Apr 18 1963
From The Space Library
Dr. Donald E. Gault of NASA Ames Research Center told American Geophysical Union that moon dust, from one to 10 tons a day, was falling on earth. Dr. Gault estimated that 54 per cent of dust sprayed off moon (by impact of meteoroids) enters solar orbit; 40 per cent enters earth orbit; 3 per cent impacts earth directly soon after leaving moon; and 3 per cent hits earth after a month or more. He suggested methods of finding moon dust for analysis: launching rocket to collect sample particles from upper atmosphere; and obtaining samples of sea sediment in polar regions where, he said, layers of moon dust must have been deposited and trapped. (NYT, 4/18/63; Wash. Post, 4/18/63)
Results of optical astronomy, radioastronomy, and radarastronomy observations of planet Venus as well as MARINER II Venus fly-by data were discussed at American Geophysical Union's annual meeting, Washington, D.C. Thomas Gold, theoretical astrophysicist at Cornell Univ., told the session that there were too many incongruities in data obtained on Venus' characteristics to rule out one conclusion in favor of another. Results of the various research efforts oaten appeared contradictory. (Simons, Wash.. Post, 4/18/63)
Dr. Bruce Murray of Cal Tech reported Venus observations from Mt. Palomar Observatory during December had detected a Venus "storm" 1,000 mi. wide. The "hot spot" on Venus was observed with ultrasensitive heat. detector mounted on 200-in. telescope. Dr. Murray was addressing session of American Geological Union, meeting in Washington. (Wash. Daily News, 4/17/63; Wash,. Post, 4/18/63)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb said in address before Milwaukee Press Club Gridiron Dinner "From the results of the past five years of effort, it is apparent that, if we are to achieve mastery of space, we must add substantially to our scientific knowledge and to our utilization of technology. The NASA program is moving forward on both of these fronts. Essentially, our efforts in the Gemini and A polio programs, leading to exploration of the moon, will provide us with an understanding of the limiting factors in space utilization, and the skills which will be needed to meet such future requirements in the space environment as our nation decides to undertake . . . "All of these skills are needed not only in the pursuit of peaceful rewards for mankind from space exploration, but for the development of any space missions which may become necessary to our national defense, to insure that space will not be used as an unchallenged avenue of aggression against us. As these skills increase, a growing close relationship between the nation's best experts in the underlying technologies is utilized to make the best decisions on new operational systems, whether civilian or military. "It is also recognized that our space program must be broad enough including considerable basic research, to give us a flexible base suitable for a continuity of effort in a direction or directions perhaps still unknown. Our broad and Varied space effort permits us to lead from our great national strengths-the remarkable flexibility of our economic,- social and political systems, the great variety of our talents, and the vast resources of our university industry-government complex. "Accordingly, we have not allowed ourselves to be trapped in a narrow competition, but have developed a national space program which embraces a wide range of activities . . . ." (Text)
Soviet declaration of 11 basic principles of space activity presented to Legal Subcommittee of U.N. Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. U.S. sources said proposals were virtually unchanged from those offered last year. (NYT, 4/18/63, 22)
Discovery of planet ("Barnard's Star B") in constellation Ophiuchus was reported to astronomers at Tucson, Ariz., by Dr. Peter van de Kamp, Director of Swarthmore College's Sproul Observatory, Swarthmore, Pa. Six light years from earth, planet is one and-a-half times mass of planet Jupiter or nearly 500 times mass of earth. Dr. van de Kamp's measurements of amount of wobble it produced in motion of its sun, Barnard, determined object to be a planet. Barnard's Star B was third planet discovered outside our solar system but the most nearly planet-sized one of all. (Wash. Daily News, 4/18/63; NYT, 4/19/63, 4)
USAF announced selection of three contractors to begin development work on large solid-fuel rocket motors: Aerojet General Corp., Thiokol Chemical Corp., and Lockheed Propulsion Co. Thiokol and Aerojet would conduct parallel programs leading to demonstration static firing of half-length 260-m. motor of about 3 million-lb. thrust; depending upon results of this work, USAF would select one of the companies to proceed with development aimed at demonstration of 6-million-lb. thrust motor. In addition, Thiokol would work toward demonstration static firing of 156-in.-diameter motor of 3-million-lb. thrust, using two segments in solid fuel motor; Thiokol would work toward demonstration static firing of 156-in. diameter motor of one million lb. thrust, in single segment, steerable through use of movable nozzles; Lockheed would work toward demonstration static firing of 156-in.-diameter motor of one-million-lb. thrust, in single segment, steerable through use of deflectors. USAF was managing the solid-propellant rocket motor development under NASA-DOD agreement. (DOD Release 493-63)
Draft report on two bills (S.132 and S. 152) "to create the National Weather Council and to provide coordination and central direction for an accelerated program of weather research, basic and applied," sent to Bureau of the Budget for consideration and advice prior to submission to the Congress. Proposed council "would coordinate and centrally direct meteorological and weather research and experimental programs" of represented agencies and would 'consist of: Chief of U.S. Weather Bureau Council Chairman), Director of NSF, Administrator of NASA, Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, Army, Navy, and Air Force or their respective designees. S. 132 would also include Administrator of FAA. (NASA Leg. Act. Rpt. II/55 and 56; ltr, NASA administrator to Hon. Warren G. Magnuson, 4/17/63)
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