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

196 ASTRONAUTICAL AND AERONAUTICAL EVENTS OF 19 6 2
who have studied our budgets and public documents have reason
to know. It is clear, however, that our policy includes going to
the moon during this decade. It includes developing an opera-
tional communications satellite system as well as navigation and
meteorological systems on a world-wide basis. The specifics are
less clear as to the roles of man in space and what can and should
be done to maintain peace in outer space. This lack of clarity,
however, is partly due to the difficulty of knowing what can be
done and what cannot be done. Continuing efforts will be made
to clarify policy, while keeping it necessarily flexible. . . .”
September 21: Replying to September 20 statement by AEC Chairman
Glenn T. Seaborg regarding U.S. nuclear propulsion capabilities
for a 1970 Mars mission, NASA spokesman said: “There is no such
approved program for such a flight at this time, but the joint
AEC-NASA program is aimed at giving such a capability, and at
this time it appears it may be feasible to conduct such a flight.’’
Announced that International Association Machinist workers and
Lockheed Corp. had agreed to extend their contract indefinitely,
thus averting threat of strike in this aerospace industry.
Astronaut John H. Glenn, Jr. (Lt. Col., USMC), was chosen as Ma-
rine Aviator of the Year for 1962-63. This was the first annual
award of the Alfred A. Cunningham Trophy.
NASA contracted with Armour Research Foundation for an investiga-
tion of conditions likely to be found on the lunar surface. Initial
research would concentrate on evaluation of effects of velocity
of landing, size of the landing area, and shape of the landing ob-
ject with regard to properties of the lunar soils. Earlier studies
by Armour had indicated the lunar surface may be composed of
very strong material.
USN announced tests conducted at U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Sta-
tion, China Lake, Calif., had included successful free-flight of a
new type of rocket propulsion system called “Hybrid” because
of its use of combination liquid and solid propellant in single
motor.
Two leading U.S. space scientists born in Germany were voted
honorary members of the German Rocket Society: Dr. Kurt H.
Debus, Director of NASA Launch Operations Center, and Prof.
K. 0. Lange, Director of University of Kentucky’s Aeronautical
Research Laboratory.
Secretary of the Air Force Eugene M. Zuckert, addressing the Air
Force Association in Las Vegas, said: “The United States, in
keeping with our motivations in freedom and peace, has embarked
upon a space program aimed at peace building, constructive
exploitation of space-second to none.
“In the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the
nation has mobilized an effort unprecedented in history. NASA
is making progress, because it has imaginative leadership, a
competent staff, extensive facilities, and wholehearted support
from all elements of industry and government which can contrib-
ute, especially the Air Force.
“In addition to our contribution to the success of the NASA
program, the Air Force is required by its own mission to put its
energies into a different kind of space effort. We are reaching a
clearer definition of that mission as it relates to space. . , .