May 29 1975
From The Space Library
Lewis Research Center was testing a version of an ion-thruster engine with reduced propellant requirements that would permit payload increases of up to 20% on future spacecraft, NASA announced. The ion-thruster propulsion system used solar cells to convert solar energy into electrical power, tailored to the current and voltage necessary for the ion thruster. The propellant-mercury, cesium, or relatively stable gas-was ionized in the engine and electrically exhausted to produce thrust.
During the tests the NASA version of the engine had become the first electric propulsion system to exceed 10 000 hr of operation. LeRC was continuing the testing toward an endurance goal of 15 000 hr. The engine was the second of its kind to be tested by NASA. The first had experienced internal sputtering and erosion which had degraded performance. Testing had been stopped at 9715 hr for modifications. (NASA Release 75-150)
Kennedy Space Center announced the selection of General Electric Co.'s Space Div. and Martin Marietta Corp. for competitive negotiation of a contract to check out, control, and monitor subsystem hardware for the Space Shuttle launch processing system. The contractor would design, develop, build, test, and install the hardware. The launch processing system would use modern industrial automation techniques, applied to a modular concept, to meet maintenance and refurbishment requirements for turn-around and launch of the Space Shuttle. The other candidates for the contract had been Grumman Aerospace Corp. and Aeronutronic Ford Corp. (KSC Release 94-75)
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