Apr 15 1964
From The Space Library
NASA launched modified four-stage solid-propellant Javelin (Argo D-4) sounding rocket from Wallops Island, Va., carrying 120-lb. instrumented payload to 452 mi. Approximately 15 min. of data were telemetered to ground stations before fourth stage and payload impacted in the Atlantic Ocean 642 mi. from launch site. Primary purpose of flight was to test X-258 solid-propellant rocket motor, and secondary purpose was to conduct scientific investigations in the ionosphere. Test was part of GSFC's development of the X-258 for NASA use in satellite launch vehicles and possibly in sounding rockets. (Wallops Release 64-36)
NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from Ft. Churchill, Canada, with Univ. of Alaska instrumented payload attained 96-mi. altitude. Experiment objective was to obtain data on visible aurora in three wave-lengths and data on vacuum ultraviolet emissions. This information was to be supplemented by data from two electron particle detectors. Payload also included three photometers and two vacuum ultraviolet detectors. Good telemetry signal Was received for 383 sec., but door covering instrumentation apparently came off at about 20,000-ft. altitude and most of the sensors were damaged by the severe environment. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from Ascension Island carried Univ. of Michigan instrumented payload to 98-mi. altitude to measure atmospheric pressure, temperature, density, and winds using the pitot-static probe. All objectives appeared to have been met ( NASA Rpt. SRL)
NASA announced selection of 23 scientific and technological experiments to be flown aboard Gemini spacecraft, selected by NASA Manned Space Flight Experiments Board from almost 100 proposals made by scientists and engineers in NASA, DOD, and the scientific community at large. 13 of the experiments-eight scientific and five technological-were sponsored by NASA; ten experiments, all technological, were sponsored by DOD. (NASA Release 64-78)
At NASA Hq. news conference, NASA Administrator James E. Webb said new contract with Jet Propulsion Laboratory would specify changes to improve JPL'S organization and management. "NASA is not going to try to impose rigid methods of organization and management on the Jet Propulsion laboratory. We believe they know a great deal about how to succeed at this business. But neither are we going to abdicate our own responsibility for this expenditure of public funds and for the success of the missions. "We are in a process by which we are both working to solve the problem. If this process produces the kind of organizational changes and the kind of ability to fix organizational responsibility that . . [is desired], then we will go forward. If they don't both we and JPL will be looking for some other arrangement. . . . "I think all of us see the total picture better. Each of us tended to see one part of the picture rather than the total picture." Under the new contract, JPL would be organized more like the NASA Centers. ". . . the United States government cannot find any arrangement under which the high quality of work which JPL has done and is capable of doing in the future can be available to the country better than the arrangement that we have negotiated. I hope and believe it will be signed. But I still feel it is my responsibility to make very sure that the contract represents a full meeting of the minds." Mr. Webb stressed that he was not singling out anyone for blame for Ranger lunar spacecraft failures. "Our objective is success on the next flight and not to find a scapegoat for this kind of thing." Of the next Ranger lunar probe, he said, "We are still striving to get it off about June, but there are lots of problems that have to be settled. Some of us feel quite strongly that we must have a very strong assurance of success before we would be ready to launch. But We also run into the problem if We don't launch then we may have difficulty fitting into the schedule later." Asked about effect of the delay in Congressional appropriation of $141 million supplemental requested for FY 1964 manned space flight, he said: ". . . this delay is at least reducing what the President gave us-a fighting chance. I mean, with each passing chance we have a little bit less of a fighting chance to do the job within this decade. . . . I would say that costs are going to increase for the same amount of work with each passing month, and that each month roughly delays one month on the other end, or maybe more, and that this does certainly reduce the fighting chance." (Transcript)
NASA Flight Research Center formally accepted from Bell Aero-systems Co. the first of two Lunar Landing Research Vehicles (LLRV), to be used in extensive flight research program conducted by FRC in support of Project Apollo. The program would investigate possible operational and piloting problems that might occur during final phase of manned lunar landing and initial phase of lunar takeoff. (FRC Re-lease 5-64)
Soviet news agency Tass said 25 communication sessions had been held with ZOND I space probe since April 2, and a great deal of "interesting experimental data" on the operation of onboard systems and individual units had been obtained. By 6:00 p.m., Moscow time, ZOND I had reached 4,250,000 km. (2,640,823 mi.) from earth. (Tass, Komsomolskaya Pravda, 4/16/64, 1, ATSS-T Trans.)
Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, said in Space Business Daily interview that use of Centaur as a third stage for Saturn IB launch vehicle was now a "matter of study with a serious approach to the various alternatives" it could serve. He mentioned one such use might be as a booster for logistics support vehicle called Stay Time Excursion Module (STEM) for establishment of lunar bases. Dr. Mueller also disclosed that payload for Saturn SA-10 flight had been changed from an Apollo boilerplate to a micrometeoroid detection satellite (MDS), supplementing those for Saturns SA-8 and SA-9. Added MDS was to further confirm that skin thicknesses on boosters and spacecraft can be reduced, thus trimming weight requirements for Project Apollo. (SBD, 4/15/64, 83)
Based on spectrographic studies of about 100 stars comparable to the sun, Carnegie Institution of Washington astronomers concluded the sun, like these stars, was radiating less heat than it used to. Dr. Olin Wilson of Carnegie staff found that the sun must have completed its period of greatest radiation activity long before life on earth began. The earth and other planets must have experienced much stronger radiation. Report said this radiation was "of more than passing interest for hypo-theses about the atmosphere and other earth features which ultimately affected the origin of life." (Henry, Wash. Eve. Star, 4/15/64)
Thomas E. Dolan, NASC staff member, proposed at AIAA Symposium on Space Stations and Their Logistics Support in Pasadena that "saddlebags" be attached to LEM to increase its carrying capacity for use in equipping a lunar base. 3,000-5,000 lbs. of supplies would be attached to manned Lunar Excursion Module. The system would make it possible to set up a lunar base with a 7- to 10-day staytime. He said saddlebags mode would increase total Apollo spacecraft weight by 15,000 lbs., but Saturn V/Apollo system theoretically had growth option of 100% and 15-20% growth was entirely possible. "The LEM saddle-bag concept would avoid multiple launches, hardware development programs for unmanned landing systems, dependence on successful unmanned landing system performance prior to manned landings, and dependence on surface rendezvous. As such, the post-Apollo exploration phase could be carried on with higher mission success and with less total investment than that estimated for the other systems." (M&R, 4/20/64, 15; SBD, 4/17/64, 98)
FCC approved application of ComSatCorp to build communications satellite for its planned experimental-operational synchronous-orbit network. The authorization was for construction only; further authorization would be required for placing the satellite in orbit and using it in experimental or operational service. (AP, NYT, 4/16/64)
NASA announced appointment of Ray Hooker, Chief of Research Models and Facilities Div. at Langley Research Center, as NASA's Senior Scientific Representative in Australia. Hooker would replace Edwin P. Hart-man, first NASA Senior Scientific Representative in Australia, now completing his second two-year term. Hooker would leave in June for Melbourne, where his primary function would be liaison with the Ministry of Supply of the Commonwealth of Australia, the cooperating agency which builds, staffs, and operates NASA facilities there. (NASA Release 64-85)
Dr. Raymond L. Bisplinghoff, NASA Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology, said at University of Cincinnati: "We have reached a state where we can do a lot more things [in space exploration] than we may be allowed to do. . . . "The work of my office is to develop the concepts. I can only say what can be done. It may never be approved. . . . "The scientist and engineer cannot answer what is next. He can only answer by outlining the options which science will permit as the next step. "What is in fact done next must be determined by an assessment of the scientific, social, economical and political implications of these options.. . ." (Text)
Brig. Gen. Joseph S. Bleymaier (USAF), USAF Space Systems Div. Deputy Commander for Manned Systems, said at AIAA space station symposium in Pasadena that SAF planned to assign to a single contractor the task of integrating the Gemini spacecraft and the manned orbiting laboratory (MOL). He said astronaut transfer from the Gemini to the MOL Was a major problem and described several alternative methods of transfer being studied. (Av. Wk., 4/20/64, 39)
Large manned space station design was described before Orange County, Calif., Section of AIAA by Edward H. Offing, head of MSC Space Station Program Office. The 24-man station would be 150 ft in diameter with three radial modules, rotate at maximum speed of 4 rpm. Lifetime would be from one to five years. Saturn V could launch it into orbit and Saturn IB would launch logistics vehicles. (M&R, 4/20/64, 22)
The planet Jupiter, more than 10 times the size of the earth, has density about that of the sun and major elements probably consisting of hydro-gen and helium, according to Office of Naval Research. The analysis was based on observations made with a balloon-carried telescope launched into the stratosphere last November from Palestine, Tex. (NANA, Houston Chron., 4/15/64)
Prof. Colin O. Hines of Univ. of Chicago told national committee of the International Scientific Radio Union meeting in Washington that an unexpected high "jet stream" was to be blamed for disruption of long-distance radio communications. The layer of strong winds occurred at 50-mi. altitude, where shearing disturbed the ionospheric layers which in turn disrupted radio communications, he said. (Wash. Eve. Star, 4/15/64)
NASA Assistant Administrator for Technology Utilization and Policy Planning Dr. George L. Simpson, Jr, said in Space Business Daily interview that "we are beginning to feel that progress is really being made in this [technology utilization] program." In many instances, he said, use of technology gained through various projects had "advanced the state-of-the-art" when the various data Were "pulled together"-for example, the advancements in fuel cell programs, to be made available to industry shortly. (SBD, 4/15/64, 86)
“Geheimnisse um Wernher von Braun” article in German Bunte magazine with color pictures of von Braun at work.
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