Feb 1 1963
From The Space Library
NASA announced launch responsibility for Agena and Centaur space vehicle programs had been transferred from NASA Launch Operations Center to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Field Project Branch at Cape Canaveral. Launches would be conducted under technical direction of Agena and Centaur project managers, NASA Lewis Research Center. Transfer would permit LOC to concentrate on manned space flight and associated launch vehicles, including Saturn series developed under management of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Overall project responsibility for Agena and Centaur programs had been assigned to NASA Lewis Research Center in December and October, respectively. (NASA Release 63-19)
Unidentified space probe employing Blue Scout, Jr., booster was launched by USAF from Pt. Arguello, Calif. (M&R, 2/11/63,13)
NASA announced its first contract to study overall systems requirements for Synchronous Meteorological Satellite (SMS) had been awarded TV Republic Aviation Corp. Administered by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, contract called for four-month study to determine “technical systems needed for 24-hour surveillance of the earth’s cloud cover and to identify the major scientific and engineering advances required for the ground stations.” (NASA Release 63-18)
NASA Flight Research Center announced award of $128,675 to Comcar, Inc., for service and maintenance of computer system used to simulate flights of X-15 aircraft. Computer system is capable of providing actual X-15 performance and stability conditions that may be expected in flight. (FRC Release 3-63)
Establishment of AFSC Office of Deputy Chief of Staff for Procurement and Production was effective this date, General B. A. Schriever announced. New office combined procurement and production to form a single major staff activity. Brig. Gen. Gerald F. Keelin , formerly Director of Procurement in Office of Deputy Chief of taff for Procurement and Materiel, was named to head L5 the office. (AFSC Release 31-R-11)
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) officially came into existence, a merger, after more than a year of study and debate, of the American Rocket Society (ARS) and of the Institute of the Aerospace Sciences (IAS). AIAA is thus the leading technical society keyed to the dynamic developments of the space age. Dr. William H. Pickering, Director of JPL, became the AIAA'S first President. (Astronautics and Aerospace Engineering, February 1963,19)
Morton J. Staller, Director of NASA Office of Applications, was awarded NASA Medal for Outstanding Leadership. NASA Administrator James E. Webb, in making the award, commended Stoller for his “outstanding and dynamic leadership in planning, developing and directing a complex scientific organization whose notable achievements have significantly contribute to the preeminent position of this country in the space sciences, the development of space technology and the practical application of such research and development." (NASA Release 6340)
General Curtis E. LeMay, USAF Chief of Staff, in speech to Executives’ Club of Chicago, quoted Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s statement to the West Point Corps of Cadets in 1962: "You now face a new world, a world of change. The thrust into outer space of the satellite, spheres, and missiles marks a beginning of another epoch in the long story of mankind. In the five or more billions of years the scientists tell us it has taken to form the earth, in the three or more billion years of development of the human race, there has never been a more abrupt or staggering evolution." General LeMay went on to say that the “trained man, whether in a manned space vehicle or in a ground surveillance control point, will be one of our most valuable assets in our national space effort-and for our survival . . . . "We must remember that any medium . . . can be a region of danger to peace and security. In this new medium of space I believe that the military defenses of the western world must be objective, applicable and evident. “The Air Force will use, to the benefit of military space capabilities, all scientific advances and acquisition of knowledge achieved by NASA. We don’t plan to wait for a program of fallout-if we can hasten advancement or increase its utilization through collateral efforts. This we are doing, in national interest, toward advancing our considerable space testing and development of approved space programs.” (A-N-AF Journal Register, 2/9/63, 15 ; Text, CR, 4/6/63, A1202-1203)
Incorporation articles for Communications Satellite Corp. were filed by board of incorporators and approved by President Kennedy. Articles of incorporation provide two series of common stock: Series I, to be issued to the public, to aerospace industries, and to noncommunications companies ; Series II, to be issued to communications common carriers with permission from FCC. Shares of stock were not expected to be issued for at least six months. Incorporators were serving as company directors until first annual meeting of stockholders - expected about six months after public offering of stock - when stockholders would elect 12 directors and Presldent Kennedy would appoint three more. (Wall Street Journal, 2/4/63 ; AP, Newport News Daily Press, 2/2/63)
Three-year tektite research program described in Journal of Geophysical Research by G. S. Hawkins of Boston Univ., Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and Harvard College Observatory. On the basis of extensive data obtained in their research, combined with previously known data on tektites, the researchers concluded that tektites originated from terrestrial impacts of meteorites. (Journ. of Geophys Research, 2/l/63, in MSFC STID,3/11/63, 5-6)
In a paper entitled “Current Developments in Space Law,” Dr. John Cobb Cooper, member of the Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University, and legal adviser to the International Air Transportation Association, spoke to the south-eastern regional meeting of the American Society of International Law. “It is now apparent that grave disputes exist between members of the United Nations as to possible limitations on the use of outer space. There is no understanding as to what constitutes authorized activities in outer space ‘in conformity with international law.’ “It is to be hoped that in any final statement of basic principles as to the exploration and use of outer space some clear indication will be given of what constitutes authorized peaceful uses of outer space. “ . . . . the disputes that have arisen, as indicated above, make it clear that the manner in which this undefined area called ‘outer space’ may be explored and used has not yet been determined. International peace certainly requires that this position be clarified.” (CR, 3/12/63, A1349-A1351)
