May 29 1963

From The Space Library

X-15 No. 3 flown by Joseph A. Walker (NASA) to maximum Speed of 3,858 mph (mach 5.52) and maximum altitude of 92,000 ft. in flight test near NASA Flight Research Center to investigate heat rates at relatively, high speeds and low angles of attack. As Secondary mission, pilot performed Several maneuvers to check control methods while X-15's automatic damping system was turned off. (NASA Release 63-119)

NASA announced problems with two connectors to electrical amplifier in FAITH 7 Mercury Spacecraft had caused loss of automatic control system during MA-9 space flight, forcing Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper to re-enter from orbit with manual control. Premature lighting of .05 g panel light during 19th orbit had indicated that automatic control system would be inoperative until Spacecraft descended to point of feeling .05 g. Then, in final orbit, trouble in inverter caused loss of automatic control system altogether. Post­flight examination of FAITH 7 circuitry traced .05 g Signal and inverter failure to independent electrical connectors that failed to function due to moisture; in bath cases, electrical insulation of the connectors broke down. Correction of problems for future space­craft would include tighter control of moisture and increase of insulation of electrical components. (NASA Release 63-118)

NASA announced award of four-month study contract to RCA Astro-Electronics Div. for engineering evaluation of whether TIROS meteorological satellite could be modified to increase its cloud-cover photography capability. RCA would evaluate TIROS "wheel configuration," calling for two TV cameras mounted in satellite to point in opposite directions; satellite, would be launched into polar orbit spinning on its side, pointed towards earth at all times. Such satellite could provide complete earth coverage every three days. (NASA Release 63-115)

Maj. L. Gordon Cooper received USAF pilot-astronaut wings from General Curtis E. LeMay, USAF c/s, in ceremony at the Pentagon. (CTPS, Chic. Trib., 5/30/63)

A U.N. space subcommittee addressed a resolution to the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space empha­sizing the "urgency and importance of the problem of preventing potentially harmful interference with peaceful uses of outer space." The warning was contained in a diluted version of a resolution in which the Soviet Union had hoped to see a direct criticism of the recent United States launching of millions of small copper wires in a communications experiment. Anatoli A. Blagonravov, the Soviet delegate, had denounced the experiment as a danger to other space studies, including flights by manned satellites. This was denied by Dr. Homer E. Newell, the U.S. representative. In the resolution adopted at the close of a two­ week session, the 28-nation subcommittee said that "certain experi­ments conducted in space may affect present or future scientific activities." There was no reference to the U.S. "needles" or to any other experiment. (NYT, Western Edition, 5/31/63)

NASA announced award of $97,000 study contract to Sylvania Electric Products, Inc., for preparation of plan to use satellites for collec­tion of weather and oceanographic data from unmanned weather stations, buoys, and balloons. Data collection satellite would in­terrogate each station, store information on magnetic tape, then transmit it to ground retrieval station upon command. (NASA Release 63-116)

Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., contractor to NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center to build the lunar landing vehicle in which two U.S. astronauts would descend to the moon's surface, named Space Technology Laboratory, a division of Thompson-Ramo­-Wooldridge Corporation, to develop the lunar descent and landing engine. The lunar excursion module (LEM) of Project Apollo would detach from the Apollo spacecraft orbiting around the moon and slowly descend to the lunar surface. (MSC Release 63-92)

Titan II exploded after about 50 sec. of flight in USAF launch, Cape Canaveral. Cause of explosion was not yet determined. This was first Titan II explosion in 16 launches from Cape Canaveral, 9 of which were completely successful and 6 of which fell short of intended range because of second-stage difficulties. (DOD Release 780-63)

Nike-Zeus antimissile missile successfully intercepted re­entry target vehicle launched by Titan I ICBM in recent tests, DOD announced. Nike-Zeus was fired and controlled from Army test installation on Kwajalein Island in the Pacific. (DOD Release 772-63)

USAF Minuteman flew more than 4,000 mi. in last launch conducted by Boeing Co. employees at AFMTC, Florida. Future AMR launch­ings would be conducted by USAF personnel. (DOD Release 780-63) )

U.S. Army announced it was testing flexible-wing gliders for haul­ing cargo to troops in field. Built by Ryan Aeronautical Co., gliders were installed on aluminum cargo containers carrying up to 1,100 lbs. and towed by helicopters, then released to deliver cargo. (NYT, 5/29/63,15)

May 30 1963