Jun 15 1964
From The Space Library
FRC test-flew modified X-15 No. 2 with Maj. Robert Rushworth (USAF) as pilot, the aircraft remaining attached to B-52 mother craft for airborne checkout of the aircraft systems. Flight was first for this X-15 since Nov. 1962 landing accident. Modifications, completed by North American Aviation, included four astronomical cameras mounted on fuselage, designed to take stellar photographs above ozone layer of earth's atmosphere, and external propellant tanks which would enable engine to increase top speed by at least 1,000 mph, to a maximum speed over 5,000 mph. (FRC Release 15-64; NASA Release 64-138)
NASA's leading 12 contractors issued $1,027,000,000 in subcontracts during 1962 and 1963 to 2,697 firms in 46 states, Aviation Week reported. (Av. Wk., 6/15/64, 71)
FAA fire tests began in cooperation with USAF at FAA's National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center to determine whether rotor downwash from helicopters can disperse flames and cool the fuselage of a crashed and burning plane. Five surplus USAF Stratocruisers were burned in the tests. (FAA Release 64-62)
NASA granted nine companies 16 waivers of U.S. commercial rights to inventions that resulted from work performed on NASA contracts, bringing to 90 the number of patent waivers granted by NASA. (NASA Release 64-141)
NASA Summer Faculty Fellowships, a unique 10-wk. summer program, began at Lewis Research Center. The 12 Fellows, all young professors and instructors in engineering and the physical sciences, would work on space research projects at LRC and would attend a special graduate level course in chemical rocket technology at Case Institute of Technology. (LRC Release 64-53)
William G. Gisel, President of Bell Aerosystems Co, said before N.Y. Society of Newspaper Editors, Niagara Falls: "I cannot contemplate the space exploration project . . . without a tremendous surge of pride in the human race. We are going to the stars, gentlemen. The human race will travel to the planets and, in time, to other solar systems and in doing so will fan the spark of greatness which in spite of ourselves has carried us from the cave to the threshold of space. Man can go to the moon in this decade. The important question is, will it be an American?" (NASA R&SC Div.)
June 15-16; U.S. began exploratory talks in Geneva with USSR on the use of artificial satellites in a global communications system. This was first talk between American and Soviet representatives to discuss possible Russian participation. Informed sources in Geneva said the Soviets were friendly but showed no current interest in a global satellite communications scheme. In joint communique at end of two days of exploratory talks, Soviet and American officials said only that "both sides recognize the usefulness of the exchange of opinions." No future meeting was scheduled. (NYT, 6/16/64; Simons, Wash. Post, 6/17/64; M&R, 6/22/64, 10; NYT, 6/18/64)
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