Jun 5 1974
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(New page: The space shuttle would introduce a new mode of space research in the 1980s, Dr. John E. Naugle, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator, said at a space transportation system press briefi...)
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The space shuttle would introduce a new mode of space research in the 1980s, Dr. John E. Naugle, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator, said at a space transportation system press briefing in Washington, D.C. Sounding rockets gave the scientist an immediate return of data but only for a very short-duration flight. Satellites provided longer mission times but it might be five to seven years from the initiation of the project until data were received. Experiments flown on the shuttle could remain in orbit from 7 to 30 days and then be returned immediately for evaluation. This capability would be a powerful tool in the development of new technology.
Dr. Myron S. Malkin, space shuttle Program Director, said NASA'S commitment to Congress called for a total development cost of $5.15 billion in 1971 dollars for two operational shuttle vehicles plus $10.5 million for each of 725 missions projected for 1980-1990. Mission costs would be shared by participating experimenters, and estimates were now running at $9.05 million per flight because of reduced estimates for external tank development. Cost for a shuttle flight, which could take 29 500 kg into orbit, contrasted with $18 million for a 4500-kg payload launched on an expendable Atlas booster and up to $58 million to orbit 14 000-18 000 kg on a Saturn IB.
Shuttle development was on schedule; the first approach and landing tests were to be in the second quarter of 1977 and the first manned orbital flight in 1979. Orbiter manufacture was under way. The main engine oxygen burner had been tested 14 April and the first big engine firing was scheduled for the end of 1975. NASA would need a fleet of seven orbiters at $250 million each if the projected missions were flown. Elwood W. Land, Jr., of the space shuttle Systems Office said a 25-astronaut flight corps probably would be maintained to fly missions averaging more than one a week.
LeRoy E. Day, space shuttle Program Deputy Director, reported the main engine was being designed to make 55 starts before refurbishment was necessary. Engine lifetime would be much longer. The solid boosters were being designed for 20 flights. Phillip E. Culbertson, Director of Mission and Payload Integration, said that all but the smallest expendable launch vehicles would be phased out about three years after the shuttle became operational. (Transcript)
The European Space Research Organization decided to award a $226-mil-lion, six-year contract to VFW-Fokker/ERNO Raumfahrttechnik GmbH as prime contractor heading a European team to design and develop Spacelab, the reusable, manned laboratory to be carried into orbit on NASA's space shuttle in the 1980s. The unanimous decision, made at a Paris meeting of ESRO's Administrative and Finance Committee, followed six weeks' evaluation of two industrial proposals. The second proposal had been submitted by Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm. The contract provided for delivery of one Spacelab flight unit, fully qualified and ready for installation of experiments, by April 1979. Two engineering models and three sets of ground support equipment and initial spares would also be delivered.
Spacelab, to be reusable for 50 missions of 7 to 30 days each, would permit scientists and engineers to work in earth orbit in shirtsleeve comfort and without extensive astronaut training. The first launch was scheduled for 1980. (ESRO Release, 5 June 74)
The Federal Communications Commission authorized Western Union Telegraph Co. to launch its second domestic communications satellite. Western Union had requested that Westar-B be assigned a 119° west longitude position [see 2 May], a position the FCC reserved for systems authorized to serve Alaska and Hawaii. However, the FCC took into account petitions filed by Western Union's competitors, also requesting the location, and assigned the satellite a temporary station at 94° west longitude. The satellite was to be moved to 91° within 30 days after NASA's Ats 6 was moved from 94°. If Western Union was later authorized to serve Alaska and Hawaii, the FCC could authorize a move to a more appropriate location. (FCC Memorandum Opinion, Order and Authorization, FCC 74-584)
Satellite observations had been used by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration scientists to map the fading-or "recovery phase"-of the mammoth, layered ring of hot charged particles that encircled the earth during magnetic storms and temporarily canceled the earth's magnetic field, NOAA announced. Explorer 45, launched 15 Nov. 1971 into an elliptical orbit with a good view of the ring current, had measured the distribution of protons before, during, and after a major magnetic storm 17 Dec. 1971. The NOAA study found that interactions of hot and cold plasmas in the ring changed the pitch angle of the protons in relation to the magnetic lines of force, permitting some to escape. By mapping distributions of proton pitch angles, researchers could predict what would happen during the recovery phase of a magnetic storm. (NOAA Release 74 86)
Air traffic activity during 1973 had increased 6% over 1972 activity at Federal Aviation Administration airport control towers, air route traffic control centers, and flight service stations, the FAA reported. The increase was the largest recorded by towers since 1968 and followed three years of declining activity. Takcoffs and landings at the 386 FAA-operated control towers during 1973 totaled 56 533 953, up from 53 255 919 in 1972. (FAA Release 74-86)
5-6 June: Results of five years of aerodynamic loads research were presented at a YF-12 Flight Loads Symposium at Flight Research Center. Wind-tunnel tests and flight measurements of loads and deflections for the 3200-km-per-hr research aircraft were shown to be in excellent agreement, and deflection due to loads and thermal effects could be predicted by ground calibrations. Recommendations included development of more accurate aerodynamic theories in the transonic range and thermal stress analysis and prediction methods for supersonic cruise aircraft with much larger transient temperature gradients from the skin to the primary structure than those experienced on the YF-12. (NASA Gen Mgt Rev Rpt, 17 June 74, 52)
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