Apr 20 1964
From The Space Library
NASA announced it had selected IBM as lead contractor for development and fabrication of instrument units for Saturn IB and Saturn V launch vehicles. IBM was selected last October to design and manufacture the data adapters and digital guidance computers and be responsible for integration and checkout of the units. Now, as lead contractor, IBM would assume additional responsibility for structural and environmental control systems and integration of all systems. NASA would supply telemetry system and ST-124M stabilized platforms. (NASA Release 64-89; KSC Release 52-64)
NASA Deputy Director Dr. Hugh L. Dryden said in speech before Economic Club of Detroit: "It has been our experience at NASA, in dealing with contractors, that they often fail to appreciate that their plants do not possess the type of reliability standards and quality control standards which we demand. Once we have convinced him that our standards do outstrip his normal assembly line standards, the contractor himself often encounters difficulty in convincing his supervisors and work force that what's good enough for the public just isn't good enough for the national space program. "NASA has set high standards of reliability and quality control for the boosters that send manned and unmanned spacecraft into space, the spacecraft themselves, and for their related ground support equipment. . . ." (Text)
NASA and DOD signed agreement concerning DOD contract administration services for NASA within the Philadelphia contract administrative services region, the pilot test intended "to avoid duplication of effort and to achieve the most effective and economical utilization" of DOD and NASA resources in contract administration services for NASA. (Agreement, NMI 2-3-31)
Western Union announced it had completed a microwave system for the next lunar spacecraft's communications with earth. The system was in test operation, linking Goldstone Tracking Station with Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 164 mi. away. For the next lunar probe, as well as sub- sequent lunar and planetary probes, data obtained by the spacecraft would be sent through Goldstone to JPL for computer analysis; commands to the spacecraft would be sent from JPL through Goldstone to the probe. (Wash. Post, 4/21/64)
Brig. Gen. T. J. Hayes, Assistant to Chief of Army Engineers, told Space Congress at Cape Kennedy that U.S. should begin immediately to plan building a lunar base. A lunar base would be the next logical step after Project Apollo, he said, and such an installation would "require solving unprecedented engineering problems imposed by delivery-system limitations and the harsh environment about which there is little information. "A significant program is needed to develop the equipment, techniques, and reliability necessary for this difficult task. " (AP, Balt. Sun, 4/21/64)
President Johnson announced U.S. would reduce production of enriched uranium over a four-year period. Addressing AP in New York, he said: "When added to previous reductions, this will mean an overall decrease in the production of plutonium by 20 per cent, and of enriched uranium by 40 per cent." Soviet Premier Khrushchev simultaneously announced in Moscow that USSR would discontinue construction of two atomic reactors for production of plutonium; reduce production of uranium-235 in the next several years; and allocate more fissionable materials for peaceful uses of atomic energy. (Texts; NYT, 4/21/64,14)
At White House ceremony, with President Johnson participating, Dr. W. Randolph Lovelace II was sworn in as Director of Space Medicine, NASA. (Wash. Eve. Star, 4/21/64)
JPL had recommended use of a steerable entry vehicle or steerable parachute system for 1969 Mars probe, Missiles and Rockets reported. JPL wanted to land the complete vehicle and achieve telemetry from the Martian surface, notably on whether or not signs of life existed. Chief area of interest was Syrtis Major, prominent green area on Martian equator that might be one of the more likely spots to support life. (M&R, 4/20/64, 11)
Interviewed in Missiles and Rockets, Presidential Science Adviser Donald F. Hornig replied to question about U.S. space goals after Project Apollo: "There are clearly a series of successively more difficult scientific objectives which we will pursue with unmanned spacecraft. It's very difficult, though, to document a convincing case for a national commitment on major space goals that are far in the future. In any case, I can't believe that the momentum gained by our space program is going to be allowed to be lost when we achieve the first major objective." (M&R, 4/20/64, 35)
Problem of nylon parachutes" deteriorating in space was suggested by tests conducted by Northrop Ventura. Strength of nylon, after two weeks in vacuum chamber, reduced up to 20%; after seven minutes exposure to normal atmosphere the nylon returned to within 2.3% original strength. (M&R, 4/20/64, 21)
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