Aug 6 1966
From The Space Library
GEMINI VI Astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr., and Thomas P. Stafford and GEMINI VII Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr., and Frank Borman were named joint winners of the 1966 Harmon International Aviator's Trophy for achieving the first rendezvous in space by two separately launched, maneuverable spacecraft Dec. 15, 1965. Award, established by late pioneer aviator and balloonist Col. Clifford B. Harmon (USAF) "for exceptional feats of pilotry," would be conferred in fall 1966. (NYT, 8/7/66, 4; Wash. Sun. Star, 8/7/66, A18)
Third anniversary of limited test-ban treaty, ratified by 112 nations, barring nuclear tests in the atmosphere, under water, and in outer space. (Marder, Wash. Post, 8/7/66, 1)
August 6-23: 25th anniversary of first US. manned rocket-assisted aircraft flights made by Homer A. Boushey, then Capt., USA Air Corps, in Ercoupe monoplane specially fitted with jet-assisted takeoff (Jato) units "to determine if military aircraft could use rockets to get into the air faster from short runways with heavy payloads." During Jato test series, conducted by USA Air Corps from March Field, Calif., under direction of the late Dr. Theodore von Karman, Boushey made: two takeoffs with Ercoupe on rocket power alone; 11 takeoffs combining rocket and aircraft power; and four flights in which rockets were fired while airplane was at altitude. On Aug. 6, he first flew on rocket power; on Aug. 12, he made first rocket-assisted takeoff; and on Aug. 23 he made two takeoffs on rocket power alone. Three rockets under each of Ercoupe's wings produced total thrust of 168 lb. for 12 sec. Von Karman's group formed company now known as Aerojet-General COT. to manufacture Jato units. (Tech. Wk., 8/8/66, 12)
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