Nov 3 1967
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CXC into orbit with 323-km (201-mi) apogee, 195-km (121-mi) perigee, 89.6-min period, and 65.6° inclination. Spacecraft reentered Nov. 11. (CSFC SSR, 11/15/67)
Agreement of Euratom countries with U.S. on a reasonable inspection system had removed "the biggest remaining obstacle" to eventual U.S. and U.S.S.R. agreement on a nuclear nonproliferation treaty [see Aug. 24], according to New York Times editorial. A green light had been given US. to resume negotiations with U.S.S.R. because principles put forth by five non-nuclear countries "are considered reasonable by the American negotiators and flexible enough to permit common language to be found with the Russians, if Moscow remains interested in completing the treaty." Editorial said Soviet compromise proposal in September had indicated willingness to let Euratom `inspection system continue, subject only to verification by International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. Soviet proposal had also implied that controls could center on flow of fissionable materials, to prevent diversion from peaceful to military uses. Soviets had aimed to check new plant designs to make sure the flow of fissionable material could not be concealed. Substantively, no big gap appeared between Soviet interpretation of its September proposal and Euratom countries' desires, although "even after the inspection dispute is resolved, complex issues raised by India and other nuclear-capable countries, including guarantees against nuclear blackmail, will need to be resolved." (NYT, 11/3/67, 42)
NASA announced that research at Ames Research Center indicated a probability of meteoroids' puncturing spacecraft at about six times greater than previous calculations. Tests which simulated meteor entry into atmosphere were conducted in AEC's Hypervelocity Planetary Gas Tunnel. ARC Director H. Julian Allen and assisting scientists Charles Shepard, Howard Stine, and Barrett Baldwin used melting or ablating tests on one stony meteorite and on samples of gabbro-common, meteor-like earth rock-at simulated speeds up to 35,000 mph. Tunnel tests showed that heat of entry into earth's atmosphere melted rock surface, boiled off interior water, and expanded gases occurring in rock. Expansion of exterior rock layer by 10 to 1,000 times converted exterior to foam and acted as a heat shield. Foam was 2 to 20 times less dense than the unheated rock; depending on entry conditions, foam would or would not break off. Past experience and theory had suggested that meteors were sand-like and would be remains of broken up comets; in addition, studies of meteor and comet trajectories had supported current theory that comets would be like "dirty snowballs" made mostly of ice, frozen ammonia, and methane with rock and sand additives. Opposed to these beliefs, ARC scientists speculated that many more meteors originated in the rocky asteroid belt and that much more solid rock would be contained in luminous clouds of comets. ARC could now prophesy the need for greater protection on long missions where the probability of meteoroid hit would be highest. (NASA Release 67-281)
GSFC announced award of $3.4-million contract to American Science and Engineering, Inc., for development of x-ray experiment package for first spacecraft in Small Astronomy satellite (SAS) , GSFC-managed program. Spacecraft SAS-A would map sources emitting x-rays outside solar system in collecting information on position, strength, and time variation of emissions. SAS program would also have satellites search for sources radiating in the gamma ray, UV, visible, and IR regions; its data should enable selection of the most interesting stellar sources for detailed study by more sophisticated spacecraft. Contract provided for three 140-lb experiment structures : structural and thermal test unit, prototype unit to serve also as flight backup, and flight unit. Johns Hopkins Univ.'s Applied Physics Laboratory would build spacecraft structure and systems, integrate and test total spacecraft before flight. Launch of 330-lb SAS-A was planned for 1970; four-stage Scout would place SAS-A in circular, equatorial orbit at 330-mi altitude. (GSFC Release G-54+67)
Early findings from Surveyor V , launched Sept. 8 and soft-landed on moon Sept. 10, were summarized in Science by JPL scientists Leonard D. Jaffe and Robert H. Steinbacher. The 18,006 TV pictures taken Sept. 11-24 included views of interior of crater in which Surveyor V landed, level surface surrounding crater, star and planet sightings for attitude reference, and solar-corona sequence after local sunset. Alpha-scattering instrument produced data on lunar surface chemical composition-oxygen, silicon, and aluminum identified in preliminary evaluation-and showed general chemical composition to be "similar to that of a silicate of a basaltic type." "Material of basaltic composition at the Surveyor V landing site implies that differentiation has occurred in the moon," which summary attributed to "internal sources of heat." Early findings were consistent with hypothesis that extensive volcanic flows have been responsible for flooding and filling the mare [sea] basins." Erosion experiment, spacecraft landing effects, and other observations indicated soil had significant amounts of fine-grained material and measurable cohesion. Surveyor V had provided first direct chemical analysis of lunar surface. Lunar magnet experiment produced results, that "are most similar to a terrestrial plateau basalt with no addition of free iron." (Science, 11/3/67,631-52)
Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara announced U.S.S.R.'s possible development of a Fractional Orbital Bombardment System [see Oct. 16]. While ICBM's followed a ballistic trajectory from launch to impact and had an apogee of 800 mi, FOBS, he said, was fired into a very low orbit, and before first orbit was completed, rocket engine would slow down payload and cause it to drop out of orbit-payload then following a reentry path like reentry of ICBM. He said that "we suspect [they] are pursuing the R&D of a FOBS . . . [and] it is conceivable that they could achieve an initial operational capability during 1968. Because of the low altitude of their orbits, some trajectories of a FOBS would avoid detection by some early warning radars . . . [and] impact point cannot be determined until ignition of the rocket engine [ deboosting payload]-roughly three minutes and 500 miles from the target. And the flight time can be as much as 10 minutes shorter than an ICBM." Accuracy of FOBS would be significantly less than that of ICBM and payload a fraction of that of ICBM, according to McNamara. FOBS' disadvantages had compelled DOD to decide that FOBS "would not improve our strategic offensive posture. . . while development of [FOBS] could be initiated at any time for relatively rapid deployment. . . .' Anticipating that early warning radars (including BMEWS) could not detect FOBS "because of the low altitude of [FOBS] orbits," McNamara said: ". . . already we are beginning to use operationally over-the-horizon radars which possess a greater capability of detecting FOBS than does BMEWS. These will give us more warning time &against a full-scale attack using FOBS missiles than BMEWS gives against a heavy ICBM launch." (Text, DOD Release 1060-67)
Communist-Chinese-oriented ABM system-deployment approved by DOD Sept. 18-was named the Sentinel System, according to Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara's announcement. L/G Alfred D. Starbird (USA) was named Army's System Manager for new system; currently Director, DCA, Starbird would assume new position Nov. 15,1967, and would be responsible for development and timely deployment in a three-pronged organization: Sentinel System Office, Washington, D.C., to be an element of C/Staffs Office, USA; Sentinel System Command, Huntsville, Ala., to develop, procure, and install new system; and Sentinel System Evaluation Agency (SSEA) at WSMR to provide independent evaluation, review, and testing. Existing Nike-X organization, under command of L/G Austin W. Betts (USA), Chief of R&D, would continue (separately from Sentinel System) to perform: R&D, design of equipment to be used for tests of the penetration capabilities of US. offensive missiles, and mission of protecting US. against large-scale attacks. (DOD Release 105947)
CNO Adm. Thomas H. Moorer officially denied news reports on F-111B program cancellation or drastic change: "The reports may have originated with a manufacturer's brochure received by the Navy." Brochure would have no "official standing," he said. Earlier in the day ABC and Metromedia News reported USN and Congressional sources saying cancellation was official. In Fort Worth, General Dynamics COT. President Frank W. Davis insisted the F-111 was meeting its objectives and even exceeding them in some cases. Navy's highest-ranking admirals had recommended cancellation of F-111B and recasting of major features in a more economic and agile swept-wing fighter, Richard Witkin reported in New York Times. Admirals' arguments were listed. Overweight aircraft would perform only one of its two planned missions-defense of fleet against air attack. Air-to-air and air-to-ground missions would be beyond capability of F-111B, and admirals had been convinced that an aircraft capable of all missions could be developed and delivered to the fleet by 1973. To arrive at aircraft they wanted, admirals would scrap wings and fuselage of F-111B; they would keep proven features, such as TF-30 engines, Phoenix air-to-air missiles, advanced radar and electronic gear-new aircraft weighing 52,000 lbs compared with F-111B's 75,000 lbs and costing $4-6 million compared with $8-10 million. Navy's limited budget could not stand the soaring costs (in the light of technical troubles delaying F-111B's delivery on schedule) , while potential enemy's development of better aircraft called for competitive U.S. development. An aircraft that would keep weight down to 52,000 lbs and exploit the swept-wing and engine features of F-111B had been proposed by McDonnell Douglas Corp. and Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp.; their promised delivery to the Navy would be less than two years behind that for F-111B, which was three years behind schedule, Witkin reported. (DOD Release 1062-67; Witkin, NYT, 11/4/67,1; AP, W Post, 11/4/67, A10)
At Huntsville, Ala., formal dedication of Toftoy Hall, named for the late M/G Holger N. Toftoy (USA, Ret.), US. missile pioneer who died Apr. 19, was made by Mrs. Hazel Toftoy, MSFC Director Wernher von Braun, and Army Missile Command Commander M/G Charles W. Eifler (USA). Toftoy Hall would house Missile Components Dept. of the Army Missile and Munitions Center and School. (Marshall Star, 11/1/67, 1)
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