Aug 26 1965
From The Space Library
Maj. Robert A. Rushworth (USAF) piloted X-15 No, 3 to maximum speed of 3,409 mph (mach 4,79) and maximum altitude of 239,600 ft, to obtain data on the NSL scanner and to measure boundary layer noise. (NASA X-15 Proj. Off,; X-15 Flight Log)
USAF would train about 15 astronauts to operate manned orbiting laboratories, the Washington Post reported. Trainees would be chosen from graduates of the Aerospace Flight School, Edwards AFB, Gen. Joseph Bleymaier (USAF), Commander of Western Test Range, suggested that in later Gemini flights the two-man crew might include one USAF astronaut. (AP, Wash. Post, 8/27/65, A7)
Washington Evening Star editorial: "... there is no point in trying to argue that the projected 'Manned Orbiting Laboratory' is purely scientific in character. It is not purely scientific. It has military potentials of considerable significance, and our country should not apologize to anybody for that fact. The Russians are busy in this field. Why should we ignore it? The simple reality is, as Secretary of State Rusk has warned, that the ocean of space might become a fearsome theater of war in the not distant future. In the circumstances, our country would be guilty of a kind of suicidal passiveness if it failed to develop the 'Manned Orbiting Laboratory.' " (Wash, Eve. Star, 8/26/65)
Approval by President Johnson of SAF's Manned Orbiting Laboratory received editorial comment in the New York Times: "The United States Air Force has been demanding orbiting laboratories for years. The reason is essentially defensive, Such space laboratories could have the capacity to intercept and destroy enemy satellites. Their value for surveillance is obvious. As President Johnson said, they will provide 'new knowledge about what man is able to do in space' and 'will enable us to relate that ability to the defense of the nation.' "The MOL's however, will naturally be capable of offense as well as defense. It was therefore significant that President Johnson should have taken the opportunity to couple his announcement with a new peaceful gesture toward Moscow for cooperation in the space program. " (NYT, 8/26/65, 30M)
The Wall Street Journal, commenting on President Johnson's decision to develop Manned Orbital Laboratory, wrote: "The President didn't enumerate the MOL experiments, but there is little doubt they would involve such possible missions as: -High-altitude reconnaissance over the Soviet Union and China; -Inspection and possible destruction of non-U.S. space satellites; -Antisubmarine surveillance of the oceans." (Beecher, WSJ, 8/26/65, 2)
President Johnson's order for the Air Force to proceed with development of a Manned Orbital Laboratory produced a quick reaction in Wall Street: stock of the companies involved registered rapid and sometimes sizable gains. (NYT, 8/26/65, 46)
In a New York Times letter to the editor, Daniel Murphy commented on President Johnson's decision to develop Manned Orbital Laboratory: "Once again we are asked to silently acquiesce to a questionable military dictum `If we don't, they will,' Because Russia has the capacity to send up such armaments, why does it so logically follow that they will do so? It is we, not they, who have a three or four to one superiority in ICBM's... "By our action will we allow the Soviet Union any alternative but to respond in kind? Would not President Johnson's invitation to the Soviet scientists stand a much greater likelihood of acceptance if coupled with an offer of diplomatically exploring the possibility of not constructing such armaments? "The Administration's proposal can only increase the tensions of a world troubled enough." (NYT, 9/1/65, 32)
United Press International (UPI) reported that NASA had postponed until next week an attempt to have MARINER IV photographic probe take pictures of the blackness of space. The pictures would provide scientists with a means of editing MARINER IV's photos of Mars. Communication problems forced the delay. (UPI, NYT, 8/27/65, 19)
Policy shift reflected in Administration approval of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory was discussed by Howard Simons in the Washington Post: "Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy virtually ignored Air Force arguments that it had a manned role in space, ". . President [Johnson] has not committed the Nation to a long. term Air Force manned space flight effort, But what he has done is to protect himself politically against potential political repercussions should the Russians send a six- to eight-man orbiting space station aloft, as they now appear to have the wherewithal to do. "Meanwhile the Administration is very wary about destroying the image of a peaceful American manned space flight program, which it has so carefully and lovingly constructed." (Simons, Wash. Post, 8/26/65)
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