Oct 15 1964
From The Space Library
X-15 No. 1 flown by John B. McKay (NASA) to 2;932 mph (mach 4.44) and 82,000 ft. near Edwards, Calif. This was first flight of No. 1. since it was modified for high-altitude flight research (wing-tip pods containing micrometeoroid and dust collectors, spectrometer, and densitron; new inertial guidance system originally designed for use in USAF X-20). Purpose of this flight was operational checkout of new equipment and evaluation of flight characteristics with the wing-tip pods added. (NASA X-15 Proj. Off.; FRC Release)
MSC conducted partially successful test of parasail landing system in Galveston Bay, using dummy Gemini spacecraft. (AP, 10/16/64)
Eighty-three scientists, engineers, and operating groups received medals, citations, and cash awards totaling $7,900 for outstanding contributions to U.S. civilian space program, in NASA's 6th Annual Honor Awards Ceremony. Recipients of awards for exceptional scientific achievement: William R. Lucas, MSFC; Ernst Stuhlinger, MSFC, Frank B. McDonald, GSFC; and Daniel G. Mazur, GSFC. Recipients of award for outstanding leadership: Dr. Kurt H. Debus, Director, KSC ; Dr. Harry J. Goett, Director, GSFC; and Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director, MSFC. Group achievement awards were accepted by Dr. Debus for KSC and by Dr. Von Braun for MSFC. Recipients of awards for exceptional service: L Edward Garrick, Oran W. Nicks, and Leonard Jaffe of NASA Hq.; Hans F. Gruene of KSC; and Wesley L. Hjornevik of MSC. Public service awards went to Bernie P. Miller, of RCA, and Harris M. Schurmeier and Allen E. Wolfe, of JPL, for their work on RANGER VII lunar-photography mission. Special award was presented to Newton W. Cunningham, Hq., for his work on RANGER VII. Cash awards for inventions and contributions were presented to personnel from Ames Research Center, Lewis Research Center, Marshall Space Flight Center, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Personnel from Hq., FRC, LaRC, LRC, MSC, and MSFC received Presidential citations for contributions to economy and efficiency in Government. (Program; NASA Release 64-263)
22,000-lb.-thrust rocket engine for Project Apollo service module, to return Apollo astronauts from the moon, was test-fired twice at Las Cruces, N. Mex. (AP, Bait. Sun, 10/16/64)
USAF version of F-111 tactical fighter plane, designed for use by both USAF and USN, rolled out of General Dynamics' Fort Worth, Tex., plant, in ceremony attended by Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, Secretary of the Air Force Eugene M. Zuckert, Secretary of the Navy Paul H. Nitze, and other officials. Secretary McNamara said: "For the first time in aviation history, we have an airplane with the range of a transport, the carrying capacity and endurance of a bomber and the agility of a fighter-pursuit plane. . ." The technology of the variable-geometry wing configuration was developed at NASA Langley Research Center. (DOD Release 719-64; Witkin, NYT, 10/16/64, 1, 11; Fryklund, Wash. Eve. Star, 10/15/64; Av. Wk., 10/26/64, 32)
Soviet newspaper Trud science writer Leonid Byshko said flight to the moon was "one of the most immediate problems of cosmonautics." After lunar flight, he said, next goal would be flights to other planets in the solar system. "For this purpose, new rocket carriers based on atomic energy are needed. . . . There are no difficulties in principle for creating such nuclear rockets. Only a certain time is required for de-signing, building and testing." (UPI, Wash. Post, 10/16/64)
U.S.S.R. announced Nikita Khrushchev had been "released" of all his official duties for reasons of "age and deteriorating health." His successors were named: Leonid Brezhnev as Secretary of the Communist Party, and Alexei Kosygin as Premier of U.S.S.R. (AP, Wash. Post, 10/16/64)
Craig Breedlove bettered his own world land-speed record at Bonneville Salt Flats, Utah, driving his three-wheeled jet-propelled vehicle at an average of 526.28 mph, then survived crash when the racer veered off the course and, its braking gear failing, skidded through shallow mud before finally halting in 15-ft.-deep pond. (PI, NYT, 10/16/64, 48)
NRX-A2 Nerva (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application) experimental reactor, run at full power Sept. 24, was restarted in test of reactor system in the low-power, low-flow region of operation. Analysis of data from this run confirmed design predictions and indicated no unusual start-up or control problems. Test was conducted by Aerojet-General and Westinghouse Electric Corporations for NASA-AEC Space Nuclear Propulsion Office. (SNPO; NASA Press Conf. Transcript, 11/12/64)
October 15-16: NASA's RELAY II communications satellite was used to transmit television coverage of election events in Britain; it was joined by RELAY I on the 16th. (NASA Release 64-254)
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