Mar 5 1969
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. successfully launched two Cosmos satellites. Cosmos CCLXVIII, launched from Kapustin Yar, entered orbit with 2,161-km (1,342.8-mi) apogee, 211-km (131.1-mi) perigee, 109.1-min period, and 48.4° inclination and reentered May 9, 1970. Cosmos CCLXIX, launched from Plesetsk, entered orbit with 542-km (336.8-mi) apogee, 525-km (326.2-mi) perigee, 95.2-min period, and 74° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 3/15/69; 5/31/70; SBD, 3/7/69, 30)
President Nixon, at White House ceremony, presented National Space Club's Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophy to Apollo 8 astronauts and announced nomination of Acting Administrator, Dr. Thomas O. Paine, to be NASA Administrator. Astronaut James A. Lovell, Jr." accepted award for himself and Astronauts Frank Borman and William A. Anders. Citation: "In an epic journey man for the first time in December 1968 soared out of the earth gravitational field, flew unerringly into a close orbit of the moon, then back to a precise and safe landing. This historic voyage performed at times before the largest television audience in history, and open for coverage by the world's press, reflects the utmost credit on the United States Space Program, Congress, NASA, and thousands of companies and employees in industry representing all these, the courageous, competent crew of Apollo 8." Following award presentation, President announced Dr. Paine's appointment: "There has been a great deal of interest as to who would be the new head of NASA. . . . we have searched the country to find a man who could take this program and give it the leadership that it needs, as we move from one phase to another. This is an exciting period, and it requires the new leadership that a new man can provide. But after searching the whole country for somebody, perhaps outside of the program, we found . . . that the best man in the country was in the program." Dr. Paine in his response said: "I believe in the space program. I believe in this country, and I think that this country should indeed be the preeminent nation in space-faring, and ... I am sure that we can go ahead to . . . see that the NASA program in the second decade of space will even out-perform the accomplishments in the first." (PD, 3/10/69, 369-71)
At 12th annual Goddard Memorial Dinner in Washington, D.C." sponsored by National Space Club, Presidential Science Adviser, Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, said: ". . . we are witnessing another spectacular example of the utilization of scientific knowledge, accumulated by many generations of scientists, some famous and some obscure, who worked away in their laboratories trying to probe the secrets of nature. We have seen how once these secrets . . . have been revealed, engineering skills could be put to work. We see in our space program also an example of the reverse process. . . . New technological developments lead to new techniques and new instruments which . . . speed up our basic work in science and lead to new ways of uncovering new secrets of nature. Thus, during these past ten years the advance of science has been enormously aided by the advance of space technology." (CR, 3/12/69, 52755)
Astronautics Engineer Award was presented to NASA'S L/G Samuel C. Phillips (USAF) in absentia since Apollo 9 mission was still under way. Citation read: "For his personal direction of the Apollo Program throughout development and into the final phases of flight to the Moon dramatically illustrated by the two successful all-up flights of the Saturn V and the error-free flights of Apollo 7 and the extraordinary flight of Apollo 8 to the Moon and back. His engineering skill and leadership throughout the development and execution of this complex program have made possible an outstanding American success." Richard J. Allen of NASA Apollo Program Office Test Div. was awarded Hugh L. Dryden Memorial Fellowship presented to NASA employee adjudged "a deserving individual in disciplines applicable to science, astronautics and space administration." Mitchell R. Sharpe of Systems Safety and Manned Flight Awareness Office, MSFC, received certificate, trophy, and $500 award for winning entry in 1969 Robert H. Goddard Historical Essay competition. (His Development of the Lifesaving Rocket: A Study in 19th Century Technological Fallout was released by NASA June 10 as MSFC Historical Note 4. National Space Club Press Award "for penetrating, consistently informed and lucid writing on all phases of the national space program" was awarded Evert Clark, Washington science correspondent, Newsweek. North American Rockwell Corp. received Nelson P. Jackson Award "for its major contribution to the success of Apollo during 1968." (Program; MSFC Historical Note 4)
Dr. John E. Naugle, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, told House Committee on Science and Astronautics in testimony on NASA FY 1970 budget request: "We are moving toward a number of important milestones in the Space Applications Program, the most important of which is the Earth resources survey area, where we are requesting funds for the design and construction of a research satellite, Earth Resources Technology Satellite (ERTS). We think the ERTS Program will be a very valuable addition to mankind's tools for handling the natural and cultural resources of the world." FY 1970 OSSA program required $559 million in new obligational authority. Although increased over FY 1969, program was well below FY 1963 through 1967. Increases were in planetary and space applications program, with planetary increases primarily due to costs in FY 1970 of program authorized in FY 1969. In addition, NASA was proposing Planetary Explorer program and dual planet mission to Venus and Mercury for 1973. Space applications increase was for experimental ERTS satellite and prototype of operational Synchronous Meteorological Satellite (SMS). (Testimony)
Harold B. Finger, NASA Associate Administrator for Organization and Management, testifying on budget request before House Committee on Science and Astronautics, described employment restrictions under FY 1970 operating plan: In May 1968, NASA had restricted employment to avoid "large and disruptive" personnel reduction in FY 1969. "As a result . . . the on-board manpower complement is being reduced by 1,285 in Fiscal Year 1969 and 559 new positions are being established . . . [at GSFC for support service operations. From our highest civil service employment level of 34,126 in July 1967, the number of NASA'S permanent employees will have decreased by 2,526 to 31,600 at the end of Fiscal Year 1970. During this same period, 965 positions will have been established specifically to convert certain support service functions carried out under contract with industry to civil service operations. This results in an effective decrease in manpower of 3,491, with a reduction from our planned manpower of 4,374. We are planning all of these reductions in personnel by attrition. . . . This is becoming increasingly difficult since the rate of separation has slowed appreciably. . . . The overall separation rate during the current year is only about two-thirds of the rate for Fiscal Year 1968." (Testimony)
NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology Bruce T. Lundin, testifying on FY 1970 budget request, told House Committee on Science and Astronautics there was "a large opportunity to transfer the electronics technology developed for the space program to the problems of aeronautics, such as for collision avoidance and the development of all-weather capabilities." ERC was studying use of proximity-warning devices to avoid midair collisions and "possibilities of an aircraft-satellite link as a means of communication and precise navigation over water areas where present capabilities are limited. In the future, this method of navigation could provide precise position fixing in crowded domestic operations." Increased FY 1970 request for aeronautics research, $187 million, would fund program strengthening base of aeronautical advanced research, increasing technology base of short-haul transports, and increasing research and technology for aircraft noise abatement and safety. (Testimony)
FAA released forecast of aviation growth through 1980. Airline passenger traffic would more than triple by 1980, with 470 million passengers compared with 152.6 million in 1968. Average annual growth would be 10%, less than in recent years. Revenue passenger-miles flown would reach 379 billion, from 106.5 billion in 1968. More than 90% of 3,600 airline aircraft in use would be jets; in 1968, 50% of 2,452 airline aircraft were jets. General-aviation fleet would total 214,000 by 1980, up from 114,186 in FY 1968. Civil aircraft production would more than double FY 1968 total of 15,044, reaching 33,950. Air carrier transport aircraft production would decrease gradually from FY 1968 record of 625 to 250. (FAA Release 69-29)
Dr. James G. Harlow, President of West Virginia Univ., was sworn in as consultant to NASA Administrator-designate, Dr. Thomas O. Paine. He would serve on Management Advisory Council and had held similar position in 1961 and 1962. (NASA Release 69-39)
MSFC announced it had signed agreement with North American Rockwell Corp.'s Rocketdyne Div. for extension of J-2 engine production through April 30, 1970, at reduced rate of one engine per month instead of three. Engines would not be used as rapidly as originally planned because of overall extension of launch vehicle production schedule. Modifications amounted to $8,423,454. (MSFC Release 69-70)
North American Rockwell Corp.'s Space Div. had earned incentive award fees of $1,100,000 and $270,000 under NASA contracts for Apollo command and service modules and 2nd stage (S-II ) for Saturn V launch vehicle, NASA announced. Awards were determined by Performance Evaluation Board on basis of NAR's achievement of management objectives specified in contracts from Sept. 1, 1967, through Dec. 31, 1968, which encompassed S-II contract activities from Aug. 4, 1968, through Dec. 28, 1968-first of three time increments extending through completion of Apollo Program. (NASA Release 69-38)
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