Sep 13 1962
From The Space Library
Back in Washington after two-day tour of U.S. space facilities, President Kennedy held news conference. Asked why decision was made to extend U.S. atmospheric nuclear tests, the President said : "There are two reasons. One is that, as you know, because of the blow-up in the. pad at Johnston Island and because of the earlier failures of the communication system in the missile, we were not able to carry out, these tests which were . . . among the most important, if not the most important of our series.
"So we are going to finish those. In addition, as a result of the earlier tests of this Dominic series, there were certain things learned which we would like to prove out.
"So we have agreed to a limited number or tests in concluding the Dominic series, and also we have taken some steps to prevent a repetition of the incident, which caused an increase in the number of electrons in the atmosphere, by lowering the altitude and the yield so that lunar flights will not be further endangered." Asked whether U.S. position of refraining from competition with U.S.S.R. military space vehicles would condemn U.S. to second place. in the military field, President Kennedy replied: "No, Mr. Alexander. As I said last week, in the first place we are spending $1.5 billion a year on our military space program. What is the key for the success both of peaceful exploration of space as well as the military mastery of space are large boosters, effective control of the capsule, and the ability to rendezvous, and all of the rest, so that there is an obvious usefulness if the situation should require, military usefulness for our efforts, peaceful efforts, in space.
"In addition, as you know, very recently we determined to go ahead with the Titan III, which gives the United States Air Force a very strong weapon if that should become necessary. So that the work that NASA is doing on Saturn and the work the Air Force is doing on Titan and the work being done on the Apollo Program and Gemini and the others, all have a national security factor as well as a peaceful factor. . .
"I think the United States is attempting, and this Administration, as you know, is making a very massive effort in space. As I said, we are spending three times what we spent last year in space, and more in this year's budget than the eight previous years, so that this is a tremendous effort, $5.5 billion as well as the money that we are spending for the military use of space.
"As I say, the size of the booster and the capsule and the control all would have, if the situation required it, a military use. We hope it does not; we hope that space will be used for peaceful purposes. That is the policy of the United States Government„ but we shall be prepared if it does not; and in addition, as I said from the beginning, both the Soviet Union and the United States have a capacity to send a missile to each other's country with a nuclear warhead on it, so that we must keep some perspective as to where the danger may lie. But the United States, in the effort it is making both in the peaceful program and the military program, all of this will increase our security if the Soviet Union should attempt to use space for military purposes." Asked if he were hopeful that U.S.–U.S.S.R. cooperative ventures in space exploration were likely in the near future, he replied: "No. As you know, Dr. Dryden had some conversations in Geneva with regard to the matter, and some progress was made, but it is limited in its scope and we would hope more could be done and more, perhaps, could be done if the atmosphere between the two countries should be improved."
Paresev (Paraglider Research Vehicle) flown at NASA Flight Research Center. First manned vehicle designed to be towed aloft and released like a conventional glider, Paresev was towed to 6,000-ft. altitude by Stearman biplane. Released, the craft was flown back to Rogers Dry Lake bed in 3 min. 44 sec. by NASA project pilot, Milton O. Thompson. Paresev flight program provided data on (1) flare and landing capabilities; (2) stability and controllability; and (3) pilot training. Possible uses of the paraglider concept included recovery of future Spacecraft and rocket boosters.
NASA—DOD jointly announced undertaking of a joint study to improve field operations involved in contract management for both DOD and NASA contracts. Under direction of committee chaired by Assistant Secretary of Defense (I&L) Thomas D. Morris, the study was to improve effectiveness of field contract management, to improve responsiveness to buying offices and systems project offices, to assist NASA's increasing contract management requirements with minimum of additional personnel, and to ensure continued contract management efficiency in times of national emergency. Combined value of DOD and NASA contracts during FY 1963 would be approximately $30 billion.
Hearings on U.S. program for atomic propulsion held by Joint (Congressional) Committee on Atomic Energy, with NASA Administrator James E. Webb, AEC Commissioner Leland Haworth, MSFC Director Dr. Wernher von Braun, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory Director Norris Bradbury, and SNPO Director Harold Finger all agreeing on need for living facilities near atomic test site in southern Nevada. NASA-AEC Nerva (nuclear engine) development would require between 1,500 and 2,000 employees at the Nevada site. However, the prospect of commuting 180 mi. daily to and from the nearest town (Las Vegas) was scaring away prospective workers, according to testimony.
Dr. Harold B. Finger, Director of joint AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion Office (SNPO), told Joint Committee on Atomic Energy that first flight date in nuclear-powered space vehicle program (Project Rover) had been moved from 1966 to 1967. Over optimism, technical difficulties, organizational problems, and a situation in which construction workers have to spend 4 hours a day commuting the Nevada test site have all contributed to the delay, he testified.
Testimony before the Joint (Congressional) Committee on Atomic Energy revealed management difficulties on Project Pluto nuclear-powered vehicle, to fly at 2,000 mph within the atmosphere. Dr. Leland Haworth, member of AEC, testified that AEC was "awaiting a firm decision" from DOD on whether the project would be continued. Reactor for nuclear ramjet rocket, under development since 1956, had been successfully ground-tested in Nevada. Dr. Harold Brown, director of DOD research and engineering, said DOD hoped that a decision could be reached "within a month." An estimated $500 million would be required to continue the project through flight-test phase.
President Kennedy urged four major aerospace manufacturers (North American Aviation, Lockheed, General Dynamics, and Ryan) to accept terms proposed by a special Presidential board for settlement of their labor contract dispute with two unions (United Auto Workers and International Association of Machinists). He also named another special board to try to mediate a dispute between the International Association of Machinists and the Boeing Co., asking the union not to strike but to continue work until November 15 so the board could try to work out a solution.
Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr., interviewed on nationally-televised CBS program, criticized delayed reporting of Astronaut M. Scott Carpenter's landing during flight MA-7: "We had a lot of information there [during the 35-min. period from blackout of communications when spacecraft re-entered until public announcement of reception of signals from spacecraft] and yet it never came out and it was disgusting, you know." Schirra also commented on the heavy demands on Astronaut John H. Glenn for "outside" personal appearances. Interview had been taped several weeks before its broadcast.
India offered to provide launching base for U.N. international rocket probes in session of U.N. Committee for Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. India's proposal was related to a proposal that 1964 be designated International Year of the Quiet Sun (IQSY), and include equatorial sounding rockets to gather data above the earth's Equator. Southern part of India lies within 10° of the Equator and would provide suitable launching site for the project.
Congressman George Meader (Mich.) introduced H.R. 13130, bill to establish a Commission on Research and Development. The new bill was a "perfected" version of his earlier bill. He called attention to S. 2771, the bill which had passed the Senate, and urged that "speedy action be taken on the legislation." Analysis of the metal chunk believed to have been part of Soviet satellite SPUTNIK IV showed the object had greater radiation level than any other object previously recovered from space. AEC scientists at Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (N. Mex.) said one reason for high radiation was that the chunk was analyzed soon after being found, whereas previous objects had not been analyzed until at least three weeks after being found. Radiation expert Dr. Ernest C. Anderson of Los Alamos reported that the object had 'same sort of radioactivity shown by natural iron meteorites, evidence that the object was part of a spacecraft that had been orbiting for long time above the atmosphere. SPUTNIK IV went into orbit May 15, 1960, and disintegrated September 5, 1962, over the U.S. Los Alamos forwarded 14-lb. chunk to U.S. delegation to U.N. Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space; Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory had kept a 6-lb. slice of the original object for further examination.
First operational Atlas-F launching silos turned over to Strategic Air Command. Ceremonies were held at one of the underground launching complexes near Salina, Kans.
Reported that [[Hughes Aircraft]] Co. had developed special devices to determine radiation dosage an astronaut may absorb in space flight. Called "tissue-equivalent ionization chambers" and developed under USAF contract, the instruments would be installed in three USAF "plastinauts," man-sized dummies of astronauts made of plastic simulating human tissue. The plastinauts were designed "to fly in any space vehicle capable of carrying a man." USAF Skybolt missile was intentionally destroyed when missile veered off course, third failure in three flight attempts of the air-to-surface Skybolt.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) technical committee reported it was too early to state with certainty whether commercial supersonic aircraft were practical. Committee said there was a growing possibility that a supersonic airliner could fly within the next few years, but that "considerable research into such matters as sonic boom and cosmic radiation is still required before a final conclusion can be reached." President Kennedy, replying to question at regular news conference, said the U.S. had no plans to permit sale of U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance planes to Nationalist China. He added that the U.S. had not sold and would not sell U-2's to any third nation. Sale of two U-2 aircraft to Nationalist China was arranged in July 1960, during Eisenhower Administration, President Kennedy pointed out.
Senator Hubert Humphrey announced public hearing on improvement of Government management of information and coordination of reporting would be conducted by Senate Government Operations Subcommittee on Reorganization and International Organizations, September 20. Among officials testifying would be Melvin Day, Director of NASA Office of Technical Information.
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