Mar 29 1967
From The Space Library
Pan American World Airways cargo jet aircraft approaching Wake Island participated in first public demonstration of a new data-link system for transmitting navigation data from aircraft to ground stations via an orbiting satellite. VHF signals beamed to NASA's ATS I satellite by first data-link system ever installed on a commercial aircraft and relayed to Mojave Desert antenna, reached Kennedy International Airport by telephone to fix aircraft's exact position. Experiment was part of a series using satellites to develop more reliable long-range communications and tracking contact with commercial aircraft on trans-oceanic flights. It was first test of aircraft antenna designed specially for transmitting satellite messages. Pan American officials predicted data-link system could be fully operational by late 1969 and could lead to instant automatic and continuous plotting of flights across vast ocean areas. (Wilford, NYT, 3/30/67,53)
A report expressing confidence in NASA's management of the Apollo program was released by House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on NASA Oversight. Report was prepared before Jan. 27 Apollo fire, but Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.) said the findings of the study were "essentially unchanged. . . . The public may look with confidence to the management, engineers, scientists and technicians of NASA and industry as the Apollo program progresses." Report praised the ability of the NASA-industry team to identify and solve the administrative, technical, and engineering problems "inherent in performing a program contributing major technological progress. . . ." It identified the major Apollo pacing items as the Saturn V 2nd stage, the Lunar Module (LM) for the Saturn I and V, and the Command and Service Module (CSM) for the Saturn I and V. "Any significant delays in attainment of flight capability of these items could affect both program schedule and cost adversely." Report said that an additional $300 million in NASA's FY 1967 budget would have provided: "(1) increased confidence in meeting unforeseen development problems when encountered; (2) Broader latitude in providing system alternatives when engineering difficulties are identified; and (3) an increased assurance of meeting the national goal of a lunar landing in this decade." (Text: Sehlstedt, B Sun. 3/20/67)
JPL had selected Avco-Space Systems Div. for negotiations on a six-month, $240,000 contract to study feasibility of launching a flyby spacecraft and atmospheric entry capsule to Venus in 1972. NASA had approved selection of the firm, which would head a team effort with Northrop Systems Laboratories. Study, expected to begin in May, would investigate all aspects of launching by an Atlas-Centaur booster a Mariner-class spacecraft weighing about 1,200 lbs. Near Venus, 100-lb capsule system would separate from flyby portion of spacecraft and enter Venusian atmosphere to take direct measurements during descent to surface. Capsule would not be designed to survive impact on Venus. (NASA Release 67-72)
United Air Lines 720 jet aircraft dropped 8,000 ft in clear air turbulence near Cheyenne, Wyo., before pilot could bring aircraft under control for an unscheduled landing. One passenger was killed when he released his seat belt and reached for his month-old grandson; other passengers were slightly injured but no one was hospitalized. (UPI, NYT, 3/30/67, 41)
French President Charles de Gaulle launched France's first nuclear-powered submarine, Le Redoubtable. The 7,900-ton submarine, which would become fully operational in 1970, would carry 16 missiles that could be fired from submerged positions toward targets up to 1,800 mi away. (WSI, 3/30/67,1; UPI, W Star, 3/29/67,1)
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