Jan 1 1961
From The Space Library
White House statement of President Eisenhower issued, stating that "the early establishment of a communication satellite system which can be used on a commercial basis is a national objective." Project Ice Way was established near Thule by the Geo-physics Research Directorate of the Cambridge Research Labora-tories to test the feasibility of landing heavy aircraft on ice runways. The tests, completed in June 1961, demonstrated the strength and other engineering qualities of the ice runways con-structed of natural sea water or reinforced with strands of Fiber-glas.
Early January: Because of the danger of a power drain in connection with remote (tape recorder) operation, the wide-angle camera of Tiros II was turned on only for direct readout, while satellite passed over Fort Monmouth and Point Arguello.
