Aug 14 1964
From The Space Library
X-15 No. 2 made its second flight since major modifications were made on the aircraft, with Major Robert A. Rushworth (USAF) at the controls. Flight was part of series of flight requalification tests being conducted on the modified aircraft, which attained maximum speed of 3,580 mph (mach 5.29) and altitude of 99,000 ft. The nose wheel popped out as the X-15 was flying 3,068 mph at 88,000-ft. altitude, but the wheel performed normally when the aircraft landed after nine-minute flight at Rogers Dry Lake. (NASA X-15 Proj. Off.; FRC Release; AP, Milwaukee Journal, 8/15/64)
Two satellites were orbited with single Atlas-Agena D booster, launched by USAF from WTR. (HHN-4 8 )
Senate agreed to report of Conference Committee on H.R. 11296 and cleared for the White House the Independent Offices Appropriation, including $5,250,000,000 for NASA in FY 1965. (NASA LAR III/159)
NASA announced Syncom C communications satellite would be assisted into proper orbit later this month by its sister satellite Syncom II, which would provide a reliable relay point in space for communications between ground stations and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. NASA Syncom Project Officer H. N. Stafford said: "As far as we know, this is the first time one satellite has been used to help in the launch of another. Tiros satellites have been used to help predict weather before manned space flights. The Relay satellite carried pictures of the Cooper flight. But this appears to be the first case of direct use of a satellite in an operational role during a launch." (NASA Release 64-204)
U.S.S.R. launched COSMOS XXXVII into earth orbit: 300-km. (186.42-mi.) apogee, 205-km. (127.39-mi.) perigee, 89.45-min. period, and 65Ý angle of inclination to the equator. Tass said the satellite contained scientific equipment intended for carrying on space research according to pro-gram announced March 16, 1962. (Tass, Krasnaya Zvezda, 8/15/64, 1, ATSS-T Trans.)
NASA announced selection of the name "Pegasus" for its micrometeoroid detection satellite, to be launched into orbit with Saturn I rocket booster. Named for the winged horse of ancient mythology, the satellite has a wing-like panel 96-ft. long and 14-ft. wide which would record and transmit the penetrations of meteoroids. (NASA Release 64-203)
ComSatCorp petitioned FCC for rule to give it exclusive eligibility for ownership and operation of the initial ground stations for the global commercial comsat network. Under Communications Satellite Act of 1962, FCC must decide whether ComSatCorp or other commercial communications carrier, or both, shall build and operate the ground stations. (ComSatCorp Release)
DOD announced award of $2,750,000 initial increment to Martin-Marietta Corp.'s Space Systems Div. on a letter contract for work on an advanced re-entry test program for AFSC Space Systems Div. Press sources identified the program as Start (Spacecraft Technology And Re-entry Test) , an expansion of USAF Asset re-entry program and said this contract was just one of 10-14 areas which had been identified in the program. (DOD Release 596-64; M&R, 8/24/64, 10)
Moscow Radio quoted Cosmonauts Andrian Nikolayev and Pavel Popovich as saying their "standbys" were ready for space flight and that their scientists were "planning new experiments in space exploration." (Wash. Post, 8/14/64)
Sen. Hubert Humphrey (D.-Minn.) discussed in the Senate H.R. 11611, act to establish National Commission on Technology, Automation, and Economic Progress. He said the legislation would "enable the essential fact-gathering" about technological change to be made. He continued: "I have long been interested in legislation of this kind. I have introduced S. 2427 to establish a Hoover-type Commission to work broadly in the area of investigating the impact of automation, technology, and employment. I have also joined in the sponsorship of S. 2274 which focuses primarily on problems in the defense industry. . . ." (CR, 8/14/64, 19018)
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