Nov 27 1963
From The Space Library
NASA launched the first successful Atlas-Centaur space booster from AMR. The booster performed perfectly and the Centaur second stage ignited its liquid-hydrogen engines in space and went into orbit as the heaviest object (10,500 lbs.) yet orbited by the U.S. Orbital data were later announced to be : apogee, 1,050 mi.; perigee, 340 mi.; period, 108 min. ; and inclination, 30°. Although another six flights remained before the Centaur could be considered operational, this first successful flight of the high-energy liquid hydrogen-liquid oxygen booster was a major landmark in a development program dogged with delays and disappointments. The previous launch attempt, on May 8, 1962, ended 55 sec. after launch in fiery explosion when the weather shield ripped off the Centaur second stage. In a press conference after the launch, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Sciences and Applications Edgar M. Cortright spoke of the launching as "the world's first successful flight of a hydrogen-oxygen rocket." Dr. Abe Silverstein, Director of NASA Lewis Research Center and the man who personally oversaw the reworking of Centaur during the past year, added that the flight was "the first test of our ability to successfully ignite hydrogen on time in space." (Hines, Wash. Eve. Star, 11/28/63; Benedict, Wash. Post, 11/28/63; Witkin, NYT, 11/28/63; NASA Releases 63-254-261)
X-15 No. 3 was flown to 89,800 ft. and 3,310 mph (mach 4.94), by NASA pilot Milton O. Thompson. This was Thompson's second flight in the X-15 and was intended to familiarize him with the extreme altitude control of the rocket research aircraft. (M&R, 12/9/63, 10 ; X-15 Project Office)
President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress, his first major speech since assuming the Presidency on Nov. 22 following the assassination of President Kennedy : "The greatest leader of our time has been struck down by the foulest deed of our time. . . . "The dream of conquering the vastness of space-the dream of partnership across the Atlantic and across the Pacific as well-the dream of a Peace Corps in less developed nations-the dream of education for all of our children-the dream of jobs for all who seek them and need them-the dream of care for our elderly-the dream of an ail-out attack on mental illness-and above all, the dream of equal rights for all Americans, whatever their race or color-these and other American dreams have been vitalized by his drive and by his dedication . . . ." (CR, 11/27/63, 21734)
NASA signed Memorandum of Agreement with Military Sea Transportation Service (MSTS) providing ocean transportation services between U.S. ports for large Saturn launch vehicle stages and supporting equipment in connection with the manned lunar landing program. (NMI 739, 2/10/64)
LRC-engineers described base-heating studies being performed on Saturn V Apollo rockets. Base-heating can be a severe problem with rocket vehicles pouring out exhaust gases at temperatures as high as 6000°F. Similar studies were performed on Saturn I. (LRC Release 63-95, Lewis Chronology, 12)
NASA's J-2 liquid-hydrogen engine, designed to provide 200,000 lbs. of thrust for upper stages of the Saturn IB and Saturn V boosters successfully underwent its first extended duration ground test firings a static firing of 510 sec. The J-2 had been designed for a duration of 250 sec. and had been undergoing ground firings for that duration since Oct. 1962. Recently the requirements were changed to provide the longer burning time. (Marshall Star, 12/4/63,3)
Feasibility of operating large numbers of ion engines together was established when Lewis Research Center successfully operated an array of nine ion engines under simulated space conditions. (LRC Chronology)
USAF launched a Thor-Agena D booster carrying an unidentified satellite, from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. Also launched that day was a Minuteman ICBM in what was termed a routine training launch. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 11/28/63)
The Air Force accepted the first Titan III engines from Aerojet-General Corporation in Sacramento. The engines were the first-and second-stage liquid-fuel engines for the Titan IIIA (core) of the Titan IIIC. Together they produce a combined thrust of 530,000 lbs. (A -N-AF Journal and Register, Jan., 1964)
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