Dec 7 1967
From The Space Library
Javelin sounding rocket launched by NASA from Churchill Research Range reached 500-mi (805-km) altitude in GSFC-Southwest Center for Advanced Studies experiment to study "ionosphere-protonosphere transition region at L values beyond the plasma pause." Rocket and instrumentation, including a magnetic mass spectrometer, two Langmuir probes, a magnetometer, and a Lunar Aspect Sensor, performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL)
NASA reported that RAM C-1 spacecraft had met all mission objectives and officially classified the mission a success. Spacecraft was launched Oct. 19 to assess the effectiveness of water addition technique in alleviating spacecraft reentry blackout. Effects of water injection in reducing RF attenuation and blackout were observed during 50% of total VHF blackout period (approximately two thirds of total water-addition time). During last one-third of water injection period, no signal recovery was observed. NASA concluded that water addition was effective in reducing attenuation of the X-band signal down to 130,000-ft altitude and that reentry communications problem could be significantly reduced by utilization of higher transmission frequencies. (NASA Proj Off)
NASA established Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel to review safety studies and operations plans, report on them to the NASA Administrator and advise him of any hazard in facilities and proposed operations, and perform other duties. Panel of chairman, vice chairman, and seven other members would review, evaluate, and advise on all elements of NASA's safety program. (NMI-1156.14)
GSFC scientist Dr. Norman F. Ness reported new findings on moon's nature and environment. Data obtained from Explorer XXXV in lunar orbit indicated that: (1) no supersonic shock front preceded moon to impede flow of solar wind toward the lunar surface; (2) a sizable empty cavity or solar wind void existed behind the moon away from the sun; (3) moon had practically no magnetic field, and therefore no complex magnetosphere, surrounding radiation belts, or lunar ionosphere; and (4) moon's average electrical conductivity was low (under 1,800° F) . Findings did not appear to create any additional hazards to Apollo manned lunar landing program. Explorer XXXV, launched into lunar orbit from ETR July 22, to study interaction of solar wind with the moon and investigate the lunar environment, was first satellite to orbit the moon without having a midcourse maneuver capability and the only operating satellite currently in lunar orbit. (NASA Release 67-295)
Four students from UCLA would spend 60 days in simulated space cabin at McDonnell Douglas Corp.'s Santa Monica, Calif., plant in early 1968 under $200,000 NASA contract for research in biotechnology and human factors. Test, which would take place in a closed system using recirculated water and oxygen, would be longest ever attempted with crew subsisting in long-duration flight conditions. Crew members, currently undergoing training for test, would have only radio contact with outside but would be under close observation by medical personnel at all times. (NASA Release 67-296)
Negotiations were initiated with McDonnell Douglas Corp. on a $21million contract for Improved Delta launch support services. Contract would cover 20 launchings from WTR and ETR during 21-mo period beginning Jan. l, 1968, and would provide for inspection, checkout, and actual launch. Negotiations were concluded with North American Rockwell Corp. on a $812-million, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for continuation of Apollo Command and Service Module Program from Dec. 4, 1966, through program completion. Contract covered engineering, design, manufacture, analysis, and testing for Apollo spacecraft and related equipment, including production of four additional spacecraft through S/C 115A; contained improved plans for quality, reliability, assurance, and safety; and provided for an award fee based on achievement of specified management objectives. (NASA Releases 67-298,67-2!39)
R/A Rawson Bennett II (USN, Ret.), former chief of naval research (1955-1961) and head of Project Vanguard, died at his home in Arlington, Va. (W Star, 12/9/67, A23)
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