Oct 19 1966
From The Space Library
NASA Administrator James E. Webb and the late NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Hugh L. Dryden were awarded the 1966 Robert J. Collier Trophy for "representing all of the Gemini program teams which significantly advance human experience in space flight," at special ceremony in Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. Trophy was presented annually by Look and National Aeronautic Assn. for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, or safety of air or s ace vehicles." Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, presenting the trophy, said: "I can think of no more fitting choice for this distinguished award than [Project Gemini]] and all those who made it such a success." He noted that Gemini manned spacecraft had spent 875 hrs. in space; Gemini was first four Gemini astronauts had walked in space for total 5 hrs. 52 min. Administrator Webb, accepting trophy, said: "Gemini has broadened our vision, validated our concepts, proved out our technology, and has provided a much sounder structure of knowledge as to the importance of not accepting a position of second best in space." Attributing Gemini program's success to "the application of our scheduling principles," Webb noted "milestones": beginning of unmanned flights in 1963; first manned flight in 1964; rendezvous, docking, and first extravehicular activity in 1965; first use of Agena for orbit change and first closed-loop guidance in 1966; completion of program in 1967. "We missed the first two milestones. From then on, with the exception of docking, we have accomplished each milestone ahead of or on schedule and we do expect to complete the Gemini program ahead of schedule next month." (Text, NASA Ann.; NAA News, 10/16/66; Wash. Post, 10/20/66, B7)
Wilhelm Forster Observatory, West Berlin, reported U.S.S.R. had launched a satellite at 7:20 a.m. EDT from space center in Baikonur. Spokesman said it had not been determined whether spacecraft was manned. NASC Executive Secretary Dr. Edward C. Welsh said report appeared to be in error and had apparently stemmed from misinterpretation of Soviet transmissions associated with tracking of previously launched Cosmos spacecraft. He added that if the U.S.S.R. did attempt launching, nothing got into orbit. U.S.S.R. made no comment. (AP, Balt. Sun, 10/20/66)
U.S. did not have women astronauts because "we have not yet been able to find an applicant sufficiently qualified in both scientific and engineering spacecraft to rendezvous and first to dock with another spacecraft; and background, who also possesses the required test pilot experience," said NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight Dr. George E. Mueller at dedication of Cedar Crest College's science center in Allentown, Pa. He said NASA has always had the same requirements for both men and women; "there had never been any discrimination with regard to sex or on any other basis." (Text)
October 19: MSFC awarded Martin Co. a one-year, $100,000 contract for design feasibility study of 2,000-w nuclear power system consisting of four Snap-29 radioisotope generators-each delivering 500 w-for possible use on long duration post-Apollo missions. Study would be performed at Martin's Baltimore plant. (MSFC Release 66-251)
Study of Ufo's had been "relegated to the bottom of the barrel" by USAF, Dr. James C. McDonald, Univ. of Arizona professor, charged at Washington, D.C., American Meteorological Society meeting. Attacking USAF's Project Blue Book as "extremely superficial and of a low level of technical competence," he urged that UFO responsibility be taken away from USAF and put "into scientific hands." The hypothesis that UFO's might be "extraterrestrial probes" could not be ruled out, he said. (Adams, Wash. Eve. Star, 10/20/66, C14)
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