Oct 2 1962
From The Space Library
EXPLORER XIV satellite was launched into orbit by Thor-Delta rocket from Cape Canaveral on mission to study natural and man-made radiation in space. NASA spokesmen said satellite appeared to be following the planned orbital path (53,000-mi. apogee, 185-mi. perigee, 31-hr. period), but scientists could not confirm the exact orbital figures for several days (later confirmed as 61,000-mi. apogee, 175-mi. perigee, 36.1-hr. period). The 89-lb. satellite was injected into orbit at nearly 24,000-mph speed by the three-stage Thor-Delta. This was Delta's 12th straight successful satellite launching.
20th anniversary of first military jet-powered flight in the U.S., a Bell P-59A piloted by USAF pilot Laurence C. Craigie at Muroc, Calif., attained estimated speed of 450 mph. P-59A was powered by two GE I-A engines, each developing 1,250-lb. thrust and weighing 780 lbs.
Project Mercury operations director Walter C. Williams ordered launch countdown to continuo toward MA-8 launch at Cape Canaveral the following morning. Weather conditions which had been under surveillance were considered generally favorable, and all elements of the six-orbit manned space mission were in a "go condition." Nuclear physicist Dr. Edward Teller told 1962 conference of UPI editors and publishers that recent U.S. nuclear tests in the Pacific had "not been quite satisfactory" and that it was his guess "that the Russians are ahead of us in the nuclear race today." NASA Administrator James E. Webb, addressing the Northeast Commerce and Industry Exposition in Boston, said: "The achievement of . . . [U.S. pre-eminence in space] requires that we learn to travel in space as we have learned to travel on the sea or in the air. We must develop what might be termed space power—the capability to utilize space for every purpose which our national interest may require. And, to fulfill the directives established by the Congress, we must develop that competence in space for the benefit of our own people, and of all mankind. . .
"Although creative individual effort is as important today as it has ever been, and the imagination and initiative of the individual remain the primary source of scientific and technical progress, the development and perfection of the complex equipment, the systems and subsystems which are taking men into space arc rarely, if ever, the work of single individuals. Today, teams of talented and imaginative technicians are joined in each major technological achievement . . . ."
Thomas F. Dixon, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator, addressed the Southern Governors' Conference, Hollywood-by the-Sea, Fla., on the role of the South in the Space Age, and remarked: ". . . our space activities are in no sense stunts—spectaculars, if you will—nor will the landing of U.S. astronauts on the moon be our ultimate objective. Rather, the national effort is broadly organized to accomplish rapid advances in science and technology that will make it possible for us to perform any space assignment—military or civilian—that the national interest might require. Furthermore, from lunar exploration, we will go on to wider exploration of the solar system, ventures whose end no man can foresee. . . ." International Association of Machinists rejected contract offer of Aerojet-General Corp. and began a strike. In Washington, a Presidential committee opened talks on labor dispute between IAM and the Boeing Co. United Auto Workers employed by North American Aviation, Inc., had accepted a three-year contract, thus averting strike.
Lewis L. Strauss, former AEC chairman, criticized U.S. manned lunar flight program as seeming "perilously like a stunt." Speaking at United Republican Fund dinner in Chicago, Strauss urged the lunar program be coordinated with military necessity.
Science Service announced that a total solar eclipse would be visible July 20, 1963, in Alaska, Canada, and Maine.
Secretary of Commerce Luther Hodges told news conference that U.S. emphasis on defense- and space-related research was "one of the great dangers" to the productivity of U.S. economy because such research programs attract scientists and engineers away from the civilian economy.
Monetary awards under $1,000 were made to NASA employees for patentable inventions: NASA Ames Research Center—Vernon L. Rogallo; Joseph R. Smith, Jr.; John V. Foster; and Albert E. Clark, Jr.; NASA Goddard Space Flight Center—Harold J. Peake, Stephen Paull, and William A. Leavy; NASA Langley Research Center—William J. O’sullivan, Jr.; George F. Pezdirtz; George F. Look; Frank M. Ballentine, Jr.; Virgil S. Ritchie; Howard F. Ogden; Eldon E. hordes; Donald H. Trussell; Deene J. Weidman; George E. Griffith; Blake W. Corson, Jr.; and Emanuel Schnitzer; NASA Lewis Research Center—Paul F. Sikora; NASA Manned Spacecraft Center—Warren Gillespie, Jr.; NASA. Marshall Space Flight Center—Donelson B. Horton.
AEC announced first U.S. atmospheric nuclear test in the Pacific since July had been conducted near Johnston Island, with intermediate-range yield.
October 2-4: Third Symposium on Advanced Propulsion Concepts held in Cincinnati, cosponsored by USAF Office of Scientific Research and GE Flight Propulsion Division.
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