Mar 6 1967
From The Space Library
Distance between earth and moon had been calculated at 250,000 mi with 20,500-mi variation by JPL scientists Dr. J. Derral Mulholland and William L. Sjogren. New lunar values, which had an accuracy of less than 50 ft compared to previous discrepancy of one mile, were calculated from theoretical work by astronomer Dr. W. J. Eckert from spaceflight data; verified by ranging measurements of LUNAR ORBITER I and II spacecraft; and used to revise a 50-yr table of lunar motion required for plotting spacecraft trajectories, determining launch times, and scientific research. (JPL Release 436)
Florida radio report that Apollo spacecraft 017 had so many manufacturing defects that NASA was returning it to North American Aviation, Inc.'s (NAA) Downey, Calif., plant was denied by NASA. HSC spokesman acknowledged that about 1,000 "squawks" had been found in spacecraft-40 of which would be corrected-but said that at the present time there was no indication it would be returned to NAA. Spacecraft was scheduled for unmanned suborbital flight in May. (W Star, 3/17/67, A4)
NASC Executive Secretary Dr. Edward C. Welsh stressed at AIAA meeting in Baltimore the importance of space exploration as a contributor to peace: ". . . space activities can be a substitute for aggression, a bridge to understanding between the nations, and a major tool of arms control and disarmament. Once man accepts the challenge of exploring the great universe around us, he can more readily rise above the terrifying grip of parochial hatreds and fears. Space exploration helps satisfy man's unquenchable thirst for knowledge-a basic characteristic which sets him apart from other creatures. Compared to the business of coercing and killing his own kind, the challenge posed by the prospect of crossing the established frontiers of the normal physical world is not only infinitely to be preferred, but its potential is limitless." (Text)
Advanced solid rocket motor capable of being fired or pulsed on command had been developed at the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory (AFRPL) by Lockheed Propulsion Co. under two-year, $2-million R&D program. Motor had been selected to power USAF's short-range attack missile (SRAM) (AFRPL Release)
DC-8 Super 63, world's largest commercial jet aircraft, was displayed by Douglas Aircraft Co. in Long Beach, Calif. Scheduled to fly within 30 days, aircraft had 187.4-ft-long fuselage, 1423.4-ft wingspan, 251-passenger seating capacity, and 4,600-mi range. (DAC Release 67-36)
Milwaukee Journal editorial on space law treaty signed Jan. 27: "What's left unsaid in the new space treaty may be as important to world peace as what the treaty says. The treaty . . . prohibits stationing nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction in space . . . [but] makes no reference to use of spacecraft for military reconnaissance. Spy satellites already in orbit can detect activity on earth in unbelieving detail. Even more sophisticated satellites are (being developed. . . . Ground inspection, a barrier to nuclear control agreements, is therefore less important and airplane reconnaissance, which has strained Soviet-American relations, is unnecessary. . . . Reconnaissance satellites orbiting above may thus reduce the chance of war below." (MI, 3/6/67,10)
Washington Evening Star commented on Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences' open hearing Feb. 27 on the Apollo fire: "The nation's space officials evidently have managed to keep their heads in the midst of the emotional chaos that followed the tragic accident at Cape Kennedy. They have resisted pressures from semi-informed sources condemning the pure oxygen environment that supported all Mercury and Gemini astronauts in space. And there is mounting evidence that the arbitrary 1970 goal for a manned lunar landing is no longer a major consideration in the space program . . . [and] that the space planners are determined that they will no longer be prompted to act because of any arbitrary timetable or out of a competitive desire to beat the Soviets to the moon, "This is as it should be. This nation should move outward into space with all deliberate speed. And right now, the emphasis should be heavy on that qualifying word.'`(W Star, 3/6/67, A l1 )
New York Univ. School of Engineering and Science announced establishment of a new chair in aerospace science endowed by $500,000 grant from the Vincent Astor Foundation. Dr. Antonio Ferri, Director of New York Univ.'s Guggenheim Aerospace Laboratories, was named to the chair. (NYT, 3/7/67,29)
Australia might agree to operate first joint tracking station with U.S.S.R. in Western Australia if US. approved, Newsweek speculated. US. currently operated three stations in Australia, and two more were under construction; U.S.S.R. had to maintain contact with its satellites via picket ships in the Pacific. (Newsweek, 3/6/67,18)
238,154 airmen certificates-a new annual record and a 32% increase over 1965 total-were issued by FAA in 1966. (FAA Release 67-18)
March 6-7: Merits of nuclear rocket propulsion were discussed by William Hines in series of two articles in Washington Evening Star: "If Congress approves the [[[Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application|NERVA]]] project . . . the nation's space horizons will be broadened considerably in the 1980's. Manned flights to Mars and Venus and unmanned missions to even more distant planets could be a reality 15 years hence." Although US. had not adopted a manned planetary landing program, Hines explained another advantage of a nuclear rocket-it could be used for continued exploration of the moon after first Apollo landings. "Using a non-nuclear Saturn V, astronauts are restricted to landing areas in a narrow strip along the moon's equator. A nuclear upper stage would permit a manned spacecraft to land anywhere on the surface of the moon." Other possible uses included manned flyby missions to Mars and Venus; unmanned flights of large payloads to Jupiter, Saturn, and Mercury, or within a few million miles of sun; and manned orbital flights to Mars and Venus. (Hines, W Star, 3/6/67,1; 3/7/67)
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
