Nov 13 1967
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. Mikoyan E-266 twin-tailed fighter aircraft-NATO designation Foxbat-averaged 1,804 mph over closed 1,000-km (621-mi) course, carrying two-ton payload. Soviets claimed world speed record. (Av Wk, 11/13/67,35)
NASA announced establishment of an Astronomy Missions Board, to be chaired by Harvard College Observatory Director Dr. Leo Goldberg. Twelve astronomers and physicists would make up the Board, which would advise NASA through Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications Dr. John E. Naugle. Executive Director for the Board would be OSSA's Deputy Director of Physics and Astronomy Dr. Henry Smith. The Board would develop and review scientific objectives and general strategy for space astronomy missions of sounding rockets, balloons, and satellites and would recommend designs for missions, telescopes, and other equipment. Excluded from the Board's responsibility would be studies of moon and planets from close range and earth orbital observations of the earth. (NASA Release 67-284)
DOD would be forced to turn to space technology for early warning, using either manned or unmanned spacecraft to counteract Soviet decision to develop Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems (FOBS) , Aviation Week contended. Because they believed that the U.S.S.R. could use FOBS "to foil existing [BMEWS] radars," DOD planners would place initial reliance on HF, over-the-horizon radars. "The Soviet objective appears to be to slash the 15-30 min warning time now available from BMEWS to a mere 3-4 min for a FOBS attack. . . ." Over-the-horizon radars depended on ionospheric reflection which would make them subject to interruption during sunspot activity; further, these radars would be relatively vulnerable to jamming. MOL and, ultimately, continuously manned or unmanned space patrols could receive DOD support if it appeared that the Soviets were succeeding in their plans for penetrating future U.S. missile defenses. (Av Wk, 11/13/67, 31)
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