Jun 10 1963
From The Space Library
Demonstration of transatlantic typesetting was conducted between Chicago and Goonhilly Downs, England, via ground computer and RELAY I communications satellite. Originating from Chicago conference of American Newspaper Publishers Association Research Institute, dispatch was received in final typeset form. In second phase of demonstration, articles were similarly sent from London and Rio de Janeiro and were received in Chicago. (Wehrwein, NYT, 6/11/63)
NASA announced selection of Space Technology Laboratories, Inc., for negotiation of contract for design and fabrication of four Pioneer interplanetary space probes. First launching in series was scheduled for early 1965 with Delta launch vehicle. (NASA Release 63-131; Ames Research 63-24)
Selection of two new X-15 pilots, Capt. Joe H. Engle (USAF) and Milton O. Thompson (NASA) was announced by Paul F. Bikle, Director of NASA Flight Research Center, and Brig. Gen. Irving L. Branch (USAF), Commander of AF Flight Test Center. Pilots would fill vacancies left by NASA research pilot Neil Armstrong, now a NASA astronaut, and Maj. Robert White (USAF), recently assigned other USAF duties. (NASA Release 63-127; FRC Release 12-63)
In American Univ. commencement address stressing action for world peace, President Kennedy said: ". . . Genuine peace must be the product of many nations, the sum of many acts. It must be dynamic, not static, changing to meet the challenge of each generation. For peace is a process-a way of solving problems . . ." He announced his agreement with Prime Minister Macmillan and Chairman Khrushchev that "high-level discussions will shortly begin in Moscow looking toward early agreement on a comprehensive test ban treaty," and declared that U.S. "does not propose to conduct nuclear tests in the atmosphere so long as other States do not do so. We will not be the first to resume . . " (Text, CR, 6/10/63,9870)
Rep. George P. Miller (D.-Calif.) said on House floor: "Fulfillment of our diverse programs to which we are already committed may be threatened unless strong action is taken to increase the output from our graduate schools, particularly of more engineers, mathematicians, and physical scientists who combine high talent and high training. `For example, in 1950 we turned out 2,000 Ph.D.'s in these 3 fields; in 1960, we graduated 3,000, an increase of 50 percent. But in 1970 we need a minimum of 7,500, an increase in the decade of 150 percent .... "The study conducted for the President [by President's Science Advisory Committee] suggests that the manpower requirements of this decade can be met only if more students studying science and engineering ... are encouraged to continue on to full-time graduate study. "The major barrier to such advanced study is financial .... "Another barrier is limited graduate facilities and faculty. . . Both because the Federal Government is a major consumer of scientific talent, and because the problem is urgent, the President proposes a program with Federal leadership, but involving a close relationship with State and local governments, industry and the universities. "Fellowship and training grant subventions are proposed in budgets especially of the National Science Foundation, Atomic Energy Commission, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and extension and expansion of the National Defense Education Act. "These proposals would represent a deliberate first step whereby the Federal Government accepts the Nation's responsibility to assure adequacy of technical manpower resources to meet its commitments .... " (CR, 6/10/63, 9950-54)
In hearings on U.S. space program, Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences heard testimony of Dr. Philip Abelson, Carnegie Institution of Washington's Geophysical Laboratory; Dr. C. S. Pittendrigh, Princeton Univ. biology de t.; Dr. Simon Ramo, Thompson-Ramo-Wooldridge, Inc.; Dr. Harold C. Urey, Univ. of Calif. prof. of chemistry; and Dr. Polycarp Kusch, Columbia Univ. physicist. Dr. Abelson charged Project Apollo was harming future expansion of scientific knowledge and "taking away from our national security"; he declared that "manned space exploration has limited scientific value and has been accorded an importance which is quite unrealistic .... " Dr. Pittendrigh testified he approved of lunar exploration program chiefly because of its value toward eventual exploration of Mars. He cautioned that manned Mars landing should be made only after it is assured there would be no contamination by terrestrial organisms. Dr. Ramo expressed his approval of Project Apollo, but advised a "calm watch" to assure such a project would not begin to "dominate" U.S. technology. and economy. Dr. Urey, taking- issue with Dr. Abelson's suggestion that Apollo costs were hindering U.S. science and education, said that "if we should decide not to do the space program we will probably do less for education than we would otherwise . . . Dr. Kusch testified he opposed high priority for Project Apollo because "we have great national needs that far outweigh the exploration of space." He cited such necessities as conservation of natural resources. (NASA Leg. Act. Rpt. II/86; Hines, Wash. Eve. Star, 6/11/63)
USAF decision to recover manned spacecraft at Edwards, Holloman, and Wendover Air Force Bases was reported in Missiles and Rockets. All mission command and control would be exercised by Satellite Test Center, Sunnyvale, Calif. Unnamed USAF spokesmen said first program operating under this arrangement would be X-20 (Dyna Soar) in its air-launched phases. (M&R, 6/10/63,34)
USAF proposal that X-15 research aircraft program be extended to hypersonic speed range was reported in Aviation Week and Space Technology. Aircraft would be modified to attain new goals of 400,000-ft. altitude, 2,400° F skin temperatures, and 6,000-mph speed (about mach 8). (Av. Wk., 6/10/63, 38)
Quality of Soviet electronic equipment seen by recent U.S. scientific delegation to U.S.S.R. was described by Dr. Manson Benedict in Electronic News as very good. Very little of it is transistorized, and "most of it is similar to what we had five or six years ago." Chairman of AEC General Advisory Committee and head of MIT nuclear engineering dept., Dr. Benedict was among delegates accompanying AEC Chairman Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg on tour of Soviet scientific facilities May 19-30. (Connolly, Electronic News, 6/10/63)
