Jan 16 1966
From The Space Library
Astronaut David R. Scott would attempt-during about 90 min. outside earth-orbiting Gemini VIII spacecraft-to crawl about using hand holds, move through space using a maneuvering gun with nine times the capability of that used by Astronaut Edward H. White II, and unscrew bolts at small mechanic’s station on the spacecraft, NASA announced at MSC news conference. Gemini VIII mission, designed to test man’s ability to maneuver in space and the first rendezvous and docking mission, would take place before the end of the first quarter of 1966. Charles W. Mathews, Gemini program manager, said “the main significance of the mechanical work is that he [Scott] will be evaluating a tool that is specifically designed for space.” The special tool contained a motor to eliminate need for twisting motion by the astronaut that would swing his body around when he was weightless. Target for the rendezvous and docking-GATV or Augmented Target Docking Adapter (ATDA)-had not been chosen. ‘‘(AP, NYT, 1/17/66, 12)’’
Dr. Joseph F. Shea, manager of MSC’s Apollo Spacecraft Office, said in an interview in Houston that the US. would achieve its goal of landing men on the moon and returning them safely to earth before the end of this decade: “No new inventions are needed. No breakthrough is needed. This certainly doesn’t mean that it is going to be easy. It is not going to be, but the technology needed to do the job is known now.” He stressed that the pace that had been set would have to be maintained until the goal was achieved. ‘‘(Maloney, Houston Post, 1/16/66)’’
CBS newsman Walter Cronkite received the annual TWA award for outstanding reporting of aerospace subjects at a ceremony in Phoenix, Ariz., sponsored by the airline. ‘‘(AP, NYT, 1/18/66,62)’’
NAS Space Science Board issued the first in series of three reports entitled Space Research: Directions for the Future. Report, prepared at NASA’s request, outlined research objectives for planetary and lunar exploration in 1970-1985. Compiled by working group led by Dr. Gordon J. F. MacDonald of the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics at UCLA, Part I repeated NAS’ 1964 recommendation that top priority in post-Apollo program be assigned to unmanned exploration of Mars. Report suggested secondary importance be divided equally between detailed investigation of lurain and unmanned exploration of Venus, and completed priority list with other major planets, comets and asteroids, Mercury, Pluto, and interplanetary dust. Major recommendations were: launching an orbiting planetary observatory, delivering a drop sonde to resolve question of high Venusian surface temperature, developing fine-pointing control, accurate to 10 sec. of arc, for rocket guidance, and considering enlargement of NASA deep-space communication capabilities beyond present plans. To support outlined scientific program, report recommended : (1) increasing manpower and facilities available to lunar and planetary science programs; (2) development by NASA of substantial. program for observation of planets through ground-based telescopes; (3) early opportunities for experienced observational scientists to explore the lurain; (4) joint study by NASA OSSA and OMSF of early use of Saturn V for planetary exploration, with special emphasis on a Martian capsule landing in the early 1970’s; (5) increased attention by NASA to development of research and educational capabilities in theoretical sciences related to study of the solar system. Regarding funding of space research, the report said: “. . . since we believe that the exploration of the solar system bears so directly on the major central scientific questions of our time, we anticipate that unmanned experiments will probably provide the most significant contribution to the program of planetary exploration . . . we recommend that the percentage of support of lunar and planetary exploration be maintained over the 1965-1985 time period and be devoted predominantly to scientific objectives and that programs whose objectives are other than scientific be started only as additional resources become available.” It said there should be a gradual shift in emphasis from the moon to the planets, progressing toward nearly equivalent expenditures for lunar and planetary exploration in the 1970-1985 period. ‘‘(Text, NAS-NRC Release)’’
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