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World Press Hails Soviet Space Feat

(N Z. Press Assn. —Copyright) LONDON, August 13. British newspapers today described the latest Russian space shots as an “astonishing” and “fantastic” feat demonstrating Soviet superiority in space exploration. The two orbiting spacemen dominated front pages and most newspapers speculated on an attempt to rendezvous the two spaceships or the likelihood of further manned flights within the next few days.

The "Daily Express" science writer. Chapman Pincher, said that the odds were 10 to one against the Americans beating Russia to a manned landing on the moon.

"This is a fantastic feat. - ’ Pmcher said. "The scientific skill behind it makes the mind boggle. It is the most convincing demonstration of the reliability of the giant Russian missiles.''

The “Daily Telegraph” science correspondent. Anthony Smith, commenting on a space rendezvous, said: "Meeting tn space has many implications. It means not only that a rocket can be prepared more suitably for a journey to the moon, but that satellites can destroy other satellites.

"If they perfect the technique, the Russians could shoot down America’s military satellites, such as the spy -in - the • sky Midas series.”

In an editorial the newspaper said a manoeuvrable manned satellite could be used as a super-spy or superbomber in space.

The “Daily Mail" said in an editorial: “Their latest astonishing feat again demonstrates their pre-eminence in spa~“ travel." “The Times" said in an editorial that the feat was “remarkable" and "argues supreme confidence in methods of launching and control ’’ Moscow Papers In Moscow, all central Moscow newspapers appeared today. although usually only "Pravda" appears on Mondays, Tass reported “Red Star." the newspaper of the Soviet Defence Ministry. said in a leading article that the “group flight" of two Soviet cosmonauts was ‘‘a fantastic dream become live reality." Only one capitalist country the United States, was trying to compete with the Soviet Union in the exploration of space, “but in spite of all its efforts, its tag behind the Soviet successes, far from diminishing, is only increasing." it said In Peking, all Chinese Communist newspapers today headlined news of the two Soviet "brothers in the sky” So far there have been no messages from the Chinese Government or party leaders and no editorial comment

American newspapers today hailed the Soviet accomplishment with banner headlines In an editorial, the "New York Times” said the United States must redouble its own space efforts in the face of the latest Soviet achievements

It said the Russian feats had not so far affected the military balance of power or

the security of the United States, but while the United States was not irretrievably behind in space exploration, it was further behind than had been thought. Referring to the flight of the two Soviet space ships in close proximity to one another. the newspaper said in an editorial:

“Viewed as a purely scientific achievement, the rendezvous represents another triumph of human genius in which all men can take pride. President Kennedy spoke for America when he congratulated the Soviet Union ‘on this exceptional technical feat.’ saluted the courage of the two new astronauts and wished them a safe return to earth.

“But the totalitarian Communist mind knows no division of its work into compartments and Soviet propaganda is blatantly exploiting the new feat as ’proof of both Soviet military supremacy and the superiority of Communism over capitalism. In that respect the Soviet achievement represents another challenge to the free

world and especially the United States. “Fortunately, the Russian achievement does not—so far at least—affect either the military balance of power or the security of our nation and the free world, on which depends whatever peace we have. “Likewise, with our own four, if far shorter, space flights, and with Telstar we are not irretrievably behind in space exploration. But we are behind, more so than we thought, and that not only tarnishes our image as the technologically most advanced country in ths world but also weakens us in the battle for men's minds. “We must redouble our exertions to make up for the years that the locust ate and is still eating,’’ it said. “Dramatic Moments”

The New York “Herald Tribune” said in an editorial that whatever might be the fate of the cosmonauts, Nikolayev and Popovich, they had taken part in one of the most dramatic moments of human experience.

For they had made real the myth of the Gemini, the twin of astrology, and it was hard to match, even in fantasy, their encounter in space. "For one and one in the vast lonely reaches that stretch beyond the earth add up to more than two: they are. in the words of the old saying, a thousand. And the ’sophistication' of Soviet rocket techniques, revealed in the dual flight and in the television communication from the orbiting capsules is truly impressive.’’ it said

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19620814.2.113

Bibliographic details

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 15

Word Count
808

World Press Hails Soviet Space Feat Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 15

World Press Hails Soviet Space Feat Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 15