August 1977
From The Space Library
NASA announced it had detailed astronaut Russell L. Schweikart to the state of Calif. effective Sept. 1 as assistant for science and technology to the governor. The assignment would be for 1yr under the Intergovernmental Personnel Act.
Schweikart, one of the third group of astronauts, had come to NASA in 1963 and had flown the first lunar module in 1969 on Apollo 9. He had been backup commander for the first Skylab mission in 1973. In May 1974 he had joined the NASA Hq office of applications, and in Sept. 1976 became assistant for payload operations to the Assistant Administrator for Planning and Program Integration, working on policies and plans for payloads in the Shuttle era. In the new position, Schweikart would coordinate the application of emerging technology to the state's needs and become informed about the problems and challenges facing state governments. (NASA anno Aug 24/77)
The Natl. Aeronautic Association announced that 127 planes had finished in the last Powder Puff Derby on the 30th anniversary of the transcontinental air race for women. Pilots represented 36 of the United States as well as Australia, West Germany, and the Bahamas; 3 were flying their 24th Powder Puff Derby. NAA had decided in 1976 to make this run the last because of shortages of fuel and financing. The 30th flight was not a race but a "sentimental journey," the NAA said (NAA newsletter, Aug/77, 1)
NASA announced it had established a fare structure for Space Shuttle payloads on flights scheduled to begin in 1980. Depending on the weight and volume of cargo, the price would run from less than $10 000 to more than $21 million. Other factors would be the optional services desired and whether the payload would go on a reserved basis or as a standby.
Costing $10 000 or less would be the "getaway special" (GAS), a small research package weighing less than 2001b, self-contained, with a volume of less than 5ft3, flying on a space-available basis. The $21-million fare would be for a payload using the full capacity of the Shuttle on a reservation basis by non-U.S. government customers. Lesser charges would apply to customers sharing flights with other customers; those willing to fly on a standby basis; and those having made a substantial investment in Space Transportation System development (e.g., The European Space Agency, its member nations, and Canada). Chester M. Lee, STS operations director, said NASA had set the prices to encourage Shuttle use by making costs attractive but still recovering operating expenses. Commercial and foreign users would pay fees covering depreciation of facilities and equipment, and amortization of orbiters. The pricing plan would undergo review in 3yr to make any necessary adjustments, Lee said; it contained provisions for cost increases due to inflation. NASA prices would include space in the Shuttle, with standard services such as design review, safety review, flight plans, transmission of payload data, and services of a 3-man crew. Optional services, costing more, would include special training, upper stages and services, special mission kits, revisit or retrieval of satellites, or any special equipment. (NASA Release 77-173)
NASA announced it had identified about 40 payloads to be carried on 11 Space Shuttle flights in its first yr of operation, beginning in 1980. Three civilian firms had deposited "earnest money" with NASA for payloads on 8 flights; NASA had plans for 5 payloads, and DOD had plans for one.
Chester M. Lee, STS operations director, said NASA also had forecast 12 non-NASA civilian payloads, 10 NASA payloads, and 4 DOD payloads for launch during 1980 and 1981. Allocating the payloads to specific flights would not be firm until about a yr before launch, he noted. A working model for Shuttle traffic in the first 12yr, totaling 560 Shuttle flights, would show NASA flying about half the missions on its own; 20% would be DOD missions; 6%, other U.S. government agencies; 12%, commercial firms; and 12%, foreign customers. (NASA Release 77-175)
NASA announced it had awarded Boeing Commercial Airplane Co. a contract to demonstrate advanced technology for fabricating composite horizontal stabilizers to be used on B-737 transport aircraft. Managed by LaRC, work under the contract would be done over a 4yr period on a cost-sharing basis, NASA contributing about $11.7 million and Boeing contributing about $1.3 million. Boeing would devise advanced manufacturing methods suitable for producing composite-material structures, and would carry out all analysis and testing needed to meet FAA requirements. Boeing Commercial Airplane Co. had previously received a similar contract to fabricate and devise techniques for using composite materials in -elevator shipsets for B-727 aircraft [see July 7]. (NASA Release 77-174)
Researchers from the Soviet ship Akademik Korolev, anchored off the coast of Virginia near Wallops Flight Center for joint U.S.-USSR rocket launches, had discovered the charms of the Eastern Shore and were enjoying their contacts with the natives, according to reports in the Washington Star and Washington Post. The meteorological soundings had been completed by the last week of August, the newspapers said, and the 134 Russians waiting on the ship for results to be correlated had time to visit the mainland on trips planned by local officials in cooperation with NASA.
Coming ashore in groups of about 50, the visitors (mostly young) had seen Pocomoke City, Md., a small U.S. city; the village of Chincoteague, Va.; the Assateague wildlife refuge; and a tour of Accomack county that included a visit to a private home, a farm, and a chicken-processing plant. Through NASA interpreters, the visitors asked scores of questions on topics from labor relations at the plant to the history of local buildings. They had joined in a Frisbee game with local youngsters, eaten largely of the local seafood, and bought out the entire beer supply of a local general store.
Capt. Oleg Rostovsev, commanding officer of the 409ft research ship, said he had found the visit "a very interesting experience." His assistant for scientific affairs, Evgeny Nelepov, said that many of the researchers had visited U.S. cities before, but that major cities everywhere had become more and more alike, "losing the individual characteristics and cultural tradition ... To find these national characteristics one must go to the small villages and rural areas where traditions and local culture endures. That is why this visit here has meant so much to us." The Russians had held a press tour and reception on the Akademik Korolev as a thank you before the ship departed for Baltimore. (W Star, Aug 28/77, D-1; W Post, Sept 1/77, A-1)
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