Jan 7 1964
From The Space Library
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center issued request for proposals for study of deep space laser acquisition and tracking techniques in manned space missions. Specifications called for high priority development of laser tracking techniques between earth and a manned deep space vehicle or between a satellite and two manned deep space vehicles. System must be capable of handling two-way telemetry and voice communications as well as spacecraft-to-ground TV. 22 companies were invited to bid on the six- to nine-month study. (MSC Release 64-3)
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center announced that tests of flashing beacon were being conducted with a T-33 aircraft for evaluation of similar beacons for use in Gemini rendezvous operations. Beacon is a white sphere, weighs 10 lbs., has flashing power of 12 candle-seconds. (MSC Release 64-1)
First power tool built specifically for use in space was demonstrated by its co-producers, Martin Co. and Black & Decker Manufacturing Co., who developed it for USAF. Similar in shape and size to home power-drill, the battery-powered "electric minimum reaction space tool" has 99.97% less reactive torque than ordinary utility drills, a feature made possible by its freely revolving casing rotating in opposite direction from revolution of the motor. Tool has been tested in simulated 100-mi. altitude space environment. (Hines, Wash. Eve. Star, 1/8/64; SBD, 1/8/64, 37)
NASA submitted to Bureau of the Budget its proposed reports on three patent bills: H.R. 4482, to prescribe national policy encouraging invention by providing for administration of property rights to inventions resulting from research financed by public funds; S. 1290, to establish uniform national policy for property rights to inventions resulting from publicly financed work; and S. 1444, to amend National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 to waive U.S. proprietary rights to inventions. (NASA LAR II/2)
Senate Committee on Commerce held hearings on S. 1278, to provide that the National Bureau of Standards study practicability of U.S. adoption of the metric system. (NASA LAR II/1) John Stack, vice president and director of engineering at Republic Aviation, predicted that early in the 1970's a traveler flying westward in supersonic transport will be able to keep up with the sun: "Whether it is a Mach 2 plane or a Mach 3 or better, you could leave London at 8 A.M., arrive in New York at 8 A.M., refuel and be in Los Angeles before 8 A.M., refuel again and be in Hawaii at 8 A.M." (UPI, NYT, 1/8/64, 13)
In keynote address to 10th National Symposium on Reliability and Quality Control, Lt. Gen. Howell M. Estes, Jr. (USAF), AFSC Vice Commander, reviewed the reasons for reliability in missile and space systems and specific measures taken by AFSC to improve reliability and quality control. Discussing space systems he said: ". . . Payload weight will always be a major factor in the systems effectiveness equation for space systems. In unmanned systems, redundancy can never be acceptable but only reluctantly tolerated. Even in manned space systems, any provisions for in-flight maintenance or replacement of components will reduce payload weight which might otherwise be available for more productive use. Our greatest challenge thus lies in space. . . ." (Text, AFSC Release 41-R-4)
USN launched Polaris A-3 missile from land site at Cape Kennedy in successful flight test down AMR. This was 14th success in 23 land launches of the A-3. (M&R, 1/13/64, 10)
First Week in January: NASA lifted hiring freeze on about six manned space flight projects, including Apollo work at North American Aviation, Inc. (L.A. Times, Miami Herald, 1/10/64; NAA S&ID Skywriter, 1/10/64,1)
North American Aviation, Inc., began testing prototype Apollo environmental control system, developed by Garrett Corp.'s AiResearch Div. Unmanned tests would continue for about six months, with manned tests scheduled to begin June 1. (Av. Wk., 12/25/63, 23)
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