February 1979

From The Space Library

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Current revision

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) reported that the Federation Aeronautique International (FAI) had admitted the People's Republic of China as an active member effective January 1. (NAA News, Jan Feb 79)

MSFC reported completion of a number of Shuttle tests precedent to qualifying the engine and combined elements of the configuration for flight later in 1979. Thiokol Corporation, prime contractor to MSFC for Shuttle motor development, completed static firing tests of the solid-fuel rocket motor February 17 at its Wasatch Division in Utah. During the two-minute firing, the motor thrust reached about 3 million pounds, and the system gimbaling the nozzle for guidance underwent the most severe duty cycle expected to occur during flight. This motor, more than 35 meters long and 3.5 meters in diameter, was the largest of its type ever developed for space flight and the first built for use on a manned craft.

Qualification tests later this spring would check out production, assembly, and firing cycle to support a full flight schedule. Each launch would use two of the motors, separated at burnout and parachuted into the ocean for recovery and reuse. On February 23, MSFC also concluded ground vibration tests of the complete Shuttle configuration, assembled for the first time to provide data on liftoff and flight conditions. (MSFC Releases 79-18, 79-19, 79-21)

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