Nov 4 1963
From The Space Library
USAF launched an Abres (advanced ballistic re-entry system) vehicle on an Atlas booster from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Like the two previous launches in the series from AMR, Abres carried scientific experiments designed to advance the state of the art in re-entry systems. No attempt was made to recover the payload. (Space Bus. Daily, 11/5/63, 202)
U.S.S.R. and U.S. were reported by the Washington Post to have reached agreement on frequency allocation for communications satellites at the International Telecommunications Union-sponsored conference in Geneva. In previous years the Soviet Union had opposed any space activity by nongovernmental organizations, but in recent months had dropped its opposition to private firms, such as the U.S. ComSatCorp, operating in space. Original positions at the conference had seen the U.S. ask for reservation of 2,725 megacycles in a highly sought-after portion of the microwave spectrum, while the U.S.S.R. had favored only 1,600 mc. Details of the compromise position would emerge when both nations went before the full convention. (Wash. Post, 11/5/63)
PCH-1, patrol craft hydrofoil built by Boeing, flight-tested by U.S. Navy at speeds of more than 45 knots. (A&A, January 1964, p. 5)
Partial results announced by Univ. of Stockholm scientists from the U.S.-Swedish series of sounding rocket experiments made in July and Aug. 1963 showed extremely low temperatures to be associated with the presence of noctilucent clouds. Sounding rocket data from the Kronogãrd firings indicated that up to 35 mi. temperatures closely 'followed the profile found over the U.S. and other countries. The temperature increased from about -50°C ( - 58°F) at 10 mi. to slightly above 0°C (32°F) at 32 mi., where absorption of the sun's ultraviolet radiation by ozone molecules causes a warming. Above this level, temperatures decreased again to a normal minimum at 50 mi. of -120°C (-184°F). When noctilucent clouds were present at this altitude, however, the temperature dropped to what appears to be the lowest temperature ever recorded in nature- -143°C ( - 225° F). This would confirm earlier findings in 1962 that noctilucent clouds are composed of cloud particles coated with ice. (NASA Release 63-248)
Laser beam bounced off the moon by Soviets was detected by Crimean Astrophysical Observatory. (A&A, January 1964, 5)
Editorial in Aviation Week and Space Technology by Editor Robert Hotz criticized the national space policy as "badly shredded" by President Kennedy's recent statements, called for a new statement of policy "based on solid elements of national interest" before the FY 1965 budget debate begins in Congress. (Av. Wk., 11/4/63)
Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, Commander of AFSC, spoke to the AIAA/ ASD Vehicle Design and Propulsion Meeting in Dayton, Ohio, on the future of aeronautical systems. He predicted a continued need for aircraft in the weapons inventory, cited particular improvement potential in cargo aircraft and V/STOL. Another potential was that "future space operations may require the use of recoverable boosters, for reasons of both efficiency and economy. The first stage of such a booster system would probably be a recoverable air-breathing vehicle." Two technical areas of particular promise were identified as materials and propulsion. "We have identified new materials that are stronger, lighter, stiffer, and able to withstand higher temperatures. For example, new types of metallic fibers may be feasible in forming extremely strong, lightweight composite structures. If such projected applications prove to be practical, then we may be in for a revolution in aircraft design and fabrication. "There also appear to be high payoffs in the propulsion area. New technology should enable us to achieve better thrust-to weight ratios and to move away from single point design. ". . . Engineers are almost always overly optimistic about the next two or three years and unduly conservative in their estimates of a 15-year period or more. There were study groups in the 1950's that denied the practicality and feasibility of ICBM's, the turbofan, and hypersonic flight. Ten years ago, so-called 'sound engineering judgment' would not have forecast the present generation of systems. The point is that 'engineering judgment' does not always give the best evaluation of long-range predictions. The crucial question to ask is, 'Does a new concept defy known scientific principles?' If it does not, then the technical problems will eventually be overcome." ( AFSC Release 310-R-9 )
NASA was examining the nuclear-pulse propulsion concept (Orion) which had been studied under USAF contracts for some five years. Nuclear-pulse-a series of controlled nuclear explosions-was considered a possible means of propulsion for fast manned trips to Venus, Mars, and Jupiter in the 1975-1995 time period. The fast trip would be desirable because component lifetimes would run around 10,000 hrs., somewhat over one year. It would therefore be highly desirable that the round-trip be possible in one year's time. If Orion were chosen as the propulsion system, some amendment to the nuclear test-ban treaty might be necessary to legalize its use. NASA was studying the Orion potential through a contract issued in June 1963 to the General Atomics Div. of General Dynamics. (M&R, 11/4/63, 34)
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