May 1963

From The Space Library

During May: Paul D. Lowman, Jr., geologist in NASA Goddard Space Flight Center's Theoretical Div., asked whether lunar base, per­manent manned space station, or manned Mars exploration would "give the greatest scientific return in the shortest possible time," replied: "A lunar base, very definitely. The moon will be more useful scientifically than Mars because it has no atmosphere, and because, being much closer, we can send back information and samples at a much higher rate. Compared with the space sta­tion, the moon has the advantage of providing a large, stable plat­form with usable raw materials; in addition, the moon has a stratigraphic record of its history and of meteoritic material which has accumulated on it. These advantages are in a sense a one-way street. We can make many of the observations pro­posed for the space station from the moon as well, because the moon has essentially a space environment. But we cannot examine the lunar rocks from a space station; we must get down on the surface for that . . . ." (Goddard Release)

During May: NASA awarded $115-million contract to Rocketdyne Div. of North American Aviation, Inc., for continued development of F-1 engine. New contract was follow-on to letter contract which had initiated F-1 development. (M&R, 5/6/63,13)

U.N. Legal Subcommittee of Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space concluded second session of this year. Summary re­port described session as "a very useful and constructive exchange of views . . ." and recommended subcommittee delegations con­tinue trying to reach agreement before next meeting of full com­mittee next fall. Reason for subcommittee's failure to resolve even non-controversial general principles: Western delegations could not agree to Soviet demands that Soviet package proposal (April 17) be adopted in entirety and that. international treaty incorporating these principles be drawn up and ratified by in­dividual states. (Av. Wk. 5/20/63, 129)

Conclusions on where the armed forces "are going" in the rest of this decade were outlined recently by Gen. William F. McKee, USAF Vice Chief of Staff. " . we must watch our own and the Soviet's space programs carefully. This is probably the area of greatest demand on our vision as a nation. For it is here that one of us, probably, will find the key to the strategic superiority of the 1970's. Secretary McNamara says, `I think there is no clear requirement for military purposes for manned operations in space as we look at the future today.' However, Mr. McNamara said more: '. . . But, should one develop it could come so suddenly in a field in which the lead­ time for the developmental technology is so long that I believe we must anticipate that possibility today . . .' "I, too, think we must anticipate that today. While this is a national effort, it is also an absolute obligation of those of us re­sponsible for our national security." (Air Force Information Policy Letter, June 1963)

Link Div. of General Precision, Inc., awarded $9.5-million contract to develop two Apollo mission simulators for training astronauts at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center and Cape Canaveral. Con­ tract was awarded by North American Aviation, Inc., prime Apollo spacecraft contractors. (Av. Wk., 5/6/63, 25)

First Meeting of NASA Advisory Committee on Biotechnology and Human Research held at Ames Research Center. (Av. Wk., 5/6/63,103)

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officially announced opening of its Canaveral District office at Merritt Island, Fla., first district orga­nized solely for missile and space construction. (M&R, 5/13/63, 45)

During May: X-15 pilot Maj. Robert M. White (USAF) awarded Vil­lanova University's Mendel Medal for scientific achievement in honor of his record-breaking flight July 17, 1962. (A-N-AF Journ. & Reg., 6/11/63,6)

Aerospace Medical Association awarded Lyster Award to Maj. Gen. M. S. White (USAF), Air Training Command Surgeon at Ran­dolph AFB, Tex. (A-N-AF Journ. a& Reg., 6/1/63, 5)

USAF completed its 30-day test of regenerative atmosphere system developed by Boeing Airplane Co. Three airmen occupied 1,115-cu.-ft. chamber for full duration of test, relying on oxygen­ recovery system to replenish normal four-hour air supply. (Astro­nautics and Aerospace Engineering, 5/63,137)

Announced that the Air Force launched six research rockets designed to study the structure of the earth's atmosphere by photographing chemical trails released by the rockets. The flights, launched from Eglin AFB, Florida, on May 15, 17 and 21, reached the ionosphere, 60-90 mi. above the earth. Each rocket was fired between sunset and sunrise. Luminescent chemicals were released and photo­graphed by ground-based cameras. The high altitude studies are being made of turbulence and wind shears. (OAR Release #6-63-5)

Bell Telephone Laboratories received patent for improved system of controlling satellite attitude. Invented by C. C. Cutler, system operates by two-way radio which receives signals from satellite for measuring its alignment; ground computer analyzes attitude data and figures any necessary attitude changes, relays them to instruments on satellite which makes corrections in satellite's posi­tion. (Jones, NYT, 5/11/63, 28)

NASA Administrator James E. Webb sent a report to the Congress on the construction of facilities for the University of California " . the University's geophysics building is being expanded by the addition of wins for geology and chemistry laboratories. Accordingly, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration plans to provide funds for the construction of a 62,000 gross square foot addition to that building complex in the amount of $2,000,000. The addition will be known as the space science building." (Leg. Act. Rpt. II/84) )

Igor I. Sikorsky International Trophy for 1962 awarded to Sikorsky Aircraft Div. of United Aircraft Corp. for flight of Sikorsky S­61 helicopter Feb. 5, 1962, setting world speed record of 210.6 mph over 19-km. straight-line course. Lt. Robert W. Crafton (USN) and Cat. Louis K. Keck (USMC) were pilot and co-pilot respectively. (Av. Wk., 5/13/63, 23)

Inflight testing of infrared communications between two moving air­craft conducted at AFSC Aeronautical Systems Div., Wright-Pat­terson AFB. With communications carried over extremely narrow infrared beam, system is difficult to jam, intercept, or detect. (AFSC Release 31-405-24)

Richard N. Thomas, professor of astrophysics and chairman of Faculty Committee for Astrophysics of Dept. of Physics and Astrophysics, Univ. of Colorado, was awarded Dept. of Commerce Gold Medal for Exceptional Service. (Astronautics and Aero­space Engineering, 5/63,9)

During March, April. and May: Total of 227 NASA appearances at 70 hearings before the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, involving 246 hours. This involved 546 man-hours of primary witnesses, not including backup witnesses. (NASA Leg. Act. Rpt. 11/88)

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