OF THE 

UNITED STATES 

UNITED STATES 

AERONAUTICS AND 

SPACE ACTIVITIES 

1962 
NOTE TO READERS: ALL PRINTED PAGES ARE INCLUDED, 

UNNUMBERED BLANK PAGES DURING SCANNING AND QUALITY 

CONTROL CHECK HAVE BEEN DELETED 
REPORT 

TO THE CONGRESS 

FROM THE PRESIDENT 

OF THE 

UNITED STATES 

UNITED STATES AERONAUTICS AND 

SPACE ACTIVITIES 

1962 
THE WHITE HOUSE 

Washington 

January 28, 1963 

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: 

In accordance with Section 206 (b) of the National Aeronautics 

and Space Act of 1958, as amended, I transmit herewith a report 

for the calendar year 1962, on this nation's aeronautics and space 

activities. 

The year 1962 was a period of acceleration, accomplishment, and 

relative progress for the United States in its space leadership 

drive. In both numbers and complexity of space projects, the past 

year was the most successful in our brief but active space history. 

The benefits of our peaceful space program, in both its civilian 

and military aspects, are becoming increasingly evident. Not 

only have the horizons of scientific knowledge been lifted, but 

the resulting international cooperation and world-wide dis semination of knowledge and understanding have strengthened the 

world image of this country as a force for peace and freedom. 

The economic benefits of our national space program are also 

revealing themselves at an increasing rate. 

These growing space successes have required the support of 

increasing budgets. Thus, the recommended budget which I 

submitted to the Congress earlier this month contains requests 

for funds for the fiscal year 1964 space program in the total 

amount of $7.6 billion. 

FY 1963, $4.3 billion over FY 1962, and $5.8 billion over 

FY 1961. 

This is an increase of $2. 1 billion over 

In summary form, the accompanying report depicts the contributions of the various departments and agencies of the Government to the national space program during 1962. 

/ John F. Kennedy 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

Chapter I 

Chapter II 

Chapter 111 

Chapter IV 

Chapter V 

Chapter VI 

Chapter VII 

Chapter VIII 

Chapter IX 

Chapter X 

Chapter XI 

Chapter XII 

Chapter XILI 

Appendix A- 1 

Appendix A - 2 

Appendix B 

Appendix C 

Appendix D - 1 

Appendix D - 2 

U. S. Aeronautics and Space Activities -- 

1962 -- Summary. ............. 1 

National Aeronautics and Space Council. . 7 

National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration. ............ 9 

Department of Defense .......... 33 

Atomic Energy Commission ....... 49 

Department of State. ........... 55 

National Science Foundation ....... 59 

Department of Commerce. ....... 63 

Space Science Board. .......... 77 

Smiths onian Astrophysical Observatory 83 

Federal Aviation Agency. ........ 87 

Federal Communications Commission. . 95 

United States Information Agency. ... 101 

\ 

U. S. Launching Record 1957-62. .. 107 

Successful U. S. Launches . 1962. .. 108 

U. S. Space Launch Vehicles. .... 123 

Historical Background and 

Communications Satellite Act of 1962 125 

Historical Summary and FY 1964 

Budget Recommendations. ...... 137 

Space Activities Budget. ........ 139 

EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE COUNCIL 

WASYINOTON 
Chapter I 

U.S. Aeronautics and Space Activities 1962 

SUMMARY 

In 1962 the United States achieved a sure footing on the frontier of space. 

number and the complexity of accomplishments in the national space program revealed to the world the progress that can flow from an energetic application of resources. 

Both the 

While successes in space achievement were characteristic, this past year also contained some delays and disappointments. Lessons learned from the failures as well 

as the successes should contribute to a record of even greater net advance in 1963. 

Foremost among the broad list of accomplishments was the placing of three U.S. astronauts into earth orbits, the Venus probe, intercontinental communication by active 

satellite, acquisition of data from defense launches, and progress in rocket planning 

and development. 

On three occasions, people throughout the world watched as the United States, in an 

entirely "open" fashion, successfully launched an astronaut into orbit and returned 

him safely to earth. By means of a highly sophisticated probe launched toward Vems, 

the United States obtained man's first close-up electronic look at another planet. 

Television shows, telephone and telegraph messages were exchanged via satellite between this country and Europe and the weather satellite system provided continuous 

operational data to aid weather forecasters and those who depend on weather forecasts, all over the world. Satellites to aid the navigation of ships at sea were improved and the first prototype operational navigation satellite completed, and a satellite to provide very precise mapping of the earth's surface was launched. 1962 was 

a year which saw this country launch many scientific satellites to study the most distant reaches of the earth's atmosphere as well as the fields and particles of interplanetary space. 

Important advances toward development of the system that will place U. S. astronauts 

on the moon were made, including the decision to send the three-man lunar spacecraft into orbit around the moon and then to send a segment of the craft, manned by 

two of the astronauts, to the moon's surface. Due to the magnitude of this effort ad 

its high priority rating, a significant portion of space funds and resources was 

devoted to the manned lunar-landing project. However, it was clear from the 

broadly based national program that the lunar effort was but one of a number of 

space objectives and that space leadership calls for space competences in many 

areas including exploration beyond the moon with more advanced technology. 

Cooperative space programs were carried out with an increasing number of countries. 

launched into orbit in cooperation with the United States. 

Satellite payloads were developed by the United Kingdom and Canada and 

In keeping with the U.S. objectives that space should be kept for peaceful use by all 

nations, continuing efforts were made to maintain the freedom of space. 

viously announced policy that military space projects which help keep the peace are 

as peaceful in character as any other space projects was strengthened through public 

The pre1 
explanations which fostered broader pub The United 

States also reiterated its policy of peacef 3 intentions, i. e., not to develop or place 

in orbit any weapons of mass destruction, and at the same time urged that such 

policy be universally accepted. 

understanding of its import. 

An encouraging start was made in the area of international cooperation between the 

two major space powers: the United States and the Soviet Union. A bilateral agreement was carefully developed and was reported to the United Nations: the two 

powers agreeing to coordinate their capabilities toward the establishment of a global 

weather satellite system, in mapping of the earth's magnetic field, and in experiments with communication satellites. 

Aeronautical developments included progress in detailed analysis of the potentialities 

of a supersonic transport, and in development of various types of vertical, and short 

take-off and landing aircraft. A contract was also let for a new high performance 

fighter aircraft for use by more than one of the armed services. 

As with any program which pushes into the areas of unknown scientific knowledge or 

new engineering development, the U. S. national space program experienced its share 

of failures. Also, certain of the projects, though providing some information and 

achieving significant accomplishments, could not be considered complete successes. 

The early attempts to land scientific instruments on the moon failed to send back 

scientific information. The effort to develop a powerful second-stage rocket vehicle 

using liquid hydrogen experienced difficulties. These and other setbacks are being 

analyzed in an effort to provide answers which will help to insure future successes. 

There were many "firsts" for the U. S. National Space Program in 1962, and the 

broad range of successes indicates the magnitude of the U.S. effort to reach out into 

space for knowledge, and for new tools useful to mankind. 

the following accomplishments: 

Of particular note were 

. . . A U.S. astronaut was orbited around the earth three times in our initial manned 

orbital effort with project MERCURY. 

flight, and then by a six-orbit flight. 

This was followed by another three-orbit 

. . . Substantial advances were made toward developing more powerful launch vehicles 

required for two-man orbits, rendezvous and docking, and the lunar mission. 

TITAN II was tested and the first stage of the SATURN C-1 vehicle, which generated 1.3 million pounds of thrust, was twice launched on test missions. 

. . . Plans were initiated to provide a new large launch complex for the SATURN C-5 

booster system at Cape Canaveral. 

Orleans, Louisiana, for the manufacture and assembly of SATURN launch vehicles, 

and land was acquired for test sites nearby at the Mississippi Test Facility for testing large stages. 

Provision was made at the Michoud Plant at New 

. . . MARINER I1 flew within 21,594 miles of Venus, providing much new information 

about that planet. 

. . . TELSTAR demonstrated the transmission of television and other wide-band information over intercontinental distances. 

2 
. . . Commercial use of space communications systems came closer to reality with 

the passage of the Communications Satellite Act of 1962. 

incorporators were selected to form a privately owned and publicly regulated satdllit e communications corporation. 

In accord with this statute, 

. . . Development of satellite inspector capabilities continued through 1962. Program 

assessment resulted in the termination of a prototype coorbital demonstration systa 

and an inspector system definition study was initiated. 

. . . Decision was made to use the Lunar Orbital Rendezvous (LOR) technique to place 

U. S. astronauts on the moon during this decade. 

APOLLO lunar spacecraft, together with its guidance and navigation systems, progressed steadily, and a contract for the design, development and production of the 

Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) was awarded. 

Design and development of the 

. . . Additional astronauts were selected for the expanding manned space projects. 

. . . Construction of NASA's Manned Spacecraft Center near Houston, Texas, was 

begun. 

testing site, and a nerve center for rendezvous missions of GEMINI and for APOLLO 

missions . 

The Center will serve as an astronaut training base, a spacecraft systems 

. . . Using data from the TIROS weather satellites, meteorologists gained increased 

knowledge of the origin, growth and dynamics of hurricanes, tornadoes, fronts, cyclones, jet streams, snow cover, ice conditions, and sea turbulence. 

. . . The first foreign satellite payload, United Kingdom's ARIEL, was put into orbit 

in cooperation with the United States. The launching of Canada's ALOUETTE satellite followed. 

tific satellite launchings. 

other countries throughout the world. 

A joint agreement with Italy called for a cooperative program of scienCooperative space programs were carried out with many 

. . . The TITAN III launch vehicle, standardized to perform a wide variety of space 

missions, was approved for deyelopment. This vehicle was selected to launch the 

X-20 (previously called DYNA-SOAR). 

. . . Development of the X-20 glider system proceeded to a point where fabrication of 

the first gliders is expected to begin in 1963. 

. . . Research did much to solve problems of critical heating during various phases of 

space flight. Studies were conducted on the re-entry heating rates and flight characteristics of various configurations at speeds up to 30,000 m. p. h. 

. . . Previous plans were revised and new plans were developed for a mediumaltitude military communications satellite system. 

tions ship was completed and put to sea for tests. 

The first satellite communica- 

. . . The Space Detection and Tracking System was improved by the addition of a high 

resolution radar sensor element in Alaska. 

array radar expected to possess greater capabilities than existing sensors. 

Construction was started on a phased- 

. . . The TRANSIT satellite navigation system development was continued, pointing 

3 
toward operational deployment to provide worldwide, all-weather navigation to a 

degree of accuracy unattainable from present methods. 

. . . The first Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO) was placed into orbit, providing 

scientists new knowledge about the sun. 

. . . Emphasis was placed on research and technology development of the ICBM 

Alarm system during 1962. 

background discrimination techniques. 

Advances were made in infrared measurement and 

. . . Development continued on an Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) containing telescopes designed to map and record at least 50,000 stars and prepare the way 

for new astronomical knowledge. 

. . . Large solid-fueled rockets with diameters up to 120 inches were placed under 

development, and an intensified effort to develop even larger solid rocket engines 

was initiated. 

. . . Three additional nuclear power units (SNAP) were developed and made ready for 

use in the application satellites. 

. . . A major stride toward development of nuclear rocket engines for operational 

missions was made with the first power operation of a reactor using liquid hydrogen. 

Other programs were directed towards development of a complete nuclear -electric 

power plant capable of meeting space power demands in the 300 to 1,000 electrical 

kilowatt range. 

. . . An improved passive communications satellite (ECHO), 135 feet in diameter and 

weighing 500 pounds, was developed, and prepared for orbital launch. 

. . . A geodetic satellite (ANNA) was launched and is providing tracking stations with 

location data to an accuracy of 100 feet relative to the center of the earth. The satellite is also defining the earth's gravity to an accuracy of five parts in one million. 

This knowledge is aiding more precise mapping, navigation and other scientific 

research. 

. . . The X-15 research rocket-aircraft continued to go higher, and faster, to new 

records on the fringes of space. 

. . . Both the Atlantic and Pacific launch ranges were expanded to meet the demands 

of the accelerated space program. 

. . . The three-stage THOR-DELTA vehicle scored its fourteenth consecutive success 

with the launching of the RELAY communications satellite. 

ATLAS-AGENA continued to be other important workhorses of the U. S. National 

Space Program. 

THOR-AGENA and 

. . . Progress was made in increasing payload capability of the all-solid four-stage 

SCOUT launch vehicle. 

. . . Development of Vertical (VTOL) and Short-Take-Off -and-Landing (STOL) aircraft was intensified, using the tilt wing, tandem tilt propeller, and tandem rotating 

ducted fan principles, with promise for many military and commercial uses. 

4 
. . . EXPLORER satellites, as well as other vehicles, continued to explore and 

measure radiation, high energy particles, and micrometeroids, and to provide information making manned space flights safer and unmanned satellites more reliable. 

. . . A re-evaluation of the RANGER program was made because of initial failures. 

One of the payloads did reach the surface of the moon's far side and two others went 

into solar orbit. 

. . . TheeRELAY communications satellite was launched. 

electrical power prevented its performing its active communication missions, technical efforts were made in anticipation of obtaining successful transmissions. 

Although initial loss of 

. . . Disappointment was experienced in the initial attempt to test-fly the secondstage liquid hydrogen CENTAUR rocket vehicle, but reorganization of the program 

in conjunction with increased development efforts was effected to correct the difficulties. 

. . . The second amateur radio satellite (OSCAR II) was placed into low earth orbit. 

. . . The United States placed more than 50 satellite payloads in orbit during 1962. 

The balance sheet of the U.S. space program during 1962 revealed an impressive 

net worth of new scientific knowledge, improved image of technological competence 

at home and abroad, successful space ventures, and increased devotion of energy 

and resources to space leadership. 

5 
Chapter I1 

National Aeronaptics and Space Council 

The Vice President, as Chairman of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, 

made a summary report to the President on the Council's accomplishments in 1962. 

The text of that report follows: 

Nineteen Sixty Two was a year in which the United States showed clearly 

its ability to translate sound decisions into major space accomplishments. 

Significant progress was made in manned earth-orbiting flights; in communications, meteorology, geodesy, and navigation; in scientific inve stigation; in development of more powerful and more effective rocket engines; 

and in strengthened quality of governmental organization. 

The United States generated a greater rate of space progress than did the 

USSR. However, Soviet accomplishments were also significant. At 

year's end, they were still ahead in size and total of weights placed into 

orbit, in the thrust of their operational rocket engines, and in the development of the art of rendezvousing in space. 

the life sciences and in electronic guidance was noteworthy. 

In addition, their progress in 

The United States was successful in putting more than fifty satellite payloads into earth orbit; the USSR more than fifteen. In addition, both 

nations extended their space explpration toward the planets, such as Mars 

and Venus. Based upon available information, it can be concluded that the 

records of the two countries were closely similar in regard to the ratios 

of space successes to space failures. 

The National Aeronautics and Space Council, acting essentially as a policy 

and management resource for the President, engaged in a wide range of 

activities in the aeronautics and space fields. During the year, the Council 

and its staff, acting upon the basic principle that this country is engaged in 

a national space program rather than a collection of separate and competing 

programs, stressed coordination as between government agencies and contributed its influence toward eliminating duplication. It also attempted to 

dissolve the confusion regarding the peaceful objectives of this country's 

space program by emphasizing that the non-aggression characteristics of 

our military space activities cause them to be just as peaceful as are the 

non-military space activities. 

Due to the openness of our program, the world has become increasingly 

aware of U. S. space achievements and our international prestige has been 

increased due to the mounting number of our space successes, our positive 

efforts to cooperate with other nations, and our constructive sharing of information developed from space experiments. 

portant that we strengthen and then maintain both the policy and the practice 

of making public all information regarding our space program, which will 

not adversely affect our national security. 

It seems particularly im7 
In performing its responsibilities, the Council, directly and through its 

staff, engaged in a wide range of policy and coordinating activities. 

Among these activities were: 

a. 

b. 

C. 

d. 

e. 

f. 

g. 

h. 

i. 

j. 

k. 

1. 

m. 

n. 

0. 

drafted statements of national space objectives and missions; 

prepared and recommended legislation to implement the communications satellite policy; 

assisted in drawing up the criteria and functions as regards the 

incorporators for the communications satellite corporation and 

also reviewed drafts of articles of incorporation and by-laws; 

encouraged, through inter -agency meetings, the coordination of 

NASA and Defense Department plans for communication satellites; 

encouraged and assisted in increasing the emphasis upon life 

sciences activities in NASA and in coordination between Defense 

and NASA in this field; 

participated in the development of plans and policies for increased 

cooperation between the U. S. and the U. S. S. R. in outer space; 

assisted in the preparation of a U.S. resolution, introduced to the 

United Nations, on the peaceful uses of outer space and participated in the development of U. S. positions on space for the 17th 

General Assembly; 

supervised the preparation and conducted the editing of the 

President's Annual Report to the Congress on U. S. astronautics 

and space activities for 1962; 

testified on space policies and space activities before Committees 

of the Congress; 

visited space installations, examined facilities, and discussed 

space developments and problems with managerial and technical 

specialists; 

requested a study of costs and market projections for supersonic 

transports; 

participated in the analysis and development of the Fiscal Year 

1964 budgets for ,space; 

increased the puklic understanding of the national space program 

through speeches, articles, public appearances, and interviews; 

recommended top priority ratings for the APOLLO and CENTAUR 

projects; and 

engaged in numerous inter -agency, as well as government-industry, 

meetings and briefings on new developments in space technology. 

The Space Council held formal meetings on such subjects as the comparison 

of U.S. and Soviet space programs, review of space budget plans and requests, impact of our space program on foreign relations, examimation of 

the role of nuclear propulsion and nuclear power devices in the space program, assignment of priorities for major space programs, evaluation of 

defense plans for space activities, aspects of astronaut recruitment and 

training, examination of schedules and methods for the lunar project, and 

public information aspects of the national space program. 

8 
Chapter 111 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

INTRODUCTION 

During 1962, the fifth year of the nation's space program, the National Aeronautics 

and Space Administration extended United States leadership in the scientific investigation of space; made substantial progress in manned space flight; and mobilized the 

resources required to attain the national goals of manned lunar exploration within 

this decade and ultimate and enduring pre -eminence in space. 

As part of a broadly based space effort, emphasis was placed in 1962 on laying the 

basis for development and operation of the large launch vehicles required in advanced manned space flight programs. Lunar orbit rendezvous, utilizing the Advanced 

SATURN launch vehicle, was selected as the mode for placing the first American 

explorers on the Moon. All major components of the Advanced SATURN and the 

APOLLO spacecraft were placed under contract, and sites were selected and development initiated for the major engineering complexes on the ground which will be 

required to fabricate, test, and launch the huge rocket boosters required in advanced space exploration. 

During the year NASA placed the first American astronaut in earth orbit, and in two 

subsequent manned orbital flights extended knowledge of the effects of prolonged 

weightlessness and other conditions encountered in space. 

Scientific achievements in space included the successful launching of the ORBITING 

SOLAR OBSERVATORY , the most sophisticated satellite yet devised, and of 

MARINER 11, a deep space probe which, in December, passed within 21,600 miles 

of the planet Venus, transmitting extensive information back to Earth before going 

into orbit around the sun. 

Further progress was made in the application of space technology. 

cess of the TIROS meteorological satellite program permitted increased operational 

use of data by the U. S. Weather Bureau and led to partial funding of additional TIROS 

launches by that Agency. Two communications satellites, TELSTAR and RELAY, 

were launched, with TELSTAR providing the first demonstration of international 

television broadcasting . 

Continued SUCNASA activities in aeronautical research were expanded during the year, in which 

all the original design goals of the X-15 research airplane were achieved. Continued 

emphasis was placed on advanced research and technology, not only to support existing programs in manned and unmanned flight, but as' the basis for more advanced 

objectives in the future. 

The year was the most productive to date in the development of international cooperation in space. Two international satellites and 21 sounding rockets were launched 

in cooperation with other nations. 

political jurisdictions brought the total to 61 -- including an agreement between the 

United States and the U. S. S. R. 

Cooperative agreements concluded with other 

9 
Constructive progress was made in the strengthening of the NASA management organization, and in the marshalling of industry, university, and government resources to 

achieve national space objectives. 

LAUNCH VEHICLES AND PROPULSION 

In 1962, NASA made significant progress in developing launch vehicles, launch facilities, and rocket engines. 

Large Launch Vehicle and Engine Development 

Substantial advances were made toward developing more powerful launch vehicles 

required for the APOLLO project as well as for qanned space projects. These 

vehicles include the SATURN, the SATURN B, and the Advanced SATURN. Predevelopment studies of the NOVA-class vehicle were also undertaken. 

The configuration of the SATURN consists of two stages: 

powered by eight H-1 engines (liquid oxygen-hydrocarbon fuel) developing 1.5 million pounds of thrust; and (2) the s-IV second stage, propelled by six RL-10 A-3 

engines(1iquid oxygen-liquid hydrogen fuel), generating 90,000 pounds of thrust. The 

SATURN is slated for use in earth orbital tests of two of the three modules of the 

APOLLO spacecraft. 

(1) The S-I booster stage, 

The second and third unmanned developmental flights of the SATURN were successfully conducted in April and November. 

composed of a live first stage and a dummy second stage. 

In September, NASA approved the development of the SATURN B, an improved version of the SATURN, which will be used for earth orbital flights and rendezvous operations of the complete AP0LI.D spacecraft, including the Lunar Excursion Module. 

This launch vehicle will be composed of a first stage that is to be a modified version 

of the SATURN first stage, and a new second stage (S-IVB), propelled by one J-2 engine generating 200,000 pounds of thrust. 

The next launch vehicle in line will be the Advanced SATURN, composed of three 

stages. 

million pounds of thrust. 

will yield one million pounds of thrust. 

of the S-IVB, which serves as the second stage of the SATURN B; it will have a 

single J-2 engine which will generate 200,000 pounds of thrust. 

the year, NASA selected the Advanced SATURN for development and in July announced its use for lunar-landing missions. 

signed during the year. 

In August, NASA awarded two contracts for studies of NOVA-class launch vehicle 

configurations, facilities requirements , and developmental and operational plans. 

NOVA is planned as a rocket at least two to three times larger in payload capability 

than the Advanced SATURN. 

missions beyond the manned lunar landing. 

Launch Vehicle Facilities 

The flight configuration in both cases was 

The first stage -- S-IC -- will have five F-1 engines, each producing 1.5 

The second or S-I1 stage, composed of five J-2 engines, 

The third stage is a slightly modified version 

At the beginning of 

Definitive contracts for each stage were 

Expectations are for its use in the early 1970's for 

To meet requirements for more powerful launch vehicles, NASA undertook modifications of (1) the Marshall Space Flight Center's static test stand to accommodate 

the Advanced SATURN upper stages and (2) the Michoud Plant at New Orleans, La. , to provide 1.8 million square feet of space for the manufacture and assembly of the 

10 
SATURN, SATURN B, and Advanced. SATURN boosters. 

During the year, NASA completed the acquisition of 13,550 acres for test sites at 

the Mississippi Test Facility, -- 40 miles from the Michoud Plant -- which will be 

the site of ground testing of large launch vehicle stages manufactured at Michoud. 

NASA began acquiring easements on about 128,000 acres of land needed as a buffer 

area to protect against the noise volumes associated with rocket testing. 

tion began on the stands and related facilities required for the testing of the first 

two stages of the Advanced SATURN. 

tion of stands for testing NOVA vehicle stages. 

ConstrucAreas were set aside for the future construcLaunch Operations Center 

Progress was made in acquiring additional land for the Launch Operations Center, 

Cape Canaveral, Fla. 

sites for the most extensive space launch facilities in the world. 

About 87, 000 acres adjacent to existing facilities will provide 

The future flight schedules for U. S. exploration of space will impose increasingly 

heavy demands on launch facilities at the Launch Operations Center, At the north 

end of the expanded reservation, three major launch complexes will constitute the 

spaceport for the launching of APOLLO vehicles. 

Launch Complex 39. 

plex; it will embody an entirely new concept in launch facilities. 

the year, architect-engineers had established detailed criteria for the complex. 

Complex 39, the Advanced SATURN vehicle and the APOLLO spacecraft will be 

assembled and checked out inside a Vertical Assembly Building more than 500 feet 

tall. Thus, the delicate equipment will be protected from wind, weather, and salt 

spray during the several weeks preceding the launch. 

Of particular importance is 

In July 1962, NASA established the basic design of this comBefore the end of 

In 

Architect-engineering designs were cohpleted for a mobile crawler -transporter 

which will carry the 350-foot-tall vehicle and spacecraft to the launch pads along a 

specially designed roadway. 

bly Building which will have high-bay areas for simultaneous work on four launch 

vehicles. Its foundations will be built to permit expansion to six bays. 

launch pads will be constructed initially. 

Similar designs were completed for the Vertical AssemThree 

Lieht and Medium Launch Vehicles 

NASA's launch vehicles for currently planned unmanned missions are CENTAUR, 

ATLAS-AGENA B, THOR-AGENA B, DELTA, and SCOUT. 

Of these, only CENTAUR is still in the development stage. 

encountered in developing liquid hydrogen technology for this launch vehicle. 

so, development is progressing, and CENTAUR will be the first United States laurch 

vehicle to use liquid hydrogen as a fuel. This high-performance fuel will also be 

used later for the upper stages of the SATURN launch vehicle. 

fore also important as a vehicle incorporating the liquid hydrogen technology required for the manned lunar program. 

Difficulties have been 

Even 

CENTAUR is thereA milestone in this liquid hydrogen technology was the completion in June of a "Preliminary Flight Readiness Test" hot firing series of the most recent Pratt and 

Whitney RL-10 engine configuration. 

11 
In May 1962, the first ATLAS-CENTAUR was launched from the Atlantic MissiJe 

Range. The CENTAUR stage broke up because of aerodynamic forces after less 

than one minute of flight, and the major flight objectives were not achieved; however, 

this was the first space vehicle fueled with liquid hydrogen launched by the United 

States. 

In October 1962, NASA transferred the project management of the CENTAUR development program from the Marshall Space Flight Center to the Lewis Research 

Center. 

without adversely affecting SATURN'S development. 

This transfer enables NASA to put more effort into the CENTAUR program 

NASA planned extensive use of the Air Force-developed ATLAS-AGENA B and THORAGENA B. ATLAS-AGENA B vehicles successfully launched RANGER IV in April 

and MARINER II in August. In September a THOR-AGENA B was used as a launch 

vehicle for the first time: It successfully orbited the Canadian ALOUETTE (S-27) 

Topside SOUNDER satellite from the Pacific Missile Range. 

management of the NASA AGENA and its associated ATLAS and THOR boosters were 

transferred to Lewis Research Center. 

In December, project 

The three-stage DELTA vehicle scored its fourteenth consecutive success with the 

launching of the communications satellite -- RELAY -- on December 13, 1962. 

cause of the success of this launch vehicle, NASA planned to procure additional 

quantities for launching TIROS weather satellites and experimental communications 

and scientific satellites. 

BeNASA progressed in its efforts to increase the payload capability of the all-solid 

4-stage SCOUT from 220 to 300 pounds in the 300 miles easterly orbit. 

MANNED SPACE FLIGHT 

During 1962, decisive steps were taken in Project APOLLO toward reaching the 

Nation's goal of manned exploration of the moon, including manned lunar landing and 

returQ before the end of this Cecade. 

manned MERCURY flights and advances in the follow-on Project GEMINI. 

The year also witnessed three successful 

The selection of the Lunar Orbital Rendezvous (LOR) as the technique for carrying 

out the Project APOLLO mission climaxed months of cooperative study efforts, 

which utilized the combined scientific and technical talent of industry and Government. 

the most promising approach in terms of time, cost, and certainty of mission success. 

Intensive follow-on studies confirmed the choice of the LOR technique as 

Project MERCURY 

The manned orbital flights of Project MERCURY in February, May, and October 

proved the operational reliability of the spacecraft and supporting systems, and 

demonstrated man's ability to perform effectively under zero-gravity conditions. 

The missions also established the effectiveness of the recovery system and the 

worldwide network of radio and radar stations for tracking, communications and 

collection of data. 

12 
On February 20, Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. , became the first American to 

achieve orbital flight. 

Friendship 7 spacecraft in the course of five hours. 

were accomplished, including manual control of the spacecraft and scientific observations of the earth, clouds, and stars. 

Astronaut Glenn completed three full orbits in the 

All test objectives of the flight 

The second manned orbital flight of Project MERCURY was conducted on May 24, 

1962, when Astronaut M. Scott Carpenter's Aurora 7 was launched into an almost 

perfect trajectory. 

period. Astronaut Carpenter continued the observations of space phenomena that 

were rioted by Astronaut Glenn. 

The spacecraft also circled the earth three times in a five-hour 

A third manned orbital flight -- that of Walter M. Schirra, Jr., in Sigma 7, on 

October 3 -- doubled the number of orbits of the two previous manned flights and 

provided excellent data on the operation of the capsule and its systems for longer 

flights. 

The year's progress paved the way for flights in a modified MERCURY spacecraft 

lasting a full day. 

a one-day flight scheduled in the spring of 1963. 

his alternate. 

Late in the year, Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper was selected for 

Alan B. Shepard, Jr., will be 

Pro i ec t GEMINI 

After Project MERCURY in NASA's sequence leading to manned lunar landing and 

further exploration of space is Project GEMINI. 

of a two-man MERCURY -type spacecraft. 

develop the techniques of rendezvous and docking (joining two objects is orbit) and 

to test the astronauts' ability to carry out varied tasks under prolonged weightlessness. 

This is the development and flight 

The GEMINI missions will be used to 

Plans confirmed during 1962 call for an unmanned, suborbital qualification flight 

of the GEMINI capsule in 1963. 

will follow in 1964 and will be succeeded by rendezvous and docking missions. 

Manned operational flights lasting up to two weeks 

Considerable progress was achieved in the development of all elements of the 

GEMINI system during 1962. 

shortest possible time and within the greatest possible margin of reliability, modifications were made in the MERCURY spacecraft and its subsystems. 

contractor was employed in the spacecraft development. 

To realize the goals of the GEMINI program in the 

The same 

NASA began flight tests of the ejection seats that will provide emergency escape for 

the GEMINI astronauts during launch and of the paraglider, a device that will substitute for the parachutes and provide improved landing control in later GEMINI 

flights. 

The U.S. Air Force conducted several successful flight tests of the TITAN 11, a 

modified form of which will be the GEMINI launch vehicle. 

Project APOLLO 

During the year, NASA progressed with the development of spacecraft and launch 

13 
vehicles and the design and construction of the ground facilities required for manned 

lunar landing and return in Project APOLLO. Following intensive study, the Lunar 

Orbital Rendezvous technique was selected for the first manned flights to the moon. 

Under this technique, an Advanced SATURN will launch an APOLLO spacecraft on a 

trajectory that will carry it to the vicinity of the moon. 

three units, called modules -- the Command Module, the Service Module, and the 

Lunar Excursion Module. The Command Module will house the three astronauts on 

takeoff from Cape Canaveral and on return to the earth's atmosphere. The Service 

Module will carry a propulsion system for maneuvering in mid-course, into orbit 

about the moon, and into the flight path back to the earth. 

Module, carrying a separate propulsion system, will transport two astronauts from 

lunar orbit to the moon's surface and back into lunar orbit for rendezvous with the 

two other modules of the APOLLO spacecraft. 

The APOLLO will consist 6f 

The Lunar Excursion 

The selection of contractors for all major APOLLO systems was completed during 

the year with the naming of a contractor to design, develop, and produce the Lunar 

Excursion Module. 

progressed steadily through wind-tunnel tests, parachute drop tests, and firings of 

rocket engines. 

Design and development of the Command and Service Modules 

New Astronaut Candidates Selected 

In addition to design and development activities, NASA announced the selection of 

nine new astronaut candidates. Flight crews for Projects GEMINl and APOLLO 

will be selected from the original astronauts and the new candidates. 

Manned Spacecraft Center 

The Manned Spacecraft Center, in charge of manned space flight operations, the 

development and testing of spacecraft, and the training of flight crews, moved from 

Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, to Houston, Texas. Construction of test laboratories and engineering buildings began on a 1,600-acre site at Clear Lake, near 

Houston. NASA approved the basic design and concept of an Integrated Mission Control Center at Houston, which will be the primary earth station for the control of 

manned space flight operations, beginning in the later phases of Project GEMINI and 

extending through Project APOLLO. 

S.CIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS IN SPACE 

Scientific Knowledge Expanded 

During 1962 NASA continued to acquire scientific information from new flights, from 

analyses of previously accumulated data, and from supporting ground based programs. Two international satellites were launched, and scientific experimentation 

was added on manned orbital space flights and on the second SATURN development 

test flight. 

sciences program was initiated. 

Sounding rockets continued to be used in research and a new bio14 
IdEW FLIGHTS 

RANGER I11 

On January 26, RANGER I11 was launched on an intended lunar trajectory. However, an electronic component in the ATLAS malfunctioned and caused the spacecraft to be injected with too much velocity. As a result, the mid-course correction could not be made and RANGER I11 went into orbit around the sun. Nevertheless, the spacecraft did provide the first measurement of interplanetary gamma 

ray flux. Preliminary analysis of the data indicates that the flux is much higher 

than previously estimated. 

Orbiting Solar Ob servatorv 

On March 7, NASA launched the first Orbiting Solar Observatory, OSO-1. This 

highly complex scientific satellite, designed to study the sun from above the 

earth's atmosphere, carried the first instrumentation capable of making solar 

studies for more than a few minutes. 

and thereafter intermittently for several weeks. 

the first extended studies of the solar ultraviolet spectrum and of the solar X-ray 

emissions and made the first observation of the ultraviolet Lyman-alpha emission 

from a solar flare. 

It reported continuously for three months 

Instrumentation on OSO- 1 made 

Electron Density Probe 

On March 29, NASA launched the P-21a space probe to study electron density in 

the nighttime atmosphere. 

electron density in the nighttime atmosphere, on composition, and on the positive 

ions along the path of the spacecraft. 

a region of the ionosphere. 

Its three experiments furnished information on the 

The flight also defined the upper limits of 

RANGER 1V 

On April 23, the RANGER 1V spacecraft was launched on a lunar impact trajectory. 

A malfunction prevented the spacecraft from achieving any of its scientific or technical objectives, although it did impact the moon some 66 hours after launch. 

ARIEL 

ARIEL W~S successfully launched on April 26. 

launched by the United States, it carried British built experiments to study cosmic 

rays and electron properties in the upper atmosphere and solar radiation in the 

X - ray and ultraviolet re gions. 

The first international satellite 

MARINER I1 

MARINER 11, launched August 27, successfully performed a mid-cour se maneuver 

on September 4, which put it on course for a Venus fly-by, on December 14, at a 

distance from Venus of 21, 600 miles. 

15 
During the fly-by, MARINER experiments acquired data which will yield important 

information concerning the planet's surface temperature and details of its atmosphere, its magnetic field, and possible radiation belts. 

Analysis of interplanetary data returned by the instruments aboard MARINER I1 

indicates that very small particles (micrometeorites) are at least a thousand 

times less concentrated farther out in space than near the earth. 

has an important bearing on spacecraft design for planetary missions. 

This information 

MARINER instruments have also found that the solar plasma, an ionized gas 

emitted from the sun, is present at all times to some degree in interplanetary 

space. The plasma flow varies, sometimes slowly, other times abruptly. Abrupt 

changes in the plasma flow and in the interplanetary magnetic field coincide. 

energy of the plasma is much greater than that of the magnetic field; consequently 

the plasma can push the magnetic field about. 

that solar plasma distorts the interplanetary magnetic field which in turn affects 

the number of cosmic rays from the sun and outer space that reach the earth. 

The 

This finding supports the theory 

MARINER I1 measurements of the interplanetary field provided a second set of 

measurements taken a.t a great distance from the earth and indicated agreement 

with the limited data from PIONEER V, concerning the three dimensional nature of 

the field. 

ALOUETTE 

Another international satellite, the first completely built by foreign scientists and 

launched by NASA, was the Canadian ALOUETTE. 

primary purpose was to study the electron densities in the atmosphere and 

secondarily to study the energetic particles and cosmic rays coming to the earth. 

Launched on September 29, its 

EXPLORER 

EXPLORER mwas launched on October 2, into a highly eccentric orbit, with an 

apogee of 61,000 miles. 

trapped in the earth's radiation belt, cosmic rays from the sun and from galactic 

space, the earth's magnetic field, plasmas emitted by the sun, and damage in 

space to solar cells. 

It,carried instrumentation to study the charged particles 

EXPLORER XV was launched on October 27, as part of an intensive study of all 

aspects of the artificial or enhanced radiation belt generated by a high altitude 

nuclear explosion. 

RANGER V 

On October 18, RANGER V, the last of a planned series of lunar hard landing 

capsules, was launched. The spacecraft missed the moon by approximately 450 

miles and went into orbit around the sun. 

Data From Earlier Flights 

An analysis of datahmMl?U)RER VI11 (launched November 3, 1960), substantiated earlier speculation that helium exists in the highest atmosphere. Data 

16 
from EXPLORER 1X (a light 12-foot sphere launched February 16, l961), showed 

that at about 440 miles the density of the atmosphere varies with solar activity, 

day-night transitions, and solar winds of protons and electrons. 

Other Programs Assisting Scientific Investigations 

The MERCURY program manned space flights furnished an opportunity to use man 

to carry out experiments in space. Among the experiments conducted, one on the 

second manned orbital space flight located the yellow airglow layer in the atmosphere at an altitude of about 50 miles. 

The SATURN test flight on April 25 was used to investigate the behavior of a large 

volume of water released in the upper atmosphere. 

Effective July 1, 1962, NASA established discipline-oriented subcommittees of the 

Space Sciences Steering Committee to replace the previous combination of discipline - and program - oriented subcommittees. 

astronomy, biosciences, ionospheres and radio physics, particles and fields, 

planetary atmospheres, planetology, and solar physics. 

The major discipline areas are 

Sounding Rockets 

During 1962, NASA made 54 successful launches of sounding rockets. These have 

studied electron and atmosphere temperatures, density, the ionosphere , winds in 

the atmosphere, airglow, and atmospheric composition. The rockets also carried 

instrumentation for studies of the ultraviolet spectrum of the sun, for studies of 

cosmic rays, for stellar photometry, and for X-ray mapping of the night sky. 

Rockets continued to furnish most of the information about the atmosphqre between 

the highest altitudes obtainable by balloons and the lowest available to satellites. 

In addition, they are a ready and simple way to carry out preliminary experiments 

for observations from above the atmosphere, and for testing instrumentation to be 

carried in the satellites. 

BIOSCIENCE PROGRAMS 

SDectral Analvsis of Mars 

In cooperation with a number of government and private organizations, NASA has 

developed an infrared planetary observatory in the stratosphere to obtain spectral 

analysis of Mars during the opposition of that planet around February 1963. Subsystems have been completed and tested. 

carry the observational and data recording equipment above the spectral blocking 

effects of the terrestrial atmospheric moisture and carbon dioxide to obtain a broad 

and high resolution spectrum unobtainable from the ground. 

signed to provide new data concerning the presence of life and related substances 

on Mars as well as information on the composition of the Martian atmosphere. 

This balloon-lifted experiment will 

The experiment is deDevices for Detection of Life on Mars 

Two devices for the direct detection of life on Mars were designed and developed. 

These instruments, "Gulliver" and the "multivator, It though based on different 

principle s, both assume that, within certain limits, life on Mars is biochemically 

17 
or metabolically similar to terrestrial biological systems. 

miniaturized, weigh less than two pounds each, and require minimum power for 

acquisition and communication of information. Many other methods of detecting 

whether or not life exists on Mars are being designed by NASA. 

The devices are fully 

Life in the Earth's UDDer AtmosDhere 

NASA conducted a limited program in aerobiology to determine the distribution and 

nature of microorganisms in the upper terrestrial atmosphere. 

will be useful in determining the source of such organisms, their ability to survive 

the stratosphere environment, their spread around the earth by winds, updrafts and 

turbulence, whether they are pathogens, mold spores, pollen grains, or innocuous 

non- spore formers. 

between 65,000 and 45,000 feet where a high number of pigmented bacteria, yeasts, 

and molds of non- sporulating, non-pathogenic types were found in a viable state. 

Such information 

Preliminary and unconfirmed results indicate a stratum 

APPLICATIONS PROGRAMS 

NASA continued to make progress in its applications programs. 

velopment activities achieved significant result s with the meteorological system s 

and the communication systems. 

Research and deMETEOROLOGICAL SYSTEMS 

TIROS 

The TIROS meteorological satellites, though designed by NASA as research and development spacecraft, have been so successful that data supplied by them has been 

extensively used by the Weather Bureau and other U. S. and foreign weather services. 

launched in 1960; TIROS I11 in 1961. Those launched this year were TIROS IV on 

February 8, TIROS V on June 19, and TIROS VI on September 18. The success of 

the TIROS satellites in supplying data for operational weather analysis and forecasting use has dictated the extension of the project until data from the more advanced NIMBUS become s readily available. 

To date, there have been six successful launchings. TIROS I and I1 were 

Since the first of these meteorological satellites was launched they have supplied 

the following: 148, 851 usuable pictures;* 4,390 cloud cover analyses; 693 

special satellite storm advisories; 264 adjustments to NMC analyses; ten hurricanes and 21 typhoons observed and tracked. 

However, TIROS has these inherent limitations: Its orbital inclination limits its 

geographic coverage, and it is space oriented -- looking out into space more than 

half of the time. 

NIMBUS 

NIMBUS is designed to lead to an operational meteorological system. 

polar orbit will enable it to observe virtually the entire earth area once a day; it 

will be earth oriented -- looking at the earth during its entire orbit. 

Its nearFurthermore, 

* All numbers are as of November 30, 1962. 

18 
infrared radiation sensors are being considered .which may lead to the development 

of nighttime cloud data on an operadnal basis, even though these data may not be 

as definitive as TV pictures. 

NIMBUS spacecraft subsystems have been demonstrated in the pre-prototype stage. 

Major subsystems are now undergoing prototype environmental testing. 

craft prototype and flight model testing have been initiated and the first launch 

scheduled for late 1963. 

Space - 

Studies are under way to determine the feasibility of a synchronous (24-hour orbit) 

meteorological satellite system. Preliminary considerations indicate that it would 

provide observations of weather systems too short lived to assure viewing by 

NIMBUS (i. e. tornadoes, thunderstorms, squall lines, etc.). It would include instrumentation that would be directable upon command from earth and therefore 

could allow viewing and tracking any meteorological pattern of interest. 

supplement rather than replace NIMBUS. 

It would 

Meteoroloeical Soundinn Rockets 

Meteorological sounding rockets for exploring the atmosphere above the operating 

range of balloons (100,000 feet) and below the effective observational altitude of 

satellites (100 miles) are being improved by continuous development and testing. 

Small meteorological sounding rockets are effective between 20 and 45 miles. An 

overall system for these rockets (motor, sensors, and data acquisition) is being 

considered for development. Such a system could provide routine measurements 

of basic meteorological data using a reliable, simplified, self-sufficient sounding 

system suitable for operational meteorological racket networks. 

meteorological sounding rockets were flown this year, some launched for the Navy 

and Air Force. 

About 75 small 

About 60 large meteorological sounding rockets are being used for basic 

meteorological measurements at altitudes between 40 and 70 miles. 

sodium vapor, acoustical grenade, and pitot tube techniques, about 22 large 

meteorological sounding rockets were flown in 1962. 

In developing 

Communications Systems 

Operational communications satellites promise to open up a whole new era in 

modern communications. Therefore, NASA's communications satellite research 

and development program includes studies of various types of such satellites of 

potential use in operational systems. 

One type under study -- the passive satellite -- is in effect a radio mirror in the 

sky reflecting a signal from a ground transmitting station to a ground receiving 

station. Another is the active satellite that carries a power supply, receives a 

signal from a ground station, amplifies it, and retransmits it to a ground receiving 

station. Operating altitudes for communications satellites are classified as low or 

intermediate (up to 12,000 miles) and synchronous (22, 300 miles). 

as three satellites at the synchronous altitude could provide essentially world-wide 

communications. 

Ideally as few 

19 
Communications Satellite Act of 1962 

An important step in the eventual establishment of an operational communications 

satellite system was the passage, on August 31, of the Communications Satellite Act 

of 1962. This legislation, based upon the President's recommendations, authorized 

the establishment of a private corporation, concerning which NASA was given a number of technical responsibilities. 

TELSTAR 

On July 10, NASA launched the TELSTAR low altitude active repeater communication3 

satellite for a privately owned and operated communications company. In accordance 

with an agreement of July 27, 1961, the responsibility for financing design and construction of the satellite, as well as for ground station development, was assumed by 

the company. 

Live transmission of voice and TV picture using the satellite as a relay was accomplished on the day of launch. In rapid succession during the first week of operation, 

the feasibility of live transatlantic TV programming (black and white, and color) was 

demonstrated, transatlantic telephone conversations via the satellite were held, and 

much useful information was telemetered from the scientific instrumentation carried 

on board. 

KELAY 

NASA's investigations in the low altitude active repeater satellite field will continue 

with the RELAY project. RELAY differs from TELSTAR in configuration and technical details and is directed toward providing additional information on design and 

technique that will assist in the development of long life components and in the ultimate accomplishment of an operational communications satellite system. The spacecraft was launched on December 13 by a DELTA vehicle. Although the orbit achieved 

was satisfactory, difficulties with the power supply voltage impaired communications 

transmissions initially. 

SYNCOM 

NASA's entry in the synchronous communications satellite field is Project SYNCOM. 

The 65-pound satellite is scheduled for its first flight early in 1963. 

Meanwhile a study contract has been let to investigate the problems involved in developing an advanced synchronous orbiting communications satellite with increased 

capability and capacity. 

flight program will be made after completion of this study. 

Decision to proceed with an advanced synchronous satellite 

Pas sive Communications Sat ellit e s 

As part of the program to examine the alternative systems proposed for communications satellites NASA is continuing its studies of the passive system. 

this type is ECHO I launched on August 12, 1960, and still in earth orbit though somewhat wrinkled. 

diameter and weighing 500 pounds, is now under development. 

launched during the first half of 1963. 

A satellite of 

An improved ECHO-type passive communications balloon, 135 feet in 

It is scheduled to be 

20 
ADVANCED RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY 

During 1962, NASA's advanced research activities continued to investigate a wide 

range of problems associated with space and aeronautics missions. 

RESEARCH RELATED TO SPACE ACTIVITIES 

In the overall space activities field, NASA studied problems related to space vehicles (manned and unmanned), electronics and control, nuclear, electric and chemical propulsion and power generation, lif,e support systems, and various materials 

that have potential space uses. 

SDace Vehicle ConceDts 

Studies were made of possible future missions of both space vehicles and launch vehicles to establish the most fruitful directions for research endeavors. 

studies include feasibility of space stations, the potential of nuclear rocket trans - 

portation, and research problems facing manned flight to the planets. Of particular 

importance have been studies of design concepts of vehicles that could be landed like 

an airplane and those that could be recovered and re-used. 

These 

High-energy Radiation -- Studies of the threat posed by high energy radiations to 

manned space flight continue to suggest the necessity for extensive shielding. As 

one possible solution to the problem, a new shielding technique under study involves 

deflection of the particles through utilization of high magnetic fields. 

Spacecraft Temperature Control -- A non-fluctuating "room temperature environment" in space vehicles is necessary. 

vanced "passive" and "active" techniques for reliable, long-time temperature control. 

Research attention is being given to adMeteoroid Hazard -- The threat of meteoroid impact in space is under study through 

special satellite experiments and through observations of natural and artificial 

meteors. 

ber 16 from Wallops Station, as EXPLORER XVI. Two more satellite experiments 

are to be flown to determine the frequency of meteoroid penetration of thin sheets of 

metal. The laboratory study of meteoroid impact phenomena and vehicle protection 

is emphasizing particle acceleration techniques (such as electrostatic accelerators 

and light gas guns) to produce velocities above 30,000 feet per second. 

The first of a series of micrometeoroid satellites was launched DecemAerothermodynamics -- NASA made substantial progress in determining the heating 

rates and flight characteristics of several spacecraft configurations upon reentry at 

speeds up to 30,000 miles per hour. Important differences have been determined 

regarding the heating and flight characteristics of spacecraft operating in Martian 

and Venusian atmospheres as compared to the Earth's atmosphere. Also, substantial progress was made on improved landing and recovery devices such as inflatable 

paragliders and large clustered parachutes. 

- X-20 3- The large amount of technical support which NASA has provided for the 

X-20, principally in the form of wind tunnel and structural testing, drew toward 

termination as the project comes closer to flight status. Attention is now being 

focused on NASA's role in support of the flight operations. 

21 
Electronics and Control 

Cryogenic (Superconductive) Inertial Sensors - - Research on superconductive sus - 

pension of hyroscope rotors uncovered a phenomenon of alternating field losses in 

superconductors. 

available may not become completely superconductive; improved materials may be 

required before cryogenic inertial sensor development becomes feasible. 

The indication is that the cryogenic rotor materials presently 

Horizon Sensor -- Project SCANNER, a small flight project program, seeks to improve definition of the earth's horizon gradient. 

revealed that the earth's horizon may be sharply defined. 

The first flight of this program 

Rendezvous -- One of NASA's special studies led to the initial conclusion that 

simple manual instrumentation may be adequate for the docking phase of rendezvous. 

Further flights to confirm this early result and to determine the sharpness of the 

horizon more precisely are planned. 

Another flight to study the horizon under different sun illumination conditions is 

planned for 1963. 

used in later flights to more precisely determine the sharpness of the horizon. 

In addition, NASA initiated development of instrumentation to be 

Simulating of the docking problem has shown that pilots can safely perform the docking function with a tenth of a foot per second velocity error and with less than a foot 

of position error. 

weight saving for GEMINI and APOLLO. 

This study will permit important structural and instrumental 

Precision Attitude Control of 'Manned Spacecraft -- Tests of a man's ability to control the attitude of a simulated spacecraft indicated that the axes of the simulator 

can be pointed within f 5 seconds of arc of the desired orientation. During these 

tests the man was sezed off the simulator so that gravitational effects would not introduce spurious spacecraft motion. 

Micrometeord Detection -- Important results were achieved in the field of instrumentation for the detection and determination of characteristics of micromete'i-oids. 

NASA developed a method for detecting both the number and velocity of such particles 

striking an instrument which can be carried aloft in a spacecraft vehicle. 

Agency also developed an instrument for measuring the force of the impact of 

micrometeoroids. 

The 

Monitoring Vital Human Functions -- Ground tests were made of a prototype, 

device which, when taped to a man's chest, monitors and transmits an excellent 

cardiograph as well as respiration rate and volume data. 

reduced by microelectronic techniques to a size about one-half inch square and a 

quarter inch thick. 

This device is being 

Launch Checkout and Countdown System -- NASA is gradually introducing computer 

countdown and checkout in the SATURN series of vehicles. A developmental system 

capable of checking out the complex Orbiting Geophysical Observator (OGO) is in 

operation. A system of checkout and countdown by computer allows rapid launch 

site analysis of the space vehicle by checking thousands of measurements per 

second. 

22 
Television Improvements -- NASA made initial improvements in TV picture trans - 

mission from spacecraft. This work consists of the application of digital computer 

programs to remove certain types of persistent defects in pictures and to squeeze 

more information into a television channel. 

Communications through Ionized Plasma Sheaths -- A major problem of manned 

space flight is the difficulty of communicating through the ionized plasma sheath 

created by a space vehicle reentering the atmosphere. 

that water added to the ionized flow field suppresses the plasma, and radio signals 

from the spacecraft are not blacked out. The data, which are based on laboratory 

experiments, are to be confirmed in-scheduled flight tests. 

An R&D investigation shows 

Microelectronics -- NASA is planning a two-pronged effort to obtain the higher reliability promised by microelectronics: 

plications, criteria for application, and limitations of microelectronic applications; 

and (2) expanded effort to solve electronic technical problems peculiar to space 

environment conditions. 

(1) studies to identify potential space apOptical Communications - S-66 Satellite Tracking -- Fabrication of a laser (optical) 

system to be employed in tracking the S-66 satellite was initiated and partially completed during 1962. The completed portion is the satellite exterior paneling which 

consists of an ensemble of optical corner reflectors which will return all of the incident laser light to the tracking site. 

television tracking systems are expected to be operational by mid-1963. 

The laser transmitter (optical source) and 

Chemical Power and Power Generation 

Launch Vehicle Engines --In the field of launch engines, new and novel design and 

operating concepts evolved and are in the early phases of experimental verification. 

This work is being done to enable the future development of large liquid propellant 

rocket engines in the 6 to 40 megapound thrust range. 

Spacecraft Engines -- Work on spacecraft engines is being conducted on advanced 

chamber and nozzle types and in the important area of variable thrust control. 

of the variable control thrust projects are already being considered for application 

to the manned lunar program. 

Some 

Solid Propulsion Systems Technology -- Two important programs were initiated 

during 1962 to determine the application of solid propulsion systems for space 

missions. In the motor components and materials areas, a program was started 

to evaluate and develop space resistant components, cases, insulation materials 

and propellants capable of withstanding hard vacuum, radiation, and the temperature 

environments of space, the moon, and the planets. 

Space Power Technology -- NASA made progress toward development of radiation 

resistant or tolerant solar cells and solar power systems based on devices such as 

thermionic diodes. 

ated electric power from solar energy in ground tests. 

type 3 k. w. solar mechanical system which uses mercury vapor to drive a turbo 

alternator passed several important milestones. 

A prototype solar thermionic system under development gener - 

The development of a proto23 
In the chemical power area NASA established a special pilot production facility for 

manufacturing high quality nickel cadmium batteries for space use. 

of the silver cadmium battery reached the flight demonstration stage (used in ARIEL). 

Development of the Bacon type fuel cell prototype system contributed directly to the 

selection of that system for the APOLLO vehicle. 

ternal combustion hydrogen/ oxygen engine for future space mis;sions. 

Development 

Work was also started on an inBiotechnology and Human Research 

Life support systems adequate for several days of space flight were developed, and 

research is continuing on the life support systems required for lunar base and deep 

space flight projects. These include physical, chemical and biological means of 

developing stored, partially regenerative and regenerative life support systems. 

Development of extravehicular space suits with portable life support systems is 

under study. 

atmospheric conditioning and ventilation systems , bio-instrumentation, psychophysiological monitoring, display and control systems, and psycho-physiological 

experiments are being pursued. 

Studies in food and waste management, radiation shielding systems, 

Advanc ed Studies 

In the overall area of advanced studies, NASA conducted research in numerous 

projects that, when completed, may lead to applications in vehicle development, 

support systems, and instruinentation. 

Plasma Research -- NASA's plasma physics research indicated that plasma accelerators are feasible for use as high heat-high energy wind tunnels necessary for 

reentry simulation. 

Electrophysics -- Two contracts have been initiated for fundamental physics research on LASERS and MASERS; that is, the generation, modulation, detection and 

amplification of coherent electromagnetic waves by the principle of stimulated 

emission. 

Reentry Materials -- A multi-stage test vehicle, flown during the year, provided 

information on the ability of materials to withstand heat -flux and aerodynamic loads 

experienced during reentry nearly as severe as those APOLLO will encounter. 

Passive Communication Devices -- A rigidized inflatable polymeric structure which 

can remain spherical, even after the inflation gas has completely leaked out into 

space, was developed. 

foil on each side of a thin film of Mylar. 

It consists of a three-layer laminate of very thin aluminum 

AERONAUTICS RESEARCH ACTIVITIES 

Important aeronautical investigations during the year were conducted in the areas of 

V/STOL aircraft, a supersonic transport, and hypersonic vehicles. Studies of configurations suitable for a commercial supersonic transport indicated the technical 

practicality of such a vehicle. Work on V/STOL vehicles emerged from the "test 

bed" stage to the operational prototype stage. 

24 
Flight Tests 

In addition to flight test activity on V/STOL test beds such as the X-14 (a deflected 

jet airplane) and the VZ-2 (a two propeller tilt wing airplane), the first flights were 

made on the PARESEV (Paraglider Research Vehicle). The PARESEV was designed 

and built to investigate stability and control problems associated with returning payloads from space. 

used for controlled return of the GEMINI spacecraft. 

The PARASEV is a manned glider which if successful could be 

X-15 Research Airdane Program 

The X-15 Research Airplane Program, conducted in cooperation with the Department of Defense, continued to provide data on manned, maneuverable flight during 

1962. The research airplane was flown to heights of 250,000 feet and 314,750 feet 

during the year. The flights were official world (F.A. I. ) records set by Joseph A. 

Walker, NASA, and Major Robert M. White, USAF, respectively. Walker also 

flew the X-15 to a speed of 4,104 m. p. h. , on June 27, 1962. Information on aerodynamic and structural heating, structural dynamics, supersonic and hypersonic 

aerodynamics, and stability and control was obtained, evaluated, and reported. 

Equally important, however, is the fact that a manned system, designed for flight at 

speeds to 6,600 feet per second and to altitudes of 250,000 feet provides extensive 

operational experience for advanced systems on a routine basis. In this sense, the 

X-15 program has provided invaluable experience for future aeronautical and space 

activities of the United States. 

As the basic research programs are completed, follow-on programs are planned to 

explore areas already partially investigated, such as cockpit display, boundarylayer noise, skin friction at high Reynolds numbers, and structural panel tests. 

Air Breathing Propulsion 

Air breathing propulsion research efforts are being concentrated in the supersonic 

and hypersonic regime. Principal efforts in the supersonic area are in support of 

the commercial supersonic transport. Supersonic transport engine cycle analysis 

and mission analysis as well as investigations of engine component matching characteristics are being studied extensively. Experimental research is being conducted 

on inlets and exhaust nozzles. 

In the hypersonic area, NASA is acquiring research data to provide a basis for 

determining the feasibility of air breathing propulsion systems for hypersonic vehicles. 

sion research efforts of the USAF. 

system analysis, mission analysis, hypersonic inlets, supersonic combustion and 

the exhaust nozzle recombination problem. 

The work in this area is closely coordinated with the air breathing propulParticular attention is being given to propulsion 

Aerodynamic s 

In aeronautical research, a goal is to develop an aircraft which has extended-range 

performance at supersonic speeds while retaining useful subsonic, takeoff, and 

landing characteristics. Various aerodynamic solutions to this problem arrived at 

during the past year (detailed component and configuration refinements, alternate 

airframe concepts) contributed materially to the technical feasibility of advanced 

25 
high-speed aircraft. 

V/STOL Aircraft 

Research on vertical and short takeoff and landing aircraft (including helicopters) 

continued for a wide variety of concepts. The helicopter remains the best machine 

for long hovering times; jet propulsion, with auxiliary devices for jet lift, provides 

the highest maximum speeds but very short hovering times. The propeller-driven 

tilt-wing principle appears most suitable for military or commercial transport purposes at intermediate speeds and hovering times. 

Structures Studies 

Flight investigation of turbulence within severe thunderstorms led to a better understanding of the characteristics of severe turbulence, the prediction of the loads, and 

the response of the structure to the unsteady forces. 

NUCLEAR PROPULSION AND POWER GENERATION 

Work continued on the nuclear rocket program (Project ROVER), the nuclear electric 

power generation program, and the electric propulsion (electric rocket engine) program. 

space application. 

means for manned exploration of the planets and other extensive journeys into space. 

The objective: The early and practical utilization of nuclear systems for 

The development of these systems is expected to provide the 

The Nuclear Rocket Program 

Nuclear rocket development involves difficult new technologies: 

extremely high and low temperatures, remotely operated ground support equipment 

and facilities, and -- perhaps most difficult -- greater nuclear reactor performance 

than that required for other applications. 

considerable. 

The application of 

Progress in all of these areas has been 

The nuclear rocket program consists of three projects and a vigorous research and 

technology program aimed at providing the technology for improved systems. 

three projects are: 

generation nuclear rocket reactor; (2) NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle 

Application), intended to develop a flight engine for nuclear rocket-powered upper 

stage vehicles; and (3) RET (Reactor In Flight Test), intended to provide flight 

verification of the NERVA nuclear rocket propulsion system. 

The 

(1) KIWI, designed to develop the basic technology for the firstReactor research progress included operation of two KIWI reactors (BIB and B4A) 

in which liquid hydrogen was used as a propellant for the first time. 

actor startups with liquid hydrogen showed that no reactor control difficulties are 

caused by the hydrogen. 

as needed, design modifications are being made for subsequent development testing. 

Major progress was required and achieved in the development of liquid hydrogen 

pumps and regeneratively cooled nozzles in connection with these projects. 

Successful reA variety of important data was obtained in these tests and, 

The goal of the NERVA project is development of flight engines for operational 

nuclear rocket-powered upper stage vehicles. 

ducted under contract to the AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion Office. 

NERVA development is being conA KIWI 

26 
reactor design has been selected as the basis for flight reactor development. 

actor structure is being designed to withstand the greater loads to be encountered in 

flight and ground testing. Development has also begun on the critical non-nuclear 

components of the engine. 

The reOne facility, Test Cell C, was essentially completed. Construction of additional 

facilities began at the Nuclear Rocket Development Station, Jackass Flats, Nevada. 

These include an Engine Test Stand (ETS-1) and an Engine Maintenance and Disassembly (E-MAD) facility. 

NERVA will be flight tested in an upper stage compatible with the Advanced SATURN 

vehicle. The design and development program for this stage has been termed RIFT. 

NASA selected the prime contractor for the RIFT project, and work began on the 

major technology problems, such as tank design and insulation, and radiation effects. 

Electric Power Generation 

The SNAP-8 Electric Power Generation System will provide power for advanced 

space missions, such as lunar stations or orbiting space platforms, and for interplanetary communications. In addition, SNAP-8 may provide an early electrical 

propulsion capability. 

which will be required for higher powered nuclear electric systems in the megawatt 

range. 

It is also designed to provide some of the advanced technology 

During 1962, component and systems development continued. The first reactor 

assembly went critical, and the power conversion system was simplified and redesigned. New facilities were constructed and put into operation. 

NASA continued a broad program to solve advanced systems problems and to develop 

system technology. 

high-powered vapor turbines; liquid metal lubrication; two-phase alkali metal heat 

transfer; compact refractory heat exchangers; and projects dealing with system 

materials development for both turboelectric and thermionic conversion systems. 

The program included work on experimental high-temperature, 

Electric Protmlsion 

The NASA electric rocket engine program is oriented toward (1) high-power level 

engines (30 k. w. to 10 m. w.) which are most useful for interplanetary missions; 

(2) small-power level engines (3 k. w. or less) which are most useful for attitude 

control, station keeping, and orbital transfer of small satellites such as the 24- 

hour communications satellite and scientific satellites; and (3) a general research and 

technology program to provide the basic information leading to the development of improved engines. 

Three general categories of electric propulsion engines -- arc jet, ion, and plasma 

-- are being developed under 58 research and development contracts. 

Arc Jet Engines -- NASA is developing a 1-3 k. w. arc jet engine for orbital transfer 

of small satellites. 

continuous operation in space of from 6 to 12 months. 

The current program places emphasis on ground life tests for 

27 
Development of laboratory models of 30-k. w. d. c. and a. c. arc jet engines continued. 

These models underwent vacuum tests for cooling system evaluation and component 

compatibility interactions. 

Ion Engines -- A one-year contract was awarded for the development of a 1-k. w. prototype ion engine model for attitude spacecraft orientation control ;and stabilization 

systems. 

Progress was made in the development of the following ion engine modules: (1) an 

experimental contact ionization thrust module that will develop .0002 to . 01 pounds of 

thrust and will lead to the development of large (30-k. w. to 10-m.w.) ion engine 

systems (. 1- to 10-lb. thrust); (2) a 3-k. 2. (. 01-lb.) engine module of large electron 

bombardment ion engines; and (3) a small .006-lb. -thrust (1-k. w. ) engine module 

developed by NASA's Lewis Research Center. This work is preliminary to flight 

tests that will provide basic information on ion engines operating in a true space environment. 

Plasma (MHD) Engine Feasibility -- A number of studies were sponsored to determine the feasibility of various plasma generation and acceleration techniques and 

their potential for space propulsion application. 

TRACKING AND DATA ACQUISITION 

During 1962, NASA developed its ground tracking and data acquisition networks into a 

worldwide communications system that reports or records events as they occur. 

These networks support the Agency's various operational missions, including those 

performed by manned satellites, scientific satellites, and deep space probes. 

Manned Network 

The Manned Network supported the three MERCURY manned orbital flights. 

work used three additional tracking vessels (in the Midway recovery area) for the 6- 

orbit mission. 

The netOptical Network 

The Baker-Nunn Camera stations, operated for NASA by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, obtained about 2,000 photographs of Satellites per month. 

New Antennas 

The capability of the Satellite Network was strengthened by the installation and checkout of an 85-foot-in-diameter parabolic antenna at Fairbanks, Alaska. 'Construction 

progressed on three other antennas: (1) a second 85-foot antenna at Alaska for the 

NIMBUS Operation System; (2) an 85-foot dish at Rosman, North Carolina; and (3) a 

40-foot antenna at Mojave, California, for Project RELAY. 

The Deep Space Instrumentation Facility at Goldstone, California, was expanded by 

( 1) the installation and checkout of an 85-foot-in-diameter parabolic antenna (operational for the launch of MARINERS 1 and 2) and a two-way precision Doppler system; 

and (2) the construction of a 30-foot parabolic dish to be used in research and 

deveopment work in perfecting a range and range rate system employing digital 

28 
techniques. 

criteria for a 210-foot advanced antenna system at the Goldstone facility. 

NASA completed a preliminary advanced study for the final design of and 

UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS 

To expand university research and training in the space sciences and technology in 

keeping pace with the Nation's rapidly accelerating space effort, NASA, during 1962, 

established a Sustaining University Program under its Office of Grants and Research 

Contracts. 

The first grants under this program were'made to five universities in August 1962, 

to build research facilities. 

grants to support pre-doctoral graduate students in space-related science studies. 

Each will train 10 students during the first year. 

In addition, ten universities were awarded training 

INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS 

By the close of 1962, 61 political jurisdictions, including the U. S. S. R. , had joined 

NASA in flight, flight-support, or training programs in the peaceful uses of outer 

space as envisioned by the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. 

Satellite Projects 

On April 26, the first international satellite, ARIEL (S-51), was launched by a NASA 

DELTA vehicle from Cape Canaveral. The U. S. -built spacecraft contained six experiments designed and built by British scientists. 

on ionospheric characteristics and variations were received during the first three 

months after launching, and useful data continues to be provided. 

Over 1,000 hours of useful data 

The satellite ALOUETTE (S-27), designed, funded, engineered, and constructed entirely by the Canadian Telecommunications Research Establishment, was successfully 

launched into a near-polar orbit by NASA on September 28, from the Pacific coast. 

The Canadian satellite, the first completely designed and built by a nation other than 

the U. S. or U. S. S. R., utilized a swept frequency transmitter to sound the ionosphere 

from above for the first time. The launching, the first by NASA from the west coast, 

also marked the Agency's initial use of a THOR-AGENA B vehicle. 

On September 5, Vice President Johnson and Italian Foreign Minister Piccioni exchanged documents in Rome confirming the SAN MARC0 cooperative program expected to culminate in the first launching of a scientific satellite into an equatorial 

orbit from a complex of towable platforms located in the Indian Ocean. 

satellite will measure atmospheric drag in the equatorial plane. 

The Italian 

The United States and the Soviet Union have agreed to cooperate in coordinated launchings of weather and geomagnetic satellites, and in the exchange of data, and in experiments using the passive communications satellite ECHO II. The agreement, whi& 

was announced at the United Nations December 5, resulted from discussions led by 

the Deputy Administrator of NASA and an Academician of the Soviet Academy of 

Sciences . 

Sounding Rockets 

Joint sounding rocket launchings were conducted this year in Sweden, Norway (with 

29 
Denmark participating, and Pakistan. Additional scientific soundings were conducted in Canada with the cooperation of that government. 

produced the first substantive data on a rare phenomena of the northern skies -- the 

high altitude night time glowing clouds observed in Arctic areas. 

The Swedish launchings 

Additional launchings from NASA's Wallops Island Station were conducted in joint programs designed to place Australian and Japanese experiments deep in the ionosphere. 

Canadian rockets were launched by NASA from Wallops in further tests. 

In each case, NASA and the cooperating country divide responsibility for rockets, 

flight experiments, and ground instrumentation. Although the respective contributicns 

need not be equivalent, each side finances its own share of the work with no exchange 

of funds. 

A new scientific sounding rocket agreement was worked out with India to explore the 

equatorial electrojet -- an electric current flowing along the magnetic equator at an 

altitude of about 100 miles on the sunlit side of the earth. 

lated to the proposal, made to and approved by the UN General Assembly, for an 

international sounding rocket range on the geomagnetic equator. 

The program has been reGROUND-BASEDSUPPORT 

Weather and Communications Satellites 

Forty-four nations have united with NASA in various ground-based programs in experimenting with satellites in meteorology and communications. 

An increasing number of foreign weather services have mounted special observations 

of cloud cover synchronized with the passes of NASA's TIROS satellites overhead. 

About 35 members of the World Meteorological Organization have participated in this 

program at the joint invitation of NASA and the U. S. Weather Bureau. 

Inter national experimentation in television and other telecommunications by T ELS TAR 

was made possible through a cooperative program in which England and France provided, with their own funds, major ground terminals on their own territories. 

terminals will be available, with additional facilities being developed by Germany, 

Italy, Brazil, and Japan, for NASA experimental communication satellites such as 

RELAY. 

These 

Scientific Satellites 

Twenty countries have indicated their desire to cooperate in an investigation of the 

ionosphere through ground-based studies of radio signals to be sent on seven frequencies from the polar ionosphere satellite (S-66), schedule for launch in 1963. 

Training Programs 

The NASA program for senior foreign scientists at the postdoctoral level was expanded to include all NASA centers. 

ties to contribute their talents to theoretical and experimental programs. 

eight scientists from 19 countries have participated in this program. 

Fellowship program, graduate students sponsored by their national space committees 

This program gives these scientists opportuniThirtyIn a new 

30 
or national research councils may qualify for NASA fellowships at 20 U. S. universities engaged in space research programs. 

have come under this phase of personnel exchange. 

Nineteen fellows from eight countries 

Training in project-related activities, such as sounding rocket launchings, tracking, 

payload design and preparation, is available at NASA centers in connection with 

cooperative programs. Some 48 technicians, supported by their home sponsoring 

agencies, have come to the U. S. from 14 countries under this plan. 

Further, 17 foreign students attended Columbia's University's Summer Institute in 

Space Sciences under a NASA grant. 

MANAGEMENT, SUPPORT FUNCTIONS, SERVICES AND PROCUREMENT 

During 1962, NASA augmented its field organization and improved budgetary procedures as it planned more efficient management of its portions of the Nations's 

growing space program. 

NASA strengthened the Office of the Associate Administrator with the addition of 

two additional Deputy Associate Administrators, to make a total of three, and 

realigned functions within that office. 

Two of the three deputies were delegated responsibility for the supervision of field 

centers on institutional matters. One of these two deputies, who also occupies the 

post of Director of Manned Space Flight, supervises the three centers most directly 

concerned with manned flight -- the Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas; the 

Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Alabama; and the Launch Operations 

Center, Cape Canaveral, Florida. 

field centers. 

The other deputy supervises all other NASA 

The third deputy, designated Deputy Associate Administrator for Defense Affairs, 

will maintain liaison between NASA and DOD. 

contact between the Administrator's office and the military services. 

He will be the main point of 

To insure maximum possible use of common facilities, services, and support 

personnel with the Department of Defense, NASA, in March, established its launch 

facilities at the Atlantic and Pacific Missile Ranges as independent field installations. 

Accordingly, the launch operations center at Cape Canaveral, Fla., and the launch 

operations office at Point Mugu, Calif., in reporting directly to NASA Headquarters, have improved the res onsiveness of the Centers to the manned lunar-landing programs and other launcg requirements. 

In Ma/ the Agency provided an on-site office at the headquarters of a major contractor for more effective direction of contracts in the APPOLLO and Advanced SATURN 

manned lunar landing program. 

erations office in Boston for closer liaison with industrial contractors, research 

institutions, and other government agencies in that area. 

Two months later NASA set up a northeastern op31 
Chapter IV 

Department of Defense 

INTRODUCTION 

As their contribution to the national space program, the Department of Defense, 

during 1962, expanded the research and development effort designed to keep the 

peace. These efforts are based on the belief that the capability to discourage or 

deter an attack via space is essential to keep the peace on this new frontier of man's 

endeavor. 

DOD space projects fall into two principal categories: First, those projects directed at clear, identifiable military needs and requirements. 

the development of communications, navigation, and ballistic missile early warning 

satellite systems. The second class of projects is designed to investigate promising military space capabilities which will create a broad flexible technological base 

and to develop devices and subsystems which can be readily adapted for the design 

and engineering of major systems as future military space requirements and needs 

are identified: A prime example of a major project in this latter category is the 

TITAN I11 standardized launch vehicle which was approved for development in 

August 1962. 

Examples include 

TITAN 111 will be capable of performing a wide variety of space missions involving 

a broad span of payload weights. 

launch vehicle for more than a decade, performing a role in space operations for 

the DOD and NASA, as appropriate. 

building block upon which the structure of the future military space capability will 

be built as part of the National Launch Vehicle Program. 

It is expected to serve as a general purpose 

Thus, it represents a major technological 

Space efforts of the Department of Defense are fully coordinated with the activities 

of NASA and other government agencies in order to assure that planning for potattid 

military applications of the future properly considers and applies all appropriate 

aspects of research and development in space with special emphasis on minimizing 

duplication Military space efforts are properly integrated as an essential element 

of a consolidated National Space Program in which many government agencies are 

participants. 

Cooperation and accord at the management and operating levels in DOD and NASA 

contribute to the complementary characteristics of the collective spate efforts. 

For example, the military communications satellite system is being developed to 

satisfy the peculiar requirements of the DOD for reliability, security, resistance 

to countermeasures, access to remote areas, and use by mobile units. It will 

supplement, but not replace or duplicate, space communications systems being 

developed by NASA and the electronics and communications industry. 

Concurrent with its efforts to advance and exploit space technology, the Department 

of Defense sustained its traditional interest and participation in programs devoted 

to the advancement of aeronautics. Continuing progress in this important area was 

made during the past year. 

33 
Selected portions of the DOD program in the areas of space technology and aeronautics are highlighted in the following sections: 

SPACE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 

Standardized Space Boosters 

During the year substantial progress has been made in developing standard configurations of our first generation of space boosters. These include the ATLAS 

and THOR boosters and the AGENA upper stage vehicle. 

standardization program are: increased reliability, increased producibility, 

increased flexibility in assignment of vehicles from one program to another and 

decreased overall space program costs. 

Objectives of the 

The THOR space booster was standardized on a step by step basis during actual 

use. The AGENA 

standardization was undertaken as a program on an accelerated schedule. 

vehicles were delivered in April 1962 and flown in June and July 1962. The 

Standard Atlas program is being pursued in a similar manner to the AGENA 

program. 

Initial standard THOR vehicles were delivered in mid-1962. 

Initial 

Initial vehicles were delivered late in calendar year 1962. 

TITAN 111 

The TITAN 111 is a standardized space launch system which will be developed and 

utilized as part of the National Launch Vehicle Program as outlined in the joint 

agreement between the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of NASA. This 

launch vehicle, to be developed by the Air Force, will meet Department of Defense 

and NASA future needs to place 5,000 to 25,000 pounds of payload in low earth 

orbits. The TITAN III takes full advantage of the Department of Defense's investment in the two stages of the TITAN 11 ICBM, with minimum modifications, along 

with large solid motors and a new upper stage as the essential building blocks. 

The TITAN III system was the first large program to utilize new DOD procurement 

procedures. Before prqgram approval was given, a program definition phase 

(Phase I) was established and funds were released in December 1961 to determine 

costs, vehicle performance, and appropriate model configuration, as well as to 

select the prime contractor and establish the overall DOD management organization. 

The Phase I program definition effort was completed in the second quarter of 

calendar year 1962 and the objectives of the Phase I efforts have been verified by 

the Air Force and the Department of Defense. 

The basic program for TITAN 111 is believed better defined than any large scale 

development undertaken in many years. Unique new management arrangements 

have been established for the conduct of thisprogram. 

that approximately 75% of Fiscal Year 1963 contract funds for research and 

development are being disbursed under incentive type contract arrangements. 

These contracts were fully defined before the program schedule was given a !!goahead. !! 

One important aspect is 

TRANSIT 

The TRANSIT satellite navigation system developmental program is progressing 

34 
as planned, and should be available for worldwide fleet operational deployment in the 

second quarter of calendar year 1963. During 1962, principal research efforts were 

concentrated on increased system reliability and accuracy, the refinement of refraction and geodetic data, satellite power and stabilization technology, and prototype 

development of shipboard navigation equipment. 

The launch of TRANSIT IVB on 15 November 1961 marked the last planned launch of 

a TRANSIT satellite from the Atlantic Missile Range. 

for four THOR ABLE-STAR launches - are programmed for SCOUT vehicles to be 

launched from the Pacific Missile Range. 

December 19, 1962. 

All future launches - except 

A TRANSIT VA satellite was launched 

When operational, the TRANSIT system will provide reliable, worldwide, all-weatk 

navigation for important units of the Navy. 

Communications Satellite Proeram 

In May 1962, the Secretary of Defense re-oriented the Department of Defense commimications satellite program. In this re-orientation, he directed the Defense Communications Agency to provide overall management and integrate the ground and space 

systems into the Defense Communications System. 

Force to develop two communications satellites - one a medium altitude system using 

many satellites, and one a synchronous altitude system using relatively few satellites. 

The Secretary directed the Army to develop the ground communications environment. 

The Secretary directed the Air 

The Department of Defense has also continued its participation in NASA's SYNCOM 

program. 

and Camp Roberts (California), the installation of a terminal aboard the U. S. N. S. 

Kingsport was accomplished, and mobile stations were developed. Communications 

experiments utilizing the SYNCOM satellite will be conducted during 1963. 

To provide experience for personnel who are participating in the NASA and DOD 

communications satellite programs and in order to evaluate past efforts of developing mobile terminals , a program was initiated utilizing ground stations developed 

for the commercial TELSTAR system. 

Two fixed DOD ground stations neared completion at Fort Dix (New Jersey) 

The Navy, the Air Force, and the Army have communications programs aimed at 

utilizing the moon, and other passive and semi-active reflectors. Additionally, the 

Navy is considering the use of a satellite relay to communicate with submerged 

submarines . X- 20 Development 

The X-20 project formerly DYNA-SOAR is aimed at the development of a small 

piloted glider to be boosted into space flight by a TITAN III booster from the Cape 

Canaveral missile test site. 

The X-20 program is financed and administered by the Air Force and supported by 

the NASA. The purpose of the program is to construct and test a manned military 

space research vehicle which will explore the problems and conditions of hypersonic flight beyond the range of the X-15 research aircraft by achieving orbital 

velocity. 

re-entry and recovery from orbit. 

The program will demonstrate the capabilities of pilot controlled 

The pilot of the X-20 glider will have the ability 

35 
to control his return to earth by extending his flight path by several thousand miles 

straight ahead or to either side followed by conventional landing. This will enable 

the pilot to select the time when he will initiate re-entry and to control the point 

where he will land. 

During 1962, the X-20 designs were finalized in conjunction with the selection of 

the TITAN III as the launch vehicle. 

proceeded to apoint where fabrication of the first gliders is expected to begin this 

year. 

Development on the glider subsystem has 

Inspector 

Work is continuing on the Satellite Inspector Program to demonstrate rendezvous 

and inspection of a non-cooperative object in space by orbiting with it. Program 

assessment resulted in the termination of a prototype co-orbital demonstration 

system and initiation of an inspection system definition study. Efforts continued 

in close coordination with the NASA GEMINI program. A joint DOD-NASA study 

of both programs was accomplished and areas of mutual development effort 

identified. 

ICBM Alarm 

The objective of this program is the research and development of a space-based 

attack alarm system intended to maintain continous surveillance over ballistic 

missile launches on a global basis. Such a system would consist of unmanned 

satellites carrying infrared sensors which can detect ballistic missiles in powered 

flight as they emerge from the atmosphere. 

During 1962 several technical advances were made in furthering this development. 

Infrared measurements from ground-based, airborne, and orbital tests yielded 

new scientific data on target and background discrimination techniques. 

ANNA 

The ANNA geodetic satellite program is a tri-service project under Navy management with NASA cooperation. 

developed independently by the military services. 

principle of radio doppler, essentially that used in the TRANSIT navigation satellite. 

The Army system employs a radio ranging transponder called SECOR, that is, 

"Sequential Collation of Range. I' 

flashing light or optical beacon. 

The satellite combines three separate systems 

The Navy system employs the 

The Air Force system employs a high intensity 

Purpose of ANMA is to provide locations of tracking stations to an accuracy of 

100 feet relative to the center of the earth, and to define the earth's mean attraction 

potential to an accuracy of 5 parts in 10 million. These accuracies are required 

to provide a framework for subsequent mapping, navigation, reconnaissance and 

other applications requiring this precision. 

ANNA IA was launched on May 10, 1962 but did not achieve orbit due to the failure 

of the booster second stage. 

ANNA IB was launched on 31 October 1962 and is presently furnishing geodetic data. 

36 
Large Solid Propellant Motor Program 

In accordance with the agreement between the Secretary of Defense and the 

Administrator of NASA, the Department of Defense is conducting advanced stateof-the-art technical development in the field of very large solid rocket engines 

with the dual objectives of advancing knowledge and the development of such engines. 

Large solid motors with diameters up to 120 inches are already under development. 

A 100 inch diameter three-segment motor was successfully fired in February 1962. 

A 120 inch diameter motor, 40 feet in length, was fired in May 1962 producing 

400,000 pounds thrust for a burning time of 130 seconds. On 15 September 1962, a 

96 inch tapered diameter two center segment motor incorporating a dual thrust 

vector control system, hypergolic ignition, and a radial-segment motor was 

successfully fired. 

configuration, burn rates, and internal pressures. 

This development work has provided design data on grain 

The development of large solid propellant motors with diameters of 156 inches and 

260 inches is being investigated. 

solid propellant motor capable of rail transportation from current production 

facilities ta coastal launching sites. 

feasibility of very large monolithic motors and provide technical foundations for 

further developments. Development of this large motor will also provide pertinent 

background data in procedures and processes for fabrication, propellant production 

and handling, testing and facility requirements, 

The 156 inch motor is the largest segmented 

The 260 inch motor may demonstrate the 

Nuclear Detection Satellite 

A joint DOD/AEC program of satellite-based detection of nuclear tests in space is 

being conducted. Its objective is to confirm experimentally detector sensitivity, 

reliability, and system performance capability in the space environment by conducting experiments to obtain data on the background effects of the natural radiation 

environment in space. 

space.whichmight be similad to those expected from a nuclear detonation in space. 

The program consists of cooperative flights with other space programs and high 

altitude flights of spacecraft designed specifically for the program. 

Of particular interest are possible natural radiations in 

AERONAUTICS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 

Laminar Flow Control Demonstration Aircraft 

The laminar flow control aircraft program is intended to demonstrate that the 

design and manufacture of a wing capable of achieving laminar flow by means of 

suction through a large number of very fine slots in the surface is practical. It 

is intended to determine quantitatively through a full scale flight demonstration 

the magnitude of drag reduction possible and to assess the maintenance requirements in an operation environment, 

The achievement of greatly reduced aerodynamic drag through laminar flow control 

would result in increased payload or range for aircraft designed to incorporate this 

feature. 

to nonmilitary activities. 

The FAA has assisted in financing the program which is also of interest 

Two demonstration aircraft are designed X-2lA's. 

37 
X-15 Research Aircraft 

The X-15 aircraft were built to provide exploratory data on aerodynamic, structural 

and physiological problems of manned flight at hypersonic speeds and space 

equivalent altitudes. 

The range of performance has gradually been expanded as speed and altitude have 

been increased. 

speed has been 4,151 MPH. 

been devoted to aerodynamic research, heat transfer investigation, development of 

flight controls, and re-entry techniques. 

Maximum altitude reached so far is 314,750 feet and the maximum 

Concurrently with this effort additional flights have 

The X-15's will continue gradually to expand the flight envelope where data from 

earlier flights indicate that an ample margin of safety exists. 

above objectives, the X-15's may be used as test bed aircraft for a group of 

advanced experiments in aeronautical and space sciences. 

projects in the program are ultraviolet stellar photography, improvement of 

attitude and guidance references for orbiting spacecraft by means of a horizon 

scanner, high altitude density measurements using an alphatron ionization gauge, 

collection of infrared and ultraviolet data at extreme altitude, advanced vehicle 

systems and structural materials. 

In addition to the 

Some of the primary 

Tri-Service VTOL Development Program 

In July 1960, the Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force, Army, and Navy 

(Research and Development) agreed that it was desirable to conduct a tri- service 

program to determine the operational suitability of vertical take-off and landing 

(VTOL) aircraft. 

feasibility of the various configurations of VTOL aircraft, but the military usefulness had not been determined. 

a tri-service program to cover approximately a five- year period was established 

in Fiscal Year 1961. 

The three services had conducted research on the technical 

Since such a project would have joint interest, 

In January 1962, it was agreed that the Tri-Service VTOL Program should be 

equally funded by the three services and consist of the following tasks: 

a. A VTOL tilt-wing transport aircraft, designated the XC-l42A, with 

executive management assigned to the Air Force. 

b. A VTOL tandem tilt-propeller aircraft, designated the X-19A with 

executive management assigned to the Air Force. 

c. A VTOL tandem rotating ducted fan research airplane, now designated 

X-22A, with executive management assigned to the Navy. 

V/STOL Surveillance Aircraft Program 

In 1961. the Army initiated the development of V/STOL (Vertical/Short Take Off 

and Landing) research aircraft applicable to the battlefield surveillance and target 

acquisition roles. 

information that will further define the characteristics of the replacement for the 

This program will provide technical and limited operational 

38 
present OV-1A (Mohawk) series. 

Three design approaches will be evaluated during Fiscal Year 1963 and Fiscal Year 

1964 which are identified as follows: 

a. XV-4A (Hummingbird) 

b. XV-SA (Fan in wing) 

C. XV-6A (Pc1127) 

SPACE GROUND SUPPORT 

Space Detection and Trackin'g System (SPADATS) 

The NORAD Space Detection and Tracking Center at Ent Air Force Base, Colorado, 

are operated for the Space Detection and Tracking System (SPADATS) by the 

USAF Air Defense Command (ADC). The U. S. Navy operates the SPASUR system, 

an interferometer fence extending from the East Coast to the West Coast, as an 

element of the SPADATS. A full backup capability to the SPADATS center exists 

at L. G. Hanscomb AFB, Bedford, Massachusetts and an ADC detachment is on 

duty to operate the center in the standby mode. 

Significant progress has been made in 1962 on improvement of the capability of 

the SPADATS. 

Procurement of a high resolution radar sensor in Alaska has been initiated. 

Construction has started on a 'SPADATS phased array radar at Eglin Air Force Base, 

which will have considerably improved capability for satellite detection and tracking over existing sensors. 

simultaneously and track large numbers of orbital objects in real time. 

capability will exist for on- site determination of orbital parameters. 

When completed, the radar will be able to detect 

The 

Work was completed on a fully automatic, digitalized computation and data analysis 

system for SPASUR. 

full operational status as an element of SPADATS on 1 January 1963. 

automatic system is capable of full evaluation of any satellite contact within 5 

seconds after passage through the fence. 

This system underwent improvements in 1962 and reached 

The 

DOD National Ranges 

The National Ranges, which are operated by the DOD, consist of the Atlantic Missile 

Range (AMR), the Pacific Missile Range (PMR), and the White Sands Missile Range 

(WSMR). 

is progressing on schedule. 

The planned growth of the ranges to support the expanding space efforts 

DOD support to the manned MERCURY launches and recoveries during the past year 

has been extensive and has been a major contribution to the success of those space 

program milestones. In addition to the launch facilities of the AMR, tracking and 

data coverage was provided by the AMR, PMR, WSMR, and other DOD installations. 

DOD recovery forces have successfully recovered astronauts from both the Atlantic 

39 
and Pacific Ocean areas. 

support of the October 1962 six orbit MERCURY shot. 

Seventeen thousand DOD personnel were engaged in 

Continued improvements were made in the land and shipborne capabilities of the 

National Ranges, for tracking, telemetry, data transmission and data reduction. 

At the AMR, the Air Force is proceeding with plans for a TITAN III installation. 

A TITAN 11 weapon system launch complex will be converted to accommodate the 

initial phase of TITAN III development, and a new Integrate-Transfer-Launch (ITL) 

facility will be constructed. The ITL facility will permit assembly and checkout 

of the TITAN 111 in the vertical position and transfer by means of rails to the launch 

position after checkout while remaining in the vertical position. 

proceeding at the AMR for the conversion of existing launch facilities for the 

GEMINI and GEMINI target, Nuclear Detection Satellite, and Satellite Inspection 

Programs. 

Plans are also 

At the PMR a new probe launch complex and SCOUT launch complex were completed 

and other launch pads are under construction. 

and NASA activities for both probe and orbital vehicle launches. 

These will accommodate both DOD 

WSMR will be the sites of the APOLLO abort system (LITTLE JOE 11) tests and 

a NASA- operated APOLLO propulsion development facility. 

Churchill Research Range 

In October 1961, the Department of Defense assigned the responsibility for operating the Rocket Research Facility at Fort Churchill, Canada, to the U. S. Air 

Force, effective 1 July 1962. 

ward over the Hudson Bay and southward along the coast for about 100 miles. 

range is used by scientists from U. S. Air Force, U. S. Navy, NASA, Canadian 

Defence Research Board and the National Research Council. 

coordination of activities of the range are carried out through the Operational 

Coordinating Group, an official, joint U. S. -Canada working group concerned 

with the range operation. 

The range extends approximately 400 miles eastThe 

Inter-governmental 

SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY 

Vehicle Flight Control 

The vehicle flight control program is intended to develop an integrated flight 

control capability for manned and unmanned aerospace vehicles. 

includes display, data sensors, computers, and adaptive controls. The X- 15 

research aircraft is being used as a test bed. 

program has been installed and has completed the acceptance flight test program. 

The program 

The adaptive control portion of this 

Ae r ospaceplane 

The Air Force is investigating advanced developments to determine the feasibility 

of the aerospaceplane concept. 

reuseable vehicle capable of placing large payloads in orbit. 

have been initiated in propulsion and structure. 

The concept embodies a manned maneuverable and 

Feasibility studies 

40 
Other Aeronautical Research 

Programs have continued to increase the aerodynamic and flying quality performance of current type subsonic and supersonic aircraft. Applied research is being 

conducted also in the aerodynamics and stability and control of V/STOL vehicles. 

Crew EscaDe for Flight Vehicles 

Until 1956, the applied research program in crew escape was focused on the 

ejection seat method of emergency escape. Shortly thereafter, it became apparent 

that the open ejection seat was not adequate for future high performance vehicles. 

Programs were initiated to investigate (a) the encapsulated seat, (b) ejectable nose 

section capsule, and (c) re-entry type of escape systems. 

During 1962, advances were made in increasing the temperature capabilities of 

propellant actuated devices from 200°F to 400OF. Design criteria for two pure 

rocket escape system ejection devices were obtained and experimental firings 

successfully conducted. 

separable escape concepts where a large crew and mission duration preclude 

separable re-entry escape systems. 

ejectable nose emergency escape capsule are being track tested at Edwards Air 

Force Base. 

Work was begun in 1962 toward the establishment of nonAlso, in 1962, full-scale models of an 

Seven track tests were scheduled for 1962 including a 900 knot run. 

Electrical Propulsion 

The Department of Defense has continued research and development of several 

forms of electrical propulsion. 

the NASA efforts. The DOD has particular interest in application of electrical 

propulsion for attitude control, stationkeeping, orbit adjustment and other 

situations where the characteristics of high specific impulse and low thrust are 

useful. A ballistic space test of an ion engine was carried out in the latter part 

of 1962 but a power failure prevented useful results. 

developed to maintain the spin rate of a satellite. 

engines will be tested in conjunction with orbital tests of SNAP units. 

These efforts have been closely integrated with 

A small plasma engine was 

Other electric propulsion I 

Advanced Air - breathing Propulsion 

A three-year effort has been completed on increasing the performance parameters 

for all jet type propulsive devices. 

approaches to reduce weight and increase performance were tested for approximately 50 hours in two test engines. 

Two different principles using separate 

A high work per stage and high efficiency compressor were used ~J-I bpth concepts. 

Two different engineering approaches were used to decrease the combustor size 

by 50% and both engines used a single high work per stage turbine to drive the 

compressor. This enabled the construction of a very short engine with only two 

bearings instead of the usual 4 to 6. The design goal was 10 lbs. of thrust for 

each pound of engine weight compared with the normal practice which gives 5 to 

6 lbs. of thrust for each pound of engine weight. 

The featuresproven by these experimental tests when used in a design for a jet 

engine will permit lighter engines with higher efficiencies. 

41 
Space Power Equipment 

The Department of Defense continued to examine various concepts for meeting the 

anticipated high electrical power requirements of future satellites. 

requirements of more than several hundred watts careful consideration has been 

given to both nuclear and solar powered generators. 

ment action was accomplished to insure vigorous development of a nuclear power 

unit to generate several hundred kilowatts of electrical power. 

For possible 

In 1962, significant manageSPUR was initiated in 1960. 

evolved a power system concept which uSes a liquid metal cooled fast reactor 

supplying thermal energy by means of a potassium Rankine cycle conversion loop 

to turbine driven electric generator. 

compatibility tests, both static and dynamic, fuel element property evaluations, 

compatibility tests of the fuel element materials and cladding, creep-rupture tests 

of the turbine and pump materials, potassium-lubricated-bearing tests, and boiling 

and condensing potassium heat transfer tests. 

The study, design and test effort has thus far 

The tests conducted included material 

The Department of Defense by letter dated October 2,1961, requested the Atomic 

Energy Commission to expand its efforts in experimental space power reactors 

toward the SPUR design criteria. In the ensuing months, the AEC initiated the 

SNAP-50 reactor development in the power range needed by SPUR. 

between the Chairman, AEC, the Administrator of NASA, and the Secretary of the 

Air Force resulted in a memorandum of understanding between DOD, AEC, and 

NASA on the management by AEC of an integrated SNAP-50/SPUR program. 

Meetings 

Progress was made during the year in the SNAPSHOT program which is a companicri 

to the AEC SNAP program. SNAPSHOT will provide vehicles and services for 

orbital proof tests of SNAP 10A and SNAP 2. 

gram are scheduled for 1964 and will use the ATLAS/AGENA launch vehicle to 

place S NAP 1 OA in orbit. 

The first orbital flights of this proHi- Definition Radar 

A program has been initiated to demonstrate a technological capability to build high 

resolution, long range, space tracking radar. 

The program is intended to provide the technology necessary for greatly improved 

detection, identification and tracking of orbital or ballistic objects. 

Infrared 

Infrared detectors have been developed which have many applications in satellite 

and space systems. Satellite systems require IR detectors for horizon scanners 

used in vehicle stabilization, in star trackers used for navigation, for IR space 

communications, for detection and tracking systems used for satellite rendezvous, 

and various other applications. Presently available long wave length detectors, 

with response in the S-14 micron region (necessary for cold body detection) require 

cooling to liquid nitrogen, neon, hydrogen, and even helium temperatures 

(-26809OC). 

providing these temperatures continuously for long periods of time, are being 

developed. 

Special minature cryostats, requiring low power input, but reliably 

Long wave length detectors requiring less cooling, or no cooling at all, 

42 
must also be developed for greater reliability and lower electrical power 

r equi-r em ents . 

Ultraviolet 

The ultraviolet region of the spectrum is also being explored primarily from the 

point of view of utilizing this region for image formation outside the earth's 

atmosphere where ultraviolet energy is not attenuated. 

meaaurements have been made in cooperation with NASA. 

Ultraviolet background 

Extensive work in the field of optics in recent months has provided many advancements of considerable importance to peaceful exploitation of the aerospace 

environment. Optical sensors have long been recognized as providing a means 

toward achieving high resolution and high angular accuracy, but to achieve this 

potential high performance, large diameter optical elements and mirrors are 

required. 

large diameter capable of maintaining a precise optical shape. 

Recent experiments have resulted in new lightweight mirrors of 

LASERS 

The explosive field of LASER (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of 

- Radiation) research is also resiltingin techniques that will make-this device a 

valuable tool, in connection with optical sensors, for many operations in aerospace vehicles. 

for example, guidance and exploration. 

It will provide extremely sensitive and high resolution devices , 

In this area of research, there has been extensive coordination even on an 

international basis. 

Military Applications of LASER Techniques was held in France, summer of 1962. 

The recent NATO-SADTC Symposium on Technical and 

Data Handling 

The many problems associated with handling pictorial data or the output of 

imaging sensors is also under study. Photo-tape is one result of these efforts. 

It is essentially like the sensitive element of a TV picture tube except that it is 

flexible and can be rolled up and the information stored for later readout. It is 

relatively insensitive to nuclear radiation, reuseable and combines some of the 

best features of TV and photography. 

NIMBUS type meteorological satellites. The effect of radiation, which exists more 

intensely in space, on photography and image forming systems is being evaluated. 

The effect of the earth's atmosphere on image forming sensors is also under 

extensive study. Atmosphere affects performance of sensors in three ways. The 

natural turbulence places a limit on resolution under some conditions of operation, 

induced turbulence due to passage of a vehicle through the atmosphere places 

other limitations , and, finally, depending upon vehicle skin temperature and 

meteorological conditions, the atmosphere reduces the ability of an image forming 

sensor to provide proper contrast discrimination. These problems and techniques 

for solving them, carry high priority and success in this field has many peaceful 

applications. 

It is being considered for use in the 

43 
Environmental Research Rocket and Satellite Support 

The environmental research rocket and satellite support program provides rocket 

boosters, spacecraft equipments, and associated services, to place research 

experiments in the space environment for scientific purposes. The purpose of the 

program is to consolidate all booster services and flight hardware procurement 

for space environmental research under a single manager in order to obtain the 

economies gained by central purchase of rocket vehicles and allied equipments in 

standardized configuration, central assignment and full utilization of payload space, 

and provision of standard ground support. 

this program cover a wide range. 

The types of rocket vehicles used by 

The program also utilized pods which are attached to the exterior of ATLAS and 

TITAN I1 developmental and test vehicles in a piggyback fashion. 

surplus weight-lifting capacity of test ICBM's is used for valuable scientific 

research as an adjunct to their primary mission, without the normally associated 

high booster costs. During 1962, 49 environmental research experiments were 

carried in scientific passenger pods on ATLAS boosters. 

covered research in the life sciences, electromagnetic propagation, aeronomy, 

ionospheric physics, energetic particles and fields, energy conversion, and 

re- entry physics. 

In this way, 

The experiments 

Eight NASA-Air Force SCOUT orbital vehicles, and seven BLUE SCOUT, JR. 

deep space probes were purchased in 1962 with delivery, and subsequent launch 

scheduled to begin in early 1963. These vehicles will be used for research in 

radar detection and resolution, energy conversion, geo-space magnetohydrodynamics, energetic particles and fields, and life sciences. 

During 1962, approximately 50 research sounding rockets were launched and the 

data obtained were furnished to other interested organizations. Most of these 

were fired from the White Sands Missile Range and the Eglin Gulf Test Range. 

Employed in this program were a wide variety of vehicles which had the capability 

to carry geophysical sensors weighing from 10 to 200 pounds to altitudes over 

1000 miles. Several series of rocket launchings have been made for repeated 

experiments for determination of variations in upper atmospheric kinetic, 

composition and chemical properties. 

The highest re-entry speed over obtained for a man-made object, 14 km per second, 

was achieved last May. 

diameter which was propelled downward from a height of about 200 miles. The ball 

became an artificial meteor, creating a bright trail visible in Virginia and North 

Carolina. 

experiment. 

downward. 

The re-entry body was a steel ball of about 3/4 inch 

A six-stage solid-fueled rocket, TRAILBLAZER 2, was used in the 

The last four stages were used to propel the artificial meteor 

The rocket was launched from Wallops Island. 

Space Technology Satellites 

The Air Force continued its launch of space technology satellite at an increasing 

rate during 1962. 

guidance systems, and techniques used in various U. S. space projects. 

capsule recovery is foremost among techniques being developed. 

The program consists of testing components, propulsion, 

Space 

44 
A standardized second stage and satellite vehicle was tested and all missions 

utilizing it were fully successful. 

Force, Navy, and NASA programs in the future. The payload capacity of space 

technology space vehicles has provided a most fruitful opportunity for scientific 

measurements. Instrument modules for experiments are carried as part of the 

payloads. 

The vehicle will be used for many of the Air 

During 1962, thirteen of these research payload modules have been carried into 

orbit aboard space vehicles and research data have been made available to interested agencies, Each of these modules usually contains a number of experiments. 

About 65 experiments have been placed in orbit this past year. The instruments 

flown on these satellites were designed to measure density, micrometeorites , cosmic radiation, electron and ion densities, magnetic fields, and galactic radio 

noise. 

Examples of experiments which were performed during 1962 are: 

a. A plasma probe was flown five times to obtain data regarding the electrical 

structure of the F region of the ionosphere. 

positive and negative particles of the ionosphere were measured. 

Density and temperature of both the 

b. A standing wave impedance probe was flown six times which consists of a 

24 foot balance dipole antenpa phich was unrolled in orbit. 

interpreted in terms of electron density at satellite altitude. 

Observations are 

c. Nuclear emulsions have been flown and recovered from twelve flights. 

These emulsions are studied to determine the flow of energetic particles trapped 

in the geomagnetic field and also to learn more about incident cosmic rays. 

d. Many active experiments have flown to measure properties of the Van 

Allen Radiation Belt. 

due to the enhancement of the belts caused by the U. S. and Soviet high altitude 

nucle itr t e s ts . 

These measurements were especially important during 1962 

ASSET 

The Air Force Aerothermodynamic/Elastic Structural Systems Environmental Test 

(ASSET) program was initiated to provide an economical and feasible means to 

supplement and verify the validity of ground facility data by obtaining basic knowledge of the actual free flight environment in the critical heating regime surrounding 

hypersonic re-entry vehicles with lifting surfaces. 

boosted into a re-entry trajectory by the THOR/DELTA and THO% boosters. These 

unmanned vehicles are designed to test full scale components of various structural 

concepts and materials. 

Four test vehicles will be 

The first launch is scheduled for Mid-1963. 

General Support, Research and Development 

Our efforts in space are undertaken not only to meet certain well-defined military 

needs and requirements, but also to create a vigorous and broad base of new 

technology which will allow us to undertake development of future systems to 

fulfill a clear, identifiable military need or requirement. 

exploratory and advanced developments aimed specifically at the evolution of 

The DOD is supporting 

45 
"technological building blocks" for space. 

have been covered in the foregoing) include a great variety of efforts in bioastronautics , the development of advanced sensors, the evolution of advanced 

propulsion systems and power supplies, developments in materials, and a 

multitude of exploration and research efforts aimed at learning more about space 

flight and the space environment. 

These developments (some of which 

COOPERATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 

Close coordination and cooperation with other government agencies was continued 

and enhanced during 1962. 

the projects discussed above such as standardized space boosters, large solid 

propellant motor program, X-20, X-15, space nuclear detection and ANNA. 

Examples of this have been cited already in some of 

Additional examples have been mentioned in the description of activities at the 

National Ranges. 

of special mention: 

In addition to the above, the following are considered wor.thy 

Participation with the NASA in the Aeronautics and Astronautics 

Coordinating Board for the purpose of coordinating the activities 

of the DOD and N-ASA to awoid undesirable duplication to achieve 

efficient utilization of available resources, to identify problems 

requiring solution, and to exhange information. 

Participation in the Joint Meteorological Satellite Advisory Committee. 

Participation with the AEC in the development and use of space nuclear 

power units. 

To insure effective and coordinated management of DOD support to programs of 

NASA, the DOD issued a Directive on 24 February. 1962. 

that basic agreements for support will be made between Secretary of Defense and 

the Administrator, NASA. 

support of NASA including assignment of responsibility to the Secretary of the 

Air Force for research and development, test and engineering of satellites, 

boosters, space probes, and associated systems necessary to support NASA. 

This Directive specifies 

It defines the responsibilities within the DOD for the 

The Air Force created the Office of a Deputy to Commander, Air Force Systems 

Command, for Manned Space Flight as follow-on to the DOD assignment of Space 

RDT&E to the Air Force. 

in order to help assure the closest management level interplay between the two 

agencies responsible for the national space program. 

This Deputy maintains an office in NASA Headquarters 

A memorandum of agreement between the Air Force and the Federal Aviation 

Agency was signed into effect on 4 September. 

Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) required to meet the needs for safe and efficient 

navigation and traffic control of all civil and military aviation. 

this agreement are to: 

It relates to Research, Development, 

The purposes of 

a. Insure timely response and full consideration of USAF requirements in 

FAA programs. 

46 
b. Provide the mechanism whereby USAF and FAA will coordinate and 

cooperate in RDT&E projects of mutual interest. 

c. Enable each agency to observe and participate in RDT&E programs 

to the extent necessary to discharge their respective agency 

responsibilities and effect overall Government economies. 

Closer relationships have also been established with the National Aeronautics and 

Space Council and specific contact points for particular areas of interest have been 

established. 

47 
Chapter V 

Atomic Energy Commission 

INTRODUCTION 

The Atomic Energy Commission's efforts in behalf of the nation's space and aeronautics programs are directed toward the development of (1) compact space and 

satellite power sources (Project SNAP); (2) reactors for nuclear rocket engines 

capable of accomplishing operational space missions (Project ROVER); (3) an 

advanced-type reactor which can be incorporated into a ramjet engine to propel 

high-speed, low-altitude, extended-range missiles (Project PLUTO); and (4) satellite-based instruments and systems to detect nuclear explosions in space (Project 

VELA HOTEL). 

PROJECT SNAP 

Radioisotope-fueled generators, capable of achieving power levels of the order of 

tens and hundreds of watts, and small nuclear reactors, capable of delivering kilowatts--and eventually megawatts--of power are the two systems being developed by 

the AEC to provide nuclear auxiliary power for spacecraft and satellites. 

Radioisotope-fueled generators: 

Using the basic technology of the grapefruit-sized Plutonium-238 fueled SNAP- 3 

type generators which were successfully placed in orbit in 1961 as supplemental 

power sources in the Navy's TRANSIT-4 navigational satellites, three heavier, 

higher-powered, larger-sized, Pu-238-fueled generators with a design lifetime of 

5 to 10 years-designated SNAP-9A--were this year fabricated, fueled, tested, and 

delivered for use in the Navy's operational prototype TRANSIT-5 series of navigational satellites. 

(25 watts) for this series of satellites which are being launched from the Point 

Arguello Naval Missile Facility, and are sending out signals by which navigators 

throughout the world can electronically determine their exact position. 

These generators are designed to supply all of the power 

Major SNAP-9A effort in 1962 was devoted to testing the integrity of the capsule in 

which the Pu-238 fuel for the generators is encased. 

capsules were subjected to rigorous impact and fire tests to substantiate that the 

unit would safely survive launch aborts, but would, upon re-entry from space, burn 

up to very fine particles which would disperse harmlessly before reaching the earth, 

Generators and bare fuel 

Early in 1962 the AEC initiated a contract effort to develop the SNAP-11 Curium242-fueled thermoelectric generator required by NASA for their unmanned soft 

lunar exploration program- -Project SURVEYOR. Prototype units with a mission 

lifetime of 120 days are being developed. Operational fueled units will be available 

to NASA for launchings beginning in 1965. 

supply continuous electrical power for the radio transmitters and other instruments 

aboard the spacecraft under the extreme environments of the lunar surface. 

These generators will be designed to 

49 
Fabrication of the low-powered cesium-vapor thermionic generator- -designated 

SNAP- 13--which is being developed to demonstrate the feasibility of using a radioisotope heat source in such an energy conversion device, encountered some difficulty when two prototype electrically heated generators exhibited heater failure 

during test. Replacement prototype units incorporating improvkd heater design 

were fabricated, and the units now have successfully completed life tests. Development tests are continuing, and no delay is expected in completing a fueled SNAP-13 

generator during 1963. The SNAP-13 has been designed in line with the SURVEYOR 

system requirements so it may serve as a standby unit for SNAP- 11, delivering the 

same amount of power for about one-half the weight. 

In August, the AEC awarded a &month study contract to develop a conceptual design for a 500-watt thermionic generator which can be fueled with radioisotopes 

such as Cerium- 144, Plutonium-238, or Polonium-210 and might have application 

in communications satellites or in other space systems which need relatively large 

amounts of power. 

Polonium-2 10 is attractive for heat source applications, particularly in lunar probe 

spacecraft, because of its high specific activity and very low beta and gamma radiation. 

by combining it with the rare earth elements to form high melting compounds which 

give the desirable heat char3ateristics with negligible gamma radiation. 

of these research compounds appear attractive as heat sources. 

Its limiting high vapor pressure at elevated temperature s has been reduced 

Several 

In recent months the possibility of using Curium-244 has become of interest for 

relatively high power, long-life missions. 

its specific power is approximately five times greater than Plutonium-238. 

an alpha- emitter, it presents relatively insignificant external radiation hazards. 

At present, studies are underway to determine production capabilitiesof this radioisotope. 

Besides having a half-life of 19 years, 

Being 

Small Nuclear Reactors: 

SNAP- 2, the very compact 3-electrical-kilowatt reactor-turboelectric system for 

space applications, will be ready for orbital testing in 1965. Development of the 

miniaturized rotating power conversion equipment for operation with the SNAP-2 

Developmental System continues to be the pacing item in the program. 

effort to develop a flight-qualified power conversion system was initiated early in 

the year, and a preliminary design completed in July. 

of the system, it will be mated to the SNAP-2 reactor and the combined reactorpower conversion unit will be ground tested in 1964. 

completed, a flight-qualified system will be delivered to the Air Force for mounting 

in a satellite nosecone for the orbital tests. 

Intensified 

Following exhaustive testing 

After this testing program is 

The SNAP-8 system, which is being developed as a joint AEC-NASA effort, will 

consist of a scaled-up AEC-developed SNAP-2 reactor plus a NASA-developed 30 

kilowatt electrical dynamic conversion system. 

Experimental Reactor (S8ER) to demonstrate reactor operation and measure reactor 

performance parameters was completed early in September, and initial criticality 

of the S8ER was reached on September 17. 

S8ER was temporarily suspended during the year pending resolution of several fabrication problems which caused a large number of them to be rejected at final 

Assembly of the first SNAP-8 

Fabrication of the fuel rods for the 

50 
inspection. This suspension made critioality of the S8ER slip by about six months, 

but appears to have had no adverse effect upon the overtall SNAP-8 schedule which 

calls for delivery to NASA by 1965 of a flight-capable reactor and controls which 

have undergone nuclear and environmental tests. 

mission to SNAP-8, but its higher power and lower power-to-weight ratio make it 

a candidate for any number of advanced space missions. 

NASA has not yet assigned a first 

During the year, SNAP-10A, a compact SNAP-2-type reactor coupled to a combined 

thermoelectric converter-radiator, has undergone environmental, electrical, and 

thermal systems tests. 

its design under conditions of a launch abori or failure to inject into orbit. The 

first gound test of a SNAP- 10A flight system is expected to be operating at full 

power early in 1963, and its first flight test is scheduled for later in 1963. This 

flight will be of major significance because it will be the first test of a reactor in 

orbit. 

A major effort has been devoted to validating the safety of 

Work was begun early in the year on the development of a compact, high-temperature, lithium-cooled reactor--designated SNAP-50--which would be capable of providing nuclear-electric power in the 300 to 1,000 electrical kilowatt range for use 

in ion propulsion systems and in advanced communication satellites and other space 

applications requiring large amounts of electrical power and high power-to-weight 

ratios. Initial SNAP-50 program effort, which will continue through Fiscal Year 

1963, includes space powerplant design studies, materials and fuels development, 

and the initiation of component design and engineering. The SNAP-50 reactor program is being combined with the Air Force SPUR (conversion machinery) program 

to provide, under AEC management, a research and development program leading 

to a complete nuclear-electric power plant. 

For more effective management of the large and complex SNAP program, a position 

of SNAP Program Manager was established within the AEC during the year to serve 

as the focal point for all SNAP program direction and responsibility. SPUR/SNAP50 program management will be accomplished through a SPUR/SNAP-50 Program 

Office to be headed by an Air Force officer. TheSPUR/SNAP-50 Project Manager 

will have an Air Force and a NASA deputy to assist in carrying out the joint developmental effort and to provide liaison with the nuclear electric power programs 

of their agencies. 

PROJECT ROVER 

Project ROVER, which has as its objective the development of qualified nuclear 

rocket engines for the accomplishment of operational missions in space, is a joint 

program of the NASA and the AEC. Overall management responsibility for the program resides with the Space Nuclear Propulsion Office (SNPO) and its extensions in 

Albuquerque, Cleveland, and Las Vegas. 

Among the major 1962 technical achievements of Project ROVER were the completion of facilities in which the KIWI-B reactors could be tested, and the successful 

operation of a liquid hydrogen pump and a regeneratively cooled nozzle. The first 

power operation of a reactor on liquid hydrogen feed was accomplished in a KIWIB1B reactor test conducted on September 1. Preparatory to this test, a series of 

experimental runs were made with liquid hydrogen on a U-238 reactor which could 

not go critical. These "cold-flow" runs, which were completed in July, and the 

51 
KIWI-B1B test yielded much valuable information regarding the operation of rocket 

reactors on liquid hydrogen. 

The KIWI-B series of experiments will continue until this program achieves its 

primary technical objectives of selecting an acceptable basic core design for use 

in the NERVA engine development project, and of demonstrating a restart capability for the KIWI core. 

In February, the Jackass Flats area of the AEC's Nevada Test Site was designated 

as the Nuclear Rocket Development Station (NRDS) . to the NRDS facilities to permit the conduct of more complex, higher-power tests 

are progressing. The Nevada Extension of the SNPO at Las Vegas, which became 

fully operational in October, was established to manage the NRDS, where all phases 

of ROVER test operations are conducted. 

Additions and modifications 

Three other important steps taken during the year in the development of the nuclear 

rocket were the execution on June 28 of a contract between NASA and a private organization for the development and initial flight test of the RIFT stage, the first 

nuclear vehicle; the extension of the contract with the private corporation which 

performed the initial NERVA engine work to cover the entire engine development 

effort through September 30, 1966; and the selection of five companies to participate as candidate suppliers in a cooperative program aimed at providing industrial 

capability to produce nuclear rocket fuel elements. 

PROJECT PLUTO 

During 1962, plans were made: to expand the objectives of Project PLUTO--a coordinated effort of the AEC and the Department of Defense (Air Force)--into the 

development of advanced-type nuclear reactors for ramjet systems for application 

in supersonic low-altitude missiles. These plans are being examined. 

The initial engineering test reactor constructed to provide the engineering, thermodynamic, and nuclear experience basic to the development of a ramjet reactor-- 

designated TORY IIA--was successfully tested in the Fall of 1961. This reactor 

demonstrated the feasibility of a reactor for nuclear ramjet propulsion. 

The second reactor--TORY 11C--is designed to bridge the gap between the TORY 

11A engineering test device and a flyable power plant. 

satisfactory that TORY 11B tests were considered unnecessary and, consequently, 

were by-passed. ) Construction of the TORY 11C is progressing satisfactorily, and 

its testing is expected to begin during the summer of 1963. 

(TORY 11A tests were so 

Work on modifying and expanding the PLUTO test facilities at the AEC's Nevada 

Test Site is' on schedule. 

Early in the year, the AEC, in response to a Navy request, initiated studies of 

nuclear ramjet engines for sea-based missile applications, including not only 

vehicles capable of being launched from existing POLARIS submarines but also 

from other seaborne launch configurations. 

52 
PROJECT VELA HOTEL 

The AEC is participating in the Department of Defense VELA HOTEL program, a 

research and development effort aimed at developing satellite-based instruments 

and systems to detect nuclear explosions in space. The AEC's instrument development work is being carried out jointly by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and 

the Sandia Laboratory. Radiation detectors for neutrons, gamma rays, and X-rays 

will be employed. 

53 
Chapter VI 

Department of State 

INTRODUCTION 

In 1962 world interest in outer space activities was reflected with the beginning of 

implementation of the United Nations resolution on outer space, adopted in late 1961 

at the initiative of the United States, and with the reactivation of the United Nations 

Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. 

The Department of State continued to direct United States efforts in the United 

Nations aimed at increased cooperation in outer space activities and definition of the 

legal and political aspects of outer space exploration. 

tinued to effect new agreements and maintain old agreements for technical support 

for United States programs in other countries and programs of international cooperation in space science efforts. 

the formulation of national policy in the legal and political aspects of outer space 

activity . 

The Department also conIn addition, the Department continued its activities in 

ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE, UNITED NATIONS 

During the year the United States directed its efforts to the implementation of the 

provisions of General Assembly Resolution 172 1 (XVI) adopted unanimously on 

December 20, 1961 on our initiative. 

Uses of Outer Space, as reconstituted by that resolution, met twice in 1962 -- 

March 19-29 and September 10-14. The March meeting established two subcommittees, one charged with exploring practical means to advance international cooperation in the scientific and technical aspects of space activity, and the second to 

study gnd report on legal problems which may arise in the exploration and use of 

outer space. 

May 28, agreed upon a number of proposals for international cooperation through the 

United Nations. These recommended: (1) An exchange, on a voluntary basis, of 

information relating to national, regional, and international programs of peaceful 

space research, and of information on governmental and non-governmental international bodies active in space research; (2) That United Nations Specialized 

Agencies and Member States support the program of scientific cooperation during 

the International Year of the Quiet Sun (1964-1965) to be undertaken by the International Council of Scientific Unions, and the program sponsored by t? same 

organization for a World Magnetic Survey; and (3) The establishment under U. N. 

auspices of a sounding rocket launch facility, or facilities, on the geomagnetic 

equator in time for the International Year of the Quiet Sun. 

in the main, stemmed from proposals made by the United States. 

The United Nations Committee on the Peaceful 

The Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, which met in Geneva on 

The recommendations, 

The Scientific and Technical Subcommittee also considered reports by the World 

Meteorological Organization and the International Telecommunication Union on 

those aspects of space. meteorology and space communications in which international cooperation would be useful, but took no specific action with reference 

to recommendations included in either of these reports. 

55 
In the Legal Subcommittee, which also met in Geneva on May 28, the United States 

delegation presented a proposal on the liability of states for space vehicle accidents, 

and a draft General Assembly resolution on assistance to and return of space 

vehicles and personnel. 

Nations would have been requested to constitute an advisory panel of legal experts 

charged with the task of preparing an international agreement. The draft GA 'resolution recommended to States that they render assistance to personnel of space 

vehicles who might be the subject of accident or experience conditions of distress 

and that they return space vehicles and personnel that might land otherwise than as 

planned. The Soviet Union had earlier tabled a draft declaration of general principles and a draft international agreement, rather than a General Assembly resolution, on assistance to and return of space vehicles and personnel. 

Under the former, the Secretary General of the United 

Significant elements of the Soviet draft proposals were unacceptable to a majority 

of the Subcommittee. 

proposals in the interest of reaching agreement, the Soviet Union was unwilling to 

consider the questions of liability and of rescue and return in the absence of agreement by the Subcommittee to go forward with the Soviet draft declaration of principles. 

substance or procedure. 

Although the United States was prepared to modify its 

The Legal Subcommittee adjourned without reaching any agreements as to 

At the September meeting of the full Committee, the recommendations of the 

Scientific and Technical Subcommittee were adopted and forwarded in the Committee's report to the General Assembly. There was lengthy discussion on legal 

problems with, however, no agreement resulting. Five draft proposals on these 

legal questions were submitted to the General Assembly with the Committee's 

Report. 

The Political Committee of the General Assembly began consideration of the Report 

of the U. N. Space Committee on December 3. The United States Representative led 

off the debate with a major address outlining United States space policy and reviewing the history of our leadership in sponsoring international cooperation in outer 

space. 

The United States presedted a resolution which called for General Assembly approval of the recommendations endorsed by the Space Committee on technical and 

scientific cooperation. 

resolution of a section which would recommit legal questions to the Space Committee. 

December 11 and the General Assembly in Plenary on December 14, requested the 

Space Committee to continue its work on legal questions including the elaboration 

of legal principles to govern the activities of states in the exploration and use of 

outer space, liability for space vehicle accidents, assistance to and return of 

astronauts and space vehicles, and other legal problems. Those sections of the 

resolution approving the scientific and technical recommendations of the U. N. 

Space Committee were retained as originally presented by the United States Delegation. 

The United States subsequently agreed to the inclusion in its 

The resolution, as adopted unanimously by the Political Committee on 

During the debate the United States also introduced a draft declaration of legal 

principles to guide states in their outer space activities. Since agreement was 

reached on remanding legal questions to the Outer Space Committee, neither this 

proposal nor draft proposals presented by other delegations were put to a vote. 

56 
In response to General Assembly Resolution 1721 (XVI), paragraphs 1 and 2, the 

United States has registered with the U. N. Secretariat all United States objects in 

orbit since mid-February, 1962. Information provided gave the international serial 

designation of the objects launched into orbit or beyond, the launch vehicle, date of 

launch, satellite category, and orbital elements. After an initial report as of 

February 15, 1962, supplementary reports were submitted to the U. N. Secretariat 

on a twice-monthly basis. 

OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES 

In 1962, the United States continued to follow a policy of cooperation with other 

nations in space research. Among the more significant of these efforts was an 

agreement with the Soviet Union to cooperate on a limited number of space experiments. In March 1962, following the successful flight of John Glenn, Premier 

Khrushchev indicated to the President that the U. S. S. R. would be interested in 

undertaking a program of cooperation in outer space activities with the United States. 

With the support of the Department, Dr. Hugh L. Dryden of NASA met with 

Professor Blagonravov of the U. S. S. R. to have technical discussions on possible 

areas of cooperation. 

for three specific cooperative programs were agreed ad referendum to the U.S. 

and Soviet Governments. The three projects involve (1) exchange of weather data 

from satellites, (2) a joint effort to map the magnetic field of the earth by means of 

coordinated launchings of geomagnetic satellites and related ground observations, 

and (3) cooperation in the experimental relay of communications via the ECHO 

satellite. 

informed the Administrator of NASA that the proposed agreement was satisfactory 

to the U. S. S. R. 

United States. The technical agencies of the two nations will soon commence steps 

to implement the projects which have been agreed upon. 

As a result of these conversations, technical arrangements 

In October, the President of the Academy of Sciences of the U. S. S. R. 

The NASA Administrator replied with the concurrence of the 

On December 5 the United States and Soviet Representatives to the United Nations in 

a joint letter informed the U.N. Secretary-General of the agreement. 

In other significant developments in international cooperation, the Department of 

State concluded an agreement with Italy for a program of launching Italian satellites 

from Texas Tower-type launching platforms in the Indian Ocean using United States 

boosters. 

communications satellite experiments utilizing the RELAY and TELSTAR communications satellites. 

Agreements were also reached with India and Japan for cooperation in 

In addition to these new cooperative programs, there was continuing support of 

NASA in the implementing and extending of cooperative programs with other 

countries including Sweden, Norway and Denmark, Pakistan, Japan, Italy, Canada 

and the United Kingdom. 

U.K. ARIEL and the Canadian ALLOUETTE, were launched by NASA in 1962. 

In this connection, the first two foreign satellites, the 

The Western European nations continued to demonstrate a growing interest in space 

activities and the conventions for a European Space Research Organization (ESRO) 

and a European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO) were agreed, subject to 

ratification by the participating governments. 

guidelines within the Executive Branch for responding to approaches from ELDO and 

ESRO for assistance. 

The Department established general 

57 
The launch of the TELSTAR satellite and the passage of the Communications Satellite 

Act of 1962 stimulated world interest in communications satellites. In this field the 

Department assisted in the formulation of basic U. S. policy for the creation, with a 

minimum of delay, of a single global commercial communications satellite system, 

with broad and substantial international participation, yet identified with U. S. 

leadership and technological progress, based on the principle of non-discriminatory 

access and designed to realize the economic, technical and resulting political 

benefits of this new technology, both nationally and internationally. 

The Department also continued to support NASA and the Department of Defense in 

gaining access in foreign countries for tracking and other support facilities for 

space programs. Preparations were made for the renegotiation of the agreements 

for the use of the Project MERCURY tracking stations to include follow-on manned 

space flight efforts of NASA. In addition, rights for new stations were obtained in 

Australia and Brazil for NASA and in a number of countries for the joint Service 

geodetic satellite program ANNA. 

agency programs were also initiated. 

Other arrangements in support of technical 

58 
Chapter VI I 

National Science Foundation 

INTRODUCTION 

The principal efforts of the National Science Foundation are directed toward the 

stimulation and support of basic research and education in the sciences. 

this activity is conducted at universities and non-profit institutions. 

Most of 

Significant research is also carried out at three National Research Centers, 

federally owned and supported by the National Science Foundation. 

established to provide essential research facilities, so large and expensive that it 

is impractical to attempt to duplicate them at individual universities. 

also constitute nuclei for planning and executing research endeavors so broad in 

scope that the cooperative efforts of a number of institutions are required to execute 

them. Research at the Centers is carried out both by the resident staff and by visiting university scientists. 

They have been 

The Centers 

THE NATIONAL RADIO ASTRONOMY OBSERVATORY (WEST VIRGINIA) 

A new 300-foot radio telescope has been completed and placed in operation on the 

Green Bank site. It will, for some time to come, be the largest movable telescope 

in the world. 

It is being used to study the distribution of hydrogen gas in our own galaxy and in 

some of the nearby external galaxies. 

This instrument is tiltable in altitude but does not rotate in azimuth. 

In addition, construction of a 140-foot telescope is planned for completion during the 

Calendar Year 1964. It will be the largest completely steerable parabolic dishtype antenna capable of efficient performance at a wave length of 3 centimeters. 

At this Center, observations have been made of radio radiation from planets at a 

wavelength of 10cm. 

peratures: 

This has provided the following new values for planetary temVenus, 610°K # 50°K; Saturn, 196OK + 60°K. 

Observations have been made with the 85-foot telescope of four extended radio 

sources in the galaxy which are thought to be remnants of prehistoric supernovae. 

Two of the sources appear to be shell sources, i. e., they have a bright ring at some 

distance from the central condensation. Shell phenomena are caused by shock fronts 

which travel outward from the center and compress the magnetic field surrounding 

the galaxy. 

THE KITT PEAK NATIONAL OBSERVATORY (ARIZONA) 

The program of the Space Division has been broadened to encompass a series of 

experiments from space probes and satellites. 

remotely-operated space telescope has continued, particularly with regard to the 

very large optical elements which would be required. 

Development of a general purpose 

59 
Excellent progress has been made on the 60-inch solar telescope and the 84-inch 

stellar telescope. Both of these instruments have been completed and are undergoing initial testing. 

CHILEAN ASTRONOMICAL STATION 

A site survey in Chile has been under way for three years to locate in that country 

the most valuable site for an astronomical observatory. 

tain top has been made. 

site and put in operation in 1965. 

rate modern observatory for which U. S. astronomers can study astronomical objects 

in the southern sky. 

Final selection of a mounIt is planned that a 60-inch telescope be installed on the 

The purpose of this effort is to provide a firstTHE NATIONAL CENTER FOR ATMOSPHERIC RESMRCH (COLORADO) 

An existing organization, the High Altitude Observatory, has been incorporated into 

this Center's structure. Observations made at an altitude of 80, 000 feet with the 

aid of balloon-borne instrumentation has revealed the existence of a surprisingly 

large number of very small dust particles at the maximum balloon height. 

Spectroscopic observations have been made of the chromosphere, a layer of the 

sun' s atmosphere lying above the bright photosphere. 

that the hydrogen and helium gases in this hot and tenuous region do not obey the 

ordinary laws of thermodynamics as a result of the intense outward flux of solar 

energy which pours through it. 

Definite evidence now exists 

ACTIVITIES AT SELECTED UNIVERSITIES 

Stratoscope LI 

This project sponsored by NSF, NASA, and the Office of Naval Research, is concerned with a balloon-borne 36-inch telescope which will be lifted to an altitude of 

80,000 feet. 

program of direct photography and spectrography of planets and other celestial 

objects. 

accurate 36-inch quartz mirror has been completed. 

At this height it will be remotely controlled from the ground in a 

The telescope itself is now essentially finished and assembled. A very 

Effects of Cosmic Radiation on the Earth's Atmosphere 

Studies show that precipitation of energetic electrons from the outer Van Allen belt 

accounts for many of the X-ray phenomena observed in the earth's upper atmosphere. The 

energy spectra and the time variations for many of the larger solar cosmic ray 

events are being measured at ground stations and with balloon, satellite and space 

probe instrumentation in an attempt to understand the geomagnetic and interplanetary effects. 

Minnesota . 

The precipitation appears to result from disturbances of solar origin. 

Research in the area is being supported at the university of 

High Temperature Gas Dynamics 

A major investigation of the properties of gases at high temperatures is being supported at Harvard University. Particular attention is being given to highly ionized 

60 
gases. 

ion p.ropulsion and the dissipation of heat during re-entry. 

of a magnetic field to help dissipate the hot plasma is under investigation. 

The information derived from these studies has bearing on the technology of 

In the latter case the use 

The design of liquid containers for operation in very low gravity environments is an 

important current problem, and is being studied under an NSF grant at Stanford 

University . 

61 
Chapter VI11 

Department of Commerce 

INTRODUCTION 

Space program activities of the Department of Commerce are carried out by the 

Weather Bureau, the National Bureau of Standards, and the Coast and Geodetic 

Survey. The Maritime Administration, recognizing the potential value of 

meteorological, navigational, and communications satellites to ships at sea, has 

such spacecraft applications under review. 

WEATHER BUREAU 

During 1962, the space activities of the Weather Bureau centered upon (1) the use of 

TIROS data for operational weather analyses and forecasting, (2) the development of 

the National Operational Meteorological Satellite System, (3) the research programs 

of the Meteorological Satellite Laboratory, (4) the meteorological support given to 

the MERCURY and GEMINI manned space programs, (5) the operation of the 

Meteorological Rocket Network, and (6) the pursuit of potential non-meteorological 

by-products from weather satellites. 

Use of TIROS Data for Operational Weather Analyses and Forecasting 

During the year, three NASA TIROS satellites were successfully orbited -- 

February 8th, June 19th, and September 18th -- and their cloud pictures relayed, 

via the Command and Data Acquisition stations, to the Weather Bureau's National 

Weather Satellite Center for processing and incorporation into analyses and forecasts. 

Each month saw these TIROS pictures usefully applied to the improvement of the 

accuracy and coverage provided by the Weather Bureau's services. 

19 62 included: 

Operations for 

a. receipt from TIROS satellites of 3,583 usable sequqnces of pictures; 

b. receipt of 87,479 usable individual pictures; 

c. instigation of 203 adjustments to the weather analyses of the National 

Meteorological Center; 

d. issuance of 149 Satellite Storm Advisories to foreign countries; 

e. issuance of 152 Satellite Storm Advisories to Weather Bureau activities in the Continental United States, 261 to U.S. Air Force Weather 

Detachments overseas, and 37 to U.S. Navy Weather Centrals; 

f. location and positioning of 13 of 25 named tropical storms which 

occurred during the year; 

63 
g. 

h. 

obtaining of important information on 12 other such storms; and 

programming of picture sequences specifically intended to support 

the following: 

Project TIREC (February 8-15 and April 6-17) 

Project BRIGHT CLOUD (March 24-29) 

University of Miami research project investigating radarscope 

photography 

Proj ec t MERCURY 

Antarctic Re-supply Mission 

Joint Task Force 8 

Project RANGER 

University of Wisconsin project studying icecovered lakes of 

north central North America 

California water survey (U. S. Weather Bureau) 

DISCOVERER launch and horizon sensor check 

USAF requirements 

Australian Rocket Firing (LONG TOM Meteorological Rockets) 

Illinois State Water Survey 

MARINER laundh (Venus probe) 

SCOUT launch from Wallops Island 

International Indian Ocean Expedition 

The launch of TIROS VI on September 18th, while TIROS V was still operating, considerably increased the numbers of pictures and the global coverage obtained. This 

increase can be expected to be maintained as the projected TOSS program (see later 

description) becomes implemented. 

International Facsimile Transmission of Cloud Maps 

Because the operational usefulness of the cloud data obtained by TIROS satellites 

depends largely upon how rapidly and adequately they are disseminated to the community of meteorological information users, much attention was given to this aspect 

of weather satellite activities by NWSC. 

perimental program was conducted consisting of the international radiofacsimile 

transmission of cloud maps (nephanalyses) to potential users in Europe, Africa, 

From April 15 to June 30, 1962, an ex64 
South America, the Far East, and the Southwest Pacific. Transmission of the maps 

in this manner was expected to complement the coded analyses of satellite cloud 

cover observations routinely sent on international radio teletypewriter networks, a 

tedious and time-consuming process during which considerable detail is inevitably 

lost. This facsimile transmission was resumed on October 1st on an operational 

basis to Europe, Central America, the Far East, and, on an occasional service 

basis, to the Southwest Pacific. 

Facsimile transmission of the cloud pictures themselves, individually and as photo 

mosaics, was also instituted. 

Idlewild Airport, New York, then extende'd in July to Miami, San Juan, and New 

Orleans. By the year's end, other points were receiving TIROS pictures by this 

method, including Kansas City, Honolulu, San Francisco, Anchorage, and selected 

Air Force bases. 

The first transmissions were made in May to 

TELSTAR Transmissions 

In late summer, TIROS V pictures and some nephanalyses were experimentally 

transmitted to France and England via the TELSTAR satellite. These tests proved 

moderately successful and demonstrated a technical potential for using communications satellites as a means of rapidly transmitting perishable weather information. 

National Operational Meteorological Satellite System (NOMSS) 

The Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1962 (Public Law 87-332), enacted in 

September 1961, provided funds to the Weather Bureau for the establishment and 

operation of a system for the continuous observation of worldwide meteorological 

conditions from space satellites. This resulted in the definition of a National 

Operational Meteorological Satellite System (short name NOMSS), requiring the 

joint efforts of the Weather Bureau and the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration (NASA). 

As a necessary first step in bringing NOMSS into being, the Department of Commerce, representing the Weather Bureau, entered into an interagency agreement 

with NASA on January 18, 1962. 

Bureau's responsibilities consist of: 

Under the terms of this agreement, the Weather 

a. determining the meteorological requirements of the system; 

b. specifying the meteorological quantities to be sensed and measured; 

c. processing and disseminating the resultant data for operational 

meteorological use; and 

d. archiving the data for weather research and climatological use. 

NASA's role in NOMSS was agreed to be: 

a. supplying the spacecraft, launch vehicle, and Command and Data 

Acquisition (CDA) stations; 

b. conducting the launch operation; 

65 
c. tracking, programming, and commanding the spacecraft; and 

d. recovering and communicating the meteorological data from the 

spacecraft to the Weather Bureau. 

This division of Weather Bureau and NASA duties was intended to be consistent 

with the former's traditional role as supplier of the national weather service and the 

latter's statutory responsibility as the nation's civilian space agency. 

With the execution of this interagency agreement, the Weather Bureau established 

the Meteorological Satellite Activities at Suitland, Maryland, in close proximity 

to the National Meteorological Center. 

work within which the Bureau could perform its technical, managerial, and operational NOMSS function, it was redesignated in mid-1962 as the National Weather 

Satellite Center (NWSC). 

Intended to provide an organizational frameNIMBUS Development 

Because NOMSS was originally based upon the initial use of the NIMBUS spacecraft 

as the System's first operational vehicle, NWSC and NASA collaboration during most 

of 1962 was directed towards this goal. 

oriented, polar-orbiting, second-generation weather satellite, continued in its 

development phase at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. 

detailed to the NIMBUS Project Office at Goddard to assist such development and 

provide on-the-spot Weather Bureau representation in problems and decisions 

affecting the meteorological data to be obtained from the vehicle. 

Throughout the year, NIMBUS, an earthNWSC personnel were 

One NWSC representative was assigned the responsibility of Data Utilization 

Manager as NWSC engaged in a continuing program to determine how best to handle 

the expected data. 

ing in as close to real time as possible resulted in the ordering of advanced digital 

computation equipment scheduled for installation at NWSC in early 1963. 

Systems studies concerning data flow and computerized processThe first NIMBUS flight model will be a NASA research and development spacecraft 

intended to prove out and evaluate the vehicle, its subsystems, and their performance. When NIMBUS satellites have proven themselves to have adequate reliability 

for operational usage, NOMSS versions of NIMBUS, funded for and under the 

operational control of NWSC, will be flown. 

NASA research and development and the Weather Bureau operational versions of 

NIMBUS will be put to operational analysis and forecasting usage to the maximum 

extent that the nature of the data and the data-handling capabilities of NWSC permit. 

The weather data obtained by both the 

TIROS ODerational Satellite Svstem 

To advance the date for the operational beginning of NOMSS, the Weather Bureau 

(NWSC) and NASA began discussions in October 1962 on the use of TIROS as an 

interim substitute for NIMBUS. TIROS, with two and one-half years of successful 

operations and a record of six placed in orbit out of six attempts, was considered 

adequate for routine operational use, although all six had been research and develop 

ment in nature. 

operating TIROS spacecraft maintained in orbit at all times until NIMBUS becomes 

operationally acceptable. 

The joint plan under discussion at the year's end called for one 

Known as TOSS (Tiros Operational Satellite System), this 

66 
first operating phase of NOMSS held promise of hardware and flight implementation 

by mid-1963. 

Res ear c h Pro E rams 

From the TIROS weather satellites, the National Weather Satellite Center has obtained tens of thousands of cloud cover pictures and substantial infrared data 

relating to earth surface and cloud temperatures. The newness of this type of information has imposed problems of analysis and understanding and has led to an 

active research effort, conducted in-house and under-contract, by the NWSC 

Meteorological Satellite Laboratory. 

Using cloud picture information, this Laboratory during 1962 concentrated its attention upon hurricane origin, growth, and dynamics; tornadoes and similar short-lived 

severe storms; the information and movement of fronts and cyclones; vertical motion 

of the atmosphere; and jet streams and clear air turbulence. 

Because TIROS pictures, taken in cloud-free areas, offered views of the earth's 

surface itself, they provided the means for studying, in addition, snow and ice cover 

and sea state (as indicated by the reflection of the sun by the water). 

Research activity using available infrared data was carried out in planetary circulation and energetics and earth-atmosphere heat exchange. 

From this research performed by the Meteorological Satellite Laboratory, the 

following useful end-results were sought: 

a. improved operational Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) -- the 

basis for much of the Weather Bureau's current forecasting activity 

and techniques ; 

b. improved cloud and precipitation prediction for agricultural and 

aviation purposes; 

c. earlier and more accurate warnings of severe storms; 

d. better long-range prediction methods; and 

e. more complete knowledge of the factors underlying climatic change 

and weather modification. 

In addition to these meteorological and atmospheric research programs, an experimental study was initiated to determine the frequency range, signal strength, 

atmospheric attenuation, and noise interference for a high-frequency sferics sensor. 

Sferics are natural electrical discharges which occur in a storm and produce static. 

The study is intended to contribute towards the design of a senor or sferics detection 

device which, when flown on a weather satellite, would locate lightning and electrical 

storm activity below. 

Work continued during the year on the development of a satellite infrared spectrometer to determine the temperature structure of the atmosphere. 

67 
Support of the MERCURY and GEMINI Programs 

During 1962, three MERCURY manned orbital flights were successfully achieved by 

NASA. 

providing detailed and specialized meteorological support services. 

To each of these, the Weather Bureau made a significant contribution by 

To provide such services, the Bureau operated a MERCURY Support Group, headquartered at the National Meteorological Center, Suitland, Maryland, with field 

offices and activities at Cape Canaveral and Miami. 

manned space flight functions to Houston, a Weather Bureau office was also established there in the latter half of the year. 

Reflecting the transfer of NASA 

The MERCURY Support Group provided forecasting information for the orbital flight 

paths, with particular emphasis upon the launch and landing areas and upon emergency -or -contingency -landing areas . and to MERCURY officials and a special weather map was prepared and delivered to 

the astronauts immediately prior to flight. 

Weather briefings were given to the astronauts 

The MERCURY Support group, in addition, debriefed the astronauts in an attempt to 

uncover any new meteorological information that might have resulted from the flight. 

These Weather Bureau personnel, further, provided climatological background 

studies not only for MERCURY orbits but for potential landing areas for the upcoming GEMINI series of flights. 

personnel on general meteorolqgical subjects and made analytical comparisons of 

the cloud pictures obtained by the astronauts with those obtained by TIROS satellites. 

They acted as advisors to MERCURY operational 

One particularly significant MERCURY flight experiment was instigated by the 

Weather Bureau's interest in the effects of various type camera filters upon cloud 

photography from satellite altitudes. This took the form of a hand-held camera 

which viewed the earth's appearance through blue, green, neutral, yellow, red, and 

dark red areas of the spectrum. The results of this experiment are expected to 

have value in designing camera systems for future unmanned weather satellites. 

Plans were under way at the end of the year to provide a course of instruction in 

meteorology to the newly-selected astronauts. 

at Houston in January 1963. In 1963, we expect, also, to see the increased use of 

the Support Group for forecasting the weather for unmanned NASA spacecraft 

launches as well as continuation of the manned flight services. 

This training was expected to begin 

Met eo r olog ic a1 Rock et Network 

Satellites have provided spectacular new coverage and increased understanding of 

the extent, nature, and movement of clouds and their associated weather systems. 

However, they have been unable, thus far, to provide anything but deduced or indirect information about the conditions within the cross -section of the atmosphere 

which lies beneath them. 

Information on the structure, motions, and dynamics of the atmosphere is still very 

much needed and vertical probing devices still the primary means of obtaining it. 

To probe or sound the upper air in the zone above balloon heights and below satellite 

levels, the continued use of meteorological rockets is required. 

68 
In recognition of this, planning had begun in 1961 for the establishment of a National 

Meteorological Rocket Network (NMRN), for which overall management responsibility would be assigned to the Weather Bureau. In April 1962, an office was established within the Bureau's National Weather Satellite Center to be responsible for 

the funding data acquisition, communications, and information processing, analysis, 

and dissemination aspects of this operational network. 

Plans were accordingly formulated during 1962 by the Weather Bureau to begin 

operational functioning of the network with two synoptic observations per week from 

each of the six stations (White Sands, Point Mugu, Wallops Island, Fort Greely, 

Churchill, and the Atlantic Missile Range). These firings would begin in Fiscal 

Year 1964. Their observations would be disseminated over domestic and international weather circuits. At White Sands, the data would be collected and archived. 

Summarized, the Weather Bureau's fulfillment of its MRN responsibility in 1962 

took the form of planning activity expected to result in an operational status in 1963. 

Potential Non-Meteorological By-products 

The yearls activities saw the Weather Bureau through its National Weather Satellite 

Center carefully examine the potential useful by-products that might accompany 

meteorological spacecraft activity. 

tracking; satellite collection of weather and oceanographic buoy information; forest 

fire detection; snow surveys; and locust cloud detection and tracking. 

These include ice reconnaissance and iceberg 

Ice Reconnaissance 

The narrow-angle (12.7O) camera of TIROS I and 11 had given evidence of its ability 

to provide very detailed and high-resolution pictures of ice in the St. Lawrence 

River. 

problems took place in February following the launching of TIROS IV. 

of a joint U. S. -Canadian effort involving the photographing of ice from aircraft to 

compare with similar photographs of the same regions by satellite. 

exercise confirmed the potential of satellite pictures for this purpose. 

capped, however, by the fact that TIROS IV carried only wide-angle and mediumangle lenses and thus the detailed resolution was sacrificed to the obtaining of 

broader geographical coverage. In September 1962, the U. S. Naval Oceanographic 

Office affirmed its interest in seeing the ice reconnaissance potential of TIROS further investigated. This potential is of interest to all agencies, naval or civilian, 

concerned with the movement of forces or shipping through waters affected by ice 

and its drift. 

Pursuit of the possibility of applying such pictures to ice reconnaissance 

It consisted 

This joint 

It was handiIceberg Tracking 

Related to ice reconnaissance is the possibility of using weather satellites to track 

icebergs. If the bergs are large enough, it is anticipated that they can be detected 

using the television camera techniques employed in TIROS and NIMBUS. 

too small for optical resolution and identification, then the emplanting of small radio 

transponders on the bergs themselves is a possibility. Using this technique, the 

passing satellite would interrogate the berg which would reply. Several interrogations may enable a navigational "fix" to be obtained and the position of this menace 

to shipping determined. 

If they are 

Discussions were held with the U.S. Coast Guard on this 

69 
matter during the year. 

Weather Data Collection 

Also examined during 1962 was the possibility of using satellites as weather data 

collection vehicles. 

non-existent, particularly in remote oceanic regions. To provide conventional or 

non-satellite weather observations in these data-sparse regions, consideration is 

being given to the use of buoys which, instrumented for such observations, will automatically sense and record the weather conditions in their area. The information 

which they obtain would, according to this concept, be stored and radioed to passing 

satellites upon command. These spacecraft would, in turn, store the information 

and read it out together with the cloud pictures and infrared or other data which they 

were intended or instructed to collect. 

In many areas of the world supporting data sources are few or 

Because these automatic weather buoys could make underwater observations as well, 

the data collected from them by satellites could be oceanographic in addition to 

meteorological. 

cost of a buoy network even more justified. 

Thus, the practical value of such buoys would be enhanced and the 

Forest Fire Detection 

About mid-year, the Forest Service of the Department of Agriculture began discussions with NWSC to determine the feasibility of using the sensing capabilities of 

weather satellites to detect incipient or early-stage forest fires. 

able to find these fires by satellite would be particularly high in remote areas, 

notably Alaska, where forest fire spotters and other detection means are few in number. 

meteorological satellite sensors -- television cameras and infrared devices -- 

appear inadequate for the task. 

technical feasibility of using microwave radiometers, passive devices which would 

detect the radiation emitted by a fire in the microwave (popularly called the radar) 

region. These might be carried as another type of weather satellite sensor, a 

possibility offered by the flexibility inherent in the large size and modular construction of the NIMBUS spacecraft. 

The value of being 

Owing to the smoke and clouds often associated with forest fires, conventional 

As a possible answer, NWSC began to investigate the 

Snow Cover Surveys 

Another by-product investigated involved the measurement of snow cover. TIROS 

photos have long demonstrated their ability to depict the extent of snow coverage. 

One mosaic, made from pictures taken by TIROS IV on April 11, 1962, showed in 

some detail the mantle of white stretching from Lake Superior westward across icecovered Lake Winnipeg, the Rocky Mountains and the Cascade Range, to Puget 

Sound. 

content, as well as photograph the extent of coverage, this would prove of very great 

hydrological importance. 

curately predicted and play an important role in the conservation and optimum use of 

the Nation's water resources. 

is extensive irrigation, these resources have been valued at $10 to $15 per acrefoot. 

If satellites could also develop an ability to measure snow depth and water 

It would enable the spring runoff perhaps to be more acIn the western part of the United States, where there 

70 
Locus t-Cloud Tracking 

The considerations that (a) sixty nations annually spend $15 million on the spotting 

and control of locusts, (b) these insects move and appear as a cloud, and (c) their 

migrations are difficult to track in areas where communications and observation 

facilities are poor, caused the Weather Bureau and NWSC to investigate the possibility of detecting and tracking them as an incidental function of weather satellites. 

Information was gathered and solicited from those areas of the earth where locust 

plagues are severe threats to the agriculture and economy. Such data were being 

studied at the year's end. If they show the adaptability of United States meteorological satellites for photographing such 'Iclouds, 'I experiments will be proposed. 

If successfully carried out, a new means of generating international good will and 

cooperation should result and America's overseas image accordingly strengthened. 

International AsDects 

The global observing capability of meteorological satellites offer unique opportunities for international participation and cooperation. 

junction with the NASA and Department of State, has been active in several international programs resulting from the advent of U. s. meteorological satellites. 

United States introduced a resolution in the United Nations calling for strengthening 

the peaceful uses of outer space on an international basis. 

as UN Resolution 1721 (XVI), it calls for extensive international activity in meteorology'with major emphasis on the use of meteorological satellites. The United 

States has been working closely with the World Meteorological Organization, a 

specialized agency of the UN, in developing plans for the implementation of this 

resolution. Since the United States is the first and still the only country operating 

meteorological satellites, the United States will continue to play an important role 

in these expanding international meteorological programs. 

The Weather Bureau, in conThe 

Subsequently approved 

As indicated earlier in this report, the Weather Bureau is making available to other 

countries data from meteorological satellites for immediate operational use. 

has been accomplished by establishing special radio facsimile circuits beamed 

abroad as well as placing satellite analyses on existing international meteorological 

telecommunications circuits. 

other countries to improve these communications. 

for research through the National Weather Records Center. 

This 

The Weather Bureau is working with the WMO and 

The data also are made available 

Technical material on the meteorological satellite program and future plans are 

provided to the World Meteorological Organization, COSPAR, and other international bodies to assist these agencies and their members in using the satellite 

data, conducting their own research programs, and planning for the use of future 

meteorological satellite data in their own program. 

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS 

The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) has three major responsibilities: 

a. to provide national leadership in the development and use of accurate 

and uniform techniques of physical measurement; 

b. to develop and apply measurement techniques for determining the 

intrinsic properties of matter and materials; and 

71 
c. to operate central research and technical service programs for the 

Federal Government in specialized fields. 

These first two responsibilities are fundamental to progress in all areas of science 

and technology. 

pushing the state-of-the-art in many fields, the Bureau's measurement and 

materials work contributes substantially to the space program. 

nical services provided by NBS as its third responsibility, those of the Cryogenic 

Engineering Laboratory and the Central Radio Propagation Laboratory are most 

directly applicable to space technology and operations. 

Because the national space effort is a type of program which is 

I Of the central techStandards and Techniques of Measurement 

A typical space vehicle requires many parts whose electrical, mechanical, and 

chemical characteristics must be carefully controlled for successful operation. 

more complex spacecraft and space systems are developed, the production tolerances for individual components are continually reduced. Thus progress in space 

technology increasingly depends upon an ability to make measurements with ext r em ely high accuracy and reliability . 

As 

The Bureau is responsible for providing the standards and techniques required for 

hundreds of types and ranges of measurements and for assuring that these measurements are consistent with one another and with the physical constants of nature. 

During 1962, NBS measurement programs advanced on many fronts of importance 

to space scientists. Example8 are given in the following two sections: 

Temperature and Distance Measurements 

During the year, improved methods were developed for temperature measurements 

up to 36,000' F by spectroscopic means, and capabilities for measurement at the 

extremely low end of the temperature scale were extended through development of a 

new ultrasonic thermometer. Laser techniques, employed for extremely accurate 

measurements of distances up to a meter or more, indicated the feasibility of 

making measurements over a distance of 100 kilometers with a precision of a part 

per million. 

of light with an accuracy that will meet the anticipated requirements of space technology. 

I 

Plans were developed to use these techniques to redetermine the speed 

Gear Measurements 

Because modern technology imposes increasingly severe dimensional requirements 

on gear elements and gear teeth, the Bureau established a gear metrology laboratory -- believed to be the first of its kind in the country -- for measuring gear 

elements under closely controlled conditions and for the development of highly 

accurate master standards. 

Clock Synchronization 

The U. S. Frequency Standard, which plays a vital part in synchronizing the clocks 

of satellite tracking stations, was improved to the point where its present accuracy 

is better than one second in 3000 years. 

72 
The Bareau also has worked in close cooperation with the newly-formed National 

Conference of Standards Laboratories. A meeting of this organization at the NBS 

Laboratories in Boulder, Colorado, during 1962 attracted 643 representatives of industry and government who were interested in exchanging information and seeking 

solutions to measurement problems facing standards laboratories. 

industry was heavily represented. 

The aerospace 

Properties of Matter and Materials 

Programs of the Bureau in the area of materials research ranged from basic determination of fundamental constants to applied projects aimed at solving problems 

originating from the space effort. 

Heat Radiation 

The design problems of space vehicles have brought about a greatly increased 

demand for data on the heat radiation properties of materials. Although many 

laboratories have been established to perform the required measurements, widely 

divergent values have been reported by different laboratories on supposedly identical 

materials. To help correct this discrepancy, the Bureau was requested by the Air 

Force to establish standard equipment and procedures for measurement of normal 

spectral emittance, to prepare and calibrate working standards of normal spectral 

emittance for use in verifying equipment and procedures used by aerospace contractors, and to provide technical information in this area to interested laboratories. 

Equipment has now been developed for direct measurement of normal thermal emittance, and working standards, representing low, intermediate, and high emittance, 

have been prepared and calibrated. 

Metal Fatigue 

Fatigue failures in metal parts are progressive and occur in two phases: (1) crack 

initiation, extending from the start of the stress application to the appearance of the 

first crack, and (2) a period of crack propagation, which terminates with abrupt 

fracture of the piece. 

Administration (NASA), it was found that the rate of fatigue crack propagation 

through a metal specimen is significantly reduced by the presence of an organic 

liquid on the test section. 

to the metal surface, this coating reduces the rate of detrimental surface reactions 

that normally occur when specimens are stressed in air. 

In a study sponsored by the National Aeronautics and Space 

By limiting the access of molecules of oxygen or water 

Plasma Physics 

The Bureau's program in astrophysics and plasma physics were intended to provide 

the measurement standards and basic atomic data needed to determine the fundamental properties of plasmas (extremely hot gases occurring in thermonuclear 

devices and space) and to solve important problems .in astrophysics. 

space effort now provides much spectroscopic data on the sun and stars from equipment carried on rockets and satellites above the earth's atmosphere. The value of 

these data will be greatly enhanced if they can be accurately described in measurement units based on precise laboratory standards. 

In April 1962, the National Bureau of Standards and the University of Colorado 

announced the collaborative establishment of the Joint Institute for Laboratory 

The national 

73 
Astrophysics (JIM) on the campus of the University at Boulder, Colorado. 

unique organization will provide a center for both research and advanced training in 

areas of physics and astrophysics important to the space program. 

together scholars in many specialities for exchange of ideas and data. 

train graduate and post doctoral students in atomic physics and astrophysics, fields 

theoretical studies, it will endeavor to provide better understanding of the basic 

physical phenomena and properties of gaseous matter, like the atmospheres of stars, 

such understanding being essential if astronomical and geophysical observations are 

to be correctly interpreted. 

This 

It will bring 

It will also 

'in which there is an acute shortage of qualified workers. Through laboratory and 

Radio Propagation and Space Telecommunications 

The NBS Central Radio Propagation Laboratory has the central responsibility within 

the Federal Government for collecting and disseminating information on radio wave 

propagation. 

solar phenomena, studies of radio wave propagation, advance predictions of radio 

propagation, advance predictions of radio propagation conditions, and issuance of 

warnings of solar and ionospheric disturbances, all of which are important to space 

scientists. 

Its technical program includes research on upper atmospheric and 

An installation for ground-based explorations of the upper atmosphere and outer 

space was constructed by CRPL and the Institute Geofisico de Huancayo (Peru) at a 

site 17 miles east of Lima. Known as Jicamarca Observatory, this installation 

makes use of an NBS-developed scatter radar technique. 

watt pulse-transmitter and a 22-acre antenna to transmit to great heights a veryhigh-frequency radio wave lasting from 50 to 1500 millionths of a second. 

antenna is also used to detect the faint-re-radiation of the pulsed radio wave by free 

electrons in the upper atmosphere. With this equipment, electron densities 4300 

miles above the earth have been measured. In addition, radar observations of the 

planet Venus recently made with this equipment indicate that the planet has an extremely smooth surface -- smoother even than the moon which is now considered to 

be much smoother than the earth. 

valuable tool for measurement of the synchrotron radiation emitted by the belt of 

man-made high-energy electrons created by the high-altitude nuclear explosion of 

July 9, 1962. The installation will also be used in limited observations of radar 

echoes from the sun's corona and from solar gas clouds emitted by solar disturbances in studies of small-scale irregularities in the earth's outer atmosphere 

and in studies of the D-region of the ionosphere, particularly its turbulence and 

meteorology. 

It employs a 6,000,000- 

The 

The large antenna also proved to be a very 

Lunar Surface Communication 

When man lands on the moon, one of his first needs will be reliable means of communication between points on the lunar surface. 

Propulsion Laboratory, an analysis was made by NBS of the factors affecting pointto-point radio communication on the moon. 

quencies for use, assumptions were made regarding lunar conditions that affect 

propagation but are not yet precisely known. 

mine the power required for sample transmission distances and bandwidths. 

Under the sponsorship of the Jet 

In order to specify suitable radio freThe data obtained were used to deter74 
Frequency Studies 

Artificial earth satellites have opened up new horizons in long-distance communication possibilities. 

generally in the 1 to 10 Gc/s portion of the radio-frequency spectrum. This portion 

of the spectrum, however, is now used by many communication services, and satellite communication systems using these frequencies would be expected to share 

them. 

quate geographical separation of terminals and proper consideration to antenna directivity. 

parabolic antennas were conducted to determine the minimum separation distance 

and antenna elevation angles for the space communication system, to keep the unwanted signals at the receiver input terminals below the interfering level. 

Optimum frequencies for satellite communication purposes lie 

NBS studies indicate that frequency assignments can be shared, with adeTheoretical studies and a continuing experimental program using 60-foot 

Cosmic Rav Studies 

Bureau studies also provided new information relating to cosmic rays , information 

which will have influence upon the assessment of the radiation hazards of manned 

space flight and upon the shielding that long-endurance spacecraft may require. 

Cryogenic Engineering 

The Bureau's activities in cryogenic engineering continued to provide information 

needed for practical applications of materials, systems, and techniques at very low 

temperatures. 

creased greatly as a result of missile and space programs which rely on cryogenic 

liquids as propellants. 

assistance was the national Cryogenic Data Center where information on cryogenic 

engineering is collected and organized for use by other Government agencies, industry, and the public. 

Demand for assistance in projects involving cryogenics has inAmong the means used by the Bureau in providing such 

Many advanced rocket concepts and designs utilize hydrogen as fuel or propellant 

fluid. Data on the thermodynamic and transport properties of hydrogen now need to 

be known with higher accuracy and over wider ranges of temperature and pressures 

than have been necessary before. 

With the support of NASA and the U.S. Air Force, the Bureau has been engaged in 

an extensive program to determine these properties. In the past year, provisional 

tables and charts of the thermodynamic functions of parahydrogen were prepared 

and published. These were based on pressure-volume-temperature measurements 

recently made by the Bureau. 

The most promising method for achieving the low pressures found in outer space 

and for obtaining the pumping speeds required for space simulation is cryopumping, 

the freezing and absorption of gases on cold surfaces. 

towards the evaluation of cryopumps as vacuum pumps have been undertaken by the 

Bureau and pumping speeds and capture coefficients of readily definable cryopump 

configurations measured. 

Investigations oriented 

COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY 

The Survey's 1962 contributions to space projects and programs have been principally that of a support nature. 

75 
Missile Range Measurements 

At the Atlantic Missile Range, several super-precise base lines were measured for 

the scaling of missile tracking instrumentation. 

with an instrument which uses the speed of light as a basic reference, has an accuracy of one part in three million. 

Missile Range and for launching facilities at Vandenberg Air Force Base. 

positions and szimuths were provided for many of the United States launching sites 

and for facilities of some NASA civilian contractorsI 

One of these lines, measured 

Similar work has been dpne for the Pacific 

Geodetic 

Satellite Observations 

During the year, the Survey continued the development of its capability in precise 

time-position observations of earth satellites, in scaling satellite positions as 

photographed against star backgrounds, and in the computations of time-correlated 

orbit positions. Such efforts have been carried out primarily with passive satellites 

of the ECHO 1 type, but the Survey is also participating in the active geodetic satellite project ANNA. Special satellite tracking systems, as developed by the Survey, 

are in operation at Aberdeen, Maryland and Oahu, Hawaii. 

excellent results of the ANNA IB geodetic satellite against star backgrounds. 

These are obtaining 

Magnetic Field Studies 

The Survey's Magnetic Laboratory, located near Fredericksburg, Virginia, continued to contribute to the space programs of the United States in various ways. 

NASA and NASA contractors have made use of the unique facilities there for duplicating the magnetic field intensities encountered by satellites and space probes. 

The magnetic instruments for EXPLORER XIV, EGO (Eccentric Geophysical 

Observatory), IMP (Interplanetary Magnetic Probe), and POGO (Polar Orbiting 

Geophysical Observatory) were tested during their development phases. The 

Laboratory has been involved in the development of improved methods for telemetering magnetic data, for the testing of equipment under extreme conditions of 

high vacuum, low temperatuqe, and low magnetic field intensities, and for recording micro pulsations for cor#elation with results recorded by space instrumentation. 

Some theoretical studies have also been made relative to the behavior of electric 

current patterns in and above the ionosphere, and of the mathematical analysis of 

the earth's magnetic field and its description at satellite altitudes. 

76 
Chapter IX 

Space Science Board 

INTRODUCTION 

The activities of the Space Science Board of the National Academy of Sciences during 

the year involved both domestic and international aspects. 

ommendations were made to the Government on the national space science program: 

internationally, the Board was concerned with the Committee on Space Research 

(COSPAR) in encouraging cooperation with scientists in other countries in space research. 

In the former area recSPACE SCIENCE SUMMER STUDY 

The Board's attention during much of 1962 was directed toward the planning and conduct of an 8-week Space Science Summer Study. 

accomplishments of the past five years in space science and defined the future objectives of the program, was held at the State University of Iowa. 

The Study, which reviewed the 

The desirability of conducting a review of the nation's scientific accomplishments 

and future plans in space research was recognized by the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration and the Space Science Board in late 1961 and plans to accomplish this study were immediately formulated. The results of the study are twofold: 

first, a report of some 550 pages has been provided to the Government and is available to the general public; second, a larger segment of the scientific world has 

acquired an increased appreciation for the Government's plans for the future conduct 

of space research. 

gain an understanding of the attitudes and thoughts of university and industry specialists in many fields. 

In addition, the Government's scientists had an opportunity to 

The Summer Study report itself consists of 16 chapters, most of which represent 

the report of an individual working group. 

groups considered individually the scientific components of the NASA space sciences 

program, that is, astronomy, fields and particles in space, lunar and planetary 

programs, atmospheres of the solar system, meteorological rockets and satellites, 

and the biological sciences. In addition, specialized working groups considered 

such topics as bistatic radar astronomy, space probe sterilization, NASA/univer - 

sity relationships, international cooperative programs, and the scientific role of 

man in space exploration. 

During the course of the study these 

FIFTH MEETING OF COSPAR AND THIRD INTERNATIONAL 

SPACE SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM 

The Space Science Board, acting on behalf of the National Academy of Sciences, was 

host to the Fifth Meeting of COSPAR and the Third International Space Science Symposium.in Washington, D. C. from April 30 to May 9, 1962. 

from 30 countries attended. 

tists from the following countries: Argentina, Belgium,, Canada, Czechoslovakia, 

France, Germany, Greece, Japan, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom, 

Nearly 600 scientists 

Some 140 scientific papers were presented by scien77 
U. S. S. R. , and the U. S. A. 

the Space Science Board, included 73 scientific papers. 

ings will be published and, like the volumes from the two previous COSPAR symposia, will represent a major compendium of space science research. The Symposium was divided into the following seven sessions: Upper Atmosphere and 

Exosphere of the Earth and Relationship to Solar Disturbances, The Sun and the 

Interplanetary Medium, The Moon and the Planets, Galactic and Extra-Galactic 

Astronomy, Life Sciences, and Technologies of Space Research. 

The United States scientific presentation, organized by 

The Symposium ProceedThe topic,s covered by the scientific papers are a measure of the progress in obtaining, with conventional research tools as well as with rockets and satellites, new 

results concerning the upper atmosphere of the earth and the physical processes 

operating in interplanetary space. 

space missions and in the field of extraterrestrial biology. Little progress was 

reported in the problem of avoiding contamination of the planets, but prerequisite 

ground work for the solution of this problem was begun. Successful manned space 

flight, as reported both by the U. S. A. and the U. S. S.R. , represents a milestone in 

space research. 

Few scientific results were reported from deep 

The working sessions of COSPAR, conducted by national delegates, scientific union 

representatives and the Committee's officers, resulted in a number of actions, 

including the following major decisions: (1) proposal of a series of internationally 

coordinated space experiments for the International Year of the Quiet Sun (IQSY) and 

the World Magnetic Survey (W MS), including plans for satellites, synoptic rocket 

launchings, and polar cap experiments; (2) establishment of various procedures for 

the extension and clarification of exchange of information about experiments conducted in space; and (3) establishment of a Consultative Group on Potentially Harmful Effects of Space Experiments. 

International Year of the Quiet Sun (IQSY) and the World Magnetic Survey (WMS). 

This major international cooperative scientific undertaking, planned for the calendar 

years 1964-1.965, is being organized to take advantage of the period of minimum 

solar activity predicted for 1964. 

the ICY, particularly as it relates to a comparison of sun-connected geophysical 

phenomena at the times of maximum to those at minimum solar activity. During 

IQSY, however, advantage will be taken of new techniques and insights gained during 

and since the ICY to increase still further the study of that portion of the terrestrial 

environment sensitive to solar control. The scientific disciplines of IQSY include: 

meteorology of the upper atmosphere, aurora, airglow, ionospheric physics, cos - 

mic rays, solar activity, aeronomy, and the interplanetary medium. In all of these 

disciplines, programs have been planned that include measurements made by means 

of rockets, satellites, and space probes; there is no IQSY rocket and satellite program as such. 

The program is in some ways a sequel to-that of 

Because of the crucial role that rocket and satellite technology will play in the 

special observations and experiments planned for IQSY, COSPAR has been cooper - 

ating closely with the international IQSY Committee. 

IQSY and WMS programs were held at two COSPAR General Assemblies, as well 

as at ad hoc sessions convened during other scientific meetings. 

Detailed discussion of the 

Three COSPAR representatives are members of the international IQSY Committee. 

National counterparts to the international Committee have been established. In the 

78 
United States, the Academy's GeopNysics Research Board established the IQSY 

Panel for preliminary planning, and recently reconstituted the Panel into the U. S. 

Committee for IQSY. This Committee has maintained close and effective liaison 

with the Space Science Board, through joint membership, and through close staff 

coordination. 

gram, including the continuous monitoring of solar ultraviolet and X radiation, 

small satellites for specialized experiments, meteorological rocket network activities, the need for an aeronomy rocket for the altitude range 100-200 km, the importance of satellite magnetic measurements as contributions to both WMS and IQSY , and 

specific rocket programs that might be carried out on a coordinated basis at many 

locations around the world. 

The Board has considered some problems germane to the IQSY proUnder the COSPAR Working Group on IQSY , the possibility of stimulating coordinated rocket programs as direct contributions to IQSY is being investigated. These 

programs include meteorological rockets, determination of molecular oxygen concentration in the ionosphere , ionospheric electron density, upper -atmosphere winds 

using sodium ejection techniques, and upper -atmosphere winds and temperatures 

using grenades. 

International Exchange of Rocket and Satellite Data. 

At its Fifth Meeting, COSPAR formally adopted a new guide to the presentation and 

international exchange of rocket and satellite information. 

from some two years of effort by the international scientific community, is a revision of the IGY Guide to Rocket and Satellite Data Centers prepared to take into 

account the changed requirements for dissemination of data that have occurred since 

the ICY -1GC period and to extend and clarify data-interchange agreements in the 

light of the experience of the first years of space research activities. It sets forth 

in detail procedures for announcements of rocket and satellite launchings , designation of satellites and space probes, distribution of acquisition and tracking data, 

exchange of scientific results, and presentation of reports and bibliographies of 

national space programs. 

This guide , resulting 

Publication of COSPAEL's comprehensive worldwide list of optical tracking stations 

was announced and preparations were advanced for completion of a similar worldwide list of radio tracking stations. A new unified system of synoptic codes for the 

rapid worldwide transmission of satellite information was also issued at this meeting. A 

scheme based on the Greek alphabet was becoming too cumbersome in view of the 

large number of launchings each year, and a new scheme based on sequential numbering was adopted. It will go into effect on 1 January 1963. 

A change was adopted in the scheme for scientific designation of satellites. 

Potentially Harmful Effects of Space Experiments. 

In response to a request from its parent body, the International Council of Scientific 

Unions (ICSU), COSPAR established a Consultative Group on Potentially Harmful 

Effects of Space Experiments. 

of broad competence including experts in astronomy, radiation physics, atmospheric 

physics and chemistry, communications, meteorite penetration, and microbiology. 

This international group will act as a focal point for developing quantitative scientific studies on potential problems which are raised by space experiments that may 

adversely affect research activity. 

This group will consist of six high-level scientists 

79 
Domestically, the Space Science Board's ad hoc group on Project WEST FORD continued to represent the views of the scientific community and to ensure the availability of information on this project. Jn 1962, using the WEST FORD group as a 

nucleus, the Board decided to establish a committee of specialists to be responsive 

to the requirements of the COSPAR. consultative group. 

Symposia on Meteorology and Geodesy. 

Two additional symposia were held in the week previous to the COSPAR meeting. 

The International Symposium on Rocket and Satellite Meteorology was a joint venture of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) , the International Union of 

Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), and COSPAR., and included 36 papers by scientists 

from Australia, Canada, France , German Federal Republic, Italy, Japan, The 

Netherlands , United Kingdom, United States and the Soviet Union. 

The International Symposium on Use of Artificial Satellites for Geodesy was organized jointly by the International Association of Geodesy of the IUGG and COSPAR. A 

total of 47 scientific papers were presented by scientists from Czechoslovakia, 

France , Germany, Greece , The Netherlands , Poland, the United Kingdom, United 

States and the Soviet Union. 

The U. S. National RePort to COSPAR. 

A comprehensive report on the U.S. space science program for the period March 

1961 to March 1962 was prepared by the Space Science Board and was submitted to 

COSPAR. It included reports on the scientific programs and accomplishments of 

NASA, the Department of Defense , other U. S. government agencies , universities , 

research institutions of all types and U. S. industrial corporations. 

a bibliography of the scientific literature related to space research. 

It also included 

STUDIES RELATING TO MAN IN SPACE 

In support of the U.S. man in space program, the Board established a number of 

working groups to study specific considerations of man's advance into space. 

groups are considering radiation hazards , gaseous environment inside spacecraft, 

nutrition and feeding, weightlessness , temperature and acceleration. 

These 

BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH 

The scientist is interested in exploiting the space environment for the advancement 

of understanding fundamental biological processes. 

panels of specialists have been convened to consider the effects of diminished 

gravity, radiation effects, the effects of magnetic and electrical fields , the effects 

of the absence of the terrestrial environment on circadian rhythms, and the fundamental problems associated with closed ecological systems. Of these the panel on 

biological rhythm s, 

radiation biology have all completed their studies. 

With this objective in mind, 

the panel on magnetic and electric fields and the panel on 

HIGH-ALTITUDE ROCKET AND BALLOON RESEARCH 

A standing group of the Board, augmented early in the year to provide competence 

in the use of high-altitude balloons for the study of the earth's atmosphere, continued 

to be active during 1962. The group has given consideration to: the continuing need 

80 
for synoptic meteoroligical rocket observations and, in particular, support for an 

economical system of greater range not dependent on large radar installations; a 

COSPAR proposal for a series of simultaneous rocket measurements of winds in the 

ionosphere (to 200 km), which provides an ideal program for international cooper - 

ation; and the meteorological rocket network: distribution of stations, exchange of 

data and participation in IQSY -- the present network received a strong endorsement. In addition, the group secured the comment of a representative segment of 

the research community on proposed amendments to the Federal Aviation Agency 

regulations on rocket firings and balloon flights. 

ALLOCATION OF RADIO FREQUENCIES FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH 

The National Academy of Sciences Committee on Radio Frequency Requirements for 

Scientific Research (formerly Radio Frequency Allocations for Scientific Research) 

has continued to assist the Space Science Board and the scientific community in their 

efforts to secure protected radio frequencies, especially in space research and 

radio astronomy. 

scientific community, and has conveyed their findings to appropriate agencies of the 

U. S. Government for their use in drafting the U. S. position to be advanced at forthcoming international conferences. 

radio astronomers and observatories to facilitate the coordination of their efforts, 

and undertakes to keep them informed concerning developments affecting their interests. 

It has determined the consensus of interested segments of the 

The Committee maintains a registry of U. S. 

BOARD ORGANIZATION 

In the fall, using the results of the Summer Study as the basis, the Board began a 

reorientation. The Board plans to operate in the future through a minimum number 

of standing committees augmented as necessary by small, highly specidlized ad hoc 

groups. 

promptly to its changing responsibilities and to reduce the demands which committee 

service makes on scientists' time. 

COSPAR sessions and symposium and the Summer Study, the Board, its committees, 

and working groups convened 33 meetings during 1962. 

It is expected that this will increase the flexibility of the Board to react 

In addition to major events of the year, the 

81 
Chapter X 

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 

INTRODUCTION 

The Smithsonian Institution Astrophysical Observatory, independently and under 

contracts and grants from other government agencies, is pursuing a broad program 

of fundamental scientific research in solar and stellar astrophysics and meteorites 

that is relevant, though not necessarily restricted, to immediate experimental space 

technology and navigation. 

Administration, the Observatory is engaged in four major projects: optical satellite 

tracking, the design and operation of two orbiting observatory experiments within 

the framework of NASA's Orbiting Observatory program, and the establishment and 

operation of a photographic meteorite recovery network of 16 stations. 

Under grants by the National Aeronautics and Space 

Many distinguished 

to work on important space problems. 

result of our satellite-tracking activities has resulted in the preparation of important 

scientific papers. 

scientists from all parts of the world visited the Observatory 

The data made available to them as a 

The number of scientific reports and papers materially increased during the year. 

The Observatory's Special Reports, Research in Space Science, now number more 

than 110, and staff scientists contributed more than 150 articles to leading scientific 

journals. 

OPTICAL SATELLITE TRACKING PROGRAM 

The Satellite Tracking Program provides significant data on optical behavior 

atmospheric densities, and on geophysical and geodetical problems. It embraces 

12 Precision Photographic Stations situated in Argentina, Peru, Curacao (NWI). 

Australia, Hawaii, India, Japan, Iran, South Africa, Spain, and the United States; 

and 94 volunteer Moonwatch teams, 49 in 18 foreign countries, and 45 in the 

United States. These photographic stations, equipped with Baker-Nunn cameras 

expressly developed for the purpose, provide the best optical means to date of 

observing and determining satellite positions. 

have been tested to achieve even greater accuracy, reliability, and ease of maintenance. 

by the camera stations. 

mately 8, 000 passages of satellites and their orbiting components; those from 

October 1957 to the present have reached a total of nearly 48, 000. 

have resulted in data for correcting satellite predictions and for acquiring and reacquiring nonbroadcasting satellites. 

Moonwatch team contributed to an important degree, was the recovery in September 

1962 of fragments of the Russian Sputnik IV. 

During the year new timing devices 

To date, approximately 54,000 satellite passages have been photographed 

Moonwatch observations this year have numbered approxiThe observations 

An achievement to which a Wisconsin 

Within the observatory establishment, staff scientists supervise and operate 

divisions of Research and Analysis, Computation, Photoreduction, Communication, 

and Publications. On the basis of information from the various tracking activities, 

83 
the Research and Analysis Division has derived a number of valuable conclusions on 

such problems as variations of atmospheric density as affected by solar activity, 

ultraviolet and corpuscular radiation, the earth's gravitational potential field, the 

effects of light pressure on satellites, and atmospheric drag, the data on which are 

now employed by nearly all other investigators of atmospheric problems. Refinements in station coordinates by means of a program of simultaneous satellite 

observations, for which Baker-Nunn installations are now well fitted, and a satisfactory prediction program have been achieved. 

satellite observations are under study, particularly the possible adaptability of 

aerial reconnaissance cameras, used both independently and in conjunction with the 

fixed Baker -NUM stations. 

Further geodetic applications of 

The Observatory also cooperated with the Department of Defense and NASA in 

setting up the international arrangements for the flashing-light geodetic satellite, 

Project ANNA. Eighteen series of flashes were photographed by the Baker-Nunn 

photographic tracking stations during the month of November, including the first 

operational flash over the United States. 

were made by the stations at Florida and New Mexico. This method will be used 

to determine distances between land masses. 

Simultaneous observations of flashes 

ORBITING ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY 

Project CELESCOPE, its name derived from its pioneering use of a genuinely 

celestial telescope, is being developed as part of NASA's Orbiting Astronomical 

Observatory Program. When completed it will place in orbit four telescopes to 

extend stellar observations into the far ultraviolet Its 

primary aim is to map and record the brightness of at least 50,000 stars and to 

prepare the path for further studies of objects and areas disclosed during the surveys.. 

In 1962, under one subcontract, ultraviolet -sensitive television camera tubes have 

been successfully produced, and under a second subcontract the design has been 

completed for incorporating the tubes into the orbiting astronomical observatory's 

system. Completion of the prototype Celescope experiment based on this design 

is near. The satellite should be in orbit in 1964. 

regions of the spectrum. 

ORBITING SOLAR OBSERVATORY .--I 

The second Orbiting Observatory on which the Smithsonian has undertaken experiments in the NASA program, in cooperation with Harvard College Observatory, 

involves the design and construction of ultraviolet scanning spectrometers for solar 

studies. The instruments are now undergoing tests. Rocket flights are scheduled 

for 1963, to be followed thereafter by actual incorporation of the spectrometers 

aboard the S-17 satellite. Laboratory research on the vacuum ultraviolet radiation 

of atoms and molecules of astrophysical importance is also being pursued. 

Preliminary reduction of data from the first Orbiting Solar Observatory is being 

done at the Observatory in order to provide a first view of solar flares in the highenergy gamma-ray region of the spectrum. In attempts to view solar flares in this 

energy region, no significant radiation was detected. 

METEORITICAL STUDIES 

An important development in the meteoritic program is the establishment, with 

84 
NASA support, of a new network of 16 camera stations in the Midwest, to trace and 

recover as quickly as possible freshly fallen meteorites for data on the intensity of 

cosmic rays near the earth and throughout the orbits of the meteorites. 

have been field tested and the first photographing station should be operating in 

January 1963, and the entire program by the summer of 1963. 

The camelas 

With the Harvard College Observatory, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 

has undertaken the study of very small meteors through a Radio-Meteor Project. 

Utilizing radar techniques, this program records information concerning the speed 

and trajectory of the particles; ion distribution; the physics of meteor processes; 

and solar system dust. 

The transmitter and receiver for this project cover a 35-mile area near Havana, 

Illinois. 

Radar also provides information of meteor distribution. 

The Observatory is continuing to develop its unique facilities for measuring radioactivity in meteorites and satellites that have returned to earth. In addition to the 

equipment used to measure radioactive isotopes of hydrogen and argon through 

destructive tests, a gamma-ray spectrometer has been constructed to make nondestructive measurements of certain isotopes. This equipment is used to determine 

the age of meteorites and their place of origin, and to furnish information on cosmicray distribution in the solar system. 

if an object like the fragment of Sputnik IV found in Wisconsin was in space. 

It is also the most definite test to determine 

Among the other problems under investigation by this division of the Observatory 

are: the chemical and mineralogical analysis of other meteorites for information 

on their age, early history, and geochemical environment at time of formation; 

further delineations and effects of the Van Allen belts; design and construction of 

instruments (e. g. a high sensitivity mass spectrometer for analysis of noble gases 

and irons, and an electron microbe analyzer for meteorites); the chemical composition of chondrules for light on the birth and history of the planets; computation 

programs for testing current perturbation theories on the motion of comets; the 

dynamical history of meteor streams, of importance for further knowledge of 

interplanetary space; space and velocity distribution of interplanetary dust particles 

and the rate of accretion of meteoritic matter by the earth, especially that in the 

form of particles collected at very high altitudes; and the erosion and puncturing of 

bodies in free space, of significance for knowledge of the interplanetary medium 

and space engineering problems. 

BASIC SPACE STUDIES 

In addition to problems associated with the orbiting observatories, the Observatory 

is concentrating on the stabilization of satellites and exploration of a possible highsensitivity device for detecting displacement, the achievement of which would significantly affect techniques of space navigation and communication; the theoretical 

possibility of interchange of earth-moon orbits and moon-earth orbits of satellites; 

lunar orbital accentricities, lunar dust particles; effects of the ionosphere, Van Allen 

belts, and the earth's magnetic field on radio-astronomical observations in MF and NF 

bands; the construction of a precise theory of critical inclination of satellite motion; 

study of the dynamics and structure of the upper atmosphere from observations of 

artificial satellites for, among other purposes, short and long range weather forecasting; exploration of possible use of radiation pressure on balloon satellites to 

achieve orbits around the moon; and the construction of computer programs for this 

85 
and other major orbital problems. 

dynamics stellar atmospheres and pulsation, lunar surfaces, solar granulation, 

molecular composition of interstellar space, possible optical cosmic-ray detection, 

and cosmology. 

Related research includes problems of gas 

86 
Chapter XI 

Federal Aviation Agency 

INTRODUCTION 

' The Federal Aviation Agency moved ahead in 1962 with major programs designed to 

modernize the air traffic control system and to contribute to the development of 

future aircraft. 

aviation system to assure safe air operations and to provide services and facilities 

capable of meeting the increasing demands of the U.S. civil air fleet. The Agency 

was reorganized and brought in new management talent to provide more efficiently 

for both the present and the future. 

At the same time, improvements were made in the nation's present 

During 1961, new directions were charted for many FAA policies and programs. 

These new goals were recommended by a series of Presidential and Agency task 

forces which reviewed FAA's operations and its plans for the future. 

was well under way to meet the new goals. 

In 1962, work 

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 

A modernization plan for the nation's air traffic control system was developed by 

the FAA's System Design Team during 1962, and work is now proceeding on an 

experimental prototype of the future system. 

recommendations of the Project BEACON task force, which was established by the 

President to review the natioQ's air traffic control and navigation system. 

The plan was based on the general 

When the Project BEACON group reported late in 1961, the President directed the 

Administrator to develop a modern system, based on the BEACON principles, to 

serve U. S. civil and military aircraft. A System Design Team, composed of 13 

top FAA technical experts in the fields concerned, was organized to draw up an 

implementation plan for a National Air space Utilization System which could meet 

aviation's needs through 1975. 

The System Design Team plan calls for increased segregation of Visual Flight Rules 

(VFR) and Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) traffic along densely traveled airways and 

in terminal areas. It would rely increasingly on radar for controlling and separating traffic and would depend more and more on the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System rather than primary radar. These beacons provide identification now, 

and models under development also will give altitude information. 

The plan also involves expansion of the geographical areas in which all aircraft will 

be under positive control, and it calls for segregating landing aircraft by speed category through use of terminal area corridors as a means of eliminating delays and 

making such operations safer. 

The Air Traffic Controller would remain the key link in the National Airspace Utilization System, but the plan calls for provision of better aids to help him do his job. 

This includes extensive improvement of information processing and display techniques and increased use of computers. 

87 
An evolutionary modernization of the system is envisioned in the plan. 

made of existing and presently planned equipment, and continuing efforts will be 

made to improve the current system while the BEACON modernization plan is being 

tested and implemented. In addition, the System Design Team will update and modify its plan periodically to take advantage of technological advances. 

Use will be 

With completion of the first edition of the System Design Team plan, FAA moved 

forward with development, procurement and installation at the Agency's National 

Aviation Facilities Experimental Center, Atlantic City, N. J. , of model and test 

equipment for the National Airspace Utilization System. The first generation of 

equipment new or improved in line with the plan is to be tested and proven by 

January 1, 1964. 

the current system on a progressive schedule. 

This and successively developed equipment will be phased into 

The FAA also devoted major efforts to aircraft research during 1962. 

sonic transport research program moved into the contract stage as the Administrator and his advisors prepared to make a recommendation to the President on the 

technical and economic feasibility and advisability of launching a national development effort. 

The superThe FAA is engaged in an intensive supersonic transport aircraft research program 

in conjunction with the Department of Defense and the National Aeronautics and 

Space Administration. 

fense is charged with administrative and technical support of the program, NASA 

with basic research and technical support. 

FAA provides program leadership and fiscal support. De - 

Congress appropriated $11 million to FAA for the program in fiscal 1962 and $20 

million for fiscal 1963. 

and research organizations have conducted and are conducting technical research in 

the fields of aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, materials, and operating prob - 

lems. 

determine initial, maintenance and operating costs for a commercial super sonic 

transport and the international demand for such an airplane. 

Under contracts let from these funds, industrial concerns 

Under concurrent study, have been broad economic and market analyses to 

A vital part of this research program has been joint FAA-NASA-Defense work in the 

field of noise and sonic boom. A supersonic airliner, it is felt, would have to provide minimal problems in these areas to be practical in operation. Factors involved 

in minimizing these problems would be design of airframe and power plant, and careful programming of aircraft operations. 

In the future, helicopters and other vertical and short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) 

aircraft may provide increasingly economical, efficient shorthaul and inter -city 

operations. 

these categories being developed by the services are able to meet criteria for civil 

operation as well as military requirements wherever possible. Excellent cooper - 

ation is being received from the Army, Navy and Air Force in this area. Cooperative efforts are being pursued in fourteen rotary and other V/STOL aircraft projects. 

function for the military. 

FAA is working with the military services to assure that aircraft in 

In four cases, FAA personnel are performing the evaluation engineering 

During 1962, the FAA began type certification tests on three different helicopters 

competing for a contract under the Army's light observation helicopter program. 

88 
Although tailored to military requirements, the program may fulfill one of civil 

aviation's needs -- a relatively low-cost, low-maintenance, high-performance 

helicopter which would reduce airport congestion and provide transportation foi 

residential and business districts. Under the program the helicopters must be 

approved by the FAA for civil use to qualify for acceptance by the Army. 

A significant helicopter flight test program in late 1962 examined helicopter performance in normal and emergency landing situations at various airfield elevations. 

Evaluation of data gathered will help engineers in the design of safer-landing helicopters and provide FAA with further guidelines for certification of helicopters. 

Work also is under way to establish helicopter requirements for facilities to meet 

navigation, communication, air traffic control, and terminal operations needs. 

In another area, FAA is participating in the Air Force's C-141 jet cargo transport 

development program to insure civil certification. 

for its first flight late in 1963. 

inception in 1959 to see that it is compatible to the fullest extent possible with civil 

needs so that a new, efficient jet cargo transport can be available to the airlines at 

an early date. 

The Air Force plane is scheduled 

FAA has participated in the C-141 program from its 

The civil version of the plane will be designated the Model 300. 

Project LITTLE GUY was established in 1962 as an active program aimed at developing a simplified, more efficient cockpit layout for the lightplane aviator. 

purpose is to make flying easier and safer for such flyers and greatly enhance the 

utility of this type of airplane for the general public. Under study in the program 

are flight controls to make cockpit operations easier and simpler, pictorial displays 

to provide navigational and other information in more easily read and easily usable 

form, and communications and other electronics equipment compatible with the 

needs of both general aviation and general aviation pilot. 

The 

First mockup of a simplified Project LITTLE GUY cockpit will be completed by the 

end of 1962. 

aviation industry for future aircraft. 

ment available for demonstration purposes after two years of effort. 

Equipment developed in the program will be made available to the 

Project objective is to have prototype equipExtensive consultations and studies have been conducted in cooperation with airlines 

and aviation manufacturers to establish preliminary design requirements for a 

short-to-medium range passenger and cargo airplane suitable for operation by 

"feeder" airlines. 

the armed forces have, therefore, taken part in this work. 

termed the "DC-3 replacement program'' in view of the fact that in its capabilities 

the plane would be a modern successor to the aging, multi-purpose DC-3 aircraft. 

Such an airplane might also suit a military mission requirement; 

This effort has been 

The reaction of turboprop engines to bird and radar chaff ingestion and of turbojet 

engines to runway marker ingestion was experimentally determined in wind tunnel 

tests in the first phase of a continuing program. Further work will include evaluation of bird ingestion effects on turbojet engines and development and evaluation of 

protective devices to minimize ingestion hazards to jet aircraft. 

A major effort has been underway to develop operationally and economically feasible 

methods to combat bombing and other sabotage of airliners. 

scientific approaches are being explored with the cooperation of governmental agenA wide variety of 

89 
cies directly concerned,with the multiple aspects of such crimes. 

Research continued with runway arresting gear, and a series of successful tests was 

concluded in November. 

Convair 340 and a Boeing 720 jet airliner 45 times. 

searchers will report in April, 1963. 

program awaits this evaluation. 

In these tests, experimental arresting equipment halted a 

After evaluating test data, reFurther determination of the course of the 

Tests also continued with automatic landing systems which would permit aircraft to 

land in zero visibility conditions. Five systems are under study and evaluation. 

Extensive research and development work in the field of lighting produced new technical standards for runway centerline and touchdown zone lighting. FAA specified a 

new configuration which is designed to provide an extra margin of safety during low 

visibility landings and takeoffs by giving pilots a better attitude reference and by 

eliminating the so-called black hole encountered when a pilot shifts from instruments 

to visual reference in the final landing phase. 

The degrading effect of runway slush and standing water on jet transport takeoff and 

landing performance was determined in an extensive series of tests in which a large 

volume of artificial slush was created on test center runways. 

sions for aircraft operating under these conditions were reached. 

Important concluOther important safety programs concern post-crash fire prevention, aircraft 

structural crashworthiness, and seat belt evaluation under varying conditions of age 

and environment. 

Civil aviation human factors research took a major step forward during the year 

with the opening of the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Research Institute in Oklahoma 

City, Oklahoma. 

country, and it will contribute to greater flight safety through studies of man's relationship to aircraft and to the ground systems which serve them. 

will be used to establish medical certification standards for airmen and in mangement of the air traffic control system. 

It is the only major civil Aviation Medical Research facility in the 

Research results 

In a related program, research continued during the year on man's aging process 

and its effect on his performance. This work is aimed at developing specific criteria that would be useful in judging the proper retirement age for a pilot based on 

his individual aging rate. 

all pilots. 

This would replace the present blanket retirement age for 

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL OPERATIONS 

While provisions are being made for the future National Airspace Utilization System, 

improvements were made in the present system from which it will evolve. 

The Agency program to consolidate control centers and realign center area boundaries gained momentum during the year with the completion of a long range area 

boundary study and the announcement of a reduction of the Agency's 29 control tenters within the 48 contiguous states to 21. 

ation is to provide more efficient utilization of airspace, facilities, personnel and 

equipment. 

Purpose of the new center area configurTechnical and operational services will be improved, and more than 

90 
$100 million will be saved over a 16-year period. 

The high altitude area positive control program, in operation since October 1960 in 

the Chicago-Indianapolis control areas, was expanded vertically, from its original 

limits of 24,000 to 35,000 feet, to a new ceiling of 60,000 feet. 

lateral dimensions were doubled in size eastward to include the long range radar 

coverage of the Detroit and Cleveland Centers. 

is limited to specially-equipped aircraft flying under instrument flight rules (IFR) 

regardless of actual weather conditions, is now available over an approximate 

220,000 square-mile airspace area over much of the central and northeastern sections of the nation where some of the heaviest air traffic activities exist. 

plans covering the rest of the nation are being implemented as rapidly as the additional necessary radar and other equipment become available. 

placed with manufacturers for all required electronics equipment. Target date for 

nation-wide coverage has been set for September 1963. 

In addition, the 

Area positive control service, which 

Expansion 

Orders have been 

In November, the Agency put into force a program of expanded radar services in the 

Atlanta, Georgia terminal area to attack the problems of maintaining safe separation 

between controlled and uncontrolled aircraft and of providing expeditious service to 

all aircraft operating in high density terminals. Pilot participation in the program 

is voluntary. 

national plan to bring the service to other selected high activity terminals. 

The operational experience gained will serve as the basis for the 

A plan is being developed by FAA and Defense to utilize the facilities of the SAGE 

Direction Centers at Great Falls, Montana, and Minot and Grand Forks, North 

Dakota, for air traffic control as well as air defense. After necessary modification 

of certain SAGE equipment has been completed, it is expected that the program will 

get under way by late Fall, 1963. The use of the SAGE Facilities will provide FAA 

a radar capability for covering the "Northern Tier" section of the nation, filling a 

gap in FAA radar coverage. It will also accelerate implementation of the high altitude area positive control program nationally. 

During the year, FAA was designated as the single, central source for the collection, 

validation, and dissemination of aeronautical data. The new Flight Information Program will assure availability of current aeronautical information in usable, standardized form for all pilots using the air traffic control system and its services. 

The FAAincreased its efforts during the year to alleviate community aircraft noise 

problems. 

where problems are particularly acute. These concern traffic patterns, approach 

and take-off techniques, use of preferential runways and other procedures that would 

remove aircraft operations from the most congested areas, while at the same time 

consider safety requirements for the aircraft. 

courage the development of safe and suitable engine noise suppression devices. And 

coupled with other programs, the Agency is working with other Federal agencies and 

with local airport authorities toward the development of a "land use compatibility" 

philosophy in airport vicinities. 

Air traffic control procedures have been issued for specific airports 

The Agency also is working to enDuring the year, the Agency continued to evaluate use being made of restricted areas 

by military and other national defense organizations for the purpose of expanding use 

of the navigable airspace for all pilots. 

airspace utilization and allocation in May 1959, almost 47,000 square miles of air - 

Since the FAA assumed responsibility for 

91 
space have been returned to the publie domain, leaving approximately 97,000 square 

miles of airspace for restricted use. 

miles of restricted areas in effect May 1959. 

This contrasts with almost 144,000 square 

To help create a more efficient environment for controllers, the Agency contracted 

with an architectural firm to design a standard, free-standing control tower. This 

design, accepted in November, will be used for all future airport control towers 

built with FAA funds. 

sign, and the flexibility of being built at the site where visibility is best in any airport de sign. 

It offers a highly efficient interior layout, a distinctive deThe FAA continued its regulatory efforts to assure that the nation's airmen and aircraft are properly qualified to fly safely, that regulations are fair and adequate, and 

that the rules are obeyed. 

A concerted effort was made by the FAA and other government agencies in 1962 to 

improve the safety record of the supplemental airlines and to assure that they operate under the highest safety standards. 

sive evaluations of airlines with marginal safety records. 

have been completed since 1961. 

FAA inspection teams conducted comprehenFourteen such inspections 

FAA also proposed a major overhaul of the regulations governing supplemental 

carriers to bring them closer in line with those for the scheduled airlines. 

tion, a new rule was issued requiring aircraft operated by the supplementals to 

undergo a proving period before being placed in service. 

applied only to scheduled carriers. 

In addiThis rule previously 

Other steps included the assignment of approximately 25 percent of the FAA's airline safety inspectors to check supplemental carriers and the establishment of 

"system worthiness inspection" procedures setting down comprehensive guides for 

original and periodic inspections. 

Agreement was reached with Defense in August to transfer responsibility to FAA 

for flight checking the Air Force's worldwide system of air navigation aids. The 

agreement represents a major step toward creation of a common civil-military airspace utilization system and will foster greater economy and efficiency in flight 

checking United States-owned air navigation aids by entrusting this job to a single 

agency. The FAA already checks all civil, Army and Navy navigation aids. 

In a move designed to permit airlines to improve schedule reliability, the FAA 

authorized new, lower ceiling and visibility landing minimums for jets at a limited 

number of airports meeting special requirements. Airlines may land their jets at 

these fields when the ceiling is as low as 200 feet and visibility is as low as a half 

mile if the planes areequipped with certain electronic systems and the pilots have 

demonstrated their ability in such a situation to an FAA inspector. Equipment required is a flight director system or an automatic approach coupling plus an improved instrument failure warning system. The 200 foot-half mile minimums have 

been standard for propeller aircraft, but higher minimums were set for jets to 

provide an extra margin of safety in their initial operating period. 

Trans-Atlantic air navigation took a step forward in 1962 when the FAA approved 

airline use of Doppler navigation systems in conjunction with other aids, thus elim92 
inating the requirement for a navigator in the crew. 

using the system was made in October. 

which uses the frequency shift in reflected radar signals to continually plot a position over land or water. 

The first commercial flight 

The new system is based on Doppler radar, 

Data from flights using the Doppler system has contributed to Project ACCORDION, 

an FAA evaluation program aimed at the reduction of minimum separation standards 

for North Atlantic navigation. Planes must now be separated by 30 minutes laterally 

or 2,000 feet of altitude. 

monthly flight plan information on North Atlantic operations to provide data for simulation of air traffic control problems in the area. 

In another project, the Agency collected and correlated 

Information from both projects contributed to a broader FAA study of North Atlantic 

control, navigation and communications problems. This study is concerned with long 

term goals and will be a basis for participation in International Civil Aviation Organization efforts to modernize the whole North Atlantic system. 

The Flight Safety Foundation completed a year of collecting and evaluating near midair collision reports and delivered its final report to the FAA. This program, called 

Project SCAN, was instituted as an independent check on problems in this area. 

Working under FAA contract, the Flight Safety Foundation acted as an independent 

agent to which pilots could report, anonymously if they preferred, without fear of 

enforcement action. 

The pattern of incident in the Project SCAN report confirmed findings on the near 

mid-air collision problem from FAA's own reporting system, although the number 

of incidents reported under Project SCAN was greater. The data was not directly 

comparable. 

penalties leveled as appropriate, while the SCAN reports could not, by their nature 

be checked. Major FAA programs, including the System Design Team approach to 

air traffic control modernization, address themselves to the near mid-air collision 

problem. 

Each incident reported to the FAA was thoroughly investigated and 

The FAA's rules recodification program -- initiated in 1961 to simplify, reduce and 

consolidate the Agency's safety regulations into a single code called the Federal 

Aviation Regulations -- moved ahead on schedule in 1962 with six of ten subchapters 

recodified. Target for completion is August 1963. 

In a parallel action, the FAA established a Regulatory Council of top officials, 

chaired by the Administrator, to serve as a central forum for the FAA rule -making 

process. 

ment cases involving suspension or revocation of a certificate. 

Established, as well, was a formal hearing officer procedure for enforceAIRPORTS 

The FAA allocated $145 million in grants under the Federal Aid to Airports Program, $70 million for Fiscal 1962 announced in January and $75 million for Fiscal 

1963 announced in July. 

and helps local communities improve existing airports and develop new airfields. 

Recent emphasis in the program has been on development of general aviation airports, especially in metropolitan areas where they could relieve congestion at major 

terminal airports. 

tary. 

This money matches local funds generally on a 50/50 basis 

General aviation is all aviation other than commercial and mili93 
A project was also launched to revise airport criteria to make them more flexible 

and permit smaller communities to tailor an airport more closely to their needs. 

Dulles International Airport at Chantilly, Virginia, 27. 5 miles from downtown Washington, was opened for business in November to serve as the jet gateway to the 

Nation's Capital. It is the first airport in the world specifically designed for jet airliners. Among new concepts incorporated is the mobile lounge, which carries passengers between terminal and airplane, thus eliminating long walks and exposure to 

bad weather and ramp hazards. 

Reorganization of the Agency was completed in 1962. 

is handled at the Washington headquarters level, with responsibility for operations 

decentralized to the regional offices. 

Policy and program direction 

94 
Chapter XI1 

Federal Communications Commission 

INTRODUCTION 

The Commission's responsibilities and interest in tHe general field of telecommunication extend to the radio communication aspects of space satellite technology. 

It has a direct interest in many space programs, especially communications satellite programs (which are anticipated to be of future importance in greatly increasing the relatively limited capacity of present long distance terrestrial facilities and 

in enabling new services, such as simultaneous television, to be offered) and other 

programs which may eventually be developed for public use, such as radionavigation via satellite s. 

The Commission's concern with these matters grows out of its statutory duty to 

"study new uses for radio, provide for the experimental uses of frequencies, and 

generally encourage the larger and more effective use of radio in the public 

interest" as well as to "make available, so far as possible, to all the people of the 

United States a rapid, efficient, nationwide, and world-wide wire and radio communication service. It 

In collaboration with representatives of industry and other government agencies, 

the Commission has contributed significantly to the work of Study Group IV of the 

International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) preparatory to the Xth Plenary 

Assembly of the CCIR, scheduled to convene in New Delhi, January 15, 1963. 

Study Group IV of the CCIR is responsible for the "study of technical questions regarding systems of telecommunication with and between locations in space. It 

\ 

Considerable progress has been made by the nation during the past year toward 

achieving a communication satellite system. The Commission has continued to 

cooperate with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in its re search 

and development programs in the field of communications satellites and in addition 

has issued experimental authorizations to private entities for work in this field. 

The Commission's 196 1 inquiry into the administrative and regulatory problems 

involved in the licensing of a commercial communications satellite system (docket 

14024), was held in abeyance when it was made clear that the Executive Branch 

planned to submit proposed legislation to the Congress. 

participated in the drafting of such legislation. During Congressional deliberations, which resulted in the Communications Satellite Act of 1962, the Commission 

testified as to its views a number of times before the various Congressional committees concerned with the matter, and its staff cooperated closely with the staffs 

of the several Congressional committees in providing technical advice and 

as si stance. 

The Commission 

The Commission has been given substantial responsibilities under the recently 

enacted Communications Satellite Act of 1962 with respect to the establishment and 

regulation of a global communications system, and is presently engaged in carrying out these responsibilities. It also has been playing a major role in the 

95 
preparation of United States proposals for an Extraordinary Administrative Radio 

Conference to be held by the International Telecommunication Union at Geneva 

during 1963 for the allocation of radio frequencies for space communications. In 

addition, the Commission has been cooperating with other agencies on related 

matters of mutual concern in the field of space satellite telecommunications and 

technology. 

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS 

Through cooperative efforts on the part of the United Kingdom and France, ground 

station equipment was made ready for the first trans-Atlantic experimental transmissions, including TV, via TELSTAR, which received much publicity both here 

and abroad. For the first time, standard TV transmissions, including live program 

material, were sent over the Atlantic. The U. S. TV networks and the European 

Broadcasting Union (EBU) exchanged special programs on July 23, 1962, which 

demonstrated one of the uses which could be made of an operational space communication systemwhen established. The transmission capacity of the TELSTAR 

satellite provides for one TV channel, or as many as 600 one-way telephone 

channels, or for the transmission of various other kinds of intelligence at a very 

rapid rate. Although these demonstrations proved spectacular, the long-range 

objective of the program is the development of a global space communication 

system which can provide adequate voice circuits, wide-band data transmission 

circuits, and record communications, the mounting demands for which are fast 

exceeding the capacity of existing cable and radio circuits, even allowing for 

reasonable future expansion. 

In furtherance of this long range objective, the Commission is engaged with NASA 

and the Department of State in a series of discussions with foreign entities with 

the view toward developing their interest and cooperation in establishing overseas 

ground station installations, or encouraging such other means of participation in 

the experimental phase of the satellite communication program as appears 

appropriate. To date contacts have been made in Western Europe, Scandinavia, 

South America, and Japan. 

promise of providing a sound basis for an eventually evolving global system. 

The results thus far have been favorable and hold 

STATU TORY AND REGULATORY RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Commission has been delegated major regulatory responsibilities by the Communications Satellite Act of 1962 over the activities of the communications satellite corporation as well as over those common carriers eventually authorized to 

utilize the satellite system through ground station owner ship or otherwise. These 

activities will be subject to the Communications Act as well as to the Communications Satellite Act of 1962. 

Thus, among other things, the Commission is responsible for the licensing of the 

satellites and ground stations, and regulating the terms and conditions for the use 

of such facilities. Congress has also delegated two new noteworthy regulatory responsibilities to the commission. 

fective competition is maintained by the corporation and ground station licensees 

in the procurement of apparatus, equipment, and services needed for the establishment and operation of these facilities. 

Satellite Act requires that the Commission consult with the Small Business 

First, the commission is to insure that efIn carrying out this responsibility, the 

96 
Administration and request its advice on how to ensure that small business concerns be given equitable opportunity to share in the procurement of equipment and 

services for the program. Second, the Commission is to approve all securities 

issued by the corporation subsequent to the initial stock offering. Thus, the corporation must be authorized by the Commission to issue any capital stock or borrow any monies other than the initial stock issue. 

In view of the importance of space communications and the scope of the regulatory 

problems involved, many of which will be unprecedented, the Commission has 

created an Office of Satellite Communications directly under the Chief, Common 

Carrier Bureau. 

mentation of those regulatory functions conferred on the Commission by the Communications Satellite Act of 1962. The Commission has also established a Space 

Systems Branch in the Office of the Chief Engineer to handle related space communication engineering problems. The General Counsel will continue to exercise 

his functions as chief legal advisor to the Commission on these matters. 

This Office will be responsible for the administration and impleTo coordinate its work in connection with space communication and in anticipation 

of its relation to further developments, the Commission more than a year ago appointed a special space committee, headed by a Commissioner and consisting of 

representatives from legal, engineering, common carrier and other FCC units 

concerned with various aspects of space communication. 

ALLOCATION OF FREQUENCIES FOR THE SPACE SERVICES 

Even before the 1959 Administrative Radio Conference convened in Geneva by the 

International Telecommunication Union (ITU), plans were under way to have the 

International Table of Frequency A1 locations provide frequencies for anticipated 

space communication. The likely mushrooming requirements for space frequencies was recognized by that Conference and an Extraordinary Administrative 

Radio Conference was tentatively scheduled for 1963 to deal with the subject. 

has since been determined that sufficient information has been developed, or will 

be available, to warrant such a conference, and it now is scheduled to begin on 

October 7, 1963, at Geneva. 

It 

The U. S. is well advanced in its preparation for the 1963 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) space conference. The Commission, in cooperation with 

the Office of Emergency Planning, and other Government agencies and with industry advice, drafted a document setting forth the "Preliminary Views of the 

United States of America - - Frequency Allocations for Space Radiocommunication. 'I This document was intended to serve as a basis for the formal U. S. proposals at the 1963 ITU space conference. It was circulated and discussed widely, 

both nationally and internationally, for the purpose of obtaining additional comments 

and views of interested parties here and telecommunication officials abroad. The 

results of studies by the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) Study 

Group IV on preferred characteristics provided additional new material. 

"Preliminary Views" document was revised to incorporate the changes considered 

necessary or desirable and issued to the public in the Commission's "Third 

Notice of Inquiry in Docket No. 13522. The revised document, entitled "Draft 

Proposals of the United States of America for the Extraordinary Administrative 

Radio Conference for Space Radiocommunication (Geneva, 1963), It dated October 

22, 1962, was attached to this Third Notice of Inquiry which was adopted by the 

The 

97 
Commission on October 24, 1962. Based on comments received, further modifications of the draft proposals may be made. It is expected that the document will then 

serve as a basis for further discussions with other countries prior to the submission of formal U. S. proposals to the 1963 ITU Space Conference. 

The International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) is a permanent organ of the 

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is charged with the study of 

technical and operating que stions relating specifically to radiocommunication, and 

with the issuance of recommendations pertaining to such questions. The Xth 

Plenary Assembly will convene at Geneva in January 1963 for one month to consider, among other things, technical matters relating to space systems. Since the 

results of that Assembly will affect decisions to be taken by the special space conference the following October, FCC representatives have been active, together with 

a great many U. S. scientists and engineers, in the work of the U. S. committee of 

the CCIR dealing with space matters. After the Xth Plenary Assembly of the CCIR 

the U. S. draft proposals will be further reviewed. 

One additional major international "space" meeting is scheduled prior to the 1963 

ITU space conference. 

ITU will convene its annual session some two months early in order to adopt the 

final agenda for the space conference. 

In March, 1963, the 25 nation Administrative Council of the 

Radio Astronomv DeveloDments 

Although the 1959 Geneva conference provided for a radio astronomy service, it 

soon became apparent in the United States that the new service could not function 

efficiently if required to share most of its frequency bands with other radio services. 

"Preliminary Views of the United States of America -- Frequency Allocation for 

Radio Astronomy" in consultation with the President's Director of Telecommunication Management, as the basis for a United States proposal at a future radio 

conference. 

To remedy this difficulty, the Commission has completed a document, 

The Commission instituted certain rule making actions concerning radio astrcnomy 

It invited comments on possible changes in the International Table of Frequency Allocations to better accanmodate radio astronomy's needs; proposed amending the 

domestic allocation to set aside bands for radio astronomy observations in the 

United States; and proposed that radio astronomy observatories in this country 

file annual reports of their activities for notification to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). 

AERONAUTIC DEVELOPMENTS 

The Commission prescribes the manner and conditions under which frequencies 

may be assigned to non-Government licensees for aircraft communications (including telemetry) , for aeronautical radionavigation', and for control and telemeter$, 

for aeronautical radionavigation, and for control and telemetery in the development 

of missiles, rockets and satellites. 

The higher speeds that result from the commercial use of jet aircraft have created 

increased demands on communications and aeronautical radionavigation facilitie s. 

Expansion of such facilities also has been necessary to meet the requirement for 

98 
better air traffic control. 

within the limited frequency space available. 

All of these demands have had to be accommodated 

In a continuing effort to provide air traffic control frequencies consistent with expanding needs, the frequency band 135-136 Mc/s has been made available for this 

purpose by inter-governmental agreement. 

the United States have transferred the majority of their operations to VHF. 

High Frequency (HF) portion of the spectrum will not be available for domestic 

operations after January 1, 1965. 

Aeronautical enroute stations within 

The 

The Commission is cooperating with the FAA and the Department of Commerce, 

which are evaluating a direct pilot-to-forecaster weather service test. Indications are that the results of the test may show a need for a permanent frequency 

assignment for this purpose. 

for a new class of station known as Aeronautical Multicom, which is to provide 

communications for general aviation activities not otherwise provided for in the 

Aviation Services. 

use of space techniques in the aeronautical service. 

The frequency 122. 9 Mc/s has been made available 

Preparation is in progress within the aviation industry for the 

The Commission is also involved in a limited way in a project of major scientific 

interest called STRATOSCOPE 11. 

stabilized thirty- six inch optical telescope carriers to altitudes of around 80,000 

feet by a large balloon for night observations of planets, stars and nebulosities. 

By going above all but a small portion of the earth's atmosphere to avoid the 

optical distortion it produces, observations of unprecedented quality are possible, 

as proved in an earlier less sophisticated program known as STRATOSCOPE I. 

This project involves the use of a highly 

Although the high definition photographs are made at the telescope, an elaborate 

air - ground radiocommunication telemetry and command system is required. This 

includes an air-to-ground wide-band video circuit (TV) to permit ground observation of the telescope image in order to aim, focus and monitor the telescope's performance. The Commission has endeavored to assist in meeting the frequency requirements of this program and has granted an authorization in the Experimental 

Radio Service for the video link. 

regular basis for such projects are continuing. 

Efforts to provide adequate frequencies on a 

99 
Chapter XI11 

United States Information Agency 

INTRODUCTION 

World interest during 1962 focused as never before on the massive assault on space. 

As the United States stepped up its space effort to achieve our goal of a lunar landing within this decade, USIA increased its efforts to tell the world about America's 

peaceful objectives in space. 

In portraying America's space effort to foreign audiences, USIA coordinated its 

efforts with those of other U. S. Government agencies and with American private 

enterprise. 

ation to overseas audiences through the Voice of America and its 223 posts around 

the world. 

ials to local communications, ranging from scientific journals and network television programs to wall newspapers and minstrel singers. 

With their assistance and support USIA kept up a steady flow of informU. S. Information Service officers and their staffs adapted these mater - 

GUIDELINES 

USIA used the following guidelines in its coverage of U. S. space programs during 

1962: 

a. Emphasized the theme of space for peace. 

U. S. national policy favors the exploration, investigation and development of the peaceful uses of outer space. The benefits which have 

accrued and will accrue were specified. 

is already involved in international cooperation in the realm of space 

exploration was pointed out. 

forestall an arms race in outer space. 

It was made clear that 

The extent to which the U. S. 

Attention was drawn to U. S. efforts to 

b. Detailed space achievements as evidence of U.S. competence in 

science and technology. While it was admitted that the U. S. S.R. 

was ahead in booster capacity, the facts made it possible to point 

to U. S. primacy in orbiting a wide variety of sophisticated instruments. 

c. Explained that there is no incompatibility between the unequivocal 

stand for peace and a strong defensive capability. 

d. Publicized the openness of U. S. experimentation. 

openness contrasts with the secrecy which is characteristic of the 

closed society of communism. 

This policy of 

ASSETS 

The Agency identified the following as favorable factors influencing the U. S. space 

image abroad: 

101 
ODenness of the U.S. Effort 

The U. S. discloses its failures along with its successes and makes knowledge available to all mankind. On the other hand, the closed Soviet society conceals its failures , uses its successes for political objectives , and shares its acquired information only on a selective bases. 

Broad Scope and Volume of U.S. Space Activities 

The U. S. space program serves human needs through weather , communications and 

navigational satellites , and makes a wide range of contributions to man's knowledge 

and understanding. 

cessfully launched a far greater number of satellites and space probes than the 

U. S. S. R. 

Miniaturization 

The record of miniaturization of equipment and broad scope of experiments has been 

impr e s s ive . Inter national Go operation 

By means of cooperative agreements and a free exchange of knowledge the U.S. 

makes it possible for many nations to participate in space research and exploration. 

Through the U.N. the U.S. seeks to establish open cooperation of all nations for the 

peaceful exploration of space and the benefit of mankind. 

Also, during five years of space exploration the U.S. has sucLIABILITIES 

The agency identified the following as adverse factors influencing the U. S. image: 

Soviet competence in booster power and size of payloads, which 

have enabled them to conduct more dramatic manned flights than 

the U.S. 

a. 

b. Soviet "firsts," which included: Sputnik I, launched four months 

before the first U.S. satellite; first man orbited in space; first 

lunar impact and first photographs of the dark side of the moon; 

and dual manned shots in near rendezvous posture. 

USIA TREATMENT OF U. S. SPACE ACHIEVEMENTS 

Manned Space Flight 

The manned orbital flights received major emphasis during the year because of its 

strong popular appeal, its importance in the U.S. space program, and its relative 

importance in establishing the U. S. space image. All USIA media gave continuing 

emphasis with peak activity centering around each of the three orbital flights during 

1962. 

Communications Satellites 

Communications satellites were second only to manned space flight in public interest 

and extent of USIA coverage, which followed a pattern similar to that of manned 

space flight. 

producing the transatlantic TV demonstrations by TELSTAR. USIA also arranged 

telephony demonstrations between prominent individuals in 23 cities in Europe and 

the same number in the U.S. The USIS reported continuing widespread demand for 

informational materials on communications satellites not only in Europe but also in 

USIA cooperated with other agencies and organizations in planning and 

102 
Asia, Africa and Latin America, indicating popular interest in this new tool for 

international communications. Foreign editorial comment generally praised the 

American achievement and the use of space science for peaceful purposes. 

it can be seen regularly ECHO continued to hold mass interest. 

this by furnishing daily sighting schedules to foreign media. 

Because 

USIA capitalized on 

Weather Satellites 

Predicting weather via space satellites received continuing coverage through all 

USIA media with particular emphasis on benefits to countries participating in the 

program. Typhoon and hurricane warnings resulting from TIROS observations 

proved especially effective in convincing foreign audiences of its value. Sample: 

USIS Athens reported that a leading paper in that city had changed its editorial 

policy from criticism to praise of TIROS when USIS furnished them evidence that 

TIROS weather information had been used to warn Africans of an approaching storm. 

Lunar and Planetary Experiments 

Heavily covered by USIA media, the MARINER story was kept alive throughout its 

long voyage to Venus. 

tific findings 

The success of this space project, with release of its sciencontributed to the rising status of the U. S. space image. 

Scientific Satellites 

Earth satellites were given extensive coverage with emphasis on U. S. sophistication 

and instrumentation and dedication to the search for knowledge. 

ASSISTANCE TO NEWS MEDIA 

Press and Publications 

Advance press packets of articles by recognized space authorities were despatched 

to all USIS posts for translation and release at time of flight. USIA's Wireless File 

supplemented these with detailed coverage of the flight itself. Followup included 

pamphlets special articles and photo coverage for popular consumption plus NASA 

technical flight reports for selective distribution. USIS posts reported uniformly 

heavy usage of these materials in all areas. 

Television 

USIA's TV branch sent out advance clips on all flights and followed up with coverage 

of the flight itself giving emphasis to areas not covered by commercial TV services. 

Sample: "Friendship 7" was distributed to TV stations in 74 countries in English, 

Spanish and international sound tracks. 

hour-long program in its entirety. 

ence of 13 million. 

awarded it a Gold Plaque for the best news documentary program. 

Numerous foreign TV networks carried the 

In Italy it was viewed by a prime TV-time audiRome's Fourth International Festival of Films for Television 

Radio 

Voice of America, through its worldwide English services, gave continuous on-the - 

spot coverage of all manned flights and extensive reportage through each of its 38 

103 
language services. 

countries throughout the world. 

most heavily covered ever in the history of radio broadcasting. 

flight VOA gave continuous coverage from Cape Canaveral for a 12-hour period -- 

from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

TV stations throughout Japan. 

These transmissions were picked up and rebroadcast in many 

There is reason to believe the Glenn flight was the 

During the Schirra 

USIS Tokyo reported usage by more than 200 radio and 

Motion Pictures 

USIA newsreel coverage of all manned flights reached mass audiences throughout 

the world. 

flight to 106 countries in 32 languages. 

the demand. 

A special 10-minute theatrical documentary was distributed on the Glenn 

More than 1,300 prints were needed to meet 

This was followed by worldwide distribution of NASA's hour -long "Friendship 7" 

color documentary: 225 English-language prints to 71 countries with followup language versions in major world languages. 

Exhibits 

In preparation for the first U. S. orbital flight USIA shipped to 101 overseas posts 

2,000 copies of an eight-panel, four-color poster exhibit explaining graphically the 

techniques and objectives of Project MERCURY. 

Immediately following the Glenn orbital flight USIA, NASA and the USAF joined 

forces to take the "Friendship 7" spacecraft on a fourth orbit, this time with stops 

in 23 countries. 

young people. 

explanations by accompanying NASA space scientists. 

touch and examine the spacecraft. 

up during its four -day stay; Japanese communications media gave prominent and 

favorable treatment to America's free and open information policy and the U. S. 

desire for cooperation in space. 

At every stop the public impact was impressive, particularly upon 

Millions of people filed by to 

In Tokyo alone 500,000 viewed the capsule close 

Audiences included many chiefs of state who were given detailed 

Books and Libraries 

Official reports by NASA on each of the manned space flights were distributed to the 

300 USIS libraries overseas. 

hearings on the U.S. space program plus a continuing selection of the best U.S. 

commercial books and publications for use by USIS libraries and for USIS supported 

translated programs. 

These were supplemented by Congressional and Senate 

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION 

USIA covered contributions by other countries to the tracking network operation, 

joint launchings communications satellite experiments bilateral agreements for 

space science research, and exchange of scientific and technical personnel. 

stressed the benefits derived from cooperation between U. S. and foreign scientists. 

USIA 

USIA - NASA COOPERATION 

USIA maintains a full-time liaison officer at NASA to facilitate carrying out USIA's 

104 
statutory obligations for publicizing the space program. 

agencies evolved a detailed space program of cooperation, now being put into effect, 

to utilize more fully the resources of both in the overseas information effort. 

example of this cooperation is the joint programming and operation of I' spacemobiles" 

-- a space science lecture demonstration. As of the yearls end these units were 

operating in English-speaking Africa and Europe with others scheduled for Latin 

America, French-speaking Africa and the Near East during FY 1963. 

During the year the two 

One 

105 
UNITED STATES LAUNCHING RECORD 

Year Earth Satellite Escape Payload 

Attempts Attempts 

Year Good Failed Good Failed 

1957 0 1 0 0 

1958 5 8 0 4 

1959 10 7 1 2 

1960 16 12 1 2 

196 1 35 12 0 2* 

1962 54 11 4 1 

Total 120 51 6 11 

Notes: 

1. Information contained in this table is drawn from unclassified sources previously made public, and is believed to be complete and accurate in keeping 

with the definitions given below. 

2. Numbers are given in terms of identified separate payloads placed in Earth 

orbit or sent to the Moon or into solar orbit. A few launchings have put up 

more than one payload. 

other in flight, they are counted individually even though in a limited number 

of cases such separation failed to occur. 

into orbit or sent away from the Earth to accomplish some specific research 

or application purpose and to return data to Earth. 

mits telemetry, but not always (e. g. Echo which carried only a radio beacon). 

Some rocket casings may carry radio beacons, but limited data return incidental to putting up a payload does classify these as payloads in their own 

right. 

If these payloads were intended to separate from each 

A payload is defined as an object put 

Typically, a payload trans3. The sole criterion of success and failure used for the purpose of this table is 

that of attaining Earth orbit, or escape to the Moon or solar orbit as appropriate to the column indicated. 

returning as much data as planned; other payloads failed to reach orbit or escape, yet returned useful data at least briefly. 

Some payloads reached orbit or escaped without 

4. The corresponding data for number of launchings attempted (the count without 

reference to multiple payloads) are the same as given above except in the 

Earth orbital category for 1960 (11 failures), 1961 (29 successes) and 1962 (48 

successes and 7 failures) making totals of 107 successes and 46 failures for the 

period 1957-62. 

*These failed to go to escape as intended, but did attain Earth orbit and are in those 

NASC Staff 

totals. 

107 Appendix A-1 
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123 Appendix B 
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND AND COMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE ACT OF 1962 

On August 31, 1962, the President signed H.R. 11040, and the Communications 

Satellite Act of 1962 became law. 

gratulated the Congress for Ita step of historic importance. It He stated further: 

"It promises significant benefits to our own people and to the whole world. Its 

purpose is to establish a commercial communications system, utilizing space 

satellites which will serve our needs and those of other countries and contribute to 

world peace and understanding. 

At the time of signing, the President conMajor steps in the development of this legislation were as follows: 

a. 

b. 

C. 

d. 

e. 

June 15, 1961, the President asked the Chairman of the National 

Aeronautics and Space Council to have recommendations prepared 

for communications satellite policy. Under direction of the Counci 1 

staff, interagency meetings were held; policy recommendations were 

drafted; and those recommendations were acted upon unanimously by 

the Council. 

July 14, 1961, the President approved and released the policy statement, which stressed the public interest objectives in obtaining a 

global system as soon as technically feasible. This policy stated 

that private ownership and operation of the U.S. portion of the 

system is favored, provided that the public interest is adequately 

protected through opportunities for foreign participation, nondiscriminatory use of and equitable access to the system, and effective competition in the acquisition of equipment and in the structure 

of ownership and control. 

In the fall of 1961, the President requested the staff of the Council 

to draft recommendations in order that the communications satellite 

policy could be effectively implemented. 

Council staff, interagency drafting sessions were held, and the proposed bill was prepared and transmitted to the President. 

Under the direction of the 

February 7, 1962, the President sent the proposed legislation to 

the Congress and, in his accompanying message, urged that it be 

given prompt and favorable consideration. 

Extensive hearings were held in the Congress. Six different committees called witnesses and participated in a thorough examination 

of the communications satellite policy and proposed legislation. 

After such committee actions, explanation and debate took place 

prior to votes in both the House and the Senate. 

a bill by a 354 to 9 vote on May 3; the Senate passed its corresponding version of a bill by a 66 to 11 vote on August 11; and the 

House acted to accept the Senate bill by a 377 to 10 vote on 

August 27. 

The House passed 

125 Appendix C 
f. August 31, 1962, the bill was signed by the President and became 

law. 

g. October 4, 1962, the President nominated 13 distinguished citizens 

to be Incorporators, with the statutory responsibility for taking the 

necessary actions to establish a Communications Satellite 

Corporation. 

The Incorporators, under interim appointments, have held a number of meetings to 

consider and initiate the steps required to organize the corporation and to apply for 

a charter under the District of Columbia Business Incorporation Act, as provided 

under the terms of the Communications Satellite Act. 

The Communications Satellite Act of 1962 incorporates the major objectives of the 

President's policy statement of July 24, 1961. 

of a private corporation to serve as the United States portion of any global system. 

It will be privately financed and the essential business management will be in the 

hands of 12 directors elected by the stockholders and 3 directors appointed by the 

President and confirmed by the Senate. 

making incentives and private management are obtained, the Act is most careful to 

identify national policy objectives in relation to the use of commercial communications satellites and to provide the machinery within Government for the regulation of 

and assistance to the corporation. 

services the corporation provides and the way it conducts its business will be wholly 

responsive to the several objectives of the Act. 

It provides authority for the creation 

At the same time that the benefits of profitIn such a framework, it is expected that the 

126 
Public Law 87-624 

87thCongress, H. R. 11040 

August 31, 1962 

76 STAT. 419. 

2ln 2la 

To provide for the establishment, ownership, operation, and regulation of a commercial communications satellite system, and for other purposes. 

Be it enacted b the Senate and House of Representatives of the 

United States of Imwrica in Congress assembled, 

TITlX I-SHORT TITLE, DECLARATION OF POLICY AND 

DEFINITIONS 

SHORT TITLE 

SEC. 101. This Act may be cited as the “Communications Satellite 

Act of 1962”. 

DECLARATION OF POLICY AND PURPOSE 

SEC. 102. (a) The Congress hereby declares that it is the policy of 

the United States to establish, in conjunction and in cooperation with 

other countries, as expeditiously as practicable a commercial communications satellite system, as part of an improved global communications 

network, which will be responsive to public needs and national objectives, which will serve the communication needs of the United 

States and other countries, and which will contribute to world peace 

and understanding. 

(b) The new and expanded telecommunication services are to be 

made available as promptly as possible and are to be extended to provide global coverage at the earliest practicable date. In effectuating 

this program, care and attention will be directed toward roviding 

such services to economically less developed countries an B areas as 

well as those more highly developed, toward efficient and economical 

use of the electromagnetic frequency s ectrum, and toward the reflection of the benefits of this new technokgy in both quality of services 

and charges for such services. 

(c) In order to facilitate this development and to provide for the 

widest possib!e participation by private enterprise, United States 

participation in the global system shall be in the form of a private 

corporation, subject to appropriate governmental regulation. It is 

the intent of Con ress that all authorized users shall have nondiscrimin the provision of equi ment and services utilized by the system ; that 

the corporation createfunder this Act be so organized and operated 

as to maintain and strengthen competition in the provision of communicat’ons services to the public; and that the activities of the corporation created under this Act and of the persons or companies participating in the ownership of the corporation shall be consistent with the 

Federal antitrust laws. 

(d) It is not the intent of Congress by this Act to preclude the use 

of the communications satellite system for domestic communication 

services where consistent with the provisions of this Act nor to preclude the creation of additional communications satellite systems, if 

required to meet unique governmental needs or if otherwise required 

in the national interest. 

inatory access to t 7 le system; that maximum competition be maintained 

DEFINITIONS 

SEC. 103. As used in this -4ct, and unless the context otherwise 

(I) the term “communications satellite system” refers to a s stem of communications satellites in space whose urpose is to re Iy ay 

telecommunication information between sntel P ite terminal starequires127 
Pub. Law 87-624 

76 STAT. 420. 

tions, together with such associated equipment and facilities for 

tracking, guidance, control, and command functions as are not 

art of the generalized launching, tracking, control, and command 

facilities for all s ace urposes; 

(2) the term ‘sate1 Pf ite terminal station” refers to a complex 

of communication equipment located on the earth’s surface,operationally connected with one or more terrest,rial communication 

systems, and capable of transmitting telecommunications to or 

receiving telecommunications from a communications satellite 

system. 

(3) the term “communications satellite” means an earth satellite which is intentionally used to relay telecommunication information ; 

(4) the term “associated equipment and facilities” refers to 

facilities other than satellite terminal stations and communications satellites, to be constructed and operated for the prima 

purpose of a communications satellite system, whether for a2 

ministration and management, for research and development, or 

for direct support of space operations; 

(5) the term “research and development” refers to the conception, design, and first creation of ex erimental or prototype 

operational devices for the operation o P a communications satellite system, including the assembl of separate components into 

a working whole, as distinguishe8 from the term “~roduction,” 

which relates to the construction of such devices to xed specifications compatible with repetitire duplication for operational 

ap lications; and 

p6) the term “telecommunicatioii” means any transmission, 

emission or reception of signs, signals, writings, images, and 

sounds or intelligence of any nature by wire, radio, optical, or 

other electromagnetic systems. 

(7) the term “communications common carrier” lias the same 

meaning as the term “common carrier” has when used in the 

Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and in addition includes, but only for purposes of sections 303 and 304, any individual, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, corporation, or other entity which owns or controls, directly or indirectly, or is under direct or indirect common control with, any 

such carrier; tind the term “authorized carrier”, except as otherwise provided for purposes of section 804 by section 304(b) (l), 

means a communications common carrier which has been authorized by the Federal Communications Commission under the 

Communications Act of 1934, as amended, to provide services by 

means of commniiicntions satellites; 

(8) the term “corporation” means the corporation authorized 

by title 111 of this Act. 

(9) the term “Administration” nieaiis the Nat ional Aeronautics and Space Administration; and 

(10) the term “Commission” means the Federal Communications Commission. 

128 
Pub. Law 87-624 

76 %STAT. 421. 

TITLE 11-FEDERAL COORDINATION, PLANNING, AND 

REGULATION 

IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICY 

SEC. 201. In order to achieve the objectives and to carry out the 

(a) the President shall- 

(1) aid in the planning and development and foster the 

execution of a national rogram for the establishment and 

munications satellite system ; 

provide for continuous review of all phases of the 

activities of a communications satellite corporation authorized under title I11 of this Act ; 

orernmental agencies 

to insure that there is full and effective compliance at all 

times with the policies set forth in this Act ; 

(4) exercise such supervision over relationships of the 

corporation with foreign overnments or entities or with 

international bodies as may fe appropriate to assure that such 

relationships shall be consistent with the national interest 

and foreign policy of the IJnited States; 

(5) insure that timely arrangements are made under which 

there can be foreign participation in the establishment and 

use of a communications satellite system ; 

(6) take all necessary steps to insure tlie availability and 

appropriate utilization of the communications satellite system for general governmental purposes except where a separate communications satellite system is required to meet 

unique governmental needs, or is otherwise required in the 

national interest ; and 

(7) so exercise his authority as to help attain coordinated 

and efficient use of the electromagnetic spectrum and the 

technical compatibilit of the system with existi% communications facilities L th in the IJnited States and abroad. 

(b) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

( 1) advise the Commission on technical characteristics of 

the communications satellite system ; 

(2) cooperate with the corporation in research and development to the extent deemed appropriate by the Administration in the public interest; 

(3) assist the corporation in the conduct of its research 

and development program by furnishing to the corporation, 

when requested, on a reimbursable basis, such satellite launching and associated services as the Administration deems necessary for the most expeditious and economical development 

of the communications satellite system ; 

(4) consult with the corporation with respect to the technical characteristics of the communications satellite system ; 

(5) furnish to the corporation, on request and on a reimbursable basis, satellite launching and associated services required for the establishment, operation, and maintenance 

of the communications satellite system approved by the 

Commission ; and 

purposes of this Actoperation, as expeditious f y as possible, of a commercial comdeve 1 opment and operation of such a system, including the 

with responsibilities in the field of te f ecommunication, so as 

(2 

(3) coordinate the activities of 

Shll129 
Pub. Law 87-624 

76 STAT. 422. 

(6) to the extent feasible, furnish other services, on a reimbursable basis, to the corporation in connection with the 

establishment and operation of the system. 

(c) the Federal Communications Commission, in its administration of the provisions of the Communications Act of 1934, as 

:imended, and as supplemented by this Act, shall- 

(1) insure effective competition, including the use of competitive bidding where appropriate, in the procurement by 

the corporation and communications common carriers of a - 

ment and operation of the communications satellite system 

and satellite terminal stations; and the Commission shall 

consult with the Small Business Administration and solicit 

its recommendations on measures and procedures which will 

insure that small business concerns are given an equitable opportunity to share in the procurement program of the corporation for property and services, including but not limited to 

research, development, construction, maintenance, and repair. 

(2) insure that all present and future authorized carriers 

shall have nondiscriminatory use of, and equitable access 

to, the communications satellite system and satellite terminal 

stations under just and reasonable charges, classifications, 

practices, regulations, and other terms and conditions and 

regulate the rrlanner in which available facilities of the system and stations are allocated among such users thereof; 

(3) in ay case where the Secretary of State, after obtaining the advice of the Administration as to technical feasibility, has advised that commercial communication to a particular foreign point by means of the communications satellite 

system and satellite terminal stations should be established 

in the national interest, institute forthwith appropriate proceedings under section 214(d) of the Communications Act of 

1934, as amended, to require the establishment of such communication by the corporation and the appropriate common 

carrier or carriers; 

(4) insure that facilities of the communications satellite 

s stem and satellite terminal stations are technically compatwith existing communicntions facilities; 

(5) prescribe such accounting regulations and systems and 

engage in such ratemaking procedures as will insure that any 

economies made possible b a communications satellite system 

are appropriately reflect din rates for public communication 

services ; 

(6) approve technical characteristics of the operational 

communications satellite system to be employed by the corporation and of the satellite terminal stations; and 

(7) grant appropriate authorizations for the construction 

and operation of each satellite terminal station, either to the 

corporation or to one or more authorized carriers or to the 

corporation and one or more such carriers jointly, as will best 

serve the public interest; convenibnce, and necessity. In determining the public interest, convenience, and necessity the 

Commission shall authorize the construction and operation 

of such stations by communications common carriers or the 

corporation, without preference to either; 

(8) authorize the corporation to issue any shares of capital 

stock, except the initial issue of capital stock referred to in 

section 304(a), or to borrow any moneys, or to assume any 

paratus, equipment, and services required for the establis R - 

i i le and interconnected operationally with each other and 

130 
Pub. Law 87-624 

obligation in respect of the securities of any other person, 

upon a finding that such issuance, borrowing, or assumption 

is compatible with the public interest, convenience,. and necessity and is necessary or appropriate for or consistent with 

carrying out the purposes and objectives of this Act by the 

corporation ; 

(9) insure that no substantial additions are made by the 

corporation or carriers with respect to facilities of the system 

or satellite terminal stations unless such additions are required by the public interest, convenience, and necessity ; 

(10) require, in accordance with the procedural requirements of section 214 of the Communications Act of 1934, as 

amended, that additions be made by the corporation or carriers with respect to facilities of the system or satellite 

terminal stations where such additions would serve the public interest, convenience, and necessity ; and 

(11) make rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Act. 

76 STAT. 423. 

TITLE 111-CREATION OF A COMMUNICATIONS 

SATELLITE CORPORATION 

CREATION OF CORPORATION 

shall be subject to the provisions of this Act and, to the extent consistent with this Act, to the District of Columbia 13usiness Corporation 

Act. The right to repeal, alter, or amend this .lct at any time is 

expressly reserved. 

PROCESS OF ORGANIZATION 

SEC. 302. The President of the United States slisll appoint incorporators, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, who shall 

serve RS the initial board of directors until the first annual meeting 

of stockholders or until their successors are elected and qualified. 

Such incorporators shall arrange for an initial stock offering and 

take whatever other actions are necessary to establish the corporation, 

including the filing of articles of incorporation, as approved by the 

President. 

DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS 

QEC. 303. (a) The corporation shall have a board of directors consisting of individuals who are citizens of the United States, of whom 

one shall be elected annual1 by the board to serve as chairman. Three 

States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, effective the 

date on which the other members are elected, and for terms of three 

members of the board shall t e appointed by the President of the United 

years or until their successors have been 

cept that the first three members of the 

continue in office for terms of one, two, and three 

and any member so appointed to fill a vacancy shal 

for the unexpired term of the director whom he 

bers of the board shall be elected annually by those stockholders who 

are communications common carriers and six shall be elected annually 

by the other stockholders of the corporation. No stockholder who 

is a communications common carrier and no trustee for such a stockholder shall vote, either directly or indirectly, through the votes of 

subsidiaries or affiliated companies, nominees, or any persons subject to 

131 
Pub. Law 87-624 

his direction or control, for more than three candidates for membership on the board. Subject to such limitation, the articles of incorporation to be filed by the incorporators designated under section 

302 shall provide for cumulative voting under section 27(d) of the 

District of Columbia Business Corporation Act (D.C. Code, sec. 

29-911(d)). 

(b) The corporation shall have a president, and such other officers 

as ma be named and a pointed by the board, at rates of compensation 

dividual other than a citizen of the nited States may be an officer 

of the corporation. No officer of the corporation shall receive any 

salary from any source other than the corporation during the period 

of his employment by the corporation. 

7.6 STAT. 424. 

If fixed t y the board, an cp serving at the leasure of the board. No inFINANCING OF THE CORPORATION 

SEG. 304. (a) The corporation is authorized to issue and have outstanding, in such amounts as it shall determine, shares of capital stock, 

without par value, which shall carry voting rights and be eligible for 

dividends. The shares of such stock initially offered shall be sold at 

a price not in excess of $100 for each share and in a manner to encourage the widest distribution to the American public. Subject to 

the provisions of subsections (b) and (d) of this section, shares of 

stock offered under this subsection may be issued to and held by any 

person. 

(b) (1) For the purposes of this section tlie term “authorized carrier” shall mean a communicat,ions common carrier which is specifically authorized or which is a member of a class of carriers authorized 

by tlie Commission to own shares of stock in the corporation upon a 

finding that such ownership will be consistent with the public interest, 

convenience, and necessity. 

(2) Only those communications common carriers which are authorized carriers shall own shares of stock in the corporation at any time, 

and no other communications common carrier shall own shares either 

directly or indirectly through subsidiaries or affiliated companies, 

nominees, or any persons subject to its direction or control. Fifty 

er centum of the shares of stock authorized for issuance at any time 1, the corporation shall be reserved for purchase by authorized carriers and such carriers shall in the ag regate be entitled to make purnumber of the lionreserved shares of any issue purchased by other 

persons. At no time after the initial issue is completed shall the sggregate of the shares of voting stock of the corporation owned by 

authorized carriers directly or indirectly through subsidiaries or 

affiliated companies, nominees, or any persons subject, to their direction or control exceed 50 per centum of such shares issued and outchases of the reserved shares in a tota P number not exceeding the total 

- 

standin 

(3) ft no time shall any stockholder who is not an authorized 

carrier, or any syndicate or iffiliated group of such stockholders, own 

inore than 10 per centum of the shares of voting stock of the corporation issued and outstanding. 

(c) The corporation is authorized to issue, in addition to the stock 

authorized by subsection (a) of this section, nonvoting securities, 

bonds, debentures, and other certificates of indebtedness as it may 

determine. Such nonvoting securities, bonds, debentures, or other 

certificates of indebtedness of the corporation as n communications 

common carrier may own shnll be eligible for inclusion in the rate 

base of the carrier to the extent allowed by the Commission. The vot132 
Pub. Law 87-624 

76 STAT. 435. 

ing stock of the corporation shall not be eligible for inclusion in the 

rate base of the carrier. 

(d) Not more than an aggregate of 20 er centum of the shares of 

which are held by holders other than authorized carriers may be held 

by persons of the classes described in paragraphs (1) , (2), (3), (4), 

and (5) of section 310(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as 

amended (47 U.S.C. 310). 

(e) The requirement of section 45(b) of the District of Columbia 

Business Corporation Act (D.C. Code, sec. 29-920(b)) as to the 

percentage of stock which a stockholder must hold in order to have 

the rightseof inspection and copying set forth in that subsection shall 

not be applicable in the case of holders of the stock of the corporation, 

and they may exercise such rights without regard to the percentage of 

stock they hold. 

( f) Upon application to the Commission by any authorized carrierl 

and after notice and hearing, the Commission may compel any other 

authorized carrier which owns shares of stock in the corporation to 

transfer to the a plicant, for a fair and reasonable consideration, a 

public interest and the purposes of this Act. In its determination 

with respect to ownership of shares of stock in the corporation, the 

Commission, whenever consistent with the public interest, shall promote the widest possible distribution of stock among the authorized 

carriers. 

stock of the corporation authorized by su i section (a) of this section 

number of such s hp ares as the Commission determines will advance the 

PURlWSEB AND POWERS OF THE CORPORATlON 

SEC. 305. (a) In order to achieve the objectives and to carry out the 

purposes of this Act, the corporation is authorized to- 

(1) plan, initiate, construct, own, manage, and operate itself 

or in conjunction with foreign governments or business entities 

a commercial communications satellite system ; 

(2) furnish, for hire, channels of communication to United 

States communications common carriers and to other authorized 

entities, foreign and domestic; and 

(3) own and operate satellite terminal stations when licensed 

by the Commission under section 201 (c) (7). 

(b) Included in the activities authorized to the corporation for 

accomplishment of the purposes indicated in subsection (a) of this 

section, are, amon others not specifically named- 

(1) to con 2 uct or contract for research and development related to its mission ; 

(2) to acquire the physical facilities, equipment and devices 

necessary to its operations, including communications satellites 

and associated equipment and facilities, whether by construction, 

purchase, or gift ; 

(3) to purchase satellite launching and related services from 

the United States Government ; 

(4) to contract with authorized users, including the United 

States Government, for the services of the communications satellite system ; and 

(5) to develop plans for the technical specifications of all 

elements of the communications satellite system. 

(c) To car out the foregoing purposes, the corporation shall 

have the usua 7 powers conferred upon a stock corporation by the 

District of Columbia Business Corporation Act. 

133 
Pub. Law 87-624 

76 STAT. 426. 

TTLE IV-MISCELLANEOPS 

APPLIG4BILITY OF COMMUNICATIONS ACT OF 1934 

SEC. 401. The corporation shall be deemed to be a common carrier 

within the meaning of section 3(h) of the Communications Act of 

1934, as amended, and as such shall be fully subject to the rovisions 

terminal station facilities by one communication common carrier to 

one or more other communications common carriers shall be deemed to 

be a common carrier activity fully subject to the Communications 

Act. Whenever the a plication of the provisions of this Act shall 

munications Act, the provisions of this Act shall govern. 

of title I1 and title I11 of that Act. The provision o ! satellite 

be inconsistent with t K e application of the provisions of the ComNOTICE OF FOREIGN BUSINFBS NEGOTIATION8 

SEC. 402. Whenever the corporation shall enter into business negot iations with respect to facilities, operations, or services authorized 

by this Act with an international or foreign entity, it sliall notify 

the Department of d tate of the negotiations, and the Department of 

State shall advise the corporation of relevant foreign polic considerations. Throughout such negotiations the corporation s ii all keep 

the Department of State informed with respect to such considerations. 

The corporation may request the Department of State to assist in 

the negotiat ions, and that Department shall render such assistance as 

may be appropririte. 

S.4NCTIONS 

SEC. 403. (a) If the corporation created pursuant to this Act shall 

engage in or adhere to any action, practices, or policies inconsistent 

with the policy and purposes declared in section 102 of this Act, or 

if the corporation or any other person shall violate any provision of 

this Act, or shall obstruct or interfere with any activities authorized 

by this Act, or shall refuse, fail, or neglect to discharge his duties and 

responsibilities under this Act,, or shall threaten any such violation, 

obstruction, interference, refusal, failure, or neglect, the district court 

of the United States for any district in which such corporation or 

other person resides or may be found shall have jurisdiction, except 

as otherwise rohibited by law, upon petition of the Attorney General 

or appropriate to prevent or terminate such conduct or threat. 

(b) Nothin contained in this section shall be construed as relieving 

my person of any punishment liability, or sanction which may be 

common carriers to comply, insofar as applicable, with all provisions 

of this Act and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. 

of the Unite cf States, to grant such equitable relief as may be necessary 

otherwise than under this Act. 

shall be the duty of the corporation and all communications 

REPORTS To THE CONGRESS 

SEC. 404. (a) The President shall transmit to the Congress in 

.January of each year a report which shall include a comprehensive 

descri tlon of the activities and accomplishments during the preceding 

201 (a) (l), together with an evaluation of such activities and accomplishments in terms of the attainment of the objectives of this Act 

and an recommendations for additional legislative or other action 

ment of such objectives. 

calen R ar year under the national program referred to in section 

which t K e President may consider necessary or desirable for the attain134 
Pub. Law 87-624 

(b) The corporation shall transmit to the President and the 

('ongress, annually and at such other times as it deems desirable, a 

comprehensive and detailed report of its operations, activities, and 

accomplishments under this Act. 

(c) The Commission shall transmit to the Congress, annually and 

iIt such other times as it deems desirable, (i) a report of its activities 

tilid actions on anticompetitive practices as they apply to the conimunications satellite programs ; (ii) an evaluation of such activitie9 

and actions taken by it within the scope of its authority with a view 

to recommending such additional legislation which the Commission 

may consider necessary in the public interest ; and (iii) an evaluatioii 

of the capital structure of the corporation so as to assure the Congress 

that such structure is consistent with the most efficient and economical 

operation of the corporation. 

76 STAT. 427. 

Approved August 31, 1962, 9:51 a.m. 

135 
SPACE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 

Historical Summary and 1964 Budget Recommendations 

January 17, 1963 

(In millions of dollars) 

1 / Dept of Weather Total 

NASA- Defense AEC Bureau NSF Space 

New Obligational 

Authoritv 

Historical 

1955 

1956 

1957 

1958 

1959 

1960 

196 1 

1962 

1964 Budget 

1963 

1964 

Expenditures 

His toric a1 

1955 

1956 

1957 

1958 

1959 

1960 

196 1 

1962 

56.9 

72. 7 

78. 2 

117.3 

338.9 

523.6 

926. 2 

1796.0 

3622.6 

5663.6 

73.8 

71. 1 

76. 1 

89.2 

145.5 

401.0 

694.0 

1229.0 

3.0 

30. 3 

71. 0 

205.6 

489.5 

560.9 

793.8 

1284.3 

- 

7.0 

21.3 

21.3 

34.3 

43.3 

67.7 

147.8 

1617.6 228.9 

1667.6 254.3 

1.5 

16.5 

47.5 

135.5 

341.0 

518. 1 

710.0 

1028.8 

- 

6.3 

19. 2 

20.2 

32.6 

41. 1 

64. 3 

130.0 

- - 

- 7.3 

- 8.4 

- 3.3 

- .1 

- .6 

50. 7 1.3 

- - 

43. 2 1.5 

26. 2 2.3 

59.9 

117.3 

178.9 

347.5 

862.7 

1127.9 

1788.3 

3280.1 

5513.8 

7614.0 

75.3 

100.1 

150. 1 

248.9 

520.6 

960.2 

1468.3 

2389.7 

1964 Budget 

1963 2358.0 1421.0 190.6 19. 3 1. 1 3990.0 

1964 4154.0 1622.0 247. 1 44.7 1.5 6069.3 

1/ Excludes amounts for aircraft technology in 1961 and succeeding years. 

h;unts for NASA-NACA aircraft and space activities not separately identifiable 

prior to 1961. 

Note - Historical amounts are estimates based on best data available. 

Source: Bureau of Budget 

137 Appendix D-I 
SPACE ACTIVITIES 

1964 Budget Document 

January 17, 1963 

NASA 

Space Research & TechnologyLj 

Manned space flight ........ Space applications.. ........ Unmanned investigations in 

space.................... 

Space research & technology. 

Aircraft technology. ........ Supporting operations & other 

Total, budget plan basis.. . Adjustment to NOA basis.. 

Total, Space Research & 

Technology (equals total NASA) 

Federal Space Programs 21 - 

NASA ..................... Department of Defense.. ..... Atomic Energy Commission 

Department of Commerce: 

Weather Bureau.. .......... National Science Foundation. 

(In millions of dollars) 

New obligational 

authority Expenditures 

1962 1963 1964 1962 1963 1964 

actual est. - est. actual - est. - est. -- 

923.2 2242. 1 3758.2 547.4 1376.0 2713.0 

76.2 118. 1 140.7 60.6 82.0 124.0 

429.2 603.0 780.3 337.4 441.0 593.0 

231.8 437.9 538.8 196. 1 281.0 475.0 

28.9 50.7 48.4 28.0 42.0 46.0 

132.4 235.9 445.6 87.5 178.0 249.0 

1821.7 3687.7 5712.0 1257.0 2400.0 4200.0 

+3. 2 -14.4 - - - - 

1824.9 3673.3 5712.0 1257.0 2400.0 4200.0 

1796.0 3622.6 5663.6 1229.0 2358.0 4154.0 

1284.3 1617.6 1667.6 1028.8 1421.0 1622.0 

147.8 228.9 254.3 130.0 190.6 247. 1 

50. 7 43. 2 26. 2 1. 0 19. 3 44. 7 

1.3 1.5 2. 3 .9 1.1 1.5 

Total. ........................ 3280.1 5513.8 7614.0 2389.7 3990.0 6069.3 

- 1/ 

the NASA agency totals only. See discussion and tables on pages 18, 75, 284, 

and 393-4 in the Budget and pages 781-7 in the Appendix. 

- 2 /See summary of Federal Space Programs on pages 403-04 in the Budget. 

Source: Bureau of the Budget 

The budget function "Space Research and Technology" consists by definition of 

GSA- WASH DC 63.9166 139 Appendix D-2