Jan 6 1965
From The Space Library
NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket reached a peak altitude of 91.1 mi. from Wallops Island, Va. Purpose was to simultaneously measure the altitude of sodium airglow with sodium vapor and interference filters and determine atmospheric density with a 26-in., metallized, inflated mylar sphere. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
F-111A was flown successfully for the second time from Carswell AFB, Tex. Flight data: maximum altitude, 27,000 ft.; maximum speed, 400 knots (460 mph) ; flight time, 1 hr. and 2 min. General Dynamics test pilots Richard L. Johnson and Val E. Prahl conducted stability and control tests at 10,000 and 20,000 ft., operating the wing sweep mechanism from 16° takeoff position to 26° position, then 43°, back to 40° to make sure the system worked, and finally to full-swept 72.5° position. This was the first time that wing position was varied in the flight of a military aircraft. The major test objective of the flight was accomplished-10 min. of flight with wings fully aft. Flight plans calling for an evaluation of stability at 30,000 ft. were called off because fuel flow and temperature in one of the two jet engines appeared to be outside normal limits, but this involved no reduction in flight time. General Dynamics reportedly would receive a bonus amounting to more than $800,000 for completing this milestone flight 24 days ahead of schedule. (Thomas, Chic. Trib., 1/7/65; Witkin, NYT, 1/7/65, 1; Av. Wk., 1/11/65, 19)
Air Force Secretary Eugene M. Zuckert placed further restrictions on simulated bombing missions of B-58 Hustlers over Chicago: the supersonic bombers would fly at higher altitudes (48,000-49,000 ft. instead of 41,000-44,000-ft. range originally programed) to reduce impacts of sonic booms; flights would be canceled during bad weather. It had been announced earlier that the number of training missions per day would be reduced from a maximum of four to two. (Chic. Trib., 1/7/65)
Federal Aviation Agency Administrator Najeeb E. Halaby proposed that a 10-day international aerospace and science exposition be held at the Dulles International Airport in June 1966. Purpose of the exposition would be to stimulate aerospace exports. (NYT, 1/8/65, 10)
Indonesian Air Vice Admiral Budiardjo, deputy air force chief for logistics, claimed that Indonesia had begun surveys for space flights and would be able to launch its first astronaut by 1968. (AP, Wash. Post, 1/7/65, A13)
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