Feb 24 1965
From The Space Library
Dr. Raymond L. Bisplinghoff, NASA Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology, told the House Committee on Science and Astronautics that "although space research, development, and operations have absorbed much of our resources within the past few years, the NASA has been and will continue to be dedicated to a strong program of aeronautical research keyed to the Nation's needs." He testified: ". . . The [aeronautics] program embraces the entire spectrum of flight from low speed private and V/STOL aircraft to hypersonic vehicles. I have already described ... our part in the evolution of the XV-5A and F-111 aircraft, in the evaluation of supersonic transport proposals, and in the solution of jet transport rough air problems. Looking ahead to FY 1966, we are requesting $42.2 million in Research and Development for aeronautics. This figure can be separated into two categories: one funds a broad and continuing effort in the scientific disciplines underlying advances in all areas of air transportation, civil and military; the other funds a more concentrated attack on specific advances in air transportation whose potential is identified by research in the various scientific disciplines... "Throughout the aeronautics program budget, provision has been made to support the direct requests of the Department of Defense and the Federal Aviation Agency. It can be pointed out that although the Research and Development request in FY 1966 for aeronautics is $42.2 million, we expect to spend a total sum of $106.2 million in this field. The difference is accounted for by Administrative Operations and Construction of Facilities funds as well as supporting research and technology directly applicable to aeronautics in fields such as electronics, human factors, basic research, and others. Approximately 1600 direct personnel will be engaged in aeronautical research in FY 1966...." (Testimony; NASA Auth. Hearings, 213-269)
In testimony before the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, George Friedl, Jr., NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Industry Affairs, said: "NASA spends about 93 percent of its dollars on contracts with industry, universities and private research organizations. These procurements during fiscal year 1964 amounted to $4.6 billion. Approximately 96 percent of this amount or $4.4 billion was awarded by our field installations in accordance with program and project research and development requirements. NASA contracts support our in-house research and development activities and establish our coupling With industry and the private scientific community. . . ." Reporting on contract administration, Mr. Fried testified: "The cost reimbursement contract has been the basic instrument for procuring research and development because the Government has had to risk the uncertainties and assume the high cost involved. No other type of contract provides the Government and the contractor the latitude and flexibility needed to relate scientific and technical requirements, schedules and use of resources to mission objectives. By adding incentive provisions pertaining to time, quality and cost to this type of contract, it is our intention to offset some of its deficiencies and strengthen the purpose of the Government-contractor relationship. "NASA has made a concerted effort to introduce suitable incentive arrangements in our cost reimbursement type contracts whenever practicable. In each case, the objective is to encourage the contractor to manage better and improve his performance; adhere to schedules; and hold down costs. "As a consequence of our incentive contracting drive, there has been a marked increase in this activity in the past 41/2 years. In fiscal year 1961 we had one contract worth about $100,000. By December 31, 1964, we had awarded 75 contracts with a target value of over $751 million, 7 of these have been completed leaving 68 contracts totalling over $724 million currently being administered. ... "In view of the undesirable features of letter contracts, NASA Headquarters began a concerted effort, early in 1963, to curtail the issuance of new letter contracts and to assure the timely definitization of all outstanding letter contracts. Headquarters issued instructions to all centers directing program and project managers to plan ahead and allow adequate lead time for the initial negotiation of definitive con- tracts. . . . At the end of January only 3 letter contracts having a total value of $4 million were outstanding. We expect that these contracts will be definitized in March 1965," Mr. Friedl said that NASA had "structured a sound practicable managerial technique to direct the planning, approval and execution of . . . future programs. We believe that adoption of what we have termed 'phased project planning' will materially assist us in achieving this goal. "Phased project planning represents an orderly sequential progression in the execution of NASA major projects. It provides for formulating proposed work goals and missions, and allows for decisions, reappraisal points for management consideration to advance or replan such proposals, as well as the resources to implement them. "Specifically, phased project planning provides for four distinct phases as follows: "Phase A Conceptual/Feasibility Phase . . . "Phase B Preliminary Definition Phase . . . "Phase C Final Definition . . . and Phase D Development /Operation. . . ." (Testimony; NASA Auth. Hearings, 269-88)
Canada's National Defence Research Council said it would negotiate an agreement with NASA for Canadian operation of the rocket launching range at Churchill, Manitoba. The announcement said such an agreement would open the way for a new partnership between the two countries in research. (NYT, 2/26/65, 13)
NASA Kennedy Space Center announced it had awarded three contracts for equipment used on launch complexes at both Cape Kennedy and Merritt Island Launch Area (MILA) . American Machine and Foundry Co. received $1,198,923 for umbilical devices that would provide fuel, liquid oxygen and air conditioning to the fin section of Saturn V's first stage. $745,601.15 was awarded Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical Sales for the fabrication of bulk electrical cable for Complex 39. Spaco Inc. received $596,356 to fabricate interconnect cables for joining terminal boards in the umbilical towers of Complexes 34, 37, and 39. (KSC Release 35-65)
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center awarded a $8,774,000 research and development contract modification to North American Aviation's Rocketdyne Div. for continued uprating of the H-1 rocket engine from 188,000 to 200,000 lbs. Uprated engines would be used in clusters of eight to provide a total thrust of 1.6 million lbs. in first stage of Saturn IB launch vehicle, Modification brought H-1 contract total to $20,648,500. (Marshall Star, 2/24/65, 6)
NASA had contracted with Collins Radio Co., Dallas (Tex.) Div., to procure Unified S-Band Telemetry Systems for three 85-ft, -diameter antennas in support of Project Apollo. Under the fixed-price type contract worth $2,740,000, Collins would install the three systems at antennas to be built at Goldstone, Calif,; Canberra, Australia; and Madrid, Spain. (NASA Release 65-63)
USAF abandoned the search in the Atlantic for the Project Asset glider launched Feb, 23. The 6-ft, spacecraft, which had just completed an otherwise successful 2,700-mi. experimental flight at 13,300 mph, was never sighted visually after impact in the Atlantic. The only guide was a weakening signal from its radio beacon that faded out yesterday afternoon. Although the glider had radioed valuable data, engineers had wanted to examine the skin of the spacecraft to determine the ability of its exotic metals and superalloys to withstand prolonged heat of reentry. (Wash. Post, 2/25/65; AP, Balt. Sun, 2/25/65)
The number of women earning more than $10,000 annually in scientific government jobs had increased dramatically from 1959 because of interest in space programs, Mrs. Catherine Dryden Hock, NASA systems engineer, informed the New York Section of Society of Women Engineers. Between 1959 and 1963, number of women in Government grades of GS-12 and above in computer fields rose 790% ; in mathematics and mathematical statistics, 137% ; and in physical sciences, 122%. NASA's engineering force was 3% women. (NASA Release 65-60)
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