Mar 8 1963

From The Space Library

Photograph was sent from New York to London, Paris, and Rome via RELAY I communications satellite, and back to New York via transatlantic cable-in total of 11 minutes. This was first demonstration in which the three European capitals simultaneously received a picture and the first in which RELAY I sent a pic­ture to Italy. Experiment was made by Associated Press in coop­eration with NASA and the IT&T Federal Laboratories, Nutley, N.J. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 3/8/63)

Senate passed bill (S. 816) to establish a Commission on Science and Technology to conduct a two-year study of methods of eliminating duplication of research effort, to make results of research more readily available, and to determine whether a Cabi­net office should be created to coordinate the Federal scientific effort. Commission would be composed of 12 members appointed by the President, Vice President, and Speaker of the House. Bill went to the House. (CR, 3/8/63, 1962-64; Wash. Eve. Star, 3/9/63, A5)

Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from Wallops Station with 95-1b. instrumented payload to measure "ion and electron density and conductivity in the ionosphere under undisturbed conditions,' and to measure solar ultraviolet and x-ray fluxes. Rocket reached 96.7 mi. altitude and for the first time "both ionization in `D' region and solar rays causing it" were observed. This was the very proc­ess that formed the ionosphere. (NASA Rpt. of Sounding Rkt. Launching; Astro. and Aero. Eng., July 1963,9)

NASA announced selection of Northrop Corp. for negotiation of con­tract to support JPL in Project Ranger design review, reliability studies, documentation, systems testing, checkout, and spacecraft launch operations support.. Contract would cover Ranger lunar spacecraft to be launched through 1964. Decision to select such an industrial contractor was among those measures adopted to strengthen the project as result of evaluations by special board of inquiry and JPL. NASA said it was "contemplated that Northrop later may be assigned complete spacecraft system responsibility for the Ranger program" beginning with Rangers to be launched in 1965; JPL would retain Ranger-project management. (NASA Release 63-50)

Three-stage Nike rocket launched from Eglin AFB, Fla., fourth in series of ten high-altitude probes to test methods of slowing re­entry vehicles. Parachute was deployed when 500-lb. Cree pay­ load reached peak altitude, and cameras in payload photographed action of parachute as it deployed and descended with payload. (AP, Balt. Sun, 3/9/63)

NASA and DOD announced signing of agreement establishing areas of responsibility in nonmilitary applications of Navy's Transit navi­gational satellite system. Under agreement, NASA would determine suitability of Transit equipment for nonmilitary use and necessity for additional equipment. Navy would continue to be responsible for technical direction of Transit system and for R&D in support of military applications of the system, but would also provide NASA with necessary information, specifications, and equipment for meeting nonmilitary requirements. NASA and Navy would coordi­nate R&D "for mutual benefit and to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort." (DOD Release 315-63)

DOD announced SOLAR RADIATION I satellite, orbited June 22, 1960, with TRANSIT II-A was turned on again on Feb. 25, after 22 months of silence. (DOD Release 321-63)

U.S. Army announced Nike-Ajax missile accidentally ig­nited near Baumholder, Germany, and was propelled about 65 ft. before falling into safety embankment surrounding the site. (Wash. Post, 3/9/63)

In address at Univ. of Wichita, Kans., NASA Administrator James E. Webb said: "Today, it is accepted that growing industries tend to concentrate in regions where research facilities are best. No part of the country can afford to neglect investments in advanced scientific and engineering education and in first class research facilities. "Modern industry, too, has much to gain from regional cooper­ation in support of the universities and associated research efforts. Industrial leaders are beginning, more and more, to look to the universities of their region for the most important resource of the age-ideas, scientific brainpower, and advanced technological skill, experience, and judgment. "It is not a question today of whether a region can already qual­ify--can now offer the human and natural resources required ­for a particular industrial plant or government facility. "The question is whether the region is creatively doing what it can to equip its citizens to serve their area and their nation in a period when our prosperity and our very existence as a free people depend on scientific and technological leadership . . " (Text)

Report that moon has porous surface consisting basically of silicon and aluminum oxides and that its core is very hot was made by team of Soviet radio astronomers at All Union Symposium of Radio astronomers in Gorki, U.S.S.R. (Komsomolskya Pravda, 3/8/63, EOS Trans.)

Soviet embassy in Rio de Janeiro reported that Cosmonauts Pavel Popovich and Andrian Nikolayev were to arrive in Rio to rep­resent Russia at the Brazilian air and space show on March 15. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 3/8/63,1)

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