Sep 11 1964
From The Space Library
SYNCOM III was positioned into near-perfect stationary orbit over the Pacific Ocean. Final corrective maneuvers were completed, and the communications satellite appeared to hang motionless in space above the equator and International Date Line, where it could transmit radio and television signals between Japan and California. (AP, Wash. Post, 9/13/64)
1964 would be a year of development test on individual systems which provide capability to carry out Project Apollo lunar landing, according to Dr. Joseph Shea, Manager of Apollo Spacecraft Program Office at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center. He cited the test of Apollo launch escape and earth landing systems at White Sands Missile Range last May and launch of Apollo boilerplate aboard Saturn I (SA-6) also last May as two important development flight tests-milestones marking the gradual transition of Project Apollo to flight test phase. "However, there is still much ground testing to be done." ( NAA. MID Skywriter, 9/11/64, 4)
Dr. Harrison Brown, Cal Tech geochemist, said in Science article that as many as 2,000 earth-like planets capable of supporting life may exist in the nearest corner of the Milky Way Galaxy. Based on studies of this portion of the universe-volume of 10,000 cubic parsecs-Dr. Brown theorized: "Virtually every main sequence star should have a planetary system associated with it ' He calculated there were approximately 1,000 such stars in the region and 60,000 dark bodies of Mars' size or bigger, or an average 60 "dark companions" to each of the stars. He determined a typical star should have four such planets, and of these "on the average some two planets per visible star might provide suitable environment for the emergence of life processes which are based upon chemical systems similar to those on earth." Dr. Brown's paper pro-pounded higher probability of life in the universe than previously theorized. (Hines, Wash. Eve. Star, 9/11/64)
At 15th IAF Congress in Warsaw, delegates from six nations in panel session discussed possibilities of building a Lunar International Laboratory (LIA). It was agreed such a laboratory could be established in the 1975-85 time period if U.S. and U.S.S.R had conducted thorough preliminary lunar explorations by that time. (Wash. Post, 9/13/64; M&R, 9/21/64,16)
FAA Administrator Najeeb E. Halaby said in London that he had urged U.K. and France to conduct sonic-boom studies such as those the FAA had sponsored in Oklahoma City this year. He said the six-month test program had shown that a serious problem existed in sonic booms. U.K. and France were developing supersonic transport "Concorde." NYT, 9/12/64, 38)
"Highlights of Recent Space Research," by Robert Jastrow and A.G.W. Cameron of Goddard Institute for Space Studies, NASA, appeared in Science. The article presented highlights of recent space research in the physical sciences: geodesy, meteorology, the upper atmosphere, magnetosphere, magnetopause, atmosphere of Venus, exploration of the moon, solar physics, x-rays and gamma rays. (Science, 9/11/64, GSFC Reprint)
USAF announced it had retired two squadrons of Atlas ICBM's and would inactivate more Atlases and Titans. Total of 105 of the liquid-fueled missiles would be retired, rendered obsolete by more modern, better protected missiles such as Minuteman and Polaris. (AP, Wash. Post, 9/12/64)
Awards at 1964 Air Force Association national convention included H. H. Arnold Trophy to General Curtis E. LeMay (USAF CofS), who was named "Aerospace Man of the Year" for his "enlightened and aggressive leadership in behalf of the status and welfare of the military man"; David C. Schilling Trophy to Major Sidney J. Kubesch, SAC 8-58 pilot, for his record Tokyo-to-London flight in October 1963; and Theodore von K rm n Trophy to Clarence L Johnson, Vice President (Advanced Development Projects) of Lockheed Aircraft Corp, for designing the YF-12A (A-11) aircraft. Among the citations of honor: Dr. Edward C. Welsh, Executive Secretary and Acting Chairman, NASC, was cited for his "broad under-standing and vigorous pursuit of aerospace goals." Maj. Gen. Samuel C. Phillips (SAF), deputy director of Apollo program in NASA Hq., was cited for his contributions to Minuteman ICBM program in previous assignment with AFSC/BSD. Chief M/Sgt. Frank M. Davis (USAF) and Capt. Joseph H. Engle (SAF) were named outstanding airman and outstanding officer of 1964 by AFA. Davis was cited for leadership in desert survival training including program for Gemini astronauts, among other citations. Engle was cited for "his active and aggressive" role as an X-15 test pilot. (AF Mag., 10/64, 33; Wash. Post, 9/12/64)
Soviet astronomer Nikolai Barabashov said Kharkov Univ. observatory ultraviolet photographs might show surface of Venus. Tass quoted Barabashov as saying a large dark spot appeared on the planet in pictures taken before dawn, and he believed this indicated a clearing in the clouds normally covering Venus. "The position of the spot on the disk warrants the assumption that we have here a glimpse of a part of the surface of Venus, the closest neighbor of the earth." He added that further studies and analyses would be made. (AP, Houston Post, 9/12/64)
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