January 1972
From The Space Library
Space Science Board of National Academy of Sciences and National Research Council released Our Planets Exploration, 1972-1985. Analysis of new cost and engineering data for unmanned spacecraft for missions to outer planets had been made for NASA by panel chaired by Dr. Francis S. Johnson of Univ. of Texas at Dallas. Extensive study of outer solar system was "one of the major objectives of space science in this decade." Panel recommended thermoelectric outer planets spacecraft (Tops) be developed and used in Grand Tour missions of late 1970s; Pioneer-level program be maintained for exploration of Jupiter and Saturn and their satellites every two years; Pioneer-F and -G evaluate radiation environment of Jupiter and Pioneer-H be readied for Jupiter magnetosphere mission to further evaluate planet's radiation if necessary; NASA ground-based research on planetary exploration be continued; even-segment Titan booster or its equivalent be developed for outer planet exploration; support be provided for scientific advisory committees, development of instrumentation, and studies of alternative mission strategies for Jupiter and Saturn exploration; and NASA development of methods of solar and nuclear electric propulsion be continued. Report recommended programs for three funding levels: four TOPS Grand Tour missions in 1976-1980 period at $400-million annual budget level, compromise between Grand Tour missions and outer solar systems programs like modified Pioneer missions at $250-million-a-year level, and varied program of outer solar system exploration using modified Pioneer spacecraft at lowest funding level, approximately $400 million over one decade. (NAS-NRC- NAE News Rpt, 1/72, 8-9)
Advanced technology aircraft to evolve from increased NASA, Dept. of Transportation, and Dept. of Defense use of research and experimental aircraft were described in Astronautics & Aeronautics by Langley Research Center Director Edgar M. Cortright. "NASA, in coordination with DOD and DOT, plans a program to design and manufacture two STOL transports. Although these aircraft probably will be smaller than anticipated production models, they will suit the needs of developing promising STOL augmented-lift concepts, control systems, and cross-wind landing gear. They will be able to operate within acceptable noise limits to and from STOL strips about 2000 ft [610 m] long." Joint NASA-Army plan "should lead to advanced helicopter and tilt-rotor research vehicles. Although oriented primarily toward military applications, the research results will apply to commercial VTOL transports." Advanced subsonic transports of the 1980s "will incorporate most of the applicable advanced technology ... with significant gains in productivity. A longer range, higher capacity SST [supersonic trans-port] would fill a need on the transatlantic routes and the longer routes across the Pacific. And no forecaster can discount the possibility of a hypersonic transport (HST) for the 1990s." (A&A, 1/72, 30 4)
- 1972
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