Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1967

499 Pages·2007·15.27 MB·English

lASA SP-4008
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 7
chronology on Science, Technology, and Policy
Text by
Science and Technology Division
Library of Congress
Sponsored by
NASA Historical Staff
Office of Policy
Scientific and Technical Information Division 1968
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Washington, D.C.
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents
U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402
Price $2.25 (paper cover)
Library of Congress Catalog Card Nmber 6660096
Foreword
The first decade of the Space Age is behind us and now in the hands of the
historians. It was a period of dynamic advance, bringing new appreciations
of our solar. environment and new capabilities to develop and exploit ad-
vancing knowledge and techniques. Since the space challenge of the next dec-
ade is likely to be just as demanding and rewarding as that of the last one,
perhaps we may gain useful perspective by reflecting upon our experiences
even as we contemplate tomorrow.
Ten years ago our planning for the future required the piecing together
and development of the organization and management as well as disciplinary
and technical capability for space exploration. Today our planning for the
future can be based upon well-established and versatile capabilities in science,
engineering, and administration. Reliable space vehicles are available rang-
ing from small sounding rockets to the Titan I11 and Saturn V class vehicles.
The use of automated techniques in space has been demonstrated by the Mar-
iner, Ranger, Surveyor, Lunar Orbiter, Explorer, Geophysical and Solar
Observatories, Tiros, Nimbus, Syncom, the Applications Technology Satel-
lite, and many others. The capability of man himself to function usefully in
space has been,demonstrated in the successes of Mercury and Gemini and
expands rapidly as Apollo proceeds.
Ten years ago we could only assert from intuition and prophecy the value
of space experimentation to science. Now we can point to the profound in-
fluence it has had on the geosciences, on astronomy, and is beginning to have
in life sciences. Thanks to our planetary probes, we have known since 1965 that
the planet Mars has craters like the Moon. Thanks to our lunar probes, a de-
tailed lunar atlas can be prepared.
Ten years ago we could only point forward hopefully to space applications
in meteorology, communications, navigation, and geodesy. Today these are
all operational areas. Global weather photographs are received daily even
in some of the most undeveloped areas of the world. Reliable, live TV broad-
casts bring worldwide historic events and Olympic games into our living rooms
routinely and in real time. Ships in all oceans use signals from satellites to
refine their knowledge of their position; soon aircraft will be doing the same.
Specially instrumented satellites and probes are daily filling in details on the
momentous geophysical discoveries of Van Allen and others.
Ten years ago there was serious question as to whether there would be
enough skilled manpower or public interest to carry out a sustained program
of space exploration. Today great teams of competent scientists, engineers,
and managers are engaged in developing our national space and aeronautical
capability and applying its hard-earned technology to the most rewarding ap-
plications for commercial, industrial, social, and military purposes. Un-
paralleled scientific and technological success in our space venture during the
past decade not only vastly increased our skills and resources but also de-
veloped high confidence in our ability to solve other problems in today’s SO-
ciety. Problems of national defense, oceanography, earth resources, the cities,
I11
N FOREWORD
transportation, population, air pollution, and food-these are challenges that
cannot be sidestepped and for which the innovative enthusiasm and know-
how of the space program offers guidance, inspiration, and technique.
Ten years ago the American space program began by almost doubling its
effort each year for several years; today the program is shrinking and has
been since 1966. Ten years ago mastering space technology was indeed a
major problem. Success was a rare and precious commodity. Today success
is routine and failures are rare. A decade ago the American people were
caught up in a wave of interest in the space venture and in a determined drive
to catch up with the Soviet Union’s bold initiative in space. Today Americans
can take satisfaction in what our Nation has so far accomplished in space;
they should also know that what has been done is only the merest begin-
ning of what can be done. Of course the values of space research, and indeed
of all research, must be weighed against their contribution to national needs.
In making this judgment it is very important that we fully appreciate the
investment we have made and the nature of the dividends we have earned.
This useful chronology on Astronautics and Aeronautics, following the
pattern of its predecessor volumes, offers first documentation upon the multi-
tudinous events, people, and circumstances of the last year of the first decade
of the Space Age. All of us note with sadness the tragic loss of Astronauts
Grissom. White, and Chaffee on January 27. They joined the ranks of other
brave explorers like Magellan and Amundsen who also pioneered man’s first
steps into a newly accessible environment. The world’s shock and grief at
their passing was eloquent testimony to the sense of identification that all
men feel with those few who explore new realms in their behalf. Other events,
though significant, were not so memorable. The first colored pictures of
Earth from the first Applications Technology Satellite or a new world’s speed
record of 4,534 miles per hour by an X-15 rocket aircraft may not be re-
called when one begins to assess the events of 1967. The chronology logs them
for you. The United States launched a total of 87 spacecraft into Earth
orbit or on escape trajectories during 1967. Each one is cataloged here
in the chronology, one measure of the vast sweep of scientific and technical
accomplishment during the year just past. It is at our own peril that we
forget or ignore what we have already experienced; we will simply have to
relearn it if we do.
Today, as we confer a solid “well done” on the gains of the first decade
of space exploration and take the first steps into the second decade, we find
these steps hampered by uncertainty, reservations, and in some quarters even
dismay. Here again words out of history can offer renewed perspective.
Speaking a decade ago, before NASA was created and the national space
commitment was undertaken, a wise statesman of science and technology,
the late Hugh L. Dryden, observed:
We must understand that the kind and magnitude of space pro-
gram that our national interest requires will cost hundreds of mil-
lions of dollars each year for many years to come. I know that some
knowledgeable people fear that although we might be willing to
spend a couple of billions for space technology in 1958, because
we still remember the humiliation of Sputnik last October, next year
we will be so preoccupied by color television, or new style cars, or
the beginning of another national election campaign that we’ll
be unwilling to pay another year’s installment on our space con-
quest bill. For that to happen-well, I’d just as soon we didn’t
start.
FOREWORD V
Fortunately, for the sake of our children’s future if not for the
protection of our own skin, I do not think we are that grasshopper-
minded. . . . We can and we must succeed in finding our des-
tiny in space.
HOMERE . NEWELL,
Associate Administrator,
National Aeronautics and S p eA dministrrttion.

Contents
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111
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33
59
95
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173
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229
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287
32 6
363
395
431
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439
VI1

Preface
In 1961 the first publication by the one-man NASA Historical Staff was a
well-received chronology-Aeronautics and Astronautics: An American
Chronology of Science and Technology in the Exploration of Space,
1915-1960. The following year a volume covering the year 1961 was pre-
pared by the two-man Historical Staff and published by the House Committee
on Science and Astronautics. Also that year began a practice still existent.
Monthly draft chronologies were distributed for use and comment through-
out NASA and the Government, with the object of providing a timely reference
and revising them for an annual printed edition. The 1962 chronology volume,
considerably enlarged over 1961, was again printed by the House Committee.
From 1963 to the present, NASA has published each annual Astronautics and
Aeronautics chronology volume. As far as is known it is the only substantial,
continuing chronology effort in the fields of aeronautics and astronautics.
The reference value of each volume has increased with the passage of time.
In 1964 the NASA Historical Staff joined in partnership with the Science
and Technology Division of the Library of Congress to produce the Astro-
nautics and Aeronautics chronology. Funded by NASA, employees of the
Library drafted the monthly chronology segments, validated critical com-
ments, added new items as later documentation became available, prepared
the revised manuscript for publication, and compiled the intensive index.
This partnership continues.
Thus it was that by the end of the first decade of the Space Age the greatest
share of NASA historical publications had been chronologies. Only a modest
beginning was made on publishing full-fledged volumes in the NASA Histori-
cal Series. The second decade of NASA begins with more narrative histories
in process than chronologies. The reader will find on the inside back cover
of this volume a complete list of NASA historical publications to date.
This annual volume remains the product of a number of hands. The entire
NASA Historical Staff participated in source collection, review, and publica-
tion. At the Library Mrs. Anne Horton (through August 1967) , Charles
Thibault (from September 6n), Mrs. Carmen Brock-Smith, and Mrs. Gay
Arnelle drafted the monthly texts. Mr. Thibault and Mrs. Brock-Smith revised
the monthly drafts for annual publication. Mr. Arthur Renstrom prepared
the index. In the NASA Historical Staff, the general editor was Dr. Frank W.
Anderson, Jr., Deputy NASA Historian. Technical editors were Mrs. Helen
T. Wells (through July 1967) and Mrs. Carrie Karegeannes. Appendix A,
“Satellites, Space Probes, and Manned Space Flights, 1967,” and Appendix B,
M