Feb 8 1965
From The Space Library
NASA conducted high-altitude grenade experiments almost simultaneously from launch sites in Alaska, Canada, and at Wallops Island, using a two-stage Nike-Cajun in each case. Grenades were ejected and detonated at intervals from about 25- to 56-mi. altitude. This was the third and final set in the current series to obtain upper-atmosphere wind, temperature, density, and pressure data at the three widely-separated geographic locations. The series marked the first time that such measurements had been made with sounding rockets within the Arctic Circle. (NASA Release 65-8)
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center announced selection of Maj. Leroy Gordon Cooper (USAF) and Lt. Cdr. Charles Conrad, Jr. (USN), to make the seven-day Gemini V space flight. Gemini V would be the third manned Gemini space flight and would be made in 1965. Backup crewmen were two civilians, Neil A. Armstrong and Elliot M. See, Jr. (MSC Roundup, 2/17/65, 1; AP, Wash. Post, 2/8/65; AP, Balt. Sun, 2/8/65; Witkin, NYT, 2/9/65)
Among the 11 scientists and engineers presented the National Medal of Science by President Johnson at a White House ceremony were Dr. Charles S. Draper, professor of aeronautics and astronautics at MIT, and Dr. Harold C. Urey, professor of astronomy at Univ. of Calif. and consultant on NASA Space Science Steering Committee. (Wash. Post, 2/9/65, 9; CR, 2/10/65, A590)
18 additional countries were applying for ownership in the $200-million international consortium to operate a global communications satellite system, it was reported. Eighteen nations and Vatican City had originally participated in forming the consortium in July 1964. U.S.'s ComSatCorp acquired 61% ownership and would serve as manager for the consortium. The new nations applying for ownership participation were Monaco, South Africa, New Zealand, Syria, Kuwait, Libya, Yemen, Brazil, Morocco, United Arab Republic, Sudan, Iraq, Lebanon, Tunisia, Argentina, Jordan, Indonesia, and Ceylon. (Av. Wk., 2/8/65, 25)
The world's first nuclear-powered weather station, designated Navy Oceanographic and Meteorological Automatic Device (Nomad), began its second year of successful operation 300 mi. out of New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico. Developed by the Navy, the unattended station was powered by the AEC generator, Snap-7D. (NYT, 2/14/65, 90)
A Polaris A-3 launched from the nuclear submarine Sam Rayburn represented the 16th consecutive success for that missile. The Rayburn was submerged off the coast of Cape Kennedy. (M&R, 2/15/65, 12)
During the week of February 8: In an interview, C. R. Smith, chairman of American Airlines, backed the Boeing Co.'s entry, one of two basic designs under study, in the Government's design competition for a supersonic transport aircraft: "I think the SST will have to have variable-sweep wings." In variable sweep, the angle at which the wings meet the fuselage could be changed for efficiency at different speeds. At slow speed, the wings would be outstretched for greater lift; at high speed, they would be swept back sharply to reduce airflow drag. This principle was used on the F-111. (NYT, 2/14/65, 90)
February 8-10: American Astronautical Society (AAS)presented a Symposium on Unmanned Exploration of the Solar System in Denver, Colo. Speaking about the Biosatellite Program, Dale W. Jenkins, NASA Office of Space Science and Applications said: " . . . The Biosatellite Program is a second-generation series of carefully planned and selected experiments, including some highly sophisticated experiments which have required several years of baseline study and development. These orbiting recoverable Biosatellites provide an opportunity to test critically major biological hypotheses in the areas of genetics, evolution, and physiology. The Biosatellite studies will help delineate hazards to astronauts and assist in determining and defining effects on degradation of human performance. Prolonged manned flights may involve, for example, physiological changes such as decalcification of bones (particularly the vertebrae), loss of muscle tone and physical capability, and certain cardiovascular changes. Also, the effect of continued sensory deprivation on behavior and performance is unknown. "Twenty experiments have been selected for flight to study the effects of weightlessness and decreased gravity during 3- to 30-day orbital periods. The experiments include a wide variety of plants and animals from single-cell organisms to higher plants and animals. The effects of weightlessness will be studied on the primate, especially the central nervous, the cardiovascular, and the skeletal systems during orbits of 30 days' duration. "Experiments have been selected to study the effects of weightlessness combined with a known source of radiation to determine if there are any antagonistic or synergistic genetic or somatic effects on various organisms. "Experiments are included to study the effects of the unique environment of the Earth-orbiting satellite and removal from the Earth's rotation in relation to biological rhythms of plants and animals. . . ." (Text)
Dr. Homer E. Newell, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, outlining progress made toward the objective of solar system exploration, said: . . . It would appear . . . that enough experience and know-how has been accumulated to make the move to a five-ton Voyager spacecraft on the Saturn IB Centaur launch vehicle a reasonable next step in the unmanned exploration of the solar system. There is no question but that the size and weight of Voyager, plus the increased demands that will be placed upon it, will make the development of the Voyager a complex and difficult undertaking. But certainly, the Orbiting Geophysical Observatory and Mariner have shown us that we can deal successfully with complexity. As a matter of fact, the increased weight and size may afford considerable relief from the need to tailor every last function to a gnat's eyebrow in order to achieve the intended mission, as has been the case hitherto. . . ." Dr. Newell said that reliability was probably the most difficult problem for deep-space long-duration missions and that ". . . the development of adequate spacecraft systems will not be the problem. The most serious threat to long life operation will lie in the potential random failure of one or more [spacecraft] components." He added that this would probably be an ever-decreasing problem as we gained experience with launch vehicles and that ". . . launch vehicle reliability is far less a difficult program than that of long spacecraft lifetime for very deep-space missions." In conclusion, Dr. Newell said: " . . . Nevertheless, the time has arrived when many thoughtful people urge a vigorous program of solar system exploration. The President has in his Fiscal Year 1966 budget request included funds to support initial conceptual and design studies of a Voyager spacecraft. Funds are also included for the development of a launch vehicle consisting of the Saturn IB plus the Centaur. Final decision as to whether to move ahead with the development of the Voyager spacecraft would come a little over a year from now." (Text)
Missiles and Rockets reported that scientists at the Symposium had differing opinions on Mars goals. Gilbert V. Levin of Hazleton Laboratories opposed the 1971 scheduled landing of the Voyager: "... although we insist that Mars should not be contaminated by terrestrial life before we search for Martian life, we fail to recognize that this is tantamount to saying that the U.S. must get there first, because the U.S. appears to be the only nation willing and able to sterilize its spacecraft. "I'm all for Voyager, but an initial step in the Voyager program should be some early landers at the earliest opportunities. We should go ahead and devote efforts to develop a program to land on Mars in 1969." Temple Neumann, Automated Biological Laboratory program engineer with Philco's Aeronutronic Div., agreed with Levin: "If the planetary biological exploration task is to be performed in a sound scientific manner, the U.S. must do it-first." Lawrence B. Hall, NASA Special Assistant for Planetary Quarantine, reemphasized "the disastrous effects that an unsterilized spacecraft could have on Mars. ... If a single micro-organism should land on Mars and have a replication time of 30 days, it could grow to the bacterial population of Earth in eight years. This could not only compete with Martian life but could result in drastic changes in the geochemical and atmospheric characteristics of the planet," JPL's Gerald A. Soffen said that "since the decision between Mariner landers and Voyager missions has not been made yet, scientific experimenters have to think in terms both of small payloads and large ones. Numerous small missions would provide a good opportunity to perform experiments in different locations and during different planetary seasons." Bruce C. Murray, of Cal Tech, said: "... finding the right location, getting there, and interpreting the biological experiment results in a way that would indicate definitively whether life was or was not present would call for at least 100 times more photography than was currently assumed. " . . . atmospheric effects, color, seasonal changes, and the large number of locations of interest will make Martian pictures 10-50 times more difficult to interpret than lunar pictures," Robert L. Sohn, TRW Space Technology Laboratories, stressed value of earth-return missions and recommended serious consideration of round-trip missions and multi-plan round trips using DSIF as guide. He suggested that an 800-lb, spacecraft could make a fly-by of Mars, using the Venus swing-by technique and return to earth to enable recovery of a 50-lb. capsule. Use of swing-by techniques for round trips reduces earth launch velocities to those of the favorable years and also reduces earth reentry velocities. Additional advantages were closer passage with Mars at encounter and the opportunity to gather data on two planets. Elie A. Shneour, of Stanford University, said he "... could not say whether it was possible to draw up a set of experiments that would definitively search for life." He maintained, however, that "discovery of any form of extraterrestrial life will be tantamount to a basic determination of the nature of all life on that planet." (M&R, 2/22/ 65, 39, 41)
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