Apr 30 1964
From The Space Library
Full-scale paraglider was successfully deployed at Edwards AFB in test conducted by North American Aviation's Space and Information Systems Div. for NASA to demonstrate the method of maneuverable recovery of manned spacecraft. After an air drop from USAF C-130 transport at 33,000 ft., the 31-ft.-long inflatable wing deployed and assumed the programmed trimmed glide. (NAA S&ID Skywriter, 5/1/64, 1; Av. Wk., 5/4/64, 27)
NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Hugh L. Dryden and Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper revealed at luncheon meeting with newsmen in Washington that scientists would be invited to volunteer for training for lunar missions. Plans had been finalized at meeting between NASA officials and Members of the National Academy of Sciences' Space Science Board. Up to 50 scientists would be selected to train with the Gemini/Apollo astronauts at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center during the summer months. Then, perhaps two years before a lunar landing, NASA would select some per-sons from the reserve to begin full-time training as crew members for later lunar flights. (AP, 4/30/64)
Harold Gold, head of Spacecraft Branch of NASA Lewis Research Center, discussed Sert I project at the Air Transport and Space meeting in New York. Scheduled for launch on a ballistic flight this summer, Sert (Space Electric Rocket Test) would be NASA"S first electric engines in space. The two electric engines aboard Sert I would differ : (1) built by Lewis was electron-bombardment ion engine using mercury propellant; (2) built by Hughes Aircraft's Hughes Research Laboratory was contact-ionization thrustor using cesium propellant. Hughes engine would operate for first half of flight, then Lewis engine would take over. "If Sert I data indicate that beam neutralization is completely effective the development of ion thrustors for space missions can continue in vacuum chambers. However, if beam neutralization is of limited effectiveness a new program of vacuum chamber and flight tests may be undertaken," Gold said. (NASA Release 64-101; LRC Release 64-39)
Development of highly precise laser plasma diagnostic probe by General Electric under contract to Cambridge Research Laboratories was announced by USAF OAR. The probe showed promise as an in-flight instrument to measure electron density distribution in the flow field of a re-entering hypersonic vehicle and simultaneously measure electron temperature of the plasma. ( CAR Release 4-64-5)
FAA announced Spain's Iberia Air Lines had reserved three delivery posi-tions for the U.S. supersonic transport aircraft. This brought total reserved positions to 84 by 17 airlines. (FAA Release 64 40)
USAF annual report of unidentified flying objects said there were 382 sightings in 1963 compared with 469 in 1962 and 1004 in record year of 1957. During past 16 years, report said, USAF had investigated more than 8,000 sightings, all but 7.7 percent of which had been explained by natural phenomena. (UPI, Houston, Chron., 5/1/64) During April: Aluminum pressure suit designed for astronaut use on the moon was undergoing evaluation at SC. Officially called a "constant volume, rigid articulated, anthropomorphic protective suit," it featured increased mobility and constancy of pressure. Rigid suit concept was first introduced by Litton Industries in 1956 for use in pressure chambers. Advanced version for space use, with adaptations and improvements, was proposed to NASA by Litton last year. (MSC Roundup, 4/15/64,8)
DOD tracking station was established and began operating in the Seychelles Islands in the western Indian Ocean, some 1,000 mi. northeast of Zanzibar, where NASA tracking station had been closed. (M&R, 4/13/64, 9)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Space Operations Control Center established that Soviet LUNIK IV spacecraft, launched April 21, 1963, was in a barycentric orbit-i.e., orbiting around the center of gravity (4,600 km. from earth's center) of the earth-moon system. This unusual orbit was apparently a coincidence, because final Tass announcement about the probe had said it would become a satellite of the sun. (GSFC, and MSFC SIN, 4/64, 15-16)
First production J-2 rocket engine was accepted by NASA Marshall Space Flight Center from NAA'S Rocketdyne Div., then turned over to Douglas Aircraft Co. for use in ground captive tests associated with Saturn S-IVB stage work. (Marshall Star, 5/6/64, 1)
Shipments of nearly six million pounds of large components for NASA Langley Research Center's $12.5 million Space Radiation Effects Laboratory began arriving. Beginning in mid-1965, the new facility would be operated by Virginia Associated Research Center (VARC) comprised of representatives of the College of William and Mary, U. Va., and VPI. (LaRC Release)
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