June 1969
From The Space Library
NASA's plans for two three-planet Grand Tours-8- to 11-yr missions to outer planets-were described by JPL scientist James E. Long in Astronautics and Aeronautics. Envisioning 1,200-lb spacecraft launched by Titan-Centaur, Long described missions that had been identified and analyzed: four-planet missions, including Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, from 1976 to 1979 (earth-launch dates), with 1977 and 1978 giving best combination of closest-approach altitude, flight time, and launch energy; three-planet missions to Jupiter, Saturn, and Pluto from 1976 to 1979, with 1977 and 1978 preferred; and three-planet missions to Jupiter, Uranus, and Neptune from 1977 to 1980. Long said, "The fortuitous concurrence of mission technology and experience suitable for the challenges of missions to the outer planets, with a unique outer-planet alignment in the 1976-80 period, should make exploration of these planets, as a class, a high-priority candidate for program support." (A&A, 6/69, 32-47; NASA Release 69-84)
Laser range-finding equipment was installed at AFCRL's Lunar Laser Observatory near Tucson, Ariz. Constructed largely with NASA funding, Observatory was built specifically for lunar laser-ranging experiments. (OAR Research Review, 3-4/70, 31)
President Nixon's Space Task Group had established that less expensive space operations in future depended on NASA and USAF development of lower cost boosters, J. S. Butz, Jr., said in Air Force and Space Digest. Joint effort on booster selection would be made within understanding signed by Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, and Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr." Secretary of the Air Force. Two major complicating factors existed: "First NASA and the Air Force must overhaul their bureaucracies." Second was "requirement for a compromise between military and civil needs." While USAF needed vehicle which could be launched quickly in large numbers and carry sufficient fuel for extensive space maneuvers, NASA wanted larger vehicle to carry more people and large cargo volume. More difficult would be choice of reentry vehicle. Both NASA and USAF wanted winged configuration for operational flexibility and airliner-style landings, but development costs would be high. (AF/SD, 6/69, 79-81)
Kurt Stehling reviewed Space Age Management by former NASA Administrator James E. Webb in AIAA Astronautics & Aeronautics: "Despite the bumpy course of NASA's history-technically, fiscally, and managerially; despite Webb's motherhood ways, as reflected in this book; and particularly despite the Johnson Administration's retrenchment of the space program and our sudden awareness of the backstage noises in our society which have moved up front so discordantly (it would have taken a superhuman individual to have foreseen these)-if we see a manned lunar landing next month we will owe it in no small measure to the managerial role played by James Webb and his associates. And in assessing the event, the historian will be forced to try to make sense of this book." (A&A, 6/69, 74)
Commentary in West Berlin's independent Tagesspiegel: "Some people take off for the moon while others try to learn to operate a farm tractor. Our culture will depend on mastering this schizophrenic situation." (Atlas, 7/69, 16)
Aerospace Industries Assn. released 1969 Aerospace Facts and Figures. During 1968 industry sales reached $29.5 billion, up 8.1% over 1967, with civil transport aircraft accounting for major share. These sales were expected to decline in 1969 when current models were phased out before third-generation jet transports were delivered in substantial quantities. Total industry sales were expected to decline to $28.7 billion in 1969 but 1968 backlog for 60 major companies was $31 billion-approximately 21/2 times that in 1960. Overall space program expenditures during FY 1969 were estimated $6.3 billion-$4.1 billion for NASA, $2.1 billion for DCD, $117 million for AEC, and $34 million for other agencies. Space expenditures declined approximately $300 million from 1967. Aerospace R&D, including NASA's, reached $8 billion. (Text)
NSF published Scientific and Technical Personnel in the Federal Government, 1967 (NSF 69-26). Professional scientific and technical personnel in Federal Government numbered 204,200 in October 1967- 5% increase over October 1966. Engineers, numbering 81,200, were largest of three major groups-scientists, engineers, and health professionals-comprising 40% of 1967 total. DOD continued as major Government employer, with 76,900 scientific and technical employees, of which 93% were engineers and scientists. (Text)
- May 1969
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