Mar 20 1964
From The Space Library
Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, NASA Deputy Administrator, was presented the Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy for 1964, at National Space Club's annual Goddard Memorial Dinner in Washington. Other Space Club awards: Dr. Harold A. Rosen and Donald D. Williams of Hughes Aircraft Co. received the astronautics engineer award for contributions to conception and development of Syncom satellite. Tulane Univ. received a $1,500 grant to further advanced education in the field of science and astronautics; McDonnell Aircraft Corp. and General Dynamics/ Astronautics received Nelson P. Jackson Aerospace Award for performance on Mercury spacecraft and Atlas booster of Astronaut Leroy Gordon Cooper's 22-orbit flight; editors and staff of Fortune magazine received the Space Club's press award for series of articles "which provided provocative insights into the motivations and accomplishments of the nation's space-exploration programs"; Robert P. Walker, mathematics and physics student at Univ. of Maryland, received $1,500 Goddard Scholar-ship, and Robert Cargill Hall, historian of Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., received $200 Goddard Historical Essay award for second straight year. (NSC Release)
Dr. Edward C. Welsh, NASC Executive Secretary, delivered keynote address at the Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner. He compared U.S. and Soviet space accomplishments: "1. As regards that key feature of booster power, the Soviets are ahead on an operational basis, although we are moving up rapidly, having attained the current weight-lifting record on a test shot by the Saturn I. "2. We have placed almost four times as many payloads into earth orbit, while they continue each year to increase their absolute lead in total weight of net payloads orbited. "3. Our numerical progress in orbiting payloads is impressive. Last year alone, the U.S. put more payloads into earth orbit than the USSR has since Sputnik I in 1957. "4. The increasing reliability of our launchings is also impressive. During the past three years, we placed successfully into earth orbit 82% of all the payloads which we attempted to put there. The Soviet record, while not identical, is comparable. "5. The Soviet heavy Vostok class of vehicle has accumulated some 1600 orbits, as compared with 37 for our smaller Mercury. . . . "6. The Soviets have devoted more of their attention to far-out space than we have. As a percentage of total space launching attempts, they have devoted five times as much effort to escape-missions to the moon and planets as we have. The opposite is true as to near-earth orbits, in which the U.S. emphasis has been much greater than theirs. "7. Both countries have made impressive strides in accumulating scientific data about space. We may even be ahead in this regard, but it is not safe to assume so. "8. The U.S. is clearly ahead in world-wide sharing of space research in cooperative programs, and in direct application of space technology to practical use in communications, weather reporting, geodesy, and navigation. "In summary, we have made enormous gains in the past few years in the race with our able and aggressive competitor. . . I want to emphasize that the Soviets have a strong orderly program, with every indication that it is continuing vigorously, apparently unaffected by adverse economic factors in their country. Wishful thinking to the contrary, we dare not slow down unless we are willing to pay the terrific price of second place. . . ." (Text)
General Bernard A. Schriever (USAF) addressed an Air Force Association squadron in New York City on the subject of "The Air Force in the Years Ahead" : "A major consideration in long-range planning today is the rapid pace of technical progress. Since the early days of World War II we have been caught up in a massive technological explosion. One of the most important military products of this explosion is the intercontinental ballistic missile, which today forms an increasingly important part of our nation's strategic forces. . . . "In addition to its direct contribution to our national security the Air Force ICBM development program has created much of the technology, hardware and facilities that have been utilized in the nation's space program. Most of the nation's space shots to date have been launched by military boosters from Air Force facilities. The Titan III Standard Launch Vehicle, which is currently under development by the Air Force Systems Command, is based on the technology and experience gained in ICBM development. "The Air Force Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program is the logical next step in military space development. The MOL is required to help us answer basic questions about man's role in space, such as the length of a time a man can safely remain in orbit, his ability to make full use of his faculties in space, and his ability to perform a useful military function there. . . " (Text, AFSC Release 43-R-32)
Dr. John Peter Minton of the National Cancer Institute confirmed that infrared laser rays had killed certain malignant tumors in mice. Dr. Minton had conducted several months of experiments in conjunction with engineers of the U.S. Army Missile Command engaged in laser research. (DOD Release 237-64)
U.S. and Japanese meteorologists ended week-long conference in Miami where they formulated informal recommendations for increased international cooperation in problems of hurricanes and typhoons. Satellites and rockets were expected to play key role in the program, administered by Japanese Research Council and the National Science Foundation. (M&R, 3/23/64, 8)
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