Oct 15 1962
From The Space Library
Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr., returned to his hometown, Oradell, N.J., for triumphal welcoming ceremonies in honor of his successful MA-8 six-orbit space flight for NASA Project Mercury. NASA Administrator James E. Webb presented Cdr. Schirra with the NASA Distinguished Service Medal.
Analysis of scientific measurements by RANGER III lunar probe showed gamma ray intensity in interplanetary space probably is 10 times greater than expected, NASA reported. Measurements were taken by gamma ray spectrometer on RANGER III after it was launched Jan. 26, 1062. Similar instrumentation was planned for Ranger (5), to be launched in mid-October.
NASA announced five additional lunar spacecraft would be launched in Project Ranger during 1964. The live additions brought total scheduled Rangers to 14.
Beginning of two-month-long Project Firefly under USAF Cambridge Research Laboratories, the project involving about 30 research rockets carrying various chemical payloads to altitudes of from 50 to 150 mi. Some of the payloads were intended to create higher than-normal electron density m ionosphere for communications studies. Other payloads were designed to remove electrons from the F-layer to generate a "hole" in the ionosphere. Other released chemicals would interact with ambient elements to produce glow; observation of glow at night would enable tracking and measuring of upper-atmosphere winds. Mixtures exploding at high altitudes would permit observation of shock-wave perturbations of the ionosphere. Vehicles used included approximately 16 Nike-Cajuns, 9 Honest John-Nikes, and 5 Aerobee 150's. Launchings were from Eglin AFB, Dr. Siegfried J. Bauer of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, one of the scientists who discovered existence of 900-nu.-thick helium layer in the atmosphere, offered explanation of USAF probe's failure to detect helium layer. USAF Cambridge Research Laboratories probe did not detect helium layer because the probe was launched at night, when the layer is so thin that the instruments used could not detect it. According to Dr. Bauer, even in daytime, helium layer will become relatively thin during periods of minimum solar activity and relatively thick during periods of maximum solar activity. Dr. Bauer feels the layer will not be detected by standard ionosphere probing but will necessitate use of special instrumentation.
Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, NASA Deputy Administrator, described use of instruments in space exploration, in address at 17th annual Instrument-Automation Conference and Exhibit, New York: "There are three main areas. The first is that of observations of spacecraft by instruments on the ground, and the processing of [such] data. . . . The second area is that of measurements made by instruments in the spacecraft on the space environment . . . and on performance of the equipment in the spacecraft. . . The third area consists of similar measurements of the performance of the rockets and the acceleration, vibration, and noise environment which they impose on the spacecraft. . . ." DOD announced steps were being taken to organize an integrated scientific and technical information program within DOD, headed by Dr. Harold Brown, Director of Defense Research and Engineering.
Soviet press agency Tass announced U.S.S.R. would test "new versions of multistage carrier rockets for space objects" in the Pacific test ranges between October 16 and November 30.
NASA announced appointment of Robert H. Charles as procurement consultant to the Administrator. Charles previously laid served as executive vice president of -McDonnell Aircraft Corp.
Dr. Lawrence E. Lamb, chief of Clinical Sciences Div. of USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, predicted before the Second Interstate–Scientific Assembly of D.C. and Virginia Physicians that manned space exploration would yield a wealth of information for practicing physicians during the next ten years.
RCA reported development of laser that directly converts sunlight into beams of coherent infrared radiation. Such devices would be potentially useful for communications, tracking, and geodetic measurement systems on board future spacecraft and satellites.
NASA announced William B. Taylor, NASA systems engineer and Assistant Director for Flight Systems, Office of Manned Space Flight, had received citation for meritorious service for his work with Army Corps of Engineers Sept. 1960–April 1962. Taylor was praised for his "outstanding leadership, technical competence, and dedicated service . . ." while serving as Deputy Director of Army Engineers' Geodesy, Intelligence, and Mapping Research and Development Agency (GIMRADA), before he joined NASA in May 1962.
Governor Nelson Rockefeller, addressing New York State Associated Press Association, proposed establishment of New York state science and technology foundation "to stimulate industrial expansion through research attuned to the space age."
Mid-October: J. Thomas Markley, Apollo project officer at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, announced details of space facility to be established by NASA at White Sands Missile Range (see Sept. 17). To be used in testing Apollo spacecraft's propulsion and abort systems, WSMR site facilities would include two static test-firing stands, a control center blockhouse, various storage and other utility buildings, and an administrative services area.
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