Oct 8 1964
From The Space Library
NASA launched two Nike-Apache sounding rockets with instrumented payloads from Wallops Island, Va., sending them aloft 11 min. apart. The first payload ejected sodium vapor trail up to 99-mi. altitude, to measure upper atmosphere winds. The pink vapor cloud was visible for several hundred miles. Second experiment carried 58-1. payload of instrumentation to 87-mi. altitude to obtain measurements of earth's magnetic field. Experiments were launched closely together so experimenters could study possible correlation of ionospheric current systems and wind shears; they were similar to two experiments launched at dusk the previous evening. (Wallops Release 64-71; NASA Release 64-260)
USAF Atlas-Agena D space booster was launched from Vandenberg AFB, Calif., with undisclosed payload. (AP, Wash. Post, 10/9/64; HHN-4 8 )
Full-scale metal mockup of Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) for Project Apollo was review by NASA Manned Spacecraft Center officials at Grumman's Bethpage, N.Y., plant. Mockup's appearance was highlight of week-long analysis of the mockup design with a critique aimed at definitizing the LEM design. (MSC Roundup, 10/14/64, 1)
Apollo program review was presented in special day-long session of five-day national meeting of Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) in Los Angeles. Another highlight of the meeting was emphasis on in-flight maintenance problems associated with long manned space flights. General Dynamics/Astronautics reported its design philosophy of eliminating need for hand tools in spacecraft maintenance and repair. In address to the group, NASA Associate Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., said that "virtually none" of U.S. space flight projects had been "successfully completed within their originally estimated resources and on their originally laid out schedules . . . historically, schedules have often stretched out to nearly twice their length and costs have some-times grown by factors of three or four. . . [However] we don't accept that management can't do something about it. . ." He predicted fewer new projects would be initiated unless industry "can show real evidence of having overcome the point of view that says R&D cannot be controlled. . ." ( NAA S&ID Skywriter, 10/2/64, 1; M&R, 10/12/ 64, 18; Av. Wk., 10/19/64, 32)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb said before National Security Industrial Association meeting in Washington that many achievements had been made "in that area where science and technology are indivisible. . . . Many of the most significant technological advances, for example, have been made in NASA's space science effort. "Outstanding among them are our proven ability to launch payloads from earth orbit to deep space with consistent success; and the companion ability to make the necessary mid-course corrections far out in space. . . ." (Text)
Dr. Harry J. Goett, Director of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, said in address at centennial convocation luncheon, Worcester Polytechnic Institute: "The new era promised by the Space Age perhaps connotes a return to what was once called natural philosophy. The unifying element of these developments of the space program is a general spirit of inquiry into the nature of the external physical world. It represents a re-direction of interest away from the increasingly narrow specialization which has characterized the physical sciences in the last decades. "The second distinguishing feature of the scientific research in space is the fact that the various scientists have only been able to make their observations . . . by virtue of the hardware developed by the engineer. This is in distinct contrast to the biologist who could invest in a good microscope and do research comparable with the best. . . . Generally, the engineer exploits and puts to practical use the knowledge acquired by the scientists. But in space, the scientist seems to be particularly dependent on the engineer to develop new devices and techniques. Engineering, in this context, has become a more creative and trail-blazing profession. "The third and possibly most imposing challenge of the space age is the potential feed-back of its developments into the civilian economy. In the long run, the justification of our space budget must stand on this . . ." (Text)
Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara was criticized by Military Operations Subcommittee of the House Government Operations Committee in report on military communications satellite. Subcommittee said his concern with economizing had resulted in "overmanagement and under performance" in the comsat area. "We do not believe, however, that economizing efforts should throttle programs essential to the national security. Satellite communications is one of the most vital and relatively less costly of our major defense programs." Subcommittee said Secretary McNamara's proposal last October for joint military-civilian comsat system was "ill-advised, poorly timed and badly coordinated. . . . Valuable time has been lost. Had the department moved ahead according to plans and policies laid down two years ago by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a system could have been operating now. . . ." Subcommittee also recommended DOD begin comsat program using Atlas-Agena satellite booster instead of Titan III-C experimental launch vehicle. (Finney, NYT, 10/9/64, 1, 16; M&R, 10/12/ 64, 10)
Judge Charles Fairhurst issued temporary restraining order preventing Cambridge City Council from voting on application for $663,000 in Federal funds for survey and planning the proposed area for NASA Electronics Research Center. Judge Fairhurst granted the order after six Cambridge firms requested declaratory decree that Kendall Sq. "cannot and does not legally qualify as a valid subject for an urban renewal project." (Boston Globe, 10/8/64)
NASA Astronaut Coordinator Donald K. Slayton said in World Book Encyclopedia Science Service feature article that physical training of U.S. astronauts differed greatly from that of his Soviet counterparts. He pointed out: "There is a basic difference in philosophy between Soviet and United States flight crew selection and training. The Soviets select and train bodies as biological specimens for space experiments. The United States selects and trains engineer-pilots as integral operators of spacecraft. Our emphasis is on intelligence and skill as opposed to physical prowess." (WBE Sci. Serv., Ind. Star, 10/8/64)
DOD announced SR-71 strategic reconnaissance aircraft would be assigned to SAC at Beale AFB, Marysville, Calif. SR-71 was scheduled to become operational in 1965. (DOD Release 726-64)
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