Nov 20 1961
From The Space Library
NASA announced consolidation of nuclear-electric propulsion program at Lewis Research Center by transfer of the Marshall Space Flight Center Research Projects Division under Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger to Lewis within 3 months.
Executive order of the President suspended the 8-hour limitation on construction workers in NASA. It stated that "a clearly leading role in aeronautical and space achievement has become a vital national objective," and that it was essential to conduct the space program "with a major national commitment of manpower, material, and facilities," and "with all possible speed and efficiency." In news conference, Dr. Albert R. Hibbs, Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Chief of Space Sciences, stated that it would be a "major accomplishment" if the United States were to overtake the Russians in the race to the Moon, a "less than 50-50 chance." He pointed to the rumors that the Soviet Union had already attempted to launch a probe to Mars.
NASA Launch Operations Directorate announced establishment of Offices of Financial Management and of Procurement and Contracts to support NASA activities at Cape Canaveral, previously done by Marshall Space Flight Center.
November 20-21: Technical conference on the progress of X-15 research held at Edwards Air Force Base, sponsored jointly by NASA, USAF, and USN; the third in a series, previously held in 1956 and 1958.
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