Oct 30 1973
From The Space Library
The U.S.S.R., with the cooperation of the German Democratic Republic and Czechoslovakia, launched Intercosmos 10 from Plesetsk into orbit with a 1454-km (903.5-mi) apogee, 259-km (160.9-mi) perigee, 102.1-min period, and 74.0° inclination. The satellite would make geophysical investigations in high latitudes and study the electromagnetic connection between the magnetosphere and ionosphere and effects on the neutral atmosphere. Solar panels were of Soviet design and much of the antenna complex was built by Czechoslovak researchers. Meteorological rockets would be launched and simultaneous ground measurements made in support of the mission. (GSFC SSR, 10/31/73; Tass, FBIS-Sov, 10/31/73, Ul ; SBD, 11/1/73, 3; Av Wk, 11/26/73, 65)
NASA test pilot John A. Manke flew the X-24B lifting body on a captive flight from Flight Research Center, attached under a B-52 aircraft wing. Flight objectives, to determine the pylon adapter's dynamic response and pylon loads and to check out the propulsion system, were only partially obtained because failure of the cabin-pressure regulator valve limited the flight altitude to 8000 m (25 000 ft). Pylon damping tests and a modified engine test were completed. (NASA prog off)
Experiments by 50 European scientists at the European Nuclear Research Center (CERN) , near Geneva, had indicated that electromagnetism and the "weak" force of radioactive decay-two of nature's four basic forces-might be expressions of the same phenomenon, the New York Times reported. The findings had been supported by experiments at the National Accelerator Laboratory near Batavia, Ill. If accurate, the findings would support the long-sought goal of a "unified field theory" relating the four seemingly diverse forces, which also included gravity and the "strong" force that bound together particles of the atomic nu-cleus. (Sullivan, NYT, 10/30/73, 29)
October 30-31: Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, testified Oct. 30 on the space shuttle status in hearings before the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences: "We have selected the prime con-tractor for the external hydrogen/oxygen tank and are now in the process of selecting the Solid Rocket Motor contractor. When this choice is made later this fall, all of the prime contractors will have been selected, with the exception of the Solid Rocket Booster integration con-tractor." On the Spacelab, the European Space Research Organization planned to "select the design concept and cost proposal of one of the two competing prime contractors in time to begin detailed design and fabrication by June of 1974." NASA and the Dept. of Defense were in the final phase of a joint study to determine the most efficient development method for the shuttle space tug, or upper stage, for high-energy orbit missions. "One consideration is the adaptation of existing stages such as the Agena, Centaur, or Transtage, which could be modified for use with the shuttle. Since the modification . . . would not satisfy all of the science, application and DOD requirements that are now projected for the 1980s, we are also examining costs and technical characteristics of new configurations which would have the performance capability required to accommodate the entire range of prospective payloads. It may be possible to phase these two Tug approaches in a way that will provide adequate transportation capability when needed while reducing near-term funding requirements. We . . . expect to reach a final decision by the end of this calendar year." Dr. Fletcher presented 1973 Payload Model: Space Opportunities 1973-1991, a study of the number and kinds of payloads that could be launched through 1991 with the space shuttle and Spacelab using budgets at the FY 1973 level. The study was not a program plan but an estimate of kinds of payloads that could be flown.
Dr. Fletcher felt "the full range of the space capability offered" by the shuttle was even greater than the model indicated. Anticipated possible annual space payloads for all NASA programs and the user community, excluding DOD, began with 12 in 1973 and moved through 18 in 1974, 38 in 1980 (when the shuttle was to begin its operational phase), 61 in 1985, to 70 in 1990 and 59 in 1991. The 70 payload opportunities in 1990 included 21 automated and 27 sortie (Spacelab) payloads for NASA and 17 automated and 5 sortie for non-NASA, non-DOD users. Anticipated requirements through 1991 totaled 810 payloads, 572 for NASA and 238 for non-NASA, non-DOD users. NASA and other non-DoD agencies were expected to use 69% of the shuttle traffic and DOD 31%. The model anticipated NASA automated payloads through 1991 might include 77 for astronomy, 43 for physics, 49 for planetary exploration, 8 lunar, 26 life science, 53 earth observations, 22 earth and ocean physics, 2 communications and navigation, and 6 space technology. Anticipated user totals were 120 automated communications and navi-gation payloads, 59 earth observations, and 9 earth and ocean physics. Possible NASA sortie payloads were forecast at 58 in astronomy, 52 in physics, 24 in earth observations, 43 in space processing, 24 in earth and ocean physics, 11 for communications and navigation, 28 in life science, and 46 in space technology. User sortie payloads might be 10 for space manufacturing and 40 foreign payloads. (Transcript)
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