Feb 17 1964
From The Space Library
NASA submitted to Senate Committee on Foreign Relations comments on S. Con. Res. 65, "Favoring agreements with other nations for the joint exploration and use of space and to place a man on the moon." NASA recommended: deleting two paragraphs to avoid "the unwarranted impression that substantial savings might be realized in the early stages of a cooperative arrangement between the United States and the Soviet Union in connection with manned lunar exploration"; deleting reference to U.N., "since other existing international mechanisms appear better suited to bring to bear the technical competence and the responsibility associated with national requirements necessary to contribute to cooperative projects of this type"; and, "the bipartisan Congressional support given to the civilian space program should be continued on the basis of the national benefits accruing from vigorous implementation of this program." Subject to these comments, NASA had no objection to adoption of the resolution. (NASA LAR III/27)
According to breakdown of FY 1965 budget of NASA's Office of Advanced Research and Technology, NASA would initiate preliminary design study of advanced fluorine-hydrogen (flox) rocket engine in FY 1965. The new engine would be based on results of experimental fluorine program with RL-l0 engine. (M&R, 2/17/64, 18)
Congressional Joint Atomic Energy Committee had sent letters to NASA Administrator James E. Webb, Air Force Secretary Eugene Zuckert, AEC Chairman Glenn Seaborg, and Budget Director Kermit Gordon, Missiles and Rockets reported, indicating it would authorize funds to AEC for flight-testing Snap reactors. DOD had announced it had "no stated requirement" for the nuclear auxiliary power systems, and BOB had refused AEC request for $15 million to flight-test Snap 10A, cut $7 million from Snap 50 development, and cut $5.5 million from systems improvement. Committee action would provide funds in excess of AEC's request. (M&R, 2/17/64, 14)
House Committee on Science and Astronautics was planning to hold further hearings on the NASA proposed electronics research center, although Committee Chairman George P. Miller (D.-Calif.) had described NASA Administrator Webb's report to the Congress as "very comprehensive." (M&R, 2/17/64, 17)
USAF launched Titan II ICBM from Vandenberg AFB on 5,000-mi. flight down PMR. (UPI, Houston Chron., 2/18/64)
Rep. Carl Elliott (D.-Ala.), Chairman of House Select Committee on Government Research, submitted to the House the committee's first progress report. At its preliminary information-gathering hearings, the committee heard testimony by 75 persons representing Federal departments and agencies, private research organizations, institutions of higher learning, scientific and professional associations, and private industry. Rep. Elliott said: ". . while we hope to be able to lay sound guidelines for the future, we shall also strive to insure that the incentives for engaging in research and development are strengthened and safeguarded rather than strangled by excessive controls and redtape. . . "Our only bias is one in favor of wisely conceived and soundly administered research and development programs designed to strengthen our country and promote the general welfare of our people." (CR, 2/17/64,2854-55)
Fuel cells producing power to operate all electronic equipment in Apollo spacecraft Would also produce enough drinking water as a byproduct to supply the three-man crew during 14-day journey to the moon and back, MSC announced. (MSC Release 64-32)
New gravity gradient stabilization system utilizing earth's gravitational field to orient the satellite and earth's magnetic field to assist in damping was developed by General Electric and recently tested onboard a USN satellite, orbited Jan. 11. Within three days the system stabilized the satellite to accuracy of ±5 degrees. (M&R, 2/17/64, 10; Av. Wk., 2/24/64,57)
USN fired Polaris A-2 missile from submerged submarine off the Florida coast in successful test. (UPI, Houston Chron., 2/18/64)
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