Jan 5 1966
From The Space Library
A ten-year lunar exploration program emphasizing manned missions was recommended in reports released by six working groups of scientists who had attended NASA 1965 Summer Conference on Lunar Exploration and Science in Falmouth, Mass., July 19-31,1965. Program, which would utilize capabilities already under development by NASA, would gradually include scientific experiments in geology, geochemistry, geophysics, and bioscience. One or two manned lunar missions and one manned lunar orbital mission would be conducted annually through 1979, with astronauts remaining on the moon’s surface for longer periods after 1974. Reports recommended four requirements for period through 1974: (1) assurance of overlapping operation of instruments placed on moon by astronauts; (2) sufficient frequency of missions to provide continuity in experiments; (3) scheduling of adequate time between missions to permit necessary modification of experiments; and (4) gradually increasing staytimes of astronauts on moon. Top priority for early Apollo landing missions would be return of lunar material samples; second priority, emplacing Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package (ALSEP); third, traversing lunar surface to describe topographic and geological. features, supplemented by stereoscopic photography. Report urged immediate testing to determine amounts and effects of atmosphere escaping from Lunar Excursion Module (LEM) and outgassing of astronaut suits. One Apollo Applications-Manned Lunar Orbiter mission (AA-MLO) was recommended prior to first Apollo Applications-Manned Lunar Surface mission (AA-MLS), with minimum of three manned spacecraft missions in polar orbit to make complete lunar survey; five or six AA-MLS missions through 1974 were suggested, with larger scientific payloads and stays for the astronauts of up to 14 days. Reports listed basic types of equipment necessary for exploration program: automatic position-recording systems to relay to earth or LEM movements of astronauts and roving vehicles; roving vehicles to carry one or two astronauts and scientific payload of at least 600 lbs.; manned lunar flying vehicle able to carry 300-lb. scientific payload about 10 mi. to study features not accessible with roving vehicle; one inch drill capable of penetrating at least 10 ft. in rubble or solid rock to assist heat-flow studies and provide samples of possible biological interest. Scientific training for astronauts in specific rather than general areas was recommended, with emphasis on geology. For post-1974 period, the scientists recommended surface travel by astronauts up to 500 mi. from landing point and fixed-site investigations lasting from two months to a year for measuring geophysical phenomena that could vary with time; studying lunar surface processes; deep-drilling studies to obtain information on early moon history and crustal composition; construction and manning of large radio and optical telescopes. Roving vehicles for the post-Apollo Applications phase should have 500-mi. range, shelter for three-man crew, two-month mission capability, and no requirement to return to starting point. ‘‘(NASA Release 66-4; Conference Rpt., NASA SP-88)’’
Twenty-one Long Tank Thors were purchased from Douglas Missile and Space Systems Div. by USAF for use in its programs at Vandenberg AFB. Expected to succeed the present Thrust Augmented Thor (TAT), the Long Tank Thor would provide increased payload capability by enlarging the volume of Thor’s liquid propellant tanks; result would be a 20% increase in payload capability over TAT. Although its total thrust of 330,000 lbs. would be essentially the same as that for TAT, the Long Tank Thor would have a burn time of 216 sec. as compared to 146 sec. for TAT. ‘‘(AFSC Release 205.65)’’
NASA announced appointment of Robert E. King, formerly director of labor relations for General Dynamics/Convair]], as NASA Director of Labor Relations. King would provide overall direction for NASA’s external labor relations program; personally coordinate major policy issues and decisions affecting labor relations with DOD, AEC, and Dept. of Labor; and administer a positive labor relations program to prevent or resolve labor disputes between NASA contractors and their labor unions. He would report to William Rieke, Assistant Administrator for Industry Affairs. ‘‘(NASA Ann.)’’
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