Jun 14 1963
From The Space Library
June 14-19: Manned orbital flight of VOSTOK V conducted by U.S.S.R., with Lt. Col. Valery F. Bykovsky onboard. Launched from Baikonur, VOSTOK V completed 81 earth orbits in 119 hrs. 6 min.; initial Orbital path 146-mi. apogee, 112-mi. perigee, 8827-min. period, 64°58' inclination to the equator. Tass stated objectives of flight were: to continue studies of influence of Various factors Of space flight on human organism; to conduct extensive biomedical research of conditions of prolonged space flight; and to make further improvements and adjustments in piloting of spacecraft. Cosmonaut Bykovsky landed by parachute in Republic of Kazakhstan, shortly after landing Of Cosmonaut Valentina V. Tereshkova and VOSTOK VI (see June 16-19). (Tass, Izvestia, 6/18/63, 1, AFSS-T Trans.; NYT, 6/15/63-6/20/63, lff )
Television photographs of Lt.. Col. Valery F. Bykovsky (U.S.S.R.) in orbiting spacecraft were Viewed by U.S. television audience. Soviet-bloc TV system Intervision's broadcast of photographs from space was received in Helsinki, where telecast was put onto Western Europe TV system Eurovision. Telecast was taped and edited in London, then sent to Goonhilly Downs for transmission via TELSTAR II communications satellite to receiving station in Andover, Me.; there it was sent to New York, where all three U.S. networks picked it up. (NYT, 6/15/63, 35)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center announced series of sounding rocket tests had confirmed association of Sporadic-E disturbances with presence of wind shears in altitude regions measured Nov. 7, Nov. 30, and Dec. 5, 1962. Under NASA contract, Geophysics Corp. of America scientists measured Velocity of wind movements (using Nike-Apache rockets with sodium vapor trails) and ionospheric phenomena (using Nike-Cajun with Langmuir probe electrical equipment) at nearly the same time. Experiments confirmed theory of Australian scientist J. D. Whitehead that action of upper atmosphere wind pulls electrons from above and below into thin cloud-like layers, causing Sporadic-E layers that often interfere with radio signals' being reflected off higher F layer of ionosphere. (GSFC Release)
In letter to 'Speaker of the House, President Kennedy described his proposed program of U.S. supersonic transport development. "A successful supersonic transport can be an efficient, productive commercial vehicle which provides swift travel for the passenger and shows promise of developing a market which will prove profitable to the manufacturer and operator. "It will advance the frontiers of technical knowledge-not as a byproduct Of military procurement, but in the pursuit of commercial Objectives. "It will maintain the historic U.S. leadership in aircraft development. "It will enable this country to demonstrate the technological accomplishments which can be achieved under a democratic, free enterprise system. "Its manufacture and operation will expand our international trade. "It will strengthen the U.S. aircraft manufacturing industry valuable national asset--and provide employment to thousands Of Americans . . . ." (Letter, CR, 6/17/63 10304)
NASA announced signing contract with AC Spark Plug Div. Of General Motors to fabricate, assemble, and test navigation and guidance system for Apollo command module. (NASA Release 63136)
Deputy Secretary Of Defense Roswell L. Gilpatric testified before Senate Committee on Armed Services' Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee On X-22A development contract award to Bell Aerosystems Co. rather than USN-recommended Douglas Aircraft Co. "I made the best judgment I could in the light of a very long experience and knowledge with the aerospace industries .... I gave adequate consideration to all the factors" before selecting Bell because Of its "experience and past performance." (Raymond, NYT, 6/15/63, 1; Av. Wk., 624/63, 36)
Invention of retrometer, device relaying light beam over which voice messages are transmitted, by NASA Langley Research Center scientist N. E. Thomas was reported in Newport News Times-Herald. (Newport News Times-Herald, 6/14/63)
NASA announced German Federal Minister for Scientific Research Hans Lenz and Director of Ministry's Space Research Div. Max Mayer had concluded two weeks of discussions on space research and survey tour Of NASA and NASA-contractor facilities. (NASA Release 63-135)
U.S. Army announced Nike-Zeus antimissile missile successfully intercepted re-entry target vehicle launched by Atlas ICBM in recent test. Nike-Zeus was fired from Kwajalein Island in the Pacific, Atlas from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. (DOD Release 858-63)
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