Oct 18 1968

From The Space Library

RAM C-II radio attenuation measurement mission launched Aug. 22 was adjudged successful by NASA. Good-quality measurements of electron and ion concentrations in flow field were obtained at dis­crete locations along the spacecraft during reentry. (NASA Proj Off)

XB-70A, flown by NASA test pilot Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr. successfully reached 52,000-ft altitude and mach 2.18 in flight from Edwards AFB to evaluate ILAF-exiter vane systems, air vehicle performance, and han­dling qualities. (XB-70 Proj Off)

USAF announced lifting of three-week ban on F-111A flights but reim­posed severe limits on speeds and maneuvers in force before halt. Re­strictions would be lifted following reinforcement of high-stress area of wing box to distribute load more evenly. Investigation of Aug. 27 ground fatigue testing failure had shown it was "due to an isolated small crack induced during manufacturing process in the metal sur­rounding a bolt hole." No other such imperfections had been found. USAF said Sept. 23 F-111A accident at Nellis AFB had occurred when pilot lost control because of excessive rearward shift of aircraft's center of gravity following fuel transfer to which crew had given inadequate attention. (DOD Release 947-68; Witkin, NYT, 10/19/68, 1; B Sun, 10/19/68, 4; AP, W Post, 10/19/68, All; W Star, 10/22/68, A9)

ComSatCorp reported net income of $5,054,000 (50 cents per share) for first nine months of 1968. Income included $1,750,000 (17 cents per share) for third quarter. (ComSatCorp Release 68-56)

NASA announced it had released tracking ship USNS Watertown from priority role of reentry support for Apollo missions, thus effecting re­duction in operational costs required by budgetary curtailments. Manned Space Flight Network land stations in Pacific, Apollo tracking ship Huntsville, and Apollo range instrumentation aircraft would serve returning Apollo spacecraft landing in preselected Pacific area. (NASA Release 68-181)

Sen. Gordon L. Allott (R-Colo.) in letter to Science scored "Understand­ing Gap" between scientific community and Congress and taxpayers on Federal R&D funding: "We are limited to a great degree by revenue taken in by the Treasury if we are to make the financing of our na­tional debt manageable. Within our admitted lack of expertise, coupled with an appalling lack of national goals or a system of priorities, I think we do a fair job of spreading out the federal dollar. We could do better, though, with some constructive help from the scientific commu­nity from an objective and realistic appraisal of the circumstances and of existing realities, and we could benefit from the establishment of some system, either a Joint Committee or something similar, which would view research on an overall basis, which would review national goals and aspirations and which might . . make a stab at setting up some type of priority list." U.S. "might well benefit if .. the scien­tific community would become 'involved,' would drop the cloak of mys- tery, and take the time to explain, not just to us in Congress, but to Mr. Taxpayer as well, just what it's all about." (Science, 10/18/68, 214-8)

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