May 6 1966
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched COSMOS CXVII carrying scientific instruments for continued study of outer space. Orbital parameters: apogee, 308 km. (191 mi.); perigee, 207 km. (129 mi.); period, 89.5 min.; inclination, 65°. Instruments were reportedly functioning normally. (Pravda, 5/7/66, USS-T Trans.)
NASA research pilot John B. McKay made successful emergency landing on Delamar Dry Lake, Nev., when engine of X-15 No. 1 aircraft shut down prematurely-probably because ammonia fuel pump ruptured-32 sec. after aircraft had been dropped from B-52 bomber at 45,000-ft. altitude. McKay escaped injury, and X-15 suffered only minor damage. (Edwards AFB Memorandum; X-15 Proj. Off.)
First of uprated J-2 rocket engines designed to power upper stages of Saturn I-B and Saturn V launch vehicles had been delivered to MSFC for static firing. NAA’s Rocketdyne Div. had increased engine’s maximum thrust to 230,000 lbs. by strengthening turbine wheels of turbopumps and modifying engine control system. (MSFC Release 66-91)
May 6: Dr. Athelstan F. Spilhaus, dean of Univ. of Minnesota Institute of Technology, received patent for an astronomical clock to keep track of the movements of the sun, moon, stars, and tides; provide a perpetual calendar; and show local and world time. Dr. Spilhaus said his clock could aid astronomers and navigators. (Jones, NYT, 5/7/66, 35)
NASA had selected Computer Sciences Corp. and General Electric Computer Div. for competitive negotiations leading to a one-year, $6-million, cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to provide support services to MSFC’s Computation Laboratory. (MSFC Release 66-96)
Two rocket engines which had key roles in US. space program-RL-10 and H-1 engines-were being given to Smithsonian Institution by MSFC for National Air Museum’s display on the history of rocketry. (MSFC Release 66-95)
May 6-7: Former Astronaut John H. Glenn attended annual meeting of the Transatlantic Council, Boy Scouts of America, in Garmisch, Germany, and participated in ceremonies marking German-American Friendship Week. While in Europe, Glenn, in his capacity as NASA consultant, would speak on U.S. space program to educational, scientific, and technical groups in Germany, England, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, France, and Switzerland. (NASA Release 66-100)
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