Aug 19 1974
From The Space Library
The prototype Mini-Sniffer, a small 55-kg radio-controlled air-craft equipped to test pollution in the upper atmosphere, made the first of a series of eight flights from Flight Research Center. The vehicle, powered by a 9-kw gasoline engine, maintained an altitude of 15-30 m and performed well at 55-87 km per hr. The purpose of the flight was to test airworthiness at lower altitudes and speeds. Another series of flights would check out the auto-pilot system at low altitude and then the air-craft would be taken to 6100 in, using radar and a long-range radio-control system. The Mini-Sniffer would eventually be fitted with an 11-kw engine which would carry it up to 21 000 m. (FRC X-Press, 2 Aug 74, 30 Aug 74; FRC proj off, interview, 24 July 75)
Naval Weapons Center scientists had discovered that nitrogen lasers could be used to locate downed flyers, Aviation Week & Space Technology reported. The sea dye marker routinely included in Navy life vests and rafts was found to fluoresce when illuminated by a nitrogen laser from an aircraft. (Av Wk, 19 Aug 74, 47; Sullivan, NYT, 14 Sept 74, 26)
19-29 August: The backup command and service module, launch escape system, and Saturn IB 1st stage in the Apollo Soyuz Test Project were subjected to simulated lightning strikes at Kennedy Space Center to determine effects of lightning during launch preparations. Test results would be used in shuttle planning; the shuttle would not be surrounded by a protective mobile service structure on the launch pad. (KSC PIO, interview, 17 June 75; Spaceport News, 6 Sept 74)
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