Nov 16 1967
From The Space Library
NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket, .launched from NASA Wallops Station, reached 102-mi (167-km) altitude in Univ. of Maryland experiment to evaluate capabilities and accuracies of pulse and thermal equalization probes as research tools. Experiment also investigated electron energy distribution in normal daytime ionosphere and use of wing-slope techniques with Langmuir probes. Experiment was successful. (NASA Rpt SRL)
NASA announced Boeing Co. had been awarded incentive fee of $1,811,611 for two missions-Lunar Orbiter IV $1,061,111; Lunar Orbiter V , $750,500--completing performance fee portions of Boeing contract and totaling $6,809,053 in such awards for all five Lunar Orbiters. Previous incentive awards-LUNAR ORBITER I, $1,995,312; LUNAR ORBITER II , $1,948,725; Lunar Orbiter III , $1,053,405-had been earned by Boeing. After initial goal to photograph potential moon landing sites had been achieved by first three Lunar Orbiters, NASA's contract modification set a new goal of more advanced scientific missions for Lunar Orbiter IV and V; Boeing could earn through outstanding performance remaining award fees not earned on previous flights. Modified contract provisions still recognized amounts of original Lunar Orbiter IV and V award fees. NASA's Incentive Award Fee Board for Lunar Orbiter noted that Lunar Orbiter IV had photographed moon's "entire front," and Lunar Orbiter V had completed photography of "opposite side." (NASA Release 67-285)
First F-111A USA squadron probably would not be operational in South-east Asia before November 1968, despite Pentagon "leak" that squadron's scheduled appearance was February 1968, predicted Norman Sklarewitz in Wall Street Journal. Of 75 aircraft required for readying of squadron and planning of tactical fighter wing, only two production and six test models had arrived for pilot training at Nellis AFB. At least nine months would be required for pilot training plus several more months for unit training after arrival of sufficient production models at Nellis AFB, he said. (Sklarewitz, WSJ, 11/16/67, 14)
Dr. Donald F. Hornig, Director of OST and science advisor to the President, addressing science writers' seminar in St. Louis, doubted value of scientists' becoming part-time politicians to promote greater public support of scientific activity. He said a scientist who used his skill in explaining complex subjects to laymen was "a much better politician than anyone trying to be an amateur on serious political matters." Noting that rate of growth of Federal support. of science activities had slowed in recent years, Hornig said $17 billion was still being spent annually on science activities, including $1.8 billion on academic science in universities. (AP, NYT, 11/19/67, 2; Federal Support for Academic Sciences and Other Educational Activities in Univ. and Col., July 67)
Two scientists, speaking before American Physical Society meeting in New York City, discussed earth's magnetosphere and plasma properties of solar wind. Iowa Univ.'s Director of Physics and Astronomy Depts. Dr. James A. Van Allen believed that particles-protons and electrons-penetrated magnetosphere to populate the outer radiation belt, indicating existence of a peculiar dynamo effect. Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory scientist Dr. A. J. Hundhausen reported Vela bomb-detection satellites observed peculiar solar wind properties-a motion reflecting fluid and electrical characteristics. (Sullivan, NYT, 11/17/67,21)
West Germany's 1966 budget for space technology and research shown on Finance Minister's summary report revealed that, while $57 million had been available, only $44.3 million had been spent, according to Interavia Air Letter. Aerospace industry complained government was so slow to issue contracts that firms themselves had to provide about 50% advance financing. Contracts were not officially approved until the end of each year. (Interavia, 11/16/67,3)
Venus IV's launch site and launch vehicle had been prepared with assistance from military rocket experts, Deputy Commander Col. Gen. Vladimir Tolubko of Soviet strategic rocket forces reported in U.S.S.R.'s trade-union newspaper Trud. Emphasizing role of military specialists in the June 12 launching, Tolubko said they provided guidance during "first 10 minutes of the rocket's flight," and relinquished control to "the command measuring complex." This complex, he wrote, had been controlling, for a decade, "various space apparatuses," presumably both military and scientific vehicles, according to Baltimore Sun. " [Complex] receives measuring information and telemetry data from stations in Moscow, Siberia, the Far East as well as from special ships in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans," Tolubko stated. Baltimore Sun reported : "Some Western observers believe all of the country's massive lifting rockets fall technically under military control because of their potential as intercontinental missiles. Further command reverts to civilian hands if the rocket is on a scientific mission." (B Sun, 11/17/67, A l 1 )
Soviet journalist Alexander Boiko, in the weekly Moscow News, accused Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara of "fabrications" about the Soviet orbital bomb system, designated FOBS by DOD. Boiko wrote: Why is it necessary for McNamara to make up fabrications about the Soviet Union? The U.S.S.R. has always scrupulously adhered to its international obligations [and] we want to feel that others do likewise." Boiko continued: "The U.S.S.R. is most certainly carrying out large-scale space research, but by what right does McNamara connect this with intentions to use outer space for military purposes?" McNamara had referred to U.S.S.R. tests of a system that supposedly could release nuclear bombs from an orbiting vehicle, but had not said experimental vehicles carried even simulated weapons. (Winters, B Sun, 11/17/67,11)
November 16-17 : First US. high-altitude investigations of aircraft wake turbulence were made by FAA, with assistance from National Aeronautical Establishment (NAE) of Ottawa, Canada, LPRC, and (for radar tracking)
NASA Wallops Station. FAA's Convair 880 jet transport cruised at 30,000-ft altitude in restricted airspace southwest of NASA Wallops Station, Va., and trailed colored smoke to outline wake vortices. Two instrumented T-33 jet aircraft, following in wake vortices at distances of l,000-12,000 ft, recorded wake vortice core diameter, circular velocity, and downward settling during dissipation. Information would be used in evaluating air traffic control standards for separation of enroute aircraft. Although current tests were the first for US. in wake turbulence studies at high altitudes, joint LaRC-Fu airport wake turbulence tests had progressed for several years. (FAA Release T 67-24)
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