Jul 15 1964
From The Space Library
The U.S.S.R. launched COSMOS XXXV into orbit. The satellite's initial orbital parameters were: period, 89.2 min.; apogee, 268 km. (161 mi.); perigee, 217 km. (130 mi.); inclination, 51.3¦. The satellite, carrying scientific equipment for space studies, was reported to be functioning normally. (Tass, Izvestia, 7/17/64, 1, ATSS-T Trans.; AP, NYT, 7/16/64)
NASA announced that it had selected 22 scientific experiments for the fifth Orbiting Geophysical Observatory (Ogo-E), scheduled to be launched in 1966. 54 scientists from four countries (U.S., U.K., France, and the Netherlands) representing universities, government, and private industry would take part in designing and constructing the experiments. The satellite was scheduled to be launched into an eccentric orbit, with an apogee of 92,000 mi. and a perigee of 170 mi. The Ogo-E experiments would study energetic particle radiation, earth and interplanetary magnetic fields, effect of solar gases on the earth's magnetic fields and radio communication, and the effect of solar radiation on the earth. (NASA Release 64-171)
DOD announced that since early July the Army had operated a spe-cial radar at White Sands Missile Range, N. Mex. The radar, the Multi-function Array Radar (MAR) was part of the Nike-X anti-ICBM missile system. Called a phased array radar, MAR worked on the theory that radar beams could be "bent" electronically by playing one beam against another. This called for a delicacy and timing far exceeding man's capabilities. It took an extremely fast computer to play the beam. The MAR was to replace three radars used in the Nike-Zeus Antimissile Missile System: acquisition radar for detecting missile warheads at long ranges; the target tracking radar for pinpointing the location of the warheads; and the discrimination radar for sorting live warheads from decoys. (DOD Release 519-64)
In a speech before the Briefing Conference on Government Contracting for Research and Development sponsored by the Federal Bar Association and the Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., in Boston, Ernest W. Brackett, NASA Assistant Deputy Associate Administrator for Procurement Policy, spoke of NASA's policy towards incentive contracts: "Incentive contracts are not the answer to everything, but much good can and will come from them. They will effect more realistic cost proposals. When a com-pany's incentive fee or profit is based on its cost proposal, it will not be on the low side. This means less cost overruns which are subject to so much criticism and which disrupt Government budgets. . . . There will also be more careful and detailed work definitions because a con-tractor wants to know what he is expected to do and be able to price it out if his incentive fee depends on performance and cost. It takes longer to negotiate incentive contracts and negotiations are harder. . . . Government personnel will be more careful, particularly in the technical areas, when, incentive provisions are included. Another advantage should be fewer controls by Government over contract administration details, such as approval of overtime or sub-contractor selection. NASA would like to see contractors make higher profits but wants to have proof they have earned them. The health of the aerospace and electronics industries depends on their realizing a reasonable return for what they do. Incentive methods of contracting appear to be the best way this can be done." (Text)
The platform adopted by the Republican National Convention contained a number of statements pertaining to the U.S. space program. The platform stated: "This administration has delayed research and development in advanced weapons systems and thus confronted the American people with a fearsome possibility that Soviet advances, in the decade of the 1970's, may surpass America's present lead. Its misuse of cost effectiveness has stifled the creativity of the Nation's military, scientific, and industrial communities. "It has failed to originate a single new major strategic weapons system after inheriting from a Republican administration the most powerful military force of all time. It has concealed a lack of qualitative advance for the 1970's by speaking of a quantitative strength which by then will be obsolete. It has not demonstrated the foresight necessary to launch as many as five satellites. The system, called Multiple Orbit. "It has endangered security by downgrading efforts to prepare defenses against enemy ballistic missiles. It has retarded our own military development for near and outer space, while the enemy's development moves on.. . . "We pledge . . . replanning of the present space program to provide for a more orderly, yet aggressively pursued step-by-step development, remaining alert to the danger of over division of skilled personnel in critical shortage from other vital areas such as health, industry, education, and science." (Text, CR, 7/28/64, A3934, A3939)
Mid-July: The U.S. Weather Bureau prepared a letter to the World Meteorological Organization advising that Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) pictures from TIROS VIII were no longer usable. Useful APT pictures totaled 4,067. (GSFC Historian)
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