Aug 7 1963
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (2MB PDF)
By its 1842nd orbit, RELAY I communications satellite had been used in 930 wideband experiments; 409 narrowband experiments; 95 demonstrations (TV and narrowband). Transponder had been operated for 190 his. over period of 454 operations. (GSFC Historian, Memo, 8/14/63)
Senate began debate on H.R. 7500, NASA authorization bill for FY 1964. In opening statement, Sen. Clinton P. Anderson, Chairman of Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, said "I am fully aware of the many opinions which have been espoused as to the priority of funding between our military and civilian space programs, and the concern expressed in many quarters with respect to the high authorization of expenditures for the civilian portion of our space program. I should only like to say at this point that our administration has declared as a national goal the landing of a man on the moon by 1970. NASA has been given the responsibility by the administration of carrying out this national objective and while I, like others, would disagree with some of the decisions that have been made by Mr. Webb, the Administrator, and his associates, I, personally, feel, and I believe the other members of the committee would generally agree, that NASA deserves unqualified credit for the manner in which it has embarked upon this formidable task .... "The United States is in space to stay. NASA is dedicated to the objective of making our Nation preeminent in space, and has, indeed, to date compiled an enviable record and taken a long step toward the accomplishment of this objective . . . ." (CR, 8/7/63, 13710-16)
Under Secretary of the Air Force Brockway McMillan said in letter to Sen. Clinton P. Anderson, Chairman of Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences "Our assessment of the NASA programs in the light of your questions has strengthened our conviction that the potential joint value of the NASA and Defense Department programs can be more fully realized by closer collaboration in the early conceptual phases, to insure that the objectives of each agency are clearly recognized at each successive stage of program evolution. Our point is illustrated by recent experience in developing experiments to be sponsored by the Defense Department on the Gemini flights. Although the concerted joint effort, under the guidance of the Gemini program planning board, has been fruitful, it has become obvious that an earlier beginning of intensive collaboration might well have allowed greater results. Looking to the future, we hope to apply this lesson in the establishment of an orbital space station program. We view a space station as an essential preliminary to an operational space defense system, and as a valuable source of experience which will apply to NASA objectives. As this program is in the early conceptual phase, we think it possible to begin now to fully exploit its high potential to serve both civilian and military needs. As you know, the Defense Department has propose to NASA that there be collaboration in studies leading to the definition of the space station program. . . ." (Letter, CR, 8/9/63,13900)
In letter to FCC Chairman E. William Henry, ComSatCorp Chairman Leo D. Welch said ComSat directors agreed that stock be issued to the public "at the earliest practicable date" and were planning stock issuance not later than early 1964. Replying to FCC contention that stockholders should have voice in ComSat policy making (see July 26), Welch asserted that FCC was invading management functions of the directors and argued that the corporation's initial studies were necessary to give potential investors "a responsible presentation of material facts in compliance with the applicable Federal and state securities laws." (N.Y. Herald Trib., 8/8/63; Clayton, Wash. Post, 8/8/63)
A City of Los Angeles Commendation award was presented to Air Force Space Systems Division by Los Angeles mayor, The Honorable Samuel Yorty. The citation, in recognition of SSD's contribution to the national space effort, was accepted by General Ben I. Funk, Commander. (A-N-AF Journal and Register, Jan., 1964)
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