May 8 1963
From The Space Library
Astronaut Leroy Gordon Cooper flew simulated launch countdown and aspects of MA-9 Project Mercury space flight at Cape Canaveral. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 5/8/63)
Three-minute portion of U.S. color television program received in France via TELSTAR Ii communications satellite. NBC transmitted the program, Bell Telephone Hour, from New York to the satellite through Andover, Me., ground station. (AP, Wash,. Post, 5/9/63)
Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from Wallops Island, Va., carried 63-lb. instrumented payload to 104-mi. altitude in test to measure ion concentration and composition in upper atmosphere. Flight was joint project of Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. (Wallops Release 63-47) )
D. Brainerd Holmes, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator and Director of Manned Space Flight, said before Electronic Components Conference in Washington: "Today, the people of the United States are reappraising the commitment made in 1961. These discussions are natural and healthy. One of the fundamental elements of the strength of the American system is the forum of public debate. However, those of us who understand the long-term nature of major research and development programs have a duty to warn of the pitfalls involved in making frequent, drastic revisions in such programs unless it is demonstrated after thorough study that such changes are necessary. Such a course always results in excessive delays and increased costs. There is an efficient pace at which a program should proceed. To reduce this pace substantially or to pull out all stops and operate on a crash basis would result in increases in the total program costs in manpower and dollars. . . " (Text)
NASA Medal for Exceptional Bravery presented by Associate Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., to six men who risked their lives during rescue operations following X-15 accident Nov. 9, 1962; Capt. Paul J. Balfe (USAF), helicopter pilot; John A. Gordon, NASA rocket technician; Airman 3/C Larry J. Hough: USAF physiological training specialist; Curtis C. Lyon, USAF civilian firefighter crew chief. T/Sgt. Charles L. Manes, USAF helicopter crew chief; and Dr. Lynn B. Rowe (Capt., USAF), flight surgeon. (NASA Release 63-92; FRC Release 9-63)
16th annual McGraw-Hill Survey o f Business Plans for New Plants and Equipment-1963-66 was cited in Congressional Record by Senator Carl T. Curtis (R.-Neb.). Survey showed that 25% of manufacturers' 1962 sales were in new products not made 10 years ago; manufacturers expect that by 1966 13% of their sales will be in new products not now known. (CR, 5/8/63, 7630)
Aetna Life Insurance Co. issued first individual life insurance policies to seven Project Mercury astronauts, astronauts' legal adviser C. Leo DeOrsey announced in Washington. (Goodman, Wash. Post, 5/9/63)
Dr. Eugene B. Konecci, NASA Director of Biotechnology and Human Research, Office of Advanced Research and Technology, speaking before The Harvard Business Club at Syracuse, New York, said "today space communism versus space democracy goes deeper than the mere competition of dumping material into orbit or the planning of landing men on the moon, or dreaming of traveling to the planets. It involves the very survival of our American way of life. The eyes of the world are upon the space race, and the Soviets using our own brand of Fifth Avenue public relations have gained a psychological advantage. Our national space objective is pre-eminence in space and not just landing a man on the moon. Although desirable and psychologically reassuring, the overriding issue is not who put the first man in orbit or who will put the first man on the moon, but which nation has been able to develop the overall research, technology, and manufacturing capability to not only explore but exploit space. . . . "The curtain of ignorance is thicker and more dangerous than the iron curtain." (Text)
Editorial in New York Times said: "Like its predecessor, the new [Project West Ford launch] attempt is to be made in the face of protests by many scientists both here and abroad. The military hope that this experiment will lead to a long-range communication system invulnerable to destruction or jamming is apparently considered more important than the objections these scientists have raised. We disagree. "There is no United States right. unilaterally to make changes in the space environment of this planet . . . . "Such unilateral decisions on our part invite the day when some unilateral Soviet act in space will make us rue the precedents we are now establishing. Politically, moreover, the plan to proceed with West Ford conflicts with our announced policy of seeking to foster international cooperation in space and to make space a zone of peace. Are the military advantages obtainable here really worth the damage being inflicted on our political posture? This issue deserves much more public debate than it has had." (NYT, 5/8/63934)
General B. A. Schriever (AFSC) said in address to seminar participants at National Science Fair, Albuquerque: "The most challenging scientific enterprise we have today is the exploration of space. There are several reasons why this new region is of great importance to us. First of all, it is an unknown and unexplored medium, which is certain to contain many surprises. Second, it is a tempting region for a nation that is bent on aggression. Soviet leaders have shown a keen awareness of both the psychological and military aspects of space exploration. They have boasted repeatedly that they could use their space technology for aggressive purposes. We cannot afford to leave our space frontier unguarded. `Space exploration is also important for another reason. It greatly stimulates the advance of science by serving as a natural focus for intensive research in Virtually every area of science and technology . . . . "Today's methods of taking scientific measurements are far more accurate than those of the past, and they are improving all the time. For example, a year and a half ago we were able to measure speeds on our Holloman sled track to an accuracy of about one part in 40,000. Today that accuracy has been increased to about one part in 150,000 . . . ." (Text)
Minuteman ICBM successfully launched from underground silo, Vandenberg AFB, by SAC crew, seventh of series of Minuteman launchings down Pacific Missile Range. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 5/9/63)
