Apr 25 1963
From The Space Library
X-15 No. 1 flown by pilot John McKay to 105,500-ft. altitude at maximum speed of 3,654 (mach 5.32) mph in test to measure distortion of photographs at extreme speeds. Camera was recessed in underside of aircraft's nose. (AP, Chic. Trib., 4/26/63)
RELAY I communications satellite was used to transmit electroencephalograms ("brain waves") from Bristol, England, to Minneapolis, Minn., in demonstration experiment conducted in connection with meeting of National Academy of Neurology in Minneapolis. (NASA Release 63-85)
After prolonged debate, Senate confirmed nominations of the 14 incorporators of Communications Satellite Corp. (CR, 4/24/63, 6606f; CR, 4/25/63, 6698-99)
Dr. Raymond L. Bisplinghoff, Director of NASA Office of Advanced Research and Technology, summarized scope of NASA advanced research and technology program before Senate Committee on Aeronautics and Space Sciences: ". . although the cohesiveness, technical direction, and much of the research effort of the program is provided by the NASA field centers, a close coupling of the Nation's universities and industry with the centers has been established. This three-way partnership is a key to the Nation's future pre-eminence in aeronautics and space." (Testimony)
Dr. George L. Simpson, Jr., Assistant Administrator for Technology Utilization and Policy Planning, in an interview with Neal Stanford of the Wall Street Journal, April 25, 1963, stated that: "The dozens of ways that space research and development is being transmitted into industrial profits today are only a trickle preceding the deluge that will follow, for the space age is only just When one recalls that it took 412 years to develop photography to an advanced d, 56 years to develop the telephone, 35 years to perfect the radio, 45 years to develop radar, with television taking 12 years, the atomic bomb 6 years and even the transistor 5 years, one can appreciate not only how small the beginnings but how vast the prospects of harnessing space R&D to domestic usage." (Space Quotes)
Panel of scientists headed by Dr. Sverre Petterssen, prof. of meteorology at Univ. of Chicago, proposed in report to National Academy of Sciences' Geophysics Research Board a program of unprecedented collaboration between scientific institutions and national governments in atmospheric research, meteorological service, atmospheric surveillance, and meteorological education "to raise the effectiveness of the meteorological services on a worldwide basis." Report was outgrowth of U.N. General Assembly resolution in December 1961 calling on "all member states, the World Meteorological Organization and other appropriate agencies" to study ways of improving atmospheric sciences. Report was basis for U.S. recommendations to World Meteorological Organization, meeting in Geneva. (NAS-NRC Release; Wash. Eve. Star, 4/25/63, A3; NYT, 4/26/63,4)
ASA Manned Spacecraft Center announced Cook Technological Center Div. of Cook Electric Co. had completed first of new biomedical tape recorders for use in first two-man Project Gemini space flight.. Each recorder would receive and record continuously, for 30 hours, six kinds of simultaneous biomedical signals from sensors within astronaut's spacesuit. Post-flight play-back of the tapes would 'provide continuous analysis of astronauts' physical and mental endurance in long periods of space flight, a major goal of Project Gemini. (MSC Release 63-78)
Dr. Harold C. Urey, Univ. of California chemist, said at press conference in conjunction with National Academy of Sciences meeting in Washington that "more effort should be made to get. more first-class scientists into the space program. If NASA really is going to use only one per cent of the nation's scientists-how many among those will be first-class?" Comparing NASA with AEC, Dr. Urey said: "The atomic energy program had a Very positive base. Many top scientists worked in the program. But the space program is just the opposite. NASA grew too fast." (Huntsville Times, 4/25/63)
Martin-Marietta announced signing of $280 million contract with non for development of Titan III missile. (Wash. Post, 4/26/63) Editorial in Washington Evening Star quoted Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson: ". . . To reach the moon is a risk. But it is a risk we must take . . . [for] failure to go into space is even riskier . . . . Where the moon is a major goal today, it will be tomorrow a mere whistle stop for the space traveler." Editorial cited "soundness of what he has had to say about our projected lunar voyages . . ." and added: "The warning is well-timed, especially so because of what some otherwise sensible and perceptive people have been saying about the alleged nonsensicality of flying to the moon when the money could be better spent on such urgent projects as building schools, sewage plants and more and more highways right down here on earth. " (Wash. Eve. .Star, 4/25/63)
