August 1964
From The Space Library
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center received five Northrop T-38 aircraft on loan from USAF for use as space-flight readiness trainers to maintain proficiency of astronauts. (Av. Wk. 8/31/64, 25)
Douglas Aircraft Co. Missile and Space Systems Div. received nine-month study contract from NASA Marshall Space Flight Center to study methods of uprating Saturn IB space vehicle and S-IVB Saturn stage. (Av. Wk., 8/31/64, 23)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb said in article on NASA and SAF relations in The Airman: "At a time when possible military missions for manned spacecraft have not yet been clearly defined, the NASA Gemini and Apollo programs and the Air Force MOL program are developing American manned space flight technology and operating experience at a rapid rate. "We believe that the progress called for in the Gemini, Apollo, and MOL will enable us to demonstrate clear superiority over the Soviet Union in manned space flight capabilities during this decade. "Our accomplishments in these three programs will prepare us much better for whatever further steps may be necessary to meet our national defense needs in space. . . ." (Airman, 8/64, 6-11)
Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger, Director of Research Projects at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and AIAA Board Member, said in Astronautics & Aeronautics editorial: "For some years past, it has been asked whether electric propulsion meets a 'requirement' in our space program. It may be well to remember that the airplane, the atomic submarine, the radio, and the first satellite were not developed in fulfillment of 'requirements." An artificial atmosphere is certainly a requirement for an astronaut in space, and must be developed for that reason. But the astronaut does not go into space because it is his requirement, but because our country has decided to excel in the exploration of outer space with the most appropriate means. Electric propulsion promises to be a very appropriate method of vastly expanding our exploration capability in space beyond that of chemical and nuclear systems. For that reason, its development should be pursued with high priority and great vigor." (A&A, 8/64, 14-15)
B. K. Heusinger of NASA Marshall Space Flight Center said in Astronautics & Aeronautics article about present arid future improvements in Saturn launch vehicle propulsion: "First and foremost, the Saturn I testing program has already made possible an additional payload capability of approximately 4300 lb. without major redesign efforts. A substantial portion of this gain has come from altered operational and procedural techniques developed during the normal course of static and flight testing. The impact of major redesigns will not be felt, as a result of the lead times involved, until the first of the Saturn-IB vehicles. . . ." (A&A, 8/64,/ 20-25)
J. S. Butz, Jr., said in Air Force and Space Digest article on the future of aviation: "Aeronautics in the 1970s and 1980s promises to eclipse anything of the past in both scope and the performance of individual aircraft. Although missile and space systems will continue to furnish strong competition for national support, aviation activity in the decades ahead will be much more extensive and important than it is today. . . . "The revolutionary effect of the new technology on future aircraft can be best illustrated by discussing two key areas One is propulsion. The other is materials. Light, more powerful engines, and lighter, stronger structures always have been key design objectives. This is still true.. . ." He quoted Dr. Alexander H. Flax, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Research and Development: " 'It is possible today to begin the development of lightweight gas-turbine engines with a thrust-to--weight ratio of better than 10 to 1." Dr. Flax points out that installed thrust-to-weight ratios apparently can rise to higher than 20 to 1 on the second generation of future engines. "Ten years ago such a statement would have got him laughed out of most scientific and engineering meetings. A few people may still argue that the estimate is high. But the main argument now is over how best to achieve this truly stunning performance rather than over the possibility of achieving it." He detailed some of the R&D areas with great potential for future aircraft, then said: "Technical evidence abounds to prove that an aeronautical revolution is at hand and that the first step in that revolution can have great economic importance. It clearly is time for more resolute action. Britain and France, and possibly the Soviet Union, have approximately the same opportunity as the US to capitalize on what is known now. In western Europe, at least, engine and materials technology is well advanced. . . ." (AF Mag., 8/64)
Nuclear physicist Dr. Edward Teller criticized DOD for failure to proceed with flight-testing the nuclear-powered Low Altitude Supersonic Vehicle (LASV). Speaking at Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dr. Teller said: "For the sake of an economy that amounts to less than 1% of the Air Force budget this has been canceled. I believe this is the biggest mistake we have made since the years following World War 2 when we failed to develop the ICBM. . . ." (Av. Wk., 8/17/64, 65 )
DOD established 22 information analysis centers to supply specific answers to technical questions asked by managerial, scientific, and engineering personnel employed by DOD and by DOD contractors. (M&R, 8/10/64, 10; Missile/Space Daily, 8/5/64 and 8/6/64)
AFSC was conducting research with quick-setting plastic to provide "instant landing sites" for V/STOL aircraft. (Aviation Daily, 8/10/64)
Terence Prittie said in Atlantic Monthly article that the "Egyptians, with the vital help of German and other foreign scientists and technicians, have been working on a crash program for the production of long- and medium-range rockets at their Factory 333 at Heliopolis, a few miles east of Cairo." He described the three main types of rockets being developed: Al Zafar ("the Victor") single-stage liquid-fuel rocket; Al Kahar ("the Conqueror") single-stage liquid-fuel rocket; and Al Raid ("the Explorer") two-stage rocket. (Atlantic, 8/64)
- August
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