Mar 5 1964
From The Space Library
1,300-lb. instrumented payload was carried to 97,000 ft. by balloon in Coronoscope II project, sponsored jointly by ONE, NSF, and NASA. Released from National Center for Atmospheric Research near Palestine, Tex., the balloon traveled about 105 mi. eastward, then doubled back to travel another 100 mi. before dropping its instrument payload on radio command signal, 50 mi. from the launch site. Dr. Gordon Newkirk of High Altitude Observatory at Boulder, Colo., said photographs made by the instruments were expected to aid in study of effects of sun's corona upon earth's magnetic field and upper atmosphere. (Houston Chron., 3/6/64; Houston Post, 3/6/64)
NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, appearing before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, reported on NASA's activities in international cooperation during 1963: "Six new international satellites, to be built and financed by three other nations, were programmed as contributions to the NASA scientific satellite effort over the next six years, bringing to ten the number of such cooperative satellite projects completed, in process, or agreed.. . .Seven foreign experiments were selected in competition with domestic proposals for flight principally on NASA observatory satellites during the next three years.. . . "Nineteen sounding rockets carrying scientific payloads were launched here or abroad in joint projects with nine countries, raising to forty-six the total of such launchings to date. "New agreements were concluded with India and Pakistan under which both countries will join the UK and Australia in a year-long test of meteorological sounding rocket systems. . . ." After listing NASA activities in the categories of international ground-based experiments and relationships with European agencies (ELDO and ESRO), Dr. Dryden discussed implementation of the U.S.-U.S.S.R. bi-lateral agreement for space cooperation : ". . . Correspondence has been maintained [with the Soviet Academy of Sciences], although the Soviet side has not met time schedules on most agreed action items. However, the Soviet Academy of Sciences has just conducted optical observations of the ECHO II satellite during its early orbits and we were able to begin the telecommunications experiments with ECHO II between the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Great Britain and the U.S.S.R. on February 21. While we have not yet received detailed data of the optical observations and have still to evaluate the results of the telecommunications tests, which We have received, I think the real significance is that we are taking advantage of existing programs, approved and executed on their own merits, to provide an opportunity for scientists and engineers of both countries to gain experience in working together for their mutual benefit. This is obviously a pioneer venture and it has purposefully been designed as a coordinated rather than a joint effort. There is no provision for exchange of funds between the two countries, no exchange of equipment is involved and all exchanges of data are to be on a reciprocal basis and made available to all other interested countries. . . ." (Testimony)
In testimony before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, NASA Associate Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., discussed NASA's relationship with JPL : ". . . [A] major contracting advance is taking place in our operating relationships with the California Institute of Technology .. . [which] manages the NASA'S Jet Propulsion Laboratory under contract. Originally, the Laboratory and the contract for its operation Were transferred to NASA from the Army in 1959. As the functions of the Laboratory have expanded and changed, We have modified the NASA/CIT relationships to meet the current needs of the program. The present contract expires at the end of this year, and we have carefully negotiated its extension under terms more applicable to current agency requirements. A comprehensive review has been made of the operating experience gained since the inception of the NASA/CIT/JPL relationship. As a result of this study, improved operating procedures in both the technical and administrative aspects have been developed and implemented. In addition to reflecting clauses which implement the above improvements in management, the new arrangements include three major departures from earlier agreements: "First, the earlier contracts were based on a principle of mutually requiring CIT/JPL concurrence before NASA directions would be carried out. This often resulted in lengthy "negotiations' of assigned tasks. The new contract restricts the principle of mutuality to the broad terms of the operating relationship, but clearly gives NASA the unilateral right to issue task orders, require reports, and take other administrative actions as desired. "Second, a separate facilities contract is also being negotiated which will provide the government a more direct control over the planning, construction, and utilization of the facilities at JPL. "Third, a new principle is provided for determining CIT's fee for the operation of the Laboratory. The new contract contains a schedule which sets the upper and lower limits of the fee on the basis of the dollar volume of work which NASA places with CIT/JPL. The exact fee within these limits, will be determined by how Well CIT/JPL performs in the management of the Laboratory." (Testimony)
First of series of background briefings on scientific and technical aspects of NASA programs was held at NASA Hq., with Dr. John E. Naugle, Director of Geophysics and Astronomy Programs, reviewing the broad scientific objectives of the space program. Dr. Naugle revealed NASA planned to ask three separate companies for independent design studies of Advanced Ogo's and Oao's (Orbiting Geophysical Observatories and Orbiting Astronomical Observatories). The Advanced Oso (Orbiting Solar Observatory) design work by contractor Republic Aviation was progressing, and Aoso should be in operation in 1969. (NASA Memo; SBD, 3/6/64, 360)
In press conference, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara announced reduction of B-70 development program from three aircraft to two. "This action . . . is a result of a very comprehensive review of the project we have just completed, and it reflects our concern over the continued delays in the program . . . brought about by severe technical difficulties. ". . . the first flight [originally] was scheduled for December 1962. The program is already some 18 months behind that schedule and the first aircraft has not yet been completely assembled.. . "We have been plagued with fuel leaks in . . . [the Number Three] airplane. . . . I am told . . . that the first plane, if it flies this spring . . . or certainly before mid-year, will probably fly with one tank not usable because of continued leak problems. "Secondly, We have had serious problems in mating the wing to the fuselage. It is a very, very complex form of construction. We are using what amounts to a steel sandwich in the B-70 to solve the high temperature problems associated with supersonic speed, and the welding problem associated with mating this steel sandwich wing and fuselage construction have been severe, indeed. . . ." (Transcript, NYT, 2/6/64, 12; DOD Release 194-64)
Senate passed compromise $16,976,620,000 military authorization bill for FY 1965 procurement and R&D. The Senate-House conferees retained $50 million for initiating development of new manned bomber, dropped $40 million approved in House bill for improved manned interceptor aircraft. (NYT, 2/6/64, 3)
AFSC issued annual report of its 1963 highlights and accomplishments. In preface summarizing and evaluating significant activities, AFSC Commander General B. A. Schriever said: ". . In 1963 AFSC made major contributions to the nation's defense and space exploration programs. These included delivery of ballistic missiles at an average of one per day, completion of vital early warning and air defense systems, first flight of the transport aircraft which will make world wide airlift a reality, and delivery of the launch vehicles which made possible the orbital flights of Commander Schirra and Major Cooper. . . . "Cancellation of the X-20 DynaSoar program in late 1963 and assignment to the Air Force of responsibility for development of a near-earth Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) represent a shift in emphasis from reentry technology to on-orbit experiments. MOL, which is designed to provide a means of obtaining hard, factual data concerning man's capabilities in operational space vehicles, is among AFSC's most urgent projects. . . ." (AFSC Release 42-R-24; AFSC 1963 Ann. Rpt.)
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