Oct 13 1972
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
Three Nike-Apache sounding rockets launched by NASA from Poker Flat near Fairbanks, Alaska, carried RCA Corp. experiment to study thermospheric winds using vapor-trail technique. Experiment data would be compared and contrasted with data from several different ground-based and airborne measuring systems. Data were acquired by high-speed cameras aboard NASA's Convair 990 optical aircraft and by ground-based instruments-incoherent scatter radar, radio meteor winds system, ionosonde, interferometer, spectrographs, and high-speed cameras. Vapor trails for two launches were produced by sodium- lithium ejected from payload. Rockets performed satisfactorily and good data were obtained. Launches carried no instrumentation. Vapor trails for third launch were to have been produced by liquid trimethylaluminum ejected from payload in flight. Launch was adjudged failure when Apache 2nd stage failed to ignite. Payload did not reach experiment altitude of 80 to 200 km (50 to 125 mi) and no data were obtained. (NASA Rpt SRL; Wallops Release 72-10)
Langley Research Center's award of contracts to study technology requirements for future supersonic commercial aircraft was announced by NASA. One-year, cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts-$316 415 to Boeing Co., $259 000 to McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corp., and $231 015 to Lockheed Aircraft Corp.-were for independent and systematic assessment of existing aeronautical technology to determine state of readiness of supersonic transport and identify areas for additional research. Studies would seek ways to use advances in aerodynamics, propulsion, structures, materials, flight controls, and configurations to reduce SST noise and air pollution. Studies were part of NASA Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology advanced planning to ensure existence of technology to maintain U.S. leadership in world aircraft market. Parallel studies in advanced propulsion technology would be managed by Lewis Research Center. (NASA Release 72-203)
President Nixon signed H.R. 10243, Technology Assessment Act of 1972 [see Oct. 5 and Oct. 26]. Act, which became Public Law 92- 484, established Office of Technology Assessment to aid Congress in identifying existing and probable impacts of technological application. OTA would ascertain cause-and-effect relationships; identify alternative programs to achieve requisite goals, estimate and compare impacts of alternate methods and programs, present analyses to appropriate legislative authorities, identify areas that required additional research and data, and undertake associated activities. Bill also amended National Science Foundation Act of 1950 to authorize NSF to initiate and support specific scientific activities. (PL 92-484; PD, 10/23/72, 1538)
Total of 176 persons were reported killed when Soviet 11-62 airliner crashed near Moscow on Leningrad-Moscow sector of flight that originated in Paris. If figure was correct, it was worst disaster in history of commercial aviation, Washington Past said later. (W Post, 10/16/72, A20)
Senate passed and cleared for President's signature H.R. 16593, $74.4 billion FY 1973 Dept. of Defense appropriations bill. (CR, 10/13/72, S17963-67)
Society of Air Safety Engineers presented Distinguished Service Award to Dr. James J. Ryan, Jr., professor emeritus of Univ. of Minnesota, for pioneering development of flight data recorder. Plaque was awarded during Society seminar in Washington, D.C. (Soc Air Safety Engineers; Av Wk, 10/23/72, 13)
October 13-18: U.S.S.R. conducted series of carrier rocket tests in Pacific, during which it launched two improved versions of SS-11 Savage intercontinental ballistic missile with three-warhead multiple reentry vehicle (MRV). (Sov Aero, 10/16/72, 18; 10/23/72, 23; Av Wk, 10/23/72, 15)
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