Jan 24 1969
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
NASA released Annual Procurement Report FY 1968. NASA procurements during FY 1968 totaled $4,133 million-11% less than in FY 1967. Approximately 83% of net dollar value was placed directly with business firms, 4% with educational and other nonprofit institutions, 5% with Cal Tech for JPL operation, and 7% with or through other Government agencies. Of latter, 90% resulted in contracts with industry. About 72% of NASA funds placed under JPL contracts resulted in subcontracts or purchases with business firms. Thus about 93% of NASA procurement dollars went to private industry. During FY 1968, 49 states and D.C. participated in NASA prime contract awards of $25,000 and over. They went to 1,299 business firms, 165 universities, and 68 other nonprofit organizations. (Text)
NASA launched Nike-Cajun sounding rocket from Wallops Station carrying GSFC grenade experiment to collect data on atmospheric parameters. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (NASA Proj Off)
Mstislav V. Keldysh, President of Soviet Academy of Sciences, said during Moscow interview with Soyuz cosmonauts there were "some advantages" to joint space experiments with U.S. "We have no objection in principle," he said, "and the setting of this type of goal has some merit. Even now the two countries participate in a number of international programs." He added, "One would have to think, and choose this kind of joint program carefully. Maybe one of the flights to a planet in the future, or maybe around the earth also could be interesting. It is difficult to say exactly what I would like to see." Keldysh said Soviet scientists had not received special technical data on Apollo 8 flight from U.S. However, "Certainly the success of such an outstanding flight, even if it does not produce any concrete new data, still gives something to all mankind." (Winters, B Sun, 1/25/69, A2; Shabad, NYT, 1/25/69, 6)
MSFC announced it had awarded $173,000, 11-mo contract to Boeing Co. for study of cost-reduction methods in future space vehicle logistics systems, including expendable and reusable systems. Major emphasis of study would be on space station logistics missions in 100- to 300-mi orbits, with 5,000- to 50,000-lb payloads, and capable of holding 12 passengers and 3,000- to 12,500-lb cargo. (MSFC Release 69-26)
Sen. James B. Pearson (R-Kan.) introduced S. 608, bill to create National Aviation Planning Commission responsible for planning development of national air travel system and establishment of air transportation policy. Commission would consist of Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Policy Development, FAA Administrator, CAB Chairman, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Metropolitan Development, and not more than 10 others to be appointed by Secretary of Transportation. (CR, 1/24/69, S869-70)
In Science, Karl D. Kryter, Director of Sensory Sciences Research Center of Stanford Research Institute, Calif., concluded that sonic booms from SST and Anglo-French Concorde -operating during daytime after 1975 at frequencies projected for long-distance supersonic transport of passengers over U.S.-would result in extensive social, political, and legal reactions against such flights at start, during, and after years of exposure to sonic boom from flights. (Science, 1/24/69, 359-67)
New York Times commented on Soviet decision to participate in February INTELSAT conference [see Jan. 22] and on Soviet coverage of Apollo 8 which was "treated more generously in the Soviet press than any earlier American space accomplishment." Editorial said: "These indications of a positive shift in Kremlin thinking seem to enhance hopes that President Nixon will have an opportunity for creative diplomacy and action of the kind he envisaged in his Inaugural Address. Thought might be given, for example, to inviting Moscow to designate a Soviet astronaut to participate in an Apollo flight late this year or early next year. Or Washington might suggest that the United States and the Soviet Union coordinate their programs of planetary exploration with one nation, say, having primary responsibility for studying Venus and the other Mars. With the landing of men on the moon now probably only months away it is certainly not too early for the two nations that have pioneered most actively in space to discuss concrete means for involving the United Nations directly in the future exploration and exploitation of the moon, as well as of the planets when men reach them." (NYT, 1/24/69, 46)
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