Oct 9 1962
From The Space Library
X-15 No. 2, piloted by NASA’s John B. McKay, was flown to 129,000-ft. altitude (24.4 mi.) and 3,716-mph speed (mach 5) in test of aircraft's performance without its electronic flight-control system and without its ventral fin. Pilot McKay induced the most severe yawing motion thus far in tests to check the craft's re-entry stability under severe strain. Although pilot McKay later reported "the whole airplane shook for about three minutes," the stability test was considered very successful.
Altitude and speed were greatest ever achieved in X-15 flights without the lower tail-fin.
Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr., told newsmen he hoped Astronaut Leroy Gordon Cooper would be selected for Project Mercury flight MA-9. Astronaut selection had not yet been made for the 18-orbit 24-hour flight.
U.N. Space Registry revealed the U.S. had reported total of 66 satellite and spacecraft launchings as of Aug. 15, 1962. Of these, 25 were NASA launchings and 41 were U.S. military launchings. U.S. reports to U.N. Space Registry gave same data for NASA and military launchings: name of object; launch date; and satellite's apogee, perigee, inclination, and period. U.S. reports also identified satellites in one of four categories: development of spaceflight technology; space research and exploration; practical applications of space technology; and non-functional objects.
USAF announced launching of an unidentified satellite using a Thor-Agena launch vehicle.
White House officials announced the secrecy policy on launchings of military satellites was being re-examined.
John Rubel, DOD Deputy Director of Research and Engineering, told the Aerospace Luncheon Club in Washington that DOD was supporting two programs in space—one "directed at clear, identifiable military needs and requirements" and the other, less well defined, designed to provide "building blocks" as "insurance against an uncertain future." Replying to charges that military space activities should be expanded, he noted that DOD's military space program exceeded $1.5 billion this year and probably would be greater next year; DOD expenditures on space developments were "remarkably high in relation to viable concepts for military applications in space." He concluded that the military space program was adequate and well balanced, although "we probably err on the side of allowing too generous a margin of safety for the effects of these uncertainties." USN Transit navigational satellite system was described by Capt. Alton B. Moody (USNR) of NASA, at National Electronics Conference in Chicago. The system of four Transit satellites in polar orbits, to be operational by end of 1962, was designed primarily to provide naval craft with constant, accurate navigational fix around the world.
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