Jul 28 1963

From The Space Library

NASA scientists expanded on reports that future astronauts might use crayons and paper to record sights during space flights, saying that Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr., was particularly interested in applying his sketching talents to space flights. Cdr. Schirra was apparently disappointed with some photographs taken during his MA-8 space flight, finding that such phenomena as the moon's halo did not show in photographs taken from his spacecraft. (Witkin, NYT, 7/28/63,30)

"Outstanding Unit Award" given to 6593rd Test Squadron at Hick­am AFB, Honolulu, for "its record in the development and appli­cation of aerial techniques for the recovery of space capsules returned from orbiting satellites." USAF announcement said more than 70 per cent of satellites launched last year with recovery as goal were actually retrieved by the squadron; in a more recent series, 88 per cent were recovered. Maj. Gen. Ben I. Funk, AFSSD Commander, said recovering capsules from space has reached "the point where recovery is accomplished on a routine basis." (UPI, Wash. Post, 7/29/63)

AFSC reported it was experimenting with gelatin for structural uses in space. In simulated space vacuum chamber, gelatin pressed into fiberglass cloth becomes rigid, AFSC said. Gelatin was said to have excellent resistance to ultraviolet radiation. (AP, NYT, 7/28/63,13)

FAA Administrator Najeeb Halaby announced appointment of Gordon M. Bain as Deputy Administrator for Supersonic Transport Development. Formerly Assistant Administrator for Appraisal, Bain would head FAA organization charged with over­all responsibility for Government-industry development of super­sonic transport aircraft. (FAA Release 63-69)

General Electric Co. announced USAF Titan II "carries a re-entry vehicle which would `significantly increase' this country's ability to penetrate antimissile defenses." (Witkin NYT 7/99/F.1)

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