Launched 10:15 local time. Reached 111.3 km. Carried No upper atmosphere experiments. Technology flight for General Electric. Successful electronic flight control demonstrated by General Electric technicians for Army Ordnance.

Photography research. Launched at 1020 local time. Reached 98.2 km.

The Senate passed a resolution (S Res 256) creating a special Committee on Space and Astronautics to frame legislation for a national program for space exploration. References: 483 .

First test launch of USAF Titan ICBM (A-3) from Cape Canaveral. Dummy second stage (500 km range).

Following industry-wide competition, a formal contract for research and development of the Mercury spacecraft was negotiated with the McDonnell Aircraft Corporation. The contract called for design and construction of 12 Mercury spacecraft, but it did not include details on changes and ground support equipment which were to be negotiated as the project developed. Later, orders were placed with the company for eight additional spacecraft, two procedural trainers, an environmental trainer, and seven checkout trainers. McDonnell had been engaged in studying the development of a manned spacecraft since the NACA presentation in mid-March of 1958. References: 483 .

NASA Aerobee-Hi successfully reached 96 miles above Wallops Station in test of behavior of liquid hydrogen in zero gravity for Lewis Research Center hydrogen propulsion development. References: 18 .

John C. Houbolt of Langley Research Center and Charles W. Mathews of MSC made a presentation of lunar orbit rendezvous versus earth orbit rendezvous to the Manned Space Flight Management Council. References: 16 .

First all SAC launch

Titan II development flight N-16 was launched from Cape Canaveral. This was the eleventh Titan II flight and the third to use increased pressure in the propellant tanks of stage I to reduce longitudinal oscillations (POGO). This was successful in reducing POGO levels to about 0.5 g, more than satisfactory from the standpoint of the weapon system. The Air Force was reluctant to expend weapon system funds in an effort to reduce POGO still further to the 0.25-g level NASA regarded as the maximum acceptable for manned flight.

High resolution photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule References: 1 , 2 , 6 .

Stationed at 63 deg E. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

A statement of agreements was reached between NASA Hq. and the Centers covering the requirements for a lunar roving vehicle (LRV). Appropriate portions of the agreements were being incorporated in a revised Apollo Program Specification and in Apollo Program Directive No. 4. References: 16 .

Robotic lunar soil return mission. Launch vehicle failure. References: 5 , 67 , 274 .

Attempted to reach rim of Cone Crater on moonwalk with ''golf cart'' for hauling equipment. References: 66 .

Threw excess equipment out of LM before lift-off. References: 66 .

Replaced Cosmos 479. Possible ELINT satellite. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Decay date suspect Operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radiocommunications system in the USSR; transmission of television programmes to stations in the Orbita network. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Geodesic satellite. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Synchronous Meteorological Satellite. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Experimental Communications Satellite. Experimental Communications Satellite (ECS). Launch time 0846 GMT. ECS was injected into the planned transfer orbit. On 9 Feb, however, ECS ceased radio transmissions about 10 seconds after the apogee kick motor was fired. Communicat ions and propagation experiments of satellite-communication systems. Operation and control experiment for geostationary satellites. Mass at launch 260 kg. Configuration - cylindrical. Height 1.9m including antenna. Diameter 1.4m. Spin stabilized. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Oceanographic, terrestrial studies. Development of methods for comprehensive study of the oceans and the surface of the earth, and testing of the experimental system of automatic gathering of scientific information from sea and land stations. Launched under the INTERCOSMOS programme by the USSR together with the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic, the German Democratic Republic, the Hungarian People's Republic and the Socialist Republic of Romania. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 116 .

Area survey photo reconnaissance; film capsule; also performed earth resources tasks. Returned in less than usual 30 day full duration. References: 1 , 2 , 6 , 69 .

Satellite Data Systems 2. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Military cartographic satellite; returned film capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .

Released 10 Romb radar calibration subsatellites. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .