Sep 23 1969
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCC into orbit with 189-km (117.4-mi) apogee, 183-km (113.7-mi) perigee, 88.2-min period, and 51.5° inclination. Satellite reentered Sept. 27. (GSFC SSR, 9/30/69; SBD, 9/25/69, 106)
Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket, launched by NASA from WSMR with VAM-20 booster, carried Univ. of Hawaii payload to 108.4-mi (174.4-km) altitude. Objectives were to obtain high-resolution spectra of solar disc from 1,800 to 2,000 A, using high-resolution echellegrating spectrograph pointed by Univ. of Colorado biaxial pointing control. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily and photographic spectra were obtained on both camera cycles. (NASA Rpt SRL)
President Nixon announced decision to continue development of SST. "The supersonic transport is going to be built. The question is whether in the years ahead the people of the world Will be flying in American supersonic transports or in the transports of other nations . . . whether the United States, after starting and stopping this program . . . finally decides to go ahead. . . . I have made the decision that we should go ahead . . . because I want the United States to continue to lead the world in air transport. And it is essential to build this plane if we are to maintain that leadership. . . . I have made the decision, also, because . . . through this plane we are going to be able to bring the world closer together in a true physical and time sense. . . . This is a massive stride forward in the field of transport." President said prototype would be flown in 1972. (PD, 9/29/69, 1309)
President Nixon would ask Congress to appropriate $662 million over five years to assist in SST development, Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe announced. Federal Government would spend estimated $761 million through FY 1974, including $99 million in funds already appropriated, to construct and flight-test two prototype Boeing SST models. Total development cost was estimated $1.5 billion, with $1.3-billion Government participation to be repaid from sale of approximately 300 aircraft capable of carrying 300 passengers each at maximum 1,800-mph speeds. (DOT Release 21069)
Modified test-pilot pressure suit delivered by ARC'S Dr. Alan Chambers, Hubert Vykukal, and Richard Gallant to Stanford Univ. Hospital saved life of Mrs. Mary Phillips, who was hemorrhaging uncontrollably after minor surgery. G-suit, worn by pilots to avoid blacking out during high-speed maneuvers, applied pressure to counter draining of blood from brain, and upper body. Fitted to Mrs. Phillips, suit arrested abdominal bleeding during 10-hr application. (NASA Release 69-168)
USA Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory helium-filled balloon was successfully launched from WSMR, carrying 70-lb scientific payload to measure ozone concentration, cosmic radiation, and atmospheric pressure, temperature, and density at 160,000-ft altitude. The 600-ft-tall, 1,700-lb balloon drifted to New Mexico where it released payload for recovery on ground. Data would be used for number of WSMR projects. (USAF PIO; UPI, W News, 9/24/69, 9)
Associated Press quoted Col. Edwin E. Aldrin (USAF, Ret.) as saying NASA had rejected his proposal to postpone Apollo 12 and run it in tandem with Apollo 13 so crews could protect or rescue each other in emergency. Aldrin was father of Apollo 11 Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr." and a NASA safety consultant. NASA Manned Space Flight Safety Director Jerome F. Lederer had called proposal impractical, "tremendously expensive, and I don't know if it could be done." Lederer had said there was no question that astronaut rescue capability from lunar surface or orbital emergency must be provided, but it was "out of the picture for Apollo." (Haughland, AP, W Star, 9/22/69, A4)
Federation Aeronautique Internationale posthumously awarded its highest honor-Gold Medal-to NASA test pilot Joseph A. Walker for "his many enduring contributions to the advancement of aviation made during a 21-year flight research career marked by extraordinary perfection and valor." Award was received by his widow at Edwards AFB Ceremony. As FRC chief research pilot, Walker had flown X-15 to its highest altitude, 354,200 ft (67 mi) ; was first man to fly LLRV astronaut training craft; was author of 20 technical papers and articles; and had taught Apollo 11 commander Neil A. Armstrong at FRC. (FRC Release 17-69)
MSFC announced award of $19,073,032 modification to IBM contract for fabrication, checkout, and delivery of 27 instrument units for Saturn 113 and Saturn V boosters. Modification revised delivery schedule, extended performance period 15 mos, and provided for assessment of certain MSFC engineering change requests. (MSFC Release 69-214)
FAA, Air Transport Assn." and manufacturers McDonnell Douglas Corp." Bendix Corp." and Wilcox-Sierra Div. of American Standard, Inc., successfully flight-tested three separate but compatible devices composing aircraft collision avoidance system (CAS) capable of issuing microsecond warning. Tests were held at Martin-Marietta Airport, Baltimore. CAS included cesium atomic clock so precise that watch of similar construction would lose only one second in 67 yrs. System operated like balloon around aircraft which, when penetrated by similarly equipped plane, provided pilots with command to make evasive maneuver. All aircraft would need system for it to be effective. Product of $12-million, 13-yr R&D, system could be operational by 1971. (Yarborough, W Star, 9/24/69, A7)
In Paris press conference Presidential Science Adviser, Dr. Lee A. Du-Bridge, and French Minister for Industrial and Scientific Development Francois X. Ortoli announced plans to increase flow of scientists and specialists between France and U.S. to broaden scientific and technical cooperation in wide areas, including nuclear research for peaceful purposes. (W Post, 9/24/69, A22)
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