Oct 27 1961
From The Space Library
Largest known rocket launch to date, the Saturn 1st stage booster, successful on first test flight from Atlantic Missile Range. With its eight clustered engines developing almost 1.3 million pounds of thrust at launch, the Saturn (SA-1) hurled water-filled dummy upper stages to an altitude of 84.8 miles and 214.7 miles down range. In a postlaunch statement, Administrator Webb said: "The flight today was a splendid demonstration of the strength of our national space program and an important milestone in the buildup of our national capacity to launch heavy payloads necessary to carry out the program projected by President Kennedy on May 25. We in NASA deeply appreciate the contribution by the military services and American industry in achieving this important milestone. " Development of Saturn had begun under Advanced Research Projects Agency auspices in 1958.
Goddard Space Flight Center and Geophysics Corp. launched Nike-Cajun rocket from Wallops Station with 60-pound payload that reached 90-mile altitude in a study of electron density and temperature in the upper level of the atmosphere.
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory scientists reported that Discoverer XVII nose cone (launched November 12, 1960, from Pacific Missile Range) had picked up tritium—product of a solar flare in which hydrogen and helium combine at high energies. While recovered satellite capsules often pick up some tritium, capsule of Discoverer XVII had 100 times the normal amount.
Secretary of Defense McNamara announced that progress of the Administration's accelerated defense buildup made unnecessary the use of additional defense funds appropriated by the Congress above the amount requested by the administration. The Congress had voted $514.5 million for additional long-range bombers; $180 million additional for the B-70; and $85.8 million additional for Dyna-Soar.
Second NASA honor awards ceremony in Washington: Dr. Abe Silverstein, new Director of the Lewis Research Center, received NASA's Outstanding Leadership Medal; William O'Sullivan of Project Echo received the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Award; and George D. McCauley received the Sustained Superior Performance Award. Other NASA personnel who had received NASA or non-Federal awards during NASA's third year were also recognized.
Comdr. Alan B. Shepard, Jr., awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Distinguished Service Award in New York City.
All-out speed trial of X-15 postponed because of heavy cloud cover, a flight aimed at 4,100 miles per hour.
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