May 10 1963
From The Space Library
Astronaut Leroy Gordon Cooper (Maj., USAF) and Project Mercury launch crews conducted simulated MA-9 final countdown and launching. (AP, NYT, 5/11/63,4)
Flight of X-15 No. 3 piloted by Maj. Robert Rushworth (USAF) canceled less than 10 min. before release from B-52 mother ship because of malfunctioning hydraulic system. (UPI, Wash, Post, 5/11/63)
USAF announced launching of unidentified satellite using Atlas-Agena booster launched from Pt. Arguello, Calif. (UPI, Wash. Post, 5/11/63)
USAF placed into orbit two 1.5-lb. Tetrahedral Research Satellites (TRS), and a 50-lb. Project West Ford satellite, launched pickaback aboard an unidentified satellite using an Atlas-Agena B booster. TRS's were to measure solar cell radiation damage. West Ford satellite was ejected on the same day of its launch. The satellite was to place a ring of metal fibers in a belt around the earth for passive communications experiments; experiments were successful and effect of 400 million copper filament belt on radioastronomy was found to be negligible. Natural decay of belt expected as planned. (UPI, Wash. Post, 5/11/63; Press Rpt. on Space, 1963,1/27/64 )
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center Director Dr. Robert R. Gilruth announced revision of management responsibilities, dividing operational from developmental activities within MSC projects. Walter C. Williams, Deputy Director for Mission Requirements and Flight Operations, would develop mission plans and rules, crew training, ground support and mission control complexes, and would manage all MSC flight operations; concurrently, Williams would be Director of Flight Operations in NASA Office of Manned Space Flight, with complete mission authority during flight tests of Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. James C. Elms, Deputy Director for Development and Programs, would manage all MSC manned space flight projects, including total project planning, and would plan, organize, and direct MSC administrative and technical support activities. (MSC Release 63-88)
NASA announced Flight Research Center had purchased three F-104 aircraft from Lockheed California Co. The F-104's would modified for NASA use in many research programs, including simulated landing of X-15 rocket research aircraft. (FRC Release 10-63; NASA Release 63-98)
Senate Republican Policy Committee made public its report questioning priority of U.S. manned lunar program. "The question is not ... whether man will ultimately reach the moon and beyond. The question is, rather, how shall it be done, and whether other aspects of human needs should be bypassed or overlooked in one spasmodic effort to achieve a lunar landing at once . "A decision must. be made as to whether Project Apollo is vital to our national security or merely an excursion, however interesting, into space research. "If our vital security is not at stake, a less ambitious program maybe logical and desirable." (CR, 5/14/63,7916; Toth, NYT, 5/11/63,1,6)
NASA Deputy Associate Administrator and Director of Manned Space Flight D. Brainerd Holmes, addressing Tenth Annual Conference for Engineers and Architects, Ohio State Univ., said "The nation has a pool of about 1,400,000 scientists and engineers, which is expected to grow to 1,900,000 by 1970. At present, between 250,000 and 300,000 of these are employed in the aerospace industry. NASA employs more than 9,200 of these on its own staff and, through contract, accounts for the employment of about 32,800 others. Thus the space program occupies something over 3% of the national pool of scientists and engineers. We expect that this proportion will rise gradually, to a little more than 6% in 1968. "There is no evidence that this growth of the manpower requirements for space is interfering with consumer research and development. Nevertheless, as a consumer of scientific and technical manpower, we feel a responsibility to do our part to maintain and increase the supply. "Because of this responsibility, NASA is . . , providing about 35 million dollars to universities for research projects, and 10 million dollars have been granted for university facilities. Under the graduate training grant program, 88 universities have funds for 796 fellowships. It is expected that this number will increase . . " (Text)
In column discussing hostility of some leading U.S. scientists to the "rotarian character" of the space program, Joseph Kraft pointed out the inherent stimulation of science: "To be sure there is something seedy about using the space program as a cover for serious scientific inquiry. Still the atmosphere of the affluent society offers only rare openings to direct public energies and resources to purposes that are not vain. For the most eminent scientists to overlook the powerful grip of space on the public imagination would be to forego an almost unique opportunity for the advancement of science. Which of them would have forgiven Galileo had he turned his back on the heavens because a donor whose heart was impure held out the telescope?" (Wash. Eve. Star, 5/10/63, A9)
President Kennedy, in discussion following his address to trustees of Committee for Economic Development, said he expected U.S.S.R. "to make additional spectacular efforts" in space within next few months. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 5/10/63, A6)
In letter to Sen. Clinton P. Anderson (D.-N.M.), Chairman of Committee, on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, Sen. Margaret Chase Smith (R.-Me.), ranking minority member, recommended the committee carefully re-examine U.S. space activities and resource allocations "because I think the priority given the manned lunar program is more of an issue now than it was 2 years ago . . "It is interesting to note that criticisms expressed concerning the allocation of funds within the space budget, and the amount of the total budget, are coming from members of both political parties as well as from some scientists and engineers who are not identified with either party. "I do not, therefore, regard NASA's budget for fiscal 1964 as a partisan matter . . . ." Otter, 5/10/63, m CR, 5/13/63, 7803) )
D-558-II Skyrocket dedicated in ceremony at Antelope Valley College, Lancaster, Calif., where it would be on permanent display. Designed and built by Douglas Aircraft Co. with cooperation of USN and NACA, research aircraft was first to fly twice speed of sound (mach 2.01, on Nov. 20, 1953). Antelope's Skyrocket was third model; first two were on display at Smithsonian Institution and Claremont, Calif., Air Museum, respectively. (Dedication Program)
Dr. Raymond H. Wilson, Jr., Chief of Applied Mathematics in Research Directorate, NASA Office of Advanced Research and Technology, received $200 NASA award for invention of method for magnetic steering of spacecraft by controlled spin-damping. (NASA Release 63-100)
Establishment of Div. of Space Sciences and Applied Physics in Catholic University's School of Engineering and Architecture was announced by Rt. Rev. William J. McDonald, Rector of the Univ. (Wash,. Post, 5/11/63)
Nike-Zeus antimissile missile flew off course during flight test at White Sands Missile Range and had to be destroyed by range safety officer. (Space Bus. Daily, 5/13/63, 607)
Soviet destroyer reported to be sailing in waters south of Bermuda, in position to observe re-entry of RDF-1 payload to be launched from Wallops Island, Va. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 5/11/63)
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