March 1964
From The Space Library
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center received design recommendations for 24-man Large Orbital Research Laboratory (LORL) that could be operational by 1968-the six-month study conducted by Douglas Aircraft's Missile & Space Div. and IBM's Federal Systems Div. The cylindrical space station would operate under zero gravity conditions in a 260-mi.-high orbit. (Maloney, Houston Post, 3/21/64)
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center accepted the first of three new F-1 rocket engine test stands at NASA's engine test site at Edwards AFB, Calif. (M&R, 3/30/64, 17)
Article in Fortune magazine said: "The U.S. is spending a lot of money-but it is also getting a lot of results in technological breakthroughs, any one of Which would have been regarded as wondrous only a few years ago. The milestones passed since last summer indicate how fast the space program is now moving. . . . "The Soviet Union isn't going to collapse if it loses the race. If the U.S. loses, it isn't going to collapse either. For both countries, there are other goals in space that may yield rich rewards in both prestige and scientific advance. Meanwhile, NASA has much to be proud of. . . "The superiority of liquid hydrogen as a rocket fuel has been proved and the U.S. has definitely overcome the Soviet lead in big boosters." (Fortune, 3/64)
Results and new research of X-15 project were detailed in Astronautics & Aeronautics article by Thomas A. Toll, Chief of Research Div. NASA Flight Research Center, and Jack Fischel, head of FRC Manned Flight Control Branch. ". . In the area of aerodynamics, problems resulting from the heat generated by high-speed flight were of most concern to designers at the time of the X-15 feasibility studies. . . . "At the time thermodynamic design of the X-15 was first contemplated, it was thought likely that fairly extensive regions of laminar flow might be achieved in flight, thereby alleviating the problem of heat protection as it would exist for an all-turbulent condition. This reasoning was based largely on rocket-model and wind-tunnel results available at the time. These results indicated a stabilizing effect on the boundary layer at hypersonic speeds for low ratios of the surface temperature to the stagnation temperature. As the design of the airplane progressed, it became evident that the probability of obtaining laminar flow would be greatly reduced by the presence of unavoidable surface irregularities. As a basis for the aerodynamic heating design, a relatively low value of the transition Reynolds number (Rr=100,000) was therefore stipulated Flight results have generally confirmed this design approach, inasmuch as it has been found that at the lower altitudes, where the heating rates are highest, the boundary layer is largely turbulent, due primarily to the surface irregularities. Regions of laminar flow generally are limited to the immediate vicinity of the leading edges and are quite small. The conditions found to exist on the X-15 are consistent with results of refined wind-tunnel techniques now being used.. . "Maximum structural temperatures have been experienced during X-15 operation at high speeds and comparatively low altitudes, with accompanying normal-acceleration values much lower than those experienced during recovery from high altitudes. . . . "By way of assessing the [structural] failures experienced, there appear to have been no cases in which the structure deteriorated to such a degree as to seriously endanger the integrity of the airplane. It is entirely probable, however, that had a less-conservative design been followed the problems noted might have resulted in greater deterioration with more serious consequences. . . ." (A&A, 3/64, 20-28)
Martin-Denver revealed design concept of its Astrorocket, a proposed reusable aerospacecraft. Launched vertically, the vehicle would have two stages-both manned-equipped with auxiliary fan jets as well as rocket engines. After stage separation, first stage would re-enter atmosphere and land on airstrip like conventional airplane. Second stage, carrying payload, would also land at air base after completing mission. Astrorocket concept employed parallel staging rather than conventional bottom-to-top staging. Martin said advantages of the Astrorocket were its reusability and its capability to operate with existing air bases for space operations. (A-N-AF I &R, 3/7/64, 38)
FCC ruled AT&T must confine its use of channels in undersea cables to voice and related service, and leave the services of non-voice and combined voice/non-voice to smaller message companies. Although the decision applied to undersea cables, there was speculation that it could affect future commercial communications satellites. As one FCC aide said, "The rationale of the decision would seem to extend to any type of facility." (Denniston, Wash. Eve. Star, 3/20/64)
Brig. Gen. Joseph S. Bleymaier (SAF) was appointed to newly established position of Deputy Commander for Manned Systems, AFSC Space Systems Div. In this capacity he would be responsible for all aspects of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory program. (SBD, 3/13/64, 399; M&R, 3/23/64, 9)
“Footprints on the Moon” article appears in National Geographic Magazine
- March
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