Sep 2 1963
From The Space Library
Two flight tests of M-2 wingless lifting body conducted by NASA Flight Research Center, with Milton O. Thompson as test pilot. Towed to 13,000-ft. altitude by C-47 aircraft, M-2 glided each time to landing on Rogers Dry Lake bed in a few seconds over three minutes. These were sixth and seventh airtow flight-tests of M-2 in series to investigate man's ability to control M-2 during low-speed operations, particularly during landing phase. (FRC Release 17-63; M&R, 9/9/63,14)
Results of NASA research project reported: 18 species of earth bacteria survived in "Mars jars" in which atmospheric conditions of Mars were simulated. One type enlarged itself by four or five times in the Martian environment. (M&R, 9/2/63)
AFSC announced establishment of field office at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, headed by Col. Daniel D. McKee (USAF), to zerve as central AFSC point of contact at MSC. (AFSC Release 38-R-76)
Recently approved program by NASA-USAF Project Gemini Program Planning Board called for about 12 USAF experiments to be included in later Gemini flights, John Finney reported in New York Times. Board was reported to have concluded it could make no recommendations on USAF pilots participating in Gemini until DOD clarified its position on military requirements for a manned space flight program. (Finney, NYT, 9/3/63,1,15)
Reported that one example of space flight experience vitally benefiting other Government projects was adoption of Mercury spacecraft and landing maneuvers to the escape and survival projection system for F-111 (TFX) tactical fighter aircraft. In emergency escape from F-111, entire two-man crew compartment and section of aircraft's wings are separated from aircraft; drogue parachute then deploys and pulls out large Mercury-type parachute which lowers compartment to a landing. Like Mercury spacecraft, ejected compartment contains environmental life-support system and necessary survival equipment. (Cook, Wash. Daily News, 9/2/63)
Results of Harvard Business School poll of U.S. industrialists on how they viewed America's space program, published in Harvard Business Review, indicated that industrialists expect a considerable payoff from space in terms of tangible benefits to our planet and think that the space program is "a great energizing force on our society." (Greenough, Boston Morning Globe, 9/2/63)
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