Oct 12 1973

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Revision as of 01:43, 22 December 2009

NASA research pilot Einar K. Enevoldson conducted the first flight of a new remotely piloted research vehicle ( RPRV) . A three-eighths scale model of an Air Force high-performance F-15 fighter-air-launched from a B-52 aircraft from Flight Research Center at 14 000 m (45 000 ft)-was controlled by Enevoldson from a ground cockpit with flight instruments and a TV screen. His commands were fed through a computer programmed with F--15 flight characteristics to the RPRV; flight information from the RPRV and video signals from its TV camera were transmitted to the ground control station. After a nine-minute flight, the RPRV descended 5000 m (15 000 ft) and a series of para-chutes were deployed to slow the descent rate. An Air Force helicopter recovered the RPRV in mid-air and lowered it to the ground for reuse. Eventually the 7-m (23-ft) model would be flown through stall and spin maneuvers using the new FRC-developed flight research technique to reduce the cost of flight-testing experimental aircraft and spacecraft. (FRC Release 28-73; AP, Bakersfield Californian, 10/13/73)

The Pratt & Whitney engine designed for the Air Force F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft passed a 150-hr endurance test on the third try at West Palm Beach, Fla. The success cleared the way for approval of a production contract. (UPI, NYT, 10/14/73, 7)

Pascagoula, Miss., Sheriff Fred Diamond told the press that two local shipyard workers had reported being taken aboard a glowing blue space-craft by buzzing creatures with silvery, wrinkled skin. Workers Charles Hickson and Calvin Parker had said they had seen the spacecraft approaching as they fished off a pier Oct. 11. (UPI, W Star-News, 10/13/73, A3)

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