February 1965
From The Space Library
The prime and backup crews for the upcoming GT-3 three-orbital mission underwent parachute and egress training exercises. Parachute training, with the astronauts in space suits, was conducted in Galveston Bay, Tex, Egress training from a submerged Gemini boilerplate spacecraft was conducted in a large tank at Ellington, AFB. (MSC Roundup, 2/17/65, 2)
Atlantic Research Corp. announced the Frangible Arcas meteorological sounding rocket, developed for USAF, had successfully passed flight tests at the Western Test Range. (M&R, 3/8/65, 11)
New York Times continued its editorial opposition to the national objective for Project Apollo of landing a man on the moon in this decade. On Feb. 19, an editorial drew from the two successful major launchings of the week ( RANGER VIII and SATURN I SA-9) the lesson that the kinds of experiments on these flights I lunar photography of RANGER VIII and PEGASUS I micrometeoroid detection satellite on Saturn I) proved there were many unmeasured perils in space and that "In the face of these uncertainties, the American space program ought to retain maximum flexibility of timing, rather than try at all costs to achieve the artificial goal of a manned lunar landing by 1970." On Feb. 22, following the successful conclusion of the RANGER VIII lunar photography mission, another editorial praised the accomplishment, then noted that the Ranger series was not providing all of the answers to lunar questions critical to the Apollo program, and concluded: "The two successful Ranger shots, however, make clear that much valuable information can be gathered about the earth's natural satellite by relatively cheap instrument-carrying rockets that do not risk human lives. This demonstration, and the continuing uncertainties about matters essential for a safe manned round trip to the moon, strengthen still more the case for making progress slowly, without any arbitrary deadline, on Project Apollo." (NYT, 2/19/65, 34; 2/22/65, 20)
A warning that "In looking for life on Mars we could establish for ourselves the reputation of being the greatest Simple Simons of all time" came from Dr. Philip H. Abelson in an editorial in Science. Dr. Abelson was editor of the magazine and director of the Carnegie Institution's Geophysical Laboratory. He said he did not believe that life, particularly life resembling that on earth, would be found on Mars and proposed "a few inexpensive experiments" on earth to save years, billions of dollars, and the possibility of "considerable eventual disappointment" if the search for life on Mars should prove fruitless. Attempts to sterilize spacecraft to prevent them from carrying earth organisms to Mars might add "many years and billions of dollars" to the cost, the editorial said. It suggested, instead, careful selection of experiments to be sent to Mars and "relatively inexpensive studies here on earth" to determine whether sterilization were really necessary. (Clark, NYT, 2/13/65; Wash. Post, 2/13/65)
Dr. Leo Steg, manager of General Electric Co.'s Space Sciences Laboratory, Missile and Space Div, was named Engineer of the Year-1964. He was cited for outstanding contributions to the advancement of space science and the engineering profession. The award was presented by an amalgamation of 41 societies during the 1965 National Engineers' Week in Philadelphia. (Av. Wk., 2/1/65, 13)
NASA's contributions to the technology of inorganic coatings were described in a new technology survey (NASA SP-5014) published by the NASA Technology Utilization Division. They were thermophototropic coatings; thermal control coatings for space vehicles; solid lubrication coatings; thermal insulation coatings; methods of applying coatings to substrates; measurement of coating optical properties; and refractory metal oxidation resistant coatings. (NASA Release 65-39, 65 44, and 65-61)
GAO saved the military services a total of $254.7 million, AEC $3 million, and NASA $727,000 last year. This information was released in a 251-page document released by CAO in addition to the GAO Administrator's Annual Report to Congress. (M&R, 2/15/65, 9)
Nikita Khrushchev, in his first known public appearance in Moscow since his removal from power in October 1964, visited the cosmonauts' monument on the outskirts of the city, Reuters reported. A militiaman on duty at the monument said: "Yes, it's quite true. Nikita Sergeyevich visited the monument and spent about 30 minutes." After the Soviet Union's three-man orbital mission, VOSKHOD I, last October, Khrushchev had been scheduled to welcome the cosmonauts to Moscow and to dedicate the monument, but his sudden retirement intervened. (Reuters, Waller, Wash. Post, 2/22/65, 1)
France's Emeraude rocket, first stage of the Diamant booster, was successfully launched from Hammaguir Range, Algeria, after three failures, Its liquid-fueled engine provided 62,000-lbs. thrust for 88 sec. Twelve Emeraude launchings were originally scheduled. Second and third stages of the Diamant launch vehicle, both solid fueled, had already been successfully tested. No attempt had been made to launch the three stages linked together. (Av. Wk., 3/22/65, 18; M&R, 3/22/65, 9)
William Cohen, Chief of Solid Propulsion Experimental Motors in NASA's OART, discussed the great strides in large solid-propellant rocket motors taken in the past few years, in Astronautics & Aeronautics article. Among the new technologies he mentioned were maraging steels, ablative nozzles, vector control, and the cast-cure-test facility. Looking toward the future, Cohen said among the advanced concepts associated with large solids showing promise of success were reusable motor cases, insulation, and nozzle component; and failure-warning systems. (A&A, 2/65, 42-46)
Cost and performance comparability of large solid-propellant rocket motors was topic of article by G.W.G. Van Winkle, Boeing Co., in Astronautics & Aeronautics. The information was based on research obtained in study made by Boeing for MSFC. In the same issue, Dr. Walter G. Berl of Johns Hopkins Univ. Applied Physic Laboratory discussed combustion instability in solid-propellant rocket motors. Four types of instability were listed, and the status of solutions to these problems was discussed. Dr. Berl concluded that it was "too much to expect that the always latent instability problem has been banished from the new propellants of the future. It is more likely that the most obvious troubles can be eliminated, partly through analysis, partly through recognition and exploitation of past trends. . . ." (A&A, 2/65, 48-61)
In a report titled "Federal Funds for Research, Development, and other Scientific Activities," National Science Foundation said DOD obligations for R&D increased each year from $2.3 billion in 1956 to an estimated $7.5 billion in 1964. Although survey predicted a small decrease to $7.2 billion for 1965, the 10-yr. period showed a 200% gain. Support to applied research accounted for about 22% of 1965 R&D Defense funds, with 2 or 3% used for basic research; about 75% went for development. Profit-making organizations had done most of DOD's R&D during the 10 yrs., increasing from about 50% in 1956 to 65% in 1965. The report added: "On the other hand, the relative share of Defense research and development performed intramurally decreased each year from about 40% in 1956 to 21% in 1963, but an increase to 25% was expected in 1965. . . ." (NSF Rpt. 65-13)
Experimental model isotopic thruster was tested at AEC Mound Laboratory, using heat from radioactive decay of polonium 210. Mound Laboratory was continuing development of polonium 210 fuel forms and fuel encapsulating techniques for specific space applications. The isotopic small rocket engine, or thruster, concept envisions use of a radioisotope to heat hydrogen. which is expelled through a nozzle to produce low thrust. (Atomic Energy Programs, 1965, 149)
“Extraordinary Photograph Shows Earth Pole to Pole” article appears in National Geographic Magazine
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