Dec 9 1968
From The Space Library
NASA's HL-10 lifting body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry (USAF), successfully completed second rocket-powered flight from Edwards AFB reaching mach 0.8 (550 mph) at altitude approaching 50,000 ft. (NASA Proj Off; AP, B Sun, 12/10/68, 5)
At White House Dinner honoring members of space program, President Johnson presented Presidential Medal of Freedom, Nation's highest civilian award, to retired NASA Administrator, James E. Webb, "a most distinguished public administrator, . . a farsighted and forceful leader of this Nation in the pioneer exploration of outer space, opening new frontiers of discovery and progress for the American people." President told 23 Apollo astronauts, NASA officials, Government leaders in space program, and heads of rocket-building firms, "I asked you to come here tonight in the twilight of this administration, so I could pay the respect and the honor and the affection that I felt for the man who has directed your efforts and directed them so well, and so that I could express my personal admiration and respect for you." In response, Webb said, "The challenge of space is large and so is NASA. In all such human endeavors, organized institutional efforts are essential, and we know, in the words of Emerson, that they are 'the lengthened shadow of one man." We in NASA know, Mr. President, that you are the man of which our civilian space effort, conducted for the benefit of mankind, is the lengthened shadow." At predinner ceremony, document for White House Treaty Room was signed by Apollo 7 astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr., R. Walter Cunningham, and Donn F. Eisele; Apollo 8 Astronauts William A. Anders, Frank Borman, and James A. Lovell, Jr.; and pioneer aviator Charles A. Lindbergh. Also in Treaty Room were commemorations of May 21, 1963, visit to White House by Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper following 22-orbit mission in Faith VII May 15-16 and of June 17, 1965, award of Exceptional Service Medal to late Astronaut Edward H. White II, and Astronaut James A. McDivitt following first U.S. space walk during June 3-7 Gemini IV mission. During exchange of dinner toasts President Johnson said that "in the hundreds of laws on which I have answered the rollcall, the bills that I have sponsored or cosponsored or amended or defeated, there is not a single one that gives more pride than the Space Act." Responding, Webb cited three generations of spacecraft in 10 yr, "put to use . . . in every major field," and said he had "strongly held view that in the kind of world we live in, our Nation needs this kind of success in this kind of endeavor." (PD, 12/16/68, 1689-91; McCardle, W Post, 12/10/68, Dl; Shelton, W Star, 12/10/68, B6; NYT, 12/10/68, 86)
World Meteorological Organization, U.N. agency managing World Weather Watch project, said work was well advanced, according to UPI. System would be fully operational in 1971 and save world economy estimated $17 billion annually in losses caused by unexpected weather changes. System called for 29,000 observations daily, of which 24,000 were already being made. Additional 2,500 by 1971 would bring implementation level to 91%. World centers at Melbourne, Moscow, and Washington would be computerized by 1969, increasing daily output of 134 charts to 223 by 1971. Additionally, 21 regional centers issuing 1,191 charts daily would increase output to 1,830 charts by 1971 and, eventually, would be linked to global communications system. Observa-
December 9: Apollo 7 and 8 flight crews sign memorial document for White House Treaty Room. Signers are (left to right): Astronauts R. Walter Cunningham, Donn F. Eisele, Walter M. Schirra, Jr. (Apollo 7); William A. Anders, James A. Lovell, Jr., and Frank Borman (Apollo 8). Standing are Charles A. Lindbergh (who also signed), Mrs. Johnson, President Lyndon B. Johnson, retired NASA Administrator James E. Webb, and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. tions would be made by land surface stations 300 mi apart throughout world with exception of desert areas. Further data would be passed on by weather ships, upper-air sea stations, aircraft, and meteorological satellites. (W Star, 12/9/68, A8)
December 9-12: New York Times and Washington Evening Star published contents of unreleased draft report by Presidential task force appointed in 1967 to formulate national communications policy dealing with rapid technological changes and providing for adequate Government supervision. Report would recommend reorganization of U.S. communications industry to include Government-sponsored monopoly to transmit all international communications--including ComSatCorp satellites and ground stations; AT&T underseas cables; and terminals and switching stations of "record" carriers ITT World Communications, Inc., RCA Communications, Inc., and Western Union International, Inc. If ComSatCorp became single international "entity," committee's recommendations would preclude it from becoming owner and manager of domestic satellite communications system for which the report would propose pilot program. Committee claimed single entity could make more balanced investment choice on whether to lay more cables or launch satellites and would eliminate need for duplicate transmission facilities. Conclusions were challenged in dissenting footnote to report by Dr. Edward C. Welsh, Executive Secretary of NASC, who said merger would inhibit de- velopment of satellite technology and reduce technological competition between cables and satellites that could result in lower rates. Report also would recommend informal merger of postal and telegraph services, with Western Union Telegraph Co. permitted to operate in post offices; relaxation of FCC restrictions on cable TV to protect broadcasters; and Government sponsorship of experimental program to test TV's usefulness in assisting minority groups. (Finney, NYT, 12/9/68, 1; 12/10/68, 1; Aug., W Star, 12/12/68, A13)
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