Mar 28 1966
From The Space Library
First fully successful launch and air-snatch recovery of the Air-Launched Air-Recoverable Rocket (Alarr) was made over WSMR. A modified MB-1 Genie carrying instrumented payload for upper atmosphere research, Alarr was launched from F-4C Phantom II jet fighter at 49,000-ft. altitude. Rocket reached 150,000-ft. altitude and 180-lb. payload immediately separated. C-130B transport operating from Edwards AFB made successful mid-air recovery of payload at 5,000 ft. in second pass at target. Test, conducted for Kirtland AFB, was to develop new technique for high-altitude space probes : launch aircraft’s speed would serve as first stage of a rocket-eliminating need for a launch pad; descending payload would be recovered to prevent damage or loss. ‘‘(AP, Balt. Sun, 3/29/66; M&R, 4/4/66, 8)’’
Speech by Rep. Henry S. Reuss (D-Wisc.) on need for research and development on socioeconomic problems such as transportation, construction, and waste management was inserted in the Congressional Record: “We should not allow heavy concentration of research and development in the three fields of space, defense, and atomic energy to blind us to the potential for research and development in civilian technology. . . . “But much of the growth and success of these three . . . ‘giants’ must be explained in terms of the remarkable men associated with them. . . . “We think of Admiral Rickover and the nuclear submarine. Of Jim Webb and the space program. . . . Of the personal sponsorship of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson for our manned landing on the moon. . . .” ‘‘(CR, 3/28/66,6529)’’
Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe (USMC, Ret.), director of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena, demanded at a press conference in Washington, D.C., that Congressional inquiry be made into UFO’s and USAF’s handling of investigations of reported sightings. NICAP had long charged USAF with suppression of evidence and censorship. ‘‘(Carmach, Wash. Daily News, 3/29/66; Young, N.Y. J/Amer., 3/29/66,1)’’
Redeye, USA’s shoulder-fired antiaircraft missile system designed for forward-area defense against low-flying aircraft, had successfully completed Arctic phase of service testing at Ft. Greely, Alaska.. ‘‘(Gen. Dyn. Corp. Release)’’
March 28-30: AIAA-sponsored “Stepping Stones to Mars” meeting was held in Baltimore. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, in a speech read by NASC Executive Secretary Edward C. Welsh, called for international cooperation in man’s efforts to land on Mars: “. . . it is indeed worth considering the possibility of having man’s first voyage to Mars become a truly international undertaking. We in this country are eager to share the thrills and the benefits of space exploration with other nations. This enterprise is of such tremendous, such breath-taking scope that there is ample opportunity for many nations to contribute to it, each in its own way. There are many imaginative and ingenious scientists and engineers in other countries, and we welcome their ideas on how Mars may best be reached and explored. ‘‘(Text)’’
Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger, Director of MSFC Research Projects Laboratory, told the conference that “all technologies are sufficiently developed to make flight [to Mars] in 1986 appear possible.” Five Saturn V launch vehicles would carry the components of electrically powered Mars spacecraft and of NERVA II-powered nuclear earth-escape stage into 300-mi.-altitude earth orbit. After assembly and checkout, nuclear stage would accelerate electrically powered spacecraft to escape velocity. Flight time to Mars on a direct transfer trajectory would be 145 days;. 280 days would be required to return to earth. Spacecraft would enter high earth orbit outside Van Allen radiation belt and astronauts would be brought back to earth by commuter rocket. Dr. Stuhlinger said: “Of the key developments still necessary, the electrical power system undoubtedly requires the major technological and funding effort.” Co-authors contributing to the paper presented by Stuhlinger were Joseph C. King and Dr. Russell D. Shelton of MSFC Research Projects Laboratory and Gordon R. Woodcock, MSFC Advanced Systems Office. ‘‘(MSFC Release 66-67)’’
LRC scientist J. Reece Roth described an electric rocket life-support system that would supply interplanetary crews with meals which, when metabolized, would serve as fuel for spacecraft’s engine. According to Roth’s concept, some or all of the propellant, in the form of food, water, and oxygen, would be metabolized by crew to carbon dioxide, water, and solid wastes. CO2 and water could then be used as propellant for an electric engine while solid residues would be small enough to be stored or discarded. Propellant reserve could be used for food, navigational corrections, and radiation shielding-enhancing safety of the crew. Weight savings from integrated propulsion and life-support system would be so great, Roth said, that a somewhat less efficient thruster could be used with no overall loss in performance. ‘‘(LRC Release 66-12)’’
Human experience most similar to one-to-three year space flight was life on submarine, according to Dr. S. B. Sells, Director, Institute of Behavioral Research, Texas Christian Univ. Dr. Sells presented results of NASA-sponsored study designed to formulate problems of “group organization, structure, and interpersonal interaction of crew members in the environmental circumstances of a typical space mission .’, Fifty six social system characteristics of extended space flight-such as motivation, status, background, training, and command structure of crew, as well as conditions of confinement, isolation, and environmental hazards-were compared with those of 11 other social systems. ‘‘(Text)’’
NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications Edgar M. Cortright said: “Thousands of dedicated people have laboriously laid. . . stepping stones to Mars. This nation is ready and able to step up the exploration of Mars, Venus, and the rest of the solar system. Just when such a program will get a go ahead depends on many factors. This coming year will be a crucial one for the decision makers. “Of one thing I am absolutely certain: comprehensive exploration of the planets is inevitable. Who will be leading this exploration seems less certain; but we can if we choose.” ‘‘(Text)’’
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