Sep 30 1964
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (2MB PDF)
X-15 No. 2 flown by Maj. Robert M. Rushworth (USAF) to maximum altitude of 98,000 ft. in flight that reached 3,511 mph (mach 5.19) , from Edwards AFB, Calif. (NASA X-15 Proj. Off.; M&R, 10/5/64,11)
Dr. Gerard P. Kuiper, Director of Lunar and Planetary Observatory at Univ. of Arizona and chief experimenter on RANGER VII lunar-photographing probe, said at MIT conference that much of the moon's surface is naked lava. RANGER VII photographs showed that dark regions of the moon, particularly its seas, were of volcanic origin. Dr. Kuiper said other recent photographs of the lunar seas in various wavelengths, including infrared, showed sharp relief features in the lunar seas that were lava flows. "There cannot ever be one millimeter" of cosmic dust on the surface, he stated. (Sullivan, NYT, 10/1/64)
156-in. solid-propellant motor was fired by Lockheed Propulsion Co., producing about 1.2 million lbs. of thrust in burn time of two min., 35 sec. This was second firing of the motor and was rated "successful in all respects" by AFSC/SSD officials. It produced 30% more thrust than first firing May 28 because it contained about 30% more propellant. The test was particularly significant because it proved out a new nozzle concept; spokesman said the test showed "that we can get rid of the graphite now and use graphite tape-meaning that essentially we can go to a plastic nozzle." (M&R, 10/5/64, 11-12)
Lockheed A-11 (YF-12A), fastest known jet aircraft, was displayed for first time at Edwards AFB, where the plane was flown at only 450 mph for the spectators. Also unveiled was air-to-air interceptor missile. USAF spokesman said the new aircraft-missile combination represented a "tremendous increase" in ability to intercept hostile aircraft. In announcing the aircraft last February, President Johnson had said it had been tested at speeds exceeding 2,000 mph and altitudes exceeding 70,000 ft. (Witkin, NYT, 10/1/64, 1)
Senate confirmed President Johnson's nominations to Board of Directors of the Communications Satellite Corp.: Frederic G. Donner, George Meany, and Clark Kerr. (NASA LAR III/187-88)
NASA announced New York Univ. and Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn would receive grants for construction and renovation of space-related research facilities. NASA grant to NYU would amount to $582,000 and to Brooklyn Tech, $632,000. (NASA Release 64-55)
Rep. J. Edward Roush (D.-Ind-), speaking in the House, refuted contention of Sen. Barry Goldwater (R.-Ariz.) in June issue of Science and Mechanics that " "all manned, space research should be directed by the military, with national security and control of the access to space as primary goals." "To turn all manned research over to the military would be contrary to the purposes and, goals this Nation established even before the beginning of the space age. It is so contrary it can be considered reason for the greatest of alarm. . . . "[It] would violate the very spirit as well as the underlying principles of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. To cause a change in such control would create distrust throughout the world about our intentions. . . . "If we suddenly announce a change in our goal of conquering space for peaceful reasons to one of military reasons I am convinced we would lose a number of . . . [our tracking stations]. Even more important we would lose the confidence of the world in our stand that we are a peace loving nation. . . ." (CR, 9/30/64, 22454)
Stanford Research Institute was being awarded $1,409,346 contract for study and evaluation 'of Nike-X system's potential effective-ness, DOD announced. Nike-X project at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., awarded the contract. (DOD Release 708-64)
Report of Aviation Human Resources Study Board, created by FAA last February and chaired by Dan A. Kimball, was released by FAA. Study showed that career planning and manpower training were deficient for meeting needs of civil aviation for the next 20 years. Comparatively few people under 30 were now learning to fly. Enrollment in aviation courses had declined, number of schools offering aviation training was decreasing, and only a few military trained airmen were seeking professional aviation careers. Number of professional pilots needed by airlines and general aviation was estimated at 3,650 in 1965, 4,300 in 1970, 5,700 in 1975, and 6,300 in 1980. Report urged expansion of on-the-job and apprenticeship training programs, scholar-ships, extensive career motivation programs, and other measures. (FAA Release 64-89)
September 30-October 1: FAA sponsored National Aviation System Symposium in Washington, which was attended by leaders of airlines and aircraft manufacturing and officials in other Government agencies. In address at the symposium FAA Administrator Najeeb E. Halaby discussed current national air space system and forecast the future of aviation. He outlined some aviation goals: "It is in the national interest to see the products of our entire aviation industry sold to the other nations of the world. . . . [Also, we must] promote the use of our concepts, techniques and procedures of managing an airspace and an airport system. "In my opinion, our most important domestic goal is the establishment of a truly effective air transportation system. In terms that the traveling public can understand, this means the connection of any two population centers within the United States by a door-to-door travel' time of not more than 8 hours. . . . "Finally, there is an over-riding goal which must be uppermost in the minds of everyone. None of the accomplishments I have already discussed will be possible if they are not accompanied by improvements in air safety and, here, primary reliance must be on the aviation community itself. . . ." (Text, CR, 10/2/64, 23043-46)
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