Aug 26 1970
From The Space Library
USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by Thor-Agena booster into orbit with 503.7-km (313-mi) apogee; 484:4-km (301-mi) perigee, 94:4-min period, and 74.9° inclination. (Pies Rpt 71; GSFC SSR, 8/31/70)
NASA's X-24A lifting-body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry (USAF), completed 17th flight, reaching 13 700-m (45 000-ft) altitude and mach 0.75 after air launch from B-52 aircraft. Objectives of flight from FRC-to expand flight envelope to mach 1.1 and obtain additional stability and control data-were not realized because of igniter failure. Two unsuccessful post-launch attempts were made to start four igniters; on third attempt, two igniters were started and pilot followed alternate flight plan' based on two-chamber operation. Post-landing inspection revealed fire had caused minor damage to base of vehicle. Investigation would be conducted to determine source. (NASA Proj Off)
ATS Procurement Review Committee released report on selection of contractor for ATS-F and ATS-G, unanimously recommending that April 7 award to General Electric Co. be reversed in favor of Fair- child Hiller Corp. PRC did not believe that the difference in time that contracts had been submitted was significant or that a leak on cost figures had occurred from GSFC. It found "that Fairchild was superior in nearly all aspects of project organization and overall management. Their more highly projectized organization, the existence of a top-level steering committee, the experience of their key personnel, the proposed method of liaison and control of subcontractors, and their lower composite overhead rates were notable features...... PRC said Fairchild was "superior in the important areas of systems engineering and in several features of their subsystem designs" and demonstrated "a skillful integration of the several subsystems into an effective spacecraft design. . . . While GE was found to be superior in the areas of the electric power system and in antenna feed designs, several features of the Fairchild design. . .were considered to provide a greater assurance of mission success. . . .Taken altogether, the margin of superiority in both management and technical areas was in Fairchild's favor." (Text)
NASA announced it has reached agreement with Dept. of Interior's Bureau of Commercial Fisheries under which Bureau would conduct Marine Resources Assessment and Harvesting Program at MTF. NASA would provide technical and support services. (NASA Release 70-141)
Moon once had magnetic field six percent as strong as earth's, according to studies of Apollo moon rocks by Colorado Univ. geologist Dr. Edwin E. Larson and Univ. of Toronto scientists William Pierce and David Strangway, Denver. Post reported. Studies had revealed moon rocks had stable magnetization, Apollo 11 dust samples were 4'/a billion yrs old, and solidified crystalline rocks were 3'h billion yrs. Presence of nickel-iron in Apollo 11 rocks ;indicated that frequent meteoroid activity had fragmented them. Little or no free water or oxygen existed on moon. (D Post, 8/26/70)
Local 9 of American Federation of Technical Engineers, AFL-CIO affiliate, had filed suit in District Court in Washington, D.C., against NASA to compel space agency to fire contract employees before it fired civil service employees, Washington Post reported. Union attorney William Peer had said NASA fired civil service employees and then hired other workers through private contractors. NASA had denied that it had added private contract employees to payroll following Aug. 17 notice of dismissal issued to 51 civil service employees. (Latham, W Post, 8/26/70)
MSFC announced award of $1,932,440 contract modification to IBM for changes in ATM digital computers. (MSFC Release 70-166)
Apollo 11 Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Michael Collins attended unveiling of painting "Crew of Apollo 11" by Ronald Anderson of Dallas, Tex., at National Portrait Galley in Washington, D.C. Oil painting would be presented to Smithsonian Institution. (AP, W Star, 27/70, 134)
U.S.S.R. had made first tests of warheads on SS-11 ICBM, Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird reported at Washington, D.C., press conference. Laird also announced decision to establish all-service Blue Ribbon Action Commission to assist in implementing DOD decisions in response to recommendations of Blue Ribbon Defense Panel [see July 11. (Transcript)
NASA announced selection of General Dynamics Corp. Convair Div. for negotiations leading to eight- month, $250000, fixed-Price contract for design study for "versatile upper stage" (VUS), high-energy stage that would increase orbital capacity of current launch vehicles and could be used as expendable upper stage with Space Shuttle. (NASA Release 70-140)
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 31
