Apr 2 1970
From The Space Library
USAF's X-24A lifting-body vehicle piloted by NASA test pilot John A. Manke reached 18 300-m (60 000-ft) altitude and mach 0.85 during second powered flight after air launch from B-52 aircraft at 12 200-m (40 000-ft) altitude from FRC. Purpose of flight- 111th in X-24A series and first for a NASA pilot-was to obtain stability and control data. (NASA Proj Off)
Javelin sounding rocket, launched by NASA from Churchill Research Range, carried Univ. of California at Berkeley payload to 557-km (346-mi) altitude. Objectives were to observe auroral protons and electrons over energy spectrum from thermal levels to several hundred kilovolts; study electric fields and their relation to particle fluxes; study density, temperature, and motion of ionospheric plasma currents; and study alpha-particle and neutral fluxes in aurora. All experiments performed satisfactorily and excellent data were obtained. (NASA Rpt SRL)
Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI) certified establishment of two space flight records by U.S.S.R.'s Soyuz VI, VII, and VIII mission (Oct. 11-18, 1969). One was for group flight of two spacecraft, with five men logging 35 hrs 19 min 33 secs over 989 42-km (614 685.3-mi) distance. Second was for group flight of three spacecraft, with seven men for 4 hrs 24 min 29 secs over 123 425 km (76 692.6 mi). (SBD, 4/27/70, 268; FAI)
Ice breaker S.S. Manhattan left Newport News, Va., for Arctic Circle carrying experimental antenna, receiver, and decoder for NASA experiment in ranging and data transmission between vessel and orbiting ATS V. ERC scientist Richard M. Waetjen would test satellite's contact with ship at high latitudes of Arctic Circle through data transmission at teletype rates and obtain data on effects of Arctic weather, ocean surfaces, and reflections of signals from surrounding ice. NASA would use Mojave Ground Station in Barstow, Calif., to send signals to S.S. Manhattan through ATS V. (ERC Release 70-5)
Enrique G. Regueiro, who broadcast Apollo missions in Latin America, estimated his audience at 100 million out of total population of 190 million. At Washington, D.C., dinner party he said he felt "people in Latin America are more excited about these moon flights than the people of the' United States." (McCardle, W Post, 4/3/70, $3)
NASA announced selection of NAS for negotiation of $3.5-million, cost reimbursement contract to continue administration of NASA Resident Research Associateship Program. Contract would cover Sept. 1, 1969, through Aug. 31, 1971, during which maximum of 187 doctoral and postdoctoral researchers would work with experienced engineers. (NASA Release 70-51)
NR Space Div. had earned incentive award fees of $1006 080 and $643 200 under contracts for Apollo CSM and Saturn V 2nd stage (SII), NASA announced. Awards, determined by NASA Performance Evaluation Board, covered management performance during 1969. (NASA Release 70-52)
Reorganization of FAA engineering and development activities was announced by Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe. Move would place functions of FAA Aircraft Development Service in Systems Research and Development Service. National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center at Atlantic City, N.J., and National Airspace Systems Program Office would come under direction of Associate Administrator for Engineering and Development. (FAA Release T 70-17)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
