satellites with the TRS from an Atlas-Agena B launch vehicle. The 1.5-1b. TRS was to measure solar cell radiation damage. (Pres. Rpt. on Space, 1963, 1/27/64; M&R, 7/29/63, 28) )
Sen. Barry Goldwater, speaking before Air Force Historical Foundation at Maxwell AFB, criticized U.S. space policies: "By choice of official policy, so far, we are choosing to relegate the military function of space to a secondary position. We have delayed and debated to the point where it must be said that the United States today has no fully defined and effective military space program at all. " . We have, in fact, policy declarations stating that we will not orbit weapons of mass destruction in space unless forced to do so by the hostile action of others. In short we say that we will not utilize the military potential of space until such time as it may be too late. . . . "Just what is this race in space? By our actions we are clearly saying that it's a race for the Moon. We are moonstruck. And, to be sure, the Moon is most romantic .... But, while our eyes are fixed upon it, we could lose the Earth or be buried in it .... (Text)
Mrs. Betty Miller was awarded medal for exceptional service to aviation by FAA Administrator Najeeb E. Halaby, for being first woman to fly alone across the Pacific. 7,400-mi. flight from California to Australia was completed in 54 hrs., 8 min. flying time April 30-May 12. (AP, NYT, 7/20/63)
Gen. Lucius D. Clay (USA, Ret.) named recipient of 1964 John Fritz Medal, citing him for "his distinguished service to the engineering profession, the nation, and to the world," (NYT, 7/19/63)
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