Nov 9 1963
From The Space Library
USAF's Rome Air Development Center (RADC), Griffiss AFB, N.Y., would take part in the tracking and experimentation with NASA'S Echo II passive communications satellite scheduled for launching shortly. A 60-ft.-diameter steerable parabolic antenna had been erected at the Center's Passive Satellite Research Terminal near Rome, N.Y. The terminal would be able to transmit on S and X bands for 5,000-mi. tracking and communications range. USAF would investigate passive communications satellites for their possibilities as a relatively nonjammable military communications system. (A-N-AF Journ. & Reg., 11/9/63, 28)
USAF Aerospace Research Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif., was using F-104 and F-106 fighter aircraft to simulate portions of space vehicle re-entry and landing profiles, Capt. Edward J. Dwight (USAF) said at Howard Univ. in Washington. The F-104 is usually accelerated to mach 2 at 35,000 ft. and continued in powered climb to 75,000, coasts to a top altitude of 90,000 to 95,000 ft., and starts down. "We usually relight the engine at about 60,000 feet and recover from a spin." When the NF-104, modified to add a rocket engine, was available, this maneuver would be extended to 120,000 to 140,000 ft. The F-106 is used to simulate the landing pattern of a Dyna Soar -type space vehicle, dropping from 20,000 ft. to a high-speed landing. (NYT, 11/10/63, 88)
USAF launched an unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., on board a Thor-Agena booster. (M&R, 11/18/63, 12)
An Eastern Air Lines DC-8 jet transport aircraft flying over Texas in clear weather suddenly dropped more than two miles-from 20,000 ft. to 6,000 ft.-in an unexplained dive so violent that it tore one of the four jet engines loose from its wing mounting and injured 17 of the 124 passengers. The aircraft made an emergency landing without incident. An investigation immediately began as to the effect of clear-air turbulence on jet aircraft. One theory was that the conventional means of dealing with turbulence-that is, slowing down to soften the impact of the turbulence-might in fact be dangerous in jet aircraft because the slower air speed would lessen the pilot's control of the aircraft and make it too easy for the aircraft to go out of control. (Hudson, NYT, 11/15/63, 57)
USAF launched a Titan II ICBM from an underground silo at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Test, sixth Titan II launch from Vandenberg, was to check operation of the total weapon system. (AP, Wash. Post, 11/10/63)
During early November: USAF selected General Dynamics/Ft. Worth, Boeing, and North American Aviation, Inc., to study feasibility of an Advanced Manned Penetrator (AMP), revision of previous Low Altitude Manned Penetrator (LAMP). All three had proposed use of kerosene-type fuels in the engine. (Av. Wk., 11/11/63, 25)
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