Aug 20 1964
From The Space Library
SYNCOM III communications satellite, high above Sumatra in the Indian Ocean, was boosted into near-circular orbit above the equator by its apogee motor. The motor burned for 19.6 sec. at the command of ground station at Salisbury, Australia, which based its command on computer calculations at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The satellite was now in orbit of 23,550-mi. apogee; 21,235-mi. perigee; 1/4° inclination; and 1,449-min. (24 hr. and 9 min.) period. It was drifting westward at rate of about 31/4Ý per day. (NASA Press ConfTranscript; NASA Release 64-193)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb informed Mayor Edward A. Crane of Cambridge, Mass., that 29-acre site offered by Cambridge had been selected for NASA's new Electronics Research Center. Decision was result of four-month study of 160 proposed sites in the greater Boston area by NASA committee. (NASA Release 64-208)
NASA announced $4.6-million contract had been awarded by MSC to Space Technology Laboratories for mission analyses and trajectory simulation work in Projects Apollo and Gemini. Contract would be a continuation of Gemini spacecraft analysis project begun in September 1963 and an extension of similar activities in Apollo. (NASA Release 64-206)
Speaking on the floor of the House, Rep. George P. Miller (D.-Calif-) pointed out "In our preoccupation with our national space program, we often overlook the fact that aeronautical research and development is a very important and productive part of the whole NASA program- . . should point out that the technology that has evolved from the X-15 program has made possible the creation of the A-11 and the RS-71, hypersonic aircraft in the 2,000-mile-an-hour range, which offer great potential to our Air Force as versatile, high-flying reconnaissance vehicles. NASA, with the X-15, is contributing significantly to the super-sonic transport program through new materials, construction techniques, guidance and control systems, and aerodynamic designs that are avail-able now because the NACA had the foresight and determination to under-take the X-15 program in 1954, in association with the Air Force and the Navy. "In 1959, the first flight was made. Since then, the X-15 pilots have rocketed out into near space, where 99 percent of the earth's atmosphere is below them, have reached speeds 6 times the speed of sound that have made the plane glow red hot. "Now, an advanced X-15 is ready to reach for new heights and even greater speeds. Our investment in the X-15 program and our confidence in the men and pilots who have made it so successful, have paid off handsomely for the individual taxpayer and for the country. Our world leadership and prestige in aeronautics have been enhanced manifold by the X-15. It has played an indispensable role in making sure that America's place in the search for new knowledge of flight will never be less than it is now." (CR, 8/20/64,20046)
Dr. Raymond L. Bisplinghoff, NASA Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology, spoke at Conference on the Role of Simulation in Space Technology, at VPI: "The history of applied science and engineering is really a history of simulation-a history of searching for methods of observing apriori the behavior of engineering systems and of varying the parameters of such systems in order to seek optimum results. . . . "Our ability to develop the engineering systems of atmospheric and space flight depends in turn upon our ability to simulate in the laboratory and thereby study new concepts as well as systems and their components prior to flight. In general, two kinds of simulation facilities are required. Those which are used to develop new concepts and physical understanding . . [and] the larger simulation facilities needed for the ad-hoc testing and development of subsystems and systems in preparation for flight In addition to facilities, however, there is needed a certain level of knowledge of the arts and sciences of simulation.. " (Text)
Delegates from 10 nations and the Vatican formally signed in Washington an agreement for a global communications satellite system. Previously initialed by the negotiators, the agreement designated Communications Satellite Corp. of the U.S. as the partnership's "manager in the design, development, construction, establishment, operation of the space segment." (Ward, Bait. Sun., 8/20/64)
FAA's publication "General Aviation Aircraft Owners Survey-1962" showed more than 20% increase in number of general aviation airplanes since 1957, approximate increase of 32% in hours flown, and 38% in miles flown. (FAA Release T 64-43)
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