Dec 7 1971
From The Space Library
Retirement of Astronaut Richard F. Gordon, Jr., from NASA and USN, effective Jan. 1, 1972, was announced by NASA. Gordon, pilot of Gemini 11 (Sept. 12-15, 1966) and CM pilot for Apollo 12 (Nov. 14-24, 1969), would join John W. Mecom, Jr., organization in New Orleans, La. Retirement would reduce number of astronauts to 46. (NASA Release 71-243)
FRC announced award of $211260, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to LTV Aerospace Corp. for design and construction of side fairings for NASA's supercritical wing test aircraft, modified F-8 jet. Installation of side fairings would improve overall aircraft with area ruling, an aerodynamic design feature that would permit aircraft to fly more efficiently, and provide more desirable test environment for evaluating aerodynamic characteristics of supercritical wing near speed of sound. (FRC Release 29-71)
NASA award of two contracts for feasibility studies of pressure-fed engine for water-recoverable space shuttle booster was announced by MSFC. TRW Inc. would receive $400 000 and Aerojet-General Corp. $367 595, for studies ending Feb. 29, 1972. (MSFC Release 71-230)
Dr. James R. Schlesinger, AEC Chairman, announced major reorganization of AEC operating staff to "provide a coherent management structure and to improve program effectiveness." Major program areas-national security, energy and development, research, and production-would be directed by assistant general managers. New Div. of Con-trolled Thermonuclear Research would deal with development of fusion as new energy source. New position of Assistant General Manager for Environment and Safety would increase emphasis on environmental matters and safety research. New Div. of International Security Affairs and Div. of Applied Technology were being established. (AEC Release 0- 258)
RAND Corp. specialists Robert L. Perry and Arthur J. Alexander testified before Senate Committee on Armed Services that France, Sweden, U.K., and U.S.S.R. had been turning out excellent fighter aircraft for fraction of what U.S. paid in money and manpower. Cost difference was largely due to simpler design, strict "fly before you buy" policy, and reliance on small teams of experts rather than on huge number of men and machines. Perry said government offices monitoring development of new aircraft in France, Sweden, and U.K. rarely contained more than 30 specialists. In U.S., figure was normally five times that. Within European countries developing aircraft, skilled workers committed to program rarely exceeded 700. In U.S. "from two to ten times as many comparable specialists are employed," Perry said. (Getler, W Post, 12/8/71, A25)
U.K. and French governments agreed on undisclosed pricing policy for Anglo-French supersonic transport Concorde. New York Times later said policy favored 16 airlines that had taken options on 74 Concordes. (Giniger, NYT, 12/8/71, 5)
AFSC announced development of optical aimpoint guidance (OPTAG) system, to enable bomb or missile to pinpoint specific target within large complex. System used a correlatron to compare previously made photos with actual scenery. By turning photographic and optical scenes into electronic images, system cued control fins to keep bomb or missile on course during flight. (AFSC Release 245.71)
December 7-9: Skylab multiple docking adapter Crew Compartment Fit and Function Review was held at Martin Marietta Corp. facility in Denver, Colo. Purpose of review was to familiarize astronauts with MDA equipment and storage requirements. (Marshall Star, 12/1/71, 2; MSFC PAO)
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