Nuclear Rocket Debate Is On
By Alvin B. Webb, Jr.
CAPE CANAVERAL (UPI) — The U.S. space program, never without a good controversy or two going, is warming up a brand-new one for 1963 up the nuclear-powered space rocket. The one it does not have.
By Alvin B. Webb, Jr.
The atomic rocket project is somewhat secretive, and the main points now evident are that it has a potful of names, a matching lot of problems, a rather fuzzy timetable and a price tag to date of $500 million.
THE IDEA OF building a nuclear space rocket was studied by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) as far back as 1956. It became known as "Rover" when the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) got into the act.
Added to that is a new argument:
should the program be pushed even harder, and will the results be worth it?
Theoretically, the nuclear rocket is pound for pound twice as efficient as the conventional rocket — or roughly comparable to a high-powered sports car matched against the ordinary family automobile.
That's an impressive talking point, particularly for those seeking an impressive jump on the Russians. U.S. space leaders swung project Rover full speed ahead and set 1965 as the target date for the first flight of the atomic rocket. That was in 1960.
Then yesterday, along came Dr. Edward Teller to raise the question of whether the nuclear rocket, as proposed in the Rover program, will turn out to be what it's cracked up to be after all.
TWO YEARS, several hundred million dollars and a wealth of new problems later, the nuclear rocket still is five years away from the launching pad.
The 54-year-old physicist was not opposing the nuclear-propelled rocket ("one should explore it") but instead was warning against expecting too much of the result.
In Washington, Sen. John O. Pastore, D-R.I., yesterday presented some of the more glowing ideas of what the result would be.
"I am not quite convinced that nuclear rockets will offer significant advantages over chemical engines," said Teller.
"In chemical engine development," Pastore said, "there is little hope of closing the gap — unless the Soviets suddenly cease their development work. This is hardly likely."
Patronize Your
Kansan Advertisers
FREE
PROSPECTUS BOOKLET tells how to acquire shares of
Accumulative United Fund through
UNITED PERIODIC INVESTMENT PLANS
These plans (up to $100,000 in multiples of $2.500) enable you to invest a minimum of $125 to start, and $25 periodically, in more than 100 Ameri- periodically, in invest in United Accumulative Funds a diversi- managed mutual fund seeking possible long-term growth of capital.
For free copy of the Prospectus-Booklet and other information mail this ad today or call
Waddell & Reed, Inc.
Episcopal Holy Communion, 9:30 p.m.
Danforth Chapel.
El Atenco se reunirá hoy a las 4:30 de la tarde en la la casa 11 de Fraser. El atenco será realizado en conferencia sobre Garcia Todos, todas ordinalmente invitados. Refrescos
National distributor—Represented locally by
Radio Production Center, 7:30 p.m.
Room 220 Flint. Executive Comm. Meeting
Westminster Foundation, 8:00 p.m.
Pine Room. Student Union, Dr. Maynard Strohmann; "The Philosophy of Albert Schweitzer."
MRS. FREDRICK MOREAU
1942 Louisiana VI 3-4588
TODAY
Official Bulletin
Mathematics Staff Seminar. 3:30 p.m.
Mathematics Staff Training. 2:15 p.m.
Johnson. A Formulation of Logic.
Organic Chemistry Colloquium, 4:00 p.m., 233 Malott. Douglas Neckers; "Mechanisms of Perester Decompositions."
TOMORROW
Catholic Masses, 7:00 a.m. 11:40 a.m.
Shrine Celebration, Catholic Chapel, 1910 Stratford Road
Der Deutsche Verein, 5-00 Donnerstag,
der November, Student Union, Robert
Beruch; und Walter Hakey, Cello, werden
Brahmus und von Webe spielen.
Name ...
Muslim Society, Parlor C. Student Uni-
cerity, Islam Architecture" with II slide,
Muslim, Architecture
Name ...
Address ...
Page 3
In three model years, two-ply tires have supplanted the older, stiffer four-pilces on an estimated 80 percent of new cars, according to The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The more flexible two-ply, say experts, offers a smoother, softer ride.
"Works of the modern poet: John Betjeman" will be the Poetry Hour lecture topic at 4:30 p.m. tomorrow in the Kansas Union. Guest speaker will be Kenneth Rothwell, assistant professor of English.
Poetry Hour Talk On John Betjeman
Zu Loewenstein To Speak at KU
Wednesday, Nov. 28, 1962 University Daily Kansan
Prince Hubertes zu Loewenstein, author and historian, will give a public lecture on "German Foreign Policy," this Thursday at the University of Kansas.
The German prince will speak at 4 p.m. in the Big 8 Room of the Kansas Union. He will be sponsored by the German and political science departments.
On April 30, 1933, Prince and Princess Loewenstein left Germany when their lives were threatened by the Nazis.
Loewenstein has contributed to the Atlantic Monthly, American Mercury, American Scholar, Social Science, New York Herald Tribune, and other publications.
'Great Men' Group Will Begin Tonight
Maynard Strothmann, director of Westminster Center, will initiate the study tonight of Albert Schweitzer, noted missionary and musician.
The Rev. Strothmann will discuss Dr. Schweitzer and his philosophy at 8 p.m. in the Pine Room of the Kansas Union.
This will be the first of three public meetings in which the Great Men of the 20th Century study group, sponsored by the KU-Y will study this "great man."
D&G AUTO SERVICE VI 2-0753 1/2 blk. E. 12th & Haskell
Barrel of Chicken
25 pieces, 10 hot rolls
$5.00
BIG BUY
23rd & Iowa
FROSTY ??
JERRY'S Phillips 66 GRAND OPENING December 1, 1962
FREE
Complete Lubrication and Carton Pepsi with Gas purchase
"The Mostest In SERVICE"
25th & Iowa, Next to Chuck Wagon
university men —
remember how hard it is to find the perfect gift for your favorite girl — sister — or mother?
diebolt's affords you the opportunity to buy these gifts in a men's storeat their alley shop
at
843 Mass.
P. S. — the alley shop is at the back of diebolt's