May 15 1964
From The Space Library
Soviet cosmonauts Andrian Nikolayev and Pavel Popovich (VOSTOK III and IV) had orthostatic hypotension following their space flights, Soviet physiologist Prof. Vasily V. Parin revealed. The condition was noted in the cosmonauts "even two days after the flight" In address at COSPAR-prepared and delivered in English-and in the discussion which followed, the Soviet Director of Institute of Normal and Pathological Physiology, Soviet Academy of Medical Sciences, said that the cosmonauts "showed no disturbances in their state of health" after their prolonged space flights, and the "transient functional reactions" were said to have "disappeared in seven or 10 days. . . ." He added that "post-flight disturbances were largely related to the central nervous system, the cardiovascular systems and metabolism." Prof. Nello Pace, head of Physiology Dept at Univ. of California (Berkeley), closely questioned Prof. Parin about his statements. Prof. Pace considered that hypotension was "among the most significant facts" disclosed at the conference. He noted that the condition had been observed in U.S. Astronauts Schirra and Cooper, and that NASA had said that implications of blood pressure responses "will have to be given very serious consideration as larger missions are undertaken." (Text; Hillaby, NYT, 5/16/64,8 ; Burkett, Houston Chron., 5/17/64)
USAF grounded its fleet of more than 500 F-105 aircraft because of recent crashes. The F-105 had been involved in 18 major accidents this year, DOD spokesman said, and four pilots had been killed in 10 major accidents since March 1. (Raymond, NYT, 5/16/64, 8)
Hand-held navigational device called a "stadimeter," conceived by USAF scientists at Air Force Avionics Laboratory, was displayed by AFSC. To be tested in Project Gemini manned space flights, the device used only manual and visual alignment and required no electronics. Astronauts would use stadimeter to determine optically the range of the space-craft from the earth. (AFSC Release 44-14-56)
General order from AFSC established Eastern and Western Test Ranges of the National Range Division. WTR would assume range support for ICBM and satellite programs on a phased basis, gaining full responsibility some time between Mar. 1 and Jun. 30,1965. Until then, overall responsibilities for these functions continued with PMR; after that time, PMR would continue to operate as a national sea test range under the Navy. It would comprise facilities in Pt. Mugu-San Nicholas Island area and certain downrange stations in the area of Hawaii, and would be responsible for Pacific Ocean-based launches. (AFSC Release 45-R-61; NASA Announcement 61-161)
First meeting of NASA Historical Advisory Committee, chaired by Prof. Wood Gray of George Washington Univ.
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