Oct 21 1964
From The Space Library
Astrobee 1500, most powerful of U.S. sounding rockets, was flight-tested from NASA's Wallops Island, Va., launch site, its second stage carrying 156-lb. instrument package to 1,212-mi. altitude before impact in the Atlantic Ocean 1,326 mi. from launch site. This was second flight test of the solid-propellant rocket; adequate performance data were not achieved in first NASA flight test (April 1963) because nose-fairing failure ended the flight only 16 sec. after launch. In today's flight, 27 min. of telemetered data were received on acceleration, vibration, temperatures, and pressures, and from preliminary examination the test appeared successful. (Wallops Release 64 �76) [[ Mstislav V. Keldysh]], president of Soviet Academy of Sciences, said in Moscow press conference that vehicle used to launch VOSKHOD I spacecraft was more powerful "than that used before to put into orbit any instruments or astronauts." Keldysh said VOSKHOD I was first of a series but revealed nothing about future flights. Konstantin P. Feoktistov, scientist-cosmonaut aboard VOSKHOD I, revealed he had made astronomical observations during the space flight, practicing "aero-navigation by means of a sextant' He predicted that on interplanetary flights "it will be possible to fix the spaceship's position autonomously on board the spaceship." Feoktistov also disclosed VOSKHOD I's attitude control system was based on ion propulsion engine. He described VOSKHOD I's return to earth as a "featherbed landing." Of the space-craft's landing system, Cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov said after para-chutes were opened, a second retrorocket was fired to achieve the soft landing. Physician-cosmonaut Boris B. Yegorov disclosed that "sharp movements of the head caused slight dizzy sensations, sensations of general discomfort" for both him and Feoktistov. (Shabad, NYT, 10/ 22/64, 15; Clymer, Balt. Sun, 10/22/64; AP, Chic. Trib., 10/22/64)
Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, NASA Deputy Administrator, gave the 1964 Third Bicentennial Marshall Wood Lecture, Brown Univ., Providence, R.I. Dr. Dryden predicted that by the year 2000 astronauts' trips to the moon "may be somewhat commonplace. . . The moon will also be serving as an important scientific station for radio astronomers .. . [and] many other kinds of scientists. .. We may be maintaining sizable installations on the moon... "Beyond the moon it is probable that manned flights will have been made to Mars and possibly to the vicinities of other planets as well . . . In space stations orbiting above the earth we shall likely be fabricating space vehicles; it is possible that we shall be using rockets, in ballistic trajectory through space, to deliver freight shipments from one continent to another. . . "Let us let our imagination roam to a hundred years from now. It seems certain that we will have developed the capability to move throughout the solar system and will have sent at least exploratory expeditions to the outermost reaches. We will be considering the ex-tension of our exploration of space to the nearest stars, but I am some-what doubtful that we can even in this period discover new sources of energy which will make this journey possible in the lifetime of one man. "It seems likely that within 100 years we will have established out-posts in the form of stations on the moon and Mars. It is possible that we will have moved to a certain degree of colonization on Mars, but I doubt that this will take place on the moon, unless the moon turns out to contain resources of great economic value to us here on earth. The resources required for such extensive exploration of Mars will require cooperation among the nations of the earth; otherwise it is not likely to be, accomplished. . . ." (Text)
FAA announced new series of about 600 sonic-boom tests late this year over White Sands Missile Range, N. Mex., creating sonic boom pressure ranging up to 30 psf above normal atmospheric pressure to measure effects on structures. NASA and other agencies would also par-ticipate in the research preparatory to development of a U.S. supersonic transport. (Clark, NYT, 10/22/64)
Nomadic Lapps in northern Sweden had registered complaints about ESRO's rocket launching plans from new base being built about 100 mi. northeast of Kiruna. Beginning in 1966, ESRO would fire 50 rockets per year 120 mi. into the ionosphere every year for eight years. But the Lapps, living in the target area for the rockets, were fearful for the safety of themselves and their reindeer. (Reuters, NYT, 10/21/64, 26)
NASA issued a Tech Brief describing new type of adhesive bonding technique in structural assembly, using epoxy resins as an adhesive which leaves no voids or air pockets between the two surfaces joined together. (NASA Release 64-262)
Dr. Dwight F. Gunder, 61, special adviser on rockets and missiles to Navy Bureau of Ordnance, died in Loveland, Colo. Dr. Gunder had received citation which said he "provided the guide lines for the Polaris missile's development." (AP, NYT, 10/23/64, 34)
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