Aug 22 1963
From The Space Library
X-15 No. 3 flown by NASA pilot Joseph A. Walker to record 354,200-ft. altitude (67.08 mi.), the aircraft attaining maximum speed of 3,794 mph (mach 5.58) at 167,000-ft. altitude. Purpose of flight was to obtain data on stability and control in extreme ranges of flight, especially during re-entry from high altitude with X-15's ventral fin removed. X-15 carried, for first time, an altitude predictor using an internal computer to provide instantaneous measurements of aircraft's climb angle and rocket engine's energy; these measurements were then relayed to pilot through use of an altimeter displaying the predicted altitude. Immediately after launch from B-52, X-15 went into steep climb about 44° above horizontal, its engine burning full thrust for 85.5 sec. On upward trajectory pilot Walker applied speed brakes to prevent excessive velocity. For about three min. he experienced near weightlessness. This was 91st flight of X-15 rocket research aircraft, 25th in X-15 by Walker. (NASA Release 63-191; FRC Release)
President Kennedy pressed button at White House unveiling by remote control the first USAF C-141A Starlifter jet transport at Marietta, Ga. General Joe W. Kelly, MATS Commander, said the 550-mph aircraft "promises to be the fastest, most efficient and flexible airlift system in the world." (DOD Release 1146-63; A-N-AF Journal & Register, 8/24/63,5)
Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, President of Cal Tech, addressing Western Electronic Show and Convention banquet in San Francisco, noted that "many people talk about the space program as a scientific program.... [Actually] the engineers of the world ought to have credit." Dr. DuBridge said scientific bases of space program were laid from 60 to 300 years ago, but enormous advances in engineering and rocketry in last 50 years had made space accomplishments possible. "The scientists [of today] are working in their laboratories on things that may lay the groundwork for application 50 years from now." (Davies, NYT, 8/23/63, 38)
August 22-26: 310 nuclear physicists from 22 countries exchanged ideas on high-energy accelerators at conference held in Dubna, U.S.S.R. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 8/28/63)
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