Oct 17 1967
From The Space Library
Maj. William J. Knight (USAF) flew X-15 No. 3 to 3,818 mph (mach 5.18) and 277,000-ft altitude, becoming fourth USAF X-15 pilot to meet 264,000-ft-minimum-altitude requirement for USAF astronaut rating. Purposes of flight: (1) ARC boost guidance system evaluation; (2) solar spectrum measurement; (3) micrometeoroid collection; and (4) ultraviolet plume and tip-pod camera evaluation. (X-15 Proj Off; FRC X-Press, 10/20/67,1)
The five-out-of-five successful missions of $200-million Lunar Orbiter project to photograph moon to aid in selecting Surveyor and Apollo landing sites and to contribute to scientific knowledge of moon were reviewed at NASA Hq. press conference. Photographic data provided by LUNAR ORBITER I, II, and III and SURVEYOR I resulted in selection of eight candidate sites. Lunar Orbiter IV provided basis for extending cartographic grid system for front-face mapping around to moon's hidden side by photographing eastern limb areas. Lunar Orbiter V photographed scientifically interesting areas on moon's front side, completed far side coverage, and provided supplementary photography of potential Apollo landing sites. Apollo Program Director, M/G Samuel C. Phillips, said that, when approaching on a pretty flat trajectory at about 30 miles from the landing site . . . details of the topography and the radar return which is coupled into the automatic control and landing system [must be known] ." In planning details of approach and landing maneuvers, Phillips said that "a very great deal" had been learned from Orbiter "about the rather unusual light conditions and the effect of light reflections from the lunar surface under various angles." Harold Masursky, USGS, explained Lunar Orbiter photographs showed that "apparently the earth and the Moon are very similar in their distribution of high and low ground." He hoped that "by examination and comparison of . . . geologic plot with the selenodetic information . . . [from] the Orbiter series, we will be able to plot the geopotential field . . . and tie it in with geology. . . . By studying the Moon we know that it has a long, complex geologic history, that many of the same kinds of things that happen on the earth happen on the Moon. We can now play these two against each other, compare their similarities, contrast their differences, and perhaps be able to arrive at a greater understanding of the fundamental processes that affect the earth." Strange moon features looking like watercourses might be dry-gulch arroyos, Harold Spradley said. Because watercourses had originated in volcanic craters and carried "fluidal materials," volcano's output possibly slurry of ash and water-would exist long enough to cut its way through dry lunar surface material. Scientists agreed that orthodox existence of water on "the airless moon" was improbable. Clifford Nelson, LaRC Lunar Orbiter Project Manager, described results of experiments: ". . . density distribution [very nearly homogeneous] in the moon now seems to be resolved . . . center of mass of the moon is displaced toward the earth from the center of its geometrical figure, a situation which would have interesting scientific implications as to the stability of the moon and its origin and history." Meteoroid penetration rate "in the region covered by Lunar Orbiter spacecraft is less than one-half the rate in the near earth environment. . . ." He said all 13 MSFN stations had successfully tracked and communicated with Lunar Orbiter, and "orbit determination programs . . . in the initial stages of checkout. . . will continue with Lunar Orbiter V.,' NASA Associate Administrator Dr. Homer E. Newell stressed overall significance of Lunar Orbiter program: "Before the first Lunar Orbiter mission this country had never placed spacecraft into orbit about any other celestial body other than the earth. In all five . . . missions, the spacecraft were not only placed into initial orbits as desired, but then the orbits were changed in accordance with a plan . . . set up beforehand, in . . . a precision type of operation. . . . Lunar Orbiter and its companion, Surveyor, have shown that we can use sophisticated technology in complicated spacecraft for automated missions to other bodies of the solar system. And it is this kind of capability that we will be using again and again as we continue the exploration of our solar system." (Transcript)
NASA's MARINER V would fly within 2,5130 mi of planet Venus at 1.34 pm EDT, Oct. 19, at communications (direct) distance of about 49 million mi from earth, NASA announced. Launched from ETR June 14, spacecraft would have traveled about 217 million mi in its arching trajectory. Scientists and engineers hoped their instruments would record precise data on planet's atmosphere, ionosphere, temperatures, and perhaps even surface qualities. As MARINER V approached Venus, its scientific instruments would begin measuring planet's magnetic field, charged particles, gases present in upper atmosphere, and radiation levels. Spacecraft's flight path would curve behind Venus and would vanish from view of tracking stations on earth. Just before spacecraft went behind planet (as seen from earth) its radio signals would pass through atmosphere of Venus. Effect of Venusian atmosphere on MARINER V's radio signals would be measured, thereby providing measure of density of planet's atmosphere. Current scientific theory on density ranged from five times earth's atmosphere to several hundred times. Density measurement by occultation was one of prime objectives of spacecraft's flight. Since launch of spacecraft, engineering and science subsystems had performed as planned. Master timer had commanded Canopus cone angle update as scheduled on Aug. 24, Sept. 10, Sept. 26, and Oct. 10; timer had also commanded spacecraft transmitter to switch to high-gain antenna on Oct. 2. Encounter sequence would be initiated by command from DSN station in Australia, at 10:49 pm EDT, Oct. 18. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Releases 67-260,67-267)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb reviewed NASA-university relations at dedication of Univ. of Illinois' Coordinated Science Laboratory building in Urbana, Ill.: "During NASA's first year of operation . . . [$3 million] was invested in research at universities. . . . The second year, approximately $6 million went to universities, and the third year about $14 million . . . [primarily for] solution of immediate problems. . . ." Appraisal of program in 1961 concluded the universities were already making significant contribution to the space program, but that with the right kind of help they could do more for themselves and for NASA. Expansion included support of research, construction of facilities, and establishment of graduate fellowships, until program reached peak in 1966 with 10,600 campus participants. Today, however, need was "to reduce expenditures for research, to preserve at minimum cost the essential strength needed for the future, and to increase the multidisciplinary flux that will magnify the values the nation can derive from the activities we can support." To find the best ways of reducing the program, he said, NASA had formed a "special task force to evaluate all our relationships with the academic community and to come up with specific recommendations as to least harmful methods we can use. There is no longer any doubt that NASA's university support programs will have to be redefined quite drastically in some areas." Since much of the program was funded in three one-year steps, this would help spread the impact over a longer time period. Ph. D. candidates now holding NASA grants would be able to obtain their degrees. Looking to the future, Webb urged the universities to think, reorganize, and work in interdisciplinary groupings. "The development of a few university teams working together across the traditional disciplines, combining the best efforts of technology, the social sciences and management capability which they have created and which make them the best available source of trusted information in our society can write a new chapter of history of problem solving in this nation." (Text)
FAA adopted new rule banning unauthorized aircraft from designated manned and unmanned spaceflight recovery areas to prevent interference with aircraft and pararescue personnel participating in recovery operations. Areas selected by NASA and DOD and effective dates would be published before launch in a Notice to Airmen. (FAA Release 67-78)
Progress in F-111B aircraft development was discussed by Assistant Secretary of Navy (R&D) Robert A. Frosch, at 1967 Electronics and Aerospace Systems Technical Convention, Washington, D.C.: ". . , we are convinced that in its primary air defense interceptor role the F-111B, equipped with the PHOENIX airborne missile control system, and firing multiple shots of the long-range PHOENIX air-to-air missile, represents the finest fleet air defense system available in the immediate future." He further stated: ". . . aircraft will probably not meet all of the initial specifications and the contractor will have to accept some responsibility for this lack. It is, of course, not unusual for a military aircraft that uses advanced state-of-the-art to fail to meet some of the specifications, the real question is whether it meets military needs." He added: ". . . we find that it meets our fleet air defense requirements better than any competing system available for study." (Text)
F-5 supersonic fighter aircraft manufactured by Northrop Co. could be sold to Latin American governments, Covey T. Oliver, Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, was reported to have told key members of Congress. Because of shortage of pilots, facilities, and financial resources, only five nations would be interested-Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Venezuela. Initial congressional reaction was reported favorable, the decision being displayed as no change in US. policy. State Dept. informants, however, conceded that recent reports of Peru's negotiations with France on purchase of 12 Mirage V jet fighters had a major effect in hastening DOD's and State Dept.'s action. (Welles, NYT, 10/18/67,1)
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