Oct 21 1968
From The Space Library
GSFC used ruby laser to track Explorer XXXVI (Geos II) satellite during daylight, a significant milestone in development of laser satellite-tracking system. (Cambridge Research Lab PAO; NASA Release 68-219)
ComSatCorp, on behalf of INTELSAT consortium, signed $72-million contract with Hughes Aircraft Co. for construction of Intelsat IV series of advanced comsats-four spacecraft and one prototype, with test and ground equipment. (ComSatCorp Release 68-57)
Richard Witkin in New York Times quoted "reliable sources" as saying Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Analysis, Dr. Alain C. Enthoven, had forwarded paper to Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul H. Nitze proposing further cuts in F-111 production, including cancellation of interim bomber version. Dr. Enthoven, specialist in calculating cost effectiveness of competing weapons systems, claimed many projected F-111 missions could be performed by much cheaper aircraft such as Ling-Temco-Vought A-7. (NYT, 10/21/68, 25; Business Week, 10/26/68)
October 21-23: Tenth National Trendex Poll sponsored by Thiokol Chemical Corp. reported public support for space program was 17% higher than in 1967. Taken after successful Apollo 7 mission, it showed 68% of U.S. public favored Apollo program to land man on moon by 1970, 21% did not, and 11% was undecided (in September 1967 poll, Apollo had 51% support, with 35% opposed and 14% undecided) . Public desire for increased Government spending on space was at its highest point in five years, with 18% in favor, as against 7% in 1967. Support for program was highest among college-educated, those under 35, and men; 49% favored manned space exploration, versus 25% for instrumented program, 60% backed planetary exploration, with 30% opposed. Favored programs after Apollo were: (1) reusable space system, (2) lunar exploration, (3) manned space stations, (4) manned Mars exploration. (CR, 1/6/69, E64-6; SBD, 12/16/68, 197-8)
October 21-25: At Fifth Annual Meeting and Technical Display of AIAA in Philadelphia, Boeing Co. Vice President John M. Swihart announced abandonment of swing-wing design for SST in favor of fixed-delta-wing aircraft with four independently mounted engines under triangular tail. Final detailed design would be given to FAA by Jan. 15, 1969, deadline. New design differed from delta-winged Anglo-French Concorde and Soviet Tu-144 in wider wing span and horizontal tail which, according to Boeing Vice President in charge of SST H. W. Withington, made possible superior control at low speeds and compensated for more drag encountered with sweep-back angle of wing. Aircraft cost would be same as swing-wing, $40 million. It would carry same number of passengers, 280 or more, at same maximum speed, 1,800 mph. (Witkin, NYT, 10/22/68, 77; UPI, W Post, 10/22/68, All; AP, W Star, 10/22/68, A3)
Dr. William H. Pickering, JPL Director, received $5,000 AIAA Louis W. Hill Space Transportation Award "for devising, developing and supervising significant space and satellite programs for military and civilian agencies of the United States Government." ARC Director H. Julian Allen was named Honorary Fellow of AIAA, highest membership award given by Institute. It was presented annually to two Americans and one foreign national. Other 1968 recipients were James S. McDonnell, Chairman of Board, McDonnell Douglas Corp., and England's Sir Frank Whittle, often called father of jet engine. (AIAA Releases; ARC Release 68-15; ARC Astrogram)
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