Aug 17 1973
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
The Air Force launched an unidentified satellite on a Thor-Burner II booster from Vandenberg Air Force Base into orbit with an 853-km (530.0-mi) apogee, 808-km (502.1-mi) perigee, 101.5-min period, and 98.8° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 8/30/73; Pres Rpt 74)
NASA test pilot John A. Manke successfully completed the second glide flight of the X-24B lifting body from Flight Research Center. The X-24B, launched from a B-52 aircraft at an altitude of 14 000 in (45000 ft), completed all objectives: flying in transonic configuration. verifying longitudinal trim curve, obtaining stability and control data making a pressure survey of the fin and rudder end, and studying landing gear dynamics. Part of the flight was flown with dampers off All planned maneuvers were completed. (NASA grog off)
NASA announced selection of United Aircraft Corp. Sikorsky Aircraft Div. for negotiation of a $25-million cost-reimbursement contract to design. fabricate, flight-test, and deliver two rotor systems research aircraft (RSRA) , The aircraft, helicopters with wings and auxiliary engines. would be used as flying laboratories to develop advanced rotor system technology and flight-testing of new rotorblade concepts in a jointly funded NASA and Army research program. (NASA Release 73-165)
The U.S.S.R. had successfully flight-tested missiles with multiple warhead: that could be directed to separate targets, Dr. James R. Schlesinger Secretary of Defense, told a Washington, D.C., press conference. One of the intercontinental missiles, the SS-18, had carried at least six hydrogen warheads in the one-megaton range. (Binder, NYT, 8/18/73, 1)
Arizona State officials would use photos taken by NASA, from earth resource survey aircraft in the Arizona land use experiment, part of a three-way agreement by NASA, the Dept. of the Interior, and Arizona, NASA announced. The photos would be used to compile 1800 detailed maps of Arizona, update county maps, analyze high-accident areas for the Arizona Highway Dept., develop a land-use and vegetation-cover may for the Arizona Game and Fish Dept., study land areas requiring lease application decisions for the Arizona Land Dept., and develop a state airport systems plan. (NASA Release 73-158)
Astro Met Associates would market a fluoride-metal composite material that self-lubricated at high temperatures under a 10-yr exclusive license covering two NASA patents, one for material composition, the other for its manufacture, NASA announced. The license was granted to create the incentive to develop and market the material-fluorides impregnated into porous nickel, cobalt, or iron alloys-in the shortest possible time. The composite, designed for self-lubrication of moving parts in machines and equipment at high operating temperatures, might be used in rotary engines. (NASA Release 73-155)
President Nixon announced his intention to nominate Dr. Walter B. LaBerge Technical Director of the Naval Weapons Center at China Lake, Calif., to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Research and Development. The President also announced his intention to nominate Norman R. Augustine, Vice President for Advanced Development with LTV Aerospace Corp.'s Vought Missiles and Space Co., to be Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Development and David S. Potter, Director of Research for the Detroit Diesel Allison Div. of General Motors Corp., to be Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Re-search and Development. The nominations were sent to the Senate Sept. 5 and confirmed Sept. 14. (PD, 8/20/73, 998; 9/10/73, 1070; DOD PIO)
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