Sep 24 1968
From The Space Library
NASA doubled resolution capability of Explorer XXXVIII to map radio sources in space by extending each of satellite's four antennas to 600 ft by ground command. Antennas, which could be extended to 750-ft maximum, had been initially deployed to 455 ft each July 22. Satellite, launched July 4, had monitored solar radio emissions, variety of emissions across Milky Way, radio emissions apparently related to earth's magnetosphere, and possible emission from earth's radiation belt. (NASA Release 68-162; AP, W Star, 9/25/68, A5)
NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried Harvard College Observatory experiment to 111.9-mi (180-km) altitude to scan sun in 1,400-1,875 A spectral region using photo-electronic detector and BB solar pointing control. Solar pointing control malfunctioned, changing signal on experiment detector. (NASA Rpt Sm.)
NASA's HL-10 lifting-body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry (USAF), successfully completed 10th flight from Edwards AFB. Primary objectives were to check out vehicle systems, evaluate new nonlinear longitudinal gearing to control stick, obtain stability and control data, and evaluate modified cab pressure system. (NASA Proj Off)
NASA was conducting three separate studies to determine reasons for failures of May 18 launch of Nimbus B, Aug. 10 launch of Ats IV, and Sept. 18 launch of Intelsat III-which had brought its launch record down to 0.500 average. Before May failure, agency had compiled "almost incredible" launch record, said Thomas O'Toole in Washington Post. Sources close to NASA had said agency was conducting fourth investigation to determine whether there was "something systemic at the root of the trouble." One theory was that decline in NASA launch activity in 1968, with 42 attempted launches thus far compared to 69 at same time in 1967, had caused similar drop in attention to detail. Second theory was that layoffs and turnover in launch crews had cut down efficiency and introduced element of inexperience. Third theory was that NASA was suffering from "a sudden case of overconfidence brought on by its long string of launch successes." Seven-man board to investigate failure of first Intelsat III mission met for organization session. Board, convened by Dr. John E. Naugle, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, would have five observers in addition to seven voting members and would be chaired by Daniel G. Mazur, Assistant Director for Technology at GSFC. (NASA Release 68-160; NYT, 9/21/68, 14; W Post, 9/24/68, A10)
Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved space rescue treaty providing for rescue and recovery of astronauts down in foreign lands. U.S.S.R. had given final approval along with 73 other nations. (AP, NYT, 9/25/68, 17; WSJ, 9/25/68, 1; UPI, W Post, 9/25/68, A6)
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Deputy Administrator, told House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Advanced Research and Technology that, while NASA was "maximizing . . . technical support of the DOD within the framework of their systems approach to new military aircraft," major changes in civil aeronautics made that situation "more complicated for NASA and the nation." Growth of air transportation, decline in development of military aircraft whose technology was directly applicable to civilian use, and ground transportation's saturation had created era in which "it is not simply enough to build aircraft which are bigger or fly faster; rather, future advances in aeronautics must also take the form of aircraft which complement the nation's overall transportation systems while operating harmoniously with the constraints imposed by urban environments." Basic issue facing NASA and U.S. in civil aeronautics R&D was proper role of Government in fostering its advances. "In my view, government actions to stimulate the development of advanced aircraft transportation system should be such as to leave the maximum initiative and business risk in the hands of industry. The government [might] carry promising new technological principles .. . into experimental hardware, but only to the point of demonstrating the soundness of the principle involved, and only when this demonstration is essential and would not be otherwise undertaken. NAsA Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics. Charles W. Harper told Committee accelerated research was needed not only on supersonic and hypersonic aircraft, but in development of quiet subsonic jets with steeper landing patterns, helicopters with greater safety and less noise, and STOL aircraft for interurban transport. He said air traffic control systems bogging down at major airports were based on technology developed in 1940. He doubted "continued evolutionary modernization" of this system would suffice in future. (Transcript; AP, W Star, 9/25/68, 1; Cohn, W Post, 9/25/68, D8; UPI, NYT, 9/25/68, 93)
General Accounting Office revealed in report to Congress that Bendix Corp. had agreed to lower by $520,000 fees it would have collected under $465-million NASA contract for construction of Saturn V platform. GAO had found that target cost included overstated amounts for certain materials in relation to pricing data available to contractor before start of negotiations. (Text)
United Press International quoted Soviet scientists interviewed by U.S.S.R Army newspaper Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) as saying they would aim more space vehicles for sea landings because of successful recovery of Zond V from Indian Ocean. Before Zond V, all Soviet probes had been brought down in Siberia. Sea landing in warm climates would allow year-round launchings. Although Soviet ships did not recover spacecraft till day after landing, scientist N. Melnikov told newspaper, "The time and place of Zond's landing were calculated beforehand with precision. Everyone . . . knew the exact hour, minute, and even second of Zond's landing." Krasnaya Zvezda said even slightest deviation "would have resulted in tremendous overloads [on Zond V] which could have gone again into outer space." (W Post, 9/25/68, All)
Washington Post editorial praised "magnificent achievement" of U.S.S.R.'s Zond V: "In its own way, Zond-5 should serve to shake this Nation's complacency once again. Our national goals in space exploration are fuzzy, our hopes have been out of line with our commitments. From President Kennedy's glowing picture of Americans in space we have slipped into a program put together in fits and starts-fits brought about by a realization of how much it would cost to do it right and starts caused by a basic desire never to be second to anybody. Because of this, there is no use in seizing upon Zond-5 as a reason to go all-out to beat the Russians in a race for men on the moon. Our program .. . ought to move at its own pace. If that pace is sufficiently rapid to bring American astronauts to the moon first, fine. If it is not, so be it. The Russians will deserve the honor and praise they will win if their men make the first landing. In space exploration, it is more important to do things right than to do them first." (W Post, 9/24/68, A16)
Washington Evening Star editorial commented on "Soviet Spectacular." U.S.S.R. had scored impressive advance with "boomerang-style" Zond V. "Congratulations are in order. But handwringing assertions that the Russians will be indisputable masters of the universe are decidedly premature. The shot demonstrated two major steps forward in the space sciences: A degree of accuracy in the guidance and navigational systems that is new for Russian spacecraft, and a re-entry system capable of withstanding the searing heat of a 25,000-mile-an-hour plunge into the atmosphere. . . . But the essential fact is that neither Russia nor the United States has yet successfully flown its third generation spacecraft -the ships that will eventually carry men to the moon. The outcome of the 'space race' . . . will depend on what happens in the Apollo missions immediately ahead and the Soviet manned flights still to come." (W Star, 9/24/68, Al2)
Television sequences showing Apollo 7 astronauts working in spacecraft as it passed Corpus Christi, Tex., and Cape Kennedy, Fla.-as well as shots of terrain more than 130 mi below and views of anything interesting in space would be telecast by three major U.S. networks "live" Oct. 12 through Oct. 19, NASA said. Pictures would be transmitted from camera in space capsule to MSC for instant showing over TV networks. Neither launch day nor splashdown day would be included in 11 am to 12 pm series. (Kirkman, W News, 9/24/68, 7)
USN had selected Lockheed Aircraft Corp. design for its first Deep Submergence Search Vehicle. Craft would be able to descend to 20,000 ft to locate objects and recover small ones with claw-like projecting arm. It would be able to submerge for 40 hr and would have maximum speed of five knots. (NYT, 9/24/68)
Press said WSMR Public Information Office had denied reports by Ohio newspaperman that disc-shaped practice parachute platform used in five Voyager space vehicle tests at WSMR had inspired reports of unidentified flying objects over southwestern U.S. in 1966 and 1967. Vehicle had been tested only five times, Acting Chief of Information Gabe Brillante had said; there had been many more UFO sightings during period. He said WSMR would have acknowledged tests if it had had inquiries about sightings. (UPI, W Star, 9/24/68, 4; Auerbach, W Post, 9/24/68, A5)
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