Jan 28 1969
From The Space Library
In New York news conference, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. Mueller, said U.S. was in danger of going "out of the manned spaceflight business" unless more funds were provided in Federal budget for projects beyond Apollo. He said U.S.S.R. probably would surpass U.S. in space exploration in 1970s. Current Soviet space expenditure was "about 50 percent greater than ours." (Wilford, NYT, 1/29/69, 11; NY News, 1/30/69)
In speech before New York Society of Security Analysts, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. Mueller, said: "I believe that if we wanted to we could have our space shuttle in operation by 1976.. . . To achieve the desired economy, it will be necessary to operate this transportation system in the successful jet transport mode. Our space shuttle will probably take off from major airports with little or no noise. It will not create a sonic boom along the route. It will go into orbit, deposit and take on crew and cargo, and return for a horizontal airport landing." He foresaw an international demand for reusable space vehicles. (Text)
Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched by NASA from Wallops Station carried Univ. of Wisconsin experiment to 139.2-mi (224-km) altitude to examine isotropic component of cosmic x-rays in wavelength region of alphasym > 5 A, using collimated, thin-window gas proportional counters. Peak altitude was 3.5% over predicted but x-ray counters failed to reach design pressure. (NASA Rpt SRL)
M2-F2 lifting-body vehicle damaged in accident May 10, 1967, would be repaired, modified, and returned to service as M2-F3, NASA announced. Modifications would include center-stabilizing fin, special equipment for use as test bed for lateral control systems research, jet reaction roll control system, and improved internal components for precise maneuvering by pilot. M2-F3 would rejoin HL-10 and X-24 in NASA-USAF flight research program to evaluate wingless vehicles for manned horizontal landings at airfields after return from space. (NASA Release 69-15)
Eastern Airlines, Inc." Vice President A. Scott Crossfield told Aero Club in Washington, D.C." that seven-week experiment with STOL aircraft at Boston, Washington, and New York airports begun Sept. 1968 had been "unqualified success." Airline's engineers were drafting specifications for STOL aircraft to carry 125 passengers at 250 mph, capable of maneuvering at speeds of 70 mph. It could double landing capacity of airports by using taxiways and ends of unused runways. McDonnell Douglas version of French-designed Breguet 941 aircraft used by Eastern in experiments had used onboard computer-controlled system, "heart" of which was manufactured by Decca in England. It used existing navaids and was accurate within 25-ft altitude and 100-ft latitude. (Koprowski, W Post, 1/29/69, A8)
S. 705 was introduced in Senate by Smithsonian Institution regent Sen. Clinton P. Anderson (D-N. Mex.), for himself and regents Sens. J. William Fulbright (D-Ark.) and Hugh D. Scott (R-Pa.) to authorize $2 million for planning and land acquisition for world's largest radio-radar astronomical telescope. Proposed 440-ft "big dish" antenna would be enclosed in 550-ft geodesic dome and cost about $37 million. It would be made available to appropriate scientists everywhere. (CR, 1/28/69, S967-8; W Star, 4/1/69, 131)
Following conference with President Nixon, Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, AEC Chairman since 1961, announced he would continue in that position in Nixon Administration. Current term would expire June 30, 1970. (W Star, 1/29/69, A2)
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