Jan 13 1969
From The Space Library
Apollo 8 Astronauts Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, Jr." and William A. Anders returned to Houston, Tex., for biggest parade in city's history, with quarter million spectators filling sky with ticker tape and balloons. Astronauts received city's highest honors, bronze medals for heroism with motto "per aspera ad astra." (AP, B Sun, 1/14/69, A8; UPI, W Post, 1/14/69, A4)
In ceremony at MSC, NASA presented awards including 12 Distinguished Service Medals, recognizing contributions to Apollo 8 space mission by groups and individuals in NASA, DOD, and industry. DSM, NASA'S highest award, was presented to Dr. Kurt H. Debus, Director, KSC, Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, Director, MSC ; Christopher C. Kraft, Jr." Director of Flight Operations, MSC ; George M. Low, Manager, Apollo Program Office, MSC ; Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight; Rocco A. Petrone, Director of Launch Operations, KSC ; L/G Samuel C. Phillips, NASA Apollo Program Director; Dr. Eberhard F. M. Rees, Deputy Director (Technical), MSFC ; Arthur Rudolph, Manager, Saturn V Program Office, MSFC ; William C. Schneider, Manager, Apollo Applications Program; Gerald M. Truszynski, NASA Associate Administrator for Tracking and Data Acquisition; and Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director, MSFC. Exceptional Service Medals were awarded to 62 persons and Public Service Awards to 22. Group Achievement Awards went to U.S.S. Yorktown (CVS-10) and Embarked Air Group, Manned Space Flight Network, and NASA Office of Public Affairs. Public Service Group Achievement Award was presented to Apollo 8 Communication Network and Certificate of Appreciation was awarded to University-NASA Scientific and Technology Advisory Committee (STAC ). (NASA Special Release 1/13/69; NASA PAO)
At nonpartisan farewell dinner given to President Lyndon B. Johnson in New York, former NASA Administrator James E. Webb read statement on accomplishments in space effort under Johnson Presidency: "Lyndon Baines Johnson has done more than lead the United States forward in space. He has stamped on our program its significant characteristics: that it be conducted in the open for all the world to see; that it be carried out so as to strengthen and not to undermine the basic institutions and values of our society; that it be dedicated to the cause of peace and the benefit of all mankind. "Of all the debts the American people owe President Johnson, none is likely to loom larger over time than that he started them on the road to mastery of this new, unlimited environment by means of the new rocket technology. . . . It is the lasting tribute to Lyndon Baines Johnson that he has seen from the beginning that accomplishments in space and the capability which can sustain and increase these accomplishments constitute a new barometer of the stature of our Nation." (CR, 1/17/69, S496)
NASA announced termination of joint NASA-DOD XB-70 flight research program, for which it had assumed management responsibility in March 1967. Aircraft had been productive for studying sonic boom, flight dynamics, and handling problems peculiar to advanced supersonic aircraft. Of two XB-70 s constructed by North American Rockwell Corp." one had been destroyed in June 8, 1966, midair collision. Remaining aircraft would be flown from FRC to Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, where it would be delivered to USAF Museum. During 2,000-mi flight NASA planned to obtain data on its handling qualities and structural response to air turbulence. First flight of XB-70 was made Sept. 21, 1964. Top speed of mach 3 (2,000 mph) and peak altitude of 74,000 had been attained in four-year flight program. (NASA Release 69-10)
NSF released Technology in Retrospect and Critical Events in Science (TRACES) , report by Illinois Institute of Technology Research Institute which traced key scientific events leading to five major technological innovations: magnetic ferrites, video tape recorder, oral contraceptive pill, electron microscope, and matrix isolation. In all five, nonmission, or basic, research "provided the origins from which science and technology could advance toward the innovation which lay ahead." Approximately 70% of key events documented were nonmission research, 20% mission-oriented, and 10% development and application. Ten years before innovation-i.e. shortly before conception of that innovation-90% of nonmission research had been accomplished. (Text)
Defense Secretary-designate Melvin R. Laird announced retention of Dr. John S. Foster, Jr, as Director of Defense Research and Engineering. (Kelly, W Star, 1/13/69, A5; UPI, W Star, 1/14/69, A6)
MSFC announced award of $1,311,702 contract to LTV Aerospace Corp. for construction of temperature control devices for Apollo Telescope Mount, or manned solar observatory. MSFC also had issued bid requests on 5 control relay packages, 4 horizon sensor scanner systems, 11 solar sensors (4 for attitude control system and 7 for solar panel control system), and 5 computer component control packages for guidance, control, and power systems for Saturn I Workshop, scheduled to be flown in 1971-72 in Apollo Applications Program. (MSFC Releases 69-6, 69-8)
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