Feb 4 1972
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
Marshall Space Flight Center announced award of one- month $1-million interim contract extension to North American Rockwell Corp. Rocketdyne Div. for space shuttle main engine. Contract was awarded pending completion of General Accounting Office review of original $500-million contract awarded July 13, 1971. Review had been requested by competing contractor, United Aircraft Corp. Pratt & Whitney Div., on Aug. 3, 1971. (MSFC Release 72-9; A&A 1971)
Manned Spacecraft Center announced award of $175 183 cost-plus- fixed fee contract to Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, Inc., to conduct simulations of space shuttle orbiter approach and landing. Simulations would enable engineers to establish more accurately aft location of orbiter's center of gravity and systems for vehicle aerodynamic control. Contract would end July 31. (MSC Release 72-31)
Ultrasonic wrench developed by NASA to connect tubing in Saturn boosters was available to private industry for possible commercial use, Marshall Space Flight Center announced. Wrench induced flexuous vibrations in nut being tightened and guaranteed calibrated tension. It could be used by industry on conventional nuts and bolts, which could replace expensive lock nuts and bolts that changed color as tension increased. Ultrasonic tightening also could remove normal friction forces and ensure proper tension by preselected torque dial. (MSFC Release 72710)
Largest NASA-owned aircraft-Lockheed C-141 StarLifter weighing 147 000 kg (325 000 lbs) with 49-m (160-ft) wing span and 43-m (140- ft) length-was delivered to Ames Research Center. Aircraft, modified to accept infrared telescope 91 cm (36 in) in diameter and two computers, would be used by NASA as international facility for infrared astronomy. Aircraft observatory would be unique when telescope was installed later in year. (ARC Astrogram, 3/16/72, 1)
President Nixon sent message to Congress outlining plan for Federal Partnership in District of Columbia's observance of American Revolution Bicentennial in 1976: "... there will be a handsome new building for one of the Mall's oldest tenants, the Smithsonian Institution. This structure, which will house the National Air and Space Museum with exhibits ranging from Kitty Hawk to Hadley Rille and with a former astronaut [Michael Collins] in charge, can be ready in 1976 if the Congress will move now to approve FY 1973 construction funds for it; the plans are nearly complete." (PD, 2/7/72, 184-93)
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