Jan 31 1963
From The Space Library
Representatives of Canadian Defence Research Board and representatives of NASA met for preliminary exploration of scientific and technical aspects involved in proposed joint ionospheric research program. Extension of joint Alouette Topside Sounder project, proposed program would involve design and construction of four satellites in Canada, with first launching proposed for late 1964. (UPI, Wash. Post, 1/12/63; NASA A1)
Fifth anniversary of first U.S. satellite, EXPLORER I. Also fifth anniversary of activation of U.S. tracking network to track EXPLORER I : at the time, network included Vanguard’s Mini track stations located primarily in Western Hemisphere. Since that time, other networks were added to form truly worldwide tracking network and data acquisition system for satellites and space probes launched by U.S. Minitrack network; Deep Space Instrumentation Facilities ; Manned Space Flight Network ; Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory’s Baker-Nunn Telescope- Camera Network. Ceremonies at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center featured talks by Secretary of State Dean Rusk, NASA Administrator James E. Webb, and Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr. Radio transmissions from VANGUARD I, second US. satellite and oldest U.S. satellite still transmitting, were heard during tour of Goddard facilities following formal ceremonies. Highlighting occasion was presentation of scrolls of appreciation to ambassadors of 16 nations that have cooperated with US. in establishing the international tracking networks. Field reports indicated that in at least 12 countries related special events and ceremonies were held on the same day as Goddard observances. Countries reporting special activities included Argentina, Australia, Bermuda, Brazil, Ecuador, Great Britain, India, Iran, The Netherlands, Nigeria, Peru, and Spain. (NASA Release 63-10; UPI, Wash. Post,1/27/63, A6 ; State Dept., USA Field Reports-per AI/Robinson)
At ceremonies commemorating Fifth Anniversary of Tracking at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson, Chairman of National Aeronautics and Space Council, said in remarks delivered by NASC Executive Secretary Edward C. Welsh: ". . . I would like to quote briefly from the report drafted by the Senate Committee [on Aeronautics and Space Sciences] before the passage of the [National Aeronautics and Space] Act: ". . .Space neither invites nor necessitates any re-definition of American goals and aims. Throughout our history, it has been the goal of peace and liberty that has led Americans to explore the dimensions of challenging frontiers. Our goal now remains unchanged. “I have chosen this paragraph to quote because it is basic to our national philosophy. In space activities, the lines of demarcation that so often separate nations in their purposes would seem to be petty. Interchange and cooperation in the exploration of a realm as vast as the solar system - indeed, the universe should lead to better understanding among nations . . . .” (Text)
At ceremonies commemorating Fifth Anniversary of Tracking at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Secretary of State Dean Rusk said : “We 17 nations have embarked on a cooperative effort to expand the knowledge of man to an unprecedented extent. We think we are creating a heritage for those who follow us in the coming generations in a great exploration for peaceful purposes.. . . “The world watches us in our success and our failures. And the whole world will benefit from our discoveries. We seek to publish all the knowledge we uncover. We are making it available to the world scientific community. In this effort we regard ourselves as trustees for all the inhabitants of this little speck of dust in the universe . . . .” (Text)
At Fifth Anniversary of Tracking ceremonies, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, astronaut Walter M. Schirra said that “the world-wide nature of the tracking network is a sign that the people of the nations throughout the world are interested in space flight and want to assist us in doing the best job possible . . . . ”(Text)
First public firing of escape rocket for Apollo spacecraft was made at Lockheed Propulsion Co. Static firing of the 150,000-lb.- thrust rocket was declared a success; NASA engineer George Lemke called test "a milestone-one of many that must be passed before we put men on the moon." (AP, Newport News Times-Herald, 2/1/63)
Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, commented on scientific achievements during the first five years of Space Age: “I have always thought that these things could be done, but the rapidity with which these things took place . . . actually came quite as a surprise to me. I thought it would take more convincing and fighting to get the public support we have received . . . “At the time [of orbiting EXPLORER I five years ago you could hardly talk about space flights. Nowadays everybody talks about it . . . .” Dr. von Braun Was Director of ABMA Development Operations Division which provided Jupiter C vehicle for EXPLORER I. (Huntsville Times, 1/31/63)
Dr. Nancy G. Roman, Chief of Astronomy and Solar Physics, NASA Office of Space Sciences, at, Marymount College, Tarrytown-on-the-Hudson, New York, stated that : “There [is] a great deal of discussion of whether the United States should have women astronauts, and I am frequently asked for my own opinion on this subject. Frankly, it makes little difference to me. I believe that there will be women astronauts some time just as there are women airplane pilots, but there are so many other ways that women can contribute importantly to the space program that the fact there are no women astronauts as yet should not worry us." NASA had over 146 women who were classified as professional Aerospace Technologists, 77 of whom were professional mathematicians whose responsibility was the programing and operation of NASA’s highly complex computers and similar equipment, Dr. Roman said. “Moreover, I should emphasize that as badly as we need scientists and engineers, we also need educated women as well as men in other fields and no one, man or woman, should go into science simply because of its glamour . . . The space program, the country and the world need young people who have been trained to think logically and clearly regardless of the area in which they have specialized.” (Text)
Thomas F. Dixon, Deputy Associate Administrator of NASA, told American Rocket Society Solid Propellant Rocket Conference in Philadelphia: “From the programs of the past two years has come conclusive evidence that large segmented [solid propellant,] motors are not only feasible but highly reliable . . . . “Also clear is the quality that is perhaps the greatest virtue of solid rockets: the relative speed with which major advances in performance can be achieved. In a brief period, the technologies of weight, thrust, burn time, and thrust vector control have moved forward rapidly . . . . The new DOD-NASA program carried out by the U.S. Air Force will give us a great deal of information on the technology and logistics associated with these very large high-thrust engines. . . " As we move deeper and deeper into space, it seems likely that we will come to rely upon solids for an increasing variety of missions for the same reasons that we have called upon them in the past-reliability, storability, ruggedness, low cost of development, and instant readiness, to mention a few . . . .” (Text)
NASA Flight Research Center announced award of $1.325-million contract to Lockheed-Georgia Co. to purchase Lockheed Jet-Star aircraft. Aircraft would be used for research investigation of aircraft flying qualities, automatic and manual control systems, pilot instrument displays, and pilot training, with special emphasis on supersonic transport research. (FRC Release 2-63)
Reported that the National Bureau of Standards would construct a new facility for improved standard frequency and time broadcasts so as to better coordinate the global network of missile and satellite stations. 400-ft. antennas were being erected and 50-kilowatt transmitters were being built on a site near Fort Collins, Colo., to increase the coverage of the standard frequency and time transmissions of NBS stations WWVB (60 kc/s) and WWVL (20 kc/s). Both WWVB and WWVL have transmitted for several years from sites near the Boulder, Colo., Laboratories of NBS, and the high stability and long-range coverage of the lower frequencies have been established. (Chattanooga Times, 1/31/63 ; Current News, 2/18/63)
Soviet newspaper Pravda said MARS I space probe was more than 26-million mi. from earth and successfully continuing its flight toward planet Mars. There was no mention of mid-course correction maneuver to bring the probe closer than its estimated 120,000-mi. distance from Mars in June. (Wash. Eve. Star, 1/31/63)
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