Mar 26 1969
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Meteor I satellite from Plesetsk into orbit with 686-km (426.3-mi) apogee, 632-km (392.7-mi) perigee, 97.9-min period, and 81.1° inclination. Tass said satellite carried solar batteries and would obtain information about weather prospects. (GSFC SSR, 3/31/69; AP, NYT, 3/28/69, 5; Interavia, 11/69, 1751)
In NASA Hq. Apollo 9 awards ceremony Vice President Spiro T. Agnew, as NASC Chairman, presented NASA Distinguished Service Medals to Astronauts James A. McDivitt, David R. Scott, and Russell L. Schweickart for individual contributions to "the Nation's manned space flight program and the advancement of space technology" as participants in "this historic mission, the first manned flight involving the Command Module, Lunar Module, and extravehicular mobility unit." NASA Exceptional Service Medal went to Carroll H. Bolender, Manager for Lunar Module, Apollo Spacecraft Program Office, MSC, and Eugene F. Kranz, Apollo 9 Flight Director, Flight Control Div." MSC. NASA Public Service Award was presented to Llewellyn J. Evans, President of Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., LM manufacturer. (NASA Awards summary)
House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Advanced Research and Technology voted increase of $11.8 million over $818.8-million NASA request for research. (CR, 3/26/69, D233)
NASA reported experiments with yaw-damper system developed at FRC, consisting of small gyroscope, magnetic-clutch actuator, and electronics control assembly in package occupying 1/10 cu ft and weighing less than two pounds. It could cost as little as $200 and be installed on light general-aviation aircraft to control "dutch roll" or yawing. Commercial jet aircraft were equipped with advanced systems to eliminate yawing. (NASA Release 69-44)
Boeing Co.'s Vertol Div. was conducting wind-tunnel tests of $250,000 model of v/STOL aircraft with tilting wing and large cyclic-pitch propellers, New York Times said. Tests would provide data for advanced aircraft, including Light Intratheater Transport (LIT) for which USAF was funding studies. Tilt wing rotated from horizontal to vertical flight in takeoff or descent. Cyclic pitch would control pitch (nose-up-or-down movement) by acting on all four of aircraft's propellers simultaneously. According to Boeing engineers, cyclic pitch would eliminate need for horizontal tail rotor for pitch control in hovering and slow flight. Large propellers-26 ft in dia on full-sized aircraft-would reduce engine horsepower requirements. (NYT, 3/2/69, 93)
In Washington Post Thomas O'Toole said: ". . . man's flight to the moon and beyond could be the only means he has left of renewing his dwindling spirits. . . . The voyage of Apollo 8 around the moon last Christmas did more than any other single event last year to restore man's faith in himself-and that flight will pale beside an actual moon landing when it comes. . . . It could just be that when man walks the moon for the first time it will be felt round the world as such a triumph of the human heart that its beat shall go on for a million years." (W Post, 3/26/69, A27)
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