Aug 11 1962
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched VOSTOK III into orbit at 11:30 AM Moscow time, the spacecraft piloted by Maj. Andrian G. Nikolayev. Initial orbital data: apogee, 156 miles; perigee, 113 miles; period, 88.5 min. Cosmonaut Nikolayev remained in orbit throughout the day and night.
Soviet space expert Anatoly Blagonravov, writing in Izvestia, said that U.S.S.R. was "leaving far behind everything that has been attained by America in carrying out manned orbital flights," and that, contrary to the U.S. program, Soviet space flights were "of an exclusively peaceful nature." Second joint U.S.-Sweden sounding rocket launched from Kronogard site. in project to gather data on noctilucent clouds, the Nike-Cajun rocket sending instrument-packed nose cone 43.4 miles (70 km.) high before it parachuted back to earth.
NASA Ames Research Center announced its high-altitude radiation-research balloon was flying at 135,000-ft. altitude over eastern Manitoba and that the balloon's payload capsules containing two monkeys, four hamsters, and instrumentation would be released early August 12.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield, on behalf of himself and Minority Leader Everett M. Dirksen, filed a cloture petition intended to break the Senate filibuster against Administration-backed communications satellite bill.
Senator Thomas Kuchel of California, speaking in the Senate, said that the bill to amend the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (H.R. 12812) would provide NASA a needed flexibility in patent regulations, including authorization to secure royalty-free license or complete title for Government-sponsored research, and he recommended that the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences hold hearings on the bill.
Representative Joseph E. Karth, chairman of a subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, announced that hearings on four communications satellite systems would begin August 15, to determine whether duplication existed among the projects (Relay, Syncom, Advent, and Telstar).
Evidence that atmosphere of Saturn contains molecular hydrogen was announced by astronomers Guido Munch of Mt. Wilson and Palomar observatories and Hyron Spinrad of APL. Previously, only the trace substances of methane and ammonia had been detected on Saturn. Munch and Spinrad also found evidence that winds blow many hundreds of miles per hour on Saturn, stated that such winds could sweep the gases into Saturn's bands.
Winners of the 1962 Harmon International Trophies were announced as follows: Aviator's Trophy—Lt. Col. William R. Payne (USA F), for his May 1961 non-stop, record-speed flight of B-58 from Carswell AFB, Texas, to Paris, via Washington and New York; Aviatrix Trophy—Jacqueline Cochran, for setting 8 world class records with T-38 jet trainer and for flying F-104 jet fighter at twice the speed of sound, between August 24 and October 12, 1961; Aeronaut's Trophy—Cdr. Malcolm D. Ross (USN) and the late LCdr. Victor A. Prather (USN), for their record-altitude balloon flight of May 4, 1961, over the Gulf of Mexico.
Dr. Harry Wexler, meteorological research director of U.S. Weather Bureau since 1955, died unexpectedly. Holder of distinguished service citations from the Air Force, Navy, Commerce Department, and National Civil Service League, Dr. Wexler had been with the Weather Bureau since 1934. With Col. Floyd Wood Os pilot, he made the first aircraft penetration of an Atlantic hurricane, in September 1944. In June 1961, Dr. Wexler and Prof. Viktor A. Bugaev of the U.S.S.R. were principal figures in drafting plans for cooperative use of satellites to improve weather forecasting.
Reported that USAF had offered to train NASA’s "second generation" astronauts at its Aerospace Research Pilot School, Edwards AFB, California.
Reported that NASA was conducting a study to determine what effect Soviet nuclear test series might have on forthcoming orbital flight (MA-8) of Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr. Final evaluation was expected within a week.
A modified B-17 (Flying Fortress) was being used by Denmark's Geodetic Institute to photograph northern Greenland.
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