Oct 23 1974
From The Space Library
An eight-week series of joint tests on the actual flight docking system to be used in the Apollo Soyuz Test Project began in Moscow. Specialists from the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. confirmed that the docking units sealed hermetically. (ASTP Press Communique, JSC Release, 20 Dec 74; Moscow Domestic News Service, FBIS-Sov, 22 Nov 74, U2; 31 Dec 74, U4)
The satellite relay system planned for the July 1975 Apollo-Soyuz space mission was tested by Johnson Space Center and Goddard Space Flight Center communications engineers. Ats 6 Applications Technology Satellite (launched 30 May) and the Apollo S-band, steerable, high-gain antenna were tested together for the transmission of voice, television, and simulated telemetry data in preparation for the first spacecraft-to-satellite-to-ground routing employed in the manned space flight program. Signals were transmitted between JSC and the ground station in Rosman, N.C., via the Ats 6 in a simulation of mission conditions. (JSC Release 74-264; JSC Roundup, 8 Nov 74)
Detection of a "plasma mantle" by the European Space Research Organization's Heos 2 Highly Eccentric Orbit Satellite (launched by NASA 31 Jan 1972) was announced by West German space scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics in Munich. Scientists had become aware of the new belt of electrically charged particles circling the earth while assessing data collected by a specially developed "plasma analysator" in the satellite. The belt of particles emitted from the sun and trapped in the earth's magnetic field was said to be between 10 060 and 20 100 km thick. (B Sun, 24 Oct 74, A3; A & A 1972)
"The fact that fewer and fewer young people are entering the field of aeronautics" was endangering the U.S. aeronautical position, Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, said in a speech before the NASA-University Conference on Aeronautics at the Univ. of Kansas. The number of college students in junior classes in aerospace engineering had dropped 75% during 1968-1973, although civil aeronautics export business had in-creased fivefold in the past 10 yrs. Total civil and military aerospace exports were expected to reach $7 billion in 1974, with a "self-evident" importance to the U.S. balance of payments. U.S.-designed and produced transport aircraft formed 80% of the non-Communist world's transport fleets.
Because of the increasing system complexity, costs, foreign competition, and complex environmental and economic problems, it was "clear that the support of the research and technology critical to the future health of civil aeronautics will depend on heavier government involvement." NASA was "prepared to support a stronger aeronautics research and technology effort" and had organized a long-range study group to evaluate the "Out-look for Aeronautics" in the 1980-2000 period. A report was due in the summer of 1975.
Among possible technology goals, Dr. Fletcher was convinced that aircraft fuel savings of 50% within the next 20 yrs could be reached, through weight reductions by composite structures and fly-by-wire and active controls and through supercritical aerodynamics, advanced engine techniques, and operational methods. NASA would also give special attention to technology for alternative fuels, such as hydrogen. (Text)
The first of two C-130 transport aircraft with experimental boron-epoxy composite reinforced wing midsections was delivered to the Air Force to begin three years of tests. The joint NASA-USAF flight evaluation program was to demonstrate the fatigue resistance and weight reductions possible when the metal wing structures were reinforced with a composite of boron filaments embedded in an epoxy resin. Lockheed Aircraft Corp. would make periodic inspections and report to NASA and the Air Force. (NASA Release 74-290)
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