Jan 31 1972
From The Space Library
Mathematics, Inc., published Economic Analysis of the Space Shuttle System. Report of study directed by Klaus P. Heiss and Oskar Morgenstern under NASA contract concluded development of space shuttle system was economically feasible assuming level of space activity equal to average of U.S. unmanned space program of past eight years; thrust-assisted orbiter shuttle (TAOS) with external hydrogen and oxygen tanks was economically preferred choice among current shuttle configurations; and choice of thrust assist for orbiter shuttle was still open, with pressure-fed boosters and solid-fuel rocket motors, either using parallel burn, as main economic alternatives. Third economic choice was use of series-burn boosters. (Text)
NASA launched two sounding rockets from Wallops Station in support of winter anomaly program. Nike-Apache carried Univ. of Illinois experiment to 200-km (124.3-mi) altitude to measure D- and E- region ionospheric characteristics during winter anomaly. Super Areas carried Pennsylvania State Univ. experiment to 82.3-km (51.1-mi) altitude to measure electron density in upper atmosphere. Rockets and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (NASA Rpts stL)
New map depicting geologic features of moon's visible side had been published by U.S. Geological Survey, Chicago Tribune reported. Map provided "unique picture of the distribution of the various kinds of rock materials." (C Trib, 1/31/72)
Marshall Space Flight Center announced award of $9.8-million contract modification to McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. for work on backup Skylab Workshop. Modification included production completion and post-manufacturing verification of backup hardware and launch site support operations through completion of second manned mission. (MSFC Release 72-5)
Senate received nomination of Apollo 10 astronaut Col. Thomas P. Stafford (USAF) to be brigadier general. Col. Stafford was Director of Flight Crew Operations at Manned Spacecraft Center. (CR, 1/31/72, S824; A&A 1971)
Unidentified senior analysts said in Washington, D.C., that People's Republic of China had deployed "handful" of ballistic missiles with estimated 2400- to 4000-km (1500- to 2500-mi) range. Missiles used storable liquid propellant that permitted underground installation in concrete and steel silos. (Beecher, NYT, 2/1/72, 1)
Major thrust of Dept. of Defense FY 1973 expenditures was to improve strategic weapon capability, Aviation Week & Space Technology editorial said. Budget [see Jan. 24] was "the best news the aerospace industry has had in several years ... a clear signal for action and forward thrust. It also imposes an awesome responsibility on the aerospace industry. Once again it is being called upon to produce new and demonstrably superior hardware on which it is possible to base a military power sufficient to deter major war and sufficient to win quickly any minor wars. It must produce swiftly and efficiently. Neither the aerospace industry nor the country can afford any more of the expensive development fiascos of the McNamara era." (Av Wk, 1/31/72, 9)
January 31-February 23: European Space Research Organization's 117-kg (257-1b) Heos 2 Highly Eccentric Orbit Satellite was launched by NASA from Western Test Range by three-stage thrust- augmented Thor-Delta (DSV-3L) booster at 9:20 am PST. Orbital parameters: 244 011-km (151 621.4-mi) apogee, 416-km (258.5-mi) perigee, and 90.2° inclination. Ah vehicle systems monitored during launch functioned normally. Second burn of 2nd stage and ignition and burnout of 3rd stage occurred over Indian Ocean south of African continent. By Feb. 6 all flight experiments had been turned on and were working properly and all spacecraft systems were still functioning normally Feb. 23. On Feb. 18 NASA officially judged mission successful. Primary NASA objective was to place spacecraft into orbit that would permit successful achievement of ESRO scientific objectives and provide tracking and telemetry support, Satellite-l6-sided cylinder with 70% of its outer surface covered with solar cells- carried seven experiments to investigate strength and direction of magnetic fields, energy distribution of protons and electrons, and nature of solar winds; make very-low-frequency solar observations; and detect micrometeorites. Heos 2 was second HEOS mission. Heos 1 had been launched Dec. 5, 1968, and was still in orbit. After orbital insertion, spacecraft was controlled from European Space Operations Center (ESOC) and tracked by European Space Tracking Stations (ESTRACK). European Space Technology Center (ESTEC) was responsible for project management and would reimburse NASA $6.6 million for booster and prelaunch and launch support services. (NASA proj off; NASA Release 72-17; GSFC SSR, 1/31/72)
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