Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1964 - NASA's History Office

536 Pages·2007·16.1 MB·English

NASA SP-4005
A S T R O N A U T I C S A N D
A E R O N A U T I C S , 1 9 6 4
Chronology on Science,Technology, and Policy
Prepared by the NASA Historical Staff,
Office of Policy Planning
Scientific and Technical Information Division 1 9 6 5
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Washington, D.C .
~
FOR SALE BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS. US. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
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Foreword
The year 1964, the seventh of the space age, was a year 6: achievement,
especially in space science. It was also a building year in which many com-
ponents and techniques basic to manned flight capability were proved out.
Because of the foundations laid in 1964, we can proceed with more sureness
toward the long-duration manned missions, culminating with the moon land-
ing, scheduled for the coming years.
The dramatic flight of RANGER VII leads the list of accomplishments. Before
crashing into the moon, the satellite snapped more than 4,000 photographs
of its surface. Many of the pictures were of such high resolution that they
amounted to a thousand-fold improvement over the best taken by earth-
mounted telescopes. MARINER IV is well started on its long journey to Mars.
Early in its flight, it was ordered to perform an intricate midcourse maneuver.
The spacecraft followed its instructions to the letter; and barring accident it
will pass within 5,400 miles of its objective as planned.
NIMBUS I, the first of the second generation of meteorological satellites, func-
tioned long enough to demonstrate that its TV cameras and infrared scanners
could provide day and night weather coverage far superior to that supplied by
its predecessors.
The data produced by these and the numerous other investigations of space
noted in this chronology were sent to more than 2,300 scientists and engineers
in more than a hundred university laboratories and space centers for study
and analysis. These researchers are thus obtaining a broader and deeper
scientific and technical base for their future activities. Scientists and engi-
neers not in space-related work benefit from the creation of a facility that
permits storage and retrieval of data resulting from space experiments.
The buildup of the national capability in advanced research and technology
in the area of aeronautics and astronautics has been more rapid than in any
previous period.
As this chronology shows, many of the basic components and techniques
required for manned flight were proved out during 1964. The seventh suc-
cessful test launch of the Saturn I booster paved the way to the next phase
of the Apollo project. More particularly, it assured that this booster’s more
powerful successors, the Saturn I and the Saturn V, can be relied upon to
discharge their appointed roles in the lunar landing program.
Centaur passed the half-way mark on its way to operational status. Aloqg
with the other test activities, the Centaur flights proved that the use of liquid
hydrogen as an engine fuel had been mastered.
The unmanned Gemini capsule testing was completed except for a ha1
ballistic shot to determine the ability of the heat shield to withstand the tem-
peratures generated by high-speed reentry. The way was thus opened to
proceed in 1965 with manned flights, to practice rendezvous and docking, and
to undertake long-duration orbital missions. Such missions will provide
essential information on the effect of weightlessness and other aspects of the
m
IV FOREWORD
space environment on the human organism. Additionally, the checkout of
many of the components, stages, and subsystems that will go into the Saturns,
the Apollo capsule, and the LEM was finished.
The construction of new ground facilities for housing, handling, and launch-
ing the giant boosters to come was well advanced. Progress was made in
expanding Cape Kennedy to meet the future needs of the program.
During 1964, good headway was made in focusing the resources needed for
the execution of the Apollo program and other manned missions. Some 1,600
prime contractors and thousands of subcontractors went forward with the
design, production, and test of a variety of equipment made for ground test-
ing. ’ NASA’s comprehensive system of ground-testing was largely completed.
In this system, many aspects of the space environment are simulated on the
ground, giving us a capability to subject the equipment to conditions that
will be encountered in flight and thus to uncover difiiculties and find solutions
for them before flight testing begins.
This has a double significance. In the coming months, equipment will
be coming off the production line in greatly increased volume, imposing a
heavy requirement for testing which we will be able to meet. Secondly,
the problems that the simulated environmental testing uncovers, the need
for alterations or improvements that are revealed, can be quickly fed back
to the production lines so that what has been learned can be promptly applied
to equipment in the process of fabrication.
As a result, when the flight-test stage is reached we have greater assurance
that the flight equipment delivered by the contractors will perform according
to specificationsa nd that we can execute the missions that have been scheduled.
Our experience with ground simulation of the space environment has also
supplied information which- has enabled us to upgrade equipment so that it
will outperform its design specifications. Because of this system of ground
testing, the thrust of some of the new boosters has been substantially increased.
Improved manqgement techniques which enhance the effectiveness of the
all-up system wherein the complete unit is tested at once have been put into
effect. Configuration control has been tightened to ensure that systems and
subsystems are compatible and that design requirements are met.
These and other significant improvements were made in NASA’s overall
management system for the production and flight of very large and very
complex rockets and spacecraft. In many ways this system is now further
advanced than any previously developed on an equivalent scale.
The sum of this chronology is an encouraging increase in our space capa-
bilities and experience. The developments cited herein are proof that the
space effort is moving forward on a broad front at a steadily accelerating pace.
These facts give assurance that the National requirement of preeminence
in space will be met.
ROBERTC . SEAMANJSR,.,
Associate Administrator.
Contents

Preface
This chronology is a first step in the historical process of documenting the
dynamic and complex undertaking of space exploration and exploitation.
It was prepared from open public sources to provide a ready reference for
current use as well as for future analysts and historians. This chronicle of
the seventh year of the Space Age also will assist other scholars, students,
and writers. As the years pass perhaps its value may actually increase.
Previous volumes in this series may be of interest to new readers. They
are:
Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1915-1960 (Washington: NASA, 1961,
@ available from Supt. of Documents, GPO, $1.75).
* Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961 (published by the House
Committee on Science and Astronautics, June 1963, available from
Supt. of Documents, GPO, $1.50).
Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1963 (Washington: NASA, 1964, SP40M,
available from Supt. of Documents, GPO, $2.00).
In the preparation of Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1964, Dr. Frank W.
Anderson, Assistant NASA Historian, carried major responsibility. Mrs.
Helen T. Wells drafted the bulk of the text and also prepared the list of ab-
breviations. In the last two months of the year, the Science and Technology
Division of the Library of Congress took over responsibility for the text.
Miss Nancy Ebert (ATSP) prepared the index, while Miss Sara Corbett was
responsible for preparation of the copy, ably assisted by Dema Nappier
(AFEE-1). Lloyd Robbins and Creston ‘Whiting (ATSS-T) continued to
provide timely translations of Russian materials. Center historians and
historical monitors were helpful in validating material as well as providing
items. Without the comments of busy scientific and technical personnel, this
volume would have been much the poorer.
Appendix A, “Satellites, Space Probes, and Manned Space Flights -1964,”
was prepared by Dr. Anderson, as was Appendix B, “Major NASA Launch-
ings, 1964.” As historical documentation and analysis are dynamic processes,
comments and criticism are welcomed at any time.
EUGENME . EMME
NASA Historian (APPH)
Ofice of Policy Planning
VII
January 19M
January 1: NASA position paper on DOD’S Manned Orbiting Laboratory,
embodying eight principles of NASA policy toward the MOL, was made
public. The paper stated:
“The DOD Manned Orbital Laboratory is a single military project
(a specific goal; not a broad program) within the overall National
. . .
Space Program.
“The MOL should not be construed as the national space station, a
separate program currently under joint study by NASA and the DOD.
Such a space station project would be considered under the terms of
the Webb/McNamara agreement on manned orbital research and devel-
opment systems larger than Gemini and Apollo. The MOL is, rather,
a specific experimental test bed utilizing NASAG’se mini project and the
Titan 111 for certain potential military space applications not within
. . .”
the scope of NASA’as ctivities. (Text; Simons, Wash. Post,
1/2/64,1; A&A, 2/64,90; AFM ag., 74)
* Head designer of Soviet spacecraft, name not identified, was interviewed in
“. . .
Izvestiu. His predictions for the next five years: permanently op-
erating orbital stations consisting of sputniks having various purposes
such as providing service in investigating the Earth, the Sun, fore.c .as .ti ng
weather, monitoring the radiation conditions in space, etc.; an
all-purpose radio and TV system for transmitting through space, with
. . .
the aid of the so-called ‘hanging’ (‘stationary’) satellites; ways of
. . .
using space for mail-freight deliveries, requiring high speed, and
. . .
finally passenger service; permanent orbiting stations [where]
regular shifts of scientific workers of the most diversified specialties
. . .
will live and work. In general, during this period flights into
near space and return to Earth will become very commonplace. I think
that in the next five years, many comrades will sojourn in space.”
Regarding “direct investigations in the region of the Moon and on
its surface,” the designer said: “In all likelihood, in the imminent
years such studies can be accomplished only with the aid of small auto-
matic devices transmitting the data to Earth by radio.” (Zzvestia,
1/1/64,1, ATSS-T Trans.)
Two mathematicians at Lawrence Radiation Laboratory of Univ. of Calif.
achieved first accurate description of the orbit of Mars, Univ. of Calif.
announced. The mathematicians, Joseph L. Brady and Edna Vienop,
calculated the planet’s orbit with aid of computers used to develop
nuclear weapons. Brady said calculation left Mercury as the solar
system’s only planet without accurate description of its orbit. (AP,
Wash. Post, 1/2/64, A3)
Beginning of cable circuit connecting New York and Offenbach, West Ger-
many, announced by Dr. Robert M. White, Chief of US. Weather Bureau,
for exchange of meteorological information between North America and
Europe. Inauguration of cable circuit, expected to yield improved
1
2 ASTRONAU’M.C!S AND AERONAUTICS, 1964
reception of weather data because of freedom from radio propagation
occurring on radioteletypewriter circuit, represented major achievement
in global exchange of weather information. International meteorolo-
gical community now was planning for future exchanges using high-
speed computers and communications satellites. (Commerce Dept.
Release WB Sal)
January 1 : Fiftieth anniversary of first scheduled airline flight, from St.
Petersburg to Tampa, Fla., by Benoist flying boat. Plane made two
round-trip flights daily, six days per week across Tampa Bay. 18-mi.
flights took 2 hrs. by steamer, 6 hrs. by car and 12 hrs. by rail. During
‘
50th year (1963) , US. scheduled airlines carried 71,418,000 revenue
passengers 50,361,300,000 mi. (Aerospace, Summer 1964)
January 2: NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, appearing on
CBS radio program “Capitol Cloakroom,” said that before US. and
U.S.S.R. could cooperate in a manned space flight effort, the U.S.S.R.
would have to radically change its secrecy policy in space exploration.
Some changes might be required in US. space policies also. “To con-
duct cooperative manned flights,” Dr. Dryden said, “I think you’d have
. . .
to start from the beginning with a joint team to consider all the
problems together.” Regarding U.S.4.J.S.S.R. agreements reached on
weather satellites, communications satellites, and magnetic field studies,
Dr. Dryden commented that “implementation of the agreements has
. . .
been proceeding rather slowly. We hope they’ll give us some clear
indication as to whether they are ready to exchange cloud pictures in
1964, or not.”
Regarding Project Apollo timetable, Dr. Dry den said that if Con-
gress supported the proposed budget for the project it should be possible
to land a man on the moon by 1970. However, two year’s ccslackyy
built into the schedule to allow for contingencies was lost by the FY
1964, budget reduction. (UPI, N.Y. Her. Trib., 1/3/64; Wilson, Min-
neapolis Morning Trib., 1/3/M)
* President Lyndon B. Johnson said in article for The Journal of the Na-
tional Education Association:
“The nation that has the schools has the future. No less than our
rocket thrusts into outer space, there is urgently needed a national edu-
cation thrust of massive proportions that will help us master the prob-
lems of our age.
. . .
CL figuratively and physically we are building not only a pathway
to the stars but also-hopefully-bridges of understanding here on
earth.
“It is here on earth that our task begins. And for that task, the educa-
tion attainments of our fellow Americans are, in some categories, far
. . .”
less than they should be. (AP, NYT, 1/3/64, 21)
Rep. George P. Miller (D.-Calif.) , Chairman of House Committee on Sci-
ence and Astronautics, announced agreement with National Academy
of Sciences that the academy would serve as adviser to the Congrm.
In recent years NAS, created a century ago by act of Congress, has
established active working relationship with Executive Branch. To-
day’s agreement was to establish similar relationship with the Con-
gress. Agreement was result of recommendation by Subcommittee on
Science, Research and Development, chaired by Rep. Emilio Q. Dad-
dario (D.-Conn.) , which has been investigating relationship of science