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

ASTRONAUTICAL AND AERONAUTICAL EVENTS OF 1962 43
March 29: In testimony before a subcommittee of the House Com-
mittee on Science and Astronautics, Gen. Bernard Schriever,
Commander of AFSC, discussed the “reciprocal support” between
NASA and the USAF, and the national requirement for military
space weapons systems. He pointed out that: (1) 102 USAF
officers were assigned full-time with NASA as well as 23 Navy
and 33 Army; (2) $49 millions of NASA support was funded by
the USAF through FY 61 and over $200 millions in FY 62; (3)
$270 millions of NASA funds were processed under cognizance of
AFSC during FY 61; and (4) NASA use of USAF booster, launch,
and tracking capabilities and the joint x-15 program further
demonstrated “the work NASA and the Air Force are doing to-
gether as a team.” Gen. Schriever pointed to the fundamental
capabilities of future space weapon systems and the assignment
by the Secretary of Defense of major responsibility for military
space systems development to the Air Force.
0 President Kennedy sent to Congress a reorganization plan that
would establish an Office of Science and Technology within the
White House staff. Its director would advise and assist the
0
President on (1) major science policies and
Federal government; (2) assessment of scienti Iip‘ograms c and technical in the
developments for effect on national policies; (3) review, integration,
and coordination of major Federal science activities; (4) ensuring
“good and close relations” with Nation’s scientists and
engineers. President said this would leave the National Science
Foundation free to concentrate on fostering basic research
and science education.
announced selection of Republic Aviation corp. as contractor
for Project Fire, the fight re-entry research program. Contract
would call for construction of two re-entry spacecraft to be flown
in the second half of 1963 and re-enter the earth’s atmosphere at
a speed of 25,000 mph.
0 A four-stage NASA Scout rocket carried P-21A probe payload 3,910
miles into space and 4,370 miles downrange from Wallops Station,
Va. In 97-minute flight measurements were taken of the iono-
spheric electron density profiles, ion density, and types of ions,
data needed to improve communication between earth and space.
0 European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO) formally
came into being when a convention was signed in London between
Great Britain, France, West Germany, and Italy to develop the
rocket vehicle to launch a satellite from Woomera, Australia, in
1965. First stage would be the British Blue Streak rocket, second
stage the French Veronique, third stage would be developed by
West Germany. The Netherlands, Belgium, and Australia were
expected to join the organization soon.
0 Second altitude record attempt in two da s by X-15 was scrubbed
just before drop from B-52, caused by P ailure of inertial guidance
s stem.
Mc 6 onnell Aircraft Corp. first showed Gemini capsule mock-up, at
St. Louis plant.