May 15 1968
From The Space Library
Dr. Edward C. Welsh, NASC Executive Secretary, told National Space Club in Washington, D.C., U.S.S.R. in 1968 had been surpassing its 1967 payload successes numerically and, "what is more significant . . . surpassing substantially the number of successful payloads launched this year by the United States. While our activity curve is moving down . . . theirs is headed up." U.S.S.R. had "orderly, persistent, and well planned space program, including a vigorous project for a manned landing on the lunar surface." U.S. had operational lead in communications, navigation, and meteorology but U.S.S.R. showed "considerable activity" in those fields. U.S. had been generally more successful in unmanned lunar and planetary performance, but U.S.S.R. was more active. (Text)
Fiftieth anniversary of U.S. Airmail Service was celebrated in Washington, D.C., with gathering at National Air and Space Museum of pioneer airmail pilots and presentation by Postmaster General W. Marvin Watson of commemorative 10-cent postage stamp. Watson observed that, from small beginning, "virtually all first class mail which can be effectively airlifted is now so moved and almost 80 per cent of all letter mail now travels by air." (Text; Lidman, NYT, 5/16/68, 30; Aerospace, Spring 68)
NASA Javelin sounding rocket launched from Churchill Research Range carried Univ. of Iowa experiment to 500-mi (805-km) altitude to observe frequency-time spectra and measure relative phase and amplitude of magnetic and electric fields of VLF radio noise in 30 hz-10 khz range; measure electric field amplitude of naturally occurring radio noise from 7-70 khz; measure differential energy spectra for protons and electrons over 5 ev-50 key energy range; and measure DC electric field perpendicular to payload spin axis. Rocket and instrument performance was satisfactory and all scientific objectives were met. (NASA Rpt SRL)
NASA announced that sinus condition that was aggravated by pressure changes and had not responded to treatment led to grounding-perhaps permanently-of Astronaut John S. Bull. Astronaut Robert A. R. Parker had suffered spine fracture during parachute training at Williams AFB, Ariz., but injuries were not thought to be serious. (AP, B Sun, 5/16/68, A3; W Star, 5/16/68; H Post, 5/16/68, 8)
NASA awarded North American Rockwell Corp. $2.575-million contract modification to continue Saturn V (S-II) "battleship" or ground test program at Santa Susana, Calif., test center through July. Modification increased total contract for S-II stage development testing and facility maintenance planning to $1.281 billion. (MSFC Release 68-109)
Walter "Papa" J. H. Riedel dies in Berlin at the age of 65 while visiting his home town. The last 20 years of his life were spent working at the Rocket Propulsion Establishment at Westcott in England.
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