May 14 1964
From The Space Library
ZOND I interplanetary spacecraft made a course correction maneuver 13 million km. from earth, according to Soviet news agency Tass. Radio signals from ground command station brought the spacecraft "into an assigned position," and onboard engine "boosted the station's speed by about 50 meters per second." Tass said the maneuvers of the "test session" were performed successfully, "thereby allowing the solution of problems connected with the precise correction of trajectory of the automatic cosmic apparatuses. ' (Tass, Pravda, 5/19/64, ATSS-T Trans.)
Completely assembled four-stage NASA launch vehicle was transported for first time in an airplane, the 72-ft.-long Scout flown from NASA Wallops Station to Langley AFB, Hampton, Va., in C-133 transport. Flight was initial test of procedures being considered to improve efficiency and reliability of launch vehicle operations. (NASA Release 64-117; Wallops Release 64 -42)
NASA announced Collins Radio Co. and Philco Corp. had been selected for final competition for prime contract to provide Apollo Network S-Band Systems. Estimated $5-million contract called for basic purchase of two complete tracking and data acquisition systems with 30-ft.-diameter antennas and three electronic subsystems. The band would handle such functions as tracking, telemetry, and TV and voice communication. (NASA Release 64-116)
25-hour high-altitude balloon flight was completed when 100-lb. instrument package was dropped from the balloon near Oakwood, Tex., where it was "recovered in good shape." Released from the Palestine, Tex. National Center for Atmospheric Research station, the balloon carried instrumentation to study cosmic rays to altitude of 120,000 ft. (Houston Post, 5/15/64)
JPL dedicated its new Space Flight Operations Facility at Pasadena, Calif., the facility to act as command center for future unmanned space flights to the moon and planets. Participating in dedication ceremonies were Sen. Clinton P. Anderson, Rep. George P. Miller, Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., Dr. Homer E. Newell, Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, and Dr. William H. Pickering. At dedication ceremony, radar signal was bounced off planet Venus, the 83 million mi. round trip taking seven minutes and 25 sec. (SBD, 5/14/64, 75-76; AP, Houston Post, 5/14/64)
At the dedication of the JPL Space Flight Operations Facility, Dr. Homer E. Newell, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, remarked: "Often in our discussions of the Space Program we refer to the "manned program" and the "unmanned program. We even talk about manned space science and unmanned space science. Strictly speaking, this is loose talk. There is, in fact, no such thing as unmanned science. Man and his thinking are the prime ingredients of science. "In the Space Program, it becomes simply a matter of where the man is in relation to his instruments and measuring devices. For those space missions that we call unmanned, man is back on earth while his eyes and ears and other senses are extended electronically and mechanically far out into space by the spacecraft and its instrumentation From his remote position, he must monitor, issue commands, receive and record data, make routine or emergency decisions as required in a continuing interchange with his inanimate partner out in space. "It is to make this partnership effective and productive of data, measurements, observations, and information that a centralized facility like the SFOF is necessary. . . ." (Text)
Langley Research Center announced three key management appointments : Mr. Eugene C. Draley was appointed Assistant Director for Flight Projects; Dr. John E. Duberg was named an Assistant Director in charge of the research activities of the Dynamic Loads Div. and the Structures Research Div., and Mr. Francis B. Smith was appointed Assistant Director responsible for the Analysis and Computation Div., the Instrument Research Div, and the Space Mechanics Div. (LARC Release)
NASA announced it would negotiate contract with General Electric Co.'s Valley Forge Space Technology Center to design and build gravity-gradient stabilization system for Advanced Technological Satellite. Contract was expected to exceed $5 million. The GE devices would be flown on three satellites; in addition, GE would supply two prototype and two engineering gravity-gradient system models plus ground operations and data analysis. (NASA Release 64-115)
Tenth anniversary of directive to accelerate Atlas ICBM development program. Ten years ago General Thomas D. White, then USAF Vice Chief of Staff, directed that Atlas ICBM program proceed with highest USAF priority. (AFSC Releases)
Explosion and fire destroyed Atlas F ICBM site near Frederick, Okla. The missile was not armed, and there were no injuries in the explosion. This was fourth such event in less than a year and prompted renewed inquiry into the situation by Senate Preparedness Subcommittee. (UPI, Wash. Post, 5/15/64; M&R, 5/25/64, 11)
Federal Judge Stephen Chandler refused to reinstate State District Court's temporary restraining order against FAA's sonic boom tests at Oklahoma City, and FAA resumed its schedule of eight flights per day. (AP, Wash. Post, 5/14/64; AP, Balt. Sun, 5/15/64)
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