Mar 5 1976
From The Space Library
First microwave observations of carbon monoxide in the upper atmospheres of earth, Venus, and Mars were reported by a team of scientists at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Pasadena. Establishment of carbon monoxide as a common component of the upper atmospheres of the planets should lead to a better understanding of the delicate balances in earth's atmosphere, said Dr. Joe W. Waters, who headed the team. Carbon monoxide at lower altitudes on Venus and Mars, as well as on earth, had previously been measured by infrared techniques that had also detected co on Jupiter last year, according to JPL's Dr. Reinhold Beer. JPL microwave observations used a radiotelescope at Aerospace Corp.'s electronic research laboratory to detect the carbon-monoxide absorption frequency at high altitudes, well above the smog layer over Los Angeles; calculations indicated that the same technique could measure CO in the upper atmospheres of the other planets. The Mars experiment used the larger radiotelescope at Kitt Peak, Ariz., to record the identifying signal. CO occurred in 20 parts per million at 80 km altitude on earth, and about 1000 parts per million at 100 km above Venus; the Mars readings were still being analyzed, (NASA Release 76-40)
Simultaneous measurement of ocean-surface conditions from an aircraft and from an altimeter on NASA's Geos 3 satellite 840 km above the surface was the mission of a NASA-Navy team just back from a month's expedition to Newfoundland. Correlation of aircraft data on actual surface conditions with remotely sensed data from Geos 3, launched 9 April 1975, would demonstrate satellite capability of making accurate and rapid sea-state measurements. Newfoundland was chosen for the experiments because it exhibited a wide range of climatic and oceanographic conditions within a relatively short time period. Measurements taken were sea ice, sea state, surface-wind field, and determination of atmospheric refractivity. Each pass of the satellite-8 to 10 times a day would produce 10 to 15 min of data relayed to Goddard Space Flight Center via tracking stations at Bermuda, Madrid, or Winkfield, England.
Satellite observations plotted for the North Atlantic would be compared with aircraft data and with daily Navy-NOAA forecast maps. The team consisted of 8 persons from the Naval Research Laboratory and 11 representatives of Wallops Flight Center and Lockheed contractors. (NASA Release 76-39; WFC Release 76-2)
NASA selected Grumman Aerospace Corp. and McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Corp. to negotiate fixed-price contracts for parallel systems analyses of concepts for space stations in low- and synchronous-altitude earth orbits, including orbit-to-orbit transportation. The 2 studies, each to last 18 mo and cost about $700 000, would be managed by MSFC for Grumman and by JSC for McDonnell Douglas; the work would begin 1 Apr. The studies would define an operational base in space to serve as a space laboratory, of modular construction with potential for growth over the years. Proposals were also received from Rockwell International Space Div. and Boeing Aerospace Co. (NASA Release 76-41; JSC Release 76-19; MSFC Release 76-50)
The Dept. of Defense announced its first successful powered flight test of a bomber-launched cruise missile, prototype of a weapon the USSR had sought to curb in strategic arms talks. The Boeing-made missile, basically a pilotless jet drone resembling a small plane with airbreathing engines, could carry nuclear warheads at low altitudes to evade detection by enemy radar. The successful test, in which the robot-like craft was launched from a B-52 at an altitude of about 3 km and flew for 11 min. over the White Sands range, was viewed as a step in final development of a highly strategic weapon for the U.S. Control of cruise missiles-both air- and submarine-launched types-had been a major issue in negotiations with the USSR. The Air Force missile just tested would be an aid to bomber penetration of enemy defenses, whereas the Navy's cruise missile would be a tactical type for use against enemy ships rather than a strategic type aimed at land targets. The first test scheduled for 26 Feb. had been canceled because of problems with the B-52's airconditioning unit. Later tests would try out the programmed guidance system. (W Post, 6 Mar 76, A-12; W Star, 6 Mar 76, A-2; B Sun, 6 Mar 76, A-1; NYT, 6 Mar 76, 18)
A new device called an ultrasonic bolt-stress monitor-using ultrasonics to measure stress on a bolt-had been developed by LaRC physicist Joseph S. Heyman, the Langley Researcher announced, and would be submitted to Industrial Research magazine as a candidate for selection among the 100 most significant new products developed during the year. The bolt-stress monitor would replace equipment now in use to monitor a multitude of bolts in a facility or apiece of equipment, as it would detect a 1-psi change in 50 000 psi in measuring stress. Heyman had invented a continuous-wave ultrasonic microemboli monitor, used to observe blood circulating outside the body during surgery and detect larger than normal particles, that was selected by the magazine as an IR 100 winner in 1974. (Langley Researcher, 5 Mar 76, 3)
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 2829 30 31
