Dec 16 1968
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLX into orbit with 39,576-km (24,591.3-mi) apogee, 511-km (317.5-mi) perigee, 712.3-min period, and 64.9° inclination. (AP, B Sun, 12/18/68, 10; SBD, 12/18/68, 211; GSFC SSR, 12/31/68)
NASA announced decision to terminate work on two Biosatellites scheduled for 21-day missions beginning in 1971. Contract with General Electric Co. Reentry Systems Div. would be revised to retain only work on two 30-day primate-experiment Biosatellites scheduled to begin in 1969. Funding for later missions had been reduced and efficient planning made more difficult. Possibilities for experiments with greater flexibility in early 1970s had been indicated by success of smaller satellites and by studies. (NASA Release 68-215)
FRC said two reports-one by Dr. Eldon E. Kordes, NASA Senior Staff Scientist, to American Society of Mechanical Engineers and one by Chief XB-70 Pilot for FRC, Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., to Flight Safety Foundation-indicated NASA-USAF XB-70 test program was providing valuable information for operation of large supersonic commercial and military aircraft. Results from XB-70's participation in national sonic boom research program had shown methods used to predict overpressure and extent of boom were generally adequate for aircraft of this size and speed under "standard day" conditions but indicated unusual weather conditions and other factors could affect these predictions. XB-70 program was attempting to define intensity of turbulence at higher altitudes. System to improve stability, lessen turbulence-induced accelerations, and improve passenger riding qualities while lengthening aircraft's fatigue life was being tested. New methods of presenting flight and engine information to pilot had evolved from XB-70 program, including digital form for more precise readout. Special warning systems prevented exceeding operating limits and attitude indicator with changeable sensitivity for smoother flight control had been evaluated. XB-70 flight had demonstrated need for further research in basic stability and control characteristics of its class of aircraft. Actual cross-country flight experience had been gained with trip from Edwards AFB, Calif., to Carswell AFB, Tex., and return. Both reports emphasized that, although XB-70 was not passenger aircraft, it was similar in size and performance characteristics to proposed SSTs and was only operational aircraft approaching SST size and speed. (FRC Release 28-68)
Apollo 8 astronauts were pronounced in perfect health by NASA Director of Medical Operations, Dr. Charles A. Berry, after three-hour physical examination as countdown proceeded toward Dec. 21 launch for moon flight. "The crew is in real fine spirits," he added. (AP, B Sun, 12/17/68; AP, W Star, 12/17/68)
President Johnson proclaimed Dec. 17 Wright Brothers Day, commemorating aircraft flights made by Orville and Wilbur Wright 65 yr earlier: "Their first journey was shorter than the floor of the giant C-5 cargo ship that was test flown earlier this year. But those brief flights . . . on December 17, 1903, launched the air age. They changed mankind's way of life." (PD, 12/23/68, 1718-9; NYT, 12/17/68, 16)
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
