Mar 14 1967
From The Space Library
Lunar Orbiter III photos of SURVEYOR I resting on the moon-first pictures ever taken of an identifiable outline of a man-made object that had been landed on the moon-were released by NASA. Photos were taken Feb. 22 at 30-mi altitude from slant range of 82 mi. (Marshall Star, 3/31/67,2)
NASA Aerobee 150A sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station carried 190-lb payload with AFCRL solar radiation experiment to 128-mi (206-km) altitude and impacted 60 mi downrange in the Atlantic. Protective nose cone was ejected during ascent, but payload did not separate from rocket. NASA later reported that desired results were not fully achieved because of partial failure in the spectrometer. Prime mission objective was simultaneous measurement of solar extreme ultraviolet radiation (EUV) in upper atmosphere with Aerobee's photoelectric spectrometer and similar instrument on NASA's OSO III Orbiting Solar Observatory, launched from ETR March 8. Data from two would be correlated to verify satisfactory operation of OSO III's instrument. Secondary experiment on Aerobee 150A involved measurements of ion and electron concentrations and changes in radiation along rocket's trajectory. (NASA Release 67-56; WS Release 67-7)
President Johnson presented National Space Club's 1967 Goddard Memorial Trophy to Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.) , Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics, in special White House ceremony. The Trophy, founded in 1958 to recognize outstanding national space leadership, was presented to President Johnson in 1966. (Off of Rep. Miller; CR, 3/9/67, H2N8-9)
NASA-Smithsonian Institution agreement providing for transfer of NASA's historical artifacts to the Smithsonian for display in National Air and Space Museum became effective. Agreement also specified that Smithsonian would establish a Committee on NASA Artifacts, which would include the NASA Administrator or his designee, to make curatorial decisions on aeronautical and space artifacts "with regard to their significance, preservation, and ultimate disposition." (NMI 1052.85)
NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight Dr. George E. Mueller, testifying before House Committee on Science and Astronautics, Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight, was asked about recent press reports that the Apollo program and the Apollo spacecraft had serious deficiencies. "I don't recall the Apollo program in an overall sense as being in difficulty," Mueller replied. "I sincerely believe that the basic Apollo spacecraft design is sound and that the reason we can accommodate the changes that we are anticipating within our budget is that the design is basically sound and the changes that are required are going to be relatively nominal." Dr. Mueller denied reports that NASA was considering changing from North American Aviation, Inc., as prime Apollo spacecraft contractor. (Transcript, 32, 38)
Dr. Mac C. Adams, NASA Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology, and his Deputy Dr. Alfred J. Eggers testified on NASA FY 1968 authorization bill before House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Advanced Research and Technology. U.S. space program was entering a period when NASA would . utilize existing capabilities, Dr. Adam said, and it was therefore particularly important for OART to "emphasize new technology so that new systems will be available for the next major thrust in aeronautics and space." He mentioned highlights of the program to develop new technology: (1) NERVA nuclear rocket engine; (2) experimental research related to hypersonic propulsion; (3) advanced cryogenic engine; (4) improved life-support systems; and (5 ) increased effort in electronics problems because "electronics systems may well be the limiting factor in our future exploration." Dr. Eggers noted that R&D budget request in aeronautics for FY 1968 nearly doubled that for 1967 and said the expansion reflected "recognition of the rapidly growing importance of air transportation and the need for increased R&D to provide required advances in the associated technology. Aeronautics is already the order of a $24 billion a year industry and it is netting the nation better than $1 billion per annum in favorable balance of payments. Accordingly, our proposed major strengthening of aeronautics R&D will be to the great commercial as well as military benefit of the nation in the future." (Transcript, 8, 13; Testimony)
Acting Under Secretary of Commerce Dr. J. Herbert Hollomon, in testimony before Senate Commerce Committee and Committee on Public Works' Subcommittee on Air and Water Pollution, recommended against direct Federal support of an electric car "at this time." He urged instead a program to reward the "best designs of low-pollutant vehicles by basing Government purchase on performance competition. . . . If electric vehicles can compete successfully . . . a market could be made available on which production facilities and schedules could be based. . . ." (Testimony, 9, 11)
March 14-15: AAS-NSC Fifth Goddard Memorial Symposium, "The Voyage to the Planets," was held in Washington, D.C. Arthur C. Clarke, author and past president of British Interplanetary Society, chided critics of space program expenditures because " `there is so much to do on earth.' . . . There was plenty to do in Europe when Columbus left-there's still plenty to do there. But the opening up of the new world did more to revive the stagnant European culture and economy than an internal action could possibly have done. ". . . I welcome the so-called space race, despite the multiplication of cost and human effort that it involves. If we weren't racing, we wouldn't be moving quickly enough. . . ." (Text)
Mariner spacecraft would be increasingly useful in returning scientific data from the planets, JPL Director Dr. William H. Pickering predicted. He noted launch opportunities during 1970's in which Mariner-type spacecraft could be flown to more than one planet in series of gravity-assist missions and said 1970-6 period offered several favorable opportunities for closeup study of the comets by Mariner-type spacecraft carrying up to 150 lbs of scientific instruments. (Text)
GSFC Director Dr. John F. Clark, discussing possible first mission configuration for a Galactic Jupiter probe, said an initial flight could probably be launched during a 20-day launch window centered on first week of March 1972. Planetary encounter would occur between 17 and 20 mos after launch. (Text)
Sterilization of lander and surface laboratory constituted "the most difficult technological task" of NASA's Voyager program to explore Mars and Venus with automated spacecraft during 1970's, Edgar M. Cortright, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, told the meeting. The most difficult scientific task M as developing an effective integrated set of biological experiments. (Text)
Exploration of the planets would contribute to, not detract from, man's ability to meet problems on earth, Dr. Charles Sheldon II, Library of Congress, suggested. "Also one has the right to hope that even if elements of past history repeat in new forms, mankind with a shrinking world and shrinking solar system, and with a greater awareness of his place within the scheme of things will divert his restless energies and struggles to overcoming the space frontiers rather than wasting his talents and his treasures in fratricidal war. . . ." (Text)
US. had achieved world leadership in the technology of space exploration, but that leadership was relative and by no means conclusive, Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.) asserted. "The challenge is no less great now than it was in 1957 when SPUTNIK I jolted us out of the narcosis of complacency. To our peril, we cannot allow the transient pressures and strains of American life to vitiate our determination to maintain that leadership. At the same time we cannot ignore or overlook any opportunity to reach a rapport and an understanding with Russia that will be of material assistance in making the exploration of space for peaceful purposes truly a monumental achievement of all mankind." (Text)
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