Oct 13 1964
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. announced three-man VOSKHOD I spacecraft had landed safely after orbiting the earth for 24 hrs., 17 min. (16 orbits) . All three crewmen were reported to, be in good condition after VOSKHOD landed at the "pre-arranged spot." Indications were that the men remained inside the craft to completion of landing. Official announcement asserted that VOSKHOD I had completed its task before landing and was landing according to schedule. Soviet news report indicated the crew had requested permission to continue the flight "for another 24 hours," but Chief Designer had replied that "we shall stay within the program." (AP, 10/13/64; Tanner, NYT, 10/14/64, 1, 18)
Dr. Edward C. Welsh, Executive Secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, said U.S.S.R.'s successful orbiting of three-man VOSKHOD I spacecraft "shows they are actively in the race with manned spacecraft" He noted Soviet emphasis on life sciences in their space program. "They have done more in this field, I believe, than we have." Asked about U.S. chances for landing a man on the moon before U.S.S.R., he replied: "We have a 50-50 chance of getting there first." But, he added, U.S.S.R. might be first with a circumlunar flight. Citing buildup of Soviet space program, Dr. Welsh said ratio of their space-craft launchings in 1964 to comparable portion of 1963 was about 3-to-1. He described VOSKHOD I as a "logical follow-on from a very rapidly stepped-up space program." (Sehlstedt, Balt. Sun, 10/13/64)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb said in interview that Soviet three-man VOSKHOD I was a "significant space accomplishment. "It is a clear indication that the Russians are continuing a large space program for the achievement of national power and prestige." He observed that Saturn V rocket, while not yet available, represented U.S. bid for space supremacy. "It is still a good bid and our policy is to proceed rapidly to the flight stage although it is still two years away." He said Saturn V was " a vehicle that can put 240,000 pounds in orbit as against the 10,000- to 15,000-pound class the Russians have been flying." (Sehlstedt, Balt. Sun, 10/13/64; Houston Post, 10/13/64)
Speculation about why Soviet VOSKHOD I space flight was terminated after 24 hours was proferred by experts around the world. U.S. space engineers generally indicated Soviets operated according to plan by terminating flight when they did. However, officials of other Western countries speculated VOSKHOD I was brought down prematurely, for reasons variously given as illness among the crew, faulty radio transmitter, and improper orbit. Sen. Clinton P. Anderson (D.-N. Mex.), Chairman of Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, said, "We knew the shot was coming and we had information it would involve a week-that's why they had the doctor along." He suggested technical problems had caused premature ending of trip. Some sources pointed to Soviets' own announcement the previous day, which referred to "conditions of prolonged flight." At least one press analysis, in retrospect, said VOSKHOD I was perhaps ordered back to earth because of political events in the Soviet Union-Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev was being removed from office by Presidium of the Communist Party Central Committee, an occurrence not made public until Oct 15. (Ubell, N.Y. Her. Trib., 10/14/64; Simons, Wash. Post, 10/14/64; Time, 10/30/64, 37)
Unnamed NASA official quoted by Howard Simons in Washington Post as saying there was "increasing evidence" that U.S.S.R. was building powerful new rocket booster. However, it was not used in launching three-man VOSKHOD I spacecraft. U.S. Government officials were said to believe VOSKHOD I launched by "old, reliable space boosters . .. mated into a multistage rocket." (Simons, Wash. Post, 10/ 14/64)
Analyzing impact of VOSKHOD I flight, John Finney said feeling of U.S. Government officials was that VOSKHOD I "probably was the prelude to a longer flight sometime soon and to the unveiling of a more powerful rocket far launchings." In itself, VOSKHOD I flight was considered of more psychological than technical significance. (Finney, NYT, 10/ 14/64, 18)
Sen. Barry M. Goldwater (R.-Ariz.) , Republican Presidential candidate, said in Topeka, Kans.: "The entry of the Soviet Union into such a commanding position in near-space [VOSKHOD I flight] also requires an urgent and full time consideration by all concerned branches of the Federal Government and, of course, the President. "Near space, the area in which orbital flight takes place, is the key to the military use of space. The nation that commands near space could, after developing proper weapons and maneuverable space craft, dominate the earth. "I have pleaded for years for a realistic emphasis on research in this area. Instead, this Administration has dedicated billions of dollars and the virtual entirety of its space efforts, to a moon shot. "The military possibilities of space have been downgraded by this Administration, as, indeed, has most research into the advanced weapon systems which we so urgently need to keep the peace in the face of Soviet advances scientifically, and Soviet threats politically. "Again, this is a full time and a full-scale problem requiring immediate attention. We need a major redirection of our space research efforts." (Text, SBD, 10/14/64, 236)
Washington Star was informed of VOSKHOD I's safe landing 25 min. before Soviet Government made the official announcement, when Edward Baskakov of the newspaper Soviet Russia called from Moscow for a reaction to the flight. "Beat" of the Star was based upon their editorial on SPUTNIK I in 1957. ( Wash. Eve. Star, 10/13/64)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center officials announced they believed they had successfully "hit" EXPLORER XXII satellite with laser beams fired one-per-second across more than 500 miles. Whether the hits were definitely achieved or not would await further analysis. (AP, Balt. Sun, 10/14/64; Wash. Post, 10/14/64)
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