Aug 8 1963

From The Space Library

With launching of Nike-Cajun sounding rocket from Kronogard Range, Sweden and U.S. completed series of sounding rocket experiments to study noctilucent clouds near Arctic Circle. Sponsored by NASA and Swedish Committee for Space Research, program included launchings of Areas rockets with payloads to measure winds and Nike-Cajun rockets with payloads to make direct cloud samplings during 1961 and 1962. Four Nike-Cajun rockets with rocket grenade payloads were successfully launched during summer 1963, these experiments measuring upper atmos­phere temperatures, winds, pressure, and density and measuring changes in size of artificial cloud particles created by smoke puffs from the payloads. Experimenters were scientists from Institute of Meteorology, Univ. of Stockholm; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center had responsibility for U.S. coordination in the project. (NASA Release 63-179)

Senate debate of H.R. 7500, NASA authorization bill for FY 1964, continued. Sen. Stephen Young (D.-Ohio) said "The argument has been made that it is unwise to spend billions of dollars to explore outer space when we have so many unsolved problems remaining here on earth. In my judgment, however, and I am sure most of my colleagues agree, elimination of expendi­tures for space exploration would not necessarily result in the transfer of those funds to other forms of research. Moreover, an investigation of the funding of all forms of Federal research re­veals that no real conflict exists between space exploration and re­search in other fields. "In fact, this investigation provides persuasive evidence that, rather than interfering with other forms of research, our space effort has stimulated a more favorable climate for research in general, so that progress is being made simultaneously in a great many areas totally unrelated to space . . . ." (CR, 8/8/63, 13751)

Urging passage of $5.5 billion NASA FY 1964 authoriza­tion bill, Sen. Stuart Symington said: "It should be made clear that the United States is not committed to an all-out race, a crash program, so as to be first to the moon. "The moon is no finish line in a race. It is but a proving ground, -where we will test and demonstrate that competence in space tech­nology which our security should insure .... "[There is] a proper division of effort between military and civilian space programs, between space science and space tech­nology, between current programs and advanced research in support of future programs, between the space program and other possibilities for substantial Federal contributions to research and development." (AP, NYT, 8/9/63)

NASA Manned Spacecraft Center announced drop-test of parachute recovery system for two-man Gemini spacecraft had been con­ducted successfully, the drop made from 20,000 ft. into water at Salton Sea, Calif. (MSC Release 63-125; UPI, NYT, 8/10/63)

Mackay Trophy presented to crew of sec B-58 for record flight of Mar. 5, 1962, which established new Los Angeles-to-New York flight time of 2 hr., 58.7 sec. Administered by National Aero­nautic Association, trophy was presented by Under Secretary of AF Dr. Brockway McMillan in ceremonies at Carswell AFB, Tex. (see May 22). (DOD Release 1119-63)

Nike-Zeus antimissile missile fired at White Sands Missile Range in series testing components for Nike X. (DOD Release 1121-63)

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