Mar 7 1966
From The Space Library
All primary mission objectives of first unmanned Apollo Saturn I-B mission Feb. 26 were achieved and flight was very satisfactory according to initial evaluation of test results, NASA announced. Guidance and control systems performed well; both S-IB and S-IVB trajectories and velocities were normal and no structural problems were found in either stage or instrument unit. Quality of data received at ground stations was excellent and few losses occurred in expected 1,300 measurements telemetered. All spacecraft systems and subsystems performed as planned with two exceptions: (1) one of the main parachute harness legs failed to sever after landing, thus retaining chute attached to module; and (2) Service Module (SM) propulsion system exhibited below nominal performance during both firing periods resulting in reentry speed about 500 mph less than 18,500 mph expected, but sufficient to evaluate performance of heat shield for orbital missions. Earth landing system functioned properly to safely recover CM, and unsevered parachute was recovered for post-mission examination. Spacecraft would be flown to Downey, Calif., for detailed inspection by NASA and NAA Apollo officials and tests for improvements. ‘‘(NASA Proj. Off.; MSFC Release 66-51)’’
NASA Assistant Administrator for Technology Utilization Breene M. Kerr, reviewing NASA technology utilization program for 1965 in testimony before the House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Subcommittee on Advanced Research and Technology, stated that the total number of NASA Tech Briefs now published was more than 600. He continued: “We anticipate publication of approximately 700 Tech Briefs during calendar year 1966. . . . we estimate the average Tech Brief is seen by more than 10,000 persons. . . . Industry interest in our program is . . . indicated by the fact that approximately 1,500 persons visited our Field Center Technology Utilization Offices during calendar 1965. . . . Two additional Regional Dissemination Programs have been started in the last year, one at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and the other at Southeastern State College in Durant, Okla. One hundred and thirty-one companies are now paying annual membership fees at our established computer-based centers. . . . Of real significance . . . is the fact that approximately 3,000 companies have received some degree of service from these centers. . . . We have also recently concluded an interagency agreement with the Small Business Administration whereby several of that organization’s field offices, under an experimental program, will be providing NASA technology to selected small business concerns.” ‘‘(Testimony; NASA Auth. Hearings, 634-9)’’
Series of small balloons was launched ‘from Christchurch, New Zealand, in joint U.S.-New Zealand pilot project to examine feasibility of Global Horizontal Sounding Technique (Ghost)-plan for using satellite to locate and read out information from large number of balloons floating around earth at constant altitudes. Balloons, circling hemisphere at 20,000-ft., 40,000-ft., and 80,000-ft. altitudes, would be tracked by six stations equipped with high-frequency receivers, stop watches, and sun tables. Program would determine whether small superpressure balloons could fly for extended periods; test temperature, humidity, pressure, and radiation sensors which might be used in operational Ghost system; learn whether balloons would cluster in certain areas; and acquire data on planetary circulation in Southern Hemisphere at various altitudes. Called Southern Hemisphere balloon experiment, project was sponsored by ESSA and NSF and had the endorsement of U.N. World Meteorological Organization. Data would be analyzed by National Center for Atmospheric Research and Information and shared with all participants and interested nations. ‘‘(ESSA Release 66-17)’’
Sen. Fred R. Harris (D-Okla.), speaking on Senate floor in support of Sen. Carl T. Curtis’s (R-Neb.) resolution calling for National Science Foundation to set guidelines for wider and more equitable distribution of Federal R&D funds, said: “. . . expenditure of this money can and should be an investment in the future of each of the several states, without regard to geographic location or the accident of history.” ‘‘(CR, 3/7/66,4917)’’
March 7-11: Third Annual Space Congress of the Canaveral Council of Technical Societies held at Cocoa Beach, Fla., was attended by more than 1,000 scientists and engineers. Astronaut-aquanaut M. Scott Carpenter was principal opening day speaker. ‘‘(KSC Historian)’’
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