Dec 5 1977
From The Space Library
NASA announced that the Jet Propulsion Laboratory had negotiated contracts with 5 firms for enough silicon (photovoltaic) solar cells to supply a combined total of 190kw of power for use by the federal government. JPL would manage the contract for the Dept. of Energy (DOE), sponsor of the program to reduce the price of the cells below 50ยข per peak watt by the end of 1986, while raising production capability to 500,000kw annually. The DOE program, besides reducing costs, would study the use of solar-cell materials potentially less expensive than silicon crystals and of alternatives such as optical concentrators.
Firms receiving contracts were ARCO, 20kw, $321 950; Motorola, 50kw, $676 614; Sensor Technology, 40kw, $643 907; Solarex, 30kw, $559 454; and Solar Power, 50kw, $757 665. Panels of solar cells previously purchased under the program were powering an irrigation system in Nebr., a test system for residential use at MIT's Lincoln Laboratory in Mass., a dust-storm warning system in Ariz. [see May 23], automatic weather-reporting systems in 6 states, and other remote uses. (NASA Release 77-246)
NASA reported it had certified as fully operational the general aviation airfoil design and analysis center at Ohio State Univ. airport near Columbus. The center, established under a 3-yr LaRC contract with the university's aeronautical and astronautical research laboratory, would provide directly to aircraft designers and manufacturers, on a fee basis, services such as analysis and design of two-dimensional airfoil shapes, high-lift devices and aerodynamic controls, and technical assistance and consultation on airfoil wind tunnel and flight testing. (NASA Release 77-247)
NASA announced retirement effective Dec. 31 of Gerald M. Truszynski, associate administrator for space tracking and data systems, after 33yr of service to NASA and its predecessor, NACA. In 1944, he had begun working at NACA's Langley aeronautical laboratory as an engineer in instrument research and development, and had transferred 3yr later to the NACA station at Edwards, Calif., an instrument project engineer on the rocket-powered [[Bell X-1 rocket plane|X-1, first airplane to surpass the speed of sound. In 1954 he had become chief of the instrumentation division at Edwards, heading development and operation of systems for NACA's jet- and rocket-powered craft (X-1, X-2, D-558, and X-15) that pioneered supersonic and hypersonic flight.
At NASA Hq after 1960, Truszynski occupied his present position in 1968, succeeding from the post of deputy that he had held since its creation in 1961. He had been responsible for planning, development, and operation of global tracking systems, networks, and facilities for communications and for data acquisition and processing in all NASA's spaceflight programs. In 1969 he had received NASA's highest award (the distinguished service medal) twice, for support of Apollo manned flights to lunar orbit and of the first moon landing. Upon his departure, Norman Pozinski would be acting associate administrator. (NASA anno Nov 5/77; NASA Release 77-248)
The Natl. Space Club announced that Dr. John E. Naugle, appointed NASA chief scientist Nov. 8, would speak at its Dec. meeting and present awards to Washington-area high school students in American Univ.'s 19th summer research program. Or. Naugle had been NASA associate administrator since 1975 in charge of much of the agency's R&D work. (NSC newsletter Dec 77)
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