Jan 20 1964

From The Space Library

NASA Deputy Administrator Hugh L. Dryden announced U.S.S.R. had notified U.S. that it would participate in space communi­cations experiments using Echo II passive communications satellite which NASA would orbit in the coming week. Soviet officials planned to begin optical and radio experiments with the 135-ft.-diameter balloon satellite a week after it was orbited. Soviets would photograph Echo II and track it with telescopes as it passed over U.S.S.R., bounce radio signals off the balloon between U.S.S.R. and England. U.S.-U.S.S.R. cooperative experiments were based on 1963 agreement reached by Dr. Dryden and Soviet Academician A. A. Blagonravov. (Simons, Wash. Post, 1/21/64)

In his Economic Report to the Congress, President Lyndon B. Johnson reviewed progress toward economic goals and presented his programs for "achieving our national economic potential." On trans­portation and technology, he said that the ". . . Federal Government provides major support for the research and development which under­lie our striking technological advances. In the past much of our re­search and development has been connected with national defense. Now, as military outlays level off, we face: " A challenge to apply the nation's growing scientific and engineering resources to new socially profitable uses; ". An opportunity to accelerate the technological progress of our civilian industries. "The Federal Government should join with private business and our universities in speeding the development and spread of new technology. I have directed the Department of Commerce to explore new ways to accomplish this." (Text, NYT, 1/21/64, 16)

Sen. Clinton P. Anderson (D.-N. Mex.) , Chairman of Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, amplified his concern for solar radia­tion danger in Project Apollo manned flights in 1969-70, saying it would be a "sound" decision to delay the Apollo flight into the 1970's to in­crease safety. "We don't know all there is to know about these flares." He repeated that adding shielding to Apollo spacecraft could impose weight penalty, added that NASA was "intensifying" its study of solar radiation. (SBD, 1/21/64, 104)

Bill to authorize appropriations to NASA for FY 1965 (S. 2446) was intro­duced in the Senate by Sen. Clinton P. Anderson, Chairman of Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, and referred to the Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. (NASA LAR III/9)

Bill to establish a Commission on Federal Expenditure Policy (S. 2441) was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jacob K. Javits (R.-N.Y.) on behalf of minority of Joint Economic Committee, and was referred to the Committee on Government Operations. The proposed Commission would be composed of 16 members from the Executive Branch, Congress, and private life, would review Government expenditure policy and make specific studies and policy recommendations. Bill was also introduced in the House, by Rep. Thomas B. Curtis (R.-Mo.) . (NASA LAR III/10; CR, 1/20/64, 592-96)

NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight Operations Walter C. Williams said in Space Business Daily interview that "we are over the hump financially on the Gemini program and that the Apollo target of mid-1969 is still realistic with proper funding and if an in­ordinate amount of problems doesn't appear. He added that Project Gemini was on schedule if the December 1964 flight was successful and if no new "pacing headaches" arose. (SBD, 1/20/64, 98)

AFSC Ballistic Systems Div. awarded $1,218,500 obligation on previous contract to Aerojet-General Corp. for Titan II propulsion systems and related spare parts, and $2,578,000 obligation to AC Spark Plug Div. of General Motors for production of gyros and accelerometers for Titan II. (DOD Release 67-64)

USN successfully launched Polaris A-3 missile from surface ship off Cape Kennedy on 2,000-mi. flight down the Atlantic Missile Range. (AP, NYT, 1/21/64, 4)

USAF planned four tests of the six-vehicle Asset re-entry program during the coming year. The first test, in September 1963, Was very successful. The second test shot, in March, was planned to attain re-entry speed of 18,000 fps; later tests would attain maximum series velocity of 19,500 fps. First five vehicles would have zirconium-rod nose caps and sixth vehicle a coated tungsten nose cap. (M&R, 1/20/64, 17; USAF Astro­nautics Div., DCS/R&D)

Program to encourage development and use of "crash locator beacons" was announced by FAA, which was inquiring whether industry can produce crash locator beacons at reasonably low prices and whether individual aircraft owners would buy or rent them if available. Direc­tor of FAA Flight Standards Service George S. Moore said tests con­ducted by FAA "clearly indicated that such a beacon can successfully radiate energy to permit suitably equipped search aircraft to identify and `home-in' on the transmitted signal." (FAA Release 64-5)

FAA announced Australia's Qantas Empire Airways had requested six supersonic transport aircraft, bringing total of reservations to 51 held by 8 airlines. (FAA Release 64 6)

With nuclear explosives new sea-level canal could be built across Isthmus of Panama for $500 million or less, according to Lawrence Radiation Laboratory's Gerald W. Johnson, Director of AEC Project Plowshare. Technical and economic feasibility of such a project was discussed in letter from Johnson to Sen. John O. Pastore (D.-R.I.), Chairman of Joint Congressional Committee on Atomic Energy. Use of nuclear explosives to dig new Panama canal had been under study since 1958, when Panama Canal Co. requested Lawrence Radiation Laboratory for preliminary feasibility study of the project. (Finney, NYT, 1/21/64, 10)

Retiring science editor of New York Times William L. Laurence was hon­ored at dinner in New York by wide range of scientific societies. Laurence was science journalist for 34 years, winner of two Pulitzer Prizes. (NYT, 1/21/64, 1)

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