Sep 15 1964
From The Space Library
President Johnson, in impromptu visit to John F. Kennedy Space Center, inspected Saturn SA-7 space booster being prepared for launch and space probes being checked out for interplanetary flights, received briefing by Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr., on two-man Gemini spacecraft, and made two brief speeches to space program personnel. "As long as I am permitted to lead this country I will never accept a place second to any other nation in this field," the President said, "I am proud of the long, wandering road we have traveled and I look forward to more productive days ahead. . . . We cannot be second in space and first in the world." The 90-min. visit was his first at Cape Kennedy since he became President. (Yerxa, NYT, 9/16/64, 11)
Rep. Carl Albert (D.-Okla.) submitted in Congressional Record "An Accounting of Stewardship 1961-1964," which included summary of U.S. accomplishments in space: "Since 1961 the United States has pressed vigorously forward with a 10-year, $35-billion national space program for clear leadership in space exploration, space use, and all important aspects of space science and technology. "Already this program has enabled the United States to challenge the early Soviet challenge in space booster power and to effectively counter the Soviet bid for recognition as the world's leading nation in science and technology. . . ." Among the achievements listed: Saturn I rocket's successful flight; Saturn IB and V development; mastery of liquid hydrogen as rocket fuel; six manned Mercury space flights; Gemini spacecraft and Titan II launch vehicle test-flight; Apollo spacecraft development; first close. up observations of another planet (Venus) with MARINER II and pictures of the moon with RANGER VII; orbiting observatory program initiation; Tiros weather satellite operation; and ComSatCorp establishment. "In short, the United States has matched rapid progress in manned space flight with a balanced program for scientific investigations in space, practical uses of space, and advanced research and technological pioneering to assure that the new challenges of space in the next decade can also be met, and U.S. leadership maintained." (CR, 9/15/64, 21498)
FAA Administrator Najeeb E. Halaby said in Washington news conference that U.S. manufacturers had not submitted any satisfactory design proposals for the small transport aircraft designed to replace the DC-3, and FAA would not award the planned $100,000 design development contracts. A likely substitute prospect was French-built Nord 262. On subject of supersonic transport, Halaby said U.S. was proceeding "very deliberately," but he hoped that FAA would be able to select the best design by Nov. 1. (AP, Wash. Post, 9/16/64)
Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev was reported to have told visiting Japanese legislators that U.S.S.R. had developed a new "terrible weapon" capable of destroying mankind. Two days later, however, Mr. Khrushchev clarified his remark, denying he had said that the weapon could destroy mankind. "I said that scientists had shown me the terrible weapon, which shows what mankind can do. We did not say anything about unlimited power." He also said the weapon was not a nuclear bomb. He blamed the earlier report on having been "misinterpreted" in translation from Russian to Japanese and then to English. (NYT, 9/16/64; Shabad, NYT, 9/18/64)
NASA Astronaut Donn F. Eisele dislocated his left shoulder during weightless flight training at Wright-Patterson AFB in KC-135 jet aircraft, and was placed on limited duty for about three weeks. (Houston Post, 9/17/64)
Two NASA-USAF memoranda of understanding providing for exchange of technical management and scientific personnel became effective. Signed by NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Hugh L. Dryden and AF Secretary Eugene M. Zuckert, the agreements were based on recommendation by joint USAF/NASA Military Requirements Review Group. Previously no NASA personnel had been assigned to USAF; under the new terms, NASA would assign personnel to USAF on a "when-needed" basis. NASA personnel would be GS-13's and above, and USAF officers assigned to NASA would be majors or higher unless "the position offers exceptional opportunity to the Air Force," according to agreement. Under basic agreement dating from 1959, about 100 USAF officers were now on duty with NASA, including 13 astronauts, not affected, by the agreement, and 40 recent ROTC graduates. About 40 more senior officers were scheduled for assignment to NASA in the near future. (NASA Release 64-234; DOD Release 671-64)
Dr. Floyd L. Thompson, Director of NASA Langley Research Center, said in speech before National Space Club in Washington that the problem of maintaining radio communications with astronauts during atmospheric re-entry may have been solved. He said LaRC research in Project Ram (Radio Attenuation Measurement) showed that ejection of small amount of liquid into the air "provides an effective means of dealing with radio blackout," the liquid apparently preventing buildup of an ionized sheath that cannot be penetrated by radio waves. While it may not be the "completely workable answer, it looks like a very promising method of dealing with the problem" (NSC Release)
General Dynamics/Astronautics Corp. was receiving two contract actions, DOD announced: (1) a $15,551,509 increment to existing contract for Atlas space boosters; and (2) a $1,100,000 increment to $94,448,904 contract for work on design and development of a standard space launch vehicle. (DOD Release 666-64)
Personal and scientific papers of Dr. Robert H. Goddard had been given to Clark Univ. by his widow, Clark president Howard B. Jefferson announced. (AP, Houston Post, 9/16/64)
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