Dec 29 1966
From The Space Library
Aerospace industry believed 4,000-mph hypersonic transport (Hst) could be ready for commercial service in 1990's-but only if Government would support its development, Richard Cooke reported in the Wall Street Journal. Aerospace. . . officials agree that the rate at which new developments in air transportation come along will hinge in large measure on Government policy. They note that the military has sponsored the development of every large American jet engine. . . . A military version of the craft will almost certainly have to precede the commercial one-but right now there's no driving military sponsor at high level behind these advanced materials and engines." Development of Hst would require new heat-resistant materials, a more efficient fuel, and higher-capacity engine. (Cooke, WSJ, 12/29/66)
American Astronautical Society (AAS) held symposium on the moon in Washington, D.C., as part of American Association for the Advancement of Science's (AAAS) annual meeting. Dr. Eugene Shoemaker, U.S. Geological Survey, said NASA's LUNAR ORBITER I photos had revealed "mass wasting" on the moon-a process similar to "downhill creep" which produced slopes of fragmented dirt and rock debris on earth. Accelerated by small local earthquakes caused by impacting meteorites, wasting process was rapidly covering all of moon's small craters, Shoemaker said. He believed majority of lunar craters were caused by high-velocity explosive impacts of meteorites. Dr. Donald H. Menzel, Harvard Univ., told the press that man would make profound changes on the moon in 15-20 yrs.-particularly if lunar rock were found to contain water of crystallization. "There is a real possibility for man. . . to establish self-support expeditions on the moon. Using solar or atomic energy for melting rocks, man could get water and then use the debris for building blocks. Lunar gardens . could be established and animals could be raised there." (Hines, Wash. Eve. Star, 12/29/66, A1, A6; Clark, NYT, 12/30/66, 8)
USAF launched unidentified satellite with Thor-Agena D booster from WTR. (U.S. Aeron. & Space Act., 1966, 160)
National Aviation Hall of Fame announced six additions: Glenn L. Martin and William F. Boeing, both aircraft designers; Adm, John H. Towers, commander of first attempt at trans-Atlantic flight; B/G William Mitchell, pioneer advocate of aerial bombing; Robert Hutchings Goddard , US. rocket pioneer; and Lincoln Beachey, early designer of dirigibles. All were deceased. (AP, NYT, 12/29/66, 14)
Robert L. Hallett, Head of Communications and Control Section at NASA Wallops Station, retired after 20 yrs. with NACA and NASA. (Wallops Release 67-1)
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