Oct 18 1963

From The Space Library

COSMOS XX was launched into earth orbit by U.S.S.R. A scientific satellite for "continuing the study of space," Cosmos XX was stated to have an apogee of 311 km. (193 mi.) ; perigee of 206 km. (128 mi.) ; period, 89.55 min., and inclination, 65°. (Komsomolskaya Pravda, Oct. 19, 1963, 1, AFSS-T Trans.)

NASA announced at MSC the selection of 14 astronauts for the Gemini and Apollo projects, bringing the total number of NASA astro­nauts to 30. New astronauts were: Maj. Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., Capt. William A. Anders, Capt. Charles A. Bassett II, Capt. Michael Collins, Capt. Donn F. Eisele, Capt. Theodore C. Free­man, and Capt. David R. Scott, all USAF, Lt. Alan L. Bean, Lt. Eugene A. Cernan, Lt. Roger B. Chaffee, Lt. Cdr. Richard F. Gordon, Jr., all USN, Capt. Clifton C. Williams, Jr., USMC; and R. Walter Cunningham and Russell L. Schweickart, civilians. NASA announced another contingent of astronauts would be named in the fall of 1965. (NYT,10/19/63, 9)

NASA officials testifying before a subcommittee of the Senate Appro­priations Committee offered sharply revised estimates on the cost of a manned lunar landing. Under questioning from senators, NASA Administrator James E. Webb agreed that NASA would spend much of the $20 billion normally stated as the cost of manned lunar exploration even if there were no program to land a man on the moon. When asked how much the manned lunar landing would cost over and above other space exploration, Mr. Webb estimated less than $3 billion. NASA Associate Administra­tor Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., estimated $2 billion, NASA Associ­ate Administrator for Manned Space Flight Dr. George Mueller estimated $1 billion. Mr. Webb and Dr. Seamans had included the cost of unmanned investigation of the lunar surface, while Dr. Mueller was counting only the cost of the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM). (NYT, 10/19/63, 1)

France successfully launched a cat into space onboard a Veronique rocket and brought it to a safe landing. (Reuters, Wash. Post. 10/19/63,4) )

Dr. Edward Teller testified before the House Science and Astro­nautics subcommittee studying the role of the Federal govern­ment in science and technology. Dr. Teller suggested that the Congress devote its main effort to the development programs, where most of the Federal money is being spent, but leave the selection of basic research projects largely to the scientists be­cause this kind of research "deals in the unexpected." Asked to comment on Dr. Wernher von Braun's statement of the value of the manned lunar landing, Dr. Teller answered: "Von Braun is a competent technician and a superb salesman. Far be it from me to disagree with him." (Toth, NYT, 10/19/63, 25)

NASA announced it would negotiate a contract with MIT, AC Spark Plug Div. of GM, Raytheon Co., Kollsman Instrument Co., and Sperry Gyroscope Co., for the development, fabrication, and testing of the guidance and navigation system for the Lunar Ex­cursion Module (LEM) of the developing spacecraft. These same companies already are developing the guidance and navigation system for the Apollo command and service modules, the- LEM system would be as compatible as possible and have as many interchangeable parts as possible with the other systems. (NASA Release 63-234)

Air Force biomedical support of Projects Gemini and Apollo included: at. School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks AFB, Tex., studies of physiological effects of exposure to various atmospheric pressures and gases, special medical examinations of flight candidates, and thermal balance and water requirements for wear­ing the Apollo spacesuit; at Aerospace Medical Research Labora­tories, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, studies of effect on men of predicted impact velocities for Apollo landing, nutrient. require­ments, weightless orientation flights for astronauts, and thermal evaluation of prototype Gemini spacesuit; at Aeromedical Re­search Laboratory, Holloman AFB, N.M., studies on effects of de­celeration forces on Apollo pilots during recovery. (Space Bus. Daily, 10/18/63,108)

A 3,000-man strike virtually halted construction at the Nevada Test Site, one week after labor and management had signed an agree­ment designed to stop such walkouts. Labor Union Local 872 set up a picket line that was honored by employees of the rime con­tractor, Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Co. (AP, Wash. Post, 10/19/63)

Soviet. scientists in Geneva for the meeting of the World Conference on Space Communications presented a background paper which stated that the further man ventured into space the more obvious it was that certain problems could only be solved by collective, peaceful cooperation among nations. (Reuters, Wash. Post, 10/18/63,23)

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