Feb 10 1969
From The Space Library
Listen to an interview on this day with astronaut Dave Scott
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Listen to an interview on this day with astronaut James McDivitt
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Listen to an interview on this day with astronaut Russell Schweickart
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NAS published NRC Div. of Engineering's Useful Applications of Earth-Oriented Satellites, Report of the Central Review Committee of NRC Summer Study on Space Applications, prepared for NASA. Study concluded that space applications program was "too small by a factor of two or three." Benefits from program were expected to be large, "certainly larger than the costs of achieving them." However, "an extensive, coherent, and selective program" would be required to achieve benefits. Committee recommended that NASA give greater emphasis to earth-satellite programs with promise of beneficial applications, commit additional funds to expanded R&D and prototype operations for certain applications, and commit $200 million to $300 million yearly to space applications program. Manned space programs should be justified in their own right, not in terms of space applications; near-term benefits for mankind would be achieved "more effectively and economically with automated devices and vehicles." Noting that in meteorology and communications "satellites have already entered solidly into the area of economic usefulness," report recommended that NASA grant high priority to development of multichannel distribution system for public and private network TV; multichannel system for educational broadcasts in developing countries and for special interest groups such as physicians, lawyers, and educators; and North Atlantic satellite navigation system for traffic control of transoceanic aircraft and ships. Satellite earth-sensing was dependent on R&D in sensor signatures-form of information provided by instruments. Report recommended immediate pilot program for providing information in familiar and immediately usable form, exploration into use of side-looking radar, and start of 10- to 12-yr development plan for more sophisticated sensors. (Text; NRC Release)
Apollo 8 mission (Dec. 21-27, 1968) was adjudged successful by NASA. All objectives of manned circumlunar mission were attained, as well as four detailed test objectives not originally planned. (NASA Proj Off)
MSFC announced it would manage two recently awarded $300,000 six-month contracts, one to Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. and one to General Dynamics Corp., for conceptual study of low-cost, manned logistics (space shuttle) system. Similar study contracts awarded to North American Rockwell Corp. and to McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. would be managed by MSC and LaRC. Integral Launch and Reentry Vehicle (ILRV) studies would investigate aspects of reusable transportation system for post-1974 use in support of proposed space stations. MSFC also announced $3,288,914 modification to contract with Boeing Co. for continued configuration management support on Saturn V launch vehicle program, including processing of vehicle and ground support equipment configuration changes, configuration accounting, and change integration and tracking. (MSFC Releases 69-34, 69-35)
General Accounting Office released report to Congress, Need for Improved Guidelines in Contracting for Research with Government-Sponsored Nonprofit Contractors. It called for Government-wide guidelines on amounts and use of fees or management allowances given by non, NASA, and AEC Federal contract research centers. GAO found allowances paid to nonprofit organizations varied significantly, were not much used for research, and had been spent by some centers to acquire extensive capital facilities. (Text)
USAF contract awards: $4,305,295 fixed-price contract to Computer Sciences Corp. for services and supplies to develop, install, operate, test, and maintain hardware to improve capabilities of space tracking equipment; and $1,600,000 initial increment to $4,200,000 fixed-price contract to United Technology Center for KSC launch and support services. (DOD Release 102-69; WSJ, 2/11/69, 17)
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