Dec 2 1964
From The Space Library
Henry O. Slone, Snap-8 project manager at NASA Lewis Research Center, reported a successful 76-hr. test of Snap-8's turbine alternator assembly (TAA) using mercury as the working fluid. "This test demonstrated operational capability and machine performance up to 80% of its rated power," Slone said. Snap-8 (System for Nuclear Auxiliary Power) was designed to supply electric power onboard a spacecraft and would use nuclear heat to produce 35 kw. of power. When fully developed, it would have the capability to operate unattended in space for 10,000 hours. (C Release 64-111; M&R, 12/14/64, 10)
NASA Manned Spacecraft Center awarded contracts totaling almost $1 million: Garrett Corp., with a $384,665 contract, would develop a portable life support system to be worn on the astronaut's back when he would leave his capsule in space, or for moon exploration; Boeing Co. was awarded a $299,746 contract for a feasibility study of placing a laboratory capsule on the Apollo spacecraft; the U.S. Naval Air Equipment Center, Philadelphia, was given $45,000 to evaluate the dependability of the water-cooled undergarment to be worn by astronauts in space flight and lunar exploration. (AP, Balt. Sun, 12/4/64)
An F-104 aircraft participating in sonic boom tests for supersonic trans-port program, at Alamogordo, N. Mex., inadvertently created a boom 20 times as great as those expected from the proposed airliners and 10 lbs. psf greater in pressure than the 30-lb. upper limit planned for these tests. The incident occurred during a demonstration for newsmen and recorders on measuring instruments in test structures were not turned on. (Clark, NYT, 12/3/64; Time, 12/11/64)
The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA), following up Defense Secretary McNamara's announced deactivation of 19 airfields, called attention to the procedures by which surplus military airfields could be transferred to state or local public agencies for development as civil airports. The procedures were established by the Surplus Property Act of 1944 and its amendments. More than 600 airports had been transferred to state and local agencies under this statute since the end of World War II. (FAA Release 64-108)
Four USAF Tactical Air Command F-4C (Phantom II) jet fighter aircraft landed at MacDill AFB, Ha., after completing an 18-hr. flight of almost 10,000 mi. The Phantoms refueled several times from KC-135 jet tankers. Flight, which set a new unofficial endurance record for jet fighter aircraft, was made to evaluate the capabilities of the F-4C air-craft during sustained, ultra-long-range flight and to evaluate the physiological and psychological effects on the crews under these conditions. (DOD Release 852-64; wash. Post, 12/3/64)
USAF Electronic Systems Division announced award of $1,350,000 fixed-price contract to Space-General Corp. for design, fabrication, and testing of satellite payloads. (DOD Release 849-64)
The. New York Stock Exchange banned stop orders in shares of the ComSatCorp., hoping to prevent aggravated price swings in ComSat shares. ComSat had finished as the third most active issue for the day, having traded as high as 52%. (Vartan, NYT, 12/3/64, 69)
Dr. Raymond L Bisplinghoff, NASA Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology, spoke on "New Technology-Its Selection and Development" before the Atomic Industrial Forum conference in San Francisco. His address made the following points: (1) preeminence in space demands that a program of development of new technology be continuously supported; (2) the formulation of a responsible requirement requires the existence of an underlying body of technology; (3) the development of a new branch or extension of a branch of technology should be directed at a related class of requirements rather than a single requirement; (4) development of a new technology requires the existence of a focal point in the form of advanced hardware; (5) short and long-term goals must be related to the Nation's policies and plans; (6) our goals must be continuously assessed; (7) our work must be relevant to the goals which have been set; and (8) better processes of pro-gram management must be devised. He said in conclusion: "A balance of technologies in our favor will, however, require wisdom in the selection of new technologies in which to invest our resources and resolution in their development." (Text)
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