Oct 2 1964
From The Space Library
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center conducted tests of astronauts floating in model Gemini spacecraft in the open seas, simulating astronauts awaiting recovery after splash-down from space flight. SC project engineers considered the tests successful, despite the fact that the two astronauts became ill while the enclosed spacecraft pitched and rolled in the rough Gulf of Mexico waters. The astronauts considered the heat in the spacecraft to be cause of sickness. Tests were ended after 16 hrs. rather than lasting the planned 36 hrs. because of approaching Hurricane Hilda. Astronaut participants: Lt. Alan L. Bean (USN) and Lt. Cdr. James A. Lovell, Jr. (USN) (Maloney, Houston Post, 10/3/64)
USAF launched Titan II ICBM from Vandenberg AFB with picka-back instrumented capsule equipped to study heat and shock of re-entry. The package containing 25 experiments was provided by General Electric Co. Re-entry Systems Dept for DOD's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA). The Titan II was launched by a SAC crew on routine training mission. (AP, Balt. Sun, 10/3/64; M&R, 10/12/ 64, 10)
John Driscoll, Chairman of Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, met with James E. Webb, NASA Administrator, "to assure him we are ready, willing, and able to discuss with him and to negotiate with NASA for our turnpike location [of NASA Electronics Research Center in Cambridge] in the event the Kendall-Sq. site is not selected." After the meeting Mr. Webb repeated that the Kendall-Sq. location "better meets the requirements" of NASA than any other proposal. Meanwhile, in Boston, Dr. John J. Brennan, Chairman of the Committee for the Preservation of Cambridge Industry, said in press conference that the committee would use every available legal means to prevent location of the NASA center in Kendall Sq. (Boston Globe, 10/2/64)
Sen. Everett Dirksen (R.-Ill.), minority leader in U.S. Senate, filed in the Congressional Record his report of the 88th Congress' activities. The portion dealing with U.S. space program stressed "what priority should be applied" to Project Apollo lunar landing program: "Republican concern over the program is engendered by the belief that far too much of our national technical talent and scientific intellect is devoted to this one project while other, more needed and worthy programs are permitted to flounder for lack of competent, imaginative direction. . . . "The controversy . . . [is] not whether man will ultimately reach the moon and beyond, but rather, how shall it be done, and whether other aspects of human needs should be bypassed or overlooked in the one spasmodic effort to achieve a lunar landing at once. . ." (CR, 10/2/ 64, 23061-68)
First meeting of Interim Communications Satellite Committee, with representatives of 15 nations, adjourned after four days. In its session, the committee approved rules of procedure, appointed Committee Chairman (John A. Johnson, ComSatCorp vice president for international affairs), and heard progress reports on development of global commercial communications system. (ComSatCorp Release; NYT, 10/4/64, 74)
In presentation to NATO's AGARD Frank E. Rom of NASA Lewis Research Center discussed fast and moderated low-power, lightweight nuclear reactors and their applications. Both one- and two-stage nuclear rockets had significantly superior performance over the best chemical rocket systems, Rom said. Further, he said, "The development of a low-power nuclear rocket would be the quickest and least costly way to achieve a practical nuclear powerplant for space use. Since early use of these smaller powerplants would be possible, operational and flight experience would aid in the development of larger nuclear rockets." (UPI Release 64-88)
AFSC announced its Research and Technology Div. had completed tests on most effective method of heating high-pressure air to simulate aerodynamic conditions of earth's atmosphere. Wind-tunnel arc air heater produced direct power current of 5.1 megawatts [previous high was 4.2 megawatts]. During the 5.1-megawatt run, 3.85 megawatts were contained in the gas, representing higher efficiency than had been predicted. New designs based on the test would extend the probable lifetime of a projected 50-megawatt heater to be used in electro gas-dynamic facility being built at Wright-Patterson AFB. Both AFSC's Arnold Engineering Development Center and NASA Ames Research Center would use data from the test program for their work with similar heaters. (AFSC Release 42-R-119)
AEC exploded nuclear device of low-intermediate yield in under-ground test at Nevada site, the 16th weapons-related nuclear test announced by AEC this year. (AP, NYT, 10/4/64, 34)
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