Nov 21 1967
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CXCI into orbit with 518-km (322-mi) apogee, 281-km (174-mi) perigee, 92.2-min. period, and 71° inclination. Equipment and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (Aero Tech, 12/4/67,17)
NASA FY 1968 operating plan was presented by Administrator James E. Webb to House Committee on Science and Astronautics, reflecting accommodation of fund reductions by Congress during recent months-20% for R&D programs other than Apollo, 50% for construction of facilities, and 7% for administrative operations. He reviewed decisions restructuring NASA effort at least through FY 1969. The first scheduled Apollo Applications flights of 1970-a "limited number with limited objectives"-would begin with a "precursor training mission for scientists-astronauts with certain orbital experiments, and then proceed with dual launch missions with the Orbital Workshop and the Apollo Telescope Mount." Launch vehicle/spacecraft hardware for follow-on Apollo Applications flights would depend on funding "some time after FY 1969," because of stringent FY 1969 budgetary guidelines. Future planning for Uprated Saturn-acknowledging necessity for production termination after vehicle No. 216-included FY 1968-funded lead time items "to hold open the option of continued production . . . at the rate of two per year." Webb explained that he held open the option of definite termination of Uprated Saturn production, intending to "preserve competition among the companies involved and between solid, liquid, and, where applicable, nuclear propulsion systems." To preserve competition would cost $3.5 million from FY 1968 funds. He announced NASA-DOD discussions "to consider carefully future national requirements for large launch vehicles, including a possible new booster of the 100,000-pound in earth orbit class." Webb stressed the need for planetary exploration utilizing both orbiters and landers in a long-term program: "We do not believe that it is the policy of the Nation or the intent of Congress that the United States abandon the field of planetary exploration." Present program still had two Mars-Mariner 1969 flights; continuity depended on NASA's current $143.4-million allocation to lunar and planetary category which would serve as basis for reestablishing future programs in FY 1969 budget. Development of NERVA I flight-qualified engine could proceed "with the amounts that we and the AEC have available in FY 1968," longer-range planning again dependent on "an affirmative decision" in the Administration's FY 1969 budget for NASA. (Text)
Operation of ESSA VI had been turned over to ESSA, NASA announced. (NASA Proj Off)
Committee on Science, Engineering, and Regional Development had been formed from persons working on problems of science and technology impact for NAS and NAE. Among other projects, Committee would examine "effects on given region of different kinds of institutions-university, not-for-profit laboratories, industrial and government laboratories [and would assess] . . . role of R&D institutions [and] . . . other factors . . such as risk capital, entrepreneurial skills, and political leadership." The 14-member committee would be chaired by Univ. of Illinois Graduate College Dean Daniel Alpert. (NAS-NRC-NAE News Report, 12/67,8-10)
DOD announced appointment of Dr. Eberhardt Rechtin, JPL Assistant Director for Tracking and Data Acquisition, to new position of Director, Advanced Research Projects Agency. Rechtin would be responsible for planning, initiating, and directing research and development programs assigned By Director of Defense Research and Engineering Dr. John S. Foster, Jr. (DOD Release 1107-67)
Compania Telefonica Nacionale de Espana (CTNE) , Spanish national telephone company, had completed $6.7-million communications satellite ground station at Buitrago (45 mi from Madrid) and would increase its capacity from 36 to 156 channels by 1972. Station had remote-control 82-ft parabolic antenna with klystron amplifier-and two 10-kw transmitters to operate in 6,000-megahertz (mhz) band. Station could handle TV relays and could track satellites. (Interavia, 11/21/67, 3)
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