Dec 15 1964
From The Space Library
SAN MARCO I (SM-1) was orbited from NASA Wallops Station. The NASA-trained Italian crew launched the 254-lb. Italian-designed satellite on a four-stage solid-propellant Scout to an orbit with an apogee of 490.04 mi., a perigee of 124.62 mi., an orbital period of 94.7 min., and an inclination of 37.77°. It was the first time a foreign country had designed, built, and launched a satellite in orbit in the course of NASA's international program. The satellite would measure air density and ionospheric characteristics related to long-range radio trans-missions and would qualify satellite and train crew for subsequent launches from sea platform in Indian Ocean. (Wallops Release 64-91)
At a symposium sponsored by NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Dr. Norman F. Ness likened the earth to a kind of comet with a long magnetic tail that extended for an unknown distance. The "new look" was drawn from results of the first detailed mapping of the earth's magnetic field on the nighttime side of the magnetosphere by EXPLORER XVIII (IMP I, Interplanetary Monitoring Platform) , launched Nov. 26, 1963. Until recently, scientists had believed that the earth's magnetosphere was basically spherical; however, data from EXPLORER XVIII indicate that countless magnetic lines of force stretched out like the tail of a comet to an unknown distance in space, apparently beyond the moon. Within this comet-like tail, the lines of force in the Northern Hemisphere were directed towards the sun; in the Southern Hemisphere, away from the sun. In between, there was a neutral zone. Dr. Ness characterized this neutral zone, which had been hypothesized but never before detected, as a thin sheet which was a permanent part of the earth's environment and virtually void of any magnetic activity. Though the neutral zone's exact role was unknown, Dr. Ness speculated that it might be responsible for formation of the auroras, creation of the Van Allen radiation belt, and presence of the gegenschein. Ness concluded that in view of the evidence from EXPLORER XVIII, "The only difference between the earth and a comet is that the earth possesses a strong magnetic field and comets do not." (Simons, Wash. Post, 12/16/64; Hixson, N.Y. Her. Trib., 12/16/64; Wash. Daily News, 12/16/64; Toth, Detroit News, 12/16/64; AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 12/16/64; AP, NYT, 12/16/64, 30; Av. Wk., 12/21/64, 25)
Dr. Eugene B. Konecci of the NASC staff addressed the National Space Club on the Soviet bioastronautics program. He said that although some American scientists had been critical of the amount and kinds of data released by the Soviets, Soviet scientists appeared to be desirous of further opening their research in technological areas such as life support. On choosing the proper atmosphere for space flight, Dr. Konecci said: "Some American scientists . . . advocated a two-gas system. . . Others chose a 5 psi 100% oxygen system. . . . Animal and human experiments to date indicate that there are no apparent physiological effects due to 100% oxygen up to and beyond 30 days. "What is important to mention is that we had the technology as part of our aircraft system in handling 100% oxygen in low pressure-high pressure and liquid states, and we have extended this use to space cabins. The Soviets . . . have not been confronted with 100% oxygen problems. Because of the near sea-level atmosphere in their Vostok and Voskhod flights . . . they were concerned more with weightlessness and radiation effects. . . . Dr. Konecci said that both U.S. and the U.S.S.R. had much research work ahead. "The Soviets have still to fly their life support systems for the full designed parameter . . . in Vostok this was supposed to be ten days with later literature indicating a twelve-day capability. I expect the Voskhod has the comparable capability, that is, about twelve days, but because of the three-man crew this would in fact mean a three-fold increase of their life support capability, Le. on a man-per-day basis. I think we can also expect the Soviets to attempt manned rendezvous maneuvers. I really do not believe at this time that they will attempt manned extravehicular experiments until (1) they have a better space suit, which they appear to be working on; (2) that they have a better fix on the possible decompression sickness (bends or dysbarism) problems of decompressing from a sea-level atmosphere with nitrogen to a compatible space suit environment, and (3) until we perform the Gemini intentional decompression and extravehicular experiments." (Text)
The New York Stock Exchange banned any new margin trading in ComSatCorp stock in an effort to stop speculation. The effect of the ruling was to cut off the supply of borrowed money that had helped traders push the stock to a high of 711/2 from 46, its price a little over three months ago. ComSatCorp stock had proved to be particularly volatile because many of the 5 million shares offered to the public last June at $20 were in long-term accounts and were not for sale. (Phalon, NYT, 12/16/64, 63)
Col. George E. Humphries, President of the Engineering Institute of Canada, said in an interview that Canada was gaining more technically trained personnel, particularly among university engineering professors, than it had previously. "Salaries have risen here during the past 5 years, and for every engineering teacher that goes to the United States, Canada is gaining two from that country," Colonel Humphries concluded. (Canadian Press, NYT, 12/15/64, 79)
Jane's All the World's Aircraft, 1964-65, published in London, said that the U.S. probably had led the Soviet Union for some years "in terms of quality and quantity of scientific data and military intelligence acquired in space." Jane's said the strong U.S. lead was indicated by the photographs of the moon sent back by RANGER VII last year, which it termed "one of the great astronautical achievements of 1964." (UPI, Wash. Post, 12/15/64)
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