Jul 11 1962
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (2MB PDF)
NASA press conference explained basic decision on Apollo manned lunar exploration program: to base the next phase of its planning, research and development, procurement, and space flight program on the Saturn (C-5) to accomplish the initial manned lunar landing and recovery, using the lunar orbit rendezvous as the prime mission mode. Based on more than a year of intensive study, the basic decision on the lunar orbit rendezvous (LOR) mode enables immediate industrial consideration of the lunar excursion vehicle and firm planning on early employment of two-stage Saturn (C-1B) to test-flight the Apollo configuration in earth orbits.
It was also announced: (1) an in-depth study of an unmanned lunar logistic vehicle would be undertaken; (2) continued feasibility studies would be made of the earth-orbit rendezvous mode using Saturn (C-5) with a two-man spacecraft, with the possibilities of a direct flight with this spacecraft; (3) continued study would be made of the Nova vehicle (two to three times capability of C-5).
NASA Administrator Webb said: "We are putting major emphasis on lunar orbit rendezvous because a year of intensive study indicates that it is most desirable, from the standpoint of time, cost and mission accomplishment. In reaching this decision, however, we have acted to retain the degree of flexibility vital to a research and development program of this magnitude . . ." LOR was unanimously recommended by NASA’s Manned Space Flight Management Council because it: (1) provides highest probability of mission success with essentially equal mission safety; (2) provides mission success months earlier than other modes; (3) will cost 10 to 15 per cent less than other mode; and (4) requires least amount of technical development beyond existing commitments.
Second successful test of USAF Titan II rocket, 5,000-mi. flight from AMR. Second generation ballistic missile with storable liquid fuels will be used as a booster in NASA’s Project Gemini.
First east-to-west transatlantic TV transmission, French station at Pleumeur-Bodou reflecting eight-minute telecast off 170-lb. TELSTAR satellite in 15th orbit to AT&T facility at Andover, Me. Program featured the French Communications Minister Jacques M. Marette and several entertainers.
British Broadcasting Company announced that French transmission violated agreement with Britain and other European Broadcasting -Union nations.
White House Press Secretary, Pierre Salinger, said that successful performance of TELSTAR indicated that a full study of international communications involving all concerned governmental agencies would be initiated by the White House. He said that a preliminary working paper by Tedson J. Meyers, administrative assistant to FCC Chairman Newton N. Minow, was already under study by the State Department and other agencies.
The Senate passed NASA authorization for FY 1963 (H.R. 11737) of $3,820,515,520. Amendments submitted by Senator William Proxmire to require competitive bidding on space projects and to establish a presidential commission to study the impact of the space program upon the nation's manpower were both defeated by lopsided votes. Senate authorization restored $116 million cut by the House.
NASA announced that Mercury Astronaut Donald K. Slayton (Major USAF) would assume new operational and planning responsibilities. Extensive medical observation and examination of Slayton's irregular heart action (atrial fibrillation) by USAF medical staff, by groups of Air Force specialists, and Dr. Paul Dudley White agreed that he should not be considered for solo space flights.
NASA awards of less than $1,000 for inventions were made to the following NASA employees: D. H. Buckley, R. L. Johnson, Earl W. Conrad, R. J. Weber, F. D. Koehendorfer, John C. Nettles, Glen E. McDonald, Gerald Morrell, L. A. Baldwin, V. A. Sandborn, C. J. Blaze, C. G. Richter, and Marcus F. Heidmann of Lewis Research Center; and David H. Schaefer of Goddard Space Flight Center.
NASA's Director of Manned Space Flight, D. Brainerd Holmes, briefed the House Committee on Science and Astronautics on the lunar-orbit rendezvous (LOR) procedure which NASA announced as the prime mission mode for the initial manned lunar landing.
Record altitude flight attempt by X-15 canceled for a second time because of technical difficulties.
USAF superpressure balloon brought down 1,200 miles northwest of Honolulu after remaining aloft for a record-breaking 30 days since launch by AFCRL from Kindley AFB, Bermuda. 34-ft.diameter mylar research balloon had been under constant surveillance by FCC tracking and data network, and had maintained more than 66,000-ft. altitude day and night since June 10 with 50-lb. payload.
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