Aug 5 1968
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. was expected to make more successful launches than U.S. during 1968 for first time since 1957, with both nations emphasizing military goals, Howard Benedict of Associated Press wrote. In 1957, U.S.S.R. had launched two Sputniks, U.S. had launched none. In 1958, U.S. had launched five to U.S.S.R.'s one; thereafter, U.S. had maintained substantial edge, building to 73-46 margin in 1966. In 1967, U.S. had led by only one launch, 67-66. Through 1967, U.S. had had 400 successful launches, with 532 payloads orbited. U.S.S.R. had had 240 launches with 289 payloads. In 1968 to date, U.S.S.R. had successfully launched 40 rockets with 40 payloads; U.S. had launched 22 rockets with 31 payloads, 23 fewer than in 1967, while U.S.S.R. launches had increased by five. Reasons for decline in U.S. launch rate were NASA budget cuts and improved instrumentation and data recovery in military launches (60% of U.S. firings) . U.S. military payloads in 1968 numbered 22 to U.S.S.R.'s 24 out of total 40. Tracking experts had reported 16 of 1968 U.S.S.R. satellites on reconnaissance assignments, with 13 reentering after 8-day orbit, two after 12 days and one still aloft. Sole U.S.S.R. Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOsS) test, Cosmos CCXVIII, had been launched and returned to earth in less than one orbit April 25. Drop from nine FOBS tests in 1967 indicated U.S.S.R. might have perfected at least first stage in FOBS development. Neither U.S. nor U.S.S.R. had launched men into space in 1968 but experts listed Cosmos CCXII and CCXIII launchings April 15 as forerunners of manned lunar mission. In 1968, U.S.S.R. had launched nine scientific satellites, three for navigation, and two each for communications, weather, and deep space probes. U.S. had made two unmanned Apollo rocket and spacecraft tests, five scientific payloads, and one moon shot. (Huntsville Times, 8/5/68)
Committee on Resolutions of 1968 Republican National Convention meeting in Miami Beach, Fla., proposed platform plank on science: "In science and technology the nation must maintain leadership against in- creasingly challenging competition from abroad. .. We regret that the Administration's budgetary mismanagement has forced sharp reductions in the space program. The Republican party shares the sense of urgency manifested by the scientific community concerning the exploration of outer space. We recognize that the peaceful applications of space probes in communications, health, weather, and technological advances have been beneficial to every citizen. We regard the ability to launch and deploy advanced spacecraft as a military necessity. We deplore the failure of the Johnson-Humphrey Administration to emphasize the military uses of space for America's defense." (NYT, 8/5/68, 25)
First short-takeoff-and-landing strip for commercial aircraft in U.S. opened at La Guardia Airport in New York. Called STOLport, it was 1,095 ft long. Shortest regular runway at La Guardia was 4,000 ft. FAA said sToLport would be used for visual flying only. STOL aircraft landed and took off at 60 mph, rather than regular commercial aircraft's 105 mph. Three more stolports were to open Sept. 1 to provide taxi service between National and Dulles Airports in Washington, D.C., and Friendship Airport in Baltimore. (Shipler, NYT, 8/6/68, 1; AP, W Star, 8/6/68, A5; W Post, 8/14/68, 1)
NASA planned flight test of relatively inexpensive general-aviation collision-avoidance system, flight test of six or more general-aviation aircraft, and series of wind-tunnel tests of Learjet at ARC under five-year program to improve light aircraft technology with FY 1969 funding of $500,000. General-aviation research program's main current emphasis was on flight-testing Piper Twin Comanche on twin-engine aircraft characteristics for comparison with measurements obtained during wind tunnel tests. ERC and Lam work on collision-avoidance system was aimed at cooperative system costing below $1,000 commercially, in which pilot would be warned of impending collision if other aircraft was similarly equipped. LaRC was using randomly coded Doppler radar system, to be flight tested late in autumn, while ERC was developing optical system using xenon strobe light to illuminate aircraft. Light would be picked up by silicon detectors. ERC had not yet developed fully integrated system. (Am Av, 8/5/68, 6)
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