May 21 1962
From The Space Library
In concluding lecture in a Forum series on Space Science broadcast on the Voice of America, Dr. Carl E. Sagan of the Institute for Basic Research in Science at the University of California (Berkeley), explained that "extraterrestrial life and the origin of life are questions intertwined." Recent study on these issues related to four topics: (1) the origin of life on earth; (2) the physical environment of the moon and planets; (3) the present evidence of life beyond the earth; and (4) prospects for future exploration.
He discussed the chemical reactions which must have existed in the primitive terrestrial environment and produced organic matter. The critical event was the origin of a molecular system capable of synthesizing itself, and "this event—which occurred some 4,200 million years ago—can be identified with the origin of life on Earth." From then on the long evolutionary sequence from molecule to Man was under way.
Dr. Sagan asserted that "through the interaction of organic molecules life must arise on countless other worlds, in our solar system, and other solar systems . . . [but] the forms of living organisms on other planets must be intriguingly diverse." Dr. Sagan reviewed the improbability of life on Venus, the possibility of life on the moon, and the "favorable" environmental features for life on Mars. It is not, he said, a closed question with regard to life on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. The presence of extraterrestrial organic matter in meteorites "greatly substantiates the belief that organic matter is an abundant constituent of the solar system." Detailed characterization of extraterrestrial organisms likely to be found in exploration of the moon and the planets "will open up a new era, not only in biology but in all fields of human endeavor." William H. Evans was appointed by NASA as Director of the Pacific Launch Operations Office, Lompoc, Calif. In this assignment he represents NASA in its relationships with PMR, coordinates use of range facilities, and provides necessary services and support for NASA technical programs anal projects at PMR. Prior to his association with NASA since January 1961, Evans was Head of the Satellite and Space Vehicles Division of PMR, and before 1957 had served with the Naval Air Missile Test Center at Point Mugu since 1946.
Senate Commerce Committee tentatively approved the space communications satellite corporation bill after adopting 32 amendments, one virtually identical to the bill passed by the House on May 3.
Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey ruled unanimously that Thiokol Chemical Corporation, producer of the rocket engines for the X-15, was liable for property damage caused in testing the engine. The Court ordered $25,605 damages to be paid to 15 home owners near the Picatinny Arsenal, Rockaway Township, for cracked foundations, floors, walls, chimneys, and fireplaces. Thiokol stated that it would have to pass these costs on to the Federal Government, since it had a cost-plus contract.
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