Oct 7 1964
From The Space Library
NASA, launched two Nike-Apache sounding rockets from Wallops Island, Va., with payloads to measure upper atmosphere winds and obtain measurements of earth's magnetic field. The launches were con-ducted within 15 min. of each other to study possible correlation of ionospheric current system and wind shears. First payload ejected tri-methylaluminum vapor trail up to 107-mi. altitude, and the bluish-white cloud was visible for several hundred miles. Payload also contained instruments to measure electron temperature and density. Second experiment carried 58-lb. payload of instruments to measure earth's magnetic field. The experiments were conducted at dusk and would be followed by two similar ones at dawn the next day. (Wallops Release 64-70; NASA Release 64-260)
NASA Argo D-4 launch vehicle launched from Wallops Island, Va. carried instrumented payload to altitude of about 625 mi. in 18-min. flight terminating in impact in the Atlantic Ocean. Designed and built for NASA by Lockheed Missile and Space Co., the experiment measured composition and density of positive ions as a function of altitude from about 150-mi. altitude to peak. (Wallops Release 64-71; NASA Release 64- 260)
Inauguration of SYNCOM III communications link from Tokyo via ground station at Kashima, Japan, and SYNCOM III hovering above the Pacific, to receiving station at Pt. Mugu, Calif., for transmission to U.S. television stations. Special program featured pre-taped appearances by President Lyndon B. Johnson, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Foreign Minister Etsusaburo Shiina of Japan, and Communications Minister Zitsuzo Tokuyasu of Japan. President Johnson called the new comsat link an opening of "new vistas of friendship and understanding in the fields of education, cultural exchange, business and entertainment." ComSatCorp officials were said to be pleased with quality of reception. Opening ceremonies of 1964 Olympic Games Oct. 10 were scheduled for transmission via the comsat link. (ComSatCorp Release; WSJ, 10/ 8/64)
American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) announced nomination of Richard E. Horner, Senior Vice President of Northrop Corp., as AIAA president far 1965. Mr. Horner served as the first Associate Administrator of NASA (June 1959-July 1960) and before that as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Research and Development. (NYT, 10/8/64)
One-year program of general orientation for 60 recent university graduates beginning their professional careers at NASA Langley Research Center began with ceremony presided over by LaRC Director Dr. Floyd L. Thompson. (LaRC Release)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb said in his remarks in Grand Rapids, Mich: "We have a fighting chance to maintain our schedules for the manned lunar exploration mission in this decade. By so doing, we will increase our ability to operate in space for any mission the national interest may require. And we will be using space for peace, discouraging those with other ideologies from political propaganda or military threats.. . ." (Text)
C. Leo de Orsey, attorney for the seven NASA Mercury astronauts, revealed former astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. (Lt. Col., USMC) had turned down a $1,000,000 contract with private industry in 1963. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 10/7/64)
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, East Germany displayed two tactical surface-to-surface missiles apparently comparable to U.S. 300- mi.-range Sergeant missile. (Balt. Sun, 10/8/64)
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