Oct 4 1970
From The Space Library
Four major research directorates were established at LaRC: Aeronautics, directed by Laurence K. Loftin, Jr.; Space, directed by Clifford H. Nelson; Electronics, directed by George B. Groves, Jr.; and Structures, directed by Dr. George W. Brooks. Supporting Centerwide directorates were established in Systems Engineering and Operation, directed by Percy J. Crain; Administration, directed by T. Melvin Butler; and Center Development, directed by Eugene C, Draley. Reorganization was to implement goals outlined in staff meeting by LaRC Director Edgar M. Cortright: expanded aeronautics program with increased emphasis on civil aircraft, new era of manned space flight with permanent space stations up lied by reusable Space Shuttles, planetary exploration, and maintenance of NASA's basic research skills. (Langley Researcher, 10/2/70, 1)
U.S. and France had agreed on program to launch series of 18 Nike Cajun sounding rockets from France's space center in French Guiana, French National Space Study Center announced. Launches would begin in February or March 1971. (UPI, W Post; 10/5/70)
Washington Sunday Star editorial commented on SST: "What the SST adds up to is a large question mark, a gamble with public funds and the environment that comes at time of crisis in both areas. We should improve the odds for survival by pulling out of the SST race until the facts-not the suppositions-are in. We should gamble not on a questionable investment, but on the ability of our economy and our prestige to withstand the impact of losing one part of one industry's market if the Concorde lives up to its sponsors' expectations. The SST program should be shelved." (W Star, 10/4/70, B1)
October 4-10: Twenty-first International Astronautical Federation Congress was held at Constance, West Germany, During opening session Klaus von Dohnanyi, Parliamentary Secretary to West German Minister of Education and Science, appealed to nearly 1000 participants to preserve peaceful nature o space research and prevent space technology from producing "fresh weapons escalation." Apollo 13 Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr., John L. Swigert, Jr., and Fred W. Haise, Jr., and Apollo 9 Astronaut (now MSC Apollo Spacecraft Program Manager) James A. McDivitt attended Congress. Soviet scientist Dr. K. Y. Kondratyev described October 1969 experiment in which Soyuz VI and VII spacecraft had been observed simultaneously from on'.- aircraft at 7900-m (26 000-ft) altitude, from one at much lower altitude, and from ground, to determine atmospheric distortion of observations of earth surface from space. Additional observations from Soyuz IX in June 1970 and automated measurements from unmanned Cosmos CCXLIII launched Sept. 23, 1968, had combined to show fully equipped space station could clearly identify forms and densities of vegetation; chart geologic formations in inaccessible regions; identify soil suitable for agriculture; trace origin of fungus blights; sight outbreaks of blight and pinpoint forest fires; chart ground temperatures, identifying trends in volcanic activity and mountain building; detect erosion patterns invisible from ground,; record seasonal flow patterns in watershed; monitor spread of pollutants; monitor seas for fish movement and evidence of pollution; and transmit photos indicating safe shipping lanes in Arctic ice pack areas. Dr. Kondratyev said orbital :space station could be developed within next 5 to 10 yrs and be equipped with sensor system to scan earth at wide range of wavelengths for remote sensing of environment. (Congress Bulletin, 10/6/70, 1; NYT, 10/6/70, 21; NASA PAO)
Dr. Charles A. Berry, MSC Director of Medical Operations, and Prof. Oleg G. Gazenko, Director of Soviet Institute of Biomedical Problems, said selection of crews for longer space missions would require special personality testing to identify persons of more dominant type for assignment of roles compatible with that trait. Dr. Berry said he thought use of multinational flight crews was good idea but chances for Orbiting International Laboratory (OIL) in near future seemed slim because of problems of language, attitudes, and prejudices such as food preferences. "We can't have a restaurant with a very large menu." In interview, Dr. Berry and Prof. Gazenko discussed flashes of light experienced by astronauts in space with eyes closed or in darkened spacecraft. Dr. Berry believed flashes might be produced by heavy cosmic ray particles-atomic nuclei of intermediate weight-that produced ionization in eye retina, affected nervous system, or caused light flashes within eye fluid. Dr. Gazenko said heavy cosmic rays were insufficiently frequent to account for flashes. Soviet cosmonauts had not experienced phenomenon. (Sullivan, NYT, 10/12/70, 19)
Cosmonauts Andrian G. Nikolayev and Vitaly I. Sevastyanov said muscles of Soyuz IX crew were so atrophied after June 2-19 mission that they stood up with difficulty and walked with peculiar stamping steps. On landing they were so weak that ground crew had to assist them from hatch. Sensation of heaviness 'lasted 10 to 11 days. Crew had performed anti-atrophy exercises during mission but more intensive exercise program might be needed for flights to other planets, with simulation of gravity included. Cosmonauts felt effects of weightlessness were not dangerous unless experienced for more than one month. Soyuz IX cosmonauts displayed photos of June 2 launch and colored films taken inside spacecraft during 18-day orbit. Nikolayev said cosmonauts had slept with head down before launch, to become accustomed to rush of blood to head that had bothered previous cosmonauts and astronauts on early part of flights. Soyuz spacecraft had three sections: orbital module in which cosmonauts slept, exercised, and played chess; central module with three windows and couches for use in liftoff and reentry; and third module containing service equipment. Both orbital and service modules were jettisoned before reentry. (Sullivan, NYT,10/10/70)
Indian government scientists H. G. S. Murthy, E. V. Chirnis, and K. S. Karnik urged U.S. and U.S.S.R. to share economic benefits of space exploration with developing nations. "International cooperation in global planning of assistance for the operation of meteorological communications and navigation satellites will go a long way in helping developing countries. National space programs in developing countries are not a luxury, but a necessity." (Benedict, AP, Huntsville Times, 10/7/70)
Third International Symposium on Space Rescue was held as part of IAF congress. Cochairman P. A. Campbell said letter from Soviet Academy of Sciences had nominated for first time four Soviet engineers to serve on IAF's 11-nation committee studying space rescue. Later AP quoted IAF Congress sources as saying Soviet engineers might meet with U.S. experts at MSC in November. Herbert Schaefer and Dr. Jack W. Wild Of NASA Advanced Manned Missions program said space rescue vehicles would have to be versatile, with several payloads kept at hand to deal with variety of emergencies. Standardized docking system would be needed on all future manned spacecraft to permit rescue by any nation. NASA Assistant Safety Director Philip H. Bolger said, "The rescue of stranded astronauts is a concern recognized by all nations and therefore provides a common base for establishing international cooperation." It was too late to develop rescue system for four remaining Apollo flights, but reliability of Apollo spacecraft was being improved. Bolger said Skylab three-man space station scheduled for 1972 launch might have double protection-spacecraft that could be separated and returned to earth and standby rescue rocket at KSC. (AP, W Star, 10/8/70, A4; Sullivan, NYT, 10/8/70,4)
LeRoy E. Day, Manager of NASA Space Shuttle Task Group, described system characteristics of Space Shuttle: "It should be a fully reusable two-stage vertical take-off and horizontal landing space vehicle" that could transport 11340 kg (25 000 lbs) to the design reference orbit of 500 km (310 mi) at 55° orbital inclination. Shuttle "must have a large internal cargo bay which will give it the capability of carrying a variety of manned and unmanned payloads to low earth orbit. The large internal payload compartment will allow the shuttle to deliver to low earth orbit both a satellite and a high energy stage for a synchronous orbit or a planetary mission. We expect the gross lift-off weight. . to be approximately 1.6 million kilograms [3.5 million lbs] fully fueled and with the payload on-board." Rocket engines would be one of most critical subsystems "For both the booster and the orbiter we will use high pressure hydrogen/oxygen rocket engines which can be throttled to keep the acceleration during ascent to less than 3 g's." (Text)
Dr. George E. Mueller, General Dynamics Corp. Vice President and former NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, said U.S. Space Shuttle could be "golden transport" to carry passengers between any two cities on earth in an hour in 1980s. Shuttle could be converted easily to transport flying to 130-km (80-mi) altitude and plunging back to target city at approximately 18 500 km per hr (11500 mph). Rocket-boosted aircraft would take off vertically, eliminating noise problem. Other nations might purchase U.S. shuttle for $50 million. (AP, B Sun, 10/10/70, A3)
Fourth International History of Astronautics Symposium was held; with Dr. Eugene M. Emme, NASA Historian, as Chairman. Papers were presented by I. Saenger-Bredt of Stuttgart, Oleg G. Gazenko of Soviet Academy of Sciences, and R. Cargill Hall, JPL Historian. Papers were submitted by J. Kaplan of UCLA, G. H. Osborn and R. Gordon of Aerojet Liquid Rocket Co. (Program; NASA Hist Off)
IAF officials elected during Congress were: President, Prof. A. Jaumotte of Belgium; Vice Presidents, Dr. George E. Mueller of U.S., H. G. S. Murthy of India, Prof. L. G. Napolitano of Italy, and Prof. L, I. Sedov of U.S.S.R. (IAF Release,20)
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