Astronautical and Aeronautical Events of 1962 - NASA's History Office

190 ASTRONAUTICAL AND AERONAUTICAL EVENTS OF 1962
enough for its damaged solar cells to absorb sufficient solar energy
to power its electronic equipment.
September 16: NASA announced the sixth Tiros weather satellite would
be launched into orbit from Cape Canaveral on September 18, at
the earliest. Launch date was moved two months ahead to pro-
vide backup of TIROS v cloud-cover photography during last half
of current hurricane season and to provide weather forecasting
support for Astronaut Walter M. Schirra’s orbital space flight
September 28. Wide-angle TV camera in TIROS v continued to
operate, but medium-angle Tegea lens stopped functioning on
July 2 because of ‘‘random electrical failure in the camera’s
sys tem . ”
0 Magnetic fields had been discovered in outer space by two scientists
working in Australia, the Commonwealth Scientific Research
Organization announced. Brian Cooper, of Sydney, and Marcus
Price, of the U.S., made their discovery with new radiotelesco e
at Parkes, New South Wales. Charting of the magnetic fie 7 d
near galaxy Centaurus A was termed “radio astronomy’s biggest
discovery in 10 years.” Centaurus A is 20 million light years
away from the earth.
Announced that 140-million-candlepower lights would burn near
Durban, So. Africa, for three minutes during fifth and sixth
orbital passes of Astronaut Walter M. Schirra’s Mercury space
flight (MA-8).
Piloting an Albatross amphibian, LCdr Richard A. Hoffman (USN)
claimed speed record of 151.4 mph average over 3,100-mi. flight
course for amphibians carrying 2,205-113. loads. Flight was made
from New York NAS, Floyd Bennett Field.
September 16: NASA announced the advanced version of liquid-
hydrogenpiquid-oxygen rocket engine had completed its prelimi-
nary flight rating tests. In the test program, the 15,000-1b.-
thrust engine underwent 20 static-firings for a total of 2,820 see.
of firing; it also passed humidity and vibration tests.
0 Dr. Albert Kelley, NASA Director of Electronics and Control (OART),
told Electronics Industry Association that between 90 and 95%
of US. space failures could be traced to failures in electronic
components. ‘(We are trying to build a reliable spacecraft with
unreliable components.” He added that NASA had begun an
electronic components’ reliability program separate from that of
DoD-a program providing a “great challenge” with prospects
for rewarding technological payoffs.
NASA announced contract award for research in communications
between man and dolphins, results of which could apply if man
encounters other species on distant planets. The $80,800, one-
year contract was awarded to Communication Institute of St.
Thomas, V.I., directed by Dr. John C. Lilly. Dr. Lilly’s research
had already determined that dolphins communicate with each
other and that they could be taught to mimic human speech.
NASA announced new policy under which astronauts would be per-
mitted to negotiate individually for the sale of their stories, the
policy being “aimed at assuring equal access by all news media
to the Astronauts’ stories of their flight missions.” Notable pro-
visions of new policy were: (1) requirement for a second post-
flight news conference in which representatives of news media
could question the astronaut (‘in depth” about his flight; and