Nov 25 1970
From The Space Library
NASA's M2-F3 lifting-body vehicle, piloted by NASA test pilot William H. Dana, completed fourth flight-and first powered flight-from FRC. Objectives were to expand flight envelope to mach 0.8, check out engine operation, obtain stability and control data at mach 0.8, investigate lateral phugoid present on second flight but not on third, check reaction control operation, and investigate landing visibility. Engine shut down prematurely, after launch from B-52 aircraft, precluding completion of all planned maneuvers. Investigation was under way. (NASA Proj Off)
Significance of Soviet flights to moon was discussed by Dr. George M. Low, Acting NASA Administrator, in letter to Sen. Clinton P. Anderson (D-N. Mex.), Chairman of Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. Luna XVI and XVII, launched Sept. 12 and Nov. 10, had been "technically impressive; but as isolated events, their importance to science and technology is relatively minor." U.S. still held technological leadership with Apollo 11. U.S. had had four men on moon and U.S.S.R. none. U.S. had returned 56 kg (123 lb) of lunar material and U.S.S.R. had returned 85-113 g (3-4 oz). U.S. had placed automated station on moon that had functioned for more than year. U.S. had gained "enormous amount" of lunar information; U.S.S.R. had added very little. In overall trends, however, U.S. launch rate was decreasing while Soviet rate was increasing. In 1970 to date, U.S.S.R. had placed 74 payloads in space, to 31 by U.S. "They have seldom missed a launch window in the exploration of Venus and Mars; our planetary program has many gaps." U.S.S.R. had continuing manned space program and capability, with Zond spacecraft, for manned circumlunar flight. Soviets had stated intention to orbit space station before U.S. and reportedly were developing booster of Saturn V class while U.S. had suspended Saturn V production. U.S.S.R. was spending more money on space annually than U.S. ". . when we view Luna 16 and 17 in the context of trends in our program and theirs, then we must be concerned about our future in aeronautics and space-about our position of leadership that we have worked so hard to achieve." (CR, 11 /30/70, S 19002)
Dr. Theos J. Thompson, member of AEC and professor of nuclear engineering at MIT, was killed in aircraft near Las Vegas. Dr. Thompson has received AEC's Ernest O. Lawrence Memorial Award for outstanding contributions to nuclear research in 1964. (NYT, 11/26/ 70,78; Who's Who, 1970-1971)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
