Jun 8 1966
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched COSMOS CXX carrying scientific instrumentation for continued space research. Orbital parameters: apogee, 300 km. (186 mi.); perigee, 200 km. (124 mi.); period, 89.4 min.; inclination, 51.8ø. Equipment was reported to be functioning normally. (Tass, 6/8/66)
$500-million XB-70 No. 2 experimental bomber and its F-104 chase plane collided and burned near Barstow, Calif., destroying both aircraft and killing F-104 pilot Joseph A. Walker and XB-70 co-pilot Maj. Carl S. Cross (USAF). Walker, NASA test pilot, held world's records for his 4,104-mph and 354,200-ft.-altitude flights in X-15 rocket research aircraft. XB-70 pilot Al White ejected in seat capsule and parachuted to ground, suffering arm and back injuries. On basis of preliminary USAF reports that F-104 apparently hit two vertical stabilizers on XB-70 at 25,000-ft. altitude during "routine" flight, President Johnson praised pilots who gave "their lives to advancing science and technology" and added "immeasurably to the progress this nation is making in the effort" to advance supersonic flight. USAF later revealed that aircraft were flying in formation as close as 10 ft. with T-38, F-4B, and F-5 aircraft "to allow photographic coverage of aircraft powered by General Electric engines" for publicity purposes. Disclosure prompted AFSC Commander Gen. Bernard Schriever to establish two USAF accident boards and Congress to designate House Appropriations Committee to investigate the disaster. (Edwards AFB Release; Pres. Doc., 6/13/66, 748; Wash. Post, 6/14/66, A3)
Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.) commented on collision of XB-70 and F-104 aircraft: "This accident must serve as a reminder to the American public and to the world that all of the potential hazards of aircraft and space fight can never be entirely eliminated from our experimental program. The phenomenal success of our manned space flight programs Mercury and Gemini and the remaining flights of Gemini and the flights of Apollo . . . share the risk that Walker, White, and Cross faced each time they flew to test the XB-70." (CR, 6/8/66)
NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application) reactor (NRX-A5) was successfully ground-tested by NASA and AEC at Jackass Flats, Nev. Test, in which reactor was operated at design power of 1,100 mw for 15« min., was first in series to "obtain additional data on reactor characteristics under extended operating duration" under joint NASA-AEC Rover program. (AEC Release J-151)
President Johnson had sent SURVEYOR I photos to "Chiefs of State of more than 100 foreign nations . . . and to the world's scientific community," Press Secretary Bill Moyers announced. "This effort is made," the President said, "in order that careful study of the photographs will be possible around the world. We intend that the knowledge we derive from space will be available for the enrichment of our common experience and the advancement of peaceful undertakings in the exploration of space." (Pres. Doc., 6/13/66, 748)
Sen. John J. Sparkman (D-Ala.), speaking on floor of Senate, pointed out the contributions of small business to Gemini program and SURVEYOR I mission and said they were "irrefutable evidence that there is still a significant place in our economy for the ambitious and talented. . . in new and growing business firms." (CR, 6/8/66, 12053)
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