Nov 22 1971
From The Space Library
Study of telemetry from unsuccessful Europa 2 European launch vehicle that failed on launch Nov. 5 had shown vehicle buckled at 1st-end stage junction 2 min 30 sec after liftoff during excessive pitch-over maneuver, Aviation Week & Space Technology reported. Vehicle's structural limits were exceeded; 2nd stage nozzle pierced liquid oxygen tank atop 1st stage, causing it to explode; 2nd stage separated in tumbling flight and exploded 10 sec later; and 3rd stage, 4th stage perigee motor, and payload fell into South Atlantic about 490 km (305 mi) downrange. Failure had been attributed to loss of inertial-guidance-system signals between 1 min 45 sec and 1 min 47 sec after launch. Engines on 1st stage had driven Europa 2 below programmed trajectory because corrective signals had not been sent to stage's autopilot. Exact cause of inertial-guidance-system break-down had not been determined. If cause could not be established before Dec. 15, launch of 12th satellite in Europa 1-2 development series- scheduled for April 13, 1972-would have to be delayed. (Av Wk, 11/22/71, 19)
MSC announced it had issued RFPs to 10 firms for $150 000 firm- fixed price R&D contract to study space walking requirements in space shuttle program. Proposal called for investigation of emergency, contingency, and normal extravehicular and intravehicular activities (EVA/ IVA) while outside earth's atmosphere and study of protective equipment needed to perform EVA/IVA. Proposals were due Dec. 6. (MSC Release 71-83)
New $200-million international airport at Kansas City, Mo., was being built under NASA-developed management system, NASA announced. Midwest Research Institute, management consultant for project, was using KCI Management Information Center-fully equipped briefing room that resembled KSC's-as repository for reference data on air-port project. (NASA Release 71-232)
It was "open secret" that USAF saw space shuttle as "broad highway that will lead to manned military space operations by the United States," Universal Science News, Inc., said in Dallas Morning News. While "effort to keep NASA's civilian image seemed so important at one time that the military were allowed to start their own manned orbiting laboratory program, even though NASA has a similar project," recent budget squeeze had "forced NASA and the Air Force closer together in certain areas." (Dallas Morning News, 11/22/71)
USAF reconnaissance satellite "Big Bird" launched in June was described in Newsweek article: "Streaking through its orbit, Big Bird scans broad land areas with one wide-angle camera, radios what it sees back to ground stations, and, on order, turns a giant `narrow angle' second camera on targets of special interest for closeup pictures-a multiple function that used to require at least two less sophisticated satellites." Cameras in satellites 160 km (100 mi) above earth "can clearly photograph objects on the ground the size of small cars." (Newsweek, 11/22/71, 18)
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