May 5 1968
From The Space Library
U.K.'s Ariel III, launched by NASA from ETR May 5, 1967, completed successful year in orbit. It has traveled around earth 5,500 times and transmitted more than 400 million bits of usable data on upper atmosphere. All five experiments were still working well. (InteraviaAirLetter, 6/11/68, 9)
Two prototypes of 20-ton DO 31 VTOL transport aircraft, capable of carrying 40 fully equipped servicemen or 80 civilian passengers, made first public appearance at Hanover Air Show, West Germany. Using combination of vectored-thrust turbofans and pods of lift engines, jet transport rose vertically and changed in air to horizontal flight in first public demonstrations. Built by Dornier Works, Munich, at $50-million cost, prototypes were financed by West German Defense Ministry, which now saw no requirement for transport. Financing would be withdrawn at close of 1968, with five years required for completion of production design. Thus far no civilian interest in production had been shown. (NYT, 5/7/68, 95)
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