Sep 9 1969
From The Space Library
NASA's X-24 A lifting-body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry (USAF), reached mach 0.6 after air-launch from B-52 aircraft at 40,000-ft altitude over South Rogers Lake Bed, Calif. Purposes of unpowered flight, fourth in series, were to evaluate stability and control derivatives at upper flap positions, determine handling qualities, and obtain flow visualization motion pictures of tufts on vehicle's aft portion. (NASA Proj Off)
Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket, launched by NASA from WSMR with VAM-20 booster, carried Cornell Univ. payload to 97.8-mi (157.4-km) altitude to examine sky in far infrared (5 mu -1,600 mu), using copper-doped-germanium, two gallium-doped-germanium, and indium. antimonide detectors. Loss of residual helium at 162 secs disabled attitude-control system. Timing failed in experimental payload and no useful scientific data were obtained. Some useful engineering data were collected. (NASA Rpt SRL)
FRC announced award of $1.8-million NASA contract to North American Rockwell Corp, for construction of new supercritical aircraft wing. Wing, which utilized airfoil shape with flat top and rear edge curved downward, had been developed by Dr. Richard T. Whitcomb and tested at LaRC. Wind tunnel tests indicated new shape could allow highly efficient cruise flight at nearly 600 mph at 45,000-ft altitude. By increasing cruise speeds without increasing power, wing might significantly reduce operational cost of subsonic jet transport flights and allow faster travel, lower fuel consumption and costs, increased operational range, or increased payload. Wing would be mounted on modified Navy F-J fighter aircraft at FRC for flight testing. (FRC Releases 4-69, 15-69)
Former NASA Apollo Program Director, L/G Samuel C. Phillips (USAF), received Distinguished Service Medal from Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr." in Pentagon ceremonies. Award was for achievements with NASA from December 1964 to August 1969. Gen. Phillips had left NASA to become commander of USAF Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO) in Los Angeles. (AFJ, 9/27/69, 8)
At Apollo 11 splashdown party at Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. -attended by Apollo 11 astronauts and wives-NASA Administrator, Dr. Thomas O. Paine, announced new Apollo Achievement Award of lapel button and certificate. He presented awards to NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. Mueller ; former Apollo Program Director, L/G Samuel C. Phillips (USAF) ; and former Deputy Director of Apollo Program George H. Hage. (Beale, W Star, 9/10/69, Fl)
At first day ceremonies for commemorative moon landing stamp in Washington, D.C." Postmaster General Winton M. Blount presented Apollo 11 Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., and Michael Collins and NASA Administrator, Dr. Thomas O. Paine, with albums containing 32 stamps each. He said: "In the largest sense we pay tribute today to the spirit of man. We cannot separate the accomplishments of Apollo 11 from those of Vostok 1; we cannot separate the contributions of Michael Collins, or Edwin Aldrin or Neil Armstrong from those of Goddard and Einstein, Kepler and Newton, Copernicus and Galileo. We know this. And in the knowing again we find hope. For if men of all nations, together, can achieve dominion over the heavens, men of all nations, together, can achieve peace on earth for men for all time." Armstrong said astronauts had deferred cancellation of stamps until they were reunited in CM, July 22. They had then grasped canceler simultaneously and pressed it upon die-proof version of commemorative stamp affixed to unaddressed envelope. Cancellation date remained July 20, day of lunar landing. (PO Dept Release 135; Shandler, W Star, 9/10/69, A3)
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