Mar 16 1963
From The Space Library
Astronomers at Mt. Wilson and Palomar Observatories reported they had observed what they believed were five brightest objects in the universe. Joint research by astronomer groups at Mt. Wilson and Palomar, as well as Cal Tech's Radio Observatory in Owens Valley, Calif.; Jodrell Bank Observatory in England; and astronomers in Australia, was presented in Cal Tech report, which said knowledge gained about the five objects may make possible optical study of objects nearly 10 or 12 billion light years away-the edge of the visible universe. (UPI, Wash. Post, 3/17/63)
General Bernard. A. Schriever (USAF) told Central Florida Medical Meeting, Orlando: "The successful development of space technology required major contributions from aerospace medicine. These contributions are twofold: first, an increased knowledge of the biological problems that will be encountered in space flight; and second, the development of equipment and techniques that will enable man not only to survive, but also to operate effectively in space. We have already made great progress through the Air Force high altitude research, through simulation of the space environment, and through the Mercury program. But additional knowledge and experience will be required to conduct extensive manned operations in space. . "One of the major problems to be encountered in manned space flight is radiation, which may actually become a limiting factor on the duration of flights in a given orbit. This may come from several sources-from solar flares, from space-ambient radiation such as found in the Van Allen belts, or from nuclear devices that may be exploded in the earth's atmosphere. There are two approaches which are being taken to the solution of this problem, and they may be used in conjunction. The first is shielding, which is the current means of protection against radiation. But in space systems, where weight is of critical importance, conventional shielding methods are likely to be out of the question. "The second method seeks to make use of a drug with anti-radiation properties. Some 1,800 potential antiradiation drugs are currently being evaluated, and a number of them appear to hold great promise. Several interesting facts have. already emerged from these studies. For example, cells with less than the normal supply of oxygen are protected from radiation damage. Stimulating the production of white blood cells and slowing the metabolism also protect the cells to some degree against radiation damage. Ideally, we would like to discover an antiradiation drug that can be administered orally without. toxic side effects . ." (Text)
Routine radio contact with MARS I interplanetary probe was made over distance of 98,863,000 km. (61,430,502 mi.), about 12,000,000 km. (7,364,400 mi.) farther than last U.S. radio contact with MARINER II Venus probe, according to Tass. (MARINER II'S last contact was at 54.3 million mi.) (Pravda, 3/17/63, 1, AFSS-T Trans.)
Howard M. Weiss, NASA Director of Quality Assurance and Re-liability, said total cost of the two Mariner shots, the second of which brought U.S. several firsts in knowledge of planet Venus, was $47 million. Weiss was addressing American Society of Quality Control, Southern Connecticut Section, in Bridgeport. (Bridgeport Post, 3/18/63)
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