Apr 8 1964
From The Space Library
Titan II launched unmanned Gemini spacecraft into orbit in first Project Gemini flight (GT-1), a test of Titan II launch vehicle system, Gemini spacecraft structural integrity, and spacecraft-launch vehicle compatibility. After an uninterrupted countdown at Cape Kennedy, the Titan II lifted off and placed the spacecraft in orbit of 204-mi. apogee, 99.6-mi. perigee, and 89.27-min. period. Walter C. Williams said all systems functioned "Well within manned tolerances." Only imperfection in the flight was Titan II's 14-mph excess speed (17,534 instead of 17,520 mph), sending spacecraft 21 mi. higher than planned. However, this was within tolerance and, on manned flight, crewmen could easily correct the extra height. The 7,000 lb. spacecraft was not separated from the spent rocket casing, and NASA officials estimated the orbiting assembly would re-enter the atmosphere and disintegrate in about 31/2 days. (NASA Release 64-70; MSC Roundup, 4/15/64, 1, 3)
X-15 No. 1 flown by Capt. Joe H. Engle (USAF) to maximum speed of 3,477 mph (mach 4.8) and altitude of more than 33 mi. in test to prepare the pilot for future flights at higher altitudes. The flight also conducted optical degradation studies. (FRC Release; , Wash. Post, 4/9/64)
Test of parasail for space craft landings was conducted by MSC officials in Galveston Bay. The test was termed only a partial success. A model Gemini spacecraft was dropped from C-119 flying at 10,200 ft, and the drogue parachute opened perfectly. But parasail failed to deploy properly after its nylon lines snapped, and engineers had to trigger the reserve ringsail parachute to lower the vehicle safely to the water's surface. (Houston Post, 4/9/64; MSC Roundup, 4/15/64, 8)
Soviet scientist Sergei Vernon said at Moscow press conference that the ZOND I space probe was launched to study radiation hazards in space. The probe would "provide information about more remote areas of space we know little about." (Balt. Sun, 4/8/64)
NASA Technology Utilization Division and the Food and Drug Administration reported that preliminary experiments by FDA'S Dr. Jacqueline Verrett indicated that a piezo-electric transducer invented at NASA Ames Re-search Center could, for the first time, monitor the heartbeat of a chick embryo quickly, continuously, quantitatively, and without egg damage. Instrument was invented to measure impact of micrometeoroid dust in space by Ames' Vernon L Rogallo, who suggested its potential in chick embryo research. Through its Technology Utilization program, NASA informed FDA of the innovation. FDA had been conducting research dur-ing past four years using chick embryo technique, correlated with animal tests, to study effects of drugs, pesticides, and food additives. (NASA Release 64-76)
Ironworkers who had walked off the job at Cape Kennedy and Merritt Island Launch Area (MILA) when their contract expired March 31 began returning to work at the request of the Missile Sites Labor Commission. Contract negotiations continued in Washington. Construction projects that had been delayed by the walkout included three MILA buildings of the Kennedy Space Center, NASA, the Saturn Vertical Assembly Building, as well as facilities for USAF Titan III, Army Corps of Engineers said. (, Wash. Post, 4/9/64; M&R, 4/13/64, 10-11)
Gov. Nelson Rockefeller said in speech at Johns Hopkins Univ.: "I believe strongly that it is time for the American people to take a long, hard look at the political, military and scientific merit of the "one-shot,' crash program to place a man on the moon by 1970. "I think we ought to put a man on the moon. But we must make sure that our program is sound, that our priorities are proper-that we are, in short, taking maximum advantage of the virtually unlimited opportunities which the scientific and technological revolution of our times presents us-that we are not warping our entire scientific effort for this one purpose. "I fear that the present moon-shot program of the Democratic administration in Washington does not meet the criteria for a soundly conceived program of scientific research and development in the national interest.. . ." (Text)
Soviet military newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) announced that Lt. Col. Yuri Gagarin had been assigned head of its new "Cosmonauts' Desk" (AP, Wash. Post, 4/9/64)
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