Jan 10 1963
From The Space Library
EXPLORER XIV energetic particles satellite developed radio transmission difficulty, not repairable by remote control. Exact cause of difficulty, apparently in one of the binary counters of satellite’s encoder system, was not determined. (NASA EXPLORER XIV Program. Rpt. No. 4; NASA Release 63-6)
NASA announced MARINER II Venus probe had been so successful that repeat flight scheduled for 1964 had been canceled. Interplanetary efforts would be concentrated instead on such projects as sending probe toward Mars in 1964 and later flight to Venus with advanced Mariner probe in 1965. (NASA Release 63-3 ; JPL Release)
Dr. Robert C. Seamans, NASA Associate Administrator, told Washington Representatives Chapter of National Security Industrial Association : “The goals of this [accelerated national space] program and of our nation in space are to achieve a position of pre-eminence in every aspect of space science and technology for the benefit of all mankind . . . . Four main reasons underlie the tremendous effort we must make to achieve the goals stated by the President. Our position as leader of the Free World requires it. Our national security requires it. The fact that we are a practical people, dedicated to the improvement of life on earth for ourselves and our world neighbors, requires it. And man’s age-old urge to explore and our national traditions of pioneering require it . . . .” Dr. Seamans also discussed the Pioneer space probe program : "We are initiating a competition for a new probe, PIONEER, to develop a better understanding of solar flares. These probes will be used, commencing in 1964 (the International Year of the Quiet Sun), to measure the characteristics of the interplanetary medium such as magnetic field, solar plasma, solar and galactic cosmic radiation, and micrometeorites. The probe will provide information of intrinsic scientific value in addition to measurements in direct support of the manned lunar landing. . . ." (Text)
French Scientific Research Minister Gaston Palewski told French National Assembly a satellite launching site would be established in Eastern Pyrenees Department near the Spanish border. France's first satellite was scheduled for launching in 1965; other European sitellites may also be launched from the site. (Reuters, Wash. Post. 1/12/63)
Finnish Foreign Ministry announced Finland had obtained permission from U.S.S.R., U.K., and other Western allies to obtain defensive missiles, forbidden since signing of Paris peace treaty in 1947. Finland would buy air-to-air missiles and squadron of MiG-21 fighters from U.S.S.R., antitank missiles from U.K. (UPI, Wash. Post. 1/10/63)
White House published report by President’s Science Advisory Committee, Science, Government, and Information. The Committee found communication of technical information to be a necessity to a healthy scientific and technical community. To this end it made a series of scientific recommendations to both the technical community and to Government agencies involved in technical programs, following the general principle that technical information must be an area of major commitment on the part of the U.S. Government but not in such as to stifle independent efforts of the technical community. (Science, Government, and Information)
Titan II ICBM launched from Cape Canaveral fell short of its intended 6,300-mi. range after developing second-stage difficulties. USAF said many of the flight’s objectives were achieved. (M&R, 1/21/63,. 10)
