Aug 16 1965
From The Space Library
Dr. Raymond L. Bisplinghoff would not terminate his service with NASA September 1, 1965, to assume the presidency of Case Institute of Technology as NASA had previously announced, but would continue as Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology until a successor was selected and had assumed these duties. Dr. Bisplinghoff would then become Special Assistant to NASA Administrator James E. Webb in the advanced research and technology field. (NASA Release 65-274)
Robert Hotz commented in an Aviation Week and Space Technology editorial: "The summer of 1965 seems destined to appear in space history as a period of formidable success in extending the horizons of man's efforts to explore his universe. The two spectacular achievements of MARINER IV and Gemini IV have been interspersed with several other milestones in space technology as the summer unfolded. "Even after all the millions of words that have been poured out in describing the amazing feats of the MARINER IV spacecraft, it is difficult to comprehend the full magnitude of its achievements. The 228-day voyage of MARINER IV across 135 million mi, to the vicinity of Mars, and its transmission of the first relatively close-up pictures of that planet back across the void to earth, probably will rank as the most spectacular feat of space exploration in the first decade since SPUTNIK I "More than any other space flight since the first manned space mission by Vostok 1, this successful reconnaissance of Mars has demonstrated the infinite possibilities that lie ahead in obtaining a truly scientific grasp of the universe around us. The evidence that was provided by the MARINER IV photographs was a scientific discovery of the first magnitude and certainly showed the limitations of earth-based astronomy. But perhaps its real significance lies in the demonstration that a complex spacecraft can voyage, communicate, and function over the vast reaches of space under human control and command from earth... "There is little doubt that the U.S. space program would not be operating at its present pace or scope without the early, humiliating prod of the Soviet Union's pioneering in this field. However, the results now being produced from the U.S. program are proving so useful in such a variety of applications that there should be little doubt that it is worth pursuing for its own goals, even without the stimulus of international competition. It may well be that when historians write of the space age they will point to the summer of 1965 as the time when the U.S. effort finally reached maturity and began breaking its own new ground, in contrast to the earlier era of stern-chasing the Soviets." (Hotz, Av. Wk, 8/16/65, 21)
NASA was seeking buyers for rocket launches, and the improved Delta, incorporated into the launch package, might prove most economical, William S. Beller reported in Missiles and Rockets, Cost of launching the Delta, either to low-earth orbit or into interplanetary space, would be the same. Cost to send a package to the moon would be $16,000/ lb.; on a Mars flyby, $21,000/lb. Beller's article continued: "It is ironic that the fabulously successful series of Delta rockets is based on much of the hardware and concepts used in the presumed failure called Vanguard. In 1959, the Air Force took the upper two Vanguard stages, mounted them on Thor, and called the combination Thor-Able. NASA then made minor modifications in the vehicle's coast attitude-control system and put in a new auto-pilot control system; but the basic Thor-Able shell was used. This was the Delta that failed in its first firing in 1960 with an Echo satellite payload. The subsequent Deltas orbited their payloads in 22 successive launchings. "The Vanguard program, too, besides giving birth to Delta was probably one of the most economical buys of the U.S. space program. Originally budgeted for a total cost of $20 million, Vanguard ended up costing $105 million, which was paid not only for development of the Vanguard hardware and several launchings but also for setting up the worldwide Minitrack network used in Project Mercury, "Improvements in Delta from 1960 to the present involved using more energetic propellants, lengthening the second-stage tanks, replacing the third-stage motor for a more active one, adding solid strap-ons to the first stage, and again enlarging the second stage. "The result is an inexpensive and reliable bus whose launch can be bought for less than $3.5 million." (Beller, M&R, 8/16/65, 24)
Ten U.S.-made Skyraider bombers were turned over to Cambodia by France. (UPI, Wash, Daily News, 8/16/65, 17)
AFSC announced development of an ultrasonic corrosion detector which could inspect aircraft fuel tanks quickly and accurately. The corrosion detector, mounted on a trailer, would be guided under the wing of a parked aircraft and raised until it touched the underside of the wing; ultrasonic sound waves would be bounced against the skin of the aircraft, Facsimile recordings of corrosion with good definition and sensitivity had been obtained through metal surfaces one and one half inches thick. (AFSC Release 89,65)
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