January 1978

From The Space Library

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Current revision

NASA announced it had tentatively selected 18 scientists to participate in the design and early operational phases of the Space Telescope project. The 10-ton observatory to be launched by the Space Shuttle in 1983 would make astronomical observations deeper into space' and in more detail than ever before. The scientists would head teams representing investigations definition (design and develop the focal plane instruments and carry out major scientific investigations); astrometry science (ensure that a fine guidance system could perform the required astrometric functions); faint-object camera science (U.S. members to assist ESA's team); telescope science (interpret performance requirements in terms of telescope design specifications); data and operations (establish instrument specifications for control system, flight operation, and ground data handling); and interdisciplinary science (provide a broad scientific overview of ST development). A Space Telescope science working group to give scientific guidance to the project would consist of team leaders, 2 telescope scientists, interdisciplinary scientists, and appropriate project personnel. MSFC had management responsibility for the telescope; GSFC would manage operations and the development of scientific instruments. (NASA Activities, Jan 78, 9)

NASA announced it would hold a symposium Jan. 16 and 17 in Washington, D.C., on the proper role NASA should be prepared to fulfill during the early to mid-1980s. The symposium would host 20 nationally-known authorities in fields including federal research policy, economics, education, science, aircraft development, and space applications. The symposium was a part of its current assessment of its institutional base. (NASA Release 78-5)

NASA reported that DOD had lent it 5 Navy divers to support simulated weightlessness tests in the Space Shuttle program. The divers, all fleet-salvage men selected for their expertise in erecting or dismantling underwater structures or equipment, had been assigned to the neutral buoyancy simulator at MSFC. Working underwater in full-scale segments of the Space Shuttle, they would assist test engineers with contingency procedures, equipment operation, evaluation of space construction techniques, and other activities scheduled for Shuttle and Spacelab missions. (NASA Activities, Jan 78, 5)

GSFC reported that, as a result of its concern about possible volcano damage to a Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (STDN) station, Mt. Cotopaxi in Ecuador, tallest volcano in the world, almost 6km (3.75mi) high, had been transmitting continuous information on its seismic activity. Dr. Richard Allenby of the Geophysics Branch at GSFC had installed a geophysical monitoring system consisting of a single-axis vertical seismometer and two tiltmeters. The system had transmitted data to the STDN station for quick review and relay for analysis to Dr. Minard Hall, geology professor at Ecuador's Escuela Politecnia National. Any unusual volcanic activity identified by Hall would be immediately relayed back to the station and to the Ecuadorian authorities.

The seismometer and its preamplifier, the only permanent volcano monitoring system in South America, had been encased in a sealed plastic tube and buried about a meter (3ft) underground for fear of an eruption within the next few years. Other remaining field instruments and batteries had been buried in 50-gal oil drums. Although the equipment had not detected major volcanic activity, it had detected ground motions along a nearby active fault line. (Goddard News, Jan/Feb 78, 4)

MSFC had issued to industry a request for proposals to study an automated longwall guidance and control system for coal mining and to build a prototype, NASA Activities reported. Studies by MSFC engineers over the past 2 yrs had indicated the potential practicality of a system using gamma rays, radar beams, impact devices, or reflected light to guide a longwall shear's cutting edge. The engineers had applied automated guidance and control-system technology developed for the lunar roving vehicle to a "longwall machine" that would grind coal from a wall or face of a coal seam in a more or less straight line, send it out on a conveyor, and advance with mechanized roof supports. Automating such a machine could eliminate the need for humans to work next to the cutting operation. Automated guidance and control would permit much faster removal of virtually all the coal present, increasing annual production by millions of tons of purer coal. The automated system should reduce wear on cutters and minimize machine downtime. (NASA Activities, Jan 78, 9)

The Air Force Systems Command reported it had successfully concluded a 2-yr space-communications test program 4mo ahead of schedule, saving the Air Force more than $500 000. Directed by the Satellite Communications Terminal Program Office, SAMTEC's 6555th Aerospace Test Group had launched the Lincoln experimental satellites LES 8 and 9 from Cape Canaveral 22 000mi into space to demonstrate advanced technology that would provide dependable jam-proof communications between satellites spaced thousands of miles apart and terminals scattered over more than 75% of the earth's surface. The satellites and terminals had worked essentially flawlessly.

In the test, a receiver and transmitter on each satellite had relayed messages for the first time directly between two spacecraft without ground or airborne relay. Acting as earth-orbiting relay stations during the test program, the satellites exchanged voice and data information between airborne, ground, and shipboard terminals. Instead of batteries charged by solar panels (susceptible to radiation damage), each satellite had used two nuclear-powered thermal generators for long-term dependable power services. Some tests had run continuously for 2 or 3 days, requiring 24-hr manning. Nerve center for the program had been the test management facility at the Mitre Corp., Bedford, Mass. (ASFC Newsreview, Jan 78, 6)

NASA announced personnel changes at Hq. Herbert Rowe, acting deputy associate administrator for external relations, would leave to become vice president of the Electronic Industries Association. Rowe had joined NASA in 1975.

NASA had appointed Frank Penaranda director of the institutional Operations Division, Office of Management Operations, effective immediately. He would be responsible for managing the agency's R&PM budget and institutional management system, including program support negotiations between centers and program offices, coordinating agencywide civil service and contractor manpower planning, and overseeing the center's aircraft operations.

NASA had appointed C. Ronald Hovell director of the Resource Management/Administration Office, Office of Space Transportation Systems. He would be responsible for budget and control support of each STS program directorate having responsibility for STS funds. -Effective Jan. 1, Dr. S. Ichtiaque Rasool had become chief scientist in the Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications. Rasool had maintained an active relationship with academic, industrial, and government organizations working on development and use of scientific and technological instrumentation, theory, and techniques for study earth and its nearby space environment. (NASA anno Jan 11, 16, 20, 30/78)

• 1978
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