May 22 1970
From The Space Library
NASA's M2-F3 lifting-body vehicle, piloted by NASA test pilot William H. Dana, successfully completed captive flight from FRC to verify compatibility of B-52 aircraft, adapter, and vehicle; check out systems; and verify check list. (NASA Proj Off)
LRL Scientist Frederick J. Mitchell reported microorganism-Streptococcus mitis thought to have been accidentally deposited in Surveyor III camera before April 17, 1967, lunar launch had been re covered from inside camera after it was returned to earth by Apollo 12 crew in November 1969. Streptococcus mitis was common respiratory organism and had produced no disease on animal innoculation. Mitchell said microorganism was probably deposited on camera when camera's shroud was removed for repairs and then replaced. Procedures and high vacuum of space were thought to have been responsible for preservation of organism in lyophilized (freeze-dried) state during launch, 3-day moon journey, and 950-day stay in hostile lunar environment. Organism had been found after laboratory testing of camera parts at MSC. Investigators had predicted possibility of organisms surviving under such circumstances. (NASA Release 70-76)
NASA announced it had installed remote terminal for high-speed computer service in offices of House Committee on Science and Astronautics. RECON (remote console) system-linked to computer at NASA Scientific and Technical Information Facility in College Park, Md.-would permit Committee members to make literature search Of NASA's worldwide collection of scientific and technical documents. Pilot project initiated by Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, and Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.), Committee Chairman, would evaluate equipment over several months. Miller said it was first time agency of Executive Branch had been tied directly by computer to a committee of Congress. (NASA Releases 70-75, 68118)
MSFC announced selection of Grumman Aerospace Corp. and TRW Systems Group for negotiation of $250 000 fixed-price contracts for one-month definition and preliminary design studies of 10 000-kg (22 000-lb) High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAD), scheduled for launch in 1972. MSFC also announced award of three contracts for continuation of nuclear shuttle definition studies: $343 000 to McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. for completely modular concept with earth-to-orbit shuttle to transport modules for in-space assembly; $245000 to NR Space Div. for nuclear stage with 10-m (33-ft) diameter to be orbited by Saturn V and refueled by earth-to-orbit shuttle; and $282 000 to Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. for both types. (MSFC Releases 70-97, 70-98)
Selection of Boeing Co. for final negotiation of $4.5-million contract to modify de Havilland CV-7A Buffalo aircraft so that it could demonstrate augmentor wing, jet-flap concept, was announced by NASA. (NASA Release 70-77)
Lightning and new-generation aircraft were discussed in Science by Rice Univ. space scientist A. A. Few: "It has been estimated that there are approximately 500 lightning strikes per year to commercial jet airplanes operating in the United States alone. Most... are triggered by the aircraft, as was very true of the lightning flashes that occurred during the launch of Apollo 12. Because of the larger size of the new-generation aircraft. . .this lightning hazard will increase. If the new aircraft are permitted to fly under the same meteorological conditions that are considered allowable for present aircraft, the probability of the aircraft's being hit by lightning will be considerably increased." New aircraft would not be as safe as conventional aircraft in lightning strikes "because of their extensive use of more sophisticated hardware, which is more susceptible to damage from lightning." (Science, 5/22/70, 1011-2)
William M. Magruder, Director of DOT's Supersonic Transport Program, told Washington, D.C., press conference that he was satisfied with SST design, which would produce aircraft profitable for airline operators and Nation. With sale of 500 SSTs, U.S. Government would recover entire cost of its share of development program. Magruder produced letter from NASC Executive Secretary William A. Anders saying SST production was sound. (AP, W Star, 5/23/70, A2)
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