Feb 26 1968
From The Space Library
NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station ejected triethylborane (TEB) vapor trails during descent from 95.2-mi (153.5-km) altitude to study nighttime airglow and variations in wind structure, determine vertical profile of atomic oxygen with photometer, and measure electron energy distribution in normal nighttime ionosphere with Langmuir probe. Rocket and instrumentation performance was satisfactory. Launch, postponed Feb. 21 to check instrumentation for high voltage breakdown, was one of seven launches in series conducted for GCA Corp. under GSFC contract [see Feb. 21-22]. (NASA Rpt SRL)
NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, DART, Charles W. Harper, in statement before House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Advanced Research and Technology, explained NASA's increased emphasis on aeronautics. Air transportation "has grown to dominate the long range transportation systems" and "has created an industry of great importance to the economic strength of the nation," showing $850 million in export value in first 10 mo of 1967, more than any other product, according to Dept. of Commerce. NASA planned to direct major effort at providing noise suppression, increasing aerodynamic and propulsion efficiency and advanced avionics, while avoiding "major new airport complexes" by increasing development efforts for V/STOL aircraft. Harper presented FY 1969 aircraft technology budget: $91.3 million for R&D, $20.6 million for "other NASA support applicable to aeronautics," and $54.5 million for administrative operations (AO) (for both OART and DOD-DART). He said, "A large part of the most fundamental aeronautics research is carried out by NASA scientists using NASA facilities. . . . Without this continued support the foundation of the whole program is in jeopardy and the research supported by R&D funds is much less effective." (Testimony)
Research on concepts for high lift capability for STOL aircraft and special hover and speed requirements for VTOL aircraft would continue in FY 1969, NASA Director of Aeronautical Vehicles, OART, Albert J. Evans reported to House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Advanced Research and Technology Subcommittee. Aircraft noise program would pursue efforts to suppress noise by acoustic treatment of engine nacelles (with results expected from McDonnell Douglas Corp. and Boeing Aircraft Co. investigations by October 1969 and January 1970), by engine redesign (with construction of engine components in Quiet Research Engine Program initiated in FY 1969), and by operational techniques. Major NASA program in flight dynamics and propulsion in support of SST program would be continued. Phase III of Hypersonic Research Engine (HRE) program, test of HRE on X-15 in flight as well as on ground, would not be conducted because of X-15 program termination. Major emphasis in general-aviation technology would be on flight safety, with flight tests of "typical twin-engine vehicle" at FRC in FY 1969. (Testimony)
NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, Dr. John E. Naugle, presented NASA's bioscience programs to House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Space Science and Applications Subcommittee. Biosatellite flights D and F, 30-day earth-orbiting missions to study effects of space environment on living organisms, were scheduled for second and fourth quarters of 1969 and 21-day flights C and E for 1970 and 1971. Flights would test reactions of central nervous system, cardiovascular system, metabolism, performance, and behavior of pigtailed monkey. Gas management system for two-gas atmosphere would be flown for first time in U.S. satellite. (Testimony)
Discovery by MSFC officials of tiny welding flaws in Saturn V 2nd stage had prompted scheduling of new test series before flight could be manned, AP reported. Although none of flaws was considered serious enough to cause failure, cryogenic prooftesting would be conducted March 18-25 with Saturn V fourth flight version. (AP, B Sun, 2/27/68, A3; AP, W Star, 2/27/68, A5)
Harold T. Luskin, chief advanced design engineer at Lockheed-California Co. and former AIAA President, was named NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight (Technical), effective March 18. Luskin would be responsible for ensuring technical excellence and would share responsibility for overall planning and direction of Manned Space Flight Program with Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight and his other deputies. (NASA Release 68-39)
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