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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 0494.PDF
FUOHT International, 20 February 1964 303 US Space Projects: Annual Report for 1963 THE year 1963 was a period of constructive development ofour increasing space competence. It was also a period ofsearching evaluation of the national space programme— an evaluation which resulted in broad acceptance of the policy of our attaining and maintaining space leadership, with due regard for our national security." This summary by President Lyndon B. Johnson prefaces the 1963 report on US aeronautics and space activities presented to Congress on January 27. The report includes 12 chapters covering the work of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, NASA, Depart- ment of Defense, Atomic Energy Commission, Department of State, National Science Foundation, Department of Commerce, Space Science Board, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Federal Aviation Agency, Federal Communications Commission and US Information Agency. Major items of interest or news are given in the following quotations from the report:— National Aeronautics and Space Council During this year, the US was successful in placing about 60 satellite pay- loads into Earth orbit, raising the nation's total from the beginning of the space age to approximately 180. The Soviets put about one- third as many payloads into Earth orbit during 1963, although they were sufficiently heavier than ours to keep their lead in total weight orbited. The overall country-to-country orbital payload ratio numerically is more than three to one in favour of the US. In the light of available information, it also appeared that the ratio of successes to failures was approximately comparable for both countries as the launching vehicles of each showed a trend toward improved reliability. By the end of 1963, the US had under development more powerful rockets than any the Soviet Union had in operation. This country remained well ahead of the USSR in putting space competences to direct use in improving man's living on Earth by weather, communi- cations and navigation satellites. Although the USSR must be credited with potential ability to do so, it has not developed com- parable programmes for the benefit of mankind. At the same time, however, the Soviets maintained their lead in large operational rockets, near-rendezvous experiments and the life sciences aspects of space. They launched more weight into space, their astronauts spent more time flying outside the atmosphere, and their inter- planetary effort was significantly greater. Their accumulation of data and experience made plain that they have an orderly, step-by- step programme which has impressed the world with their accom- plishments. The National Aeronautics and Space Council has been guided by the premise that the US will become the world's leading spacefaring nation and that it will dedicate its space competence to improving and maintaining the peace. To this end, our national space pro- gramme has been designed to increase our knowledge of the space environment and the fundamental facts of nature; to master the technology of manned and unmanned spaceflight; to explore the solar system; to increase our national security; and to utilize the results of space technology and discovery to achieve a broad range of economic and social benefits. Our goals include increased inter- national co-operation in the use of outer space for peaceful purposes, the development of the regime of law for outer space for peaceful purposes, and the orderly and open conduct of space-related activities. More critical and detailed examination of the space programme characterized the Congress's approach to budgetary requests for FY1964, particularly regarding the funds for NASA. Although the net result was less than the amount of appropriations needed, it is significant and encouraging that the Congress favoured a substantial increase over the preceding year and hence supported a broad-based accelerated programme. Department of Defense About half of the military space effort, measured in dollar expenditures, is directed toward the development of hardware to meet firm military needs. The remain- der is devoted to the development and maintenance of a base of supporting technology, techniques, and experience intended to sustain a flexible, responsive capability to move rapidly into future system development programmes as future needs evolve. The year was marked by a substantial growth in the reservoir of military spaceflight experience. Accompanying this experience is a growing inventory of space-proven hardware on which flight data are available and from which components, systems and sub- systems can be drawn for application to future programmes. The space environment has become well enough understood to permit spacecraft design with confidence. Test and simulation techniques, equipments and facilities have been developed which permit a greater emphasis and reliance on ground, aircraft and other test and evaluation programmes before commitment to orbital flight. With the fundamentals increasingly well in hand, greater attention is being directed to putting space technology to work and the balance of emphasis is shifting from the past need to explore to a growing competence to exploit. Continuing progress is being made with programme management techniques and with cost estimating. There is a growing expertise in cost-effectiveness analysis as it applies to military space systems and a firmly seated conviction that, to merit support, space pro- grammes must compete favourably when weighed impartially against other feasible alternatives in the context of overall military needs for the present and the future ... The year 1963 witnessed both progress and delays in achieving military space capabilities. During the year a DoD satellite was Artist's impression of the forthcoming USAF manned orbital laboratory (MOL) being launched by a Titan IIIC. The Titan IIIC will be powered at lift-off by two UTC 1,000,0001b thrust solid-propellant rockets; the laboratory will consist of a modified Gemini capsule and a pressurized cylinder, in which astronauts may remain in orbit for up to one month
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