Apr 24 1963
From The Space Library
President Kennedy, asked in press conference if he "had any cause to reconsider" his commitment to goals of U.S. lunar program, replied, "We looked at it of course when we proposed our budget for this year. We are looking at it again in relationship to next year's budget. We are also looking at it because of the concern that has been raised in the Congress and out of the Congress. I have seen nothing, however, that has changed my mind about the desirability of our continuing this program. Now, some people say that we should take the money we are putting into space and put it into housing or education. We sent up a very extensive educational program. My judgment is that what would happen would be that they would cut the space program and you would not get additional funds for education. We have enough resources, in my opinion, to do what needs to be done in the field, for example, of education, and to do what needs to be done in space. Now, this program passed almost unanimously a year ago. What will happen, I predict, will be a desire perhaps, possibly, to cut it substantially, and then, a year from now or six months from now, when the Soviet Union has made another new, dramatic breakthrough, there will be a feeling of `Why didn't we do more.' I think our program is soundly based. I strongly support it. I think it would be a mistake to cut. it. I think time will prove, even though we can't see all the answers which we will find in space, that the overall expenditures have been worthwhile. This country is a country of great resources. This program in many ways is going to Stimulate science. I know there is a feeling that the scientists should be working on some other matter, but I think that this program-I am for it and I think it would be a mistake to arrest it." (Transcript., Wash. Eve. Star, 4/25/63, A5)
NASA announced Langley Research Center had requested industry proposals for studying manned orbital research laboratory systems capable of sustaining a four-man crew in space for one year. (NASA Release 63-81; Langley Release)
Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences began hearings on technical and scientific aspects of U.S. space program, preparatory to hearings on NASA proposed FY 1964 budget authorizations. Testifying were NASA Administrator James E. Webb, Deputy Administrator Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, Associate Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., and Director of Space Sciences Dr. Homer E. Newell. (NASA Leg. Act. Rpt. 11/59)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb, testifying before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, said: ". . . It is important to note that the budget requested for the total program of NASA for fiscal year 1964 includes less than $;50,000,000 for new programs. The remainder is to maintain the projects now underway on schedule and to pay the contractors for the work they have obligated themselves to do to meet these schedules. "The policy on which this budget is based is the mastery of space, and its utilization for the benefit of mankind. This mastery, and the relation of our position to those of other nations, will not, be determined by any single achievement. Superiority in the space environment will be won and very likely can be held by that nation which first fashions into usable systems all of the, scientific knowledge, all of the technology, all of the. experience, all of the space launch and terminal facilities, and all of the aids to space navigation required for safety and regular operation. "These are the capabilities and resources which the United States must have, and this budget, is designed to make rapid progress toward acquiring them . . . . (Testimony)
NASA Deputy Director Dr. Hugh L. Dryden discussed accomplishments of NASA's international program and some future trends of U.S. space program in presentation to Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. He described U.S.-U.S.S.R. agreement for cooperation in weather satellite program and mutual experiments with Echo II passive-reflector satellite, and said "The agreement itself provides for the usual sixty-day period during which each nation may change its mind on details and suggest changes. This gives an opportunity for review by various agencies within both governments, and changes can then be made without embarrassment. For that reason, the text of the agreement will not be released until two months from March 20...." Dr. Dryden said Soviet maneuvers in Legal Subcommittee of U.N. Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space were "a small cloud on the horizon" threatening "that this effort toward scientific cooperation may be terminated." He suggested that some scientists in Soviet Academy were non-Communist Party members and were eager for international contacts and cooperation; they apparently were allowed to discuss scientific and technical matters not involving politics. But possibility existed that "political elements" might "shut off" moves toward international cooperation-evidenced by Soviet "tendency to hint that scientific cooperation may not be so easy unless there is agreement on legal matters." (Testimony; NYT, 4/28/63,41)
Dr. Homer E. Newell, NASA Director of Space Sciences, appearing before Senate Committee on Aeronautics and Space Sciences, reviewed status of NASA space sciences programs. "During 1962, the NASA space exploration program entered a new phase of its evolution. We passed beyond the relatively simple satellites and probes which characterized our early years and are heavily engaged in the development of advanced spacecraft and launch vehicles to accomplish the more rewarding, but more difficult missions. In doing so, we met with both dramatic successes as well as some temporary delays. In general, however, the year was one of intense activity and excellent progress.. . ." (Testimony)
Senator Margaret Chase Smith (R.-Maine) read letter from Senator Wallace F. Bennett (R.-Utah) in session. of Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, the letter quoting three scientists who estimated that, at resent pace, 60 per cent of all physical scientists would be working as NASA employees. Senator Bennett called on Republican members of Committee to see what steps were necessary to "prevent this concentration of scientific brains in Government at the expense of our private corporations and universities." (NYT, 4/25/63)
In AIAA speech at Dallas on "Space Policy and Space Management," Dr. Edward C. Welsh, Executive Secretary of NASC. reviewed the national objectives in space: "First of all, there is an over-all policy objective, which the President has expressed as the determination of this country `to become the word's leading space-faring nation.' It is worth mentioning that this is a broad umbrella. . . . Suffice to say that the space program is not. a one-project design nor a short-run episode. It is a growing, expanding, multi :project program, which I predict will become an increasingly significant part of our way of life. As important as it is, the moon project is not the whole space program; it is just one portion and one phase of an over-all program which has breadth through variety and depth far into the future. "A few features of this broad space policy are "1. Its objectives are peaceful . . . the distinction as to what is peaceful and what is not peaceful is a matter of intent and is not determined by what. agency of the government. engages in them... . "2. Our policy asserts that space travel and space exploration are subject to international law and that such activity should be consistent with the provisions of the United Nations charter. . . . "3. It is our policy to Seek increased international cooperation in, and mutually advantageous agreements for, the orderly and open conduct of space and space related activities . . . . "4. It is also our policy that the concept and performance of our space responsibilities Shall be maintained and strengthened as a national program rather than a series of Separate and unrelated projects. . . . "5. There are inherent risks in space exploration, particularly in manned flight, and they must be recognized . . . " 6. While we must continue to improve on State-of-the-art competences, it is essential that we strive just as hard to make so-called quantum jumps in technology and performance . . . . "7. It is a significant element of policy that progress be the joint product of government and private enterprise. . . "In conclusion, the national space program is an essential and dynamic feature of our economy. It benefits the many rather than the few. It strengthens the nation, both at home and abroad. It looks forward rather than backward. It highlights the contributions of the most able technologists and the most able managers and gives them an unprecedented peacetime opportunity to repay more fully the special bonus they have received by living in this great country. "We can afford the space program. We must afford it. We can be satisfied with nothing less than first place to the moon, to the planets, and throughout the solar system." (Text)
Evidence suggesting gigantic explosion in space 100,000 years ago was reported by Dr. Jesse L. Greenstein of Mt. Wilson and Mt. Palomar Observatories. Spectrographic study led Dr. Greenstein to conclusion that there are at least two "radio stars" or "exploding gas clouds in very distant galaxies at distances of 2 billion and 4 billion light ears respectively." Gas of each cloud weighs up to 100 million times as much as the sun, and the objects are 100 times brighter than Milky Way Galaxy. Dr. Greenstein said important consequence of findings was that it Showed possibility of detecting Such objects twice as far away as previously thought possible. Dr. Greenstein reported his findings at National Academy of Sciences meeting in Washington. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 4/25/63)
In press interview at NAS, Dr. Martin Schwarzchild countered scientific critics of the U.S. space program, and said: "I am for it and I think it would be a mistake to arrest it. "The moon project is the Stirring spearhead of a movement under the wing of which man will do real exciting things. . . . We must do an enormous effort of sparkling and grand and wonderful things and out of them one little pearl will come... "Energy in one program will increase the push in all others. T hope art will blossom and pure science and philosophy. The first time you stop the present momentum you will not save money but you will stop the impetus for improving education in this country." (Loory, N.Y. Herald Trib., 4/25/63)
Dr. Colin S. Pittendrigh, prof. of biology at Princeton Univ., urged at National Academy of Sciences meeting in Washington that President Kennedy proclaim U.S. opposition to contamination of Mars by landing probes on that planet. He added that U.S. should make available its research on decontamination to U.S.S.R. Dr. Pittendrigh emphasized he approved decision to relax sterilization of lunar probes but declared his opposition to landing spacecraft on Mars where possibility of life exists. (NYT, 4/25/63 )
USAF Atlas E ICBM was launched by SAC crew from Operational Systems Test Facility at Vandenberg AFB in successful flight test. (DOD Release 585-63)
General Thomas S. Power (USAF), CinC of Strategic Air Command, predicted at AIAA Second Manned Space Flight Meeting that "space potentially offers unique military advantages, and we must anticipate that some nation or nations will endeavor to exploit such advantages to help them attain their political objectives .... We may find that, eventually, the only really survivable command and control structure would be one employing a maneuverable command post in space." (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 4/24/63)
Nike-Zeus antimissile missile successfully performed "strenuous maneuvers" in flight test at White Sands Missile Range, U.S. Army announced. Missile was launched from underground pit and guided by ground-based radar equipment. Information gained during Nike-Zeus development would be used in Nike X antimissile missile system, advanced version of Zeus. (DOD Release 579-63)
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