Jan 24 1963
From The Space Library
Ernest J. Sternglass, physicist at Westinghouse Research Laboratories, proposed theory at American Physical Society in New York that would offer a unified concept of nuclear and electrical forces, heretofore considered separate phenomena, and would reduce all matter to two articles-electron and positron. Sternglass hypothesized that all other particles found in atoms (30 or more in recent years) are merely combinations and variations of negatively-charged electron and positively-charged positron. Simplest such grouping is single electron-positron pair, whirling near speed of light, which exhibits same properties as elementary article known as neutral pi meson. Two such electron pairs, Sternglass said, exhibit properties of elementary particles K meson and Rho meson ; other systems similarly account for all heavy mesons “within a few per cent of their observed values.” Combinations of electron-positron pairs with proton can explain other elementary particles classed as hyperons. Sternglass had assumed that Einstein’s special theory of relativity, which states that an object’s mass increases with its velocity, governs particles’ behavior; thus, if charged particles move fast enough and close enough in their orbits they will generate sufficient force to hold atomic nucleus together. (Wash. Post, l/25/63, A6)
NASA report released on Project Mercury flight MA-8 (Oct. 3,1982), in which Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr., said: “I was also impressed with the fact that . . . [under the different lighting conditions that prevailed, the separated sustainer stage] was almost black in appearance, rather than the shiny silvery vehicle that Astronauts Glenn and Carpenter had seen at this time and that I had observed on the launching pad . . . . “At about 10 minutes 30 seconds, I went back to flying-by-wire, low, and tracked the sustainer as it traversed down through the window, and it was a thrill to realize the delicate touch that it is possible to have with fly-by-wire, low. . . . The control system was so effective that it just amounted to a light touch and maybe a few pulses in either axis to get the response I wanted. I could point the spacecraft at anything I wanted to. I could see the sustainer and track it, but I do not believe the relative motion problem would be so easy to solve that. I would be able to steam along and join up with it. Although the relative velocity was on the order of 20 to 30 feet per second, it was enough to cause a problem, particularly at a time when one is becoming acclimated to a new environment. These problems would be difficult to solve one’s own trajectory analysis, since there were no systems aboard to aid the pilot in solving the problem. I think that when we build up to the rendezvous technique, one will need more time than that just at the point of insertion to effect this rendezvous, even with proper training. The use of time while orbiting in space is only earth relative, therefore if a rendezvous is not hurried, the task should be relatively simple . . . . “A smog-appearing layer was evident during the fourth pass while I was in drifting flight on the night side, almost at 32° South latitude. I would say that this layer represented about a quarter of the field of view out of the window, and this surprised me... Seeing the stars below the glowing layer was probably the biggest surprise I had during the flight. (NASA SP-12, Results of 3rd U.S. Manned Orbital Space Flight, 49-55)
President Kennedy was asked at press conference if he foresaw a need for “manned strategic bomber after the current B-52’s and B-47’s are worn out,” to which the President replied: “Yes, there may be a need. That plane will last through 1970. We are securing, as you know, three B-70s. We have no further plans to develop at this time, but there may be a good many struggles in the globe in the late ’60s or early ’70s which are not subject to solution by missiles, but which may be more limited war, and where manned bombers may be very useful.” (Transcript, Wash. Post, l/25/63, A8)
President Kennedy accepted “with great regret” the resignation of Philip L. Graham as an incorporator of Space Communications Corp., established by legislation to direct U.S. communications satellite activities. Graham had served as chairman of the 13-man board of incorporators. (Wash. Eve. Star, l/26/63, A9)
William G. Bade, associate mathematics Prof. at Univ. of Calif., said at meeting preceding joint convention of American Mathematical society. Mathematical Association of America, and Association of Symbolic Logic in Berkeley, Calif., that U.S. needs “perhaps three times as many [mathematics] graduates as the 250 now being produced each year.” (Oakland, Calif., Trib., 1/24/1963)
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