April 1969
From The Space Library
NAS-NRC Space Science Board published Sounding Rockets: Their Role in Space Research, report by Committee on Rocket Research recommending that NASA increase annual expenditures on rocket research to $27 million by 1971 and thereafter restore its earlier policy of increasing support 12% per year; that NSF, Naval Research Laboratory, and USAF immediately increase their support by 36%, and then maintain an annual 12% increase until 1975; and, additionally, that support for rocket research be increased by appropriate ratio to compensate for any reduction in satellite support. Report noted sounding rockets were responsible for dozens of major scientific discoveries, including discovery of solar x-rays emanating from millionth-degree corona of sun; for mapping of solar spectrum and structure of earth's atmosphere; and for existence of three new branches of astronomy-uv, x-ray, and gamma-ray. Greatest single advantage of sounding rockets for studying upper atmosphere was unique ability to obtain direct, vertical profiles at altitudes of 24.8 to 124.3 mi (40 to 200 km). (NAS-NRC-NAE News Rpt, 4/69, 2; NAS PIO)
Aerospace Industries Assn. released Annual Report 1968: Aerospace industry had gained "in virtually every major category": sales reached record $30.1 billion, up 10.5% over 1967, with turbine-powered commercial aircraft sales accounting for $3.73 billion, up 211% over 1965. General-aviation aircraft sales reached 13,698 units valued at $426 million. Civil helicopter production increased to 528 units valued at $59 million. DOD sales reached $16.9 billion, up nearly 7% over 1967; nonmilitary sales decreased 3.7%, to $4.047 billion. Backlog at end of third quarter was due primarily to commercial transport orders. (Text)
NASA issued Relay Program Final Report (NASA SP-151), prepared by GSFC. It was sequel to Relay I Final Report (NASA SP-76) and summarized operations of Relay II satellite (launched Jan. 21, 1964), including communications and other experiments. It compared Relay I (launched Dec. 13, 1962) and II performances and documented aspects of Relay I operations and experiment results not covered in Relay I report. Relay I transmitted last useful data Feb. 10, 1965; Relay II operated normally for last time Nov. 20, 1966. (Text)
NAS announced appointment of Dr. T. Keith Glennan, first NASA Administrator (1958-1961) and Assistant to Chairman of the Urban Coalition, as Chairman of NRC's Committee on Radio Frequency Requirements for Scientific Research. Dr. Glennan had been President of Case Institute of Technology, AEC Commissioner, and President of Associated Universities, Inc. (NAS PIO; NAS-NRC-NAE News Rpt, 4/69, 10)
- March 1969
- April
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