Nov 8 1962
From The Space Library
Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Goldstone Tracking Station turned on MARINER II's four interplanetary experiments by command, when the Venus-bound spacecraft was 14.6 million mi. from earth. The scientific instruments—magnetometer, ion chamber and particle-flux detector, cosmic dust detector, and solar spectrometer—were turned off Oct. 31 to conserve power when onboard voltage drop was noted. Experiments were resumed when telemetry from MARINER II indicated onboard power supply was normal again. Signals received at Goldstone showed the resumed experiments were functioning normally and were transmitting excellent data.
Scientists at Applied Physics Laboratory of Johns Hopkins Univ. sent operating commands to ANNA satellite, and three minutes later ANNA responded by flashing its lights five times to show the message had been received. Satellite's blinking beacons were designed to aid scientists make precise measurements of the earth and to determine its gravitational field.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center announced it would conduct experiments using laser in tracking S-66 ionosphere beacon satellite, to be launched in polar orbit early next year. Laser (light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation) would be tested as "potentially vastly more accurate than current tracking methods and requiring no electrical power from the satellite." Laser device, emitting beam 1/16 of a degree wide, would be mounted on tracking telescope at NASA Wallops Station. Laser signals to satellite would be received on passive reflector and bounced back to earth.
30th sounding rocket launched by three-man team at McMurdo Station, Antarctica, the program calling for 60 Areas rocket launchings at rate of one a week. Purpose of launchings was to obtain information on sudden warming of upper atmosphere that occurs during Antarctic spring.
AEC released photographs of underground cavity created by first nuclear detonation for peaceful use (Project Gnome). The three-kiloton explosion was made Dec. 10, 1961, near Carlsbad, N.M. Since May 17, scientists have explored the cavern and gathered data on neutron physics, seismic effects, and isotope production. Cavity is 1,200 ft. underground and measures 160170 ft. in diameter and 60-80 ft. in height.
French and British ministers agreed to submit to their respective governments plans for joint production of supersonic airliner in mach 2 range (about 1,400 mph). Julian Amery, U.K. Minister of Aviation, and Roger Dusseaulx, French Minister of Public Works and Transport, announced the agreement after conferring in Paris.
NASA Deputy Administrator Hugh L. Dryden, addressing General Session of U.S. Savings and Loan League in Washington, said: ". . . What we are buying in our national space program is the knowledge, the experience, the skills, the industrial facilities, and the experimental hardware that will make the United States first in every field of space exploration—scientific and practical uses, including military applications. And to accomplish this result we must make advances at the frontiers of knowledge in nearly every field of science and technology which will project new ideas into our whole industrial system. . .
"The success of the National Space Program hinges on the ability of the American people, through their government, their industry, and their privately endowed institutions, to implement many difficult tasks. Not one or two men will make the landing on the moon, but, figuratively, the entire Nation.
"And our ultimate success also depends, in some measure, on our ability to enlist the cooperation of other nations in this enormous undertaking. An important (but certainly not determining) consideration in our international programs is whining and cementing friendly relations with our allies in the Free World and among the uncommitted nations. This we do by demonstration of our peaceful objectives and our willingness to share what we learn from space exploration with the scientific community the world around. . . .
"The investment in space progress is big and will grow, but the potential returns on the investment are even larger. And because it concerns us all, scientific progress is everyone's responsibility. Every citizen should understand what the space program really is about and what it can do.. . "
Speaking before MIT School of Industrial Management, NASA Manned Space Flight Director D. Brainerd Holmes said: "The major national problem today is not a lack of technological or economic resources. It is a lack of trained and courageous minded men. For this reason, the integration of our human, economic, and technological resources is basically a manpower problem. We need a special kind of man.
"This kind of man not only combines general and scientific training and general management with technical experience, but he has the true courage of his convictions. Above all, he must be tireless and devoted and not give in to compromisers and obstructionists. Technical people may not necessarily be the best managers, but in this age of technology if you do not have the technical answers you cannot make good decisions. This is the vital point I want to stress to you today. . . .
"We need group research, group engineering, and group science. But we also badly need individual creativity. In short, we need to utilize effectively all of our available capabilities, regardless of the channels they take. We must integrate group and individual efforts." Lt. Col. Joseph A. Connor, Jr. (USAF) of NASA Office of Manned Space Flight received Air Force Legion of Merit for establishing and directing nuclear safety board for TRANSIT IV—A satellite. Lt. Col. Connor's work on the project was done more than a year ago when he was assigned to the AEC.
Maritime Administration announced award of contract to Vehicle Research Corp. of Pasadena, Calif., for building two models of man-carrying craft that moves over water on cushion of air.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
