May 23 1964
From The Space Library
AEC spokesman said about 2.2 lbs. of plutonium 238 had been lost over the west coast of Africa last month after USN satellite carrying it had failed to orbit (see May 11). Onboard as fuel for Snap-9A generator, the plutonium apparently vaporized on re-entry into earth's atmosphere and now was dispersed in very fine particles at the edge of space, where it would gradually lose its radioactivity. It posed "no health hazard to the world's population," AEC spokesman said. (UPI, Wash. Post, 5/24/ 64)
Dr. Ted Foss, geologist at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, described model of the moon to be constructed at MSC for conducting time and motion studies with astronauts in their space suits. To be covered with slag rocks and ash, the area would be about 340 ft. in diameter and feature several craters about 50 ft. in diameter and about 15 ft. deep, as well as ridges as high as 12 ft. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers would perform basic work on the $50,000 construction job. (Houston Chron., 5/24/ 64; AP, 5/23/64)
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center held Open House with more than 4,200 visitors attending. (Goddard News, 6/1/64)
Open House at Langley Research Center, in conjunction with field inspection during the past week, featured specially prepared exhibits and other items of interest for citizens of Virginia and nearby areas. (NASA Release 64-99; NASA Announcement 64-89)
The U.S. Fighter Aces Association awarded Astronauts Walter Schirra, Alan B. Shepard, Virgil I. Grissom, and Donald Slayton honorary memberships. (Houston Chron., 5/14/64)
New program combining study of science with study of U.S.S.R. at Columbia University's Russian Institute was announced by Institute director Prof. Alexander Dallin. (NYT, 5/24/64, 21)
George C. Marshall Research Library dedicated by Presidents Eisenhower and Johnson at the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va. (Wash. Post, 5/24/64)
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