NASA's Administrator announced the naming of Goddard Space Flight Center under construction near Greenbelt, Md., in commemoration of Robert H. Goddard, American pioneer in rocket research. Dr. Harry J. Goett was appointed Director in September. Jastrow Committee on lunar exploration created. NASA created a committee to study problems of long-range lunar exploration to be headed by Dr. Robert Jastrow. R-7 development test flight.
Mercury astronauts begin training.
NASA announced training program for seven Project Mercury astronauts to provide them with technical knowledge and skills required to pilot the Nation's manned orbital capsule. Cape Canaveral . Cape Canaveral . Thor Able . Saturn I .