Mar 29 1962
From The Space Library
In testimony before a subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, Commander of AFSC, discussed the "reciprocal support" between NASA and the USAF, and the national requirement for military space weapons systems. He pointed out that: (1) 102 USAF officers were assigned full-time with NASA as well as 23 Navy and 33 Army; (2) $49 millions of NASA support was funded by the USAF through FY 61 and over $200 millions in FY 62; (3) $270 millions of NASA funds were processed under cognizance of AFSC during FY 61; and (4) NASA use Of USAF booster, launch, and tracking capabilities and the joint N-15 program further demonstrated "the work NASA and the Air Force are doing together as a team." Gen. Schriever pointed to the fundamental capabilities of future space weapon systems and the assignment by the Secretary of Defense of major responsibility for military space systems development to the Air Force.
President Kennedy sent to Congress a reorganization plan that would establish an Office of Science and Technology within the White House staff. Its director would advise and assist the President on (1) major science policies and programs in the Federal government; (2) assessment of scientific and technical developments for effect on national policies; (3) review, integration, and coordination of major Federal science activities; (4) ensuring "good and close relations" with Nation's scientists and engineers. President said this would leave the National Science Foundation free to concentrate on fostering basic research and science education.
NASA announced selection of Republic Aviation Corp. as contractor for Project Fire, the flight re-entry research program. Contract would call for construction of two re-entry spacecraft to be flown in the second half of 1963 and re-enter the earth's atmosphere at a speed of 25,000 mph.
A four-stage NASA Scout rocket carried P-21A probe payload 3,910 miles into space and 4,370 miles downrange from Wallops Station, Va. In 97-minute flight measurements were taken of the ionospheric electron density profiles, ion density, and types of ions, data needed to improve communication between earth and space.
European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO) formally came into being when a convention was signed in London between Great Britain, France, West Germany, and Italy to develop the rocket vehicle to launch a satellite from Woomera, Australia, in 1965. First stage would be the British Blue Streak rocket, second stage the French Veronique, third stage would be developed by West Germany. The Netherlands, Belgium, and Australia were expected to join the organization soon.
Second altitude record attempt in two days by X-15 was scrubbed just before drop from B-52, caused by failure of inertial guidance system.
McDonnell Aircraft Corp. first showed Gemini capsule mock-up, at St. Louis plant.
Subcommittee of the Senate Antitrust and Monopoly Committee headed by Sen. Estes Kefauver opened bearings on propriety of establishing a privately-owned communications satellite system.
Ambassador Francis T. P. Plimpton, chief of the U.S. delegation to the U.N. Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, invited the 28-nation committee to inspect launching facilities at Cape Canaveral in April. Chairman Franz Matsch of Austria announced that technical and legal subcommittees would meet in Geneva on May 28 to start detailed work on space control programs.
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