Mar 19 1970
From The Space Library
USAF's X-24A lifting-body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Gerauld R. Gentry (USAF), successfully completed first powered flight after air launch from B-52 aircraft at 12200-km (40000-ft) altitude. XLR-11 rocket engine burned 160 secs, boosting vehicle to 13 700-km (45 000-ft) altitude and mach 0.8 before it glided to landing on Rogers Dry Lake, Calif. Objective of flight, 10th in X-24A series, was to check operation of rocket propulsion system, stability and control system, and handling characteristics during-powered flight. (NASA Proj Off; AFFTC Release 70-3)
NASA launched series of three Nike-Apache sounding rockets from TERLS to measure positive ion composition in daytime equatorial D and E region and to measure variation of ion composition and density and electron density with altitude. Rockets and instruments functioned satisfactorily and data were expected to yield valuable information. (NASA Rpts SRL)
House Committee on Science and Astronautics favorably reported H.R. 16516, FY 1971 NASA authorization bill totaling $3.630 billion, as introduced March 17. (CR, 3/19/70, D262; H Rpt 91-929)
Apollo 11 commander Neil A. Armstrong was one of 10 persons named to receive National Civil Service League's 15th annual career service awards. Each honoree would receive $1000, inscribed watch, and citation at banquet May 8. (W Star, 3/19/70, A2)
MSFC was launching "low-key campaign to encourage almost 1000 of its federal civil servants to retire," Huntsville Times said. Move was "to get 'old timers' . . .to voluntarily move out of their jobs, making room for younger workers who conceivably could lose their jobs in the space agency's belt-tightening." (Huntsville Times, 3/19/ 70)
Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., Secretary of the Air Force, had told closed session of House Armed Services Committee that USAF planned "continued rapid retrenchment" to lowest expenditure level since Korean War buildup, Washington Daily News reported. Planned purchase of 390 aircraft was "smallest number. : procured in any one year" in USAF history (as a separate service). (W News, 3/19/70, 20)
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