Mar 31 1972
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 482 into orbit with 9798-km (6088.2-mi) apogee, 208-km (129.3-mi) perigee, 201.4-min period, and 52.1° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 3/31/72)
U.S. Comptroller General Elmer B. Staats said in letter to NASA Administrator, Dr. James C. Fletcher, that General Accounting Office had determined July 13, 1971, NASA award of $500-million space shuttle engine contract to North American Rockwell Corp. Rocketdyne Div. had been fair. "We believe the procurement was conducted in a manner which was consistent with applicable law and regulations and was fair to all proposers." Award had been challenged by competing firm, United Aircraft Corp. Pratt & Whitney Div. (Text)
Progress in NASA development of technology to alleviate aircraft noise pollution and ensure quieter aircraft operation was described by Walter A. Pennino, Public Affairs Officer in Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST), at NASA Hq. press briefing. Research had shown aircraft noise could be reduced if pilot flew aircraft "so that it climbs quickly" to be "as far from a ground observer as possible." When wing flaps were retracted as aircraft accelerated, aircraft required "less thrust to climb. When a safe altitude is reached, the pilot can reduce the engine thrust from that required for takeoff to the lower thrust required for climb."
NASA and Federal Aviation Administration were encouraging airlines to adopt two-segment approach to reduce landing noise. Pilot would adjust controls to descent first at 6° glide slope. About one mile from the runway he would change path to slope. In final stages there would be no difference in the landing procedure. Aircraft would approach with engine power somewhat reduced and would be at higher altitude. Noise reduction would be three to five effective perceived noise in decibels (epndb) one nautical mile from the end of the runway and even greater reduction farther out from the runway. Ames and Langley Research Centers were studying requirements to make two-segment approach safe standard procedure. In Lewis Research Center Quiet Engine Program, experimental engines suitable for conventional takeoff and landing aircraft were being built. Test had shown reduction of noise by using quiet engine with and without acoustically treated nacelle. Goal chosen for short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft was 95 epndb at 152 m (500 ft). "We don't have an engine that can do that job right now, but NASA is working on it." Follow-on programs for new family of aircraft were described by James O. Kramer, Chief of Noise and Pollution Reduction Branch in OAST Aeronautical Propulsion Div. "Preliminary design study con-tracts will be let in the next month or two to study a low-noise, low-pollution engine . . . suitable for STOL. In addition, we have been carrying on design study for an advanced technology transport .. . appropriate for the 1980-timeframe as a replacement for 707 or for the DC-8. We are . . . planning to initiate in FY 73 preliminary design studies of a Quiet Engine . . appropriate for such an advanced technology airplane." (Transcript)
Analysis of "exceptional" satellite picture of Alaskan topography ob- tained by image dissector camera system (rocs) aboard Nimbus 4 (launched April 8, 1970) was described by U.S. Geological Survey scientist Ernest H. Lathram in Science. Major structural features had been identified despite relatively low degree of ground resolution of image, which had been exposed at altitude of 1100 km (680 mi). Regional lines not yet recognized in surface mapping had been perceived. Synoptic view provided by image showed orthogonal fractures not heretofore apparent in regional maps of Alaska that might reflect "conjugate set of fractures within the crust which has exerted significant control over the geological history of the state." Scientists had concluded increased resolution in other images from space platforms, like resolution of 60 to 200 m (200 to 650 ft) planned for Earth Resources Technology Satellite program TV cameras, "will permit the discernment of finer detail and a greater accuracy in identifying and locating geologic features." (Science, 3/31/72, 1423-7)
NASA launched Aerobee 150 sounding rocket from Churchill Research Range, Canada, carrying Univ. of Michigan auroral aeronomy experiment. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. (SR list)
Expansion of environmental and resource base beyond earth was urged by North American Rockwell Corp. scientist Dr. Krafft A. Ehricke in New York Times article. Great crisis of the time was fact "man's nature is attuned to an-infinite, indestructible world" but earth had ceased to be indestructible. Global development, therefore, "must be based on an open-world concept and include both the development of extra-terrestrial resources and the wiser management of our terrestrial resources." Extraterrestrial imperative was "indivisibility of Earth and space." (NYT, 3/31/72)
Sophisticated TV systems were being used by some of world's largest telescopes to record planetary atmospheres, faint galaxies, and quasi-stellar objects, Science reported. Astronomers had been criticized for being less receptive to new technologies than other physical scientists. "At a time when automation of many stages of data-taking is standard procedure ... automation of large telescopes is just becoming fashion-able." (Metz, Science, 3/31/72, 1448-9)
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