Jul 20 1964
From The Space Library
Space flight of NASA's Sert I (Space Electric Rocket Test) spacecraft marked first successful operation in space of an electric rocket engine. NASA launched the Sert I on a suborbital trajectory from Wallops Island, using four-stage Scout booster rocket which lofted the Sert into 2,500-mi. altitude before impacting in Atlantic Ocean about 2,000 mi. downrange from Wallops. One of the two ion propulsion engines aboard the 375-1. Sert I was operated twice, for total run of 30 min.; this engine was built by NASA Lewis Research Center. The other engine, built by Hughes Research Laboratories, did not produce thrust. Primary purpose of the experiment was to verify that electrostatic (ion) engines can produce thrust in space, and all technical objectives were achieved. NASA later announced the test was so successful that a second test would not be necessary (Oct. 16). (NASA Releases 64-167, 64-180; LRC Release 64-63; Wallops Release 64-58)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb reported to the President that NASA had accomplished cost reductions totaling $128,783,000 in FY 1964. This greatly exceeded the agency's target of $81,780,000. (NASA Announcement 64-162)
AEC scientists were reported to be planning even more sophisticated nuclear radiation detection satellites to follow the two identified by press sources as having been maneuvered into patrol positions during the preceding weekend. The advanced Sentries were reported to carry optical devices to monitor not only space nuclear blasts but also those in the earth's atmosphere. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 7/20/64)
Sen. Stuart Symington (D.-Mo.) discussed national space program on Senate floor: "If our nation is to remain strong and a leader of men, then it is necessary that we maintain a position of leadership in the greatest adventure of our time. "Not only would a slowdown in this program have an adverse effect on U.S. leadership, but it would cost the taxpayer more money. NASA estimates that for every year the program is stretched out a billion dollars would have to be added to the program- That is not surprising. Any major R&D program requires a tight timetable if it is to be an efficient program and provide the necessary incentive. Without a tight timetable the work drags on through repeated changes and indecision. As in most human endeavors the establishment of a tight schedule in fact provides assurance that the program will in fact be accomplished. "For the present, however, there is the fact that the huge space industry complex-and the space psychology itself-has found a place in the Nation's consciousness. The United States is more than six years away from its first puny satellite, and in that time the acceleration of progress has been on the edge of the fantastic. The space age has barely been born but we cannot see how anyone can misread the promise of adventure and discovery in the years to come." (CR, 7/20/64, 15720- 21)
It was reported that NASA planned to cancel its lease for a Lockheed JetStar at the KSC in Florida and purchase the plane outright. This came out in a report by NASA to a Senate appropriations subcommittee. The report indicated that NASA planned to operate a total of 80 aircraft in FY 1965, an increase of 4 planes. NASA officials told the committee that 37 of the 80 would be used for research, 20 for proficiency and flight training, and 23 for administrative aircraft. (Av. Wk., 7/20/64, 18)
Premature shutdown of the U.K. Blue Streak space launcher engines during its first flight for ELDO at Woomera, Australia, in June had been traced to gain settings of the autopilot system, it was reported. Calculations showed that a simple change in autopilot settings could prevent future recurrences of the problem. (Av. Wk., 7/20/64, 24)
Aviation Week recounted an exchange between Defense Secretary Robert McNamara and Sen. J. William Fulbright (D.-Ark.) in which McNamara stated that the Apollo program had psychological value but no direct military worth. In response to a question about the effect of the Apollo program on the mission of DOD, McNamara said: "... if a psychological victory that might result from the Soviets arriving at the moon first leads to a shift in attitudes in the world, tending to reduce the belief in the strength of the West, and in increasing the Soviet's view of the weakness of the West, this is bound to have a military effect. This is exactly what occurred in connection with our space programs, and it led to a very costly response by this country." (Av. Wk., 7/20/64)
Aviation Week stated that a technological war plan task force under the cognizance of AFSC had been established at Space Systems Div., to investigate a variety of subject areas as a continuation of the USAF's Project Forecast. Participants were expected to include key personnel from industry and NASA as well as AFSC. Areas to be studied included boron fiber technology for application to structural materials, operational requirements of biological satellites, manned hypersonic vehicles to investigate thermodynamic and aerodynamic regions, and laser applications and requirements. (Av. Wk, 7/20/64, 23)
USAF was reported continuing to seek industry support for avionics sub-systems studies for DOD's manned orbiting laboratory (MOL) program. The Space Systems Div. of AFSC asked avionics companies to submit bids for a study of an image velocity sensor subsystem, which would enable orbiting astronauts to acquire and track space targets visually and to take fixes on terrestrial bodies for navigation. SSD also asked Honeywell to submit a sole-source proposal for a study of the laboratory's attitude control system. (Av. Wk., 7/20/64, 24)
It was reported that contractors were accusing NASA of naming a Mars exploration idea "Project Beagle" just to appeal to President Johnson. NASA officials denied this and stated that the project was named after the ship in which Charles Darwin sailed around the world. (Av. Wk.. 7/20/64, 15)
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