Dec 3 1968
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLVII into orbit with 438-km (272.2-mi) apogee, 269-km (167.2-mi) perigee, 91.6-min period, and 70.9° inclination. Satellite reentered March 5, 1969. (AP, B Sun, 12/4/68; Reuters, C Trib, 12/4/68; GSFC SSR, 12/15/68; 3/15/69)
XB-70A experimental supersonic bomber, piloted by NASA test pilots Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., and Donald L. Mallick, reached mach 1.64 and 39,400-ft altitude during 1-hr 58-min flight from Edwards AFB to test exiter vane integrated loads and frequency and handling qualities. All primary objectives were accomplished, although cabin pressure problem necessitated manual operation of system. (XB-70 Proj Off)
President Johnson proclaimed Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Space Objects in effect with deposit in three capitals of instruments of ratification by U.S., U.S.S.R., and U.K. Ireland and Nepal had previously ratified treaty, which had been signed by 75 countries. Proclamation noted new agreement was essentially humanitarian. Its provisions "carry forward the goals of international cooperation to which the United States has been dedicated since enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 and to which the United States renewed its commitment in the outer space treaty of 1967." (PD, 12/9/68, 1658; AP, NYT, 12/5/68, 13; NASA Off of General Council)
President-elect Richard M. Nixon named Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, retiring President of Cal Tech, as his Science Adviser and announced formation of task force under Dr. H. Guyford Stever, President of Carnegie-Mellon Univ., to make recommendations in general science field. Task force headed by Dr. Charles Townes, Nobel Prize winning physics professor at Univ. of California at Berkeley, would recommend in space field. Dr. DuBridge described as a "very critical matter" loss of momentum in U.S. space program because of appropriations cuts and said reducing activities in basic and applied research damaged nation's future. Later, National Science Board Chairman, Dr. Philip Handler of Duke Univ., said of Dr. DuBridge, "He has one rare attribute . . . wisdom, an unusual commodity. He is knowledgeable about the role of technology in our society and has a deep belief in the importance of fundamental research to the health and welfare of the country. And he is usually understanding of the problems of the private universities." Horner, W Star, 12/3/68; Cohn, W Post, 12/3/68, A7; SBD, 12/4/68, 141; W Star, 12/4/68, A13)
President Johnson presented Harmon International Aviator's Trophy to Maj. William J. Knight (USAF) for piloting X-15 rocket research aircraft to unofficial record speed of 4,520 mph (mach 6.70) Oct. 3, 1967. During White House ceremony President said, "What we learned from the X-15 program will enable us to improve on all our aircraft. The information gained from Major Knight's 'flying laboratory' will make the airplanes of the future safer, faster, and more efficient." (NASA PAO ; W Post, 12/4/68, A3; SBD, 12/5/68, 151; PD, 12/9/68, 1660)
Gen. Jacob E. Smart (USAF, Ret.), NASA Assistant Administrator for DOD and Interagency Affairs, addressed Armed Forces Management Assn. on NASA Interagency Coordination: ". . . I believe it would be appropriate for the President or the Congress to charge NASA with exercising the lead in a national R&D program that is designed to learn how and to what degree science, engineering, and technology can be applied to help the Departments of Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Navy, and others to fulfill their responsibilities for development and management of natural resources.. . National decision on whether we undertake development of operational space systems must await outcome of R&D. Issues will be more clearly identified and understood if the President and the Congress lend their interest and public support to a first class R&D program." (Text)
FAA adopted rule proposed Sept. 4 to limit number and type of aircraft operations at five "high-density" airports in New York, Washington, and Chicago and included supplemental carriers in same category as scheduled carriers. Final rule, effective April 27, 1969, dropped proposed requirement that all aircraft operating instrument flight rule (IFR) at high-density airports have minimum two-pilot crew and be able to maintain 150-knot minimum airspeed. (FAA Release 68-76; W Star, 12/3/68, Al; Eisen, W Post, 12/3/68, Al; Witkin, NYT, 12/4/68, 1)
Cal Tech said Mt. Wilson and Mt. Palomar observatories were keeping close watch for developing sunspots that might threaten Apollo 8 astronauts with dangerous x-ray radiation. (Reuters, W Post, 12/5/68, H9)
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