Mar 26 1966
From The Space Library
GEMINI VIII Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and David R. Scott received Exceptional Service Medals from NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., in ceremonies at MSC. Armstrong received a quality step increase in his Civil Service pay, and Major Scott (USAF), promotion to lieutenant colonel by President Johnson. At a televised MSC news conference, Armstrong said he and Scott developed some “anxiety” but that they never for a moment thought they could not return the spacecraft to earth. Both Scott and MSC Director Robert R. Gilruth said that if the trouble had occurred over a ground tracking station, mission might have been salvaged. Malfunction would have been localized immediately and the information relayed to the astronauts. As it was, they had had no idea what was wrong or even whether the trouble was with the GATV/GEMINI VIII or the spacecraft alone. ‘‘(Waldron, NYT, 3/27/66, 64L; Hines, Wash. Eve. Star, 3/27/66, Al; Simons, Wash. Post, 3/27/66, A1)’’
Secretary of Agriculture Orville Freeman announced that the Department had awarded a contract to NASA for use of remote-sensing equipment in large-area surveys. Photographic and other instrumentation carried in spacecraft would identify types and conditions of soil; detect plant diseases in early stages; determine a crop’s vigor and agents which could cause loss of water; indicate whether soils were suitable for certain crops; pinpoint moisture and salt content; and detect conditions such as drought and insect infestation. ‘‘(DA Release 918-66)’’
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