May 12 1971
From The Space Library
USAF X-24A lifting-body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Cecil A. Powell (USAF) in joint NASA-USAF research program, reached 21 000-m (70 000-ft) altitude and mach 135 during 26th flight after air launch from B-52 aircraft from FRC. Objectives were to determine lateral- directional derivative with rudder bias at 2° toe out, check out lateral acceleration feedback to control system, and check out automatic mach schedule for upper flaps. (NASA Proj Off)
Nike-Cajun sounding rocket was launched by NASA from WSMR carrying MSC experiment to study airglow. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (SR list)
NASA's work on quiet engines was described by Roy P. Jackson, Associate Administrator, OART, at 1971 Society of Automotive Engineers Meeting in Atlanta, Ga.: "The first objective of our work on design principle for quiet engines is an experimental CTOL [conventional takeoff-and-landing] engine and nacelle with 15 to 20 PNdb [perceived noise in decibels] less noise than the comparable JT3D class of engines in service today. Program began in 1969 and would be completed by end of 1972. General Electric Co. and NASA's LeRC were working together on program. "It is on schedule and should meet or surpass the noise reduction objectives. We believe that production of quiet engines using this technology could begin to be available for retrofit and new aircraft beginning in 1976. . . Such quiet engine installation in aircraft and the size of the 707 and DC-8 could permit this class of aircraft to operate fully 10 db lower than the present FAR 36 standard for new aircraft." NASA expected "to continue technology that will show how to drive the noise level down another significant increment like 6 db within a few years." Aircraft "the size of the 707 should be able to operate at a noise level of 92 FPNdb [effective perceived noise in decibels]. Our objective is to develop the necessary technology for this by 1977. Production engines meeting such noise standards could then be developed by industry through normal development and certification cycles and be available for next-generation aircraft of all types beginning in the late 1970's or early 1980's." (Text)
House, in Committee of the Whole, agreed to amendment to H.R. 8190, supplemental FY 1972 appropriations bill, to appropriate $85.3 mil-lion for continued SST development. Record teller vote was 201 to 195, with 2 voting "present." After committee rose on request, for separate vote, SST amendment was agreed to by vote of 201 to 197. (CR, 5/12/71. H3837-62)
President Nixon congratulated House for reversing earlier position on Federal funding for SST: "Congress has today taken an important first step on behalf of thousands of workers across the country who have been engaged in the SST program-and whose vital skills and experience might otherwise be lost to the Nation." (PD, 5/17/71, 755)
LM similar to those used on Apollo 11, 12, and 14 was placed on permanent display at Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. (W Post, 5/7/71, Bl ; Smithsonian Pm )
NASA released Apollo 11 Mission Report (NASA SP-238), summarizing events and results of July 16-24, 1969, Apollo 11 manned lunar landing mission. Report was for sale by National Technical Information Service in Springfield, Va. (Text)
New York State Court of Appeals approved sale of Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory to EDP Technology, Inc., affirming lower court ruling that sale of research facility to private firm was legal. (W Post, 5/13/71, K11)
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