Jun 17 1963

From The Space Library

Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched to peak altitude of 113 mi. from White Sands Missile Range, N.M. Purpose was to obtain positive information on gyro drift and general control characteristics. The aspect instrumentation on the rocket in­cluded two cameras, two Adcole digital sun sensors, a fine track­ing Ball Brothers System and a Whittaker three-axis gyro package. All of the instruments worked exceptionally well. Good control, Stabilization, and maneuver accuracy was demon­strated, but the target accuracy was less than expected. (NASA Rpt. of S. Rkt. Launching, 7/2/63 & 7/19/63)

Commenting on Soviet Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova's space flight in VOSTOK VI, Chairman of Senate Committee on Aeronauti­cal and Space Sciences Clinton Anderson Said: "I'm not surprised. There isn't any reason why women can't go up into space. . ." Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics George P. Miller said: "It doesn't surprise me that the Russians want to shouldn't another spectacular by putting a woman in space. It shouldn't t interfere with our scientific program. I don't want to downgrade their achievement, but it doesn't mean we have to fol­low suit . . . ." (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 6/17/63)

NASA Associate Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., testifying before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, observed Soviet manned spacecraft VOSTOK V and VI were traveling in two different orbital planes: "It appears unlikely that sufficient fuel could be taken aloft by either of these Vostok space­craft to effect a rendezvous." (Transcript)

U.S. Geological Survey's lunar mapping project, mapping 8.5 mil­lion sq. mi. of moon's surface, was described in Washington Evening Star. Undertaken for NASA, project would provide basic geological information needed for placing instruments and men on the moon. (Henry, Wash. Eve. Star, 6/17/63)

Addressing Washington, D.C., meeting of American Red Cross, NASA Administrator James E. Webb said "Project Apollo offers us our greatest opportunity to overcome the lead in manned space exploration now held by the Soviet Union. It gives us assurance that if an American is not first on the Moon, he certainly will not be far behind. And most im­portant of all, it demonstrates to all the world that we in the United States have the capability and the determination to carry on those things which we have declared seriously that we intend to do." (Text)

NASA $150 awards to Dr. Karlheinz Thom and Joseph Norwood, Jr., for invention of plasma accelerator, were announced. Accelerator is capable of controlled ignition under very low gas pressures. (NASA Release 63-137)

USN Polaris A-3 missile fired from U.S.S. Observation Island in test said to be first success at sea. (M&R, 6/24/63,10)

Tass announced postage stamp commemorating VOSTOK V space flight had been issued by Soviet Ministry of Communications. (Reuters, NYT, 6/18/63,10)

June 17-20: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics held its summer general meeting in Los Angeles. (Av. Wk. [Space Calendar], 5/6/63,9)

Walter C. Williams, NASA Manned Spacecraft Center Associate Director and Project Mercury Operations Director, Summarized Project Mercury, emphasizing that primary lesson taught by the manned space flights was value of attention to detail. Dis­cussing biomedical results, he said orthostatic hypotension first noted in Astronaut Walter M. Schirra (MA-8, six orbits) was more pronounced in Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper (MA-9, 22 orbits). Lowered blood pressure was believed to be cause of Cooper's temporary dizziness when he emerged from Mercury spacecraft: "The effects seem to be post-flight, and continued from 18 to 24 hours." (Av. Wk., 7/1/63, 71)

Astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr., and L. Gordon Cooper re­ceived the AIAA Astronautics Award. (Av. Wk., 7/1/63, 31)

Rombus (Reusable Orbital Module-Booster and Utility Shut­tle) concept described June 18 by Philip Bono, Chief Advance Project Engineer of Future Space Systems, Douglas Missile and Space Systems Div. Single-stage manned space cargo carrier, capable of orbiting many hundreds of tons and reusable at least 20-times, could be developed by late 1970's. Eight strapped­ on liquid-propellant tanks would be jettisoned and parachuted to earth after providing initial boost; Rombus would be recovered from orbital mission with use of parachutes, main engine retro­thrust, and extended landing legs. Bono's paper was based on Study performed for NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and was one of many large vehicle concepts under Study by industry and government. (DAC Release 63-122)

Speaking on June 19, Dr. Stanley Deutsch, Chief of Systems Research and Analysis in NASA Office of Advanced Research and Technology, declared Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper could not have Sighted houses, boat, and train during his MA-9 orbital space flight "because of the visual angle." Dr. Deutsch specu­lated the visual impressions might have involved hallucinations or transfer of Stored impressions. "We need a great deal of study in the area of perception [in the weightless condition]." Interviewed at meeting, Astronaut Cooper said: "I'm not chang­ing my mind one bit, I know what I saw." (Av. Wk. 7/1/63, 31)

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