Jun 6 1965
From The Space Library
The 2 million people of Melbourne, Australia, saluted Astronauts McDivitt and White as GEMINI IV passed overhead by turning on all the lights in the city. McDivitt said to the Carnarvon tracking station: "Tell them I thank them for lighting the night for me." (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 6/7/65, A6; Houston Chron, 6/7/65)
NASA terminated its contract with the Thiokol Chemical Corp, and its subcontractor, Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., for development of a 260-in,-dia. solid rocket motor. Reason for the decision was the difficulty encountered by the contractors in processing and welding special steel required for the rocket case and the time which would be required to develop an alternate method. During a hydrostatic pressure test April 11 of the first rocket case produced under the Thiokol contract, failure had occurred at a pressure considerably below the normal operating firing pressure with the consequent destruction of the case. A second case, presently about 60% complete, had been constructed by the same method and was subject to the kinds of faults that resulted in destruction of the first case. Aerojet-General Corp, a second contractor undertaking development of a 260-in, solid rocket motor, was not affected by termination of Thiokol contract. (NASA Release 65-187; Marshall Star, 6/16/65, 6)
Dr. Edward C. Welsh, Executive Secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, told the graduating class of Clark University: "Your country has wisely although belatedly made a firm decision to conduct a vigorous national space program. It is a clear responsibility of each of us to learn what he can about that program, find out what it means to the country as a whole and to the individuals who live here," He continued: "As we attempt to carry out our responsibilities in educating the general public about space, there are a few concepts which need particular emphasis: "1. Education. The space program has been a catalyst, a stimulus to education at all levels, with particular attention to science and engineering. ... "2. National Security... , How much more secure are we, due to improved communications, more accurate navigation, and more complete weather information? How much is it worth to be better informed about potential sources of danger? How can we assess the advantage of developing competence to detect and offset possible aggression from space? How important is it to know that we intend to keep peace and freedom in space so that all who would go there with peaceful intentions are free to do so? I cannot judge the worth of this national security. "3. Innovations. The space program stimulates the development of new materials, new products, new productive processes, and new managerial techniques... "4. International Status. A substantial difference in influence in world affairs evolves from whether a country is in a first position or a second position in power. In many respects, a nation's relative position depends on how it stands in advanced technology. Power and influence in world affairs depend to a great degree upon the technological capability of a nation... The ideal picture is that of a nation strong in ideas, in technology, in freedom, in standard of living, and in military power to protect the viability of the other prestige ingredients. The space program, effectively and imaginatively conducted, contributes positively to all of those ingredients. Of even greater importance is the potential impact the space program can have on world peace through substituting competence in space exploration for competence in building implements of aggression... "5. Economics. Combining the best talents in management, in engineering, and in science, with the most modern facilities available, the net result of the space program is the production of progress..." (Text)
Russian Cosmonaut Lt. Col. Aleksei Leonov, first man to walk in space, was quoted as calling the GEMINI IV flight of Majors James A. McDivitt (USAF) and Edward H. White II (USAF) "a very interesting one." During an interview with the Bulgarian news agency, he congratulated the Gemini crew, wished them "a happy landing back on earth," and said "no doubt the experience from our flight must have helped the U.S. space program very much in preparing and executing the flight." (Reuters, NYT, 6/7/65)
ABC science editor Jules Bergman reported that the satellite sighted June 4 by Astronaut James A. McDivitt (Maj. USAF) was a secret U.S. military reconnaissance satellite with cameras, He said that space officials had been unable to identify it because DOD would not admit the existence of a U.S. reconnaissance satellite. (AP, Balt, Sun, 6/7/65)
Pope Paul in a mid-day Pentecostal message to a crowd in St. Peter's Square, blessed Astronauts McDivitt and White: "Our benediction goes to all on earth and rises also to the skies for those who are exploring astral paths." (NYT, 6/7/65, 33)
The National Science Foundation's past activities were reviewed in a report by the Library of Congress Legislative Reference Service for the House Committee on Science and Astronautics. No judgments were made, but the 286-page report called attention to broad areas of concern: (1) Could the Foundation meaningfully promote the progress of American science on a very limited budget? (2) What was its relationship to the Office of Science and Technology which was developing national science policy? (3) What was its relationship to American universities conducting research? (4) Had it effectively gathered data and made statistical analyses essential to research planning and administration? (5) Should the Foundation continue to manage large-scale research projects? (Text)
June 6-26: 50 helium-filled tetrahedronal plastic balloons were released over New York City by the Weather Bureau to gather air pollution information at altitudes of 500 ft. or less. Each balloon carried a radar beacon which was tracked by weather radar to obtain a continuous record of its position; some were followed by helicopters to gather additional information on pressure temperature, and air pollution values. (U.S. Weather Bureau Release)
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