Mar 30 1963

From The Space Library

In final meeting of the Space, Science, and Urban Life Conference at Dunsmuir House, Oakland, Calif., NASA Admin­istrator James E. Webb said: " . . . we must all concern our­selves with the progress and the promise of scientific research and technological development in this country, and the effects of this activity upon society. My own work on projects concerned with civic and urban problems, has left an indelible impression of their complexity and urgency .... "Today we are dealing not only with profound changes in the social and economic structure of the country and the world; we are dealing, as well, with an even more profound change in man's own conception of the boundaries and limitations of his habit­able environment and his understanding of the forces of the uni­verse . . . Man is no longer rooted to terra firma, either in the literal sense, or in his understanding of the powerful forces of the universe of which he is a minuscule part. Increasingly, he comprehends that the new understanding and knowledge which are being, unleashed by science and technology will alter his existence in more ways, and more rapidly, than he can possibly foresee .... "Man has gained mobility, his horizons have broadened not only in the geographical sense, but because he no longer feels bound by a family farm, or a traditional village industry .... A civilization which can move with serious purpose to gear itself for travel to the moon and the planets will not be content with old and outmoded socio-economic concepts . . . . "Every thread in the fabric of our economic, social and po­litical institutions is being tested as we move into space. Our economic and political relations with other nations are being reevaluated. Old concepts of defense and military tactics are being challenged and revised. Jealously guarded traditions in our educational institutions are being tested, altered, and even discarded. Our economic institutions-the corporate structure itself-are undergoing reexamination as society seeks to adjust itself to the inevitability of change." Mr. Webb stated that two thoughts were of critical importance: (1) "The need to create favorable conditions compatible with the American private enterprise system through which the knowl­edge which we gain and the skills which we develop in our huge program of federally sponsored research and development . . . are identified and made available for use in the industrial stream to contribute to economic growth and our nation's power to sur­vive in a world where second best is more severely penalized than ever before"; (2) "The necessity for developing viable rela­tionships between science, education, industry, and govern­ment . . . . (Text)

USAF announced 15 names of fourth class of Aerospace Research Pilots School at Edwards AFB, Calif. (Wash. Post, 3/31/63,1; Wash. Sun. Star, 3/31/63,1)

Soviet news agency Tass reported astronomer Pyoter Shcheglov had discovered a "flat cloud of hydrogen shaped like a pancake" circling the earth at an altitude of 6,200 mi. Similar to a ring around planet Saturn, the cloud would be visible to spacemen on the moon with special viewing instruments. (UPI, Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 3/31/63)

By this date, 53 communications companies had filed with Federal Communications Commission for authorization to purchase com­mon carrier stock in Communications Satellite Corp. (Av. Wk., 4/1/63130)

Mar 31 1963