May 31 1968
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCXXII into orbit with 520-km (323.1-mi) apogee, 281-km (174.6-mi) perigee, 91.3-min period, and 70.9° inclination. Satellite reentered Oct. 11. (AP, NYT, 6/2/68; GSFC SSR, 5/31/68; 10/15/68)
U.K. successfully launched Skylark sounding rocket from Adelaide, Australia, to altitude of 149 mi (239.8 kin) after initial delays caused by weather. (Reuters, NYT, 6/2/68, 55)
Roderick W. Spence, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, outlined advantages of nuclear rockets and offered chronological resumé of Rover program in Science. Thirteen years had produced reliable reactor ready for development into flyable engine. Development of complete nuclear-electric propulsion system would be difficult and expensive, "but if man wants to continue to explore space to the best of his ability, such a development seems inevitable." (Science, 5/31/68, 953-9)
NASA announced LaRC and LTV Aerospace Corp. would negotiate unified contract valued in excess of $14 million to provide complete system management for Scout launch vehicle for 24-mo period beginning Nov. 1. (NASA. Release 68-101)
NASA announced extension until Feb. 13, 1969, of contract with Sperry-Rand Corp. for mission support services to Systems Reliability Directorate at GSFC. Value of extended cost-plus-award-fee agreement with two one-year options was approximately $3.5 million. Included in services were operation and maintenance of test facilities such as large space chambers, laboratory equipment, and instrumentation. (GSFC Release G-35-68)
USN told Pratt & Whitney Div., United Aircraft Corp., it would pay approximately $180 million less than $1.2-billion contract price for 1,640 F-111 engines ordered in February 1967. Adjustment of approximately $19 million in price of engines already delivered brought difference between USN and Pratt & Whitney prices to almost $200 million. USN believed more efficient operation could produce engines at lower cost. (Kelley, W Star, 6/4/68,5)
USAF awarded Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. $1.174-million initial increment to $2.959-million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for launch services at ETR. (DOD Release 511-68)
In response to pressure from smaller countries, U.S. and U.S.S.R. agreed to make changes in proposed nonproliferation treaty: stronger guarantees to small countries which would benefit from peaceful use of nuclear power, more urgent efforts to end world arms race, and enforcement of U.N. charter authority against use of force generally. (Brewer, NYT, 6/1/68, 1)
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