Feb 14 1963
From The Space Library
NASA SYNCOM I communications satellite launched into orbit by Thor-Delta vehicle from AMR, entering a highly elliptical orbit. About five hours later, apogee-kick motor was fired for about 20 seconds in maneuver designed to place the satellite into near-synchronous, 24-hour orbit 22,300-mi. above the earth. At about the time the apogee-kick motor completed burning, ground stations lost contact with the satellite and could not confirm a synchronous orbit. NASA officials assumed that "the satellite's spin axis was misaligned at the time of the apogee motor firing. Because of this they have been unable to determine whether the satellite is damaged." Attempts to make contact with SYNCOM were continued. SYNCOM I was to have hovered at a nearly fixed longitude over the Atlantic Ocean and traced every 24 hours a figure-8 pattern approximately 30° north and 30° south of the equator; this path would be close enough to true synchronous orbit-stationary hovering at speed equal to that of earth's rotation - to determine if synchronous orbital communications satellites were feasible. Experiments with SYNCOM were to have included telephone and teletype communications transmitted between New Jersey and Lagos Harbor, Nigeria. Syncom was NASA project, supported by DOD ground stations and communications experiments. (NASA Statement, 2/14/63; AP, Wash. Post, 2/14/63, A1; NASA Syncom Release, 1/29/63)
Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, NASA Deputy Administrator, addressing Cleveland-Akron sections of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), stated "a few of the social and moral responsibilities of scientists working in this field [of space science and technology] "(1) To search for knowledge of the facts and to conduct our work with devotion to intellectual honesty and objectivity. "(2) To carry out our part of the national program of space exploration in such a manner as to obtain maximum benefit to the welfare of the nation and all mankind. "(3) As citizens to lend our influence to the establishment of societies of free men in a peaceful world providing not only material benefits but also incentives for mental and spiritual growth and accomplishment. "(4) To realize in our job and daily contacts the highest moral aspirations and ideals of which we are capable." (Text)
Astronaut M. Scott Carpenter addressing the USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas, said: "The main goal of Project Mercury is to prove the design and engineering concept and the usefulness of Man in space, but the capabilities of the Mercury system can be stretched only so far. I had hoped that the flight of "Aurora Seven" would be a humble beginning in the gathering of scientific data from space about the universe in which we live. In the three short months that preceded the flight, we developed many special instruments for this purpose. . . . There is untold wealth of information to be gained as a result of space flight if we turn our talents and curiosities in that direction. "I have worked closely with scientists from many fields, but perhaps most closely with those in medicine. "There have been some wonderful intangibles I attach to working with these men. They are more than vein probers, brain pickers and pulse takers. I am continually challenged by their curiosity and insight, and fascinated by their research. I respect their intelligence and I treasure their friendships. "It is this intelligence, this special education and innate curiosity scientists of all types have in common that demands they be included in future space flights. "Perhaps one day the astronaut will be the least important person aboard as he ferries a cargo of astronomers, geologists, biologists, and flight surgeons to Mars." (Text)
Arthur S. Flemming Awards for outstanding contributions to Federal Government were presented to five administrators and five scientists at D.C. Junior Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Among the scientists were NASA's George M. Low, Director of Spacecraft and Flight Missions, Office of Manned Space Flight, and Edgar M. Cortright, Jr., Deputy Director of Office of Space Sciences. Other three scientists were Joseph F. Saunders, head of NRL Medicine and Dentistry Branch; Norman J. Doctor, physicist at Army Diamond Ordnance Laboratories; and Charles M. Herzfeld, director of non Ballistic Missile Defense. (Wash. Post, 2/11/63, A8)
Catalytic Construction Co. of Philadelphia was selected by NASA for negotiations of contract to build, install, and test synchro-cyclotron and related equipment and services for Space Radiation Effects Laboratory, to be built in Newport News, Va., under NASA Langley Research Center management. Expected to be completed in mid-1965, laboratory would be used for simulating high-energy corpuscular radiation encountered in proposed NASA space flights, and studies would include effects of radiation on spacecraft materials and components as well as means of shielding against radiation. (NASA Release 63-30)
Representative George P. Miller (D.-Calif.) submitted article by A. A. Mikhailov, Director of the U.S.S.R.'s Pulkovo Observatory on the American astronomer, William Wallace Campbell (1862-1938) in the Congressional Record. Appearing in Soviet journal called Nature, article reviewed work of Dr. Campbell at the Lick Observatory in San Francisco, where he pioneered in stellar photography and the determination of stellar motions (1890-1923). (CR, 3/1/63,1086-87)
Dr. Franklin A. Gifford, Jr., was awarded Dept. of Commerce's Gold Medal for Exceptional Service for his "major contributions to science and administration, for extremely significant research and outstanding leadership in the study of turbulent diffusion in the atmosphere, and for highly distinguished authorship in the field of meteorology." Dr. Gifford is Meteorologist in Charge of the Weather Bureau Station at Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Dept. of Commerce Release WB 63-1)
Mid-February: AF Cambridge Research Laboratories conducted atmospheric-density experiment by droping instrumented mylar sphere to earth from 160-mi. altitude.' Aerobee rocket carried inflatable sphere to desired altitude from Eglin AFB, Fla., the sphere's telemetering equipment transmitting linear accelerometer data, measuring atmospheric drag on the sphere. (DOD Release 35-63)
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