Dec 11 1965
From The Space Library
XB-70 research aircraft, flown from Edwards AFB by North American Aviation pilots Alvin S. White and Van H. Shepard, reached 1,920 mph (mach 2,9) for five minutes, Purpose of 123-min. flight was to test the XB-70's stability and control at nearly triple sonic speed and the effect of 556°C heat from air friction on the aircraft's surface. (AP, Virginian-Pilot, 12/15/65)
Oak Ridge National Laboratory was investigating possibility of building compact, low-weight, nuclear-electric power plants for space systems, the New York Times quoted AEC officials as saying. One critical component of a space reactor system-a potassium vapor turbine-had completed more than 2,000 hrs. of test operation. Reactor system would use boiling potassium to cool the reactor's enriched uranium fuel elements. Potassium vapor produced in the reactor core would drive a turbine generator to produce electric power. (NYT, 12/12/65, 78)
Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, late NASA Deputy Administrator, was among the 11 recipients of the 1965 National Medal of Science announced by President Johnson. Established by Congress in 1959 for scientists who had made outstanding contributions in their fields, the award never before had been made posthumously, President Johnson said: "Hugh Dryden's recent death ended nearly 50 years of single minded devotion and effort by one of the most distinguished civil servants this country has ever known. Beloved by all his associates and respected throughout the world, Dr. Dryden more than any other man led us into the age of jet aircraft and space exploration." (Pres, Doc, 12/20/65, 585; Wash. Post, 12/12/65, A5; Pomfret, NYT, 12/12/65, 78)
In an article discussing preparations for the Gemini VI flight, William Hines noted in the Washington Evening Star: "Total propellant load of a ready-to-go Titan 2 consists of 13,700 gallons of a fuel called aerozine-50 and 15,900 gallons of an oxidizer, nitrogen tetroxide. Their principal combustion product is nitric acid." (Wash. Eve. Star, 12/11/65, A2)
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