November 1964
From The Space Library
NASA's Flight Research Center completed a series of wind-tunnel tests of X-15 models with canard stabilizers mounted on the nose to determine if a canard 'surface would permit the X-15 to re-enter the atmosphere at higher angles of attack. Tests were carried out in a Jet Propulsion Laboratory tunnel. (M&R, 11/9/64, 9)
During November: The Titan III-C 120-in. solid strap-on engine was fired successfully at United Technology Center's Coyote, Calif., development center. The engine burned for 110 sec. (M&R, 11/23/64, 9)
Astronomers Dr. Robert Kraft of the Mount Wilson and Palomar Observatories in Calif., and Dr. W. Krzeminski of the Polish Astronomical Institute working at the Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, Ariz., reported in Astrophysical Journal a new concept of Novae Sagittae that may provide the first opportunity to test part of Einstein's theory predicting the existence of gravitational waves. Novae Sagittae appeared to consist of twin stars connected by a bridge of hydrogen gas flowing from the larger to the smaller star. The two stars revolve about a common center so fast- about every 811/2 min. that they should radiate gravitational waves, if such waves exist. (NYT, 12/1/64, 31)
General Curtis E. LeMay, USAF Chief of Staff, was interviewed in General Electric Forum and discussed aerospace power's contribution to national security. "In recent months, the area of direct technical concern to the Air Force has become much broader. For example, We must now press for technical superiority not only in aircraft but also in missiles, space systems, and command and control systems that are responsive to the compressed time scale of military operations. We cannot afford to fall behind in any of these fields, because the potential enemy can be expected to exploit all of the important technical gaps that might appear." LeMay said that "chiefly because of the cost factor, we are not exploiting anything like the total amount of technology that we think might be useful. Certainly we would like to do more, but our R&D outlay already comprises 18 percent of the Air Force's total budget and must be balanced against other needs." (GE Forum, 10-12/64,14-17)
Linde Division of Union Carbide has "grown" a new solid-state laser material for use by scientists in laser research at the Marshall Space Flight Center Astrionics Laboratory. The new material was yttrium aluminum garnet doped with neodymium. It supported solid-state continuous-wave laser action, with common tap water as the only coolant. Toughness of the garnet Was comparable to that of ruby laser rods. (Marshall Star, 11/18/64, 2)
In an editorial in Astronautics and Aeronautics, Hermann H. Koelle said: "Suppose . . . that a space station could be made available with working area in the station and a round-trip ticket purchased by individual countries for their scientists, and that an advanced aerospace transportation system will be developed anyway as part of the U.S. space program. Analysis of such an operation indicates that an international research station of this kind could be built in the late 1970s, and that the price of a three-month field trip to the station might well be kept in the order of a million dollars a person. Many countries . . . would be able to pay this price and would enthusiastically participate in the project. During the 1980s, . . . the charges should be reduced considerably, thus increasing international participation." (A&A, 11/64, 20-21)
The House Science and Astronautics Committee Subcommittee on Science, Research and Development made recommendations to equalize the national distribution of Federal research and development funds: that additional funds be budgeted to the National Science Foundation to ensure at least one major center of excellence in research and technology in each appropriate region of the nation; that DOD and NASA emphasize building new centers of science and technology when existing facilities in research-concentrated areas become obsolescent. The Subcommittee also called for the White House to convene a Government-industry conference to study such problems. (M&R, 11/16/64, 11)
A team from Lockheed Propulsion Co. visited NASA Marshall Space Flight Center to brief scientists there on possible use of 156-in. solid motor as a strap-on for the first stage of both Saturn IB and Saturn V. (M&R, 11/23/64, 7)
Marshall Space Flight Center awarded a $2,017,400 contract to Granite Construction Co., Houston, Tex., for construction of a vehicle component supply building and a hazardous materials storage building at its Saturn rocket production plant (NASA Michoud Operations) in New Orleans. (Marshall Star, 11/18/64, 4)
North American Aviation, Inc., announced FY 1964 sales of $2,189,594,000, the largest annual total ever recorded by a company predominantly in the aerospace business. (Av. Wk., 11/16/64, 29)
“The Moon Close Up” article appears in National Geographic Magazine
- November
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