Aug 19 1968
From The Space Library
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Deputy Administrator, announced elimination of lunar module (LM) operations from first manned Apollo/ Saturn V flight, Apollo 8. MSF would begin planning and training for alternate, low-earth-orbit, manned command and service module (CSM) mission for December launch but no final decision on precise mission plan would be made until after Oct. 11 Apollo 7 flight results were evaluated. LM 3, delayed in checkout, would be flown in 1969 on fourth Saturn V with CSM 104 since preliminary studies had indicated many Apollo objectives scheduled for later flights could be obtained by using Apollo 8 CSM mission. Two problems in Saturn Apollo systems-vertical oscillation, or pogo effect, in 1st stage of Saturn V and rupture of small propellant lines in upper stages-had been corrected and solutions verified in extensive ground tests. Plans and changes were discussed in detail at NASA Hq. news conference by Apollo Program Director L/G Samuel C. Phillips (USAF), who blamed checkout problems for six-week delay in Apollo schedule. "It is our view," he said, ". . . that the probable flight readiness of LM 3 is perhaps in February, but it is in the February-March time period." He said important advantage of flying Apollo 8 in 1968 was opportunity for earlier experience in operation of Saturn V and CSM than could otherwise be obtained. In response to questions Gen. Phillips said lunar landing next year was "clearly possible." He also announced reassignment of crews: redefined Apollo 8 mission would have crew of Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, Jr., and William A. Anders; crew originally assigned to this mission-James A. McDivitt, David R. Scott, and Russell L. Schweickart-would fly on Apollo 9 with LM. New backup crew for Apollo 8 was Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., and Fred W. Haise, Jr. (Text; NASA Release 68-148; AP, C Trib, 8/20/68; O'Toole, W Post, 8/20/68, A3; Wilford, NYT, 8/20/68, 19; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 8/20/68, 1; MSC Roundup, 8/30/68, 1)
Listen to General Samuel C. Phillips talk about the Apollo program changes
U.S. was negotiating with India on use of one visual and two voice channels on NASA ATS satellite to be launched by 1971 into fixed position 22,400 mi above Indian Ocean. In her pilot comsat project, India would broadcast several hours of educational TV weekly to seven areas with total 50 million population. Remaining channels would be used to broadcast NASA scientific data. India hoped eventually to transmit educational TV from comsat to community receivers in her 560,000 villages. (NASA Proj Off; NYTNS, LA Her-Exam, 8/19/68)
NASA would ask industry to submit proposals on $50-million "quiet jet engine" development program, said Hal Taylor in American Aviation. Contractor would be selected early in 1969 with fabrication of components to begin shortly after. Development would take three years. While engine would have takeoff thrust rating of about 23,000 lb, larger than JT3D engine in Boeing 707 and McDonnell Douglas DC-8, NASA officials had emphasized technology used would be applicable to all sizes of jet engines. Allison and Pratt & Whitney had performed preliminary design contracts and NASA felt General Electric Co. had facilities and personnel to undertake the advanced technology. Initial objective was minimum noise reduction below existing turbofan engines of at least 15 pndb on takeoff and 20 pndb at landing. Once engine was developed and run successfully, technology would be turned over to industry to be incorporated into future jet engines. (Am Av, 8/19/68, 23)
President Johnson signed H.R. 3136, bill authorizing three-year study of proposed increased use of metric system in U.S. by National Bureau of Standards on year-to-year basis out of already appropriated funds at cost up to $500,000 for current fiscal year. (White House PiO; Science, 8/23/68, 772; PD, 8/26/68)
Univ. of Colorado professor Dr. George Gamow, leading theoretical physicist, astronomer, and author, died at age 64 of circulatory illness. Winner of 1956 UNESCO Kalinga Award for his nontechnical books on atomic energy and other scientific subjects, Dr. Gamow had published quantum theory of atomic nucleus in 1928, formulated Gamow-Teller selection rule for beta emissions, and been one of chief proponents of "big bang" theory of universe. (NYT, 8/22/68, 35; AP, W Post, 8/23/68, B10)
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