Apr 17 1969
From The Space Library
Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry (USAF) piloted USAF X-24 A lifting-body vehicle on its first glide flight. The wingless craft, which depends on shape and speed for aerodynamic lift, was air-launched from a B-52 aircraft at 45,000-foot altitude and mach 0.66. Designed for maximum speed of mach 2 and altitudes to 100,000 feet, the X-24 A was one of three wingless experimental vehicles in the joint USAF-NASA research program studying concepts for reusable and maneuverable reentry spacecraft.
April 17: X-24 A lifting-body research vehicle, piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry (USAF), successfully completed first glide flight from Rogers Dry Lake, Calif. Vehicle was air-launched from B-52 aircraft at 45,000-ft altitude and mach 0.66 for pilot checkout and data on longitudinal trim, lift, and drag. (NASA Proj Off)
NASA'S HL-10 lifting-body vehicle, piloted by NASA test pilot John A. Manke, successfully completed 15th flight. Primary objectives were to expand flight envelope to mach 0.9 and to determine control characteristics at mach 0.9. Vehicle was air-launched from B-52 aircraft north of Four Corners, Calif." at 45,000-ft altitude and mach 0.7. Manke ignited three chambers of XLR-11 engine, rotated vehicle, climbed to 55,000-ft altitude, and sustained flight at mach 0.9 for 100 secs. (NASA Proj Off)
Rep. George P. Miller {D-Calif.) introduced in House H.R. 10251, new NASA FY 1970 authorization bill totaling $3.716 billion in line with President Nixon's April 15 amended budget request. Bill was referred to House Committee on Science and Astronautics. (Text; CR, 4/17/69, H2806)
Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched by NASA from Churchill Research Range carried TRW Systems Inc. payload to 161.6-mi (260-km) altitude. Objectives were to measure total flux and energy, including spectrum of precipitated energetic (1-20 key) H atoms and precipitated energetic protons and electrons; fluctuating DC electron fields; HB light intensity altitude profile; and location and intensity of ionosphere current systems. Rockets and instruments functioned satisfactorily; good data were obtained. (NASA Rpt SRL)
Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR with VAM-20 booster carried Naval Research Laboratory payload to 113.7-mi (182-km) altitude to record white-light corona of sun from three to nine solar radii with package containing two externally occulted coronagraphs and three related experiments. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL)
Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched by NASA from NASA Wallops Station carried .Univ. of Illinois and GCA Corp. payload to 130.5-mi (210-km) altitude to measure electron density, collision frequency, and temperature in lower ionosphere at vernal equinox during sunspot maximum. Rocket and dual-frequency propagation experiment for air-glow photometer performed satisfactorily. Langmuir-Smith probe and uv experiment produced no data and payload did not come out of calibration until near impact. (NASA Rpt SRL)
MSFC announced modification of $3,057,503 to contract with Chrysler Corp. Space Div. for work on mechanical ground support equipment for Saturn IB and Saturn V launch vehicles from Dec. 1, 1968, through March 31, 1970. MSFC also announced one-year $5,704,116 extension to contract with RCA Service Co. Div. of Radio Corp. of America for technical services in support of MSFC Management Services. (MSFC Releases 69-115, 69-114)
DOT released Study of Air Cargo and Air Passenger Terminal Facilitation by Simat, Helliesen, & Eichner, Inc." and Transplan, Inc.-source document for Transportation Facilities Committee's industry-Government task forces. It forecast worldwide passenger traffic increase of nearly 10% annually and air cargo increase of nearly 20% annually during next decade. Documentation, processing, and handling delays were contributing to nearly six-day delivery time of air cargo despite six-hour Atlantic crossings, and Government clearance procedures were critical problem for international cargo operations. Report recommended; further consideration of high-speed rail, STOL, and VTOL services; computerized processing of cargo documentation and highspeed communication to facilitate advanced clearance, off-airport cargo terminals; automated passenger ticketing and baggage handling; and streamlined, mechanized border formalities. (DOT Release 5869)
Rep. Emilio Q. Daddario (D-Conn.) told House Dr. Franklin A. Long of Cornell Univ. had been asked to withdraw from nomination as NSF Director after refusing to support Administration's ABM system. "It is unfortunate that the Nixon administration is sacrificing the National Science Foundation on the altar of the ABM, and, by so doing, seriously affecting its unique capability to be of service to our country." (CR, 4/17/69, H2759)
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