Jun 6 1964
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched earth satellite COSMOS XXXI. The orbit had the following initial parameters: period of rotation, 91.6 min.; apogee, 508 km. (309 mi.); perigee, 228 km. (141.67 mi.) ; inclination to equator, 49¦. (Izvestia, 6/7/64, 1, ATSS-T Trans.)
Amateur astronomers in Riverdale, the Bronx, saw a red spot on the moon between the craters Aristarchus and Herodotus at 4:20 a.m. It vanished at 5:10 a.m. before the moon had come into view of the western observatories which had observed spots near Aristarchus last Oct. and Nov. (NYT, 6/18/64)
It was reported that U.S. and Soviet officials would meet in Geneva on June 15 and 16 to discuss a possible Russian role in a global space communications system. The U.S. was already in the process of working out an agreement with the Europeans, and it was believed that the system would be greatly strengthened by Russian participation. The Geneva meetings, which would involve the US., European nations, and the U.S.S.R., would include a general discussion of recent developments in space communications. It was also reported that before the Geneva meeting a negotiation session in London between the U.S. and European nations would work on a preliminary agreement on an interim organization for a space communications system. (Farnsworth, NYT, 6/7/64, 6)
Brig. Gen. Joseph Bleymaier, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manned Space Flight, AFSC, said that USAF would sharply increase its participation in NASA's manned space flight program; USAF astronauts might be assigned for training as crew members on some Gemini and Apollo flights, and 100 officers would help staff Integrated Mission Control Center (IMCC) at MSC. (George Low, MSC Deputy Director, denied this claim three days later (see June 9).) General Bleymaier disclosed that: (1) flight crews of Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) would come from nine Dyna-Soar pilots now at Aerospace Research Pilot School, Edwards AFB; (2) USAF would begin discussing specific flights aboard Gemini and Apollo when Sec. of Defense Robert S. McNamara gave approval for production of MOL; (3) 17 Titan launches were planned, two allocated to MOL ; (4) pay-loads of 6,000 lbs. would contain scientific research projects, with NASA experiments to be accommodated. (Houston Post, 6/10/64; M&R, 6/15/64, 12)
Speaking at commencement exercises at New Mexico State University, University Park, N. Mex., Dr. George Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, noted that the -NASA program for manned space flight has recorded 16 successes in 16 attempts. He explained this record: "A rather simple formula has contributed to the success to date. We fly a spacecraft, manned or unmanned, only after a comprehensive set of ground and flight tests has been completed and every deviation from expected performance has been explained. We are continuing to follow that policy." (Text)
Dr. Joseph Shea, manager of MSC Apollo Spacecraft Office, said that U.S. would land men on the moon before Dec. 31, 1969. He stated that in his judgment "we have a much better than even chance" of landing the first two astronauts on the lunar surface ahead of the 1970 deadline set by the late President Kennedy. (UPI, Wash. Daily News, 6/6/64)
Lt. Gen. James H. Doolittle (USAFR) was awarded the Pennsylvania Military College Engineering Centennial Medal. In his acceptance speech, General Doolittle spoke on USAF Project Forecast report, which considered "national policy, technological opportunities, and capability" in its 10-year predictions. Based on the technological opportunities evaluated (including materials, propulsion, aerodynamic development, special weapons, and guidance), there would be eight important possible technical advances: Advanced Manned Precision Strike System (AMPSS ), very accurate ICBM's, very precise air-to-ground missiles, a VTOL fighter, a Vtol light transport, a large cargo aircraft (CX-X), Mobile Air Defense, and a hypersonic mach 6 reconnaissance aircraft. General Doolittle concluded: ". . . our national security and our national welfare, in future, will depend very largely on military technology and, of course, as always, on the spirit and will of out citizens. Our Nation must become and remain superior in science and technology. We must have more and better scientists and engineers. This is one of the very important challenges to Pennsylvania Military College and to all of the other fine educational institutions of our land. . . ." (Text, CR, 8/31/64, 20404-06)
June 6-7 : NASA Manned Spacecraft Center near Houston held its first public open house, with more than 52,000 visitors attending. Visitors walked among the 27 buildings and viewed models of the Gemini and Apollo spacecraft set up inside the auditorium, as well as viewing a film on NASA. (MSC Roundup, 6/24/64, 2)
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