Apr 29 1971
From The Space Library
USN TF-8A jet aircraft with NASA's supercritical wing, piloted by test pilot Thomas C. McMurtry, successfully completed sixth flight from FRC. Purposes of flight-to explore flutter boundary and evaluate stability and control characteristics-were achieved. Aircraft reached 12 000-m (40 000-ft) altitude and mach 0.95. (NASA Proj Off)
Aerobee 170 sounding rocket was launched by NASA from WSMR carrying Lockheed Aircraft Corp. and GSFC experiment to study solar x-ray emissions. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (SR list)
NASA announced selection of Boeing Co. to build Mariner Venus- Mercury '73 spacecraft-first to explore two planets on single mission. Boeing, one of four companies that had submitted proposals, submitted estimated cost of $47 million, with award fee based on performance. (NASA Release 71-81)
Major Soviet space station project included "powerful new launch vehicle in the class of America's Saturn 5," Kenneth W. Gatland said in New Scientist and Science Journal article. Prototype had been destroyed by fire in 1969 while undergoing static test on launch pad at Baikonur, he reported. (New Sci & Sci J, 4/29/71, 256-7)
Change in name of Fairchild Hiller Corp. to Fairchild Industries, Inc., was approved by stockholders at annual meeting in Germantown, Md. (W Post, 4/29/71, Bll)
April 29-30: Geology field trip and lunar EVA practice session using Lunar Roving Vehicle simulator was conducted at China Lake, Calif., by Apollo 15 prime and backup commanders and LM pilots. Astronauts would use LRV to explore moon's Sea of Rains during July lunar landing mission. (NASA Special Release; W Star, 4/30/71, A9)
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