Feb 19 1974
From The Space Library
NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight Dale D. Myers testified on the manned space program before the House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight during FY 1975 authorization hearings. Myers said NASA's ability to hold close to the original cost target for the space shuttle in spite of schedule adjustments in the last two years was "due to bringing on our contractors below our cost estimates" and the ability of the management structure to remain dynamic and react to changes and "surprise problems." He was confident that the average-cost-per-flight commitment of $10.5 million in 1971 dollars would be maintained. However, resolution of the protested selection of Thiokol Corp. for the solid-fueled rocket motor contract was necessary before work on the motor could begin; "a timely start of this . . . activity is very important to orderly progress in the shuttle development schedule."
In the Apollo Soyuz Test Project, the ASTP spacecraft was to be delivered to Kennedy Space Center in the fall, joint docking system qualification testing and preflight docking system compatibility tests were to be completed during the winter, experiment hardware was to be qualified by early spring, and flight readiness activities were to be completed by spring, leading to the July launch. NASA had allocated $13 million for experiments for ASTP. More than 140 proposals from the scientific community had been evaluated by eminent scientists and medical doctors. The final, "first-rate" experiment package had been given final approval by the Administrator.
Following ASTP, two Saturn Vs, two Saturn IBs, one complete and one partially complete command and service module, the unused Skylab backup Workshop cluster, and one ASTP docking module and system would remain unused. Acquisition cost of the hardware was $870 million. With the conclusion of the programs, the hardware would be stored. Total storage costs per year would be $100 000. After FY 1975, disposition of the hardware would have to be considered. (Transcript)
A nine-month, $321 394 study contract to provide NASA with engineering concepts, requirements, and design trade-offs for a zero-gravity atmospheric-cloud-physics-experiment laboratory to fly on the space shuttle had been awarded to McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co., Marshall Space Flight Center announced. The proposed laboratory would permit study of "trigger" actions in clouds, such as the formation of ice crystals or water droplets, electrical charges on droplets, and water-droplet-ice-crystal interactions to aid in the ultimate control and modification of hazardous weather conditions. The laboratory could be reused on at least 20 Spacelab missions. ( MSFC Release 74-27; MSFC PAO)
Jean-Pierre Causse, Head of the European Space Research Organization's Spacelab Program, announced his resignation effective in early April. He would join the French company Saint-Gobain-Pont-A-Mousson as Director of Research. (Spacelab Newsletter, 74-2; NASA prog off, inter-view)
Communications Satellite Corp. reported 1973 earnings of $36 299 000, equal to $3.63 per share, an increase from $24 967 000, or $2.50 per share, for 1972. Net operating income for 1973 totaled $29 424 000 and revenues $119 291 000, up from income of $21 428 000 and revenues of $105 965 000 for 1972. Leased full-time half circuits had totaled 3583 on 31 Dec. 1973, 21% more than the 2971 at the end of 1972. (ComSatCorp Release 74-11)
19 February-1 March: The U.S.S.R. launched a series of test missiles into the north Pacific Ocean, the tests coinciding with resumption of the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks in Geneva. Pentagon spokesman Jerry W. Friedheim said an SSX-18 carrying several multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) was launched from Tyuratam 19 Feb., and the press reported 5550-km flight tests of the SSX-19 and SSX-16 missiles were made before the conclusion of the tests. (Tass, FBIS-Sov, 19 Feb 74, V1; 1 March 74, V7; Hoffman, W Post, 21 Feb 74 A3)
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