Mar 10 1966
From The Space Library
NASA Administrator James E. Webb, testifying on the NASA FY 1967 budget request before the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, said that the gap between the US. and Soviet space programs still remained and “this budget will not close it. We are as much as 2 years behind the Soviet Union in certain important aspects of space power. In . . . 1965, they launched 52 Cosmos satellites; successfully orbited a 3-man spacecraft; demonstrated a communications satellite capability with 2 Molniya spacecraft; and orbited the heaviest payload by anyone in the world to date, indicating they have developed a new launch vehicle with some 2½ to 3 million pounds of thrust. Since the beginning of 1966 they have achieved a successful soft landing on the moon and they have reached Venus with two probes. The Soviet program shows every evidence of a continuing major commitment to long-term, large-scale operations in space. . . . The massive Soviet commitment to a rapid buildup and a long-term program underlines the importance they attached to advancing their space capabilities. It will require a strong and increasing effort initiated no later than fiscal year 1968 and vigorously pushed in the years after the United States has achieved a manned lunar landing to prevent them from forging ahead as the unchallenged leader in space. . . .” ‘‘(Testimony; NASA Auth. Hearings, 5)’’
Soviet space dogs Veterok and Ugolyek, approaching the end of their 16th day in space aboard COSMOS CX, were in “quite satisfactory condition,” Tass reported. “This is indicated by telemetered data such as pulse, respiration, electrocardiograms, and others--as well as observation of the dogs during television transmission session.” ‘‘(Tass, 3/10/66; Reuters, Chic. Trib., 3/11/66)’’
MSFC engineers Michael J. Vaccaro and Haydon Y. Grubbs, Jr., ended 18 day stay inside lunar vehicle simulator to test interior chamber design and investigate human factors of an enclosed cabin environment. During experiment they performed assigned tasks inside chamber, went outside in spacesuits to simulate going onto lunar surface to gather rock samples, and performed emergency tasks when the compartment walls were ‘‘punctured by meteoroids.” Results of experiment, conducted by Honeywell, Inc., might be used in developing hardware needed in future exploration of moon. ‘‘(MSFC Release 66-56)’’
NASA awarded Honeywell, Inc., a $230,000 contract to determine alternate approaches and concepts for measuring horizon radiance characteristics over earth’s surface-knowledge essential for design of space vehicle guidance and control systems. LaRC-directed study, including investigation of factors affecting horizon radiance profiles, analysis of measurements and evaluation of possible flight techniques, would support Project Scanner rocket flight tests. ‘‘(LaRC Release; NASA Release 66-57)’’
USAF Agena D rocket launched from Vandenberg AFB with Atlas booster Feb. 15 exploded into at least 40 pieces which fell from orbit during seven-day period, UPI reported. There was no indication that the payload itself was damaged: “It is no longer in orbit, but it may have been a reconnaissance satellite which was brought down and recovered,” UPI explained. Explosive gas in the otherwise empty Agena apparently was detonated accidentally after booster had fired. ‘‘(UPI, Chic. Trib., 3/11/66)’’
GEMINI IV Astronaut Edward H. White II, first American to walk in space, told AP that the most important word of advice he had given Astronaut David R. Scott, scheduled for extravehicular activity during the March 15 Gemini VIII mission, was: “Don’t get in a hurry. “Take things slow and try not to hurry and rush, because you can’t do things in a real rapid manner up there. It’s better to go on the slow, deliberate approach.” ‘‘(AP, Chic.Trib., 3/11/66)’’
U.S.S.R. would soon launch single spacecraft with six cosmonauts farther into space than man had ever ventured, possibly to the inner Van Allen radiation belts about 500 mi. (805 km.) above earth, Veda a Techniku Mladezi, Czechoslovakian technical journal reported. Last manned spaceflight was that of VOSKHOD II with cosmonauts Alexei Leonov and Pavel Belyayev on March 18, 1965. ‘‘(Av. Wk., 3/14/66, 34; Simons, Wash. Post, 3/10/66, A4; AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 3/10/66, A1)’’
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