Feb 4 1965
From The Space Library
Nike-Cajun sounding rocket with grenade payload to obtain temperature, wind, density, and pressure data was launched from Wallops Island, Va. to altitude 73.5 mi. (118.2 km.). Twelve grenades were to have exploded during rocket ascent, but two did not explode. All other instruments performed as anticipated. A similar experiment was launched from Point Barrow successfully. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
USAF's XC-142A V/Stol, designed and built by Ling-Temco-Vought, made its first public flight at Grand Prairie, Tex. piloted by John Konrad. Designed to take off and land vertically, the experimental aircraft had a wing that could be moved in flight from the normal horizontal position to a vertical position, enabling it to hover, fly backwards, sideways, and rotate 360° in either direction over the same spot. It could fly forward as slowly as 25 mph without stalling and could be flown at maximum speed of 425 mph; cruising speed was 250 mph. Five of the airplanes would be delivered to Edwards AFB for further tests. (Wash. Post, 2/5/65; Clark, Houston Post, 2/5/65; A&A, 4/65, 8)
Scientists at Boeing Co., Seattle, had devised a "trampoline" bed designed to exercise the blood vessels in a weightless environment, it was reported. Compared in effect to a cocktail shaker, the device, by its to-and-fro motion, would send the blood surging from the head to the feet and back again, Some scientists had feared that days of inactivity in a weightless environment without exercising the blood vessels could result in death to an astronaut. (AP, Newport News Daily Press, 2/4/65; AP, Huntsville Times, 2/4/65; Orl. Sen., 2/4/65)
USAF presented a Lockheed Agena-B to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., for permanent display in the National Air Museum. The Agena had performed as an orbital injection vehicle, space satellite (first to achieve circular and polar orbits), and as an intermediate stage booster for deep space probes. (Smithsonian Release)
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