NASA $P-4010 

ASTRONAUTICS AND 

AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Chronology on Science, Technology, and Policy 

Text by 

Science and Technology Division 

Library of Congress 

Sponsored by 

NASA Historical Division 

Office of Policy 

Scientific and Technical Information Division 1969' 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

Washington, D.C. 
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents 

U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 

Price $2 (paper cover) 

Libraru of Congress Catalog Card Number 66-60096 
Foreword 

How the voyage of Apollo 11 came to pass after seven years of concerted 

national effort will occupy the serious attention of competent historians for 

years to come. The moon walk of Astronauts Armstrong and Aldrin was an 

important achievement in the progress of man. This dramatic event was 

shared on live television by half a billion people around our small planet, 

involving the entire globe in a unique common historical event of all mankind. New questions concerning the place of man in the universe have been 

raised, which should stimulate inquiry into the philosophical aspects of 

space travel as well as the scientific, engineering, and organizational aspects. 

For such studies it is hoped that this chronology of the space events of the 

notable year of 1968 will be of high reference value. 

The year preceding man’s first landing and initial exploration of an extraterrestrial body was also the 11th year since Sputnik became the first 

manmade object lofted into earth orbit and the 10th anniversary of the 

creation ,of the US. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. For 

NASA it witnessed the conclusion of the great leadership of its second Administrator, James E. Webb, who organized and carried forward so vigorously America’s effort to undertake a manned lunar landing in the decade of 

the 1960’s. Two historic space flights in the final months of 1968 put the 

work for which he had been responsible to the final test: Apollo 7, the first 

manned Apollo flight, and ApoUo 8, man’s first trip from earth into orbit 

around another celestial body. After an 18-month hiatus in manned space 

flight, both flights were carried out flawlessly. Apollo 8’s 10-orbit voyage 

around the moon at Christmastime by Astronauts Borman, Lovell, and Anders and their safe return to “the good earth” was hailed as being in the 

historical and scientific tradition of Galileo and Kepler, Columbus and Magellan, Herschel and Newton, Verne and Tsiolkovsky, the Wright Brothers 

and Lindbergh, Goddard, and Gagarin. With this flight, extraterrestrial 

space was opened to man’s exploration. 

Other notable techno-scientific space triumphs were made in 1968, including the launching of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory II, the successful conclusion of the X-15 rocket research airplane program, and the Soviet 

missions of the rendezvousing Soyuz I11 and unmanned circumlunar flights 

of Zond V and Zond VI. This chronicle for 1968 helps maintain histosical 

perspective by including such events in their juxtaposition to other threads 

of history such as the budgetary and policy problems besetting NASA and its 

White House and Congressional overseers. The 1968 space program ?as 

carried out in a year of national unrest and turbulence in the United States. 

Major news events included tragic assassinations and urban riots in the 

United States, widespread campus disorders, the capture of the U.S.S. 

Pueblo by North Korea, continued combat in South Vietnam, war in the 

Middle East, the starving of thousands in Biafra, and a turbulent presidential campaign. To many Americans US. successes in space provided much111 
IV FOREWORD 

needed reassurance that this mighty nation could still accomplish great 

things. 

If the engine of modern social change is technology, perhaps this first collation of spacs accomplishments in 1968 will promote greater in-depth understanding of our complex times. This, in turn, may help generate new SOlutions for current and future problems in those complex human areas 

which so badly need to progress as rapidly as our science and technology. 

Thomas 0. Paine 

Administrator 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

August 20,1969 
Contents 

PAGE 

Foreword ................................................. III 

Administrator Thomas O . Paine 

Preface ................................................... w 

January .................................................. 1 

February ................................................. 29 

March .................................................... 53 

April .................................................... 75 

May .................................................... 101 

June .................................................... 126 

July ..................................................... 149 

August ................................................... 175 

September ................................................ 205 

October .................................................. 235 

November ................................................ 269 

December ................................................. 298 

Appendix A: Satellites. Space Probes. and Manned Space Flights. 

1968 ................................................... 339 

Appendix B: Major NASA Launches. 1968 ..................... 367 

Appendix C: Chronology of Manned Space Flight. 1967-1968 .... 371 

Appendix D : Abbreviations of References ...................... 375 

Index and List of Abbreviations and Acronyms .................. 379 

V 

Preface 

This chronicle covering aeronautical and space events in 1968 is, like its 

predecessor volumes, a tentative step in the process of documentation and 

writing of history. Admittedly a first skimming, it attempts to sort out the 

rising crescendo of events, decisions, and personalities into the sequence of 

their happening. It is largely a collection process on available sources rather 

than a product of research. Because of the virtual real-time basis on which 

it is compiled and written, it must rely heavily on the most immediate and 

available sources-newspapers, magazines, press releases, etc.-rather than 

on the in-depth documentation that full history requires, It is, in another 

sense, a holding action until the full history can be written, while at the 

same time providing early reference utility. 

Within these limitations, we make a considerable effort to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness. Our NASA Archives collects the current documentation. Under an exchange of funds agreement, the Science and Technology Division of the Library of Congress drafts the monthly segments in 

comment edition form. These are edited and augmented by the NASA Historical Division, published, and circulated €or comment and use. At the end of 

the year the entire manuscript is reworked and augmented by the comments 

that have come in and by documentation that has become available since the 

comment edition was prepared. The Library also prepares the extensive 

index. 

This annual volume is the result of a number of hands. The entire NASA 

Historical Division participated in source collection, review, and publication. At the Library Mr. Charles Thibault (through April 1968), Mrs. Patricia Davis (from May on), Mrs. Carmen Brock-Smith, and Miss Shirley 

Medley prepared the monthly texts which were circulated throughout NASA 

for comments as to completeness and accuracy on NASA items. Mrs. Davis, 

Mrs. Brock-Smith, and Mrs. Gay Arnelle then revised the monthly drafts for 

annual publication. Mr. Arthur Renstrom prepared the index. In the NASA 

Historical Division the general editor was Dr. Frank W. Anderson, Jr., Dep 

uty NASA Historian. Technical editor was Mrs. Carrie Karegeannes. Appendix A, “Satellites, Space Probes, and Manned Space Flights, 1968,” was 

prepared by Leonard C. Bruno of the, Library. Appendix B, “Major NASA 

Launches, 1968,” was prepared by Dr. Anderson. Appendix C, “Chronology 

of Manned Space Flight, 1967-1968,” was prepared by William D. 

Putnam, Assistant NASA Historian for Manned Space Flight. Appendix D, 

VI1 
VIJI PREFACE 

“Abbreviations of References,” was prepared by Mrs. Brock-Smith. Creston 

Whiting of NASA’s Information Services Branch, Scientific and Technical 

Information Division, kept the process abreast of Russian releases. At the 

NASA centers the historians and historical monitors submitted local material 

for the chronology. Validation was the work of many busy people throughout NASA and in other relevant branches of the Federal structure. 

A chronology is but the first step toward history as an intellectual discipline and even it is never really completed. Comments, additions, and criticisms are always welcomed. 

Eugene M. Emme 

NASA Historian 
January 1968 

January 1 : NASA announced it would conduct 29 major launches from ETR 

and WTR durinq 1968. Surveyor-G launch, last in Surveyor series, was 

scheduled for Jan. 7. Launch of OGO-E would include last scheduled 

flight of Atlas-Agena launch vehicle from ETR; future unmanned interplanetary probes and high-altitude earth-orbital launches would use hydrogen-fueled Centaur. Two unmanned tests of Apollo lunar module 

and first manned test of Apollo spacecraft would use new Saturn IB 

vehicle. Three Apollo tests employing Saturn V would be launched 

from new spaceport complex at KSC. In addition to OGO and Surveyor, 

11 scientific satellites would be launched from ETR-four Intelsats, 

ATS-D, OAO, OSO, Biosatellite-D, HEOS (launched for ESRO) , Pioneer-D 

and Skynet comsat (launched for U.K.) . Another 10 scientific satellites 

would be launched from WTR-fOUr TOS spacecraft (launched for ESSA) 

OGO-F, GEOS-B, Nimbus-B, IMP-G, Radio Astronomy Explorer-A, and 

International Satellite for Ionospheric Studies (joint American and 

Canadian program). 

About 250 sounding rockets and scientific probes of upper atmosphere would be launched from NASA Wallops Station. (NASA Release 

67-315; KSC Release 451-67) 

President Johnson announced stringent Government controls over private investments abroad and measures to reduce US. balance-of-payments deficit by $3 billion in 1968. At Johnson City, Tex., news conference, he said actions would reduce intolerable deficit that could “endanger the strength of the entire free world economy, and thereby 

threaten our unprecedented prosperity at home.” (Harwood, W Post, 

1/2/68,1) 

Membership of NASA Historical Advisory Committee was designated for 

1968-1969: Dr. Melvin Kranzberg, Case Western Reserve Univ., as 

Chairman; Dr. Eugene M. Emme, NASA Historian, as Executive Secretary; Dr. Raymond L. Bisplinghoff, MIT; Dr. James L. Cate, Univ. of 

Chicago; Dr. Earl H. DeLong, American Univ.; Dr. A. Hunter Dupree, 

Univ. of California at Berkeley; Dr. Joe B. Frantz, Univ. of Texas; Dr. 

Louis Morton, Dartmouth College; and Robert L. Perry, RAND Corp. 

(NASA NMI 1156.3A; NASA Special Release, 1/5/68) 

January 2: FAA proposed rule requiring all jet aircraft to operate under instrument flight rules (IFR) when in controlled airspace within the contiguous 48 US. states. Aircraft would come under control of FAA air 

traffic control (ATC) facilities; pilots would file flight plan and observe 

ATC instructions which provided for separation between IFR aircraft. 

Under visual flight rules (VFR) pilots maintained separation on a “see 

and avoid” basis. FAA noted that rapid growth of total flight operations 

was “creating demands for substantial expansion and improvement in 

the nation’s air traffic control system . . [so that] proposed action 

1 
January 2 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

should be taken to maintain the desired level of safety pending long 

range solutions.” (FAA Release 68-1) 

0 F-111A aircraft crashed near Edwards AFB, Calif., on test flight. Crewmen, Col. Henry W. Brown (USAF) and L/Col. Joe B. Jordon (USAF), 

parachuted to safety in escape compartment. Crash was fourth for 

F-111; one F-111B and two F-111As had crashed previously. (AP, 

NYT, 1/4/68,74) 

AFSC awarded United Aircraft Corp. $3,300,000 initial increment to 

$33,476,000 contract for advance development program to demonstrate 

high-performance reusable oxygen-hydrogen rocket engine. (DOD Re 

lease 4-68) e Commercial irradiation of foods by gamma rays for protection against 

spoilage had begun. at Nuclear Materials Equipment Corp. (NUMEC) , Apollo, Pa. Bacon would be proceBsed initially, although FDA had also 

approved irradiation for potatoes, wheat, and wheat flour. Bacon would 

be treated by exposure to 4.5 million rads of gamma rays to destroy all 

bacteria; product could be stored indefinitely without refrigeration. 

Neither texture nor wholesomeness would be affected, according to AEC 

and Army tests conducted over past 15 yr. (NYT, 1/2/67,58) 

January 3: Development of blood-pressure sensors small enough to pass 

through dog’s artery into heart-invention of ARC’S Grant W. Coonwas announced by NASA. Sensors showed promise as diagnostic and 

monitoring instrument for human beings, particularly infants. (NASA 

Special Release; NASA Tech Brief 67-10669; AP, NYT, 1/4/68; UPI, P 

EB, 1/4/68) 

NASA announced presentation of awards of $25 each to 68 NASA and contractor employees for technical innovations that might be useful to nonaerospace industry. Awards were expected to stimulate reporting of 

useful new materials, processes, products, tools, computer programs, 

and other space technology developed in the course of NASA work.” 

(NASA Release 68-3) 

Cosmos CLXXXZV, launched Oct. 24, 1967, was identified by U.S.S.R. 

as operational meteorological satellite which also surveyed Arctic shipping conditions. Satellite had completed its first 1,000 orbits. Information obtained from mission would be shared with US. Cosmos 

CLXXXZV was fourth known Soviet meteorological satellite. (UPI, W 

Post, 1/4/68, A14;.SBD, 1/4/68,13) 

January 4: NASA Administrator James E. Webb announced personnel 

changes for new Apollo Lunar Exploration Office [establishment announced Dec. 19, 19671: Capt. Lee R. Scherer (USN, Ret.), Assistant 

Director for Lunar Programs and Lunar Orbiter Program Manager, 

OSSA, would transfer to OMSF to direct new office: Capt. William T. 

O’Bryant (USN, Ret.), Program Manager for Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package, OSSA, would head Flight Systems Development Div. ; 

and Dr. Richard J. Allenby, Jr., Deputy Director of Manned Flight Experiments, OSSA, would head Lunar Science Div. (NASA Release 68-5) 

e Robert F. Packard, Director of State Dept.’s Office of Space and Environmental Science Affairs, described prospects for international cooperative programs in space before meeting of National Capital Section of 

AIAA: “. . . our foreign policy objectives clearly call for.an ongoing 

and successful space program [and] to a surprising degree the American position in the world today may be affected by the manner in 

66 

2 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 Jan- 4 

which we conduct our space program. . . . There may be opportunities 

to use space technology for arms verification and arms control, and to 

create special opportunities for cooperation between de major space 

powers. There will clearly be opportunities to extend the economic and 

social benefits which this technology offers and to use these applications, as well as scientific research projects, as a means for increased 

international cooperation.” (Text) 

January 5: Resignation of Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., as Deputy Administrator of NASA, announced Oct. 2, 1967, became effective. (NASA Release 

USAF announced launch of 200th Minuteman ICBM from Vandenberg 

AFB. Since September 1962, Vandenberg had been launch site for missiles fired over Pacific Ocean for crew training, reliability tests, and developmental work. (Boeing Release) 

e Computer services for 1968 would be provided to major contractors operating at Michoud Assembly Facility by Ling-Temco-Vought’s Range 

Systems Div. under $2.7-dllion MSFC contract, MSFC announced. Second of three one-year renewed options, contract ~OW had total value of 

$7.6 million. Services would include operation and maintenance of a 

large complex of digital and analog computers, data transmission systems, data reduction systems, and related electronic equipment. ( MSFC 

Release 68-1) 

January 7: NASA’s Surveyor VII (Surveyor G) , last spacecraft in NASA’s Surveyor Program to analyze lunar surface, was successfully launched 

from ETR by Atlas-Centaur (AC-15) booster on 67-hr lunar intercept 

trajectory. Primary mission for 2,29341 (at launch) spacecraft was to 

softland on the moon and obtain postlanding TV pictures of lunar surface. As secondary mission spacecraft would determine relative abundance of chemical elements in lunar soil with alpha-scattering instrument; manipulate lunar material with surface sampler in view of TV 

camera ; and obtain touchdown dynamics, dermal, and radar reflectivity data [see Jan. 9-22]. Surveyor VII-which also carried magnets 

attached to landing pads, mirrors for viewing beneath spacecraft and 

for stereo photography, and seven special dust-detection mirrors-was 

first in Surveyor series to carry both alpha-scattering instrument and 

surface sampler. 

Launch sequence for Surveyor VU was flawless, and spacecraft performed nominally. First of two scheduled midcourse maneuvers was so 

precise that second correction was not necessary; maneuver directed 

spacecraft toward a point 1.6 mi from center of target area. 

Surveyor VII was seventh in series of seven spacecraft designed to 

prove out design, develop technology of lunar softlanding, obtain postlanding TV pictures of lunar surface, and provide basic scientific and 

engineering data in support of Project Apollo. Surveyor program was 

directed by OSSA Lunar and Planetary Programs Div.; project management was assigned to JPL; Atlas-Centaur launch vehicle was managed 

by LeRC; and prime contractor for spacecraft development and design 

was Hughes Aircraft Co. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 67-316K; AP, 

NYT, 1/8/68,14; UPI, W Star, 1/8/68,1; AP, B Sun, 1/8/68, A3) 

USAF and United Technology Center announced that hybrid rocket engine using solid propellant and liquid oxidizer had successfully fired 

Sandpiper missile from F4 aircraft in secret test Dec. 12, 1967. Ac67-257) 

3 
January 7 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS. 1968 

January 7: Surveyor VII, launched Jan. 7 for softlanding on moon Jan. 9, photographed crescent earth from lunar surface Jan. 20 and recorded two laser beams (arrow) 

aimed toward landing site from earth. Spacecraft was last in NASA’s Surveyor program. 

cording to UTC manager Douglas D. Qrdahl, engine had performed well 

during five-minute flight over Eglin AFB, Fla., aerial test range and 

“proved for the first time that hybrids are practical and can fly.” (W 

Post, 1/7/68, A7; Wilford, NYT, 1/8/68,3) 

January 8: Two-volume Review Board report, Status of Actions Taken on 

the Apollo 204, was submitted to Senate Committee on Aeronautical and 

Space Sciences and House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ 

NASA Oversight Subcommittee by NASA Associate Administrator for 

Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. Mueller. According to report, 

major changes made in Apollo project included: installing quick4 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 January 8 

opening hatch; eliminating most combustible materials in cabin; remaking spacesuit, primarily of glass fiber instead of nylon; equipping and 

training launch pad workers for fire fighting; placing metal shielding 

over exposed electrical wiring ; and replacing aluminum oxygen pipes 

with more-fire-resistant stainless steel pipes. NASA reported spacecraft 

had been modified by North American Rockwell Corp. so that it could 

use ordinary air or oxygen-enriched air, as well as 100% oxygen, while 

on launch pad. (Text; Wilford, NYT, 1/20/68,1) 

Spain had submitted “declaration of intent” to withdraw from ESRO, 

Space Business Daily reported. Under March 20, 19a, eight-year organization plan, Spain would have contributed 2.66%, $7.98 million, of 

ESRO’S total budget of $300 million. Nine countries would remain in 

ESRO: Belgium, Denmark, West Germany, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and U.B. (SBD, 1/8/68,27) 

Five or six meteorites landed on earth every day, usually undetected, 

National Geographic Society reported. Some 8 billion meteors actually 

entered earth’s atmosphere daily, but intense heat from air friction vaporized all but largest. (NYT, 1/8/68,47) 

January 9: NASA announced creation of Research and Technology Advisory 

Council to assist in planning and evaluation of research and technology 

for aeronautics and space. Council would assess relative importance of 

ongoing research, suggest additional work, and advise on methods for 

developing national resources. 

Headed by Dr. Raymond L. Bisplinghoff, Head of MIT Department 

of Aeronautics and Astronautics, and supported by committees representing seven major technology areas, Council included: Dr. David Altman, United Technology Center; Dr. Allen V. Astin, Director of National Bureau of Standards; Dr. Loren D. Carlson, Univ. of California 

School of Medicine; Dr. Howard W. Emmons, Harvard Univ.; Gen. 

James Ferguson, Commander of AFSC; Dr. Nicholas J. Hoff, Head of 

Stanford Univ. Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics; Dr. Hans W. 

Liepmann, Cal Tech; Dr. John G. Linvill, Head of Stanford Univ. 

Electrical Engineering Dept. ; Matthias E. Lukens, Deputy Executive 

Director of Port of New York Authority; Dr. Ronald Smelt, Vice President and Chief Scientist of Lockheed Aircraft Corp.; Dr. Chauncey V. 

Starr, Dean of Univ. of California Engineering School; and Edward C. 

Wells, Vice President, Product and Development, Boeing Co. Dr. Allan 

E. Puckett of Hughes Aircraft Corp. accepted appointment later. (NASA 

Release 68-4; NASA OART) 

NASA said one mile of coaxial cable had been laid in two-foot-deep 

trench across Ascension Island in South Atlantic Ocean to link two antennas-30-ft-dia parabolic reflector for contact with Apollo spacecraft 

and 42-ft-dia dish to link with Intelsat II-C-as part of chain of 

Manned Space Flight Network ( MSFN) tracking, telemetry, and voice 

communications facilities. Also integrated in NASA communications circuits were Satellite Tracking and Data Acquisition Network (STADAN) 

facilities for scientific satellites and Deep Space Network (DSN) facilities to support .lunar and planetary probes. Ascension Island cable was 

“final link” in two million miles of NASA Communications (NASCOM). 

(NASA Release 68-1) 

Dr. Robert 6. Seamans, Jr., former NASA Deputy Administrator, was 

sworn in as consultant by NASA Administrator James E. Webb. Webb 

5 
January 9 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%8 

said Dr. Seamans would “lend his talents and experience to the complex problems we face as the space program moves into its second decade.” (NASA Release 68-7) 

AEC scientists had produced man-made atoms of transuranium elements 

-artificial elements of californium, einsteinium, and fermium that 

were heavier than uranium, heaviest of the 92 elements that occurred 

naturally. Man-made atoms had numerous potential uses in medicine 

and space, such as providing power for satellites and for electrical 

heart stimulator. (Spivak, WSJ, 1/9/68,1) 

Aerospace industry sales in 1967 totaled $27.3 billion, 13% increase over 

1966 sales, Aerospace Industries Assn. reported. (W News, 1/9/68, 

38) 

January 9-22: NASA’s Surveyor VII, launched Jan. 7, became fifth US. 

spacecraft to softland on moon when it touched down in Tycho crater 

ejecta after 66-hr 35-min flight and began transmitting first of 21,274 

detailed television pictures to JPL Deep Space Facilities, Goldstone, 

Calif. 

Landing sequence began when Surveyor VZZ shifted its normal cruising attitude to position main retrorocket. Triggered by radar, main retromotor slowed spacecraft to 3% mph; retromotor then ejected. Vernier engines cut off at 13 ft above lunar surface and spacecraft landed. 

First photos transmitted showed Surveyor VU was resting in rockstrewn area. Later photos consisted of wide and narrow angle surveys, 

panoramas, and special area surveys of spacecraft and landing area, including closeups of rocky debris on rim of Tycho crater and rugged 

landscape with prominences and boulders estimated to be three stories 

high. Stereo pictures were obtained with special mirrors; polarization 

pictures were taken of lunar surface, geologically interesting rocks, and 

earth; and photos of Jupiter and earth were obtained. Camera also 

photographed laser beams directed at spacecraft from Table Mountain, 

Calif., and Kitt Peak, Ariz., observatories, two of six US. stations 

which directed laser beams. Test, first use of light to communicate over 

such great distance, was considered highly significant for future use of 

lasers in communications and measurements in space and on earth and 

was expected to permit distance between points on moqn and on earth 

to be measured with accuracy of six inches. Special surveys of dustdetection mirrors showed no accumulation of dust. Footpad magnets did 

not show a significant adherence to particles, but material did accumulate on surface sampler scoop magnet. 

Only flaw in mission occurred Jan. 10 when alpha-scattering instrument failed to contact lunar surface after command to deploy had been 

issued. Photos revealed that although release squib had fired, instrument had remained in background count position. Efforts to dislodge it 

by rocking solar panel were unsuccessful. After satisfactory bearingstrength data had been obtained, engineers positioned surface ’sampler 

on top of alpha-scattering instrument, applied downward force, and successfully released instrument without damage. Alpha-scattering instrument, moved by surface sampler to its initial position over soil, to 

second position’ over rock, and to third position over one-half-inch-deep 

trench, obtained data for 63 hr 2 min. Surface sampler conducted six 

bearing-strength tests; excavated several trenches, including one 16 in 

long and over 6 in deep; turned over large rock for examination by TV 

6 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 Jan- 9-22 

camera; and attracted gravel-size rock with its magnet. On Jan. 22, 

communications with spacecraft were halted to preserve battery power 

during cold of lunar night. 

Performance of Surveyor VZZ, final mission in NASA’s Surveyor program to analyze lunar surface, was excellent. Surveyor Z (launched May 

30, 1966), Surveyor ZZZ (launched April 1% , Surveyor V 

(launched Sept. 8, 1967), and Surveyor VZ (la Nov. 7, 1967) 

had all softlanded successfully and transmitted. to earth. Surveyor ZZ (launched Sept. 20, 1966) had failed to softland because of an 

ignition failure. Communications with Surveyor ZV (launched July 14, 

1967) were lost seconds before spacecraft was scheduled to softland, 

and its condition could not be determined. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 67-316K; AP, W Post, 1/10/68, A1; urn, W Star, 1/10/68, A3; 

AP, B Sun, 1/11/68, Al; SBD, 1/11/68, 56; Hill, NYT, 1/12/68,4; 

W Post, 1/13/68, A5; Clark, NYT, 1/22/68, 17). 

January 10: Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, as Chairman of National 

Aeronautics and Space Council, had asked BOB to place $20 million in 

FY 1969 NASA authorization for Earth Resources Observation Satellite 

e 

(EROS). White House budget-cutters had eliminated EROS from new 

budget, George C. Wilson said in Washington Post. Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udal1 and NAS scientists also were expected to press 

for restoration of funds. NAS report to NASA would urge EROS funding as 

‘‘one of the potentially big payoffs for the national space program.’’ 

(Wilson, W Post, 1/10/68, B7) 

Dr. Frederick Seitz, National Academy of Sciences President, was 

awarded DOD’S Distinguished Civilian Service Medal for outstanding 

contribution to DOD as Chairman of Defense Science Board for past 

four years. (NAS-NRC-NAE News Report, 3/68, 6: NAS Info Off) 

January li : NASA successfully launched Explorer XXXVZ-also called Geos 

ZZ (GEOS-B) Geodetic Earth Orbiting Satellite-€rom WTR by ThrustAugmented Delta booster into orbit with 978.4-mi (1,574.5-km) apogee; 

670.8-mi (1,079.5-km) perigee; 112.18-min period; and 105.8’ inclination. 

The 460-lb, gravity-gradient satellite, launched to contribute to 

completion of NASA-managed U.S. National Geodetic Satellite Program (NGSP), carried six geodetic systems for development of a 

more precise model of earth’s gravitational field and improvement of 

knowledge of earth’s size and shape: (1) flashing-light beacons with 

6,620-candle-sec-per-flash combined candle emittance to be photographed 

against background of stars; (2) corner cube quartz reflectors to pinpoint satellite’s position by reflecting a laser beam; (3) three radio 

transmitters to help determine satellite’s line-of-sight velocity using 

Doppler shift principle and USN TRANET equipment; (4) radio transponder to provide distance between satellite and interrogating USA 

SECOR network ground station; (5) range and range-rate transponders 

for simultaneous determination of satellite-to-ground-station range and 

line-of-sight velocity, using NASA’s STADAN system; and (6) C-band 

transponder systems at STADAN stations for calibration and experimentation to determine applicability of C-band radar tracking system to satellite geodesy. Primary mission objectives were to obtain 90 days of 

precision spacecraft position data, support geodetic positioning of 40 

reference control points and 64 densification observation sites, and evaluate accuracy of ground-based C-band radars. 

7 
January 11 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Explorer XXXVZ was fifth satellite launched in NGSP series and second in GEOS series. Mission of first GEOS satellite, Explorer Xx1.X 

(launched Nov. 6, 1965), had ended in December 1966, but satellite 

was still transmitting weak signals on Doppler shift. Geos ZZ was designed, fabricated, and tested by Johns Hopkins Univ.’s Applied Physics Laboratory. Overall mission responsibility was assigned to OSSA. 

(NASA Release 68-2K; NASA Proj Off; UPI, NYT, 1/11/68,30) 

SR-71, USAF’S fastest and highest flying aircraft, crashed in northern 

California. L/C Robert G. Sowers (USAF) , instructor, and Capt. David E. 

Fruehaf (USAF), trainee, ejected safely. (UPI, W Post, 1/13/68, 4) 

Malfunction in test equipment apparently caused failure of two modified 

Apollo drogue parachutes during flight test at USN’S aerospace research 

facility, El Centro, Calif. Test objective to demonstrate structural integrity of parachutes to slow and stabilize spacecraft before main parachute deployment was not realized; MSC announced repeat of flight test 

would be made Feb. 5. (Aero Tech, 1/29/68,10) 

NASA announced award of $4,521,671 contract to Honeywell, Inc., for 

management and engineering services during 1968 for Centaur launch 

vehicle guidance system. Atlas-Centaur booster had successfully 

launched seven Surveyor spacecraft toward the moon and was scheduled to launch OAO, ATS, and two Mariners. (LeRC Release 68-3) 

January 12: XB-70 research aircraft, flown by Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., and 

Donald L. Mallick, reached mach 2.55 and 67,000-ft altitude and accomplished 70% of primary test objectives during 1-hr 54-min flight 

from Edwards AFB. Purpose of flight was to take wing tuft photos and 

check stability, control, and handling qualities; inlet performance; 

boundary layer noise; friction; fuselage bending. (XB-70 Proj Off) 

Most realistic way to reduce sonic boom from supersonic aircraft was to 

make successive small rr-luctions, according to Generation and Propagation of Sonic Boom, report of Subcommittee on Research, NAS Committee on SST-Sonic Boom. Reductions could be achieved by “refinements in conventional aircraft design, a better understanding of theory, 

and improvements in propulsive efficiency and operating procedures.” 

Future aircraft designs might yield significant ‘ reductions. Studies 

should be undertaken by both Government and industry on “less conventional configurations.” ( NASA Release ; NAS-NRC-NAE News Report, 

NASA awarded $7,178,937 contract to General Dynamics Corp. Convair 

Div. to continue for 15 mo contract now in force for launch support 

services for Atlas-Centaur launch vehicle. LeRC had management responsibility for Centaur. ( NASA Release 68-8) 

DOD announced termination of $175-million Mark 17 reentry vehicle program-for which $45 million had already been expended-“before additional R&D or heavy production costs are incurred.” Funds originally 

designated for Mark 17 would be used for design changes on Mark 11. 

(DOD Release 43-68; AP, NYT, 1/14/68, 50) 

a Postdoctoral research opportunities under one-year research associateships to work in AFSC’S laboratories and research centers would be offered by AFSC in 1968 and 1969. Awards would be made by NRC’S selection board around April 1, 1968. (AFSC Release 4.68) 

January 15: NASA announced personnel changes: Samuel H. Hubbard, OMSF 

Special Assistant, Gemini Program, moved to Apollo Applications Pro1/68,1-2) 

8 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 January 15 

gram Office as Special Assistant for Programs, responsible for ensuring adequate communications and documentation were provided by 

UP in support of organizations with program interfaces. 

Col. Maynard E. White (USAF, Ret.) , Director, MSF Program Control, was named Director of MSF Management Operations. Jerald K. 

Kubat of Apollo Program Control would succeed him. (NASA Ann) 

USAF Air Defense Command was redesignated Aerospace Defense Command. (SBD, 1/3/68, 1; AFHF Newsletter, 2/68) 

Terms for development, production, and launch of two comsats for U.K. 

under DOD contract announced March 8, 1967, were made final in 

$7,535,000 fixed-price-incentive-fee USAF contract with Philco-Ford 

Corp.’s Space and Re-entry Systems Div. First satellite would be 

launched into synchronous, equatorial orbit with Thor-Delta booster 

from ETR in 1968; second satellite would be backup. Philco-Ford would 

design satellites Lrto satisfy certain defense communications requirements of the United Kingdom.” Satellites would have station-keeping capability to maintain specific positions over earth. Space and Missile Systems Organization would be contracting agency. ( AFSC Release 195.67) 

January 16: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CXCZX. Orbital parameters: apogee, 221 km (137 mi) ; perigee, 159 km (99 mi) : period, 

88.2 min; inclination, 65.5’. Satellite reentered Feb. 1. (Krasnaya 

Zoez, 1/18/68; GSFC SSR, 1/31/68; 2/15/68) 

Two NASA Nike-Cajun sounding rockets launched from NASA Wallops 

Station carried payloads to 85-mi (137-km) and 88-mi (141-km) altitudes to investigate D region electron density during solar x-ray flare. 

Rocket and instrument performance was satisfactory. Preliminary data 

indicated launches were accomplished during period of decreasing 

solar activity. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

France had successfully test-fired LEX, improved, single-stage experimental hybrid sounding rocket which used liquid oxidizer and inert solid 

propellant. Developed by Office National d’Etudes et de Recherches 

ACrospatiales ( ONERA) , French space agency, LEX could carry 14-lb 

payload with meteorological experiment to 115-km (71-mi) altitude. 

(SBD, 1/16/68,74) 

NASA awarded NAR Rocketdyne Div. $14,796,400 cost-plus-incentive-fee 

contract for engineering support services for H-1 engines to power Saturn IB 1st stage. Contract covered period of July 1967 through June 

1971. ( MSFC Release 68-9) 

British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, speaking to House of Commons 

on long-range spending cuts to restore financial confidence, announced 

withdrawal of U.K.’s military forces east of Suez by end of 1971 and 

cancellation of agreement to purchase 50 F-111 aircraft from US. for 

$875 million. F-111 aircraft order cancellation was expected to have 

adverse effect on cooperation between U.K. and US. in defense production. To obtain U.K. purchase agreement of $2.9 billion for F-111, 

F-4, and C-130 aircraft plus Polaris spare parts, U.S. had agreed to 

purchase $425 million worth of defense items from U.K. by Ey 1977 

and to help U.K. obtain additional $400 million in cooperative arms 

sales to third countries. (Lewis, NYT, 1/17/68, 1; Sheehan, NYT, 

1/17/68,15) 

January 17: USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by 

Thrust-Augmented Thor-Agena D booster into orbit with 335-mi 

9 
January 17 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

(539.1-km) apogee, 285-mi (458.6-km) perigee, 94.5-min period, and 

75.1” inclination. (Aero Tech, 1/29/68, 11; Pres Rpt 68) e Primary objectives of Mariner V mission (launched June 14, 1967) had 

been fulfilled and mission had been adjudged a success by NASA. Communications with spacecraft had been terminated Dec. 1, 1967, when 

signal level had been lowered because of antenna pointing angle; spacecraft systems had operated normally during telemetry reception, Nov. 

21, 1967. Spacecraft was expected to survive solar heat and return 

within range of DSN antennas in August or September 1968. Total lifetime would be three to six years. (NASA Proj Off) 

A 21.5-ftt-dia, 40-ft-long mockup of Saturn V 3rd (S-IVB) stage was 

flown to MSFC for crew station design review; it would be launched as 

2nd stage of Saturn IB and as flight orbital workshop, with aluminumgrid partitions rearranged to create separate rooms. Modification provided two-story arrangement with separate rooms for sleeping, food 

preparation, and control center and large open laboratory area for experiments. ( MSFC Release 68-11 1 

e In Moscow, U.S.S.R. and France agreed to place French instruments on 

board Soviet lunar orbiter satellite at undetermined future date, in 

third joint Soviet-French space project, Evert Clark reported in New 

Yorle Times. Projects, most significant cooperative effort U.S.S.R. had 

undertaken with any country, included launch of French satellite on interplanetary physics mission in 1972 and use of Soviet Molniya comsats 

to exchange experimental color TV broadcasts. (NYT, 1/18,/68, 52) 

AFCRL geodesists hit Explorer XXII satellite with multipulse ruby laser 

beam in daylight for second time. First success in using satellite 

as target for reflection in daylight was on Dec. 19, 1967, by AFCRL. 

Explorer XXII, launched by NASA Oct. 9, 1964, carried special 

reflectors for laser beams. Experiment was designed to improve measurements of distance between widely separated points on earth’s 

surface and improve knowledge of earth‘s size and shape. (OAR Research Review, 5/68, 13; Instruments and Spacecraft, NASA SP-3028) 

January 17-19: Rep. Emilio Q. Daddario (D-Conn.), Chairman of House 

Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Science, Research, and Development Subcommittee, at hearings on environmental pollution, stressed 

crucial role for science and technology in pollution abatement. He 

said hearings would focus on research programs of Federal agencies 

which “must produce an expanded basis of facts and technical options 

to make our pollution laws work.” Testimony would show “that it is 

shortsighted indeed to consider goals for restoring and maintaining the 

quality of the environment apart from the supporting research and development.” (Transcript) 

January 18: USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by 

Titan 111-B-Agena D booster. Satellite entered orbit with 254-mi 

(408.8-km) apogee, 77-mi (132.9-km) perigee, 89.8-min period, and 

111.4” inclination and reentered Feb. 4. (SBD, 1/19/68, 98; GSFC 

SSR, 1/31/68; Pres Rpt 68) 

Study of Northern Lights, auroras, and polar cap airglow by coordinated use of aircraft flights from Churchill Research Range, sounding 

rocket launches, satellite overpasses, and ground observations was 

begun, by. NASA. During two extended periods (Jan. 18-Feb. 8 and Feb. 

10 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 January 18 

21-March 12) NASA airborne laboratory, Convair 990 jet aircraft, 

would fly over Churchill area and beyond, from Alaska to Greenland. 

Three flights would be coordinated with sounding rocket launches from 

Churchill; many flights would be coordinated with passes of Ogo ZV, 

containing 12 experiments for studying auroral and polar cap phenomena. Aircraft would carry spectrometers, photometers, wide-angle 

cameras, radio frequency receivers, and magnetometer to study magnetic field activity and time and space variations of auroras and polar 

gap airglow. NASA’s 1968 Airborne Auroral Ewedition would be directed by ARC’S Airborne Science Office and managed by ARC’S Louis C. 

Haughney ; 14 universities and research organizations in Canada and 

US. would participate. (NASA Release 68-9) 

0 Complete draft of treaty to ban spread of nuclear weapons was submitted by U.S. and U.S.S.R. to 17-nation U.N. Disarmament Conference, 

which would report to U.N. General Assembly by March 15. Agreement had been reached on international inspection and controls to detect any violations of treaty’s provisions. West Germany and other nations contended proposed controls would interfere with peaceful atomic 

development. European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) had 

refused to take part in negotiations and said it would not sign treaty. 

(NYT, 1/19/68,1; 1/20/68,8) 

Proposal for four additional basic Block I1 Apollo spacecraft command 

and service modules would be made by NAR Space Div. in accordance 

with NASA request. Action would bring total purchase to 19 for flights on 

Saturn IB and Saturn V launch vehicles. Delivery would start in 1970. 

(NASA Release 68-12) 

0 Northrop Gorp. scientists 6. M. Andrew and M. S. Cahn told new conference discharge of electricity into air ahead of supersonic aircraft 

might not only lessen sonic boom intensity but also reduce aerodynamic 

drag, saving fuel. Scientists said NASA and Boeing Co. were interested 

in new line of SST research. Electrical discharge-up to 30,000 volts in 

tests to date--would repel molecules of air and remove them from aircraft’s path; molecules would then flow smoothly around aircraft instead of bunching ahead to cause sonic boom. Scientists admitted 

electrical discharge could interfere with radio and TV broadcasts and 

with communications between aircraft and ground. (AP, W Post, 

1/19/68, AS) 

Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. received $5,700,000 USAF contract for 

Agena launch services at Vandenberg AFB from Oct 1, 1967, through 

Sept. 30,1968. (DOD Release 64-68) 

January 19: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CC. Orbital parameters : 

apogee, 538 km (334 mi) ; perigee, 518 km (322 mi) ; period, 95.1 

min; inclination, 74”. (Pravda, 1/21/68; GSFC SSR, 1/31/68) 

Fiftieth anniversary of USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, dedicated 

to ensuring that man could perform efficiently and safely in air and 

in space. Established in 1918 at Hazelhurst Field near Mineola, 

N.Y., school was currently headquartered at Brooks AFB, Tex., under 

command of Col. George E. Schafer. (AFHF Newsletter, 2/68) 

Holder of world manned aircra€t speed record, X-15 pilot Maj. William 

J. Knight (USAF) , received senior astronaut wings and Distinguished 

Flying Cross from M/G Hugh B. Manson, Commander of AFFTC. Maj. 

11 
January 19 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Knight set 4,534-mph speed record Oct. 3, 1967, in special ablativecoated X-15; two weeks later he reached 277,000-ft altitude to qualify 

as an astronaut. On June 29, 1967, after experiencing complete engine 

and power failure, he had piloted X-15 to safe landing to earn DFC. 

(AFFTC Release 68-1-9) 

0 President Johnson named Clark M. Clifford, lawyer and intimate adviser 

to three Democratic Presidents, to succeed Robert S. McNamara as 

Secretary of Defense. President praised Clifford as “a counselor on 

most of the important decisions made in many of the international 

fields from defense to strength to weapons to actions.” (Frankel, NYT, 

1/20/68, 1 ; PD, 1/22/68,8&5) 

NASA announced award of $8.5-million contract to Bendix Field Engineering Corp. to provide logistics support services for NASA’s consolidated worldwide spacecraft tracking networks, which included 50 worldwide sites, ships, instrumental aircraft, communications switching 

centers, spacecraft control centers, mobile units, and a training center. 

Bendix would establish consolidated logistics support system by combining certain functions previously performed separately for each network. Both networks were operational responsibility of GSFC, under 

NASA’s Office of Tracking and Data Acquisition. (NASA Release 68-10) 

January 20: NASA General Counsel Paul G. Dembling told Rutgers Univ. audience: “. . . we are moving toward the end that the rule of law will prevail in space.” He explained space law treaty, which entered into force 

Oct. 10, 1967, and praised effectiveness of U.N. “as a vehicle for the development of international law.” Significance of space law and space 

rescue treaties was that they “indicate that international law can develop 

. . . even among nations having widely divergent ideologies and national interests . . . [and] can evolve by gradually codifying the 

ground rules which are considered by States to be in their common interests.” (Text) 

January 21: FRC announced cuts in N 1969 budget dictated closing out 

X-15 aircraft program in fall 1968. Major setback was Nov. 15, 1967, 

crash which resulted in death of pilot Maj. Michael J. Adams (USAF). 

Main task in 191 flights to date had been study of problems of manned 

controls in high-speed, high-altitude aircraft. Remaining tasks concerned testing of atmospheric reentry conditions. As successor to X-15 

-holder of speed record of 4,534 mph and altitude record of 354,200 ft 

-officials would consider aircraft capable of taking off from ground 

under own power, achieving earth orbit, reentering, and landing at virtually any point on earth. (AP, C Trib, 1/22/68) 

Telescope at Univ. of Arizona’s Planetary Laboratory photographed 

Lunar Orbiter V as it appeared beyond left limb of moon’s face. Scientists believed experiment to be first success in sending observable light 

signals from moon’s vicinity to earth. Some 80 photos were made 

through 61-in telescope by team of three astronomers under Laboratory’s Director, Dr. Gerard Kuiper, in experiment conducted for NASA 

and spacecraft’s designer and builder, Boeing Co. Satellite was visible 

on 52 photos. Boeing engineers oriented Lunar Orbiter V so its shiny 

panels reflected sunlight toward earth. Astronomers reduced stray light 

near very bright moon to prevent multiple reflections within telescope 

from reaching photographic plates. Dr. Kuiper explained that spacecraft resembled 12th-magnitude star in brilliance. These reference data, 

12 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 January 21 

used with radar tracking data, would enable scientists to locate more 

precisely center of mass of moon with respect to its visible limb. Lunar 

Orbiter V was crashed on the moon Jan. 31. (NASA Release 68-34; 

NYT, 2/20/68,19) 

January 22: NASA’s Apollo 5 (AS-204) unmanned earth orbital mission, 

delayed for nearly four hours because of ground equipment malfunctions, was successfully launched from KSC Complex 37 at 5:M pm EST 

in fourth flight of Saturn IB and first flight of 31,700-lb lunar module 

(LM-l), designed to land two astronauts on the moon. Primary dssion objectives were to verify operation of LM ascent propulsion system 

( APS) , descent propulsion system ( DPS) -including restart-and spacecraft structures; evaluate LM staging; and evaluate 2nd-stage (S-IVB) 

and instrument-unit ( IU) orbital performance. 

Launch phase occurred as planned; S-IVB ignited to insert spacecraft 

into orbit with 138-mi (222-km) apogee, 101-mi (163-km) perigee, 

88.3-min period, and 31.63’ inclination ; nose cone jettisoned; spacecraft coasted for 43 min 52 sec; and LM separated from spacecraft LM 

adapter. LM entered orbit with 138-mi (222-km) apogee, 104-mi (167- 

km) perigee, 88.4-min period, and 31.63O inclination. Initial 39-sec DPS 

burn, designed to simulate deceleration for descent to lunar surface, 

was automatically shut down after only 4 sec because of overly conservative computer programming. Ground controllers switched to minimum requirement sequence, an alternate flight plan with shorter total 

DPS firing time and no provision for lunar landing simulation. Second 

DPS engine firing occurred successfully, with 26-sec burn at 10% thrust 

level and 7 sec at maximum thrust. Third DPS engine firing 32 sec later 

consisted of 26-sec burn at 10% thrust, 2 sec at maximum thrust, and 

ascent stage fire-in-the-hole ( FITH) burn during which the two stages 

separated and APS engine was ignited simultaneously while DPS was 

being shut down, simulating abort during landing phase. Duration of 

initial APS burn during abort staging was 60 sec. APS engine fired second time for 6 min 23 sec until fuel was depleted. At end of 11-hr 10- 

min test period, both stages of the LM were left in orbit eventually to 

reenter and disintegrate. 

Apollo 5 mission, adjudged successful by NASA in spite of premature 

DPS engine shutdown, proved out structural integrity of LM; verified 

in-space operation of DPS and APS; and proved value of contingency 

planning. LM was last major piece of Apollo hardware to have its first 

test in space. Command module (CM) had been tested during AS-203 

mission (July 5, 1966) and with service module (SM) on AS202 

(Aug. 25, 1966) and Apollo 4 (AS-501) (Nov. 9, 1967). Final decision on whether Apollo 5 results justified omitting second unmanned 

test and scheduling next mission to be manned would be deferred until 

March, pending final mission review. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Releases 

68-6K, 68-19; MSC Release 68-4; AP, Strothman, W Post, 1/23/68, 

1; Fahnestock, W Star, 1/23/68, 1; Wilford, NYT, 1/24/68, 20) 

NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station carried GSFC payload to 184-mi (296-km) altitude to measure intensity and polarization distribution of hydrogen Lyman alpha at 

night. Although rocket performance was satisfactory, instruments failed 

to function. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

Flammability characteristics of mixed gas atmosphere (60% oxygen and 

13 
January 22 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

40% nitrogen at 16 psi) in Apollo command module had been evaluated 

by MSC in 24 “enriched air” tests, with “all but two ignition points” 

showing self-extinguishing characteristics. Two ignition points on circuit breaker panels exhibited what MSC termed “moderate fire propagation” because fire spread “beyond the point of self extinguishment.” 

Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, MSC Director, retained three major options for 

mixed gas” for Apollo launch phase: regular air, enriched air using 

oxygen and nitrogen, or pure oxygen. (Aero Tech, 1/29/68, 10) e MSC had awarded $2-million contract extension to MIT’S Div. of Sponsored Research for design and developmental support of Apollo guidance and navigation systems, including flight test and operational support for Apollo command and service modules. Contract extension 

brought total estimated value of MIT contract since April 1965 to $48.7 

million. (NASA Release 68-15) 

In statement to press, Secretary of the Navy Paul R. Ignatius and Chief 

of Naval Operations Thomas H. Moorer refuted rumors USN wanted to 

drop controversial F-111B aircraft in favor of another type: “In early 

October 1967, representatives of the Grumman Aircraft Engineering 

Company submitted to the Navy a design layout of a new fighter type 

aircraft. The design proposal sought to meet future fleet air defense 

and fighter interceptor requirements [and] would build on the F-111B 

technology and incorporate most of its basic components, including the 

engines, and the PHOENIX missile [and] variable sweep wing.” They 

stated that three other proposals had been received from aircraft industry but added that “evaluation . . . of proposals from industry . . . is 

a continuing process. . . . The Navy continues to support the on-going 

aircraft programs and the funds in the N 69 budget request for production of both F-4 and F-111B aircraft, as well as the VFAX concept.” 

(DOD Release 70-68) 

Junuary 23: NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from Churchill 

Research Range carried Univ. of Alaska payload to examine spatial 

distribution of ionospheric currents near visual auroral forms with 

flashing light on rocket used to locate position of rocket on TV film of 

aurora. Rocket and instrument performance was satisfactory. Radar 

did not track vehicle to sufficient altitude to obtain peak altitude data. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

At AIAA’S 6th Aerospace Sciences Meeting in New York City, NASA Associate Administrator, Dr. Homer E. Newell, compared current space activities with those of past: “Today, as we note the anniversaries of 

Sputnik, Explorer, and Vanguard, we do well to take stock of where we 

are and where we are going in Space, for after a decade of unparalleled 

success we find ourselves having to resell our fellow citizens this greatest adventure of mankind.” 

Ten years ago “we could only assert from intuition and prophecy the 

value of space techniques to science. Today, we can point to a profound 

influence that space has had on the geosciences, is having on astronomy, and is beginning to have in life sciences.” Ten years ago, planning for future required organizational and management, as well as 

disciplinary and technical, capability to achieve objectives. Now it 

could be based on established capability in science, engineering, and 

administration; proved reliability of wide variety of launch vehicles; 

demonstrated ability to use automatic techniques in space and to con- 

<I 

14 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 January 23 

struct and fly new large system successfully; and demonstrated capability of man to operate in space. Major problem of mastering space 

technology was solved, failures were few, and success, once “rare and 

precious commodity,” became routine. 

Budget reductions and postponement of new space missions would 

continue until resolution of Vietnam war, but long-term outlook for 

space explorations, research, and applications was good: (1) “the intrinsic worth of the program merits the interest and support of the . . * 

people”; (2) post World War I1 babies raised in midst of space age 

“will in the 70’s become a powerful force of intelligent, highly educated 

people . . . [who will] want to continue” space exploration; (3) U.S.S.R. would continue vigorous, expanding program, presenting challenge U.S. would have to meet; (4) as U.S. economic growth continued 

and military expenditures decreased, resources would be available and 

need for vigorous U.S. space program recognized; and (5) gap between professionals and laymen would be bridged by space-oriented 

younger generation. 

NASA’s key policies were directed toward preserving U.S. space capability and laying groundwork for vigorous program in 19709. NASA 

would seek approval from Congress and Executive Branch to initiate 

programs, increase emphasis on aeronautics and space applications and 

practical applications on earth, and continue to support development of 

key advanced technologies. (Text) 

e AIM’S highest award, Goddard Award, was presented jointly to General 

Electric Co. project managers Donald C. Berkey and James E. Warsham and Ernest C. Simpson, Chief of Turbine Engine Div. at USAF’S 

Aero Propulsion Laboratory, for “an outstanding contribution to aircraft propulsion in relation to development of the high bypass ratio 

turbofan engine” [TF39 engine which would power USAF’S C-SA jet 

transport aircraft]. Other awards: Sylvanus Albert Reed Award to William H. Cook, Boeing Co., for his influence on development of Boeing 

727 and SST; Space Science Award to Prof. Kinsey A. Anderson, Univ. 

of California at Berkeley, for “a consistent series of major contributions to the development of space science and the improvement of our 

understanding of solar cosmic radiation, the aurora and the magnetosphere”; and 1968 Dryden Research Lecture Award to Hans W. Liepmann for research on laminar instability and transition. 

LaRc Director Dr. Floyd L. Thompson was elected AIM President, 

succeeding Harold T. Luskin. (AIAA News, 1/5/68, 1/15/68,1/23/68; 

AIAA Facts) 

Honored at Chicago’s National Conference on Industrial Research as 

Man of the Year in research by Industrial Research magazine, JPL 

Director, Dr. William H. Pickering, told press at Illinois Institute of 

Technology, “The United States has superiority in space exploration 

but the Congressional cutbacks may enable the Russians to get well 

ahead of us.” (Kotulak, C Trib, 1/24/68) 

Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.), Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics, said on floor of the House, “. . . these are times 

of stringent budgetary considerations [and] times when fiscal allocations for our space program must be evaluated.” He referred to Jan. 2 

Oakland Tribune editorial which stated: “After the frustrations and 

fears brought on by the Soviet Union’s early space successes, this na15 
January 23 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

tion resolved to bear the burdens and financial strain of winning the 

space race. We were not going to continue to be second in space. That 

commitment is as worthy today as it was in the early years of this decade. At stake is not only national prestige but critical scientific knowledge and military advantages. Fickle second thoughts at this late date 

are inexcusable.” (CR, 1/23/68, E139) 

January 23-24: House Committee on Science and Astronautics opened 

Ninth Annual Seminar with Panel discussion of applied science and its 

relationship to world economy. President of International Bank for Reconstruction and Development George D. Woods said that “technologies do . . . provide the developing countries of the world with the 

basis for a satisfactory rate of economic growth.” We should concentrate efforts on education, agriculture, population control, development 

efforts on VTOL and STOL aircraft, communications and geodetic satellites, and sea water desalination. 

House Speaker John W. McCormack said, “If scientific knowledge is 

appIied indiscriminately without regard to social and worId costs, the 

results over a period of time can be disastrous [and] Congress must 

have a means for judging the consequences of science.” 

Dr. Anthonie T. Knoppers, Senior Vice President of Merck & Company, Inc., speaking of transfer of marketable technology, said that “everybody recognizes . . . problems of the future the large corporation 

cannot solve” and called for “new firms in which the corporation, the 

university, and the government have to work to better solve some of 

our sociological problems.” (Transcript) 

January 24: USAF launched two unidentified satellites from Vandenberg 

AFB by LongTank Thrust-Augmented Thor ( LTTAT) -Agena D booster. 

One satellite entered orbit with 269-mi (432.9-km) apogee, 112-mi 

(180.2-km) perigee, 90.6-min period, and 81.5’ inclination and reentered Feb 27. Other satellite entered orbit with 338-mi (543.9-km) apogee, 294-mi (473.1-km) perigee, 94.9-min period, and 81.7’ inclination. Flights were fifth and sixth since LTTAT vehicle was activated on 

May 9,1967. (SBD, 1/26/68,137; Pres Rpt 68) 

NASA’s Explorer XXXVZ (Geos 11) satellite, launched Jan. 11, had completed initial checkout tests and was ready for operational use. Supporting ground systems were expected to be ready to operate with satellite 

in late February. All six geodetic systems had responded to ground 

commands. Satellite had been stabilized by gravity gradient boom so 

that it faced earth constantly with 2 5 ’ stability. (NASA Release 68-16) 

ARC scientists Dr. Cyril A. Ponnamperuma and Fritz H. Woeller said 

gigantic red spot on Jupiter’s atmosphere might be millions of square 

miles of red organic dye. Scientists had made large number of electrical energy discharges (lightning) in simulated Jupiter atmosphere of 

ammonia and methane, atmosphere mix agreed to by most scientists, 

and had produced quantities of amino acids and other organic materials. Most common product had been organic dyestuff with ruby red 

translucency. From experiments and spectroscopic and theoretical studies, scientists concluded red spot might result from giant meteor craters 

in solid hydrogen surface of Jupiter creating vortex in Jupiter’s atmosphere. Since atmosphere might be largely red dye, upwelling caused 

by vortex would create red spot in top of dense surrounding white 

clouds. J~upiter was like huge dynamo, rotating once every 10 hr; rapid 

16 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 January 24 

alternation of day and night, hence warm and cold, was believed to 

produce great atmospheric turbulence and electrical energy transfer. 

{ARC Release 68-3) 

.a Pravda released description of preparations for launching of Maj. Yuri 

A. Gagarin in history’s first manned space flight April 12, 1961. Songs 

by 110-member folk music choir-instead of one man’s voice-had 

been selected for radio tests to avoid arousing rumors that U.S.S.R. 

had put a man into orbit. Pravda reports were excerpts from The First 

Four Stages, book recognizing leading role in Soviet manned space 

flight of Sergei P. Korolev. U.S.S.R. acknowledged malfunction had occurred during first unmanned test of Vostok spacecraft launched May 

15, 1960, as Sputnik ZV. Because of improper alignment, spacecraft was 

hurled deeper into space when retrorockets fired instead of braking for 

reentry. (Anderson, NYT, 1/25/68; A&A, 15-60, 123, 147) 

.a JPL announced appointment of R/A John E. Clark (USN, Ret.) as JPL 

Deputy Director, effective Feb. 19. Adm. Clark had retired as Commandant, Twelfth Naval District, in September 1967. (JPL Release) 

January 26: NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried GSFC payload to 99-mi (160-km) aItitude to check instrumentation. 

Random failure occurred in control system, but pointing system acquired two of three target stars. Rocket performance was satisfactory. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

.a NASA Administrator James E. Webb announced resignation of Edmond 

C. Buckley as Associate Administrator for Tracking and Data Acquisition, and Buckley’s appointment as his Special Assistant and Vice 

Chairman of NASA Post Apollo Advisory Group (headed by LaRC Director Dr. Floyd L. Thompson). Gerald M. Truszynski, Deputy to Buckley 

for seven years, would succeed him. Webb said Buckley had been 

one of the architects of this nation’s great competence in tracking and 

data acquisition.” (NASA Release 68-17) 

.a UCLA physicist Dr. Willard F. Libby believed icecaps, similar to those on 

earth, covered Venus’ poles and might extend over as much as half of 

planet. U.S.S.R.’s Venus 4 probe had found surface temperatures reaching 540’ F during landing of instrument package, Oct. 18, 1967. Dr. 

Libby, Nobel Laureate, explained that temperatures between hot equatorial belt and icy polar regions must grade off into area of moderate 

warmth where plant life might exist; gaseous carbon dioxide cloud covering Venus did not permit animal life as known on earth. (UPI, NYT, 

1/26/68) 

January 27: First flight test of Apollo lunar module (Apollo 5) Jan. 

22-23 was adjudged success. NASA officials were gratified with maturity of spacecraft’s hardware; studies indicated LM showed more maturity in its first flight than many previous spacecraft, including some designed to be manned. Although overly conservative programming of 

guidance computer caused early shutdown of first descent propulsion 

system burn, data indicated no problems with computer or system’s engine. (NASA Release 68-19) 

January 28: Airborne laboratory, Convair 990 jet aircraft Galileo, had 

completed more than one week of flights above Alaskan-Canadian area 

in NASA’s 1968 Airborne Auroral Expedition, based at Churchill Research Range, NASA reported [see Jan. 183. Scientists had obtained 

hundreds of unique color photos of auroras and had reported unu6C 

17 
January 28 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

sually clear night views of towering auroral displays. Aircraft had provided superior data at altitudes previously reached only by balloons. 

Expedition scientists intended to establish more precisely width and extent of Auroral Oval region-belt usually located below 80“ north latitude and often extending as far south as 55” north latitude. (NASA Release 68-18) 

0 Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Committee had successfully installed and tested Pakistan’s first satellite tracking station at 

Dacca, East Pakistan. Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) station 

capable of receiving cloud-cover photographs via US. Nimbus and ESSA 

satellites would enable meteorologists to forecast cyclones, which frequently struck Pakistan. (AP, NYT, 1/29/68; AP, NYT, 2/20/68, 61) 

January 29: President Johnson sent message to Congress on FY 1969 

budget. 

Praising effectiveness of NASA’s cost reduction efforts, he noted that 

NASA by utilizing idle, excess, and surplus Government property had 

avoided expenditures of over $22 million for new equipment and facilities and had saved over $16 million by improving procurement practices. However, to meet urgent national needs in other areas, further 

reductions still had to be made. “New obligational authority requested 

for [NASA] . . . is about $220 million below the 1968 amount. Expenditures will be $230 million below 1968, $850 million below 1967, 

and over $1.3 billion less than in 1966. This reduction reflects our 

progress beyond the costly research and development phases of the 

manned lunar mission, as well as the immediate need to postpone 

spending for new projects wherever possible. 

“Based on a careful examination of priorities, the 1969 budget provides increases in some areas to prepare for important advances in future years, while deferring other less urgent, new projects. The production of our large Saturn-class space boosters is continued but at a reduced rate. The development of a nuclear rocket engine to increase the 

capability of our Saturn V launch vehicle is also continued, but at a 

smaller size and thrust than originally planned, to reduce development 

cost.” 

Planetary exploration would be continued with development of “a 

new spacecraft for launch in 1973 to orbit and land on Mars. This 

new Mars mission will cost much less than half the Voyager program 

included in last year’s budget. Although the scientific result of this 

new mission will be less than that of the Voyager, it will still provide 

extremely valuable data and serve as a building block for planetary exploration systems of the future.” 

Request for DOD, increased “to assure that our defense capabilities 

remain equal to any challenge or threat,” included funds to: (1) maintain strategic deterrent by converting from Minuteman I1 to Poseidon 

missiles with multiple warheads and modernizing manned bomber force 

with additional F-111B aircraft and improved short-range attack missiles; (2) proceed with procurement of Sentinel missile defense system 

for defense against possible Communist Chinese threat and revamp air 

defense; (3) augment firepower, mobility, and readiness of generalpurpose forces by improving air defenses with new fixed-wing aircraft, 

helicopters, and weapon systems ; (4) improve airlift-sealift capability 

by purchasing additional C-5A aircraft and procuring fast deploy18 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 January 29 

ment logistics ship; and (5) continue vigorous R&D effort. (The Bzdget 

of the United States Government, FY 1969, 26-9) 

0 President Johnson submitted $186.1-billion FY 1969 budget request to 

Congress, including $6.76-billion total space budget. Of this sum, NASA 

would receive $4.37 billion, smallest amount since 1963; DOD space efforts, $2.216 billion; mc space applications, $143 million; and ESSA 

satellite system, $30.6 million. 

NASA FY 1969 budget, $218 million less than for FY 1968, provided 

for $3.677 billion to be spent for R&D (down $233 million from FY 

1968 and $557 million from FY 1967) ; $4!5 million for construction of 

facilities ; and $648 million for administrative operations. Project 

Apollo would be kept on schedule, development of NERVA I would 

be continued, and launch plans would be made for two pioneer flights 

toward Jupiter and one Sunblazer probe. Research on Earth Resources 

Observation Satellite would continue, but development would be 

postponed. OGO program would be phased out after OGO-F. NASA’s 

$2.5-billion Voyager program would be replaced with a $500-million, 

four-mission Mars orbiter project. Although NASA’s $2.039-billion 

Apollo budget request accounted for 47% of total NASA budget, amount 

for Apollo was $517 million less than for FY 1968, reflecting declining 

expenditures as program neared its completion. Requested $439.6 

million for Apollo Applications (u) program was less than half of 

amount originally sought and necessitated cancellation of planned 

14-day AAP-1A flight. Some $76.9 million-a $10.1-million increase over FY 1968-was allotted for NASA’s aeronautics program, 

with most of increase attributed to additional supporting research 

in subsonic aircraft technology. XB-70 and X-15 research programs would be phased out by December 1968. Space science and 

applications were allotted $538.2 million, with 18 major NASA launches 

and 13 non-NAsA launches scheduled for 1968. 

Major portions of DOD space budget would be spent on MOI.-$~OO 

million, compared with $431 million requested for FY 1968.. Some 

$60.4 million was allocated for defense and tactical satellite communications programs, and $10.5 million for Vela nuclear test detection satellite program. 

AEC space budget-$11 million higher than for FY 1968-included 

$72 million €or Project Rover, with $39 million for NERVA system. Most 

of ESSA’S funds would be used for development of sensors and satellite 

system in support of World Weather Watch and improved techniques 

for warning services. FAA’s request included $351 million for SST development, $251 million increase over FY 1968 and one of largest increases given to any domestic program. It was principal item in DOT’S 

g449-million request for R&D. (Text; DOD Budget Summary; W Post, 

1/16/68, A5; AP, B Sun, 1/16/68, A3; McNamara Statement; DOD 

Background Briefing; NASA Release, 1/29/68; W Star, 1/29/68, A7; 

Clark, NYT, 1/30/68, 16; Aero Tech, 2/12/68, 17-35) ‘ 

NASA released transcript of Jan. 27 background briefing on NASA FY 

1969 budget, in which Administrator James E. Webb explained how 

Apollo program had been kept close to schedule in spite of severe 

budget cuts. Although budget had been reduced $600-mi&on in 1964, 

NASA had been given great deal of flexibility to reprogram funds. “This 

in effect permitted the driving forward of the program even though 

19 
January 29 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

there were substantial reductions in the plan. I think if you examine all 

of the very large systems development in the country, you will not find 

a one that has kept more on schedule, given more for the money, and 

more nearly realized its goals on time than the Apollo, in spite of the 

fire, in spite of the reductions. The kind of rolling readjustment that we 

have had to make . . . has involved very large problems. And the 

projections we made as to our capability to meet problems of that kind 

have pretty well been borne out. . . . The fact is within this short period of time the Saturn V has flown. The heat shield on the Apollo has 

been improved. Service module has been tested. LM has been tested. 

And we have I think moved about as rapidly as any program-certainly more rapidly than any program of a comparable complexity.” 

Webb said NASA and DOD were studying closer cooperation “in the 

area of orbiting laboratories,” such as MOL and Saturn V Workshop. 

He envisioned production of “a basic capability of a rather primitive 

sort, something like an Antarctic base flown on the Saturn V which 

could be used for any national purpose.” (Transcript) 

In statement on DOD FY 1969 budget released by Senate Armed Services 

Committee, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara said DOD was requesting $79 million more for R&D in FY 1969 than in FY 1968 to 

support more vigorously many scientific fields that show great promise and clear relevance to our future security.” DOD would continue 

working closely with NASA to ensure maximum interchange of personnel, ideas, technology, and hardware and to avoid wasteful duplication 

of effort in national space program. Under new budget work on MOL 

development would be increased substantially. “FY 1969 is expected to 

be a peak year of activity in the MOL program, including the completion of a major portion of the structural test programs on flight hardware, continued fabrication of hardware for the first three flights, developmental test firings of the seven-segment solid motors for the Titan 

111-M, and installation of the ground equipment in the launch complex.” (Text) 

Lee B. James, Deputy Director of Apollo Program in OMSF, returned 

to MSFC’s Industrial Operations as Deputy Director for Special 

Activities, MSFC Director of Industrial Operations B/G Edmund F. 

O’Connor ( USAF) announced. Before assignment with OMSF, James 

had been manager of Saturn I and Saturn IB programs at MSFC. 

(MSFC Release 68-16; Marshall Star, 2/7/68, 4) 

January 30: President Johnson transmitted to Congress his annual 

report, United States Aeronautics and Space Activities, 1967. 

“The fruits of . . . technology have not been limited to space 

exploration alone. The knowledge built through our space program 

has benefited our earthbound lives. It has : revolutionized communications throughout the world; given us better weather information and 

more accurate navigational and geographic data; brought improved 

medical instruments and techniques, advanced education, and added 

to our store of scientific knowledge; spurred the development of more 

sophisticated aircraft and improved flight safety ; [and] strengthened 

both the security of this nation and our leadership in the search for a 

peaceful and secure world.” 

The President was heartened to see that the space program had 

moved forward in a spirit of international cooperation, giving new 

CL 

66 

20 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 January 30 

January 30: Engineering mockup of Saturn I orbital workshop readied for crew station 

review at Marshall Space Flight Center. Space-suited astronaut leaves full-size model of 

Saturn S-IVB rocket stage which will contain individual sleeping rooms, kitchen-dining area, laboratory work spaces, and waste-management area. 

hope that the conquest of space can contribute to the establishment 

of peace.” (Text) 

MSFC reported “all mission objectives were met” by Saturn IB launch 

vehicle used in first unmanned flight test of Apollo lunar module, Jan. 

22. Flight was fourth consecutive success for Saturn IB and 15th out 

of 15 for MsFc-developed Saturn launch vehicles. Flight events had 

21 
January 30 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

been “exactly on time or within a few hundredths of a second until 

second stage but still within tolerance limits.’) Trajectories of both 

stages had been within expected tolerances, and orbit insertion conditions had been met satisfactorily. (MSFC Release 68-17) 

ARC scientists Dr. Gordon W. Hodgson and Dr. Cyril A. Ponnamperuma 

had demonstrated by synthesizing molecules in porphyrin group, of 

which chlorophyll was a member, means by which chlorophyll might 

have first appeared on earth. By subjecting ammonia, methane, and 

water in a simulated primitive atmosphere to continuous lightning 

charges, scientists created new molecular combinations, including 

some tentatively identified as porphyrins. Such a process of chemical 

evolution to form of self-sustaining life probably occurred during billion years of earth’s 4.5 billion years. Scientists confirmed synthesis 

with tests, but warned that materials might not be true porphyrins 

but structurally related compounds. (ARC Release 684) 

Shipment of LM-2, second Apollo lunar module, and associated Saturn 

IB launch vehicle to KSC had been postponed pending further evaluation of Apollo 5 mission results [see Jan. 27 and 301. Initial evaluations of first LM flight, Jan. 22-23, had indicated that second 

unmanned flight might not be required to qualify spacecraft for 

manned flight. NASA announced that further “detailed review of Apollo 

5 flight data and deliberations by a [NASA] design certification review 

board in March will determine the final decision.” (NASA Release 

68-21). 

Orbital workshop engineering mockup was readied for five-day crew 

station review Feb. 12-16 at MSFC. It was second of three design 

reviews. First had been conducted Dee. 11-14, 1967. In mockup, 

recently returned to MSFC from McDonnell Douglas Corp., astronauts 

would carry out tasks on ground that would later be done in orbit 

under zero gravity conditions, including experiment installation and 

operation. MSFC announced that third and final critical review in 

July would precede production of flight model of orbital workshop. 

(MSFC Release 68-18) 

NASA announced award of gB7.Pmillion contract to Link Group, General 

Precision Systems, Inc., for maintenance and modification support of 

MSC’S simulator complex, continuing services provided by Link Group 

since March 1964. Apollo mission simulators, at MSC and at KSC, had 

provided flight training for astronaut crews in which nearly every 

detail of flight except weightlessness could be simulated. (NASA Release 68-20). 

January 31 : Tenth anniversary of first US. satellite, Explorer I, launched 

by ABMA-JPL team with Jupiter C booster. In defiance of original 

prediction of three-year lifespan, 30.8-lb stovepipe-shaped spacecraft 

had traveled 1% billion miles and was expected to continue orbiting 

through 1968, though silent. Explorer I, currently in orbit with 771- 

mi (1,241-km) apogee, 215-mi (346-km) perigee, and 100-min period, 

had stopped transmitting data May 23, 1958, after supplying data on 

cosmic rays, micrometeoroids, and temperature and discovering one 

of earth’s radiation belts later named after Dr. James A. Van Allen, 

designer of satellite’s radiation-detection experiment. 

At National Press Club Ceremony in Washington, D.C., commemorating annbersary, Dr. William H. Pickering, JPL Director, reviewed 

22 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 January 31 

January 31: Tenth anniversary of first U.S. satellite, Explorer I, shown in 1958 photo 

with JPL scientists before ABMA-JPL launch. Still in orbit, 30.8-lb 80-inch assembly of 

instrumented upper section and final-stage solid-propellant rocket had traveled 1 f/z billion miles. Left to right are John Small; the late Dr. J. E. Froelich, JPL project 

director; Dr. Albert R. Hibbs; Karl W. Linnes; and Robert Victor. (U.S. Army photo) 

American and Soviet space statistics: “The US. has placed about 500 

vehicles in Earth orbit to 250 for the USSR. We have had 13 successful missions to the Moon, the USSR 8. Our reconnaissance spacecraft 

have obtained about 100,000 high-resolution photographs of the Moon; 

USSR craft have returned about 100. The US. has had three successful 

23 
January 31 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

missions to the near planets in five attempts. Russia has successfully 

landed an instrumented package on Venus after an estimated 19 

planetary attempts. We have accumulated nearly 2,000 hours of manned 

space flight time, compared with about 530 for the USSR. Our 

astronauts have performed multiple rendezvous and docking operations; the Soviets have demonstrated one automatic docking. We have 

logged over 12 hours of extravehicular activity; the USSR shows 20 

minutes.” 

Dr. wernher yon Braun, MSFC Director, critical of cuts in NASA 

budget, noted: “NASA has not been able to plan for post-Apollo projects 

with any degree of certainty. NASA has attempted production of the 

Saturn IB and Saturn V at the rate of two each per year. Frankly, 

this rate is too low to maintain the progress and momentum so painstakingly acquired in the space program over the past decade. 

“The dismantling of the high competence built up over the years 

at JPL and [MSFC] has already begun. Both organizations are already 

losing valuable, highly trained people because of the insecurity and 

the lack of challenging work for them to do. And we face the grim 

reality of even further reductions and cutbacks. . . . The exploration 

of space has proven its worth, and has become deeply ingrained into 

the everyday fabric of our society. . . .” Space program would be 

examined closely by Congress, Dr. von Braun said, but “NASA’s record 

of accomplishments and the ability of its management will bear up 

well under the scrutiny. In determining what our space program 

should be during the coming years . . . members of Congress . . . [should] give careful consideration to where we are today in space, 

at the end of our first decade, and where we could be ten years from 

now, by building on the accomplishments of the past.” (EH; Texts; 

MSFC Release 68-14; Clark, NYT, 2/1/68, 15) 

NASA announced end of Lunar Orbiter project. Lunar Orbiter V, launched 

Aug. 1, 1967, had obeyed spacecraft controllers and crashed on lunar 

surface after 1,200 orbits. Final operation of spacecraft had consisted 

of 18.9-sec burn of velocity control engine at apolune to decrease speed 

by 64 mph for orbit decay. Impact occurred at 2:58.5 am, EST, near 

equator on moon’s western limb. Destruction of Lunar Orbiter V had 

become necessary because its supply of attitude control gas was nearly 

depleted. In concentrating on 36 areas of moon’s face, spacecraft had 

completed coverage necessary for full photographic survey of moon’s 

hidden side, photographing and transmitting 212 telephoto and 212 

wide-angle pictures of lunar surface. Spacecraft had also been used to 

provide tracking target to MSFN stations and for crew training and 

computer program verification. 

Lunar Orbiters I, 11, and IJI had been crashed on Oct. 29, 1966, 

Oct. 11, 1967, and Oct. 9, 1967, as their control gas became exhausted. 

Communications were lost with Lunar Orbiter IV, and it had apparently 

crashed on lunar surface. During Lunar Orbiter project, since first 

launch Aug. 10, 1966, 6,034 orbits of moon had been completed and 

more than 99% of lunar surface had been photographed by orbiting 

cameras to provide data for selection of eight candidate landing sites 

for Apollo project. Lunar Orbiter program was directed by OSSA and 

managed by LaRC. Boeing Co. was prime spacecraft contractor. (NASA 

Proj Off; NASA Release 68-23) 

24 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 January 31 

Apollo 204 accident was reviewed in Senate Report No. 956, issued 

by Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences: “The 

thorough investigation by the Apollo 204 Review Board . . . determined 

that the test conditions at the time of the accident were extremely 

hazardous. However, the test was not recognized as being hazardous 

by either NASA or the contractor prior to the accident. The committee 

can only conclude that NASA’s long history of successes in testing and 

launching space vehicles . . . led to overconfidence and complacency.” 

Committee recommended that “safety . . . be considered of paramount 

importance in the manned space flight program even at the expense 

of target dates” and urged NASA to keep “appropriate Congressional 

committees informed on significant problems arising in its programs.” 

Individually, three Committee members-Sen. Walter F. Mondale 

(D-Minn.), Sen. Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass,), and Sen. Charles H. 

Percy (R-Ill.) -filed more critical separate reports. Sen. Brooke and 

Sen. Percy stated: “, . . NASA’s curious reticence to supply these 

facts and figures [Phillips Report] relevant to a thorough evaluation 

of Apollo program management brought the credibility of NASA and 

its top management into sharp question [and] this initial lack of candor 

as to the existence and then the status of the Phillips report threatened 

one of the essential assets of the space program-the confidence of 

the American public and their elected representatives.” Sen. Mondale 

said NASA “has an unfortunate habit of swamping Congress with engineering details and starving it for policy and management information. . . . Congress should be able to count on frank answers to 

pertinent, responsible, and legitimate inquiries.” 

Criticizing Committee’s report, Rep. William F. Ryan (D-N.Y.) 

said in news release later, “Although the Senate Committee does charge 

NASA with such misdemeanors as overconfidence and complacency, 

the report remains a whitewash and an evasion of the real issues 

involved.” (Texts) 

Senate Report No. 957, Aeronautical Research and Development Policy, 

sponsored by Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, 

conciuded NASA should increase its aeronautical effort, particularly in 

the development phase, and carry it on to “proof-of-concept testing as a 

means of providing a larger variety of options to aircraft designers 

and systems engineers.” Report called for NASC to act as focal point 

for development of more comprehensive and better coordinated aeronautical R&D policy and recommended that NASA’s aeronautical activity 

be upgraded to major office level and directed by an Associate Administrator. (Text) 

In Annual Report to Congress of the Atomic Energy Commission for 

1967, AEC announced fifth launch of twin Vela nuclear detection 

satellites was planned, with increased detection capabilities. Earthoriented spacecraft would be launched by Titan 111-C booster. 

Among other programs, large heat source for power system for space 

applications in mid-1970s was being studied at NASA’s request, with 

scheduled July 1971 delivery of 25-kw heat-source subsystem consisting of high-temperature fuel capsules integrated into safe flight package. Second Phoebus test reactor, Phoebus-2A, was being assembled at 

Nuclear Rocket Development Station in Nevada; testing was scheduled 

25 
January 31 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

to begin in second quarter of year. Work on XE cold-flow engine and 

testing of first “hot” (uranium-fueled) ground experimental engine 

were scheduled for second quarter. Power testing of second-generation 

SNAP4 reactor was planned and more advanced reactor systems for 

space use were being examined, including thermionic fuel elements. 

For treatment of “heart block,” AEC was developing plutoniumfueled cardiac pacemaker. Studies were also under contract on isotopic 

“engine” for pumps to assist or replace functions of damaged heart. 

(Text; InteraviaAirLetter, 2/1/68, 11) 

0 Fifth anniversary of ComSatCorp was noted by Sen. Warren G. Magnuson 

(D-Wash.), Chairman of Senate Committee on Commerce, on floor of 

Senate: “Intelsat has grown from its original membership of 11 nations to a total of 61, including 40 which qualify as among the less 

developed countries. . . . The commercial utilization of space for communications purposes-a dream for the future when the Congress 

passed the Satellite Act-is today a reality.” (NASA LAR VII/7; CR, 

1/31/68, S6.76) 

President Johnson announced his intention to nominate Dr. Thomas 0. 

Paine, manager of General Electric CO.% Technical Military Planning 

Operation (TEMPO) , as NASA Deputy Administrator to succeed Dr. 

Robert C. Seamans, Jr., who resigned Jan. 5. (PD, 2/5/68, 176) 

0 NASA announced award of $1,769,200 contract to Lockheed Missiles 8i 

Space Co. for “adapting the Agena second stage rocket for use on the 

SERT 11 mission to test ion engines in earth orbit.” SERT 11 (Space 

Electric Rocket Test) for at least six months of flight would evaluate 

in-flight performance of electron bombardment ion engines . . . and 

analyze the possible effects of the electric thrustors and their associated 

eIectric fields on other spacecraft components.” Entire Agena 2nd stage 

would be used in 1969 launch as bed of spacecraft SERT 11; Agena 

would be equipped with 11/2-kw solar cell array to provide power for 

ion engines and other systems. LeRC had management responsibility for 

launch vehicle and spacecraft in SERT 11 mission. (LeRC Release 68-8) 

NASA personnel changes: Thomas B. Shillito of LeRC’s Office of Development Evaluation and Management Review was appointed Supersonic 

Transport Program Coordinator for NASA in Washington, D.C. He 

would have offices at FAA and would “stay abreast of technical progress 

in the SST program [and] inform NASA . . . of any impending requirements.,, Shillito would report to NASA Deputy Associate Administrator 

for Advanced Research and Technology (Aeronautics) Charles W. 

Harper. 

Harvey Sherman and James M. Beggs were named consultants to 

NASA Administrator James E. Webb. Sherman, Port of New York Authority’s Director of Organizations and Procedures Dept., would be 

member of senior group of advisors on management matters. Beggs, 

Westinghouse Electric Corp.’~ Assistant Director of Purchases and Traffic, would advise on management concepts and policies. (LeRC Release 

68-7; NASA Release 68-22) 

During January: New knowledge of movement and state of electrons in 

Van Allen radiation belts that explained movement of electrons into 

and out of belts and trapped electron activity was reported from three 

new di3coveries. Bell Telephone Laboratories used energetic particle 

(6 

26 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 During January 

collectors aboard NASA’s Ats I, launched Dec. 6,1966, to show that highenergy outer Van Allen belt electrons exhibited bunching phenomenon 

as they drifted around earth in its magnetic field. Bell scientist Charles 

S. Roberts presented theory that “radio noise in the charged particle 

gas” surrounding earth was “responsible for the loss of electrons from 

the Van Allen belts, rather than the mere presence of lightning-boltinitiated whistlers alone, as previously believed.” At Nov. 16, 1967, 

meeting, Dr. James A. Van Allen had presented satellite-collected data 

suggesting that “both electrons and protons enter the outer Van Allen 

radiation belt” drawn by high voltage generated across earth’s magnetic 

field, caused by earth‘s spin between dawn and evening sides of earthsurrounding magnetic envelope. (Strasser, Aero Tech, 1/29/68, 

US. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency released Technological Innovation in Civilian Public Areas, study by Analytic Services Inc. 

which urged Government to continue support of advanced R&D on domestic problem-solving to prevent economic decline if disarmament 

agreement were reached. Unless such R&D was funded, study said, it 

was questionable whether large demonstration projects to alleviate domestic problems could be undertaken quickly enough to offset substantial reductions in defense spending. Defense industry could help solve 

civilian programs, study concluded, but it questioned whether industry 

noted for technological innovation would not encounter serious obstacles in orienting its activities to areas which often had resisted innovation in any form. (Text; Aero Tech, 1/15/68,43) 

India could be first developing country to orbit her own artificial satellite, according to recommendations of five-man mission of UNESCO. Satellite would be first of “distribution” communications design, more 

powerful than current point-to-point satellites such as Early Bird I and 

requiring less complex ground facilities. Operating under long-term 

plan to end in 1951, India would build 56 ground stations which would 

bring TV to 25% of population. Network of 160 stations could reach 

80% of India’s population. Mission recommended India produce 50,000 

home TV receivers by 1970-1971 and enter into bilateral agreement 

with major space power to purchase satellite and launching services. 

(NYT, 1/28/68) 

0 Payoff from space investment (in satellite applications in extended 

weather forecasting, reduced cost, and extended range for telecommunications) was discussed in Space/Aeronautics. Government policy on future satellite applications would depend on four “key study efforts”: 

(1) study by Presidential Task Force on Communications Policy on 

status of INTELSAT and its role in global and foreign domestic comsat 

systems; (2) study by NAS on potential of applications satellites and 

“an effective cost/benefit strategy”; (3) recommendation by President’s Commission and Council on Marine Sciences for consolidation 

of Federal efforts in marine engineering and oceanography, and creation of policy framework hospitable to applications satellites; and (4) 

European organization of firms’ formulation of arguments advocating 

four regional systems rather than one global network. (S/A, 1/68, 80) 

History of lunar nomenclature and tradition in naming lunar features 

was reviewed by Director of Fels Planetarium, Dr. I. M. Levitt, in Air 

Force and Space. Digest. Knowledge from space research had created 

18-20) 

27 
During January ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

complications for specialists who had to name lunar features. In past, 

craters, mountains, rills, and seas on moon had been named for scientists, mathematicians, and philosophers. In 1647, Johannes Hevelius 

had published Selenogruphicu in Danzig, setting stage for naming 

lunar features. Ground rules were set down in 1932 by International 

Astronomical Union (IAU) , which formed committee of astronomers to 

select names. 

U.S.S.R. had asked 1967 General Assembly of IAU to pass on 153 

more names for features on moon’s hidden side. Levitt recommended 

that names of dead astronauts-both American and Russian-be accepted for lunar nomenclature; later, living astronauts could be similarly honored. Also pioneers in space research-“such as Goddard, von 

Braun, Gilruth, Newell, Ley, Lovelace, Flickinger, Stehling, and so on” 

-and astronomers and; benefactors of mankind could be considered. 

(AF/SD, 1/68,66-9) * William Leavitt in Air Force and Space Digest asked: “Are antiballistic 

missile systems necessarily provocative and ‘destabilizing’ in the sense 

that they will inevitably set off a new spiral in the arms race? Manybut by no means all-scientists answer ‘yes’ to these questions, despite 

impressions to the contrary” Director of Oak Ridge National Laboratory Dr. Alvin Weinberg, who would answer ccn~y7 to ABM question, 

was quoted: “The deployment of ABMS on both sides has been deplored 

as the first step in the unending arms spiral that eventually will consume everything, including our vision of abundance. But suppose ABMS 

and other defensive measures turn out to be effective, and at the same 

time there is no escalation of offense in unending spiral. The knife-edge 

of delicately balanced terror would then be blunted.” (Leavitt, AF/SD, 

1/68, 72-4) 

28 
February 1968 

February 1 : NASA Nike-Cajun sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops 

Station carried payload to 65-mi (104.4-km) altitude to obtain vertical 

profile oi atmosphere parameters between 22- and 59-mi (35- and 95- 

km) altitudes with exploding-grenade and falling-sphere techniques. 

Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily except for one of 

the two spheres; other sphere was tracked for 23 min. Globe Exploration Corp. and Superior Engineering Co. experiments were correlated 

with firings from Kiruna, Sweden; Fort Churchill, Canada; and Point 

Barrow, Alaska. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

e Ats III, launched by NASA Nov. 5, 1967, was again returning color and 

black-and-white pictures to ground stations; color camera had been 

turned off Nov. 29, and black-and-white camera, Dec. 9. Latter had 

been returned to active photographing of cloud cover Dec. 30. Color 

camera had operated since first week of January, but ground equipment had lacked precise adjustment. GSFC believed camera problems, 

possibly caused by gas seepage, had been corrected. (NASA Release 

68-24) 

Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, in annual report to Congress, stated before joint session of Senate Armed Services Committee 

and Defense Appropriations Subcommittee that U.S.S.R. had nearly 

closed nuclear missile gap in 1967 by more than doubling its IBM force. 

According to intelligence estimates, Soviet buildup could give U.S.S.R. 

capability of delivering about 1,000 nuclear warheads and bombs; US. 

could deliver up to 4% times that number. Both U.S. and U.S.S.R. possessed strategic forces capable of withstanding surprise attack and retaliating overwhelmingly against the other. “It is precisely this mutual 

capability to destroy one another, and conversely, our respective inability to prevent such destruction, that provides us both with the strongest 

possible motive to avoid a strategic nuclear war.” Communist China’s 

medium-range missiles, and ICBMS could be operational as a “modest” 

force in mid-1970s. (Beecher, NYT, 2/2/68, 2; Marder, W Post, 

2/2/68, Al; NYT, 2/6/68,42) 

V/A Charles E. Weakley (USN, Ret.), former Commander of US. Atlantic Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Force and recipient of Navy Distinguished Service Medal, became NASA Assistant Administrator for 

Management Development and took over staff of Organization and Management Planning Div., formerly under Associate Administrator for 

Organization and Management. (NASA Release 68-11) 

February 1-2: Tenth anniversary of Explorer I [see Jan. 311 was commemorated by JPL and Cal Tech with two-day program including symposium on First and Second Decades of Space Research and JPL open 

house. JPL Director, Dr. William H. Pickering, leader of first Explorer 

scientific task force, was chairman. Speakers included Dr. James A. 

29 
February 1-2 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Van Allen of State Univ. of Iowa, who had verified radiation belts 

bearing his name; L/G Austin W. Betts (USA) , Army Chief of Research 

and Development; Dr. John W. Findlay, NASA Lunar and Planetary 

Missions Advisory Board Chairman; and Dr. Joseph Kaplan of UCLA, 

US. Chairman of IGY when Explorer Z was launched Jan. 31,1958. 

In next 10 yr, “as an increasingly important area of scientific and 

technical research a balanced program in space must certainly be part 

of the activities of our Nation,” Dr. Kaplan said. “No more noble and 

useful service can be conceived than one which gives strength to . . . cooperation among the nations of the earth. Space certainly qualifies 

for such a role.” 

Dr. Findlay outlined possible missions “of strong scientific interest” 

to Mercury, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter in next decade. Gen. Betts voiced 

concern about attitudes toward exploratory efforts; he was “not convinced that we remember, the lesson” of Sputnik I. “Only some two 

weeks” after its launch, numerous programs were proposed for U.S. 

satellite-possible only because “far-sighted technical people had been 

planning for various applications of space for some time, and even 

though firm military requirements were not available.” ( JPL Releases, 

1/22/68, 1/31/68; Texts; Wilford, NYT, 2/2/68, 4; SBD, 1/26/68, 

38) 

February 2: NASA launched two Aerobee 150 sounding rockets from WSMR. 

First carried American Science and Engineering, Inc., experiment to 

86.5-mi (139-km) altitude to collect data on location and flux levels of 

celestial x-ray sources in 1- to 20-kev range using collimator, proportional counters, aspect camera, and attitude control system (AcS) . ACS 

performance was poor because of timer malfunction; performance of 

rocket and instrumentation was satisfactory. 

Second rocket carried GSFC payload to 92.8-mi (149.3-km) altitude 

to measure spectral irradiance of four early-type stars in 1,100- to 

4,000-i% interval, using uv stellar spectrometer and STRAP system for attitude control. Rocket, instrumentation, and STRAP performed satisfactorily. Good data were obtained. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

* Sen. Clinton P. Anderson (D-N.Mex.) , Chairman of Senate Committee 

on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, on behalf of himself and Sen. 

Margaret C. Smith (R-Me.), ranking member, introduced S. 2918, FY 

1969 NASA authorization bill. Measure was referred to Committee. Total 

authorization of $4.37 billion would provide R&D, $3.677 billion; canstruction of facilities, $45 million ; and administrative operations, 

$648.2 million. (NASA LAR VII/8) 

S-I1 2nd stage for fifth Apollo Saturn V mission left Seal Beach, Calif., 

onboard USNS Point Barrow en route to Mississippi Test Facility ( MTF) , where stage would undergo static testing before shipment to KSC. Also 

onboard ship, to save $6,000 in transportation charges, was F-1 rocket 

engine. Engine would be unloaded for inspection at Michoud Assembly 

Facility in New Orleans, then transferred to barge for remainder 

of trip to MTF. (MSFC Release 68-23) 

* India’s Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERM) was dedicated as international facility by Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi. 

NASA was represented by Assistant Administrator for International Affairs Arnold W. Frutkin, Director of Space Applications Programs 

Leonard Jaffe, and NASA Wallops Station Assistant Chief of Flight Test 

30 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 February 2 

Div. Robert T. Duffy. Dufi had served as advisor, and Wallops had 

assisted by helping to develop range, training scientists and engineers, 

and lending launching and tracking equipment. 

TERLS had been established Nov. 21, 1963, by Indian National Commission for Space Research (INCOSPAR) and to date had launched 52 

rockets: 17 American Nike-Apaches, 29 American Judi-Darts, and 6 

French Centaures. Rockets launched as part of dedication included two 

Nike-Apaches, one Judi-Dart, and one Centaure. Payloads contained experiments involving French, Soviet, and American collaboration with 

India. India’s Dept. of Atomic Energy planned Centaure manufacturing 

unit at TERLS, and INCOSPAR would build space science and technology 

center at Veli (near TERLS) to design and develop space research systems, including vehicle, payload, instrumentation, and ground support. 

Mrs. Gandhi said: “This center represents only one facet of the tremendous industrial and technological revolution in which we are 

involved. . . . Technology is a key. It is a key to knowledge that opens 

the door to plenty as well as power. In a sense it is a key to independence, for it was the failure to advance technologically which made 

Asia and Africa dependent and poverty-stricken.” (NASA Release 

68-14; WS Release 68-1; Zndiu News, 2/2/68,4; LA Times, 2/3/68; 

B Sun, 6/30/68) 

Cornell Univ.’s association with Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory had 

been ended by Univ.’s Board of Trustees on recommendation of special 

committee headed by Univ.’s law professor W. David Curtiss. Reasons 

cited included overlap and potential conflict between Laboratory’s overseas research projects and Univ.’s expanding program of international 

studies. (Science, 2/2/68, 515) 

February 3: Clifford C. Furnas, President of Western New York Nuclear Research Center and member of NAE, was appointed to newly created position of Vice Chairman of National Research Council (NRC) , in which 

he would “assist the Chairman, NAS President Frederick Seitz, in the 

general administration of the NRC and help coordinate activities” between NAE, NAS, and NRC. (NAS-NRC-NAE News Report, 3/68,5: NAS PIO) 

February 5: NASA Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops 

Station carried GSFC payload to 73.3-mi (118.5-km) altitude to evaluate 

vehicle performance and measure payload environmental instrumentation, including three-axis acceleration, lateral and longitudinal vibration, 

three-axis gyro, 10 temperatures, and motor pressure. Rocket performed as predicted and was recommended for acceptance by NASA. All 

instruments operated to impact. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched by NASA from Churchill Research Range carried Univ. of New Hampshire-Univ. of California at 

San Diego payload. Objectives were to detect and identify energetic 

charged particles that caused aurora, measure local electron density 

and correlate it with ground measurements of ionization, study aurora 

light emissions at several wavelengths and detect related electric fields, 

and investigate auroral ionospheric currents and magnetic fields driving them in ranges 1-15 kev and 230 kev and protons from 1040 

kev with electrostatic curved plate analyzers and channel multipliers. 

Launch was first in series of five to be launched from Churchill. Exact 

performance was not calculated because of early radar loss; time correlated performance indicated rocket functioned as predicted. Telemetry 

31 
February 5 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

signals were strong throughout flight. All experimental objectives were 

achieved. (NASA Rpt SRL) ’ Dr. Edward C. Welsh, NASC Executive Secretary, testified before House 

Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Independent Offices 

and HUD that there would be no duplication of experiments on DOD’S 

Manned Orbital Laboratory (MOL) and NASA’s Orbiting Workshop. 

They would operate in different orbits. NASC, Welsh said, was stressing 

those types of space activities from which we can see relatively direct 

benefits to the general public.” (Transcript ; Aero Daily, 4/23/68, 

Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.), Chairman of House Committee on 

Science and Astronautics, introduced H.R. 15086, FY 1969 NASA authorization bill. Measure was referred to Committee. (NASA LAR 

February 6: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCZ into orbit with 327-km (203-mi) 

apogee, 202-km (126-mi) perigee, 89.7-min period, and 64.9’ inclination. Satellite performed satisfactorily and reentered Feb. 14. (SBD, 

2/7/68,210; GSFC SSR, 2/15/68) ’ Senate confirmed nomination of Dr. Thomas 0. Paine as NASA Deputy 

Administrator [see Jan. 311. (Transcript; NASA LAR VII/lO; UPI, 

NYT, 2/8/68,4) 

NASA announced appointment of five members to its Aerospace Safety 

Advisory Panel: M/G Carroll H. Dunn, Director of Military Construction in Office of Chief of Army Engineers; Dr. J. A. Hornbeck, President of Sandia Corp.; Dr. Henry Reining, Jr., Dean of von KleinSmid 

Center of International Affairs, USC; Dr. Eberhard F. M. Rees, Special 

Assistant to Apollo Spacecraft Manager (detached from position as 

Deputy Director, MSFC) ; and Bruce T. Lundin, Associate Director for 

Development, LeRC. Appointments implemented Sec. 6, P.L. 90-67, 

NASA Authorization Act for FY 1968. (NASA Release 68-26) ’ Dramatic reversal in balance of U.K. aerospace trade with U.S. had occurred in 1967, ZnteraviaAirLetter reported. Whereas in 1966, U.K. exports to US. of $187 million (predevaluation) exceeded imports by a 

favorable $137.2 million ( predevaluation) , U.K. aerospace industry’s 

1967 dollar earnings of $118.3 million (new rate) were swamped by 

imports from US. totaling $149.3 million (new rate). This was highest 

figure ever recorded and included $127.2 million for aircraft and $22.1 

million for engines. (ZnteraviuAirLetter, 2/6/68,1) 

February 6-8: Five nations-Brazil, India, Italy, Romania, and Swedenhad misgivings about draft treaty to prohibit further spread of nuclear 

weapons, submitted jointly at Geneva disarmament conference by US. 

and U.S.S.R. Jan. 18. 

On Feb. 8, India, through authoritative source, announced she feared 

neither US. nor U.S.S.R. would supply “an airtight guarantee of its 

territorial integrity and inviolability once Communist China achieves a 

second-strike intercontinental nuclear capability,” according to Los Angeles Times. Sweden appealed to U.S.S.R. to match offers by US. and 

U.K. to permit international inspection of their peaceful nuclear activities. (Hamilton, NYT, 2/7/68, 8; LA Times in W Post, 2/9/68; NYT, 

2/9/68,16) 

February 7: NASA Nike-Cajun sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried 

special parachute and payload to 41.7-mi (67-km) altitude to test 

(6 

11-F) 

VII/9) 

32 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 February 7 

parachute deployment at high altitude and to determine ozone distribution in 12- to 40-mi (20- to 65-km) region. Rocket and instruments 

performed satisfactorily ; parachute deployed at approximately 216,000 

ft. Recovery attempts, initially unsuccessful because of 65-mi off -range 

drift, would be continued in attempt to recover onboard camera. (NASA 

Rpt SRL) 

* President’s authorization request for NASA’s FY 1969 budget was presented 

by NASA Administrator James E. Webb to House Committee on Science 

and Astronautics. At $4.37 billion, authorization request was $700 

million below FY 1968 request, almost $500 million less than FY 1968 

authorization, and $200 million below FY 1968 appropriation. Webb 

stated: “NASA’S expenditures for FY 1969 will be down $230 million 

from this year, $850 million below last year, and $1.3 billion less than 

in FY 1966. The NASA program has been cut. I hope you will decide 

it has been cut enough and will approve the full amount recommended 

by the President. 

“The FY 1969 request does not meet at all our Nation’s needs in 

aeronautics and space. It is a compromise-one which I fully supportbetween needed work toward advances in aeronautics and space which 

we can and should make, and other overriding requirements. . . . During this period when we are reducing our effort by one-third the 

U.S.S.R. is still increasing its effort. . . . In terms of scientific advance 

and in applications of immediate economic use, such as meteorological 

and communications systems, our program has contributed more than 

theirs. But in terms of the use of large launch vehicles and in the rate 

of which future greater capabilities are being developed they are and 

will remain ahead, at our 1969 budget level. The hard fact we now face 

is that just as we have begun to catch up in large-scale booster operations . . . we are cutting back our program while they continue to 

advance.” 

He listed guidelines within “necessary fiscal constraints,” which 

determined decisions on FY 1969 program and budget estimates. NASA 

would continue 1968 operating plan for Apollo program while using allup test concept for Saturn V and Apollo. Complete success in all remaining eight Saturn V flights would be needed for manned lunar landing 

by “end of 1969.” NASA would reduce numbers of Saturn IB and V and 

work out with DOD future requirements for large launch vehicles under 

“sharply limited” launch program. Launch of Saturn I Workshop in 

1970 would be interim step toward Saturn V Workshop and would be 

coordinated with later launch of Apollo Telescope Mount. “Practically 

all” programs had been stretched out, and a number of projects would 

be phased out. 

Scope of new starts would be reduced, with NERVA I replacing larger 

NERVA 11 and “less costly Mariner class spacecraft” replacing Voyager 

mission. Urgent activities would be expanded in aeronautics and in 

space applications; for example, noise reduction, VTOL and sTOL, aircraft for remote measurement of earth resources, and Nimbus D for 

charting atmosphere parameters. 

NASA Centers would be reorganized “to retain . . . after reductions 

[in work force] are made, a limited but strong and well-balanced team 

of scientists, engineers, program and project managers.” 

33 
February 7 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Webb responded to questions: “There are no signs that the Soviets 

are cutting back as we are. New test and launch facilities are steadily 

added . . . and a number of spaceflight systems more advanced than any 

heretofore used are nearing completion.” Webb forecast Soviet booster 

with thrust greater than that of Saturn V, resumption of manned space 

flights, and landing of Soviet instrument packages on Mars in 1969 and 

1971. Budget reductions in FY 1968 had compelled revisions, reductions, delays and cancellations in NASA programs. “We can conduct 

a viable and useful program at these lower levels, but it will be a sharply 

reduced one.” 

Despite reductions allowing almost no flexibility to work around 

problems, “we still have the possibility of making the lunar landing 

before 1970.” (CR, 2/7/68, H926-7; 2/12/68, E708-9) 

Testimony on NASA’s FY 1969 Budget request was presented to House 

Committee on Science and Astronautics by three NASA Associate Administrators. 

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, 

Dr. John E. Naugle, presented OSSA’S budget for “an austere program 

for the immediate future,” yet one that would make “effective use in 

the years ahead of the capabilities we have developed in the past 

decade” and that would advance scientific knowledge and useful applications. “New starts are at a minimum,” he said, “but if this budget 

request is approved, we can continue the most useful of our on-going 

programs, we can avoid abandoning the field of planetary exploration, 

and we can hold together teams and capabilities to meet future national 

needs. . . . ” Authorization request for OSSA for 1969 was for $538.2 

million, $14.7 million below FY 1968 operating plan, with “the decrease . . . primarily in the Lunar and Planetary Programs budget, 

reflecting the completion of the initial aubmated phase of lunar exploration and cancellation of Voyager.” Space applications budget 

request had increased for FY 1969 (to $112.2 million) because of 

demonstrated value of communications and meteorological programs 

and the potential value of applying space technology on a global basis.” 

NASA Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology, 

Dr. Mac C. Adams, described OART program as “the key to tomorrow’s 

leadership in aeronautics and space.” He explained: “. . . our FY 69 

budget request for the R&D line items . . . is $336,800,000, up 5.7 percent over FY 68. The increase is primarily due to increases in effort on 

aircraft technology [up to $10.1 million] and nuclear rockets [up $6 

million]. . . . Major changes also included more V/STOL research, noise 

research for subsonic jets, and development of NERVA I nuclear rocket 

engine at thrust level of 75,000 lb. 

NASA Associate Administrator for Tracking and Data Acquisition 

Gerald M. Truszynski presented FY 1969 budget request of $304.8 

million for R&D and $21.8 million for construction of facilities and 

reported that “50 satellites by the end of 1968” would be supported 

by network while “some 16 new missions” would be launched in FY 

1969. For FY 1969, “the great majority of funds requested will be 

directed toward operating and maintaining present network capability. 

Much of the existing equipment has been operated almost continuously 

for at least eight years and must be refurbished or replaced.” 

Construction of facilities budget would fund : two 210-ft-dia antennas 

LC 

34 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 February 7 

for Spain and Australia; power generating plant for Fairbanks, Alaska, 

tracking station; and Sunblazer antenna. (Testimony) 

NASA awarded Boeing Co. $3,226,374 supplement to its Saturn V systems 

engineering and integration effort, bringing this portion of Boeing’s 

three-part Saturn V contract to $194.8-million total. Boeing would be 

responsible for propulsion systems’ preflight and postflight performance 

analysis for first 10 launch vehicles. ( MSFC Release 68-28) 

February 8: NASA management officials continued to testify on their programs, within NASA’s FY 1969 budget request, to House Committee on 

Science and Astronautics. 

NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. 

Mueller, said OMSF’S $2.815-billion FY 1969 request was lowest request 

since FY 1963, $332.8 million below FY 1968, and “almost $700 million 

below the peak Manned Space Flight budget year, Fiscal Year 1966.” 

Dr. Mueller included $2.483 billion for RP~D, $18.7 million for construction of facilities, and $313 million for administrative operations. Over 

80% of total R&D report was committed to Apollo. “The program of 

Apollo and Apollo Applications Flights, with the development of the 

Saturn V Workshop and the Advanced Missions studies leading to a 

space station of longer duration and greater earth orbital capabilities, 

constitute a minimum effort to continue manned space flight into the 

early 1970s.” Dr. Mueller warned against failing “to capitalize on the 

investment in the Apollo Program” and said it was “economically 

prudent to proceed now with the Apollo Program and the definition 

study of the . . . long duration space station . . . keystone in the future of manned space flight.” 

NASA Associate Administrator for Organization and Management 

Harold B. Finger, citing 27% decrease in procurement for first three 

months of FY 1968 below same period in 1967, predicted 94% of 

procurement dollars going to industry would decrease to less than 

90% by end of FY 1969 as industry-developed systems came into NASA 

for testing and launch. Presenting $10-million Sustaining University 

program budget-equal to 1968 budget but one-third 1967’s $30 million-Finger stressed need for university contributions and combining 

universities’ “demonstrated competence in physical sciences with their 

social science strengths to deal with the total impact of the nation’s 

aerospace effort.” Finger submitted statement of Dr. Richard L. Lesher, 

Assistant Administrator for Technology Utilization, describing programs “to experimentally test and develop methods for bringing about 

the multiple use of the new knowledge gained as a result of NASA 

activities.” 

NASA Assistant Administrator for Administration William E. Lilly 

charged $7.8-million increase in FY 1969 administrative operations 

budget request (from $640.4ndion budget for FY 1968) to cost of 

1967 Pay Act and conversion to civil service of certain GSFC support 

services. He cited personnel reduction of 1,704 positions since freeze 

on hiring new employees on Aug. 24, 1967. (Testimony) 

Five ellipse-shaped, three- by five-mile lunar landing areas were selected 

for astronaut safety considerations by NASA Apollo Site Selection 

Board. First two sites were in Sea of Tranquility, third was in Central 

Bay, and fourth and fifth were in Ocean of Storms. Sites contained features of scientific, interest, including small craters, raw material ejected 

35 
February 8 ASTRONAGTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

from craters, ridges, and faults. Criteria for selection were area 

smoothness, approach path, propellant conservation, countdown recycling time, free-return trajectory, optimum lighting, and slope. Board 

had studied Lunar Orbiter high-resolution photos and Surveyor closeup photos and surface data. (NASA Release 68-25; AP, NYT, 2/5/68, 

13) 

NAS released Space Applications Summer Study, 1967 Interim 

Report, Volume I, Central Review Committee Conclusions and Recommendations and Summaries of Panel Reports. Chaired by Dr. W. Deming Lewis, study treated aspects of space technology “likely to produce 

practical benefits to large segments of the American and world economies.” Report urged extensive and coherent program and said NASA 

should double $100 million it currently spent to develop technology of 

space applications. (Text; Clark, NYT, 2/9/68,6) 

NSF announced scientists and engineers from USA’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, N.H., had lor first 

time successfully drilled through Antarctic icecap, obtaining continuous cores to depth of 7,100 ft at Byrd Station. Later studies of cores 

and samples of underlying rock were expected to provide insight into 

climatic and atmospheric history. Engineers had reached their immediate goal Jan. 29; drilling would be resumed in October. (NSF Release 

68-108; Reinhold, NYT, 2/8/68, C3) 

0 Soviet Prof. Georgy Petrovich, writing in Trud, praised US. space 

achievements but pointed to 20 Soviet “firsts” since Sputnik I. Past 

neutral appraisals had generally agreed with Petrovich that U.S.S.R.’s 

payloads had been heavier and US. hardware more sophisticated. Recent contradiction had been intricate softlanding for Soviet Yen, I v, 

Oct. 18, 1967, and successful US. test of Saturn V, world’s largest 

booster, Nov. 9, 1967. Petrovich praised NASA’s broad application of 

space equipment in practical commercial use of satellite technology for 

communication, meteorology, and navigation. (Winters, B Sun, 2/9/68, 

A3 1 

February 9: Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched by NASA from Churchill 

Research Range carried Univ. of Pittsburgh-Johns Hopkins Univ. payload to %.3-mi (155-km) altitude to perform coordinated auroral experiments with spectrometers and photometers. Rocket and instruments 

performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

February 10: Second-stage (MI) engine for fourth Apollo/Saturn V mission was successfully static-fired for its full duration of six minutes at 

MTF, with engine developing equivalent thrust of over 1 million Ib. 

(Marshall Star, 2/14/68, 1) 

Sixteen scientist-astronauts, from two groups selected in June 1965 and 

August 1967, had complained of dimming prospects for scientific space 

work because of slowdown in spaceflight schedule. UPI said astronauts 

also feared falling behind their colleagues outside space program because flight training left little time for scientific research. MSC Public 

Affairs Officer Paul Haney had announced designation of MSC’s Science 

Director Dr. Wilmot N. Hess to find means for relieving complaints. 

(UPI, NYT, 2/11/68,55) 

February 11: Electric signals out of phase with jet engine noise could be 

introduced into exhaust flame and converted into sound waves to cancel 

out engine noise, according to United Technology Center scientist, Dr. 

36 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 February 11 

A. G. Cattaneo. Idea, in principle, had been demonstrated by recent 

laboratory experiments in which acetylene torch flame converted electric signals into sound with high fidelity. Evaluation of combustion efficiency during rocket engine tests could be additional application. 

(Wilford, NYT, 2/11/68,30) 

Febrtutry 12: GSFC technicians had moved NASA’s Ats 111 satellite to new 

position over Pacific off Ecuador’s coast to aid in US. Coast and Geodetic Survey ( CS,GS) mapping project. After movement from position 

on Equator at 95” west longitude to location at 85” west longitude, satellite could provide precise timing signals to CB~GS team on South Atlantic islands of South Georgia and Tristan de Cunha. Ats ZII, carrying communications, meteorological, and navigational experiments, had 

been launched Nov 5, 1967, into synchronous equatorial orbit at 22,300- 

mi altitude. ( NMA Release 68-30) 

“Space Activities and the National Well-Being” were discussed in speech 

before Detroit’s Economic Club by Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight. “It is a measure of how 

far we have come in space in 10 years,” he said, “to consider that, with 

the flight of the Apollo-Saturn V last November, and the flight of the 

lunar module on January 22, we have now successfully flight-tested 

and proven every piece of the Apollo-Saturn space vehicle, the vehicle 

the United States will use . , . for the exploration of space for years 

to come.” 

He warned that while US. was decreasing its rate of investment in 

space activities, “Soviets are spending 50 per cent more in terms of real 

purchasing power than we are. In percentage of gross national product, 

they are spending 2 or 3 times as much as we are.” 

He noted that “when we launched our first satellite, Explorer I, the 

cost was several millions of dollars per pound of payload to get it up in 

orbit. With the Saturn V, we are now able to put payloads into orbit 

for only about $500 per pound. Considering that reduction from millions of dollars per pound to hundreds of dollars per pound in orbit 

over a period of only 10 years, one can foresee reducing the cost to $50 

per pound or even $5 per pound for getting into and out of orbit.” 

Saturn V development should move US. ahead during next year, but 

U.S.S.R. would soon surpass U.S. “as the full impact of the resources 

they are putting into their space program at this time becomes evident. 

And I would expect that by 1971 or 1972 we will be significantly behind them in terms of all of the aspects that we now know will be characteristic of space flight.” (Text) 

Radar map of planet Venus had been produced by Cornel1 Univ. scientists from computer-assembled data. Radar-astronomy data had been 

gathered by world’s largest radiotelescope at Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory in Puerto Rico. Principal scientist Raymond F. Jurgens said 

map was equivalent to what largest optical telescope on earth could obtain were it not for thick cloud cover obscuring Venusian surface. Measurements had been made in 19M and 1967 when Venus was nearest 

earth, 26 million miles away. Cornell’s Center for Radiophysics and 

Space Research Director Thomas Gold concluded from measurements 

that Venus’ surface material was denser than moon’s. Scientists confirmed that Venus rotated with same face toward earth each time it 

passed nearest earth. Radar observations revealed rough areas near plan37 
February 12 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

et’s equator and probable steep mountain range in southern hemisphere. One-third of Venus had already been mapped; data needed for 

map of almost entire planet were available. (AP, NYT, 2/13/68, 30) 

* RFPS for two series of advanced comsats, Intelsats 111% and IVY and for 

design and feasibility study of rotary joint for use in Intelsat 111% satellites had been issued by ComSatCorp. Two 725-1b Intelsat IIIy2 satellites planned for mid-1969 launch would use directive antenna system 

to increase radiated power directed toward eastern North America and 

Western Europe and would have 1,900 two-way voice circuits. Rotary 

joint would transmit four RF signal channels across interface between 

spinning spacecraft and mechanically despun antenna. Four 2,430-lb 

Intelsat IV satellites planned for launch beginning in mid-1970 would 

be larger, more sophisticated comsats with more than 5,000 voice circuits and greater operational flexibility and versatility. Both satellite 

models would have onboard apogee motors and both would be 

launched into synchronous circular equatorial orbits. (ComSatCorp Release 68-4) 

* XB-70 research aircraft flown by NASA test pilot Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., 

and L/C Emil Sturmthal (USAF) reached 41,000-ft altitude and rnach 

1.18 during 2-hr 43-min flight from Edwards AFB. About 80% of primary objectives were accomplished, testing stability, control, handling, 

canard loads, engine performance, airspeed system calibration, fuselage 

bending photos, and runway noise. (XB-70 Proj Off) 

February 13: President Johnson, presenting National Medal of Science to 

12 scientists, said: “In a democratic society, the public attitude toward 

science must always be a real concern of the scientific community. If 

that attitude is to be favorable, science must be prepared to play its 

part in correcting the flaws in our environment.” 

Award winners were: Jesse W. Beams, professor of physics, Univ. of 

Virginia; Francis Birch, professor of geological sciences, Harvard 

Univ.; Gregory Breit, professor of physics, Yale Univ.; Paul J. Cohen, 

professor of mathematics, Stanford Univ.; Kenneth S. Cole, senior research biophysicist, National Institutes of Health, and visiting professor 

of biophysics, Univ. of California at Berkeley; Harry F. Harlow, professor of psychology, Univ. of Wisconsin; Louis P. Hammett, retired 

professor of chemistry, Columbia Univ. ; Michael Heidelberger, professor of immunochemistry, New York Univ.; George B. Kistiakowsky, 

professor of chemistry, Harvard Univ.; Edwin H. Land, president, Polaroid Corp. ; Igor I. Sikorsky, retired engineering manager, Sikorsky 

Aircraft Div. of United Aircraft Corp.; and Alfred H. Sturtevant, professor of biology, emeritus, Cal Tech. National Medal of Science was 

Government’s highest award for distinguished achievement in science, 

mathematics, and engineering. (PD, 2/19/68,285-6) 

NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, OART, Charles W. 

Harper presented 31st Wright Brothers Lecture, “Prospects in Aeronautics Research and Development,” at AIAA meeting in Washington, 

D.C. He said potential of air transportation had not been realized, 

partly because aeronautics R&D had not fully met its challenges, and 

suggested : ( 1) aeronautics researchers and socioeconomists cooperatively analyze possible air transportation approaches to provide basis 

for most effective R&D program; (2) emphasis on theoretical analysis in all sciences of concern to aeronautics be greatly increased; and 

38 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 February 13 

(3) increased experimental effort be directed toward solving problem 

of system integration. (Program; AIAA Paper 68-217; NASA LAR 

VII/14) 

' Air Force Chief of Stag Gen. John P. McConnell announced renaming of 

Bunker Hill AFB, Ind., to Grissom AFB in honor of Astronaut Virgil I. 

Grissom (L/c, USAF) who was born in Mitchell, Ind., graduated from 

Purdue Univ., was first astronaut or cosmonaut to make a second space 

flight, and died in Apollo fire Jan. 27, 1967. (DOD Release 151-68) ' NASA issued 20 RFPS for final design of two ATS satellites. Of two contracttors selected to develop final design, one would be designated to build 

spacecraft. Planned for launch in early 19709, two satellites carrying 

communications, navigational, and meteorological experiments would 

be placed in synchronous equatorial orbit at 22,300-mi altitude by 

Atlas-Centaur booster. Current program of five ATS launches had two 

successes in three launches; remaining two (ATS-D and -E) would be 

launched in June 1968 and in mid-1969. (NASA Release 68-31) ' NASA awarded Boeing Co. Space Div. $3,064,946 cost-plus-incentive-fee 

contract, effective through September, for continued prelaunch systems 

analysis and integration for first manned Apollo/Saturn V launch 

vehicle. Contract brought total for Saturn V systems integration contract 

to $200 million. ( MSFC Release 68-29) 

' ERC scientists Dr. Lothar Frenkel and Thomas E. Sullivan and Bell Telephone Laboratories scientists M. A. Pollack and T. J. Bridges had 

measured frequency of laser light with error margin of about 20 parts 

in 1 billion. They viewed experiments as important step toward new 

measurement of speed of light, a fundamental physical constant, and of 

distances of space. ( ERC Release 68-3) 

February 15: Some 25 Mexican and Brazilian scientists began four-month 

study course at MSC to learn how aircraft-borne sensors could enable 

them to map natural resources. Program, initial step toward development 

of earth resources satellites which would carry sensors for international 

exchange of data, included 12-wk technical course taught by Univ. of 

Michigan instructors under $92,000 contract; 6-wk field trip to Government and university sensor development centers; and additional 2-wk 

study at MSC. After completing program, scientists would initiate test 

programs for remote sensing techniques in their countries, first with 

NASA aircraft and then with native-owned aircraft. (H. Chron, 2/15/68; 

AP, NYT, 2/16/68,1) 

' John D. Hodge, MSC, and Dr. George F. Pezdirtz, LARC, received Arthur 

S. Flemming Award, presented annually to 10 outstanding young men in 

the Federal Government. Pezdirtz had developed pyrones, new family 

of polymer plastics, and Hodge had been flight director of manned 

flight missions beginning with Project Mercury. (NN; PD, 2/19/68, 

' INTELSAT comsats had carried heaviest load of traffic across Atlantic in 

their history during interruption of service on two transatlantic cables, 

ComSatCorp announced. With cooperation of earth stations overseas, 

ComSatCorp used 177 additional circuits on Zntelsat I and 114. Satellites and stations functioned precisely. (ComSatCorp Release 68-6) ' Current US. aerospace test facilities were becoming outdated, 

AFSC Commander, Gen. James Ferguson, told Los Angeles Chapter of 

289-90) 

39 
February 15 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

American Ordnance Assn. Warning that U.S. was “stretching presentday facilities to a thin point and reaching a limit in . . . ability to ‘make 

do’ on a year to year basis,” Gen. Ferguson urged that an “imaginative, 

comprehensive, long-range plan” be instituted for design, development, 

and acquisition of new facilities. Major facility needs, he said, included: 

wind tunnel for testing VTOL aircraft over entire performance range, 

‘ 200-ft vacuum chamber capable of simulating space environment, shock 

interaction facility to simulate aerodynamic flow and strong shock generated over warhead models and true-temperature wind tunnel (TRIPLTEE) to duplicate flight conditions at hypersonic speeds and temperatures. (Text) ’ Dr. Stephen J. Lukasik, Director of Nuclear Test Detection in DOD’S Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) and Acting ARPA Deputy 

Director, was appointed &PA Deputy Director. ( DOD Release 157-68) ’ USAF Space and Missile Sybtems Organization awarded General Electric 

Co. $2,600,000 increment to a previously awarded contract for reentry 

vehicle flight testing. ( DOD Release 162-68) 

February 16: President Johnson at news conference announced that resignations of A. B. Trowbridge as Secretary of Commerce and Charles 

Murphy as member of Civil Aeronautics Board had been accepted. 

With Senate approval, Trowbridge would be succeeded by C. R. Smith, 

Chairman of Board of American Airlines, and Murphy, who would become consultant to President, by John H. Crooker of law firm Fullbright, Crooker, Freeman & Bates. (PD, 2/19/68,295-300) ’ National Sporting Aviation Council, representing over 80,000 sporting 

aviation enthusiasts, was formed within NAA to promote progress and 

development of sport aviation in U.S. and to encourage worldwide participation through FAI. (NAA News) ’ Flight of Soviet heavy turboprop Bear aircraft had made most southern 

penetration over North American waters, coming close to Newfoundland coast in early February, Charles W. Corddry reported in Baltimore Sun. According to DOD officials, flight was closest to date but was 

not first; several Soviet aircraft had been detected 75-100 mi from 

Newfoundland coast since January. (Corddry, B Sun, 2/17/68,1) 

February 17: President Johnson announced appointment of Dr. Philip Handler, Chairman of Dept. of Biochemistry at Duke Univ. Medical Center, 

and Dr. Herbert F. York, Jr., professor of physics at Univ. of California (San Diego), to four-year terms on President’s Science Advisory 

Committee. (PD, 2/26/68,312-3) 

February 18: U.S.S.R. would increase pace of its space program in preparation for manned circumlunar flight, John N. Wilford reported in New 

York Times. Although no official Soviet flight schedules had been announced, informed sources speculated that U.S.S.R. would conduct 

manned earth-orbital flight, possibly within three months, during which 

cosmonauts in redesigned Soyuz spacecraft would practice rendezvous 

with another vehicle; unmanned circumlunar flight during summer 

1968; and manned flight in fall 1968, in which cosmonauts or animals 

would circle moon in Soyuz spacecraft and return to earth. (Wilford, 

NYT, 2/18/68, 18) 

February 19: Goddard Space Flight Center fired its 1,OOOth sounding 

rocket. Aerobee 150 launched from WSMR carried Lockheed Missiles & 

Space CO, payload to 97.9-mi (160.5-km) altitude to obtain quantitative 

40 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 February 19 

measurements of spectrum and intensity of solar x-ray flux in 2- to 30- 

kev interval with eight proportional counter x-ray sensors, solar aspect 

sensors, and yo-yo despin unit. Rocket and instrumentation performed 

satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL; GSFC Historian) 

“The successful completion of the current phase of the automated exploration of the Moon and our planetary successes to date provide the capability, experience, and framework for the next step forward in the 

exploration of the planets,” NASA Associate Administrator for Space 

Science and Applications, Dr. John E. Naugle, told House Committee 

on Science and Astronautics’ Space Science and Applications Subcommittee. Advanced Planetary Mission Technology ( APMT) effort, begun 

in Fiscal Year 1968 at the conclusion of the Mariner V, Lunar Orbiter, 

and Surveyor Programs, and deferral of Voyager was “directed at 

planning and technology for potential planetary missions in the early 

1970’s.” Emphasis had shifted from automated to manned exploration 

and return of lunar samples. “Regardless of missions planned by the 

U.S.S.R. during the opportunities in 1969, 1971, and 1973,” Dr. Naugle said, NASA’s “systematic approach . . . will be meaningful and more 

likely to be complemented by the U.S.S.R. missions than duplicative.” 

(Testimony) 

NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. 

Mueller, in statement before House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Manned Space Flight Subcommittee, stressed urgency of funding Apollo Applications and advanced missions programs in continuing 

“this country’s position as a space pioneer.” These programs, he said, 

are an investment in our national posture and the future of manned 

space flight . . . [and provide] the opportunity to stabilize the 

manned space flight program so that it can effectively and efficiently respond to the challenges of the next decade. We have the resources, the 

facilities, the people, and the knowledge of Apollo upon which to 

build, and the crucial question posed by this minimum request for 

Apollo Applications is whether we are going to pursue the manned exploration of space. . . . Man will prevail in space. On that there can be 

no serious question. The only question is whether they will be Americans.’, (Testimony) 

Dr. Abe Silverstein, LeRC Director, described progressive decline of 

LeRC funding from peak $389.2 million in FY 1965 to $242.4 million 

in FY 1967, to House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Advanced Research and Technology Subcommittee. Dollar value of procurement had decreased, from $324.5 million in FY 1964 to $211.6 

million in FY 1967, while workload was maintained and lead time reduced. Power usage had increased “but costs had declined significantly.” However in last several years, “funds available for maintenance had been less than those believed necessary for proper upkeep 

and repair.” In long run, Dr. Silverstein said, delays “may prove more 

costly to the Government.” (Testimony) 

USN Aquanauts Fernando Lug0 and Don C. Risk, wearing standard neoprene wet suits and Mark VI11 breathing apparatus, dived to record 

1,025-it simulated ocean depth and, with three other aquanauts, accumulated record 48 hr each at 825-ft depth during tests at Washington, 

D.C., Navy Yard. Experiment was in preparation for USN’S 60-day Sea- 

(6 

41 
February 19 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

lab I11 experiment in underwater living scheduled to begin in fall 1968. 

(DOD Release 180-68) ' R/A John E. Clark (USN, Ret.), former Commandant of Twelfth Naval 

District in San Francisco, became JPL Deputy Director. He had been 

Commander of Naval Air Missile Test Center (2954), ARPA Deputy 

Director (195&61), and Commander of PMR (1961-65). (JPL LabOratory, 2/68, 3) ' Jodrell Bank Observatory Director, Sir Bernard Lovell, claimed explosion of Soviet spacecraft in orbit during 1962 Cuban missile crisis led 

U.S. to believe U.S.S.R. was launching massive ICBM attack and warned 

that World War I11 could be triggered by misidentified space debris 

falling to earth. (W News, 2/20/68, 3; SBD, 2/20/68,281) ' U.S.S.R. was closing its missile gap and could equal U.S. 1,054-ICBM 

force by mid-1969, according to DOD sources. Between October 1966 and 

October 1967 Soviet ICBM force had increased from 340 to 720 missiles; 

currently, U.S.S.R. had more than 720 ICBM sites in operation and about 

280 under construction. In addition, U.S.S.R was reportedly developing 

new 16-tube nuclear submarines, missiles that could travel long distances underwater, mach 3 interceptor aircraft, and mobile, solid-fueled 

ICBMS. (Beecher, NYT, 2/19/68, 1; 2/20/68, 18; Wilson, W Post, 

2/20/68,1) ' Preliminary to joint NASA-WAF flight testing, X-24 manned lifting-body 

vehicle built by Martin Marietta Co. had been sent to ARC for full-scale 

wind-tunnel tests, to begin Feb. 26, FRC announced. Prime purpose was 

to verify aerodynamic predictions obtained from small-scale model 

tests. (FRC Release, 5-68) 

February 20: U.S.S.R. launched two Cosmos satellites. Cosmos CCZZ entered 

orbit with 456-km (283.3-mi) apogee, 211-km (131.1-mi) perigee, 91.2- 

min period, and 48.4" inclination and reentered March 24. Cosmos 

CCZZZ entered orbit with 1,203-km (747.5-mi) apogee, 1,186-km 

(736.9-mi) perigee, 109.2-min period, and 74" inclination. Both satellites performed satisfactorily. (UPI, P Znq, 2/21/68; SBD, 2/21/68, 

294; 2/23/68,300; GSFC SSR, 2/29/68; 3/31/68) ' NASA announced Apollo 6 would be launched no earlier than March 21 

in second unmanned test flight of command and service modules on Saturn V. First Saturn V had been launched successfully Nov. 9, 1967. 

Ten-hour, earth-orbital mission would include (1) 5X-min second 

burn of 3rd-stage engine to provide 279,000-mi flight into space on 16- 

day elliptical earth orbit; (2) separation and flight of Apollo spacecraft to 13,824-mi altitude, using 4-min retro-burn of spacecraft's main 

propulsion system; and (3) high-speed spacecraft reentry into earth's 

atmosphere simulating lunar mission return. (NASA Release 68-37) ' Surveyor VZZ, on the moon, stopped operating 22 hr before nominal sunset time. Spacecraft, launched Jan. 7, had responded to turn-on commands Feb. 12, transmitted 45 200-line TV pictures, and obtained 22 

hr of useful data from alpha-scattering instrument, but performance before signal loss indicated that appreciable functional degradation had 

occurred during preceding lunar night. (NASA Proj Off; AP, B Sun, 

2/22/68, A5) ' Explorer XXXVZ (Geos ZZ), launched Jan. 11, became fully operational, 

having achieved orbit well within specifications. With launch of this 

spacecraft, Thrust-Augmented Delta had accomplished record 23rd con42 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 February 20 

secutive, successful launch. Spacecraft would support 128 global observation stations which used both electronic and optical geodetic instrumentation. (NASA Proj Off) 

Dr. Bruce C. Murray, Cal Tech associate prefessor of planetary science, 

told Space Science and Applications Subcommittee of House Committee on Science and Astronautics it would be tragic if US. were to “ignore the challenge and the opportunity” of planetary exploration. He 

urged sustained eTploration program competitive with U.S.S.R. “We 

need not always be first, but we must not always be second.” He saw 

“real possibility of Soviet Mars lander attempts as early as 1969” and 

other attempts at planetary firsts. (NASA Auth Hearings; Randal, W 

star, 3/7/68, A12) 

a Lockheed Aircraft Corp. engineer John W. Jones was granted patents 

3,369,455 and 3,369,485 for new rocket-launching technique with potential military and space applications. Rockets encased in liquid-filled 

plastic sheaths were fired from a gun, after which sheath fell away, 

solid propellant ignited, and rocket continued on its own power. Jones 

said high-altitude research probes could be conducted using seven- or 

eight-inch gun at one-half to one-fourth cost of present methods. Protective sheath and liquid permitted use of new thin-walled military rockets which had better flight performance and traveled twice as fast as 

standard artillery shell. (Jones, NYT, 2/24/68,37; Patent Off PIO) 

National Academy of Engineering announced award of its third Founders Medal to Dr. Vladimir K. Zworykin, Honorary Vice President of 

Radio Corporation of America and technical consultant to RCA Laboratories, in recognition of his many contributions to engineering and to 

betterment of human society. Dr. Zworykin, known as “Father of Television” for invention of iconoscope, first practical picture transmission 

tube, was cited also for “his role in developing the first commercial 

electron microscope in the western hemisphere . . . promoting the 

cause of traffic safety through the imaginative concept of an automated 

‘electronic highway,’ and. . . working . . . to bring about a union of electronics and medicine.” Medal would be presented April 24 during NAE’S 

4th Annual Meeting. (NAE Release, 2/20/68) 

USA announced plans to establish Advanced Ballistic Missile Defense 

Agency which would combine some elements of DOD’S Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) Office of Ballistic Missile Defense and 

Nike-X advanced development. Dr. Patrick J. Friel, Director of ARPA 

office, would be appointed USA Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director 

of new agency. He would be replaced by Dr. David E. Mann. (DOD Release 176-68) 

a Administration would soon announce plans to slow pace of SST develop 

ment, Evert Clark reported in New York Times. He said industry sources 

believed that technical reasons would be cited as cause, but “the real 

reason was chiefly political-an attempt to reduce the request for funds 

. . . for [FYI 1969 to a level acceptable to Congressional critics of the 

program.” (Clark, NYT, 2/21/68) 

February 21 : NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket was launched from 

Churchill Research Range carrying GSFC experiment to study auroral 

activity as it developed and dissipated for comparison with data from 

similar Nike-Apache launch. Flight was unsuccesshl because of unde43 
February 21 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

termined failure related to pitch/roll couple. Radar and loss of telemetry 

indicated payload breakup. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

Sixty-day simulated earth-orbited mission, using Douglas Missile & 

Space Systems Div.’s lz-ft-dia, 40-ft-long space cabin simulator, had begun for four California college students-Jack G. Angaran, Dennis Giroux, Guy H. King, and Robert B. Zeuschner. NASA OART had awarded 

$200,000 contract to McDonnell Douglas Corp. to conduct what was believed first test in which crew would subsist in space cabin on %lased 

water and oxygen loop” for lengthy period. Students would use reclaimed water and oxygen from human waste. Additional missions to 

evaluation of integrated li€e support system were evaluation of waste 

management; crew’s ability to maintain, service and repair life support 

system; and crew’s physiological and psychological reactions. Life support system resembled that needed for three-year spacecraft mission. 

Crew’s contact with outside world would be by radio. (DAC Release 

Explaining decision to develop flight-rated NERVA engine at 75,000-lb 

rather than 200,000-lb thrust level, NASA Manager of Space Nuclear 

Propulsion Milton Klein told House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Advanced Research and Technology Subcommittee that lower 

level would be suitable for most missions in which nuclear rocket was 

significantly advantageous. It was “substantially off -optimum for 

manned planetary landing missions,” but with manned exploration delayed, “less emphasis is now properly placed upon that mission, and 

the 75,000-pound-thrust NERVA class is appropriate. . . . The 

75,000-pound-thrust NERVA gives somewhat better payload performance 

for orbital operations missions which start from low Earth orbit and 

involve a single Saturn V launch,” but its use for manned planetary 

missions ‘Lentails a significant performance penalty.” Further development might be required “to extend operating time and to accommodate 

more extensive clustering and staging if such a mission were to be undertaken.” (Testimony) 

Within limited budget, NASA was “attempting increased emphasis on Astronomy” using manned spaceflight capabilities, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, Dr. John E. Naugle, told 

House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Space Science and Applications Subcommittee. Advanced studies and supporting R&T programs would be expanded in FY 1969 to lay “ground work for a major 

program in space astronomy.” Flight program in space physics was 

being “supported at reduced levels,” primarily because of OGO phaseout, but resources would be needed “to capitalize on analysis of data 

obtained.” Decline in data and experiments, despite output from EXplorer and Pioneer programs, might be stemmed, but NASA %onsidered 

it much more important to use our requested resources to develop a 

program which will enable us to fly new experiments, to make new investigations, and to explore new regions of interplanetary space.” Development of two new Pioneer spacecraft would be initiated in FY 

1969, to reach past Mars and toward Jupiter, with first launch proposed for 1973. (Testimony) 

NSF announced award of first nine grants under National Sea Grant College Program Act of 1966 to encourage development of national marine resources. Grants, which totaled nearly $2 million, included three 

67-172 ; St. Louis G-D, 2/21/68) 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 February 21 

to help higher education institutions develop broadly based major programs for increasing utilization of marine resources and six to support 

individual sea grant projects. (NSF Release 68-112) 

USAF awarded Big Three Industrial Gas and Equipment Co. $1,156,845 

fixed-price contract for production of propellant nitrogen to support 

Project Apollo at KSC. (DOD Release 183-68) 

February 21-22: NASA successfully launched six Nike-Apache sounding 

rockets carrying chemical cloud experiments from NASA Wallops 

Station between 6:17 pm and 6:02 am EST. Seven launches had been 

scheduled, but second launch was postponed because of payload problems [see Feb. 261. Rockets ejected vapor trails during descent between 

50- and 90-mi (81- and lg-km) altitudes to measure wind velocities and directions at various altitudes in upper atmosphere. NikeApache launched at dawn carried sodium experiment which created reddish-orange trail. Other five payloads consisted of one triethylborane 

( TEB) and four trimethyl-aluminum (TMA) experiments which formed 

pale blue and green clouds. Rocket carrying TEB was equipped with 

photometer to observe airglow in sunlight for vertical profile of atomic 

oxygen. Other five payloads carried Langmuir probes for measuring 

electron energy distribution. Data were obtained by photographing 

continuously motions of trails from five ground-based camera sites. 

Launches were conducted for GCA Corp. under GSFC contract. (WS Release 68-3; NASA Release 68-32; NASA Rpt SRL) 

February 22: SST prototype construction would be delayed one year because 

of design changes “which would result in significant improvements in 

the production airplane,” Boeing Co. President William M. Allen announced. Detailed plans of recommended changes were being prepared 

for FAA approval. Although present design could result in airworthy 

flight-test aircraft, FAA and airline reviewers had concluded that prototype should have more substantial range and payload “to assure it is a 

sound foundation for an economically successful commercial aircraft.” 

First flights now would be in 1972. (Boeing Release; W Post, 2/23/68, 

A3; WSJ, 2/23/68, 4) 

February 23 : NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from 

Churchill Research Range carried Univ. of Alaska experiment to obtain 

data on horizontal and vertical spatial variation of auroral light emissions and relationship between their intensities and volume emission 

rates. Rocket and instrumentation performance was satisfactory and experiment was successful. Peak altitude was not determined because radar 

lost track. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

0 President Johnson announced appointment of Gen. Maxwell D. Taylor 

(USA, Ret.) as Chairman of President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory 

Board to succeed Clark M. Clifford, who would become Secretary of 

Defense. (PD, 2/26/68,345-6) 

President Johnson nominated B/G Edmund F. O’Connor (USAF), MSFC 

Director of Industrial Operations, for promotion to Major General. ASsigned to YASA through special NASA-DOD personnel exchange agreement in 1964, Gen. O’Connor had been responsible for technical and 

administrative management of Saturn IB and Saturn V launch vehicles 

and Apollo Applications program. ( MSFC Release 68-33) 

Soviet Defense Minister, Marshal Andrey A. Grechko, speaking at Moscow ceremony ,marking 50th anniversary of Soviet armed forces, con- 
February 23 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

firmed reports that U.S.S.R. had greatly expanded its ICBM force [see 

Feb. 191 and emphasized that Soviet armed forces had been modernized to emerge victorious in nuclear or non-nuclear war. (Anderson, 

NYT, 2/24/68, C8) 

February 23-24: Results of 13 experiments carried on board Biosatellite II 

(launched Sept. 7 and recovered Sept. 9, 1967) were discussed by scientists at NASA-NAS symposium in Washington, D.C. Experimenters reported that radiation in weightless state caused greater damage to plant 

and animal organisms than radiation on earth. Affected most severely 

by weightlessness and radiation were young and actively growing cells 

and tissues and cells with high metabolic activity. Animal cells were 

least affected by weightlessness. Generally, plants had difficulty maintaining proper orientation ; some plant structures, mechanisms, and 

biochemical activities were affected. 

Analyses of effects of 45-hr flight on individual experiments, compared with control group on earth, revealed that pepper plant leaves 

twisted and curled downward and wheat seedling roots grew upward 

and sideways. Radiation experiments showed: wasp nurse cells and 

primitive egg cells slowed activities, allowing time for repair of radiation damage; two strains of bacteria grew substantially faster and tolerated radiation better, and viruses hosted by these bacteria appeared to 

be less effective in harming bacteria than on earth; twice as many flour 

beetle offspring died, and beetles suffered 50% more of characteristic 

wing defect; tradescantia plant had greater cell death and pollen abortion; and both adult and larval stages of vinegar gnats suffered greater 

chromosome damage. (NASA Release 68-35) 

February 24: House Government Operations Committee said in report that 

despite acute need to eliminate US. balance of payments deficit, Government continued to make grants for foreign research projects of about 

$20 million yearly-more than $15 million being spent in developed 

countries. Committee recommended rigorous scrutiny of dollar-financed 

projects in Japan, Canada, U.K., Sweden, Italy, Australia, France, and 

West Germany. (W Star, 2/24/68, B9) 

* U.S.S.R. inaugurated fifth permanent Antarctic research station, Bellingshausen station on King George Island, according to Moscow newspapers. U.S.S.R. thus joined U.K., Argentina, and Chile in operating scientific bases in northernmost and warmest part of Antarctica. (NYT, 

3/6/68,49) 

February 25: U.S.S.R. would probably launch several spacecraft, possibly 

containing dogs, on circumlunar missions and return them to earth before launching manned lunar spacecraft, Cosmonaut Valery Bykovsky 

said in Hungarian Army newspaper interview. Quoted in Nephadsreg, 

he said that first Soviet passengers around moon might be offspring of 

space dog Laika. Manned spacecraft would not be launched until necessary experience had been gained. (AP, B Sun, 2/26/68, A3) 

February 26: NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station ejected triethylborane ( TEB) vapor trails during descent 

from 95.2-mi (153.5-km) altitude to study nighttime airglow and variations in wind structure, determine vertical profile of atomic oxygen 

with photometer, and measure electron energy distribution in normal 

nighttime ionosphere with Langmuir probe. Rocket and instrumentation performance was satisfactory. Launch, postponed Feb. 21 to check 

46 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 February 26 

instrumentation for high voltage breakdown, was one of seven launches 

in series conducted for GCA Corp. under GSFC contract [see Feb. 

21-22]. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

e NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics, OART, Charles W. 

Harper, in statement before House Committee on Science and Astronautics, Subcommittee on Advanced Research and Technology, explained NASA’s increased emphasis on aeronautics. Air transportation 

“has grown to dominate the long range transportation systems” and 

“has created an industry of great importance to the economic strength 

of the nation,” showing $850 million in export value in first 10 mo of 

1967, more than any other product, according to Dept. of Commerce. 

NASA planned to direct major effort at providing noise suppression, increasing aerodynamic and propulsion efficiency and advanced avionics, 

while avoiding “major new airport complexes” by increasing development efforts for V/STOL aircraft. 

Harper presented FY 1969 aircraft technology budget: $91.3 million 

for R&D, $20.6 million for “other NASA support applicable to aeronautics,’, and $54.5 million for administrative operations (AO) (for both 

OART and nOn-OART). He said, “A large part of the most fundamental 

aeronautics research is carried out by NASA scientists using NASA 

facilities. . . . Without this continued support the foundation of the 

whole program is in jeopardy and the research supported by R&D 

funds is much less effective.” (Testimony) 

e Research on concepts for high lift capability for STOL aircraft and special hover and speed requirements for VTOL aircraft would continue in 

M 1969, NASA Director of Aeronautical Vehicles, OART, Albert J. 

Evans reported to House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Advanced Research and Technology Subcommittee. Aircraft noise program would pursue efforts to suppress noise by acoustic treatment of 

engine nacelles (with results expected from McDonnell Douglas Corp. 

and Boeing Aircraft Co. investigations by October 1969 and January 

1970) , by engine redesign (with construction of engine components in 

Quiet Research Engine Program initiated in FY 1969), and by operational techniques. Major NASA program in flight dynamics and propulsion in support of SST program would be continued. Phase I11 of Hypersonic Research Engine ( HRE) program, test of HRE on X-15 in flight 

as well as on ground, would not be conducted because of X-15 program termination. Major emphasis in general-aviation technology 

would be on flight safety, with flight tests of “typical twin-engine vehicle,, at FRC in FY 1%9. (Testimony) 

9 NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, Dr. 

John E. Naugle, presented NASA’s bioscience programs to House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Space Science and Applications 

Subcommittee. Biosatellite flights Il and F, 30-day earth-orbiting missions to study effects of space environment on living organisms, were 

scheduled for second and fourth quarters of 1969 and 21-day flights C 

and E for 1970 and 1971. Flights would test reactions of central nervous system, cardiovascular system, metabolism, performance, and behavior of pigtailed monkey. Gas management system for two-gas atmosphere would be flown for first time in US. satellite. (Testimony) 

Discovery by MSFC officials of tiny welding flaws in Saturn V 2nd stage 

had prompted scheduling of new test series before fight could be 

47 
February 26 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

manned, AP reported. Although none of flaws was considered serious 

enough to cause failure, cryogenic prooftesting would be conducted 

March 18-25 with Saturn V fourth flight version. (AP, B Sun, 

2/27/68, A3; AP, W Star, 2/27/68, A5) 

* Harold T. Luskin, chief advanced design engineer at Lockheed-California Co. and former AIAA President, was named NASA Deputy Associate 

Administrator for Manned Space Flight (Technical) , effective March 

18. Luskin would be responsible for ensuring technical excellence and 

would share responsibility for overall planning and direction of 

Manned Space Flight Program with Associate Administrator for 

Manned Space Flight and his other deputies. (NASA Release 68-39) 

February 27: NASA Administrator James E. Webb began testimony on President’s authorization request for NASA’s FY 1969 budget before Senate 

Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. He outlined significant 

NASA achievements and said “remarkable series of successes shows how 

far we have come since the beginning of the Space Age ten years 

ago. . . . Today . . . success is treated almost routinely, no matter 

how difficult the task or how significant the achievement.” 

Describing budget as “a compromise,’, he said President “was forced, 

in spite of his conviction as to the importance of a larger effort in aeronautics and space, to accept reductions. . . . This means that for NASA 

1968 and 1969 are . . . years in which we will be completing programs started in previous years and endeavoring to make limited further advances. Under these conditions we will devote a major effort to 

stabilizing our organization and the resource base we have built.” 

(Testimony) 

NASA’s university program, operating at lower level because of reduced 

funding, was also changing to meet changing requirements, NASA ASSOciate Administrator for Organization and Management Harold B. Finger told Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. Emphasis in predoctoral trainee grants had shifted from earlier need to 

replenish “national reservoir of engineers and scientists who had advanced training in space sciences” to “current and future 

needs . . . for engineers trained in design and development of complex engineering systems . . . and for people trained in 

management . . . of large-scale research and development programs.” 

Finger declared “importance of the university participation in the nation’s space program is equal to or possibly greater now than in the 

early 1960’s,” but cited decreases in predoctoral trainee grants to 75 in 

FY 1968 from about 800 in 1967 and over 1,300 in 1966. No new 

funding awards for new university facilities were anticipated for FY 

1968 or FY 1969. Multidisciplinary research had been reduced to 

about one-half 1967 level. 

In Technology Utilization program, Finger believed some of greatest 

benefits would come from “the storehouse of information that we are 

building that permits easy public access to the large masses of data and 

information” in many disciplines. (Testimony) 

NASA Assistant Administrator for Administration William E. Lilly presented NASA’s FY 1969 administrative operations (AO) budget to Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. He said $648.2 million was requested and “the same stringent measures that were re- 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 February 27 

quired in N 1968 to operate at a level of $628 million have been continued into FY 1969.” (Testimony) 

0 NASA Assistant Administrator for Space Science and Applications, Dr. 

John E. Naugle, testifying before House Committee on Science and Astronautics, Space Science and Applications Subcommittee, said Nimbus 

B would be launched in meteorological flight program in spring 1968. 

Nimbus D continued on schedule for 1970 launch as major step in 

charting earth atmosphere with new techniques. Nimbus E and F were 

planned for 1971 and 1973. First of next-generation meteorological satellites (Tiros M) would be available for launch for ESSA in 1969, providing in single spacecraft both stored picture data for global use and 

local readout of cloud photos, day and night. Dr. Naugle foresaw “in 

more distant future the possibility that several economic applications of 

satellite technology can be combined on single, multiple purpose satellites, thus achieving eEonomy through the sharing of many basic spacecraft systems.” (Testimony) 

British Minister of Technology Anthony W. Benn announced in House 

of Commons that U.K. would underwrite production of Anglo-French 

Concorde supersonic aircraft with $180- to $240-million loan for working capital, bringing total U.K. commitment to more than $1 billion. 

He later revealed first test flight would be delayed until summer 1968. 

First flight of U.S. SST had been postponed until 1972 [see Feb. 221. 

(Lee, NYT, 2/28/68, 5) 

MIT physicist Dr. Irwin I. Shapiro, speaking at American Physical Society meeting in Boston, said he and associates had successfully tested 

refined radar technique that might prove validity of Einstein’s general 

theory of relativity. Using 20-ft-dia Haystack, Mass., dish antenna, scientists observed impulses which they bounced off of Venus and Mercury as planets passed behind sun. Results, which confirmed theory’s 

prediction that signals would be slowed down slightly by gravitational 

pull, were more precise than those from previous tests but were not 

clear enough to resolve completely debate on theory’s validity. Dr. 

Shapiro believed greater precision could be achieved. (Sullivan, NYT, 

2/28/68, 22; O’Toole, W Post, 2/28/68, 1) 

NAA Executive Director, M/G B. E. Allen (USAF, Ret.), in Washington, 

D.C., ceremony presented awards to Allen Bourdon, William Diehl, and 

Ernest Hall, last three living civilian flight instructors of World War I 

air service, for ‘‘their patriotism, devotion to duty, and capability as 

pilots [who performed] an outstanding service toward our achievement 

of victory in World War I.” (NAA News) 

February 28: NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from 

Churchill Research Range carried Univ. of Alaska experiment to 183- 

mi (295-km) altitude to obtain data on horizontal and vertical spatial 

variation of auroral light emission and relationship between their intensities and volume emission rates. Rocket and instruments performed 

satisfactorily. Experiment was successful. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

0 NASA Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched from .WSMR carried Corne11 Univ. experiment to 106-mi (170.6-km) altitude to study far inhared in spectral range from five to several hundred microns, using 

mercury-, copper- and gallium-doped germanium and antimonide detec49 
February 28 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

tors. Nikon F camera monitored instantaneous rocket aspect. Rocket 

and instrumentation performance was satisfactory. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

XB-70 research aircraft flown by NASA test pilot Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., 

and L/C Emil Sturmthal (USAF) , reached mach 0.50 and 18,500-ft altitude. Primary objectives were not accomplished because main landing 

gear valve malfunctioned; low speed stability data were obtained during 1-hr 51-min flight. (NASA Proj Off) 

Second anniversary of Essa 11, first spacecraft in Tiros Operational Satellite (TOS) system and first to carry Automatic Picture Transmission 

(APT) equipment for cloud-cover photos. Satellite was still operating 

satisfactorily. ( GSFC Historian) 

Press conference on preliminary scientific results from NASA’s Surveyor 

VII, which landed on moon Jan. 9, revealed spacecraft could make safe 

landing in highland area with “major ejecta blanket” (rim of debris 

ejected from center of crater). Data indicated Tycho region of moon’s 

surface contained larger rocks, fewer craters, and thinner debris layer 

than did maria. Fine particles and rocks near Tycho crater had higher 

albedo, or lighter color. Iron content was lower, accounting for lower 

density. In Tycho region, where iron group of elements was less concentrated, reflection of light from moon’s surface was greater than 

from area where iron group elements existed in greater concentration. 

Low iron content was “probably strongest direct evidence” that moon 

had undergone chemical fractionation, suggesting it “has been hot, has 

been melted at least partially, and has been differentiated into different 

types of rock.” (Transcript; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 2/29/68, AS; W News, 

3/21/68) 

February 29: NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, Dr. John E. Naugle, described OSSA programs before Senate 

Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. Three-year budget history of Space Applications program was one of very few in OSSA 

“showing a steady rise” and increase for FY 1969 was primarily due to 

increase in Earth Resources Survey Program. 

“Together with user agencies-the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Interior, and Navy-we are studying the feasibility of applying 

space technology and techniques to such Earth resources disciplines as 

agriculture and forestry resources ; hydrology and water resources ; geography, cartography, and cultural resources ; and oceanography and 

marine resources. Data are now being obtained by flying with electronic and electro-optical sensors over geographical areas . . . to permit correlation of remote sensor data with actual conditions. . . . To 

complement the acquisition of sample data in preparing for future systems, we intend to initiate a definition and economic benefit study in 

Fiscal Year 1969 of an automated spacecraft system called Earth Resources Technology Satellite.” (Testimony) 

NASA Associate Administrator for Tracking and Data Acquisition Gerald 

M. Truszynski, testifying on FY 1969 budget before House Committee 

on Science and Astronautics’ Advanced Research and Technology Subcommittee, cautioned: “The many actions we have taken to reduce operating costs have, however, lowered the level of support we provide to 

the flight projects. In our judgment, further reductions are not possible 

without reducing network reliability to the point of jeopardizing the 

success of flight missions.” (Testimony) 

50 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 February 29 

NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. 

Mueller, in statement before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and 

Space Sciences, pointed to “establishment of a Manned Space Flight 

Safety Office . . . to focus all our safety activity at the highest level of 

management.” NASA, he said, was ensuring “that quality assurance and 

reliability officials have direct access to contractor management and 

NASA management.” (Testimony) 

Apollo and ApoZZo Applications, staff study released by House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Subcommittee on NASA Oversight, included statement by Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.), Subcommittee 

Chairman: “. . . the general posture of the programs is good [but] the 

Apollo program, with its inherent complexity, has had and can be expected to have a variety of problems. Yet this study identifies the fact 

that confidence in the governmental-industrial team accomplishing this 

work is well placed.” 

Report found “that the NASA industry team is continuing to effectively employ its resources in the solution of those problems which currently face the program. NASA has indicated that, given the stretchout 

in the Apollo program caused by the Apollo 204 accident, NASA is not 

constrained by total funding for the Apollo program during [FYI 

1968. The continued reduction in total effort in the Apollo program as 

the program passed its peak effort in fiscal year 1967 is beginning to 

cause dislocation in the contractor and NASA center effort to the extent 

that personnel that will be needed during the flight portion of the program may not be available in the event a major flight problem occurs. 

Timely support for the Apollo Applications program and other postApollo effort could have a major effect on minimizing this problem.” 

(Text) 

0 President Johnson presented Presidential Medal of Freedom, highest civilian award, to Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara at White 

House ceremony. McNamara, who would head World Bank, was cited 

for administering DOD for seven years and “unifying our strength so 

that we might respond effectively wherever the security of our free 

world was challenged.” (AP, NYT, 2/29/68,3; PD, 3/4/68,387-8) 

0 Iowa State Univ. scientist Dr. James A. Van Allen said that although he 

was not outright opponent of manned space flight, so far man had done 

nothing in space but survive-although “that is not unimportant.” He 

advocated Jupiter exploration using unmanned flyby, which he said 

could be accomplished in 1972. He felt there was little chance Jupiter 

could have life forms of any sort, but he wanted this large planet (10 

times diameter of earth) “put on an equal footing with Mars and 

Venus in US. exploration.” His opposition to man in space was based 

on dominance of manned flight in national funding to detriment of unmanned missions that could have returned major scientific benefits. 

(Miles, LA Times, 2/29/68) 

LaRC Director Dr. Floyd L. Thompson was appointed Special Assistant 

to NASA Administrator James E. Webb and head of NASA Hq. Interim 

Working Group to evaluate future manned spaceflight projects. LaRC 

Deputy Director Charles J. Donlan would serve as Acting Director in Dr. 

Thompson’s absence. (NASA Release 68-41; W Post, 3/1/68, A7) 

During February: NASA published 1967 Summer Study of Lunar Science 

51 
During February ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

and Exploration (NASA SP-157), results of July 31-Aug. 13,1%7, conference at Univ. of California in Santa Cruz. Conference recommended 

NASA: (1) develop lunar flying unit ( LFU) , Saturn V dual-launch capability, and dual-mode local scientific survey module (LSSM) for lunar 

suri‘ace mobility; (2) make available in 1970-75 Block I1 Surveyor or 

another system capable of deploying numerous experiments; (3) increase total returned payload to 400 lb so that at least 250 lb of lunar 

samples could be returned on Apollo Applications (a) missions; (4) 

increase flexibility of ALSEP stations’ design, possibly by adopting modular concept; (5) provide for continuous telemetry coverage of all payload elements and operations; (6) develop subsatellite system for deploying instruments in close lunar orbit; (7) implement any extension 

of Apollo science program by open solicitation of experiments from 

scientific community; (8) undertake strong programs in scientific instrument definition and development and in lunar supporting research 

and technology; (9) establish position of Project Scientist within 

manned spaceflight program; (10) include ability in field geology as a 

major requirement for astronauts who would land on moon; (11) conduct immediate and intensive program of detailed mission analyses for 

prime lunar landing sites and traverses suggested by the conference ; 

and (12) include in lunar surface studies observations of micrometeoroid environment, radio-frequency noise levels, suri‘ace impedance and 

conductivity, lunar ionosphere, gamma rays and x-rays, soil mechanics, 

thermal effects, and contaminants. (NASA SP-157; AP, NYT, 2/19/68, 

17) 

Discovery of gamma radiation from celestial sources by AFOSR-supported 

group at Rice Univ., using “gamma-ray telescope,” was reported by Dr. 

R. C. Haymes in OAR Research Review. Telescope tracked celestial 

sources in diurnal motions across sky with pointing system also developed by Rice group. The two gamma-ray sources, discovered in 1967 

flight from Scientific Balloon Flight Station of National Center for Atmospheric Research, Texas, were found in Crab Nebula and Cygnus. 

(OAR Research Review, 2/68,1-2) 

U.K. was urged to join “the mainstream of space development” by 

Council of the British Interplanetary Society. Council specifically criticized 13th report from Parliamentary Estimates Committee, “Space Research and Development,” for its statement that U.K. “should not take 

part in the CETS [Confkrence Europkene sur les T616communications 

par Satellites] programme for a television distribution satellite.” 

Council said U.K. should assess fully future opportunities for collaboration with U.S. and U.S.S.R. and recommended multiaction course 

for U.K. to conduct international and national space activities. Concluding that “lack of purpose at the political level, and a stubborn refusal to establish a viable European space programme” had caused present confused, unplanned, and ineffectual situation, Council urged that 

U.K. seize opportunity to create family of satellite launchers of maximum utility to extend “many branches of space competence with other 

types of applications satellites.” (S/F, 2/68, 56-7) 

52 
March 1968 

March 1 : WAF launched navigational satellite irom Vandenberg AFB by 

Scout booster into orbit with 711-mi (lY4d4?.2-km) apogee, 640-mi 

(1,030.0-h) perigee, 106.9-min period, and 89.9” inclination. (GSFC 

SSR, 3/15/68; Pres Rpt 68) 

NASA test pilot William H. Dana flew X-15 No. 1 rocket research aircraft to 104,500-ft altitude and 2,898 mph (mach 4.36) from Edwards 

AFB to check out aircraft’s electrical systems and test newly developed 

spray foam insulation planned for use on 2nd stages of Saturn V rockets beginning with vehicle eight. Foam was much lighter than insulation previously used to maintain low temperatures required for cryogenic propellants used in Saturn V. (X-15 Proj Off; MSFC Release 

68-69) 

House Committee on Science and Astronautics decided on $153-million 

cut in NASA’s authorization request of $4.37 billion for N 1969. Reductions included cut from $48.3 million to $11.7 million for nuclear 

rocket program [Advanced Research and Technology Subcommittee 

had recommended cut of entire $48.3 million], $36.5 million from unmanned space program, and $60.3 million from request of $2.8 billion 

for manned space flight program. (AP, W Star, 3/2/68, A3; W Post, 

3L2/68, A10; HR 1181,3/19/68) 

President Johnson, accompanied by NASA Administrator James E. Webb, 

visited MSC and announced plans for new Lunar Science Institute to be 

constructed under $580,000 grant to NAS and operated by NAS and Rice 

Univ. in Houston. “We have invested billions of dollars during the past 

10 years in our efforts in space . . . [and] I am certain that as future 

generations look back on our incredible decade, they will be unanimous 

in their belief that the treasure that we have dedicated . . . was the 

most significant and important investment ever made by any people. 

We are truly reaching for the stars.” (PD, 3/11/68, 410-2; Kilpatrick, 

W Post, 3/2/68,1; AP, NYT, 3/2/68,21; MSC Roundup, 3/15/68, 1) 

Former NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., became 

visiting professor in MIT’S Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics and 

at Sloan School of Management. He would continue as part-time consultant to NASA. (Boston Globe, 3/6/68; SBD, 3/11/68,51) 

Clark M. Clifford was sworn in by US. Chief Justice Earl Warren as 

Secretary of Defense, replacing Robert S. McNamara, new head of 

World Bank. (Sheehan, Finney, NYT, 3/3/68, E3; PD, 3/4/68, 

.March 2: Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched by NASA from Churchill Research Range carried Univ. of California payload to 161.9-mi 

(260.6-km) altitude to study flux-energy-spectrum pitch-angle distribution and time and space variation of mirroring and precipitating 

charged particles in auroral zone. Launch was one of series of four. 

Apogee was 11%. below predicted; telemetry was satisfactory. Electro395-6) 

53 
March 2 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

static analyzers performed satisfactorily and good data were obtained. 

Plasma experiment on boom was 100% successful. Boom deployed late, 

providing satisfactory data from last 30% of flight. Electric field did 

not produce necessary data. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

* NASA Javelin sounding rocket launched from Churchill Research Range 

carried Rice Univ. payload to 500-mi (805-km) altitude to investigate 

auroral fluxes and backscattered particles. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily. ( NASA Rpt SRL) 

* U.S.S.R. successfully launched Zond ZV automatic research station, Tass 

announced. Station was placed in planned flight from parking orbit of 

artificial satellite and was flying on trajectory close to calculated one to 

study “outlying regions of near-earth space.’’ Heinz Kaminski, Director 

of Institute for Satellite and Space Research at Bochum, West Germany, said mission “must be regarded as a preliminary phase for a 

planned flight to the moon.” Sir Bernard Lovell, Director of Jodrell 

Bank Experimental Station, said he had “hunch” Zond ZV was not intended to fly around moon. Apparently station made no attempt to 

orbit moon. One source said that after journey of about 3% days, station reached “apogee . . . comparable to lunar altitude.” 

Zond I, launched April 2, 1964, failed in attempt to reach Venus, 

and Zond ZZ, launched Nov. 30, 1964, suffered communications failure 

on route to Mars. Zond ZZZ, launched July 18, 1965, obtained photos 

of far side of moon. (W Post, 3/3/68, A17; 3/4/68, A14; 3/8/68, 

A12; AP, W Star, 3/4/68, A3) 

* President Johnson-watching world’s largest aircraft, USAF C-5A Gallaxy jet, roll off production line-called event “a long leap forward in 

the effective military might of America.” President praised USAF, Lockheed-Georgia Co., and General Electric Co. for carrying out “a great 

new adventure” in aviation and completing the job “on time.” (AP, 

NYT, 3/3/68, 1; AFSC Nezusreview, 3/68, 1) 

March 3-9: Radio signals which scientists speculated possibly could have 

been from extraterrestrial civilization had been received by Cornel1 

Univ.’s antenna at Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory in Puerto Rico. 

U.K. astronomers during February had proposed such signals might 

originate with pulsating neutron stars. Arecibo’s Director, Dr. Frank 

D. Drake, would investigate all possibilities of natural origin. He believed four- to five-month study might determine whether signals came 

from planet in orbit around another star. Dr. Drake said Arecibo observations had confirmed all signal properties reported by U.K., including regularity and variable intensity of signals. (Sullivan, NYT, 

3/10/68,1) 

March 4-16: NASA’s 1,347-lb Ogo V (OGO-E) Orbiting Geophysical Observatory, carrying 24 experiments in most comprehensive study of particle-wave processes in space during period of maximum solar activity, 

was successfully launched at 8:06 am EST from ETR by Atlas 

(SLV-SA) -Agena D booster, being used for first time. Spacecraft entered highly elliptical earth orbit with 92,078-mi (148,186-km) apogee, 

168-mi (271-km) perigee, 63.3-hr period, and 31.3’ inclination. Primary mission objective was to acquire correlative scientific data at 

high information rates in magnetic fields, energetic particles, and 

plasma disciplines through leading quadrant of magnetosphere into 

geomagnetic tail, both in interplanetary medium and within large sec54 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 March 4-16 

tions of magnetosphere. Secondary objectives were to demonstrate technological capability of OGO’S three-axis stabilization system in highly el{ 

liptical orbit for extended operations of 135 days or more and to conduct electric-field, gamma-ray, and radioastronomy observations. 

On March 16, second of two 30-ft-long extendable antennas was deployed to complete post-launch checkout and NASA reported Ogo Y was 

operating satisfactorily. All experiments except one, low-energy electrons and protons experiment, which had stopped operating March 11 

when input power apparently failed, were acquiring data effectively. 

Data provided first observations of hydrogen cloud surrounding earth 

(geocorona) , first detailed measurements of electric fields at shock and 

magnetospheric boundaries, and first spark chamber observations of 

gamma rays. 

Ogo V was filth spacecraft in NASA’s six-mission OGO series, last OGO 

planned for highly eccentric orbit, last spacecraft to be launched by 

Agena launch vehicle, and last to be launched from Complex 13. Agena 

would be replaced by Atlas-Centaur, and Complex 13 would revert to 

USAF. Scientific instrumentation for Ogo V‘s 24 experiments had been 

provided by six US. universities; four groups from U.K., France, and 

the Netherlands; four Government centers; and two private companies. 

Ogo V joined three other operational OGOs---ogo I (launched Sept. 4, 

1964), Ogo ZZZ (launched June 6, 1966), and Ogo ZY (launched July 

28, 1967) -in providing data for studies of earth’s environment and 

solar-terrestrial interactions during period of maximum solar activity. 

Ogo ZZ, launched Oct. 14, 1965, had been turned off in November 

1967. Of 85 experiments assigned to four missions still operating, 68 

were still obtaining useful data, including 12 for which instrumentation 

was working after 42 mo in space. 

OGO program was managed by GSFC under OSSA direction. LeRc was 

responsible for Atlas-Agena launch vehicle, and KSC for launch operations. (NASA Proj OB; NASA Releases 68-38, 68-53; LeRC Release 

68-14; UPI, M Her, 2/25/68; W Star, 2/27/68, A9; NYT, 3/5/68, 17; 

W Post, 3/6/68, A7) 

March 4: NASA Assistant Administrator for Policy, Dr. Alfred J. Eggers, Jr., 

told New Orleans AIAA conference on technology for manned planetary 

missions, “the manned planetary mission of first priority is the mission 

of man on planet Earth.” He explained that only “minute” part of 

NASA’s funding went toward research on manned planetary flight and 

described overall NASA program as “lean, but . . . by no means lifeless. 

It is planned to emphasize the space applications and the supporting 

research and technology programs.” He called for best in talent for 

achieving manned planetary flight “in the course of man’s exploration 

of space.” (Text; AP, NYT, 3/30/68,31M) 

Gen. Bernard A. Schriever (USAF, Ret.), former AFSC Commander, delivered Dr. Robert H. Goddard Lecture to National Space Club in Washington, D.C. He warned the U.S.S.R. had moved forward steadily with 

new and more diversified strategic threat highlighted by development 

of orbital missile and sophisticated space systems. U.S. comparative 

missile strength, he noted, was declining steadily, with emphasis still on 

updating existing force. ‘‘What is missing so far in our military space 

program is the necessary high priority research and development aimed 

at protecting us in the high ground of space. In space, as elsewhere, the 

55 
March 4 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Soviets say one thing-even sign agreements-but consistently do 

whatever is in their own self-interest. The orbital missile is merely the 

latest example of their policy. In light of their development of an orbital missile, it would be totally irresponsible . . . to assume that we do 

not need to initiate any R&D to prepare us to meet a Soviet space 

threat.” 

Attributing loss of endorsement of national space program to change 

in national value scale because of Vietnam and domestic problems, 

Gen. Schriever said: “The old criteria, national security and national 

prestige, are no longer the only justifications for our space efforts, important though they are.” If public understood “the practical, dollars 

and cents worth of the program to this country and to the world,” they 

would support it. US. was on verge of receiving annual return larger 

than its annual investment in space, and within one decade, “those returns should be several times our annual investment.” (Text; Aero 

Tech, 3/11/68,16) 

* Current knowledge of effe&s of sonic boom on building materials and 

structures was insufficient to assess accurately kinds of damage SST 

might produce, NAS Physical Effects Subcommittee of NAS Committee 

on the SST-sonic Boom report concluded. Assuming SSTS would fly over 

land and sonic booms along flight paths would be low enough in intensity to be publicly acceptable, probability of structural damage under 

normal operating conditions would be “very small.” Subcommittee 

stressed, however, that more meaningful physical response was necessary, including simulator studies, laboratory tests of glass, and acceleration and expansion studies of atmosphere’s bending and magniiying 

effects on sonic boom shock waves. (NYT, 3/5/68,3; Science, 3/8/68, 

1081 ) 

Sen. Claiborne Pel1 (D-R.I.), member of Senate Committee on Foreign 

Relations, released proposed draft of international treaty to govern exploration and exploitation of “ocean space.” He said there was “probable danger of anarchy” beneath seas because “man’s sea technology has 

brought him to the verge of total undersea capability.” Treaty would 

apply to undersea areas same freedom-of-the-seas principles now governing ocean surfaces, create licensing body and sea guard, seek to 

prevent development of weaponry on ocean floor, and provide for disposal of radioactivity in seas. (Clark, NYT, 3/5/68, 19; SR 263, 

3/5/68) 

March 5: NASA launched 198-lb Explorer XXXVIZ (Solar Explorer B) , second joint project of NRL and NASA to measure solar emissions, from 

NASA Wallops Station by four-stage Scout booster. Orbital parameters: 

apogee, 545 mi (877 km) ; perigee, 324 mi (521 km) ; period, 98.8 

min and inclination 59.4’. Primary NASA objective was to place satellite in planned orbit and provide tracking and telemetry support. NRL 

objectives were to continue and augment overall solar x-ray monitoring 

program into ascending portion of 11-yr solar cycle; perform temporal 

measurements of x-ray emission intensity and spectral quality of solar 

flare emission; correlate measurements with optical and radio groundbased observatories ; and provide real-time solar monitoring information. International scientific community had been invited to acquire 

solar radiation data from satellite. 

Although Explorer XXXVIZ did not enter planned circular orbit, 

56 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 March 5 

orbit achieved would satisfy scientific objectives. Expected lifetime was 

one year. First NRL-NASA solar monitoring project, Explorer XXX 

(IQSY Solar Explorer), had been launched Nov. 18, 1965, and had 

ceased operating Nov. 20, 1967. Explorer program was directed by 

OSSA. Wallops Station was responsible for vehicle integration and 

launch operations. NRL was responsible for satellite development, construction, and testing. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 68-43; WS Release 68-5; AP, NYT, 3/7/68,10; W Post, 3/7/68, D21) 

e U.S.S.R. successfully launched two Cosmos satellites. Cosmos CCIV entered orbit with 843-km (524-mi) apogee, 271-km (168-mi) perigee, 

95.7-min period, and 70.9’ inclination. Cosmos CCV entered orbit with 

292-km ( 181-mi) apogee, 197-lan (122-mi) perigee, 89.3-min period, 

and 65.6” inclination. Cosmos CCV reentered March 23. Cosmos CCIV 

reentered March 2, 1969. (AP, NYT, 3/7/68, 10; GSFC SSR, 3/15/68; 

3/15/69; SBD, 4/1/68,174) 

NASA Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology, 

Dr. Mac C. Adams, told Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space 

Sciences that House Committee on Science and Astronautics cut of 

$48.3 million €rom request for FY 1969 NERVA program “would essentially wipe out the entire program. With the $11.7 million authorized 

by the House Committee [see March 11-it is not clear that would 

even cover termination of the contracts. . . . We would immediately 

have to start termination of not only the engine development, but also 

termination of the technology work. I feel that we would waste a very 

valuable investment.” 

Dr. Adams described “substantial progress” in OART programs in 

1967: initial acoustic absorber tests showed reduction in jet transport 

noise ; parawing (steerable parachute) showed promise for spacecraft 

and precise military landings; static firing of 260-in-dia solid rocket 

motor had reached 5.9-million-lb thrust in 80-sec test; NERVA had been 

successfully tested at full power 60 min; all major components of 

SNAP-8 nuclear turbo-generator system had completed 1,800 hr of endurance tests, one exceeding 13,000 hr; and new Beta cloth for astronaut clothing had passed wear and flammability tests. In “beneficial 

crossflow between engineering and life sciences,” he named development of garment to give physicians three-dimensional data on heart activity, new blood velocity meter, and sensor to measure blood pressure 

in heart-small enough to be threaded through hypodermic needle and 

derived from instruments developed for small flight models for windtunnel tests. (Transcript) 

President Johnson presented Goddard Memorial Trophy for 1968 to Dr. 

Robert C. Seamans, Jr., former NASA Deputy Administrator and now 

NASA consultant and MIT visiting professor, in White House ceremony. 

National Space Club award named for the late Dr. Robert H. Goddard, 

“father of American rocketry,” was given Dr. Seamans for helping “develop the policies, plans and programs that have led to the outstanding 

achievements and United States leadership in the field of rocketry and 

astronautics.” President Johnson had received trophy in 1966. (PD, 

3/1/68, 475; Program, Goddard Memorial Dinner, 3/5/68; W Post, 

3/6/68) 

MSFC Director, Dr. Wernher von Braun, discussed “The Outlook for 

Space Exploration” addressing National Space Club’s Goddard Memo57 
March 5 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

March 5: Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.), Chairman of House Committee on Science 

and Astronautics, reads citation on Goddard Trophy which President Johnson (right) 

presented to Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr. (center), former NASA Deputy Administrator. 

rial Dinner in Washington, D.C. “The public’s knowledge and understanding of space exploration have been broadened by the remarkable 

achievements of the first decade of the space age, but a great many people in the space program are deeply concerned about an apparent decline in popular support of space activities.’’ Space achievements had 

been well publicized but “the capability that made these feats possible, 

the underlying science and technology, the inherent value of delving 

deeper into the mysteries of the atmosphere and space, and the mechanism by which increased scientific knowledge enhances economic and 

social progress are apparently little understood or appreciated on a 

wide basis. 

“Up to now we have had to devote our full energies to working on 

the means by which we reach into space. Now that the pipelines are 

filling with space hardware, more and more of our preoccupation is 

turning toward the question of what can be done to assure that the people who have supported our program . . . receive the full range of benefits which can be derived from space exploitation.” (Text; CR, 

3/12/68, E1769) 0 Rep. Joseph E. Karth (D-R’linn.) , Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Manned Space Flight Subcommittee, told Sixth 

Goddard Memorial Symposium in Washington, D.C., he saw “grave 

58 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 March 5 

danger to our economic and social progress, as well as to our position 

in the world, if ‘let technology wait’ attitude becomes too prevalent.” 

He advocated building sound foundation for economic growth by long 

term investment in science, technology, and education and by maintaining technological leadership “as a necessary basis for our national security and economic strength.” He called for “a space program better 

balanced between scientific, exploratory and economic payoff missions.,, (Text; Clark, NYT, 3/6/68, C33; SBD, 3/6/68,25) 

NASA awarded $26,116,200 fixed-price-incentive-fee contract to McDonnell 

Douglas Corp. to provide launching and launch support services, including inspection and checkout, for improved Delta boosters. Contract 

would cover 20 launches from ETR and WTR over 21-mo period. (NASA 

Release 68-42; WSJ, 3/6/68,20) 

March 6: NASA awarded $30.1-million contract extension to Bendix Corp. 

for operation and maintenance services for launch facilities at KSC, 

bringing total contract value to $76.3 million. NASA also awarded 

$ll.6-million extension to Aerojet-General for work on nuclear power 

plant, making total of $76.1 million awarded Aerojet-General through 

Aug. 30,1969. (WSJ, 3/6/68,20) 

LeRC awarded $11,600,440 cost-plus-award-fee contract to AerojetGeneral Corp. to continue through Aug. 31, 1969, development of 

SNAP-8 nuclear space power system. (LeRC Release 68-16) 

USAF Space and Missile Systems Organization awarded North American 

Rockwell Corp. $1-million initial increment to $4-million fixed-price 

contract for production of Thor propulsion systems. (DOD Release 

March 7: In draft U.N. Security Council resolution at Geneva Disarmament Conference U.S., U.S.S.R., and U.K. formally committed themselves to take “immediate action” against nuclear attack or threatened 

attack on any country that renounced nuclear weapons. Object of bigpower cooperation was to reassure governments asked to ban spread of 

nuclear weapons by treaty signature. (Hamilton, NYT, 3/8/68, 1; Middleton, NYT, 3/10/68,8; NYT, 3/8/68,40; 3/11/68, 14) 

Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr., Charles M. Duke, Jr., and Stuart A. 

Roosa were chosen prime crew for 48-hr at-sea checkout of Apollo 

spacecraft, scheduled to begin March 18 in Gulf of Mexico. Apollo’s 

at-sea post-landing systems for first manned mission would be checked 

from deck of NASA’s motor vessel Retriever. (H Chron, 3/7/68) 

MSFC awarded $11,096,282 contract extension to Feb. 1969 to Sperry 

Rand Corp. for engineering support in applied research, testing, and 

design at MSFC’S Astrionics Laboratory. ( MSFC Release 68-37) 

New salt fog chamber at Naval Missile Center’s environmental laboratory in Point Mugu, Calif., had improved and speeded tests of missiles 

and rockets. Chamber provided 70-120’ F environment for weapons 

up to 14 ft long and operated automatically for round-the-clock tests. 

( PMR Release 280-68) 

U.K. Defence Equipment Minister Roy Mason advised Commons that 

military aircraft programs in 1968-69 would be worth more than 

El00 million ($240 million) for R&D alone. Employment in the industry had fallen from 268,000 in December 1%3 to 264,000 in December 1967, but output was up by E133 million ($349 million) and exports by $90 million ($216 million), and Government assistance for 

215-68) 

59 
March 7 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

civil transport aircraft had quadrupled. Mason added that current 

offset agreements with US. would not now be changed to affect existing contracts which had provided high-level sales for aircraft and engine industries. (InteraviaAirLetter, 3/8/68, 3) 

March 8: NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station carried GSFC experiment to 180-mi (290-km) altitude to 

verify performance of quadrupole ion-mass spectrometer and measure 

electron density by CU propagation technique. Rocket and instruments 

performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA launched first two boosted Arcas 1 sounding rockets from TERLS 

carrying GSFC experiments to obtain data on equatorial electron density 

in ionosphere D region by means of radio propagation experiments. 

Rockets reached 52.6-mi (84.5-km) and 57.6-mi (93.7-km) altitudes 

and performed satisfactorily. Good data were obtained. (NASA Rpts 

SRL) 

0 ELDO announced unanimous election of Gen. R. Aubiniere of France as 

new president to succeed A. Paternotte de la Vailee of Belgium, named 

Belgium’s ambassador to Lebanon. (SBD, 3/8/68,43) 

0 U.K. estimated space expenditures for N 1967-68, ending March 31, 

1968, would total $73.2 million. Detailed amounts: ESRO, $9.9 million; 

ELDO, $23.3 million; and INTELSAT, $1.4 million. Largest other amount 

was $17.9 million for U.K.’s Skynet military comsat system. (SBD, 

3/8/68, A3) 

March 10: NASA’s Echo I (launched Aug. 12, 1960), world’s first passive 

reflector comsat, was being driven closer to denser regions of earth‘s 

atmosphere and would reenter before summer 1968. The 100-ft globe 

of aluminum-coated mylar plastic had been battered by space dust and 

meteoroids, its skin wrinkled, and its benzoic acid and anthraquinone 

inflating gas lost. Echo I’s nearly circular orbit 800 mi above earth had 

become egg-shaped in more than 7% yr of operation. It had probably 

been seen by more people than any other man-made object in space. 

(NASA Release 68-44; P EB, 2/13/68; UPI, NYT, 2/14/68,8) 

March 11 : The International Biological Program-Its Meaning and Needs, 

released by House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Science, Research, and Development Subcommittee, considered “one of the most 

crucial situations to face this or any other civilization-the immediate 

or near potential of man to damage, perhaps beyond repair, the ecological system of the planet on which all life depends.” International Biological Program asked for $200 million over five years to attack problem; Subcommittee recommended $3-5 million for FY 1969. (Text; W 

Post, 4/5/68, A24) 

President Johnson sent to Congress Marine Science Afiairs-A Year of 

Plans and Progress; The Second Report of the President to the Congress on Marine Resources and Engineering Development and reported 

on N 1969 budget, which included $516 million for marine science 

and techndogy programs. Increased funding was requested for program on application of spacecraft technology in oceanography and improved observation and prediction of ocean environment. (PD, 

3/ 18/68,489-90) 

March 12: NASA awarded $13,748,200 contract to General Electric Co.‘s 

Missile and Space Div. for integration and test of 1,400-lb Nimbus D 

meteorological satellite. Nimbus D, fourth in series, would be launched 

60 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 March 12 

in 1970 carrying 10 experiments to improve long-range weather forecasting and further study of earth's atmosphere. (NASA Release 68-46) 

MSFC awarded $5,779,884 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Chrysler Corp., 

bringing total to $14.7 million, for ground support and engineering 

equipment for Saturn IB program. (MSFC Release 68-41) 

0 DOD awarded $456-million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract to Lockheed 

Missiles & Space Co. for development and production of Poseidon 

(C-3) missile system, making definite March 1966 letter contract for 

$26.6 million. Addition of $25 million had been awarded in October 

1967 modification and total funding allocated to date was $507.7 million. About $1.2 billion would be spent through 1971. (DOD Release 

AFSC Aeronautical Systems Div. awarded Bendix Corp. $677,500 initial 

increment to $1.4-million contract for reentry vehicle systems reliability testing. (DOD Release 231-68) 

Analysis of Luna ZX (launched Jan. 31, 1966) TV photos showed lunar 

mass was decreasing because of micrometeoroid bombardment, Soviet 

scientist A. A. Gurshteyn reported. He explained that speed of particles 

dislodged by falling micrometeoroids often exceeded second escape velocity for moon of only 2.4 km per sec. (SBD, 3/12/68,61) 

March 13: USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB with 

Titan 111-B-Agena D booster. Satellite entered orbit with 260-mi 

(418.5-km) apogee, 82-mi (132-km) perigee, 89.9-min period, and 

99.9" inclination and reentered March 24. (Pres Rpt 68; SBD, 

3/14/68, 75) 

GSFC selected Philco Ford Corp. for negotiations on one-year, $1,200,000 

contract with two one-year options for engineering and related duties 

for NASA's 2-million-circuit-mi communications network (NASCOM) . ( GSFC Release G8-68) 

March 14: USAF launched two unidentified satellites from Vandenberg AFB 

using Long-Tank Thrust-Augmented Thor ( LTTAT) -Agena D booster. 

First entered orbit with 242-mi (481.0-km) apogee, 114-mi (183.5-km) 

perigee, 90.2-min period, and 83.1 " inclination and reentered April 10. 

Second entered orbit with 326-mi (524.644 apogee, 299-mi (448.2- 

km) perigee, 94.6-min period, and 31.6" inclination. (Pres Rpt 68; 

SBD, 3/18/68,91) 

0 U.S.S.R. successhlly launched Cosmos CCVZ, carrying television and infrared cameras for meteorological observations. Orbital parameters: 

apogee, 640 km (398 mi) ; perigee, 598 km (372 mi) ; period, 97.1 

min; and inclination, 81.2". (GSFC SSR, 3/15/68; AP, NYT, 3/20/68, 

10) 0 Spacecraft for first manned Apollo mission would use 60% oxygen and 

40% nitrogen cabin atmosphere while on launch pad and pure oxygen 

in orbit, NASA announced. Astronauts would continue to breathe pure 

oxygen in their spacesuits before and during launch phase, at higher 

pressure than that of cabin to avoid leakage into suits. Spacecraft environmental control system in orbit would gradually replace mixed cabin 

atmosphere with pure oxygen. 

Since October 1967, more than 140 flammability tests on full-scale 

simulated spacecraft at MSC had shown that spacecraft modifications 

and installation of fire extinguisher and new quick-opening hatch for 

crew egress had drastically reduced fire hazards. 

230-68; AP, NYT, 3/13/68,8) 

61 
March 14 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Detailed physiological review of new mixed gas atmosphere had included considerations of operational characteristics of spacecraft and 

life support equipment. Astronauts would be adequately protected physiologically during all phases of atmosphere change. Crew procedures 

during period when diluted oxygen atmosphere would be in cabin were 

only slightly affected. (NASA Release 68-47; O’Toole, W Post, 3/6/68, 

1; UPI, NYT, 3/15/68,41) 

* NASA’s Ats 111 (launched Nov. 5, 1967), in synchronous orbit above 

equator over mouth of Amazon River, was photographing cloud patterns 

with multicolor spin-scan camera to identify possible tornado-breeding 

storm clouds. Scientists would prepare movies from photos in effort to 

determine whether tornado breeding situations could be identified from 

characteristic cloud motions before tornadoes developed. Ats I11 was capable of photographing cloud patterns over northern hemisphere every 

15 min. (ESSA Release 68-20; NYT, 3/14/68, 88) 

Sen. Frank Carlson (R-Kan.), ranking member of Senate Committee on 

Post Office and Civil Service, addressed Space Age Law Conference in 

Cape Kennedy, Fla. “The continuing progress of our nation in trying 

to solve the age old problems of poverty, ignorance and disease simply 

cannot be achieved if we neglect the basic strength of our national 

economy-the advancing frontier of technology. The basic point to remember is not whether this nation can have its space program-meet 

the crisis in the cities and fight a controversial war in Vietnam-but 

rather how we can possibly solve these problems unless we push ahead 

into the frontiers of technology.” Sen. Carlson praised Earth Resources 

Observation Satellite program which would provide “new ability to improve harvests-prevent crop diseases-attack air and water pollution 

-inventory our agricultural resources-and perhaps even control 

floods. Frankly, I think this program alone would justify all that the 

space effort is costing!” (CR, 3/21/68, S3130-1) 

MSFC awarded $49,985 nine-month study contract to Lockheed Aircraft 

Corp. to assess possible radiation damage to film used on ATM to record solar activity and to consider radiation hazards to astronauts in 

Saturn I orbital workshop. ( MSFC Release 68-43) 

Geneva disarmament conference completed draft of nuclear nonproliferation treaty and referred it to U.N. General Assembly special session. 

(Hamiltox, NYT, 3/15/68, 18; Egli, W Post, 3/15/68, A19) 

March 15: NASA launched two Aerobee sounding rockets from WSMR. One 

carried American Science & Engineering, Inc., payload to 96.2-mi 

(154.8-km) altitude to obtain high-resolution x-ray pictures of active 

regions on sun and general x-ray emission of solar corona. Ten percent 

loss in rocket performance suggested sustainer ruptured ; instruments 

performed satisfactorily. Data would be degraded by pointing control 

failure. 

Second rocket carried GSFC payload to 95-mi (152.8-km) altitude to 

collect data on x-rays from Crab Nebula and its proximity, using six 

collimated x-ray detectors. Rocket and instrumentation performance 

was satisfactory. Entire payload was recovered in excellent condition. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station carried GSFC payload to 180-mi (290-km) altitude to verify performance o€ quadrupole ion mass spectrometer in D and E regions of 

62 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 March 15 

ionosphere and measure electron density using CW propagation technique. Rocket and telemetry performed satisfactorily and good results 

were obtained from spectrometer, but propagation experiment was lost 

at 43.4-mi (70-km) altitude. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA’s HGlO lifting-body vehicle, flown for first time Dec. 22, 1966, 

made its second flight, following vertical tail fin modifications to direct 

more airflow over its control surfaces. Piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry (USAF), HGlO was air-launched from mother ship flying at 

45,000-ft altitude and 400 mph. Rocket engine for craft was not used 

during 41/-min flight and 6,000-lb HGlO was piloted through “U” 

pattern to make a 220-mph glide landing. Built by Northrop Corp.’s 

Norair Div., HGlO was flight-tested in joint NASA-USAF study of potential as spacecraft capable of maneuvering in flight to a ground 

landing under pilot control. (FRC Release 8-68) 

0 At background briefing on Apollo 6 mission, NASA Apollo Program Mission Director, William C. Schneider, described flight planning activities 

for Apollo missions up to landing on the moon. Apollo 6 mission, originally scheduled for launch March 21, would be postponed until April 

because of “erratic behavior” in service module’s helium check valves. 

Since Apollo 5 had been so successful, Apollo 6 objectives had been 

“downgraded to secondary” and primary objective would be to evaluate launch vehicle. New optimum injection method in which S-IVB 

would be launched toward moon would be used but rest of mission 

would be basically same as Apollo 5, he said. NASA would continue mission planning, “so that we have the option to select a lunar orbit mission if as a result of previous flights we felt it was technically the best 

thing to do.” (Transcript; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 3/16/68,1) 

0 Univ. of Illinois sociologist Alexander Vucinich in Science described 

problem of relationship of science to morality which prompted leading 

Soviet scientists to search for broader cultural autonomy of science. 

“Moral law has become a by-product of science; science, in o5cial Soviet ideology, is a structural component of Soviet society, while the 

moral code is only a superstructural derivation.” He traced growth of 

critical reassessment made by individual members of Soviet Academy 

of Sciences who looked to “the broader cultural effects of modern science and the ongoing technological revolution” under stimulation of 

considerable relaxation of political and ideological controls which resulted from Stalinist policies. (Vucinich, Science, 3/15/68, 1208-12) 

March 16: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCVZZ into orbit with 

342-km (213-mi) apogee, 210-km (130-mi) perigee, 89.8-min period, 

and 65.6’ inclination. Satellite reentered March 24. (Krasnaya Zuezdu, 

3/19/68,1; SBD, 3/19/68,100; GSFC SSR, 3/31/68) 0 Demonstrated success of lunar module’s (LM) initial unmanned test 

flight in earth orbit Jan. 22 and of subsequent ground test analysis by 

NASA Manned Space Flight Safety O5ce had eliminated need for second 

unmanned LM flight, NASA announced. First manned LM flight using 

Saturn V launch vehicle was planned for late 1968. (NASA Release 

68-50; UPI, W Star, 3/17/68, A4) 

March 17: Tenth anniversary of second US. satellite, Vunguard I, 3$$,-lb, 

6Y2-in-dia spacecraft that had proved earth was slightly pear shaped 

and examined composition of upper atmosphere. Satellite had stopped 

63 
March 17 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

March 17: Ten years ago Vanguard I, second US. satellite, was launched from Cape 

Canaveral (now Cape Kennedy) into orbit expected to last another 200 years. Satellite, 

6% inches in diameter, proved earth was pear shaped and continued transmitting until 

May 1964. (Official U.S. Navy photo) 

transmitting in May 1964, but was expected to remain in orbit at least 

200 yr longer. (KSC Release 63-68; AP, M Her, 3/17/68) 

March 17-18: NASA Wallops Station engineers launched three Nike-Apache 

and three Nike-Tomahawk sounding rockets from Vega Baja launch 

site in Puerto Rico to detect diurnal changes in atmosphere and ionosphere. Seventh planned firing was postponed because of rocket and 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 March 17-18 

radar tracking difficulties. Measurements taken by rocket-borne experiments, furnished by GSFC and Univ. of Michigan, would be compared 

with those taken by radiotelescope at Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory 

in Puerto Rico, and by Canadian Alouette ZZ satellite during overpass 

for three-way comparison of rocket, satellite, and observatory data. 

(WS Release 68-7) 

March 18: NASA launched Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket from Churchill 

Research Range carrying Univ. of California experiments to study Auxenergy-spectrum, pitch-angle distribution and time and space variation 

of mirroring and precipitated charged particles in auroral zone with 

variety of detectors. Good data were received from all experiments except electric field measurement experiment which had two damaged 

booms. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA announced personnel changes effective May 1: Deputy Associate 

Administrator for Manned Space Flight Edgar M. Cortright would become LaRc Director, replacing Dr. Floyd L. Thompson, who would 

serve as Special Assistant to the Administrator until his retirement 

Nov. 25 at age 70 and would then serve as part-time consultant. Cortright would be replaced by Charles W. Mathews, Director of Apollo 

Applications Program. Harold T. Luskin, who would serve as Deputy 

Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight (Technical) until 

May 1, when he would succeed Mathews, would be replaced by LaRc 

Deputy Director Charles J. Donlan. (NASA Release 68-51) 

March 19: NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried 

ARC payload to 98.7-mi (159-km) altitude to check Solar Pointing 

Aerobee Rocket Control System (SPARCS) and map flight-path magnetic 

field. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt 

SRL) 

FRC engineers had used small, inexpensive, radio-controlled model spacecraft to evaluate concepts for possible advanced spacecraft recovery 

systems in over 100 successful flights, FRC’S planning engineer Robert 

D. Reed revealed. In status report to AIAA’S 2nd Flight Test, Simulation 

and Support Conference in Los Angels, Reed said flight tests of models, including heavy volume and slender lifting-body vehicles, with various advanced flexible-wing and gliding-parachute recovery systems, 

were being tested to determine their suitability for ground landings. 

( FRC Release 9-68) 

NASA Associate Administrator for Tracking and Data Acquisition Gerald 

M. Truszynski, in statement before Senate Committee on Aeronautical 

and Space Sciences, summarized 1967 activities and technical problems 

and presented FY 1969 funding requirements for tracking and data acquisition program. He explained that N 1968 funding limitations had 

made it necessary to defer important equipment procurement affecting 

network reliability and recounted efforts to realize savings and reduce 

operating costs. (Testimony) 

0 NASA Manager for Space Nuclear Propulsion Milton Klein explained to 

Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences that AEC’S nuclear space power work would “establish technology in advance of missions, with specific system development undertaken as mission requirements dictate.” He presented a sampling of AEC’s activities as it worked 

closely with NASA and DOD “to keep in focus the types and likely timing 

of future mission needs.” (Testimony) 

65 
March 19 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

ESSA had received its first meteorological photos from U.S.S.R.’s Cosmos 

CCVZ, launched March 14, Space Business Daily reported. All seven 

pictures were “good quality.” (SBD, 3/20/68, 109) 

D. P. Nerry warned in Data that space research, candidate to help alleviate many national problems, was “placed on a back burner of the nation’s stove of priorities. . . . For the sad fact is that after landing men 

on the moon this nation will only have a cursory space program.” 

Nerry called for assessment of new outlook on space for 1970s. “If, for 

example, Congress should decide that there should be a permanent 

large-scale reduction in the resources allocated to space, NASA then 

should be firmly advised to plan accordingly.” But if slowdown would 

be temporary, NASA should plan to pursue space exploration “vigorously” at end of present delays. Nerry urged that press employ “strong 

debate and factual reporting” to provide “a reappraisal of U.S. emptiness in space in this Guns-Butter Society.” (Nerry, Data, 3/19/68, 7) 

March 19-20: More than 100 scientists and engineers attended Saturn I 

Workshop design review board meeting at MSFC to discuss results of 

previous reviews. Workshop, scheduled for launch in 1970, would consist of Saturn IV-B stage modified for living and working in space for 

better understanding of permanent, man-made, island-in-space requirements. ( MSFC Release 68-45) 

March 20: MSFC Director Dr. Wernher von Braun, addressing National 

Capital Area Chapter of American Society for Public Administration, 

praised US. space program for “unequaled competence and unlimited 

opportunity.” After 10 yr in space, he noted, US. had launched 514 

spacecraft into earth orbit and 28 to moon and other planets. “The 

moon has been completely mapped, the composition and texture of its 

soil analyzed, and sites . . . selected for manned lunar landings. Our 

scientific knowledge of Mars and Venus . . . has been advanced tremendously by . . . unmanned, instrumented probes. . . . American astronauts, who have a total of almost 2,000 hours in space to their credit 

in the Mercury and Gemini Projects, will begin the third phase of 

manned space flight this year with the first manned launches in Project 

Apollo. These achievements in space, fruits of the advanced science and 

technology of our times, mark the first decade of the Space Age as one 

of the finest periods in American history. And they are forerunners of 

even greatei discoveries and widespread applications to come during 

our second decade in space.” 

Dr. von Braun credited NASA Administrator James Webb’s direction 

with adaptation of systems approach to space research without which 

“we would never be able to go to the moon.” Approach, Dr. von Braun 

believed, could also be tested on river pollution and satellite communications. (Text; W Post, 3/21/68, H14) 

AIAA named Maj. William J. Knight (WAF) winner of Octave Chanute 

Award for notable contribution to hypersonic and reentry flight. Maj. 

Knight flew X-15 research aircraft at mach 6.72 (4,534 mph) Oct. 3, 

1967. Annual award of $500 and travel stipend of $1,000 would be presented at AIAA Second Flight Test, Simulation and Support Conference 

in Los Angeles March 26. (AFNS Release 3-8-68-165; AIAA Release, 

3/20/68; AFSC Newsreview, 5/68,9) 

M/G J. C. Maxwell, director of SST development for FAA, told Wings 

Club in New York SST would have “tremendous significance” on U.S. 

66 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 March 20 

balance of payments in international trade. One SST would “pay for 

20,000 Volkswagens.” He explained Boeing Co.’s Feb. 22 announcement 

of one-year delay in prototype construction: “Our prototype design 

simply wasn’t good enough, not yet. . . . We are convinced that we 

can get what we need but we want to stop now to make certain that we 

do get it.” 

Very reason for existence of SST program was belief “that this is 

next logical step in development of civil aeronautics.” Supersonic travel 

was first step toward hypersonic flight, he said. “Unless we take it now 

it’s going to he many years before civil aviation advances beyond subsonic flight-if ever.” Biggest problem facing SST program was 

sonic boom. “We have made all our program decisions . . . on assumption that supersonic flights over land may not be permitted. We are reasonably certain . . . we can operate over the oceans on an inter-continental basis,” and have sufficient market to assure profitable program.” 

(Text; Seattle Times, 3/21/68; Hudson, NYT, 3/21/68, 3/24/68,23) 

a PMR Aero-mechanical Branch announced development of new cold-gas 

rocket-launching system consistently more reliable, less expensive, and 

more efficient than old cartridge system. New system, being used for 

launches of Arcas meteorological rockets, consisted of modified launcher 

door incorporating 550-cu-in tank of compressed air. Ignition forces 

opened valve which released air into launch chamber, increasing liftoff 

power and peak altitude. ( PMR Release 350-68) 

March 21 : U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCVZZZ. Orbital parameters: apogee, 278 km (173 mi) ; perigee, 202 km (126 mi) ; period, 

89.2 min; and inclination, 64.9’. Satellite reentered April 2. (UPI, 

NYT, 3/22/68, 5; SBD, 3/22/68, 125; GSFC SSR, 3/31/68; 4/15/68) 

a NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from Churchill Research Range carried Univ. of Maryland experiment to 150-mi (241- 

km) altitude to study dissipation processes and electron acceleration 

mechanisms in aurora. Four experiments measured energy spectrum of 

electrons from 1 ev to 200 kev. Photometers, UV emissions, and plasma 

probes were included. Three of four electron experiments returned data 

on energy spectra; no data were acquired from optical and plasma experiments because clamshell nose cone failed to deploy. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

XB-70 research aircraft was flown to 15,500-mi altitude by Col. Joseph 

F. Cotton (USAF) and NASA test pilot Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr. Primary 

goals were not achieved because main landing gear valve malfunctioned. Low-speed, gear-down handling qualities, propulsion system, 

and performance tests were accomplished during 2-hr 30-min flight 

from Edwards AFB. (XB-70 Proj Off) 

March 22: Cosmos CCZX was successfully launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit 

with 945-km (587-mi) apogee, 871-km (541-mi) perigee, 103.1-min period, and 65.3O inclination. (SBD, 3/25/68, 136; GSFC SSR, 3/31/68) a NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried GSFC 

payload to 129.4-mi (208.2-km) altitude to measure spectral irradiance 

of Gamma star in constellation Vela and of Zeta star in constellation 

Puppis using W stellar spectrograph. Rocket performance was satisfactory. Instrumentation performance was marred by loss of fine pointing 17 sec before end of second exposure. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

a NASA authorized partial restoration of primary structure of M2-F2 lifting-body vehicle so it could be removed from inspection jig used to de67 
March 22 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

termine damage sustained in landing accident May 10, 1967. It would 

be returned by builder, Northrop Corp.’~ Norair Div., to FRC by late 

summer. OART would determine iuture research work on M2-F2 from 

“flight results and other experience obtained from both the M2 and the 

HG10.” (FRC Release 10-68; ARC Astrogram, 3/28/68,2) 

0 Sen. Gaylord Nelson (D-Wis.), member of Senate Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, on Senate floor praised construction of Wisconsin Regional Space Center as “a place where the layman can acquire information about the developments and our accomplishments in 

the space age.” He inserted in Congressional Record article by Barbara 

E. Kocjan, stenographic coordinator of projects for Center, describing 

Center as “a highly effective teaching laboratory that can readily be 

tied into the on going programs of tens of thousands of elementary and 

secondary schools and hundreds of colleges and universities.” (CR, 

3/22/68, E2151) 

March 24-25: NASA launched series of three Nike-Cajun sounding rockets 

from Natal, Brazil, carrying GSFC payloads to obtain data on diurnal 

temperature variations as a function of latitude using grenade technique. Rockets performed satisfactorily and grenades exploded at 

planned intervals. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

March 25: Solar Wind Composition Experiment, developed by Swiss scientific team headed by Univ. of Berne’s Dr. Johannes Geiss, was first foreign experiment accepted for NASA’s Apollo Lunar Suriace Experiments 

Package (ALSEP) . Swiss experiment would require astronaut to deploy 

on lunar surface aluminum foil sheet oriented toward sun to entrap 

solar wind ions; foil sheet would be packaged for return to earth by 

astronauts, providing in this one-pound experiment first opportunity to 

capture ions for earth analysis. 

Swiss National Committee for Space Research had already built prototype. NASA would provide qualification tests for prototype and construction and acceptance tests for flight hardware. (NASA Release 

68-55; Marshall Star, 3/27/68,10) 

Dr. Thomas 0. Paine was sworn in as NASA Deputy Administrator in 

NASA Hq. ceremony. Nomination had been confirmed by Senate Feb. 7. 

(NASA Ann) 

MSFC awarded Univ. of California $929,000 contract to develop and test 

prototype balloon flight system for NASA’s High Altitude Particle Experiment (HAPPE) program. Primary objective of HAPPE was to use naturally occurring radiation in investigating interactions of elementary 

particles at 90,000-ft altitude. Balloon payload for prototype flight, 

scheduled for late summer, would be 50 ft tall and 8 ft in dia and 

would weigh 10,000 lb. (MSC Release 68-26; Aero Tech, 4/8/68, 3) 

Use of 260-in solid rocket motor as 1st stage for advanced manned launch 

vehicle was advocated by MSFC Director, Dr. Wernher von Braun, 

Aerospace Technology reported. Dr. von Braun, whose support for 

motor was revealed in Oct. 11, 1967, testimony released by House 

committee on Science and Astronautics’ Subcommittee on NASA oversight, said concept was advantageous for resupply of flights to space 

stations and for space rescue systems where 80% of emergencies in 

manned spacecraft in earth orbit were “time critical.” NASA and DOD, in 

joint study, were considering use of 260-in motor and its development 

68 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 March 25 

March 25: NASA Administrator James E. Webb shakes hands with Dr. Thomas 

0. Paine (left) after swearing him in as Deputy Administrator of NASA. 

but questioned whether there would be enough missions for booster to 

justify high development costs. (Text; Aero Tech, 3/25/68, 12) @ Four F-111A jet aircraft flew first mission from Ta Khli AFB in Thailand under radar control to target areas northwest of Dong Hoi, North 

Vietnam, according to unofficial sources, AP reported. Aircraft conducted successful nighttime strike and encountered no enemy aircraft 

or surface-to-air missiles. (AP, B Sun, 3/26/68, A2) 

March 26: ComSatCorp in fourth annual report announced 1967 net income of $4.6 million. Highlights in 1967 included successful launch of 

three satellites (in four attempts) into synchronouq orbit to extend 

full-time service to Pacific and expand capability in Atlantic, beginning 

of construction on three US. ground stations, completion of new 

ground stations by Italy and Spain, and increase in INTELSAT membership to 61 with addition of Uganda in January. (Text; ComSatCorp 

Release 68-11) 

Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Dr. John S. Foster, Jr., 

in statement before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, described DOD activities in space and aeronautics. “Military 

launches,” he stated, “were intended to implement in part the functions 

of navigation, communication, nuclear detection, space defense, and 

69 
March 26 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

meteorology, or to furnish scientific and/or development support.” 

NASA’s work, he said, had contributed “heavily” to science and technology base for DOD effort. In MOL activities “considerable progress” had 

been made; feasibility of the MOL system was affirmed, technical risks 

were assessed in some detail, and full scale development was initiated.” 

He described coordinated DOD-NASA range and network efforts and 

other cooperative programs in which DOD made its resources available 

to NASA on reimbursable basis. (Testimony; Aero Tech, 4/8/68, 

10-11) 

March 27: Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin-who became first man in space 

when he orbited earth once in U.S.S.R.’s Vostok I April 12, 1961-and 

engineer Col. Vladimir S. Seryogin were killed when their MiG15 jet 

aircraft crashed northwest of Moscow during training flight. Gagarin, 

who had been commander of Soviet Corps of Cosmonauts and officer in 

charge of cosmonaut training, was second cosmonaut to die in an accident. Cosmonaut Vladimir M. Komarov had died when Soyuz I crashlanded after reentry April 24, 1967. Bodies of Cosmonaut Gagarin and 

Col. Seryogin would be cremated and buried in Kremlin wall. (UPI, 

W Star, 3/28/68, 1; Reston, W Post, 3/29/68, 1) e First launch of British Aircraft Corp.-built Skylark sounding rocket 

from ESRANGE near Kiruna, Sweden, carried London Imperial College 

experiment to 105-mi ( 170-km) altitude to investigate relationship between auroral events and polar “electrojet.” Rocket and instrumentation performance was satisfactory. (SBD, 4/4/68,199) 

@ USAF was testing thermal preconditioner with promethium-147 radioisotope heat source to reduce aircraft guidance-system errors caused by 

temperature changes, AFSC announced. Unit, which eliminated warmup 

time required by orthodox heaters, had been developed by AEC and 

USAF. (AFSC Release 7.68) 

Rep. Henry S. Reuss (D-Wis.) , Chairman of House Committee on Government Operations’ Research and Technical Programs Subcommittee, 

released Scientific Brain Drain from the Developing Countries (dated 

March 28). Immigration to US. of scientific manpower from developing countries had more than quadrupled in past 12 yr. Report, based on 

Subcommittee hearings held Jan. 23, said, “the long-sustained U.S. foreign aid program has devoted substantial sums and given high priority” to educating and training professional manpower. When these 

countries “suffer an emigration drain of the very skills and talents they 

are attempting to increase, an important part of the foreign aid program is undermined.” (Text; NYT, 3/28/68, 33) 

March 28: NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from NASA wallops 

Station carried GSFC experiment to 100.2-mi (161.2-km) altitude to test 

flight models of impedance measuring instruments to be flown on 

RAE-A satellite. Rocket and instrumentation performance was satisfactory. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

* Apollo 6 mission, second flight of Apollo/Saturn V space vehicle, would 

be launched from ETR on or after April 3, NASA announced. Primary 

mission objective would be qualification of launch vehicle for future 

manned flights; spacecraft objectives, including recovery, would be secondary. (NASA Release 68-54) 

ARC Director H. Julian Allen had been elected Fellow of U.K.’s Royal 

70 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 March 28 

Aeronautical Society for outstanding contributions to aeronautics, ARC 

Astrogram announced. Allen, who had served NACA and its successor 

NASA since 1936, had received NACA Distinguished Service Medal for 

originating concept of bluntness as aerodynamic technique for avoiding 

severe reentry heating, AIAA Sylvanus A. Reed Award, Air Force 

Assn.’s Air Power Trophy, and NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal. (ARC Astrogram, 3/28/68,1) 

e DOD announced loss of F-111A aircraft with two crew members, presumably on mission to North Vietnam. According to Hanoi radio broadcast, F-111A, one of six based at Thailand, had been shot down near 

Laotian border. (AP, B Sun, 3/29/68, 1; AP, W Star, 3/29/68, A4; 

Kumpa, B Sun, 3/30/68, A2; Wilson, W Post, 3/30/68, A14) 

0 USN announced compromise plan to purchase 8 F-111B aircraft instead 

of original 30 planned and to consider building alternate aircraft lighter and more maneuverable than F-111B. However, Senate Armed Services Committee voted 11 to 2 against additional funds for F-111B, 

dimming chances of continuing program at all. (Finney, NYT, 

3/29/68,1; Maffre, W Post, 3/29/68,1; WSJ, 3/29/68,6) 

March 27-28: GSFC team headed by Dr. Henry H. Plotkin hit orbiting satellite Explorer XXXVI (Geos II) with laser beam but failed for two 

successive nights to relay Morse code on laser beam to satellite for 

replay to earth. First test to carry modulated 13-kc signal into space 

for detection by spacecraft was unsuccessful because satellite was SO 

low on horizon it passed out of range before scientists had time to 

send coded message. Second attempt at message delivery failed because of overcast. (NASA Release 68-56; W Star, 3/28/68, l; w Post, 

3/29/68, A18) 

March 29: FAA released 12-yr forecast of aviation activity. Number of airline passengers was expected to triple, from 126 million in FY 1967 to 

444 million in FY 1979; revenue passenger miles would quadruple, 

from 86 billion to 342 billion; and airline fleet would increase from 

2,272 aircraft to 3,860. General aviation fleet would double, from 

104,706 aircraft on Jan. 1, 1967, to 203,000 by 1979, and its flying 

hours would increase from 21.9 million to 40.5 million hr. Total flights 

under instrumented flight rules (IFR) would increase from 5.8 million 

in 1967 to 18.7 million in 1979. (FAA Release 68-21) 

NAA announced award of 1967 Frank G. Brewer Trophy to New York 

Univ. Professor Emeritus Dr. Roland H. Spaulding for “continuous, 

outstanding, and pioneering contributions in aerospace education to the 

youth of the nation. . . .” (NAA News, 3/29/68) 

Sen. Karl E. Mundt (R-S.D.), ranking member of Senate Committee on 

Government Operations, praised March 28 decision of Senate Committee on Armed Services to disapprove additional funds for F-111B aircraft and urged that F-111As in combat zone “be brought back immediately . . . and not returned to combat until they are fully tested and 

ready.” He said it was “imperative that the production line be held up 

until the design of the airplane number 160 configuration is completed 

and tested and can be incorporated into the very next plane the Air 

Force buys. If this drastic step is not taken, then we will truly be committing another billion dollar blunder in this TFX program which already has cost the American taxpayers many, many fruitless billions of 

dollars.” (CR, 3/29/68, S3657-60) 

71 
March 29 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

USA and Western Electric Co., prime contractor, signed six-month, 

$85,480,628 initial production contract for Sentinel ABM system. Western Electric would receive $28 million of total; balance would be 

shared by eight subcontractors. Contract would be managed by Sentinel System Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala. (DOD Release 284-68) 

Lockheed Aircraft Corp. announced orders for 144 triple-jet GlOll air. 

buses totaling $2.16 billion. Eastern Airlines, Trans World Airlines, 

and U.K.’s Air Holdings, Ltd., ordered 50, 44, and 50 aircraft. Order, 

largest in history for aircraft, was dramatic reentry for Lockheed into 

commercial aircraft industry, which it left in 1962 at conclusion of turboprop Electra production. U.K.’s Rolls-Royce, Ltd., was selected to 

build engines for 250- to 275-passenger aircraft, which would be delivered starting in fall 1971. (Hudson, NYT, 3/30/68, 1) 

U.N. Secretary General U Thant presented to U.N. Economic and Social 

Council Resources of the Sea, urging world action to regulate use of 

sea’s largely unexplored riches. (Brewer, NYT, 3/30/68, 16) 

* Nearly 200,000 mourners filed past biers of Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin 

and Col. Vladimir Seryogin in Soviet Army House in Moscow. Premier 

Alexey Kosygin, President Nikolay V. Podgorny, and Communist Party 

leader Leonid I. Brezhnev briefly joined honor guard of soldiers near 

biers. (Winters, B Sun, 3/30/68; NYT, 3/31/68,21) 

March 30: USA successfully conducted first test-firing of Spartan long-range 

interceptor missile at Kwajalein Test Site in Marshall Islands. (DOD Release 289-68; UPI, W Post, 3/2/68, A7) 

Second combat loss of F-111A aircraft in Vietnam conflict occurred 

when aircraft crashed in Thailand after an “in-flight emergency.” Two 

crewmen were rescued. First F-111A was reported missing March 28. 

(NYT, 3/31/68, 1; 4/1/68, 1; W Post, 3/31/68, 1; AP, W Star, 

3/31/68, 1; Wilson, W Post, 4/1/68) 

March 31 : NASA’s six-week 1968 Airborne Aurora Expedition had accomplished most intensive studies ever made of northern lights and had 

proved dramatically value of high-altitude observatory jet transport 

aircraft to “stop time” near poles [see Jan. 181. Expedition, based at 

Fort Churchill, Canada, with cooperation of National Research Council 

of Canada and managed and directed by ARC’S Louis C. Haughney, had 

ended in mid-March. Convair 990 jet transport, carrying 13 experiments, followed underneath auroras at 550 mph, making frequent trips 

to north magnetic pole, north of Greenland; took 40,000 auroral photos; and recorded instrument readings on 180,000 ft of magnetic tape. 

Jet aircraft canceled out speed of earth‘s rotation by flying against it 

and holding constant position on night side of earth opposite sun at 

latitudes above 60” north. 

Aircraft on three occasions crossed same spot on arctic north pole 

end of earth‘s magnetic field as did NASA’s Ogo ZV satellite at south 

pole end, in 400-mi-altitude orbit over Antarctica. Measuring instruments on both satellite and aircraft were nearly identical. In another 

aircraft-satellite combination, on six passes aircraft measured group of 

auroras from below at 40,000-ft altitude while Ogo IV measured same 

group from above. (NASA Release 68-45 ; ARC Release 68-8) 0 Cost of spaceflight was discussed by space writer Arthur C. Clarke. As 

with aviation, cost would decrease as techniques improved. Reusable 

spacecraft, orbital refueling, and nuclear propulsion would make travel 

72 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 March 31 

to moon, at least, “comparable in cost to that of global jet transport 

today.” 

If conquest of space served no other purpose, it would provide “new 

mental and emotional horizons which our age needs more desperately 

than most people yet realize.” Yet there were signs US. space effort 

was “grinding to a halt, as its initial crisis-induced momentum is exhausted.’, U.S. might well be “Sputniked” again in early 1970s. 

(Clarke, H Chron, 3/31/68; LA Times, 3/31/68) 

During March: Special ESSA task force recommended environmental science 

and service agencies take early, joint steps toward national effort for 

development and use of earth-oriented space technology. In Man’s Geophysical Environment: Its Study from Space, task force predicted future space platforms would be able to acquire global geophysical data 

on unprecedented scale for environmental disciplines. It recommended 

combination of manned and unmanned space vehicles-rather than either alone-and warned that orbiting environmental observatories 

might provide data too rapidly for effective use unless data handling 

and display improvements were begun in immediate future. It rated 

highly spacecraft capability to service and repair manned spacecraft in 

orbit, to provide semiautomatic mode to operate manned spacecraft 

after flight crew left, and to launch subsatellites, special probes, and recoverable capsules from orbit. 

Among proposals for missions were continuous monitoring of space 

disturbances to predict spaceflight hazards, global ionospheric map 

ping, global noise and interference survey, global measurements of absolute ground and sea surface temperatures and surface roughness, and 

surveys of snow areas, river and lake ice distribution, rain and river 

gauging, shoals, and sea states. (Text) 

NRC Committee on Polar Research, established in 1958 to continue research begun by NAS during International Geophysical Year, began review of significant results of past research efforts, to pinpoint scientific 

questions that should be studied in either of polar regions during next 

few years, and to make recommendations on national research goals. 

(NAS-NRC-NAE News Report, 3/68, 2) 0 Strong arguments in favor of Europe’s making comsats “focal point” of 

space activity were presented in Spaceflight by spacewriter Arthur C. 

Clarke, former chairman of British Interplanetary Society. “Reliable 

domestic radio services are not available over most of the world. Long 

distance services are of poor quality . . . [and] by 1970, there will be 

130 million VHF sets in the world, many of which could pick up direct 

radio broadcasts from satellites.” U.K., he said, “certainly cannot do 

everything in space. But what we should not tolerate is the apparently 

invincible ignorance of those who think that nothing in space is worth 

doing. . . . Our space achievements will be our greatest legacy to the 

future. Indeed they will create that future. They will make it possible to 

have a future.’’ (Clarke, SF, 3/68, 78-84) 

Effects of manned space flight program on communities surrounding 

NASA space flight centers were discussed in Monthly Labor Review. 

South had gained most from 1967 decision to proceed with Apollo Program. Total civil service and contractor employment increase of 66,000 

in five states bordering Gulf of Mexico was about 5% of area’s increase in total nonagricultural employment. However, economic signifi73 
During March 

of employment in program in 1966 had 

nd if funding continued to decline after 

1968 communities would have to adjust to sharply contracting employment. (Holman, Konkel, Monthly Labor Review, 3/68,30-6) 

74 
April 1968 

April I: Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, Director of NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center, was elected member of National Academy of Engineering “in recognition and in honor of his important contributions to engineering 

and of his leadership in the field.” He was cited for development and 

operation of manned spacecraft. (NAE PIO; MSC Roundup, 4/12/68, 1) 

USAF F-111A aircraft had been grounded by USAF pending results of investigation of March 28 and 30 crashes, Associated Press reported. (W 

Star, 4/1/68, A3) 

9 New York Times editorial on F-111A aircraft: “The difficulties that 

have beset the cont;roversial F-111 swing-wing plane recently provide 

new evidence of the folly of allowing political factors to veto or dilute 

technical judgment. 

“These additional blows to a plane that still has great potential 

promise emphasize what most experts have been saying for seven years 

-the F-111 has been built the wrong way from the beginning. It reflected former Secretary of Defense McNamara’s insistence, in the 

name of ‘commonality’ and savings, that the Navy and the Air Force 

buy one plane for two entirely different missions. 

“But, though the Navy’s version may never-as Congress believesmeet the Navy’s needs, the Air Force model has great potential capabilities as a supersonic high- and low-level all-weather fighter-bomber . . . [and] must be developed, tested and utilized to its fullest capability.” 

(NYT, 4/1/68) 

0 AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion Office awarded Aerojet-General Corp. 

extension of cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for nuclear propulsion work. 

Extension covered period through Sept. 30, but NASA funding 

would be restricted to effort through July 31 pending Congressional action on NASA’s FY 1969 budget request. Extension brought total estimated cost to $59,413,790 for Oct. 1, 1967, through Sept. 30, 1968, including $25,845,000 NASA share. ( NASA Release 68-57; VSJ, 4/2/68, 

12 ; SBD, 4/2/68,179) 

MSFC contract awards: $2,056,360 contract modification to RCA for continued support of RCA llOA computers for use in checkout and launch 

of Saturn IB and Saturn V launch vehicles, bringing total contract 

value to $12.7 million; and $11,750,000 follow-on contract to Sanders 

Associates, Inc., to provide logistics and engineering support to Saturn 

V operational display systems at MSFC, bringing total value of contracts 

to $3,899,548. ( MSFC Releases 68-57,68-58) 

9 USAF awarded RCA $100,000 initial increment to $1.5-miUion fixed-price 

contract for study, evaluation, and testing of advanced electro-optical 

techniques for surveillance of high-altitude space vehicles. ( DOD Release 

288-68) 

April 2: NASA and German Federal Ministry for Scientific Research 

(BMWF) were conducting series of four sounding rocket launches from 

75 
April 2 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station ( TERLS) to study upper 

atmosphere near Equator. NASA Nike-Apache sounding rockets ejected 

barium clouds between 90- and 120-mi altitudes to investigate electric 

fields in upper atmosphere region of intense electric current. Results 

would be available to world scientific community. BMWF was responsible for chemical payloads, phptographic equipment, and cloud observation; Indian National Committee for Space Research provided launch 

services ; and NASA supplied sounding rockets and rocket launcher. 

(NASA Release 68-58) 

President Johnson, in letter transmitting to Congress Fijth Annual Report on Communications Satellite Act of 1962, said: “[Report] reflects 

. . . steady progress toward the ultimate goal of providing mankind 

with new capabilities for worldwide communication. In the brief span 

of five years, satellite technology has grown dynamically. The possibilities envisioned in 1962 have been greatly exceeded.” Communications, 

he said, must provide “ ‘network for knowledge’ so that all peoples can 

share the scientific, educational, and cultural advances of this 

planet. . . . “Failure to reach these goals can only contribute to apathy, ignorance, poverty and despair in a very large part of the world. Success in 

our telecommunications policies can be a critical link in our search for 

the understanding and tolerance from which peace springs. Communication by satellite is a tool-one of the most promising which mankind 

has had thus far-to attain this end.” (Text; AP, W Star, 4/3/68, A7; 

PD, 4/8/68,637) 

Senate Armed Services Committee, after hearing DOD witnesses in closed 

session, voted to appropriate $297 million-including $170 million for 

contract definition of Navy VFX-1 as possible replacement for F-111B 

-for continuation of USN’S fighter-bomber program and procurement 

of F-4J Phantom jet aircraft. Committee had voted March 28 to deny 

the funds. Contract definition phase was expected to take 8-12 mo. (W 

Star, 4/3/68, A8) 

Dr. John C. Houbolt, Executive Vice President of Aeronautical Research 

Associates of Princeton, Inc., received AIAA Structures and Materials 

Award for his “original, definitive, and continuous research leading to 

the use of random processes in aircraft gust loads design.” (SBD, 

4/4/68,193) 

April 3: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCX into orbit with 374- 

km (232.4-mi) apogee, 198-km (123-mi) perigee, 90.2-min period, and 

81.3” inclination. Satellite reentered April 11. (SBD, 4/4/68, 197; 

GSFC SSR, 4/15/68) 

0 Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched by NASA from Churchill Research 

Range carried GSFC payload to 81-mi (129-km) altitude to gather data 

on charged particle flux associated with aurora and to investigate distribution of electric fields in ionosphere, occurrence of radio noise, and 

ionospheric electron densities during auroral displays. Experimental results were 70% successful. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

National Academy of Sciences president, Dr. Frederick Seitz, was 

elected president of Rockefeller Univ. to succeed Dr. Detlev W. Bronk, 

who would retire July 1. Dr. Seitz would divide his time between 

NAS and University until early 1969, when he would assume his fulltime educational duties. Member of President’s Science Advisory Com76 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 Apd 3 

mittee and of DOD’S Defense Science Board, which he chaired four 

years ending in March, Dr. Seitz had succeeded Dr. Bronk as NAS president in 1962. (Farber, NYT, 4/4/68; NAS-NRC-NAE News Report, 

4/68) 

Dr. Harold A. Rosen, Assistant Manager of Hughes Aircraft Co. Space 

Systems Div. and Manager of Hughes Satellite Systems Laboratories, 

was named recipient of U’S first Aerospace Communications Award 

for his “leadership in making synchronous satellite communications a 

global reality, thereby opening a new challenge for the progress of 

mankind.” Award also honored late Don Williams, former Chief Scientist for Communications Satellite Systems at Hughes, for “his early 

recognition, technical judgment, inventiveness, and singular dedication in pioneering the development and design of synchronous communications satellites.” (MU News; AIAA PIO) 

USAF was flight-testing tactical photographic image transmission (TAPIT) 

subsystem which would enable tactical fighter aircraft to perform as 

reconnaissance vehicles. TAPIT, self-contained in pod mounted under 

aircraft wing with small control box in cockpit, took panoramic pictures from low altitudes; developed film in seven seconds; electronically scanned photos ; and transmitted signals to ground stations within 

100-mi radius. ( AFSC Release 24.68) 

Marshall Space Flight Center awarded IBM’S Space Guidance Center 

$1,303,758 contract for spare parts and logistics support of instrument 

units that guided Saturn IB and Saturn V launch vehicles. (MSFC Release 68-63) 

April 4: NASA’s ApoZZo 6 (AS-502) was successfully launched from KSC 

Complex 39A at 7:OO am EST on mission to qualify Saturn V launch 

vehicle for future manned space flights. Primary objectives were to 

demonstrate structural and thermal integrity and compatibility of 

launch vehicle and spacecraft; confirm launch loads and dynamic characteristics ; demonstrate s-II/S-IC and S-IVB/S-I1 stage separations ; 

verify operation of propulsion (including S-IVB restart) , guidance 

and control (optimum injection) , and electrical systems; evaluate 

performance of emergency detection system ( EDS) in closed-loop 

configuration; and demonstrate mission support facilities and operations required for launch, mission conduct, and command module 

( CM) recovery. 

Launch vehicle 1st-stage performance was near nominal, but two of 

five 2nd-stage 52 engines shut down prematurely, causing remaining 

2nd-stage engines and 3rd-stage engine to burn longer than planned. As 

result, spacecraft and 3rd stage entered elliptical parking orbit with 

223.1-mi (395.1-km) apogee, 107-mi (172.1-km) perigee, and 89.8-min 

period instead of planned circular orbit of 115-mi (175-km) altitude. 

When 3rd stage failed to reignite on command after two orbits as 

planned, NASA switched to alternate mission, firing service propulsion 

system ( SPS) to place spacecraft into trajectory with 13,823-mi 

(22,225.4-km) apogee. Since insufficient propellant remained after extended burn, second SPS burn was not attempted and CM reentered at 

22,376 mph, just under planned 25,000-mph rate. Spacecraft splashed 

down 50 mi off target in Pacific 9 hr 50 min after launch and was recovered in good condition by U.S.S. Okinawa. Preliminary assessment 

indicated four of five primary objectives were attained, even though 

77 
April 4 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

launch vehicle performance and S-IVB restart and guidance control 

(optimum injection) were not fully successful [see April 11 and 241. 

Apollo 6 was second flight for Saturn V launch vehicle and boilerplate 

lunar module (LM) and fourth for operational Block I command/service module (CSM) . Spacecraft had been modified to include Block I1 

heatshield and instrumentation for unmanned configuration, delete 

crew provisions, incorporate new unified quick-operating hatch and 

movie camera to record launch escape system ( LES) jettison and reentry 

conditions, and relocate sequence camera for earth landmark photography. Apollo 4 (launched Nov. 9, 1967) and Apollo 5 (launched Jan. 

22, 1968) had both been highly successful, completing inflight tests of 

all major pieces of Apollo hardware. Apollo program was directed by 

NASA Office of Manned Space Flight; MSC was responsible for Apollo 

spacecraft development, MSFC for Saturn launch vehicle development, 

and KSC for launch operations. Tracking and data acquisition was managed by GSFC under overall direction of NASA Office of Tracking and 

Data Acquisition. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 68-54K; W Post, 

4/5/68, A18; UPI, W Star, 4/5/68, A3) 

NASA test pilot William H. Dana flew X-15 No. 1 to 187,500-ft altitude 

and 3,546 mph (mach 5.27) to test spray-on foam insulation, much 

lighter than previously used insulation, for use on Saturn V 2nd stage. 

Test, from lidwards AFB, was satisfactory, with X-15 performing in 

maximum-heating design trajectory close to that of Saturn V and sustaining temperatures of up to 1,500"F. (X-15 Proj Off; MSFC Release 

68-69; AP, P Inq, 4/5/68) 

Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket was launched by NASA from Churchill 

Research Range carrying GSFC payload to gather data on charged particle fluxes associated with aurora and to investigate distribution of electric fields in ionosphere, occurrence of radio noise, and ionospheric 

electron densities during auroral displays. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily; good data were acquired. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

0 ARC scientists Dr. William L. Quaide and Verne R. Oberbeck had developed 

method of calculating lunar soil depths using measurements based on 

Lunar Orbiter photos and Surveyor photos and surface analyses, NASA 

announced. Studies indicated that many of moon's smaller craters and 

much of soil and fragmental material on lunar surface were result of 

meteoroid impacts. By simulating impacts in laboratory and comparing 

results with photos of lunar craters scientists identified four crater 

types: (1) craters with up to 12-ft dia, round bottoms, and depths 25% 

of their diameter; (2) craters with 12- to 22-ft dia, flat bottoms, and 

central mound; (3) craters with 22- to 30-ft dia, flat bottoms, and no 

mound; and (4) craters with diameter greater than 30 ft with second 

crater gouged in flat bottom. Thick layer of fragmented material, 

calculated by new method to be up to 20 yd deep, coincided with 

densely cratered areas to support impact theory. (NASA Release 68-59; 

SBD, 4/5/68, 202) 

0 Model of wheel-shaped planetary landing craft, sterilized by heat and 

dropped from 250-ft altitude by Jet Propulsion Laboratory, operated 

successfully after impacting dry lake in Mojave Desert at 80 mph-major step in demonstrating feasibility of sending lightweight scientific 

landing capsule to Mars. Craft's radio transmitter turned on 30 sec 

after craft struck surface and operated 20 min. Anemometer deployed 

78 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 April 4 

automatically 3 min after impact, to measure wind velocity. Following 

mission profile identical to projected Mars surface operations, radio 

turned on again 22 hr a{ter initial transmission (when earth would 

again be in view). Signals from three-watt transmitter were received for 

another 40 min to conclude test. Craft was powered by 12-cell, silverzinc battery, first known to survive both heat sterilization and high-velocity impact. (NASA Release 68-69; JPL Release 473; JPL PIO) 

* USAF’S Lincoln Experimental Satellite (Les V) (launched July 1, 1967), 

first all solid-state UHF band comsat, had been used in first network of 

tactical terminals to include a comsat, first air-to-air link via satellite 

relay, and first communications link from high latitudes via satellite as 

part of USAF program to improve communications between aircraft. Les 

V was testing UHF teletype system which relayed 60-wpm messages over 

ground distances of up to 8,000 mi. Satellite’s 20,000-mi-altitude orbit 

allowed line of sight stretching nearly halfway around the world. USAF 

proposed using system for communications between low-altitude attack 

aircraft and rear area controllers, for USAF worldwide logistic control 

and status reporting system, and for strike and reconnaissance reporting. (AFSC Release 23.68) 

Dr. William H. Pickering, Director of Cal Tech’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, spoke at Space Forum sponsored by American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, American Astronautical Society, and Institute 

of Environmental Sciences in Washington, D.C. Describing first decade 

in space as “most productive . . . in history of technology,” he forecast 

manned lunar operations including lunar laboratories before end of 

second decade; tour of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune by single 

spacecraft in 1977; and dramatic yield from growing applications of 

near-earth satellites. 

He urged initiation of “orderly planning cycle” to replace major 

programs being phased out. Emphasis of next phase was likely to be 

“gleaning more benefits’’ from space dollar expenditure. National 

Space Council estimated annual return from space would markedly 

exceed expenditures in 10 yr. (Text) 

0 NASA would negotiate $3.5-million, one-year, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract 

with General Electric Co.% Apollo Systems Div. for Apollo Applications engineering support. GE, under direction of NASA Hq. Apollo Applications Program Office, would provide engineering support in areas 

of quality and reliability, configuration and data management, test, and 

checkout. (NASA Release 68-61) 

0 MSFC contract activity: RCA was awarded $1,293,aO contract to modify 

RCA 110 computer module boards, by systematically incorporating improved solder design. 

IBM was issued $1,523,282 supplemental agreement for adjustment 

and implementation of configuration management for fabrication, assembly, checkout, and delivery of 27 Apollo/Saturn instrument unit 

stages and other support equipment. 

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., received $2,249,364 contract extension to supply 12 million lb liquid hydrogen by March 31, 1969, to 

MSFC, purchasing agent for Government agencies and their supporting 

contractors in eastern US. 

Three one-year contract renewals, effective through March 31, 1969, 

were awarded for MSFC support services: $10.5 million to Brown Engi79 
April 4 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

neering Co. for services in Propulsion and Vehicle Engineering Laboratory, $4,504,000 to SPACO Inc. for services in Quality and Reliability 

Assurance Laboratory, and $2,273,000 to Hayes International for 

services in Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory. ( MSFC Releases 

April 5: ComSatCorp, on behalf of International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium ( INTELSAT) , leased antenna and related facilities at 

Fucino, Italy, earth station from Telespazio, Italian space communications company. Fucino facilities, approved by INTELSAT’s Interim communications Satellite Committee (ICSC) , would be used for tracking, telemetry, and command duties for INTELSAT comsats. (ComSatCorp Release 68-15) 

MSFC announced award to Harvard univ. of $1,942,300 supplementary 

contract for development of UV scanning spectrometer to be flown as 

solar experiment on first launch of Apollo Telescope Mount. Award increased total value to $6,458,544 for experiments for use with manned 

solar observatories. ( MSFC Release 68-68; SBD, 4/8/68, 210) 

0 Crash of F-111A in Thailand March 30 had been caused by failure in 

terrain radar guidance system, newspapers said reliable sources reported. Aircraft had reportedly bucked and gyrated severely, forcing 

two crew members to eject. USAF team was conducting on-site investigation and was expected to report findings in two weeks. (Horton, AP, 

W Star, 4/5/68, A6; Beecher, NYT, 4/6/68, 10) 

April 6: USAF launched two Orbiting Vehicle research satellites pickaback 

from Vandenberg AFB by Atlas-F booster. OV I-13 entered orbit with 

5,789-mi (9,316.2-km) apogee, 346-mi (556.7-h) perigee, 199.5-min 

period, and 100.5” inclination to determine flexibility of cadmium sulfide solar cells in space and to measure proton/electron energy spectra 

and angular distribution of electrons. OV I-14, launched to obtain 

high-resolution measurements of proton/electron flux, spectra, decay, 

and time variations, entered orbit with 6,173-mi (9,934.2-km) apogee, 

348-mi (560.0-km) perigee, 207.8-min period, and 100.0” inclination. 

(UPI, C Trib, 4/8/68; SBD, 4/9/68, 220; GSFC SSR, 4/15/69; Pres 

Rpt 68) 

Third anniversary of launch of 85-lb (Early Bird), world’s first commercial comsat, owned by INTELSAT and managed by ComSatCorp. 

Originally designed as experimental-operational satellite with l8-mo life 

expectancy, comsat launched by NASA into 22,300-mi-altitude synchronous orbit over Atlantic, was still providing service between North 

America and Europe with 100% reliability. Intelsat I had received and 

transmitted more than 200 hr of TV and thousands of telephone calls, 

data and record messages, and other general communications without 

satellite service outage. TV use of Intelsat I increased from 31 programs consuming 31 hr leased time in 1965 to 160 programs and 125 

hr in 1967. Highlights of TV broadcasts included live coverage of Atlantic splashdowns of Gemini spacecraft, sports events, public affairs, 

and news programs. (ComSatCorp Release 68-16) 

New York Times editorial on Apollo 6 mission: “What was illustrated . . . was the extraordinary difficulty of assuring that every one of the 

literally millions of components in such an extremely complicated system as the Saturn 5 works perfectly. But the complexity of the total 

Apollo mechanism for the planned manned voyage to the moon . . . is 

68-64,68-65,68-66,68-67) 

80 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 April 6 

even greater. . . . This fact argues for a slow but sure approach to future Apollo tests, rather than an adventuresome policy aimed primarily 

at completing the job by the end of 1969. 

“Regrettable as were Saturn 5’s deficiencies as demonstrated in 

this week’s test, they provide a useful warning against renewed overconfidence and the costs it could again impose.” (NYT, 4/6/68, 36) 

In New Republic, Louis J. Halle wrote “Why I’m for Space Exploration.” It was less than 12 yr since life on earth had emerged “from our 

planet’s atmospheric envelope into outer space.” He was puzzled to find 

“marked lack of enthusiasm . . . at the prospect of man’s liberation 

from this earthly prison.” Many, he felt, were moved by “spiritual horror” at notion of looking beyond earth. “Now . . . that we are at last 

beginning to escape €rom our native confines, there is no telling what 

light we may find in the larger universe to dissipate the darkness of 

our minds.” There was also possibility “that we may begin to populate 

new planets as, after 1492, we began to populate a new continent. Suddenly man’s fate seems boundless.” (AF/SD, 7/68, 51-4.) 

April 7: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Luna XZV unmanned spacecraft 

toward moon “to conduct further studies of near-lunar space,” Tass announced. All systems were functioning normally and spacecraft was 

traveling close to planned trajectory. [See April 10 and 11.1 (Anderson, NYT, 4/8/68,1; AP, W Star, 4/8/68, A3; GSFC SSR, 4/15/68) 

Long-nosed USAF C-131 research aircraft was being developed for Air 

Force Systems Command by Cornel1 Aeronautical Laboratory, Inc., as 

unique flying simulator to test controls, instruments, and aircraft configurations of advanced aircraft such as Advanced Manned Strategic 

Aircraft (AMSA) , military C-5A cargo and passenger aircraft, and SST. 

Total In-Flight Simulator ( TIFS) configuration-with nose length varying to simulate advanced aircraft and with second cockpit below and 

ahead of main cockpit and six independent controls-would realistically reproduce handling conditions of modeled aircraft and enable 

USAF to determine inexpensively in advance correct design and instrumentation for advanced aircraft. ( AFSC Release 45.68) 

0 In Perception of Space and Time in the Cosmos, published in U.S.S.R., 

Cosmonaut Aleksey A. Leonov, who made first space walk from Voskhod ZZ spacecraft March 18, 1965, and Soviet space medicine specialist Vladimir Lebedev claimed pilots’ distorted perceptions of dimensions and time were frequent factors in aircraft accidents. In space 

flights such miscalculation could cause incineration during reentry or, 

conversely, divert spacecraft into an orbit of no return. Authors divided people into three categories: those who suffered no ill effects 

from weightlessness, those who required time for adjustment, and those 

who were unable to adjust and should be permanently grounded. They 

suggested spacecraft of future protect against monotony of unbroken 

routine by carrying well-stocked libraries, cinema, and discotheque. 

(Stevens, W Star, 4/7/68, F6) 

Washington Sunday Star editorial on Apollo 6 mission: “. . . Saturn 

5’s latest performance . . . suggests that our astronauts may not be 

able to carry out their lunar mission until considerably later than optimists have suggested-possibly not until 1971, if then. . . . However 

. . . it is better to be sa€e than sorry. Saturn 5’s deficiencies must be 

eliminated, no matter how long the job takes, before it is used to lift a 

81 
April 7 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

manned Apollo spacecraft to the moon. Despite loose talk about a Soviet-American ‘space race,’ there should be no all-out drive, no senseless rush, to score a first in this field.” (W Star, 4/7/68, F1) 

-4pril8: NASA announced publication of Teleoperators and Human Augmentution (NASA SP-5047) , NASA-AEC technology survey issued by NASA 

Office of Technology Utilization and written by Edwin G. Johnsen and 

William R. Corliss. It covered work of both agencies in development of 

teleoperators, including history of the robot-like machines, assessment 

of their impact on technology, and explanation of principal subsystems 

of those in use. Since 1948 “some 3,000 manipulator arms” had been 

built in U.S.- “the advance guard of an army of man-machine systems 

now assembling to serve man in a variety of ways.” (NASA Release 

68-62) 

0 NASA selected Teledyne Systems Co. for negotiation of $950,000 15-mo 

contract to design and construct prototype airborne digital computer 

unit for Centaur launch vehicle’s guidance and control system. Contract, which would include option for five additional units with required ground support equipment and spare parts, would be managed 

by LeRC. (NASA Release 68-64) 

Harold D. Babcock, 40-yr member of Mt. Wilson and Mt. Palomar Observatory staffs, died. He was specialist in study of spectra of sunspots 

and discoverer of fact that magnetic field of sun reversed polarity periodically. ( NAS-NRC-NAE News Report, 5/68,10) 

April 9: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCXI. Orbital parameters: apogee, 1,545 km (960 mi) ; perigee, 199 km (123.6 mi) ; period, 

102.1 min; and inclination, 81’. Satellite reentered Nov. 10. (SBD, 

4/10/68,266; GSFC SSR, 4/15/68; 11/15/68) 

NASA launched two Javelin sounding rockets from NASA Wallops Station. 

One carried GSFC payload to 497-mi (800-km) altitude to observe helium ionization levels in exosphere with vacuum-ion chamber and to 

observe helium and oxygen-ion resonance dayglow with filtered photometer. Rocket and instrumentation performance was satisfactory. Telemetry signal was received for 16 min 40 sec. Second rocket carried 

Syracuse University Research Corp. vacuum-ion chamber to observe 

helium ionization levels in exosphere and Univ. of Southern California 

filtered photometer to observe helium- and oxygen-ion resonance dayglow to 4?7-mi (800-km) altitude. Rocket and instruments performed 

satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

FAA awarded $3.8-million contract to IBM’S Federal Systems Div. to 

modernize air traffic control at 100 U.S. facilities by installing printers 

and keyboards for faster coordination and reduction of controllers’ 

oral and manual workload. Delivery of equipment, to begin April 15, 

would be coordinated with delivery of other automation components 

for National Airspace System. (FAA Release 68-24) 

.4pril 9-10: Electronic signals on medical condition of USMC volunteer pa; 

tient in Tokyo were transmitted between Tokyo, Houston, and Washington, D.C., via satellite and ground equipment to show how worldwide diagnosis of complex medical problems could be achieved by advanced communications. Intelsat-IZ F-2 (Pacific I) comsat and AT&T 

landline facilities were used in demonstration for 1968 National Telemetry Conference of IEEE in Houston. Signals were relayed from Brewster Flat, Wash., earth station to Conference and to computer centers at 

82 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 April 9-10 

US. Public Health Service in Washington, D.C., and Univ. of Texas. 

Demonstration was directed by ITT World Communications, Inc., with 

cooperation of ComSatCorp and Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co., Ltd., 

Japan. (ComSatCorp Release 68-17; AP, W Star, 4/10/68, A18; UPI, 

W Post, 4/12/68, A15) 

April 10: U.K.’s Jodrell Bank Experimental Station reported U.S.S.R.’s 

Luna XIV spacecraft had apparently entered lunar orbit and was transmitting telemetry but no photographic signals. U.S.S.R. had made no 

official statement since April 7 launch. (UPI, NYT, 4/11/68, 4; Cohn, 

W Post, 4/11/68, A27) 

Ernest W. Brackett, Special Assistant to NASA Assistant Administrator 

for Industry Affairs, was appointed Chairman of NASA Board of Contract Appeals, succeeding E. M. Shafer, who became Chairman of NASA 

Contract Adjustment Board. GSFC’s Matthew J. McCartin was appointed 

Vice Chairman. (NASA Release 68-65) 

April 11: U.S.S.R.’s Luna XIV had entered orbit around moon “close to the 

calculated one” to study correlation between earth and moon and collect data necessary for landing cosmonauts on moon, Tass announced 

in first official statement since April 7 launch. Satellite had entered 

lunar orbit April 10 with 870-km (540.6-mi) apolune, 160-km (99.4- 

mi) perilune, and 2-hr 40-min period. (UPI, W Star, 4/11/68, A3; SBD, 

4/12/68,239-40; Reuters, NYT, 4/14/68,8) 

MSFC issued report on preliminary results of April 4 Apollo 6 flight. Although “basic source of the difficulties” had not yet been determined, 

scientists and engineers speculated that wires carrying cutoff commands 

to the malfunctioning engines were interchanged. First stage had performed as planned and stage thrust was near predicted during first portion of flight. Second stage had performed satisfactorily through 1ststage boost, 2nd-stage ignition, and early portion of 2nd-stage powered 

flight. First indications of anomaly were decreasing temperatures on 

main oxidizer valve and its control line on fifth engine and steady decrease in second engine’s yaw actuator pressure. Third stage performed 

satisfactorily through first burn and orbital coast. Although engine and 

stage prestart conditions appeared normal, engine received start signal, 

and valves opened properly, engine did not restart. Initial data suggested that leak in one of two propellant lines to engine’s augmented 

spark igniter might have caused insufficient or inadequately mixed propellant for proper start condition. Investigations were continuing on 

longitudinal oscillation of vehicle. Guidance and other instrumentation 

functions, telemetry performance, and onboard TV camera operation 

were satisfactory. (MSFC Release 68-74?; AP, NYT, 4/12/68,20) 

USAF and NASA had agreed to consolidate their photographic operations 

at ETR under one contractor to save estimated $1 million first year. 

Single contractor, selected by competitive bid, would report to ETR contract manager. USAF and NASA each would provide one technical manager to monitor performance. New operation would be effective Jan. 1, 

1969. ( KSC Release 68-151) 

V/A Hyman G. Rickover (USN), testifying before House Committee on 

Banking and Currency hearings on H.R. 15683 to renew Defense Production Act of 1950 as amended, warned against emergence of “fourth 

branch of government,” partnership of Federal bureaucrats and giant 

corporations “with men exerting power without political responsibil83 
April 11 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

ity.” DOD’S industry-oriented philosophy, lack of inhouse capability, 

and absence of standardized accounting procedures permitted Government subsidization of civilian business of defense contractors and cost 

US. taxpayers billions of dollars, he said. (Transcript: Porter, W Post, 

5/2/68, G2) 

April 12: NASA would negotiate $900,000, one-year, cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with Chrysler Corp.’s Space Div. to study needs and configuration 

alternatives for an intermediate payload launch vehicle in post-1973 

space operations. Payloads under consideration included long-duration 

manned operations in low earth orbit, unmanned satellites in synchronous orbit, logistic support for manned lunar exploration, and unmanned planetary and deep space probes. Contract would be managed 

by OMSF. (NASA Release 68-67; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 4/13/68) 

April 14: Cosmos CCXII was successfully launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit 

with 200-km (124.3-mi) apogee, 180-km (111.8-mi) perigee, 88.3-min 

period, and 51.6’ inclination. Satellite docked with Cosmos CCXIZI 

April 15 and reentered April 19. (AP, B Sun, 4/15/68; UPI, NYT, 

4/15/68,86; GSFC SSR, 4/15/68; 4/30/68) 

April 15: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCXIIZ into orbit with 

254-km (157.8-mi) apogee, 186-km (115.6-mi) perigee, 89.1-min period, and 51.6” inclination. At 1:21 pm Moscow time (3:21 Baikonur 

time) satellite was automatically docked with Cosmos CCXZI (launched 

April 14). Tass later announced that satellites used “special closing-in 

systems, radio, technical and computing devices, to carry out an automatic mutual search, closing-in, docking, and rigid coupling to each 

other.” Maneuver was second automatic docking in space and was filmed 

by TV cameras on board both satellites. U.S.S.R. had successfully accomplished first automatic docking Oct. 30, 1967. First successful 

manned docking had been conducted by US. March 16, 1966. Cosmos 

CCXII and Cosmos CCXIII remained docked in near-circular orbit 3 hr 

50 min and were then separated automatically by ground command and 

placed into different orbits. Cosmos CCXII reentered April 19 and Cosmos CCXIII, April 20. (W Post, 4/16/68; NYT, 4/16/68; B Sun, 

Flight reenactment had revealed that USAF F-111A aircraft crash March 

30 had been caused by malfunction of flight control system, press said 

informed sources reported. Second F-111A, which North Vietnam 

claimed to have shot down, was still missing; US. officials speculated 

that aircraft had crashed in Thailand jungle area. (UPI, NYT, 4/16/68, 

22; W News, 4/16/68,7) 

Defense Projects Support Office (DPSO) was established in Special Programs Office at NASA Hq. to manage specialized tasks where NASA’s 

unique capabilities could provide needed support to a limited number 

of DOD projects. M. J. Raffensperger, Director of Advanced Manned 

Missions Planning and Operations, Office of Manned Space Flight, was 

appointed Deputy Director of Special Programs Office and Acting 

Director of DPSO. (NASA Release 68-66; NASA Ann, 4/17/68) 

0 Lawrence A. Hyland, Vice President and General Manager of Hugha 

Aircraft Co., was selected by NAA to receive Robert J. Collier Trophy 

for significant achievement in aeronautics and astronautics in 1967 as 

Hughes Surveyor program director. Trophy would be presented May 7. 

(NAA Release; AP, W Post, 4/16/68, A3) 

4/16/68; SED, 4/16/68, 255-6; GSFC SSR, 4/15/68; 4/30/68) 

84 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 April 15 

e Tass announced issuance of three stamps commemorating Soviet space 

achievements: March 18, 1965, space walk by Aleksey A. Leonov; Oct. 

30, 1967, automatic docking of two Cosmos satellites; and Oct. 

18,1967, softlanding of Venus 4 on Venus. ( W Post, 4/15/68, BO) 

April 16: NASA Associate Administrator, Dr. Homer E. Newell, summarized 

Earth Resoiirces Survey program at Fifth Symposium on Remote Sensing of Environment at Univ. of Michigan’s Institute of Science and 

Technology in Ann Arbor. Prospects in field were promising. Greatest 

use of satellites for earth survey to date was for meteorological data, 

including global cloud-cover photos, cloud motion, and ocean temperatures, but US. still lacked “much of the data essential for worldwide 

long-range weather €orecasting,” such as data on three-dimensional 

fields of density, wind velocity, temperature, and water vapor within 

the atmosphere. 

Major contributions expected from research in other fields included: 

completion of geodetic programs which would permit determination of 

relative positions of any two points on earth with improved accuracy; 

monitoring of sea surface state, evaluation of marine biological resources, and surface observations of conditions of interest to oceanographers; and improved identification of spectral signature of various 

species for agriculture, forestry, and geology. (Text; SBD, 4/19/68, 

280) 

e John N. Wilford described in New York Times front page article decline 

in US. space expenditures since 1966: “Under pressure from the war 

in Vietnam, civilian space spending has dropped from $5.9-billion in 

the peak year of 1966 to $4.8-billion this year, and it is expected to 

drop much lower in the fiscal year starting in July. Employment in 

space work at private companies, universities and Government centers 

has declined from 420,000 in 1966 to fewer than 300,000 today, and it 

is still dropping at the rate of 4,000 a month.” Signs of decline were 

clearly visible, in “ghost towns’’ that were once test sites, and in removal of numerous projects from NASA’s post-Apollo plans. Fortunately, 

impact of cutback was softened because NASA had not replaced many 

personnel who ordinarily left agency each year and because personnel 

dismissed were absorbed by growing aircraft industry and expanding 

military space program. But there was a growing feeling “that once astronauts have landed on the moon, they will have no other place of significance to go for several years because of sharp budget cuts. These 

cuts have trimmed to the bone all preparations for future missions. It is 

as if the astronauts are heading for a dead-end on the moon.” (NYT, 

4/16/68,1) 

U.K. Minister of Technology Anthony W. Benn announced that U.K. 

would withdraw €rom European Conference on Satellite Communications and would make no new commitments to ELDO, though it would 

increase its contribution to ESRO by up to 6%. U.K. officials reportedly 

said decision not to participate in proposed project for experimental 

European TV relay satellite was made in effort to avoid unrealistic projects and concentrate on nonspace aircraft and computer industries. 

(Shuster, NYT, 4/17/68, 79; Mott, W Post, 4/17/68, All) 

MSFC awarded Ball Brothers Research COT. $134,500 contract for six 

solar sensor systems, including one prototype and five flight units, for 

85 
April 16 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

ApoUo Telescope Mount pointing control system. ( MSFC Release 

68-76) 

Aprit 17: USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB using 

111-B-Agena D booster. Satellite entered orbit with 262-mi (4221.6-km) 

apogee, 79-mi (127.1-km) perigee, 89.9-min period, and 111.4” inclination and reentered April 29. (Pres Rpt 68; UPI W Post, 4/18/68; 

SBD, 4/18/68,275; GSFC SSR, 4/30/68) 

NASA Marc 42A2 Arcas booster launched from NASA Wallops Station carried GSFC payload to 4.8-mi (7.8-km) altitude in ballistic performance 

evaluation test. Booster and instruments performed satisiactorily ; ballistic parameters agreed closely with predictions. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

Charles W. Mathews, Director of NASA Apollo Applications Program, told 

National Space Club in Washington, D.C., NASA’s manned space plan, 

beyond first Apollo landing, “contemplates a balanced activity of lunar 

exploration and extension of man’s capabilities in earth orbit.” Program had been designed for flexibility so activities could be conducted 

in harmony with available resources. “We are also prepared to move 

forward at an increased pace when it is desirable and possible to do 

SO.” Both civil benefits and national security implications of space program warranted continued strong support. Contingency planning would 

leave more room for budgetary or goal changes, thus placating critics in 

Congress who claimed NASA had not provided them with sufficient flexibility. (Text: Lannan, W Star, 4/18/68, A5; AP, B Sun, 4/18/68, 

All) 

Sen. Margaret C. Smith (R-Me.), ranking member of Senate Committee 

on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, on Senate floor presented General 

Accounting Office review of source selection and award of major 

subcontract by NASA and its prime contractor, Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., for development of landing and rendezvous radar equipment for Apollo lunar module, compiled at her request. Sen. Smith explained that although another electronics firm had expressed interest in 

performing under fixed-price contract, RCA had received contract because of agreement between Grumman and RCA “before the requirements and specifications for the radar components had been defined.” 

Noting that RCA estimated cost of $23.4 million had now increased to 

about $112 million, she suggested that if Grumman radar subcontract 

was illustrative of how NASA “maintains surveillance over its appropriated funds, it would appear that substantial savings could be realized merely by strengthening the agency’s contracting practices.’’ ( NASA 

LAR VII/36; CR, 4/17/68, S4138-46; AP, B Sun, 4/23/68, A5) 

NASA had awarded Aerojet-General Corp.’s Space Div. $316,776 contract 

to perform preliminary design of spacecraft for basic research on 

frog’s balance mechanism (otolith) under weightlessness and repeated 

acceleration. Project, initial step in NASA’s Human Factor Systems program to investigate primary balance mechanism within inner ear, 

would be managed by NASA Wallops Station under direction of Office of 

Advanced Research and Technology. ARC would be responsible for otolith experiment package designed by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics 

Laboratory. (WS Release 68-8; NASA Release 68-71) 

MSFC awarded nine-month, $99,000 contract to Raymond Loewy/VCTilliam 

Snaith, Inc., to conduct habitability studies of planned earth orbital 

space stations. Basic goal would be to ensure that workshop configura86 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 April 17 

tions were comfortable and functional structures in which to live and 

work. ( MSFC Release 68-79) 

Naval Research Laboratory scientist, Dr. Richard C. Henry, speaking at 

dedication of NRL’s new E. 0. Hulburt Center for Space Research in 

Washington, D.C., presented data strongly supporting closed universe 

concept. Aerobee sounding rocket launched from ‘white Sands Missile 

Range Sept. 7, 1967, carrying soft x-ray detector, had detected radiation from large, unexpected amount of thinly spread intergalactic hydrogen gas, evidence of existence of intergalactic. matter previously 

supposed but undetected. Amount detected indicated presence of 100 

times as much matter between galaxies as in all stars in universe 

enough to fill up all space and satisfy all theoretical requirements for a 

closed universe. (Text; Cohn, W Post, 4/18/68, 1) 

Editorial comment on Soviet space achievements, including successful 

orbiting of Luna XZV and docking of Cosmos CCXZZ and CCXIZZ, 

urged US. to acknowledge challenge: 

“The Soviet Union’s sense of purpose in space is apparently as 

steady and unwavering as it ever was. The US. . . . after coming up 

fast from behind in a wave of feverish anxiety and enthusiasm, now 

seems to have lost interest. That could be a dangerous-even fataltendency in an age where space is of key importance to the security of 

the Nation. It should be reversed, before great harm is done.” (P Znq, 

4/ 17/68 ) 

“If we muff what now looks like a good chance to beat the Russians 

to the moon with manned space ships, the prestige loss to this nation 

will probably be immeasurable. And if our space people aren’t paying 

at least as much attention as the Russians to the military possibilities of 

space, then we are in grave danger and growing more so. All of which 

adds up . . . to a whole string of dire warnings to Congress not to be 

stingy about space projects of any description.” (NY News, 4/17/68) 

USAF F-111A aircraft crash March 30 in Thailand had been caused by 

“a mechanic’s mistake, not by a flaw in design,” U.S. military command announced. Recovered aircraft revealed that pilots lost control of 

aircraft because tube of sealant normally used to seal fuel tanks was 

left loose in aircraft, hardened during low-temperature flight, and 

jammed flight-control system. Loss of another F-11lA March 28 remained mystery and search in Thailand area where it presumably 

crashed had ended unsuccessfully. (UPI, W Post, 4/16/68, A8; Carroll, 

B Sun, 4/18/68, A5) 

April 18: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXIV into orbit with 370-km (229.9- 

mi) apogee, 199-km (123.6-mi) perigee, 90.1-min period, and 81.3” 

inclination. Satellite reentered April 26. ( GSFC SSR, 4/30/68) 

LaRC selected Northrop Corp.’~ Norair Div. for negotiations on $2-dlion contract to design and construct differential maneuvering simulator. System, two identical piloted flight simulators linked electronically 

through central computing equipment, would be used to study future 

aerospace vehicle concepts. (NASA Release 68-74) 

NASA announced appointment of two new members to Aerospace Safety 

Advisory Panel: Dr. C. D. Harrington, President of Douglas United 

Nuclear, Inc., for six-year term; and S. T. Harris, 05cer of the Board, 

Texas Instruments, Inc., for four years. (NASA Release 68-72) 

April 19: U.S.S.R. launched €osmos CCXV into orbit with 403-km (250.4- 

87 
April 19 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

mi) apogee, 255-km (158.4-mi) perigee, 91.1-min period, and 48.4’ 

inclination. Satellite reentered June 30. (SBD, 4/22/68, 292 ; GSFC 

SSR, 4/30/68; 7/15/68) 

* Sixty-day simulated earth-orbital mission for four UCLA students 

ended when they left McDonnell Douglas Corp. Missile & Space Systems Div. space cabin simulator [see Feb. 21). Although students had 

tired of food and missed female companionship, attending doctor 

said they remained in good health. Leaving simulator they first noticed 

extreme humidity and “myriad smells and odors in normal air.” EXperiment had included cycles of rest and work, testing air-water 

samples, and manning scientific equipment. (AP, B Sun, 4/20/68, A3) 

* Page Communications Engineers, Inc., and government of South Vietnam were negotiating agreement to permit Page to finance and construct $7-million earth station in Vungtau. Station, which would be 

used with ComSatCorp satellite to be launched in November, would 

have 60-channel capacity initially and would be able to expand to 120. 

South Vietnamese government would receive 20% of gross revenuesexpected to total $4-5 million annually-for first five years and 50% 

for second five years, after which operation would be turned over to a 

South Vietnamese corporation. (Page PIO; Wilson, W Post, 4/19/68) 

* NATO’s Nuclear Planning Group had concluded that construction of European ABM defense system was not justified under present circumstances, Robert C. Doty reported in New York Times. Recommendation, he said, “which appears certain to be endorsed by the alliance as a 

whole, ends for the foreseeable future European interest in any multibillion-dollar project to match the antimissile screen now under construction by the Soviet Union.” US. decision in 1967 to build Sentinel 

ABM system to protect against possible Chinese Communist attack had 

promoted NATO review of Europe’s nuclear defense. (NYT, 4/20/68, 2) 

April 20: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCXVI. Orbital parameters: apogee, 265 km (164.7 mi) ; perigee, 195 km (121.2 mi) ; period, 

89.1 min; and inclination, 51.8’. Satellite reentered April 28. (Anderson, NYT, 4/21/68,28; W Star, 4/21/68, A5; GSFC SSR, 4/30/68) 

* NASA Astrobee 1500 sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station carried Univ. of Minnesota experiment to 776-mi (1,250-km) altitude to study levels of electric and magnetic field variations in magnetosphere, check operation of antenna systems for use on satellite, and 

verify vehicle design changes. Rocket performed satisfactorily. Instrumentation suffered partial failure, but cause had not been determined. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

April 20-22: Technical review of Saturn launch vehicles, attended by about 

140 scientists, engineers, and administrators, and held at MSFC. Participants investigated status and flight schedule of Saturn launch vehicles. 

(MSFC Release 68-77; UPI, W Star, 4/21/68, A5) 

April 21 : U.S.S.R. successfully launched eighth Molniya I comsat, Molniyu 

1-8. Orbital parameters: apogee, 39,719 km (24,680.2 mi) ; perigee, 

414 km (257.2 mi) ; period, 11 hr 53 min; and inclination 65”. (UPI, 

NYT, 4/23/68,34; GSFC SSR, 4/30/68) 

* Soviet scientists reported that automatic docking of Cosmos CCXIl and 

CCXlll April 15 had occurred only 47 min after pursuit vessel was 

launched. Cosmos CCXll (launched April 14) was orbiting earth at 

225.3-km, (140-mi) altitude and 17,500 mph when Cosmos CCXIII en88 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 April 21 

tered orbit three miles from it. According to Tass, satellites repeatedly 

changed their orbits, reoriented, maneuvered in space, and conducted 

various scientific experiments during four days in orbit. Soviet scientists had reportedly developed three launch systems for spacecraft intended for automatic docking in orbit: (1) simultaneous side-by-side 

launch with docking maneuvers beginning immediately after spacecraft 

separated from launch vehicles; (2) separate launches from same or 

different sites with second spacecraft launched as close as possible to 

first spacecraft in orbit as it passed over launch site [method used for 

April 15 docking] ; and (3) separate launches of spacecraft into same 

plane, but with distances between them great enough to require several 

orbital corrections and maneuvers to close gap. (Anderson, NYT, 

4/22/68,9 ; SBD, 4/23/68,296-7) 

NASA announced appointment of Dr. Henry J. Smith, Deputy Director of 

Physics and Astronomy Programs, OSSA, as Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications (Science), replacing Dr. 

John E. Naugle who was named Associate Administrator for Space 

Science and Applications Oct. 1, 1967. Dr. Smith would be Chief 

Scientist for OSSA, responsible for obtaining and implementing scientific advice for the national space program. (NASA Release 69-70) 

JPL soil sciences group, headed by Dr. Roy E. Cameron, reported tests 

and cultures of Antarctic soil samples in JPL’S walk-in freezer laboratory to determine what micro-organisms lived in extreme cold and to 

help determine whether life existed on Mars. Samples had come from 

high, dry valleys in Victorialand near US. base at McMurdo, Antarctica. Scientists discovered bacteria, yeasts, molds, and algae, which 

began to grow within two weeks when Antarctic soil kept laboratoryfrozen for over one year was subjected to temperature 68” F or above. 

Studies were sponsored by NASA and NSF. (NASA Release 68-73) 

Dept. of Commerce announced that “the exploration of Antarctica has 

now been virtually completed,” with conclusion of two-month, 815-mi 

scientific journey led by C&GS geophysicist Norman W. Peddie. 

There are now no major areas [of Antarctica] which have not been 

explored,” Peddie said. 

Expedition, which started Dec. 5 and ended Jan. 30, was made by 

nine-man party of Belgian, Norwegian, and American scientists. Trip 

covered region in Queen Maud Land between South Pole and Princess 

Ragnhild Coast in direction of Africa (W Post, 4/21/68, A12) 

Dr. Kurt H. Debus, KSC Director, and JPL Director William H. Pickering had been named cowinners of American Astronautical Society’s 

1967 Space Flight Award for outstanding achievement in advancement 

of space flight and space science. (AP, W Star, 4/21/68, AS) 

April 22: Representatives of 43 nations signed space rescue treaty at separate ceremonies in Washington, D.C., London, and Moscow. At State 

Dept. ceremony in Washington, D.C., President Johnson said he hoped 

treaty would end wasteful competitive spacemanship between US. and 

U.S.S.R. and that next decade in space would increasingly become a 

partnership. Treaty, which provided for assistance to astronauts in 

emergency and safe return of astronauts and space hardware, had been 

unanimously approved by U.N. General Assembly Dec. 19,1967. Secretary of State Dean Rusk signed for US. It would become effective 

CL 

89 
April 22 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

when ratified by US., U.S.S.R., U.K., and two other countries. (Ward, 

B Sun, 4/23/68,1; PD, 4/29/68,1108) 

a New Yorlc Times editorial on cuts in NASA FY 1969 budget: “NOW that 

the desired space research capability has been created, it is merely 

good sense to shift some of the resources thus employed to other and 

more urgent national needs . . . [such as] cleaning up the nation’s 

polluted air and water, providing high-speed land transportation, or 

working out faster and cheaper ways to build new housing to replace 

the noxious and overcrowded slums. . . . “None of this means . . . that the United States will or should 

abandon the effort to explore space and exploit space technology. . . . But for the moment the new relatively svelte-though still very adequate--space program meets the nation’s needs quite generously.” 

(NYT, 4/22/68; CR, 5/1/68, E3M6) 

April 23: NASA launched two sounding rockets from Churchill Research 

Range. Nike-Tomahawk carried Univ. of New Hampshire-Univ. of California at San Diego payload to 166.5-mi (268-km) altitude. Objectives 

were to measure electric field, ionospheric currents, auroral light intensity and location, and proton and electron fluxes in 1- to 10-kev region while payload was passing through or close to visible auroral display. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily; all scientific objectives were achieved. Launch was second in series of four [see Feb. 

Nike-Apache carried Univ. of Michigan payload to 6-mi (9.6-km) altitude to study atmospheric parameters of temperature, pressure, and 

density using Pitot-static-probe technique and measure extreme UV 

emission to determine energy disposition with altitude of incoming 

particles. No scientific data were obtained because of vehicle malfunction. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

* Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched from White Sands Missile 

Range carried Univ. of Colorado experiment to 111.9-mi (185.4-km) 

altitude to measure intensity of spectral lines in 3,400-1,lOOA band. 

Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences heard testimony 

in support of NASA FY 1969 budget from US. scientists. Dr. Harry H. 

Hess of Princeton Univ. presented statement for record by National 

Academy of Sciences President Dr. Frederick Seitz. Space program, 

Dr. Seitz said, was “the latest and one of the greatest human exploratory adventures in a long sequence that has enriched mankind. It offers 

us the promise of extending the range of our domain . . . to the entire 

solar system. We can expect many benefits along the way, some of conceptual and some of direct material value . . . but those which will 

prove to be the most rewarding are probably, in the main, still hidden 

from us over the horizon.” 

Dr. John A. Simpson of Enrico Fermi Institute and Univ. of Chicago 

noted: “Researches in space have made, through the bold programs 

which NASA established with universities in the early 1960s, major contributions to the critical problems of generating, developing and retaining first-class scientific manpower. . . . The great fear at 

present . . . is that the momentum established will be dissipated by 

the preferentially deep budgetary cuts made by NASA in those areas 

which most affect the universities.’’ He stressed “deeply felt conviction” 

51. 

90 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 April 23 

that US. was “in danger of unwittingly destroying what we wish to 

save and need . . . pre-eminence in science and technology which is 

crucial for each major problem of the nation, from poverty to war.” 

Actions taken in Congress in 1968 might “largely determine whether 

the US. will retain its leadership in the space sciences.” 

Dr. Simpson urged early start of Pioneer concept since it was “absolutely clear that discoveries important for the progress of science and 

technology may be made by . . . experiments and observations on 

spacecraft moving outward from the orbit of the Earth . . . the program is not a gamble and a hope, but an objective of high importance 

and certain to produce fruitful results.” (Testimony; NYT, 4/24/68, 

24; W Star, 4/24/68, A21) 

e Eleventh Saturn IB booster was successfully static fired at Marshall 

Space Flight Center at 1.6-million-lb thrust for 145 sec by Chrysler 

Corp. personnel. It would be returned to Michoud Assembly Facility 

for post-static checkout. ( MSFC Release 68-85) 

* At American Physical Society Meeting in Washington, D.C., Stanford 

Univ. physicist, Dr. William M. Fairbank, described experiments on superconducting accelerators that would enable scientists to accelerate 

electrons faster and fok longer periods and, possibly, to produce 10 

times as much energy as world’s most powerful existing accelerator, 2- 

mi-long, 20-bev Staniord Linear Accelerator (SLAG). By immersing accelerator in liquid helium cooled to absolute zero, energy loss could 

be reduced so much that electrons could be fired continuously and accelerator kept at constant temperature. SLAG currently could be fired 

for only 0.001 sec because of excess heat generated by pulse. Experiments, preliminary to construction of $5-million, 500-ft-long prototype 

accelerator, had been conducted on 5-ft model. (Sullivan, NYT, 

4/24/68,26; O’Toole, W Post, 4/24/68, A17) 

R. F. Taschek of AEC’S Los Alamos (N. Mex.) Scientific Laboratory 

presented “SpaceLBased Detection of Radiations from Nuclear Detonations and Other Sources.” Eight test-detection satellites-launched two 

at a time in joint DOD-AEC Vela Hotel program, Oct. 17, 1963; July 17, 

1964; July 20, 1965; and April 28, 1967-were still orbiting earth at 

69,000-mi altitude. They had not spotted any detonations to date but 

provided “undoubtedly the best information” about solar winds, Taschek said. Information would “eventually allow us to understand and 

perhaps control our environment more readily.” (Test; EH; P Znq, 

6/5/68,5) @ Capt. J. Laurence Pritchard (RAF) , pioneer in British aircraft industry, 

died in U.K. at age 83. First textbook on airplane structural analysis, 

Aeroplane Structures, which he wrote jointly with A. J. Sutton Pippard, was used all over the world and served as model for many later 

books on subject. He was editor of Journal of the Royal Aeronautical 

Society 26 yr. (A&A, 7/68,69) 

e MSFC announced award of $1,400 to MSFC Test Laboratory Engineer 

John A. Hauser for invention of five-module system for purifying and 

filtering gas to purity necessary in development of Saturn rockets. 

(MSFC Release 68-82) 

NASA announced swearing in of Dr. Wain0 W. Suojanen, Chairman of 

Univ. of Miami’s Dept. of Management, as a consultant to Administrator James E. Webb. Dr. Suojanen would serve as member of NASA Man91 
April 23 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

agement Advisory Panel which reviewed NASA’s pattern of administration and advised on specific aspects of organization and management. 

(NASA Release 68-78) 

MSFC announced appointment of M. Keith Wible, chief of MSFC’S Manpower Utilization and Administration Office, as head of new manpower 

utilization system for NASA Hq. Operations Management Office, OMSF. 

He would be succeeded by Paul L. Styles, head of MSFC’S Labor Relations Office. (MSFC Release 68-83; Marshall Star, 4/24/68,1) 

NASA announced that Astronaut Brian T. O’Leary had withdrawn from 

astronaut training program because he disliked piloting aircraft. Dr. 

O’Leary, who had completed 15 hr flying time in training program at 

Williams AFB, Ariz., hoped to remain with space program as researcher 

in planetary astronomy. Astronaut F. Curtis Michel had received special permission to spend 80% of his time teaching and studying at Rice 

Univ. and 20% in astronaut training for one year. (MSC Release 68-32; 

AP, W Star, 4/24/68, A2; W Post, 4/24/68, 4) 

US. and U.S.S.R. had included “little-publicized sanctions” in proposed 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty, John W. Finney reported in New Yorlc 

Times. “Unless they sign the treaty or accept its requirements for international inspection over all their atomic activities, nations may find 

themselves cut off from assistance in developing the peaceful uses of 

atomic energy.” Such nations would not be able to purchase atomic 

power plants or to obtain nuclear fuel from US. or U.S.S.R. Further, 

European Atomic Energy Community would not receive fuel unless it 

entered into inspection agreement within two years with International 

Atomic Energy Agency. (NYT, 4/24/68,1) 

April 24: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCXVII into orbit with 

182-km (113.1-mi) apogee, 150-km (93.2-mi) perigee, 87.6-min period, and 62.2’ inclination. Satellite reentered April 26. (GSFC SSR, 

4/30/68) 

NASA Apollo Program Director M/G Samuel 6. Phillips (USAF) told press 

at NASA Hq. briefing that Apollo 6 mission, in spite of anomalies, was 

“a safe mission from a crew safety standpoint” as demonstrated by 

spacecraft’s recovery in excellent condition after performing an alternate mission. He cited three substantial technical problems-J-2 engine failure because of fuel leak, amplitude of oscillations during 1ststage burn (pogo effect), and apparent separation of large piece of 

paint or skin from lunar module adapter during ascent-and one procedural problem-premature shutdown of second of two 2nd-stage engines because of wiring error made by North American Rockwell Corp. 

which was not discovered by NASA in prelaunch tests. He said all could 

be corrected. 

From demonstrations of ApoZZo 4 (launched Nov. 9, 1967) and information gained from ApoZZo 6 Gen. Phillips said he had determined 

“the course of actioh . . . necessary to correct and demonstrate the 

correction of the prablems and . . . recommended to the Administrator of NASA that we proceed with preparations for the manned flight of 

205 with the 101 spacecraft which is planned to be the first manned 

flight in Apollo, and . . . a Saturn IB.” He also recommended that 

NASA prepare third Saturn V (No. 503) for manned flight in late 1968 

with option to revert to unmanned mission if necessary corrections did 

not meet requirements to ensure crew safety on manned mission. NASA 

92 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 April 24 

Administrator James E. Webb’s decision on Gen. Phillips’ recommendation was expected shortly. (Transcript ; W Post, 4/25/68, A9) 

NASA Administrator James E. Webb urged Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences to restore $48.3 million cut by House from 

NASA FY 1969 budget request for nuclear rocket program [see March 

11. Webb stressed importance of proceeding with US. development of 

nuclear rocket propulsion as part of total capability in aeronautics and 

space to (1) meet potential civil or military requirements for space vehicles and missions, (2) avoid short-sighted cutoffs or constraint on 

promising new technological developments because they had no specific 

justification in advance, (3) prove that US. “does not intend to limit 

its development of large launch vehicles and payload capabilities” to 

Saturn V class, and (4) serve as “central focus for continuing advance 

in nuclear and other technologies involved.” 

Responding to questions, Webb cited recent Soviet development of 

fractional orbital bombardment system, automatic docking flights, and 

maneuvering of heavy payloads in orbit as evidence U.S.S.R. was “not 

neglecting any important capabilities. . . . Everything I know . . , indicates they are still probing for those areas that will put them ahead 

the fastest and give them the lead over us that we cannot overcome in 

a short time.” (Testimony; SBD, 4/25/68, 309; NYT 4/25/68, 16) 

Univ. of Wisconsin professor Dr. William Kraushaar, speaking at dedication of new $4.3-million Center for Space Research at MIT, reported 

discovery by NASA’s Os0 III of high intensity of gamma rays flowing 

from center of Milky Way. Dr. Kraushaar said finding was first observation to support theory that galaxy centers were rich reservoirs of 

cosmic rays. (Wilford, NYT, 4/27/68,40) 

US. leadership in physics “very likely” would be overtaken soon by 

U.S.S.R. and Western Europe, Dr. Marvin L. Goldberger, professor of 

physics at Princeton Univ., said at 105th Annual Meeting of National 

Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C. Dr. Goldberger, chairman of 

symposium on current advances in high-energy physics, and other physicists attributed threatened loss of leadership to budget cutbacks and 

US. failure to develop apparatus for producing colliding beams of 

high-energy particles which would permit exploration of realms of 

physics inaccessible by other experiments. Plans for accelerators at 

Stanford Univ. and at Weston, Ill., provided for storage rings for experiments, but there seemed to be no early prospect for their construction. (Text; Sullivan, NYT, 4/25/68,17) 

ComSatCorp reported $1.8-million net income (18 cents per share) for 

first quarter of 1968-$569,000 (6 cents per share) more than fQr first 

quarter of 1967-and operating revenues of record $6.9 million. AS of 

March 31, ComSatCorp was leasing, full-time, equivalent of 754 half 

circuits, 453 more than on March 31, 1967. Of number leased in 1968, 

421 were through two Atlantic satellites and 333 were through two Pacific satellites. One year ago only two satellites were in service, one 

over Atlantic and one over Pacific. (ComSatCorp Release 68-19) 

April 25: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXYIZI into orbit with 209.2-km 

(130-mi) apogee, 143.2-km (89-mi) perigee, and 50” inclination. 

Period was not disclosed. Satellite reentered same day. Simultaneously, 

U.S.S.R. disclosed April 24 launch of Cosmos CCXVII. 

There was widespread speculation that U.S.S.R. would soon attempt 

93 
April 25 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

new space spectacular. Evert Clark had suggested in New York Times 

that U.S.S.R. was secretly testing “a maneuverable rocket stage that 

could be used to guide bombs down from orbit or to send instruments 

to the moon.” AP said Soviet failure to reveal period of Cosmos 

CCXVIII suggested spacecraft might have reentered before completing 

one orbit to test fractional orbital bomb system (FOBS) described by 

Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara Nov. 3, 1967. (Clark, WYT, 

4/3/68, 1; AP, B Sun, 4/26/68, 2; GSFC SSR, 4/30/68) 

NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from Churchill Research Range carried TRW, Inc., experiment to measure: total flux energy, including spectrum of precipitated energetic H atoms ; spectrum 

of precipitated energetic protons and electrons ; fluctuating and DC 

electron fields; H light-intensity altitude profile; and location and intensity of ionospheric current systems. Rocket and instrumentation performance was satisfactory. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

In statement to Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, 

Milton Klein, Manager of NASA-AEC Space NucIear Propulsion O5ce, 

summarized progress of nuclear rocket program. Major milestone has 

been achieved with “operation in late 1967 of a single reactor for 60 

minutes at its design power of 1,100 megawatts, a duration capability 

adequate for most missions.” Technology phase of NERVA program was 

nearing completion and next step was to develop engine to flight capability, funds for which were included in Ey 1969 budget request, he 

said. No action deferring this step could be taken without losing a 

major portion of capability in this field. Nuclear rocket was “a focal 

point for pushing forward frontiers of technology . . . [and] only 

major advanced propulsion program in the Nation.” 

High performance of nuclear rockets had been demonstrated in nine 

consecutive power reactor tests. Solid base of data and underrating had 

been built for development of flight-rated NERVA engine. “Development 

of the NERVA engine at this time,” Klein stressed, “would capitalize on 

this investment and provide a major fundamental advance in propulsion capability. Its high specific impulse will provide a broad mission 

versatility for the high-payload, high-energy missions . . . inevitably 

included in a viable space program.” (Testimony) 

0 Dr. Norris E. Bradbury, Director of Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, 

testified at Rover Program Hearing of Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences that, since project’s basic reactor performance 

goals had been demonstrated along with basic elements of complete 

engine system, major emphasis of Rover Program should shift to development of overall flight engine. LASL would continue to support NERVA 

program chiefly in development and evaluation of improved fuel elements and other reactor core components. “Deep space has always 

been known to be the true domain of nuclear energy for both power 

and propulsion; it is my belief that the atom will be the work horse 

of near space as well.” (Text) 

0 Addressing Women’s National Democratic Club in Washington, D.C., 

Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of Marshall Space Flight Center, 

said: “. . . we must not seriously impair or hamper our progress in 

space because we cannot foresee immediate payoffs to offset the investment we are making.” He urged that US. “come to grasp the unlimited 

opportunities and the promise of space exploration.” (Text; SBD, 

94 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 April 25 

4/26/68,321; W Post, 4/26/68, C3) 

ESRO announced cancellation of TD-1 and TD-2 solar astronomy satellites, which were to have been built under $20-million contract by an 

international consortium and launched from US. by Thor-Delta rockets. Italy had refused to pay its share of costs, feeling its share of work 

too slight to justify contribution, John L. Hess later reported in New 

York Times. Earlier U.K. bad refused to contribute to proposed budget 

expansion of ELDO, partner with ESRO in plans for European satellite 

communications system [see April 161. (Reuters, NYT, 4/26/68, 16; 

Hess, NYT, 4/28/68,24) 

e FAA announced allocations of $74.7 million for construction and improvement o€ 397 public civil airports under Federal-Aid Airport Program (FAAP) for FY 1969. Program, developed from record 773 requests for aid by public agencies, provided $67.7 million to improve 

356 existing airports and $7 million to construct 41 new public airports. ( FAA Release 68-28) 

FAA awarded $57,345 to McDonnell Douglas Gorp., $52,663 to Western 

Co., and $28,000 to Bureau of Mines for additional research on use of 

thickened safety fuels to reduce chances and severity of post-crash fires 

in survivable aircrait accidents. (FAA Release T 68-15) 

April 26: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXZX-10th Cosmos in April and 9th 

spacecraft in 12 days-into orbit with 1,747-km (1,085.5-mi) apogee, 

225-km ( 139.8-mi) perigee, 104.7-min period, and 48.4’ inclination. 

Soviet scientist Prof. Georgi Pokrovsky in Nedelyu, Sunday supplement 

to Zzvestiu, predicted that interlinked satellites might some day form artificial Saturn rings around earth. 

NASA Executive Secretary Dr. Edward C. Welsh said U.S.S.R.’s 

launch activity April 14-26 made most active 12 days in space history 

of any nation and “a great acceleration” of Soviet space effort. “For 

some time we’ve had indications that they’re putting in an increasing 

rate of men and resources.” 

James J. Haggerty, Jr., wrote in Journal of the Armed Forces that 

U.S.S.R. satellite launches in 1968 might for the first time since 1957 

exceed US. spacecraft orbited. Launches in Cosmos series, which included a variety of spacecraft, had continued to accelerate, he noted, 

with 34 Cosmos launches in 1966 and 59 in 1967. 

Satellite reentered March 2, 1969. (Cohn, W Post, 4/27/68, A15; 

UPI, NYT, 4/27/68, 15; J/AF, 4/27/68, 9; GSFC SSR, 4/30/68; 

3/15/69) 

0 Maj. William J. Knight (USAF) flew X-15 No. 1 to 209,600-ft altitude 

and 3,545 mph (mach 5.05) from Edwards AFB. Purposes of test flight 

were to check Saturn insulation horizon scanner and fixed ball nose. 

(NASA Proj Off) 

A 15-lb pig-tailed monkey, like one scheduled to orbit earth for 30 days 

on board Biosatellite D in 1969, had successfully completed simulated 

space flight fully instrumented with some two dozen separate biological 

sensors. Test, first joining of instrumented primate and its complete 

array of biological instrumentation with flight-type spacecraft, met 

all objectives, including 15-day medical countdown, 3-day simulated 

flight, and 5-day monitoring. (NASA Release 68-76; W Post, 4/26/68, 

A19) 

NASA established Aerospace Safety Research and Data Institute at LeRC to 

95 
April 26 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

April 26: Pigtailed monkey was in good health after 3-day simulated test flight, with 

15-day medical countdown and 5-day postflight monitoring. Monkey, identical to one scheduled for 30-day orbit of earth on NASA’s Biosatellite D in 1969, had been instrumented with two dozen sensors. In photo, primate is seated in test fixture. 

maintain highest safety standards possible in national aerospace program by solving technical safety problems and providing NASA and its 

contractors with current information on safety data and procedures. Institute would be directed by I. Irving Pinkel, consultant on aircraft 

safety to USAF and FAA and former Apollo 204 accident investigator 

and consultant. (NASA Release 68-79; LeRC Release 68-32) 

96 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 April 26 

NASA published Constructing Inexpensive Automatic Picture-Transmission Ground Stations (NASA SP-5079), providing instructions for 

building from surplus parts $500 ground station that could receive 

local cloud-cover pictures anywhere in the world from US. meteorological satellites. Booklet was available from Clearinghouse for Federal 

Scientific and Technical Information. (NASA Release 58-77) 

April 27: NASA Administrator James E. Webb approved April 24 recommendation of Apollo Program Director M/G Samuel C. Phillips (USA, Ret.) 

that NASA proceed with preparation of third Saturn V Launch Vehicle 

for manned mission in late 1968 and retain option for another unmanned mission “if further analysis and ground testing indicate that 

it is the best course.” 

Astronauts James A. McDivitt, David R. Scott, and Russell L. 

Schweickart were scheduled to be launched on Saturn V in second 

manned Apollo space flight. First manned Apollo mission, Apollo 7 

with Saturn IB booster, would carry Astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr., 

Donn F. Eisele, and R. Walter Cunningham into earth orbit in third 

quarter of 1968. (NASA Release 68-81; W Star, 4/28/68) 

NASA successfully launched 600-lb Reentry F payload by Scout booster 

from NASA Wallops Station to obtain inflight hndamental research data 

on aerodynamic heating and transition from laminar to turbulent flow 

in boundary layer. Payload, graphite-tipped beryllium cone 13 ft long, 

tapering from 0.01 in at nose to 27.3 in at base, was designed to measure heat transfer in slender cone at hypersonic speeds for comparison 

with ground studies. Three of Scout’s four stages were used: 1st and 2nd 

stages fired during ascent, boosting 3rd stage and payload to 115-mi 

(175-km) altitude; and 3rd stage drove payload at up to 13,500 mph 

through earth’s atmosphere. Impact occurred 800 mi downrange, northeast of Bermuda. 

Reentry F experiment, sixth mission in NASA’s Reentry Heating Project, was designed and directed by LaRC under sponsorship of NASA 

Office of Advanced Research and Technology. Payload was constructed 

by General Electric Co.’s Re-Entry Systems Div. (WS Release 68-9) 

Aerobee 150 MOD I sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried 

Naval Research Laboratory experiment to 103.2-mi (166.1-km) altitude to photograph solar corona for streamers and to photograph interplanetary dust shadows using two externally occulated coronagraphs 

and one solar pointing control. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

Crash of US-4F F-111A aircraft near Bowie, Tex., Oct. 19, 1967, had 

been caused by failure of experimental speed break-only one ever installed on F-~~~usAF reported. Investigation had indicated hydraulic 

system tubing ruptured and flight control system was disrupted when 

bracket assembly failed at 1,000 mph. (AP, W Post, 4/27/68) 

Tass reported Moscow scientist had compared “spectrometric analysis” 

of cactus growing in cold areas with spectrographs of “dark areas’’ of 

Mars and concluded areas on Mars were covered with cactus-like vegetation. Other tests on cactus, scientists said, proved it could stand extremes of temperature and other conditions similar to those on Mars. 

(UPI, W Star, 4/28/68, A3) 

April 29: NASA awarded $25,841,000 one-year, cost-plus-fee contract to Bendix Field Engineering Corp. for continued maintenance and operation 

97 
April 29 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

of major portion of NASA’s Manned Space Flight Network, including 

11 facilities of 14-station unified 8-band network for Apollo. Contract 

extended original two-year agreement containing three options. (NASA 

Release 68-82) 

April 30: NASA launched Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket from Churchill Research Range carrying Univ. of New Hampshire-Univ. of California at 

San Diego payload to 66.4-mi (109.7-km) altitude to measure electric 

field, ionospheric currents, auroral light intensity and location, and 

proton and electron fluxes (1-10 kev) while passing through or close to 

auroral display. Rocket did not perform as expected; spin rate was 

below that anticipated. Payload broke away from rocket and no use€d 

data were received from experiment. Launch was third in series of 

four [see April 231. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

0 Dr. Wernher von Braun, Director of Marshall Space Flight Center, told 

Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences he was greatly 

concerned about future of entire space program without propulsion capability of nuclear rocket program. Nuclear propulsion was “a must 

for our future space needs.” Failure to proceed into development phase 

would result in “losses of experienced personnel and cost-increase effects on the total program. . . . A one-year delay in funding could result in as much as two years delay in having an operational nuclear 

engine.” 

Nuclear vehicle as 3rd stage on Saturn V could significantly improve 

payload and mission versatility, and improved capability could be utilized “to improve mission effectiveness, to increase the mission and 

payload reliability, and to extend the spectrum of potential missions in 

the late 1970’s and the 1980’s. Equally important . . . for high energy 

missions requiring the launch of two or more Saturn V’s, with subsequent rendezvous in earth orbit, we will be able to reduce the number of 

Saturn V’s needed through the utilization of a nuclear vehicle,” at substantial cost savings. 

In response to questions by Sen. Howard W. Cannon (D-Nev.), Dr. 

von Braun said space program was “cutting edge of our technology advancements and of many advances in the applied sciences . . . [because] no other program . . . involves so many branches of technology and science.” Reduction in NASA’s $@-million NERVA request 

to $11 million recommended by House would be disastrous because 

to make manned space operations useful, “plenty of payload” was 

required. AEC funding for NERVA had been approved, but if cuts 

were made in NASA funding, program would be nonexistent. (Testimony; Transcript; O’Toole, W Post, 5/1/68, A3) 

Secretary of Defense Clark M. Clifford asked House Committee on 

Armed Services to restore funds cut by Senate for compromise development program for Navy F-111B aircraft. According to compromise 

plan, USN would continue tests on F-111B experimental models and 

exploratory work on alternate aircraft, VFX-1, until March 1969 and 

then decide whether to proceed with F-lllB or to cancel program 

after first eight models and develop alternate. If VFX-1 were chosen, 

F-111Bs already produced would provide sophisticated air de€ense 

until alternate aircraft became operational in 1973. DOD had requested 

$425 million for 8 F-111Bs and 60 Phoenix missiles and $30 million 

for R&D. on VFX-1. Senate instead had approved $170 million for 

98 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 April 30 

VFX-31. (Testimony; Sheehan, NYT, 5/1/68,4; UPI, W Star, 5/1/68, 

A12) ’ 

e Univ. of Colorado physicist Dr. Edward U. Condon announced that 

Univ. $500,000 UFO study for USAF had been completed on schedule. 

Dr. Condon declined to discuss conclusions and said final report would 

be submitted to NAS in September. He protested May 14 Look magazine 

article, which called project fiasco, but said completion of field investigations were not related to controversy. 

Rep. J. Edward Roush (D-Ind.) , citing article on House floor, questioned scientific profundity and objectivity of project and urged Congress to take over UFO investigation from USAF. (CR, 4/30/68, H3087; 

Clark, NYT, 5/1/68,5) 

Republican Coordinating Committee released statement on 

US.-U.S.S.R. relations, including policy on space: “Outer space 

should be seen as the focus for ever increasing United States-Soviet collaboration rather than as the site of an endless series of increasingly expensive prestige races. Because our society is open, so much is known 

about our space program that inviting Soviet participation in the nonmilitary projects would be unlikely to endanger national security. By 

insisting upon reciprocal privileges we would acquire much additional 

knowledge about their space efforts, thus achieving a net gain for 

United States security. At the same time, we must not intimate that the 

Soviets and ourselves have an exclusive role to play in this area. We 

must constantly reiterate our willingness to collaborate with NATO and 

other Allies in space technology.” (Text; UPI, NYT, 4/30/68, 95; 

Unna, W Post, 4/30/68, AS; SBD, 5/1/68,2) 

NASA awarded General Dynamics Corp. Convair Div. $4,771,390 supplemental agreement for construction of two additional Centaur launch vehicles to be used with Atlas boosters to launch two Orbiting Astronomical Observatories ( OAO) in 1960 and 1970. (NASA Release 68-83) 

During April: In MIT Technology Review, Gen. Bernard A. Schriever 

(USAF, Ret.) , President of B. A. Schriever Associates, and Dr. William 

W. Seifert, Assistant Dean of MIT School of Engineering, wrote “Air 

Travel Threatens to Become Hard-to-Get.” Unless we “begin now to 

take steps to meet the demands of the future, sheer growth in population 

and the accompanying economic demands could so saturate our transportation system, especially the air system, that mobility could become 

a premium service instead of a routine accommodation.” Median forecasts were that by 1980 number of domestic revenue passengers carried 

by airlines would quadruple, with air cargo growing 10 times. (MIT 

Tech Rev, Vol. 70, No. 6; W Post, 10/15/68, B4) 

House Committee on Science and Astronautics published Survey of 

Views of Leading Industrial Executives on the National Space Program. Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.), Chairman of Subcommittee on 

NASA Oversight, had queried 750 U.S. senior executives; 449 had replied. Majority considered $5 billion annually for NASA funding to be 

“about right”; 54% favored maintaining goal of manned lunar landing 

in this decade ; 96% ranked national defense high-priority assignment; 

69% felt NASA had made “much” scientific and utilitarian contribution. 

In context of Vietnam War, 47% favored same level of funding for 

space program on basis of contribution to national security. (Text) 

e National Science Foundation’s Reviews of Data on Science Resource9 

99 
During April ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

presented information on scientific and technical personnel in Government in 1966. Federal Government had employed 149,300 civilian scientists and engineers in October 1966, increase of 4% over December 

1- figure and annual gain of 2%-substantially below 5% annual 

gain in 1962-64 and in entire 1959-64 period. There were 72,500 scientists on rolls in October 1966, increase of 6% over total 68,300 reported 

two years earlier, and average gain of 3% per year, only half the 6% 

average increase in 1959-64. Approximately 13% of natural scientists 

and 8% of engineers in US. were employed in Federal Government in 

1%6, accounting for 9% of total US. employment in those occupations. 

DOD continued as largest employer of scientists and engineers, with 

total of 66,000. 

Women professional scientific and technical personnel increased 

more than 3% between 1964 and 1966, to 32,300, 17% of total professional scientific and technical personnel in both years. (NSF Release 

68-16) 

100 
May 1968 

.May 1 : USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by ThorAgena D booster. Satellite entered orbit with 176-mi (273.2-km) apogee, 

115-mi (185.1-km) perigee, 88.6-min period, and 83.1” inclination and 

reentered May 15. (Pres Rpt 68) 

House Republican Policy Committee recommended $353-million cut in 

Administration’s requested $4.37-million NASA FY 1969 authorization 

and said unless Government spending was dramatically reduced, “the 

cost of living may reach the moon before our astronauts.’’ Committee 

urged reductions in Apollo Applications program, administrative operations, and public relations and suggested that NASA place greater emphasis on R&D programs leading to future space advances. “Stockpiling 

of expensive hardware that may be obsolete by the time it is finally 

needed” could not be justified. (Text: Sehlstedt, B Sun, 5/2/68, A6; 

SBD, 5/7/68,31) 

NASA, USN, Dept. of the Interior, and General Electric Co. announced 

plans for Operation Tektite, 60-day study of ocean floor by four US. 

scientists isolated at 50-ft depth in Greater Lameshur Bay, Virgin Islands, in February 1969. Project, first such program undertaken jointly 

by Government agencies and private industry, would be longest continuous undersea study by a diving team. Previous record was 45 days. 

NASA would acquire data on human endurance; USN, on engineering, 

marine science, and human behavior; and Interior, on marine geology, 

underwater mapping, and fish life. GE would build laboratory. (Abraham, P EB, 5/1/68; Wilford, NYT, 5/2/68, 18; ARC Astrogram, 

5/23/68,3) 

Second stage of vehicle expected to be first manned Apollo/Saturn V 

space vehicle was shipped from Kennedy Space Center launch site to 

Mississippi Test Facility for cryogenic proof pressure test by North 

American Rockwdl Corp. personnel. Test, scheduled for June, would 

further certify integrity of stage’s liquid-hydrogen tank and would be 

conducted on all 2nd stages for manned Apollo Saturn missions. Stage 

would be reshipped to KSC about July 1. (MSFC Release 68-93) 

0 Edgar M. Cortright, former NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for 

Manned Space Flight, assumed duties as Director of NASA Langley Research Center. He succeeded Dr. Floyd L. Thompson, who was serving 

as Special Assistant to NASA Administrator James E. Webb. Codright 

had served at Lewis Research Center from 1948 to 1958 and at NASA 

Hq. since 1958. (Langley Researcher, 5/17/68,1) 

President’s Office of Science and Technology released Nutionul Atmospheric Sciences Program-Fiscal Year 1969, report describing total 

$200-million Federal investment in atmospheric science in terms of 

priority areas and programs of 10 participating Federal agencies. Report was prepared by Interdepartmental Committee for Atmospheric 

101 
May 1 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Sciences of Federal Council for Science and Technology. Planned NASA 

share of funding for FY 1969 was $84,573, dropping from $123,406 in 

FY 1968. Allocation included $50,594 for meteorological studies; 

$4,313 for aeronomy, including ionospheric physics atmospheric chemistry, rocket and satellite instrumentation; and $29,666 for study of planetary atmospheres. 

During past year efforts had increased on weather modification and 

space environmental forecasting. Special effort had been made to increase support of university research groups in connection with U.S. 

participation in Global Atmospherics Research Program. ESSA and KSF 

had increased meteorology program slightly. ESSA, DOD, and NSF had increased solar-terrestrial research. (Text : OST Release, 5/1/68) 

NASA personnel changes: M/G Robert H. Curtin (USA, Ret.) was appointed Director of Facilities, reporting to Assistant Administrator for 

Administration. He had been Director of Civil Engineering, Office of 

Deputy Chief of Staff, Programs and Resources, USAF Hq. 

Ralph E. Cushman, who joined National Advisory Committee for 

Aeronautics in 1939, was appointed Special Assistant to NASA Assistant 

Administrator for Administration. (NASA Ann) 

Oakland Tribune editorial, “Space Race Has Big Stakes”: “The orbital 

bomb is one chilling example of the potential military threat posed by 

the Soviet space program. Yet, so far, the only officially announced U.S. 

reaction . . . has been reports of plans for an over-the-horizon radar to 

lengthen the warning time against orbital devices and missiles. 

“It would be more reassuring to the nation if the Pentagon were 

given the authority to devote whatever resources it requires to counter 

the orbital bomb threat, not simply with defensive measures but with an 

offensive military capability of our own. . . . The ultimate prize in the 

space race may be national survival.” (Oakland Trib, 5/1/68) 

USAF announced modification of F-111A flight control system to correct 

“binding action in the actuator mechanism.” F-111As in US. and 

Thailand had been grounded briefly until bcpreCautionary measures” 

had been taken. DOD could not ascertain if problem had contributed to 

Ioss of two of three F-111As in Southeast Asia during past 10 wk because wreckage had not been found. USAF said, however, F-11lA’s 

safety record was superior to that of other supersonic fighters during 

early flights. (Corddry, B Sun, 5/2/68, A3; NYT, 5/2/68, 15) 

Twenty nations, including U.S., U.S.S.R., and U.K., presented draft 

resolution in U.N. General Assembly urging “widest possible adherence” to U.S.-U.S.S.R. nuclear nonproliferation treaty and to pursue urgent negotiations on further measures to halt nuclear-arms race. 

(deOnis, NYT, 5/2/68,12) 

May 2: House passed, by 262-to-105 vote, NASA FY 1969 authorization bill 

(H.R. 15856) of $4.031 billion, including $3.383 billion for R&D, $45 

million for construction of facilities, and $602 million for administrative operatipns. NASA had requested $4.37 billion. House cut $142.4 

million from Apollo Applications program-leaving $252.2 million, 

$186.4 million less than NASA had requested for orbiting workshop and 

lunar exploration. Administrative operations allocation was cut by 

$43.5 million, making total of almost $186-million reduction in $4.217- 

billion authorization recommended by House Committee on Science 

and Astronautics. 

192 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 May 2 

During floor debate Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.), Chairman of 

House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Subcommittee on 

Manned Space Flight, answered Apollo Applications program critics’ 

charge that NASA’s Orbiting Workshop would duplicate USAF’S Manned 

Orbiting Laboratory, explaining that projects differed in nature and 

purpose. MOL objectives were to develop, operate and evaluate specialized experiments and military equipment requiring manned space operations, and DOD would draw on NASA experience in systems involved in 

Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. MOL was “example of utilization by another department . . . of NASA-developed space technology.” (CR, 

5/2/68, H3229-661; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 5/3/68, 1; Lannan, W Star, 

5/3/68; Griffin, H Chron, 5/3/68; SBD, 5/3/68, 15; Aero Daily, 

5/7/68) * Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched by NASA from Churchill Research Range carried Univ. of New Hampshire-Univ. of California at 

San Diego payload to 161-mi (258-km) altitude. Objectives were to 

measure electric field, ionospheric currents, auroral light intensity and 

location, and proton and electron fluxes in 1- to 10-kev region while payload was passing through or close to visible auroral display. Rocket 

and instruments performed satisfactorily; useful data were obtained 

from all experiments. Launch was last in series of four [see April 301. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

* New Tanay earth station near Manila participated in US.-Philippines 

commercial satellite television inaugural with telecast between Washington, D.C., and Manila via landline to satellite earth station at Brewster Flat, Wash. Facility functioned through Intelsat-II F-2 at 22,300- 

mi altitude over Pacific. (ComSatCorp Release 68-22) 

NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. 

Mueller, at dedication of Grissom and Chaffee Halls at Purdue Univ. 

said, “The pressing sociological problems besetting this nation will require a high order of technological skill to solve.” Space program was 

contributing to “fundamental solution” of problems of poverty and 

human welfare by bringing “advancement in economic and technological growth.” Space flight would help public understand ability of industry, science, and government to” work together to mobilize ,resources. 

Honoring late astronauts Virgil I. Grissom and Roger B. Chaffee, Dr. 

Mueller predicted space program would “help to shape our future” and 

US. would continue “to rely upon the vision and dedication” of such 

men. Conquest of space would be “our most enduring memorial to 

these men.” (Text) 

* NASA Administrator James E. Webb delivered first of three McKinsey 

Foundation lectures, “Reflections on Government Service,” before Columbia Univ. Graduate School of Business: “Our society has reached a 

point where its progress and even survival increasingly depend upon 

our ability to organize the complex and do the unusual. We cannot do 

the things we have to do except by employment of large aggregations 

of power in highly specialized forms.” 

Present technological revolution was “the most decisive event of our 

times.” Great issue of the age was whether US. could, within framework of acceptable institutions, “organize the use and development of 

advanced technology as effectively as the USSR with its totalitarian 

system of allocating and utilizing human and material resources.” Webb 

103 
May 2 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

believed capabilities of US. system had “immense advantage over all 

other systems.” (Text) 

US. military sources in Saigon said US@ F-111A aircraft had been restricted to training flights in Thailand. Three aircraft had been lost on 

war zone flights since being sent to Southeast Asia in mid-March. (UPI, 

W Star, 5/2/68,1) 

8 Arthur E. Raymond of RAND Corp. presented Lester D. Gardner lecture 

at MIT, reviewing “Air Transport History and a Glimpse into the FUture”: “Looking back, one sees, ever since the 1920s, nothing but rapid 

progress in speed, range, reliability, operating altitude, carrying capacity, and volume of operations . . . but seldom if ever in human affairs 

does this kind of growth continue without a slowing at some 

point. . . . The days are gone iorever when airplanes could be designed and purchased without simultaneously making provision for 

soiving the problems introducing them will create.” For “practical, utilitarian air-transport systems,” he saw little advantage in speeds above 

those currently associated with SSTS or ranges above those associated 

with subsonic jets. He foresaw coupling of these speeds and ranges. He 

saw little advantage in larger payloads than would be carried in Boeing 

747 or C-5 aircraft because of terminal congestion and high aircraft 

cost. (A&A, 7/68, 60-9) 

Donald A. Hall, designer of Lindbergh aircraft, Spirit of St. Louis, died 

in San Diego, Cali€., at age 69. (NYT, 7/3/68,33) 

May 3: NASA launched two Aerobee 150 sounding rockets from WSMR. First 

carried Princeton Univ. Observatory payload to 106.4-mi (171.2-km) 

altitude to point two spectrographs toward hot stars in Scorpius to 

study their EUV radiation with 1 A resolution and 0.3 A resolution. 

Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. Second Aerobee 

150, launched 30 min later, carried Columbia Univ. experiment to 2.1- 

mi (3.3-km) altitude to search for x-ray emission rrom known extragalactic objects in radio galaxy M-87 and in quasi-stellar object 3C273. 

Rocket performance was unsatisfactory because sustainer did not ignite. Instrumentation performance was satisfactory. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA Lewis Research Center announced organizational changes : Dr. 

Seymour C. Himmel, Assistant Director for Launch Vehicles, was 

named Chief of new Special Projects Div. for jet noise and V/STOL aircraft study and to new post of Assistant Director for Aeronautics. Newell D. Sanders, Chief of Chemistry and Energy Conversion Div., would 

assume additional duties as Assistant Chief of Special Projects Div. 

Milton A. Beheim, Chief of Aerodynamics Branch, Advanced Systems Div., was appointed Chief of new Wind Tunnel and Flight Div. 

Edmund R. Jonash, Chief of Centaur Project Office, was named Chief 

of new Launch Vehicles Div., which would include previously separate 

Centaur, Agena, and Atlas Project 05ces. William R. Dunbar would 

become Project Manager for Centaur. H. Warren Plohr and Edward 

F. Baehr continued as Agena and Atlas Project Managers. (LeRC 

Release 68-29) 

8 NASA awarded $73-million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Boeing Co. for 

technical integration and evaluation in support of Apollo program. 

Agreement was an addition to Boeing’s previously contracted Saturn V 

work and could be extended as necessary. (NASA Release 68-85) 

8 Air Force,Academy announced selection of Gen. Carl A. Spaatz (USAF, 

104 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 May 3 

Ret.) to receive its Thomas D. mite Award, given annually for contribution to national defense and security. Gen. Spaatz was fighter pilot in 

World War I. During World War I1 he helped plan strategic bombing 

of Germany and commanded air forces in North Africa, US. Strategic 

Air Forces in Europe, and final bombing operations against Japan. 

(Rocky Mountain News, 5/4/68,13) 

May 4: Preliminary “pathfinder” flights could delay U.S.S.R.’s first manned 

lunar and planetary flights, according to Soviet scientist Vasili Parin in 

Sovetskaya Rossiya. “Experiments with animals,” preceding interplanetary flight, he said, “will take many months and perhaps many years.” 

(UPI, NYT, 5/4/68,66) 

Sen. Claiborne Pel1 (D-R.I.) told 33rd American Assembly in Harriman, N.Y., “The proportion of government expenditures in oceanology 

must be brought much closer to our outer space program.” Increased 

Federal investment in oceanology was justified by promise of economic 

returns, he said. Material benefits from space program were more remote. (Text; W Post, 5/5/68, A25) 

May 5: U.K.’s Ariel ZZZ, launched by NASA from ETR May 5, 1967, completed successful year in orbit. It has traveled around earth 5,500 times 

and transmitted more than 400 million bits of usable data on upper atmosphere. All five experiments were still working well. (ZnteraviaAirLetter, 6/11/68, 9) 0 Two prototypes of 20-ton DO 31 VTOL transport aircraft, capable of 

carrying 40 fully equipped servicemen or 80 civilian passengers, made 

first public appearance at Hanover Air Show, West Germany. Using 

combination of vectored-thrust turbofans and pods of lift engines, jet 

transport rose vertically and changed in air to horizontal flight in first 

public demonstrations. Built by Dornier Works, Munich, at $50-million 

cost, prototypes were financed by West German Defense Ministry, 

which now saw no requirement for transport. Financing would be withdrawn at close of 1968, with five years required for completion of 

production design. Thus far no civilian interest in production had been 

shown. (NYT, 5/7/68,95) 

May 6: Republican Coordinating Committee report charged “technology 

gap” existed between US. and U.S.S.R. Military space systems emphasis had been on passive satellites until approval of Manned Orbiting 

Laboratory program-delayed for years. Administration, “fearful lest 

new developments might provoke undesirable Soviet reactions,” had 

failed to exploit boldly new concepts in science and technology. US. 

R&D had not been aggressively pursued, with consequential slowdown in 

new weapons development. (Text; AP, NYT, 5/27/68, 8; Golden, P 

Ing, 5/27/68) 

Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong ejected and parachuted to safety from 

NASA’s $2.5-million Lunar Landing Research Vehicle ( LLRV) while 

flying simulated lunar landing at Ellington AFB, Tex. Vehicle, which 

had reached 500-ft altitude, crashed and burned on impact. Cause of 

accident was unknown. (C Trib, 5/7/68; B Sun, 5/7/68; MSC Round0 Dr. Edward C. Welsh, NASC Executive Secretary, defended space activity 

before St. Louis, Mo., section of AIAA: “There are . . . those who are 

trapped by the illogical proposition that if the money involved were not 

spent on space, it would automatically flow into projects in which they 

up, 5/10/68,1) 

105 
May 6 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

are more interested. . . . I do not agree. It is not an ‘eitherlor’ situation. In my judgment, if this country is great-and I how it is-it has 

the will, the ability, and the responsibility to handle both a vigorous 

space program and the social and economic problems which confront 

it. In fact, our competence to solve the issues of the city is greater because of the space program.” (CR, 6/17/69, S7314) 

May 7: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCXX into orbit with 755- 

km (469.1-mi) apogee, 677-km (420.7-mi) perigee, 99-min period, and 

74 inclination. All equipment was functioning normally. (SBD, 

5/8/68,39; AP, NYT, 5/8/68,93; GSFC SSR, 5/15/68) 

NASA successfully launched Canadian Black Brandt IV sounding rocket 

from NASA Wallops Station to 510-mi (820-km) altitude. Primary objective was to check out instrumentation to be carried later in 1968 on 

International Satellite for Ionospheric Studies ( ISIS A), Canada’s third 

ionosphere-probing satellite, and to confirm results of similar 1967 

launch. Secondary objectives were to explore spectrum of VLF electromagnetic waves, measure electron density and temperature, and measure thermal gradients in vicinity of a skin depression. Launch was 

conducted when Canada’s Alouette II was passing overhead, to permit 

comparison of data telemetered to earth by both vehicles. Good data 

were obtained. (NASA Rpt SRL; WS Release 68-10) 

* Lawrence A. Hyland, Vice President and General Manager of Hughes 

Aircraft Go., received NAA’s Robert J. Collier Trophy for 1967 on behalf 

of Hughes Surveyor Program Team, JPL, and other companies and 

organizations involved in project which citation said, had “put the eyes 

and hands of the United States on the Moon.’’ Award was presented by 

Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey for greatest annual achievement 

in aeronautics or astronautics in US. 

In ceremonies at Smithsonian Institution’s Air and Space Museum, 

Humphrey called US. space program “a splendid challenge and a 

noble mission . . . one whose practical benefits for today are exceeded 

only by its promise for tomorrow. “I urge every American to support 

the future development of our space program, and I . . . shall do so 

with pride and vigor.’’ 

Humphrey said Nation had decided to commit resources “to venture 

in space for one primary reason: We believe that this mission to the 

far-out will produce many down-to-earth benefits for men. . . . In 

fact . . . the nation that is first in science and technology has a chance 

to be the first to overcome some of the perplexing problems that have 

beset mankind since the beginning of civilization.’’ Space research 

has vastly expanded our capabilities in navigation, communication 

and meteorology. It has given us new products and processes in such 

fields as agriculture, photography, metallurgy, and oceanography.” 

Techniques “that are going to put a man on the moon are . . . exactly 

the techniques that we are going to need to clean up our cities . . .; 

the systems analysis approach . . . is the approach that the modern 

city of America is going to need if it’s going to become a livable social 

institution. 

‘50 maybe we’ve been pioneering in space only to save ourselves on 

earth . . . maybe the nation that puts a man on the moon is the nation 

that will put man on his feet first right here on earth. . . . ‘? think a certain extravagance of objectives-a will to push back 

(6 

106 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 May 7 

May 7: Lawrence A. Hyland (right), Vice President and General Manager of Hughes 

Aircraft Co., looks at Surveyor model with Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey at 

Smithsonian Institution. Vice President presented Hyland 1967 Robert J. Collier Trophy 

{background) in Smithsonian ceremonies honoring Hughes Surveyor team, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and General Dynamics Corp. for program which ‘$ut the eyes and 

hands of the United States on the moon.” 

the frontiers of the unknown-is the test of a vital society, a nation 

that intends to meet the challenge of tomorrow.’, (Text; AP, W Star, 

5/8/68, ALE; Aero Tech, 5/20/68,19) 

US. patent No. 3,381,917 was awarded to Wendell F. Moore, assistant 

chief engineer at bell Aerosystems Go., and Edward G. Ganczak, research associate, €or Bell Pogo and Flying Chair, flying platforms on 

which pilot could stand or sit on fuel tank. Engine was kerosene turbojet. Both had arm pieces with which pilot directed thrust. Pilot could 

disembark without encumbrance, advantage useful to soldiers, policemen, or firemen. (Jones, NYT, 5/11/68,45) * Juan T. Trippe, founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of Pan 

American World Airways, Inc., announced his retirement at annual 

meeting in New York. Board of Directors selected President Harold E. 

Gray, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Senior Vice President 

Najeeb E. Halaby, President. 

Citing Trippe’s 41-yr service with PAA, New York Times termed him 

last of the aviation pioneers” to retire. One of four who forged major 

US. trunk airlines in industry’s infancy, Trippe had led PAA to be first 

airline to fly across Pacific, first to fly across Atlantic, first to order 

66 

107 
May 7 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

and fly American-made jets, first to order Boeing 747, and first to 

order SSTS. New Chairman Gray, hired by PAA in 1929 as its 10th pilot, 

had made first scheduled transatlantic flight, in 1938. He had served as 

President since 1964. Halaby, pilot since age 17 and former FAA Administrator, had joined airline as senior vice president in 1965. (Hammer, NYT, 5/8/68,63; 5/12/68,16) 

AEC refused comment on Science and Citizen report US. had set off 3 

and U.S.S.R. 22 undisclosed underground atomic tests in 19M through 

1967, bringing total underground tests to 168 for past three years. 

Magazine, published by Committee for Environmental Information in 

St. Louis, Mo., said source of information was publication of Research 

Institute of Swedish National Defense and that three undisclosed US. 

tests had occurred in 1964. All subsequent US. tests had been reported. 

(W Post, 5/7/68,7) 

May 8: House passed by record 353-to-37 vote H.R. 17023, FY 1969 Independent Offices and HUD appropriations bill. Before floor debate, H.R. 

1164, with points of order against NASA provisions waived, was passed 

by voice vote. As passed, H.R. 17023 provided $4.008 billion for NAS-4 

-$959.777 million below FY 1967 level and $580.677 million below 

FY 1968 (CR, H3458-502) 

ESRO successfully launched first two-stage Centaure rocket fired from 

Italy at Perdasdefogu, Sardinia, carrying Max Planck Institute (Landau, Germany) payload to 88.5-km (55-mi) altitude in 118 sec. (AP, 

W Post, 5/9/68) 

Arrival of Prime Minister Thanom Kittikachorn of Thailand at White 

House marked first transpacific satellite telecast of visiting head-of-state 

to his home country. Telecast also inaugurated television from US. to 

Sri Racha earth station in Southeast Asia. (ComSatCorp Release 

USAF F-111A aircraft crashed on training flight 60 mi north of Las 

Vegas, Nev. Instructor and student pilot escaped injury. USAF said 

cause of crash was not known. F-111As had been criticized after three 

of six sent to Thailand were lost within weeks. (UPI, W Post, 5/9/68, 

A8; AP, W Star, 5/9/68, D7; UPI, W News, 5/9/68,2) 

Director of Defense Research and Engineering, Dr. John S. Foster, Jr., 

testified before House Committee on Armed Services on F’Y 1969 defense research, development, test, and evaluation program. “We have a 

strong technical-military position today only because we built a strong 

research and technology base in the past. . . . Yet there are some indications that the program is eroding.” The “net effect of continuing this 

trend will be a serious weakening of our long-term national security 

position.” Research and technology funding in F’Y 1968 was “about 

70% of the FY 1964 level, a critical 30% reduction.” (Text; P SB, 

6/9/68 ) 

Charles W, Mathews, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Manned 

Space Flight, addressed Society of Automotive Engineers Space Technology Conference in Washington, D.C.: “A major goal of the Apollo 

Applications Program is to accelerate the evolution of the utility of 

space flight using the very major capability that has been developed in 

the Apollo Program. . . . First, our experience to date leads to the 

conclusion that the utility of space flight will be greatly enhanced by 

the participation of men onboard the spacecraft. Second, in manned 

68-24) 

108 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 May 8 

space flight our ability to maintain operations for durations considerably in excess of those now obtained is necessary for efficient 

operations. . . . The initial step in this approach is the establishment 

of a workshop in earth orbit.” 

Saturn IB orbiting workshop, manned after launch by three-man 

crew, would be followed by manned Apollo Telescope Mount, which 

would dock with workshop for 56-day mission to study solar phenomena-“first application of man in space to conduct advanced scientific experiments.” Features and operating modes of Saturn V workshop, to follow, would be based on information gained from Saturn IB 

workshop. (Text) 

May 9: U.S. reconnaissance satellite, orbiting at altitudes of several 

hundred miles, had discovered that U.S.S. Pueblo was no longer 

moored in North Korean port of Wonsan. Vessel had occupied that 

berth since her capture by North Koreans Jan. 23. State Dept. confirmed absence of vessel but would not discuss source of information. 

(Goulden, P Inq, 5/10/68,2) 0 In second McKinsey Foundation lecture at Columbia Univ., NASA Administrator James E. Webb discussed “Goal Setting and Feedback in 

Large Scale Endeavors.” NASA had created “in-house technical and administrative competence” making possible “correct judgments” and 

thus could move “to the voter- judgment arena with confidence.” NASA’s 

“integrated system” approach had proved more effective than “independent components” approach of past in solving problems of space development. Successful working partnership of universities, industry, and 

government had yielded product, in usable resources, “greater than the 

sum of its parts.” Scientific R&D expenditures in large endeavors could 

contribute more to economic growth in next decade than any other single factor. Maximum transfer of technology to nonspace use should be 

“purposefully and systematically sought.” Costs of space accomplishments had been “less than three percent of the total of our federal expenditures,, for first 10 yr and “less than five one thousandths pf our 

gross national product.” More than 90% went to laboratories and factories, outside NASA. (Text) 

Dr. Charles A. Berry. Director of Medical Research and Operations, 

MSC, was elected 1969 President of Aerospace Medical Assn. at 39th 

Annual Meeting in Bal Harbour, Fla. Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin was 

named honorary member. ( MSC Roundup, 5/24/68,1) 

USAF restricted all F-111A flights in U.S. and in Southeast Asia pending 

investigation of crash in Nevada May 8. Five F-111As in Thailand 

would conduct no air strikes. (AP, W Post, 5/10/68, 1; AP, W Star, 

5/10/68, A7; NYT, 5/11/68,2) 

May 9-10: NASA held Second Conference on Sonic Boom Research at Headquarters to review status of NASA university program on sonic boom 

research, survey research program at NASA centers, determine most 

pressing areas of research for SST, and determine most promising avenues of research on sonic boom overpressure reduction. Appraising 

proceedings, I. R. Schwartz, NASA OART Research Div., said that “significant progress has been made during the past year in our understanding and analysis of the generation and propagation of sonic 

boom. Further, it has been analyticallyl demonstrated in the NASA 

program . . . that the utilization of a particular aerodynamic tech109 
May 9-10 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

nique can result in large reductions in sonic boom overpressures. . . . [This] allows us to expect vast improvements in future SST conceptual 

designs.” (NASA SP-180) 

Muy 10: MSFC contract activity: Brown Engineering Co. received 

$1,007,000 one-year contract renewal for support services at MSFC 

Space Sciences Laboratory. A. L. Mechling Inc. was awarded $556,416 

one-year contract for barge towing service on the Tennessee, Mississippi, and Ohio rivers, Gulf of Mexico, and Atlantic intercoastal waterways. ( MSFC Releases 68-100,6&101) 

Special Assistant to President for Science and Technology, Dr. Donald 

F. Hornig, on receipt of first Mellon Institute Award at Carnegie-Mellon Univ. for “the application of science to the betterment of mankind,” discussed “A Crisis for Science.” After two decades of progress, 

“Congress and the public ask whether we can afford it after all. We 

now find ourselves pulling back €rom the exploration of space, slowing 

down on the development of universities, and even holding back on 

health research.” Scientific community, however, had “done much to 

alienate itself from the society which supports it.” (Text; Science, 

7/19/68,248) 

Muy 11 : NASA’s Goddard Satellite Tracking Center reported upper stage of 

Molniyu 1-8 booster, launched April 21 by U.S.S.R., had reentered 

earth‘s atmosphere and disintegrated over Florida. (AP, NYT, 

5/12/68,87) 

May 12: At dedication ceremony attended by 19,000, USAF officially renamed Bunker Hill AFB, Indiana, Grissom AFB in honor of Astronaut 

Virgil I. Grissom who died Jan. 27, 1967, in Apollo fire. (NYT, 

5/13/68) 

Nearly fallout-free nuclear explosive appeared within US. grasp as result of two AEC Plowshare nuclear excavation tests Jan. 26 and March 

12 at Nevada test site. Small size of explosives used had confined fallout within few hundred yards of craters, with radiation at source undetectable after three days. (O’Toole, W Post, 5/12/68) 

Muy 13: Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences approved 

$4.151 billion NASA FY 1969 authorization, adding $119.137 million to 

H.R. 15856, which had authorized $4.031 billion. Figure still was approximately 5% below $4.37 billion requested by President Johnson. 

Senate voted $350 million for Apollo Applications, against $253.2 million by House, and $55 million for NERVA program, as against $11.7- 

increasing R&D funds to $3.475 billion. Both houses agreed on allocation of $2.025 billion for Apollo program. Senate committee cut construction of facilities funds by $5.4 million to $39.6 million, but increased administrative operations by $32.4 million to $635.6 million. 

(NASA LAR VII/48; AP, NYT, 5/14/68; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 5/14/68) 

9 ESSA was studying solar flare prediction technique and ground observatory support for NASA’s Apollo Telescope Mount flight scheduled for 

1971. NASA had transferred $30,000 to ESSA for six-month investigation 

to enable astronauts to know when and where solar flare would occur 

within accuracy of 1,000 mi out of 860,000-mi-wide face of sun. ESSA 

also would study data required for maximum results from ATM mission 

and examine existing data collection networks and observing procedures. Effort would be monitored by ATM Project Office and Space Sciences Laboratory at MSFC. (MSFC Release 68-103; SBD, 5/15/68, 73) 

110 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 May 13 

* Free world’s largest experimental comsat was being built by Hughes Aircraft Co. under USAF Space and Missile Systems Organization management. The 1,600-lb satellitdesigned to provide testing for tactical 

communications between military units in the field, ships at sea, and 

aircraft-was scheduled for late 1968 delivery. It would be launched by 

Titan 111-C booster into 22,300-mi-altitude orbit and would be 

equipped with three antenna systems. During orbital tests, standard 

military UHF band would be used for air-ground communications and 

super-high-frequency portion of X band for military satellite communications. (AFSC Release 64.68) 

National Sporting Aviation Council, formed Feb. 16, adopted official 

charter at first meeting held in Washington, D.C., affirming its original 

mission to promote progress and development of all forms of sport aviation in US. through National Aeronautic hsn. and worldwide 

through FCdBration ABronautique Internationale. ( NAA News) 

Dr. Walter Haeussermann was selected to Fellowship in American Astronautical Society for “direct and significant contribution to the field of 

astronautics,” as Director of Astrionics Laboratory, MSFC. (MSFC Release 68-102) 

John B. Tuke had assembled operable weather-picture receiving station 

at his home in Stranraer, Scotland, out of spare electronic parts, old 

antenna, electric motor, and tuning fork for about $480. One of first 

amateurs to construct homemade receiving set, Tuke was able to receive pictures from ESSA and Nimbus satellites for 15 min, from lower 

Spain to Arctic, on each pass. Interest in amateur stations had grown to 

point that NASA had published booklet of instructions for building 

ground stations [see April 261 and Electro-Mechanical Research Co. 

h College Park, Md., had begun selling packaged sets for $5,000. (Wilford, NYT, 5/13/68) 

May 14: ComSatCorp Chairman James McCormack submitted Annual Report to shareholders’ meeting at Washington, D.C. Intelsat I, ZZ F-2, I1 

F-3, and II F-4 were reasonably loaded with commercial communications traffic. Intelsat I11 series was scheduled for late summer delivery 

and launching during fall 1968 and spring 1969. Intelsat IV series 

would be presented for Government approval shortly. It was hoped development could be under way before end of 1968. More than half the 

40 earth stations anticipated to be in operation by 1969 were expected 

to be operating by end of 1968. Despite technical problems, satellite operating circuits maintained 10070 reliability. Total of 48 nations were 

represented by Interim Communications Satellite Committee, to which 

ComSatCorp had submitted several US. proposals : relating investments 

of global members directly to amount of their use of system; limiting 

voting power to 50% maximum with substantive issues decided by twothirds majority ; ComSatCorp’s continuing as Consortium manager 

with contractual obligations made more specific. 

ComSatCorp opposed authorization by Federal Communications 

Commission of separate satellite system for broadcast distribution as 

had been proposed. 

With first quarter operating income of $372,000 and investment income of $1.426 million, ComSatCorp realized net income of $1.798 million. At close of first quarter 1968, investments in communications fa111 
May 14 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

cilities amounted to $73 million. ComSatCorp expected this to exceed 

$100 million at end of 1968. (Text) 

NASA’s Test and Training Satellite Tts I, carried pickaback as secondary 

payload on Pioneer VZII and ejected into orbit Dec. 13, 1967, reentered atmosphere and was believed to have burned up over Easter ISland in Pacific. Spacecraft supplied 14-station worldwide tracking network training for Apollo flights. (NASA Release 68-86; AP, P EB, 

5/15/68; SBD, 5/15/68,75) 

e Dr. Harold Brown, Secretary of the Air Force, told Los Angeles Junior 

Chamber of Commerce that if U.S.S.R.’s long-range bomber force improved, US. might need new 2,000-mph F-12 interceptor rejected by 

Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara in 1967. Although U.S.S.R. 

had about 155 long-range bombers and U.S. had 680, USAF officials 

feared U.S.S.R. might build advanced manned aircraft to overpower 

what McNamara had acknowledged to be an obsolete conventional air 

shield. DOD had announced major cutbacks in existing air defense units 

May 13. (Text; Omaha W-H, 5/15/68,21) 

Parafoil, steerable parachute being developed and tested by Notre Dame 

Univ. under contract with USAF’S Flight Dynamics Laboratory, brought 

Sgt. Robert McDermott (USA) down from 35,000-ft altitude in demonstration at Wright-Patterson AFB. Parafoil had glide of nearly three feet 

for each ioot of vertical drop, enabling jumper to steer toward target. 

Steerable parachutes normally used for spot landings glided only about 

% ft for each foot of fall. (AP, NYT, 5/15/68,24) 

e Dr. Walton L. Jones, Chief of NASA’s Biotqchnology and Human Research Div., Office of Advanced Research and Technology, in an interview reported study of 3,500 residents of Chicago, Denver, Dallas, and 

Los Angeles had indicated some were more annoyed by aircraft noise 

than others. Noise was more objectionable inside the house than out. 

The deeper people slept, the more boom it took to wake them. People 

could adapt to sonic boom, but data compiled thus far did not indicate 

to what extent. Dr. Jones’ work on improving safety of aircraft seats 

showed “many injuries could be avoided if seats were designed to dissipate more energy.” Good forward-facing seat, possibly with shoulder 

harness, would be better than rear-facing seats. (CSM, 5/14/68; CR, 

5/28/68, E4743) 

e Dr. Arthur Rudolph, Saturn V Manager at MSFC for past 4% yr, was retiring after 38 yr in rocketry, MSFC Director, Dr. Wernher von Braun, 

announced. He would be succeeded by Lee B. James, Deputy Director 

of Apollo program in NASA Office of Manned Space Flight. (MSFC Release 60-106; AP, NYT, 5/15/68,5; AP, W Star, 5/15/68, A2) 

May 15: Dr. Edward C. Welsh, NASC Executive Secretary, told National 

Space Club in Washington, D.C., U.S.S.R. in 1968 had been surpassing 

its 1967 payload successes numerically and, “what is more significant 

. . . surpassing substantially the number of successful payloads 

launched this year by the United States. While our activity curve is 

moving down . . . theirs is headed up.” U.S.S.R. had “orderly, persistent, and well planned space program, including a vigorous project for 

a manned landing on the lunar surface.” US. had operational lead in 

communications, navigation, and meteorology but U.S.S.R. showed 

“considerable activity” in those fields. US. had been generally more 

112 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 May 15 

successful in unmanned lunar and planetary performance, but U.S.S.R. 

was more active. (Text) 

Fiftieth anniversary of US. Airmail Service was celebrated in Washington, D.C., with gathering at National Air and Space Museum of pioneer 

airmail pilots and presentation by Postmaster General W. Marvin Watson of commemorative 10-cent postage stamp. Watson observed that, 

from small beginning, “virtually all first class mail which can be effectively airlifted is now so moved and almost 80 per cent of all letter 

mail now travels by air.” (Text; Lidman, NYT, 5/16/68, 30; Aerospace, Spring 68) 

NASA Javelin sounding rocket launched from Churchill Research Range 

carried Univ. of Iowa experiment to 500-mi (805-km) altitude to observe frequency-time spectra and measure relative phase and amplitude 

of magnetic and electric fields of VLF radio noise in 30 hz-10 khz 

range; measure electric field amplitude of naturally occurring radio 

noise from 7-70 khz; measure differential energy spectra for protons 

and electrons over 5 ev-50 kev energy range; and measure DC electric 

field perpendicular to payload spin axis. Rocket and instrument performance was satisfactory and all scientific objectives were met. (NASA 

Rpt SRL) 

NASA announced that sinus condition that was aggravated by pressure 

changes and had not responded to treatment led to grounding-perhaps 

permanently-of Astronaut John S. Bull. Astronaut Robert A. R. Parker had suffered spine fracture during parachute training at Williams 

AFB, Ariz., but injuries were not thought to be serious. (AP, B Sun, 

5/16/68, A3; W Star, 5/16/68; H Post, 5/16/68,8) 

NASA awarded North American Rockwell Gorp. $2.575-million contract 

modification to continue Saturn V (S-11) “battleship” or ground test 

program at Santa Susana, Calif., test center through July. Modification 

increased total contract for S-I1 stage development testing and facility 

maintenance planning to $1.281 billion. ( MSFC Release 68-109) 

May 16: Iris I (Esro 11-B) International Radiation Investigation Satellite, 

designed, developed, and constructed by European Space Research Organization under July 8, 1964+, NASA-ESRO agreement, was successfully 

launched by NASA from WTR by four-stage Scout booster. Orbital parameters: apogee, 673.7 mi (1,084.2 km) ; perigee, 204.1 mi (328.5 

km) ; period, 98.9 min and inclination, 97.2”. Primary NASA mission 

objectives were to piace Iris I into planned polar orbit and provide 

tracking and telemetry support. The 164Jb, 35Y2-in high, 30-in-dia 

cylindrical satellite carried seven experiments for solar-astronomy and 

cosmic-ray studies representing six different organizations from U.K., 

France, and the Netherlands. Six experiments were operating as planned 

and their scientific objectives were being achieved. 

Iris I was backup spacecraft to ESRO 11-A, which had been launched 

May 29, 1967, but had failed to achieve orbit because of Scout 3rd 

stage malfunction. ESRO was responsible for experiment instrumentation, delivery of spacecraft to launch site, equipment and personnel 

necessary to mate spacecraft to launch vehicle, and spacecraft testing. 

NASA provided Scout launch vehicle, conducted launch operations, and 

supplied data and tracking acquisition support. (NASA Proj Off; NASA 

Release 68-75; UPI, W Post, 5/17/68, D13; W News, 5/17/68,5; GSFC 

SSR, 5/31/68) 

113 
May 16 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS. 1968 

May 16: In cooperative program, NASA launched Iris I (Esro 11-B) International Radiation Investigation Satellite, for European Space Research Organization from WTR by 

four-stage Scout booster. In April photo, Iris I is prepared for mission to orbit seven 

solar-astronomy and cosmic-ray experiments from six organizations. 

0 First recording of pulsar signals at short wavelengths, 2293 mc, was 

made by Drs. Alan Moffet, Ronald D. Ekers, and Richard M. Goldstein 

of Cal Tech, using 210-ft Mars dish antenna at Goldstone Tracking Station operated by JPL for NASA. Signals’ energy indicated origin from 

natural source such as white dwarf stars or neutron stars. CP-1919, 

one of three pulsars observed, was weakest source ever recorded. At 

114 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 May 16 

2293 mc, signal was one-hundredth that of other two, though at longer 

wavelengths signal was one of two strongest of four known pulsars. 

(“CP” referred to Cambridge pulsar list; number indicated location.) 

Dr. Moffet placed pulsars 100 to 10,000 light years from earth, in 

Milky Way Galaxy. Although signal strengths varied, periods remained 

constant. (Cal Tech Release; Pasadena Independent, 5/15/68) 

* President Johnson announced intention to nominate following for appointment to six-year terms on National Science Board: R. H. Bing, 

Chairman, Dept. of Mathematics, Univ. of Wisconsin; Harvey Brooks, 

Dean of Engineering and Applied Physics, Harvard Univ.; William A. 

Fowler, professor of‘physics, Cal Tech; Norman Hackerman, President, 

Univ. of Texas at Austin; Philip Handler, Chairman, Dept. of Chemistry, Duke Univ. Medical Center; James G. March, Dean of Social Sciences, Univ. of California at Irvine; Grover Murray, President, Texas 

Tech; and Frederick E. Smith, professor of zoology, Univ. of Michigan. (PD, 5/20/68,802) 

* In last of three McKinsey Foundation lectures NASA Administrator 

James E. Webb discussed “Executive Performance and Evaluation.” 

NASA program at peak level had employed more than 400,000 full-time 

workers and 20,000 contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers and 

drawn on more than 150 universities, in addition to 8,000 NASA-SUPported professors, scientists, and technicians. It had worked with urban 

communities on problems, reclaimed wasteland, constructed massive 

buildings, and developed new transportation means. NASA would not be 

viewed in history as unique but was likely “to prove a prototype.” 

As Administrator, Webb said, his purpose was to work toward environment within which NASA could be as innovative in the management 

of all its activities as it was in its scientific and technical work. Largescale endeavor required executives of unusual type and had to be designed to enable executives to perform in an unusual way. (Text) 

New York Times editorial urged congressional passage of legislation to 

ban sonic booms: “While technical and budgetary di5culties have 

slowed development of an American supersonic aircraft, the British and 

French are progressing with their joint-venture model. It is important 

to have some protection on the law books beiore the booms come 

crashing down on the nation’s ears. . . . Developers . . . say they ‘assume, it will fly at supersonic speed only over water but this is too important an issue to be left to anyone’s assumption.” (NYT, 5/16/68, 

46; 5/25/68,32) 

May 17: NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR 

carried GSFC experiment to 102.5-mi (165-km) altitude to measure UV 

radiation from several early-type stars. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily. ( NASA Rpt SRL) 

* NASA announced it had notified agency elements to hold permanent employment to onboard strength at close of May 13, to minimize impact 

of potential manpower adjustments necessitated by cuts in N 1969 

budget. Field centers had been advised of possible further reduction by 

75% of attrition May 14-June 30 (one replacement for every four 

losses). FY 1969 budget included positions for 32,727 permanent civil 

service employees. NASA installations had been requested to assess program impact of continued reduction, which could exceed 1,000 if current limitations continued. Actual supportable employment level for IT 

115 
May 17 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%8 

1969 depended on final appropriation approved. (NASA Release 68-91 ; 

AP, NYT, 5/19/68, SO; SBD, 5/23/68,114; Kluttz, W Post, 5/27/68, 

* House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce approved bill to 

control aircraft noise levels and sonic boom. Committee, by voice vote, 

agreed on provisions empowering FAA to set standards for measurement 

and regulations for control. (H.R. 1463; F Post, 5/17/68, 5) 

NASA named five-man board with counsel to investigate crash of Lunar 

Landing Research Vehicle piloted by Astronaut Neil Armstrong at Ellington AFB, Tex., May 6. Board would determine probable cause of accident, identify and evaluate corrective actions, and evaluate implication for LLRV and lunar module design and operations. (NASA Release 

68-90) 

LaRc Associate Chief of Flight Mechanics and Technology Div., John P. 

Campbell, had been selected by American Helicopter Society to receive 

its Paul E. Haueter Award for 1968, Langley Researcher announced. 

Award was given annually for significant contributions to development 

of vertical lift aircraft other than helicopters. Campbell was cited “for 

his personal contributions to and direction of NASA research programs 

which have provided a sound technology base for a large number of 

VTOL designs.’’ (Langley Researcher, 5/17/68,1) 

* NASA announced organizational change effective May 19. Functions and 

personnel of Procurement Management Div. of Management Operations Directorate, Office of Manned Space Flight, was transferred to 

Office of Industry Affairs. Procurement Office would become Program 

Support Div. ( OMSF), reporting to Director of Procurement. (NASA 

Ann) 

May 18: Nimbus B spacecraft launched by NASA from WTR failed to enter 

orbit because of malfunction in booster. Thorad-Agena D booster and 

spacecraft were destroyed by Range Safety Officer. Satellite, third in 

Nimbus meteorological series, contained two 25-L SNAP-19 radioisotope electric power generators fueled with plutonium 238 to supplement 

solar panels and enclosed in capsules designed to withstand impact and 

corrosion. Debris fell into Pacific between Vandenberg AFB and San 

Miguel Island. (WTR Release; AP, W Star, 5/18/68; P EB, 5/18/68; 

AP, W Post, 5/19/68, A3; AP, NYT, 5/18/68; 5/25/68) 

NASA successfully launched Stratoscope 11, Princeton Univ.’s balloonborne telescope, from Scientific Balloon Flight Station, Palestine, Tex., 

to altitude of 80,000 ft. Purpose was to photograph sky from altitude 

above 95% of earth‘s atmosphere. (NASA Release 68-93) 

* U.S.S.R. would conduct ‘Yurther tests of the landing system of space apparatuses” from May 20 to June 30 in two Pacific areas, Tass announced. Aircraft and ships were warned not to enter 80-mi-dia circular area 1,200 mi south of Hawaii near Christmas Island and 90- by 

180-mi rectangular area 1,600 mi south of Hawaii between noon and 

midnight local time each day. (AP, New Orleans Times-Picayune, 

* Entire thrust of Soviet space program pointed to circumlunar flight by 

cosmonauts before US., according to former astronaut Cdr. M. Scott 

Carpenter (USN) . Speaking at Beloit College symposium on oceanography, he predicted NASA might try to send crew around moon in autumn 

5/19/69; SBD, 5/21/68,99-100) 

116 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 May 18 

as counter to Soviet manned space spectacular. (Lewis, B News, 

5/19/68) 

NASA, NAS, and NRC would be “taking a long close look” at applied satellites capable of producing concrete benefits to mankind, James J. Haggerty, Jr., wrote in Journal of the Armed Forces. Study, recommended 

in NAS repart released Feb. 8, would focus on economic aspects. Among 

new areas of application proposed were: forestry-agriculture satellite to 

survey and identify vegetation resources through standard and infrared 

photography; oceanographic satellite to predict fish locations, isolate 

plankton areas, and improve ship routing and weather detection 

through use of sensors; hydrological satellite to aid in management of 

water resources and to facilitate weather forecasting ; and geological 

satellite to extend process of using airborne sensors to detect minerals, 

oil, and gas. Group also would study economic benefits of advances in 

existing applied spacecraft, such as “advanced weathersat” to interrogate high-altitude weather balloons and broadcast satellite to promote 

“extremely broad program of education and culture.” 

NAS report had set dollar values on benefits: savings of $8 billion annually in agriculture and construction alone from two-week weather 

forecasting; $5 million in management of municipal water supplies; 

and “hundreds of millions” in potential saving to shipping, fishing, and 

coas+al engineering industries, but satellites would have to be developed 

at “considerable investment.” (Haggerty, J/AF, 5/18/68, 9, 19) 

* AEC Chairman, Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, presented first Swords Into Plowshares Award for major contributions in nuclear science to Columbia 

Univ. in New York. Occasion marked opening of Nuclear Week, sponsored by private foundations, industry, and government, to attract 

young people to careers in nuclear science. (NYT, 5/19/68, 81) 

Fifth International Congress for Noise Abatement, meeting in London, 

adopted resolution urging governments to prohibit supersonic flights 

over their territories. Dr. Charles Wakstein, Dartmouth College scientist, said if overland SST flights were permitted, about 50 million Americans could be exposed to average of 15 sonic booms daily. Flights 

could cost $100 million annually in damage to homes. However, evidence thus far indicated little psychological harm to those surrounded 

by constant noise. (Shuster, NYT, 5/19/68,3) 

NASA had named Wade St. Clair, former consultant and director on 

radio and television programs, Director of Special Events, Office of 

Public Affairs, succeeding Brian M. Duff, who had joined Urban Coalition staff. St. Clair most recently had served as Duffs deputy. (NASA 

Release 68-88) 

F-111A supersonic aircraft participating in air show at Holloman AFB, 

N. Mex., crashlanded, without injuring crew or spectators. USAF said 

ban on F-111 flights was still in effect but did not apply in this case 

since aircraft was still owned by manufacturer, General Dynamics 

Corp. (W Post, 5/19/68,1; W Star, 5/19/68, A12) 

Man’s “most rewarding new frontier for the next generation” might lie 

in ocean space, according to New York Times editorial. “Imminent 

opening of the deep-sea bed for commercial exploitation offers exciting 

possibilities for the enrichment of mankind . . . but unregulated 

rush to cash in on the wealth of the ocean floor could provoke serious 

international conflicts.” US. caution, however, in approaching U.N. es117 
May 18 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

tablishment of international control had merit because “knowledge of 

the potential of ocean space is still fragmentary and vital national interests are at stake.“ (NYT, 5/18/68,30) 

0 President Habib Bourguiba of Tunisia visited MSC for general orientation and tour during two-day visit to Houston. (AP, New Haven Register, 5/17/68) 

May 20: NASA Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried GSFC experiment to 102.6-mi (165.1-km) altitude to obtain monochromatic picture of sun using spectroheliograph and to measure solar 

spectral irradiance using photoelectric radiometers. Rocket and instrumentation performance was satisfactory. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

ESRO successfully launched Centaure rocket from Kiruna Range in 

Sweden to collect micrometeoroid data. (SBD, 5/23/68,118) 

In “remote sensing” experiment by NASA and US. Geological Survey, 

pilots and scientists began two-week air-ground sweep of Southern California in search of solutions to environmental problems. Area had been 

selected because of variety of geographic features. Aircraft would test 

sensors for later use in satellite surveys of land, water, mineral, human, 

and energy resources. (Copley News Service, San Diego Union, 

5/20/68) * Australian Air Force was sending technical team to US. to investigate 

airworthiness of F-111 aircraft. Australian government had ordered 24 

F-111s in 1963 for estimated $112 million. Cost had already increased 

to $266 million, and additional increases were expected. Delivery 

would be refused until Australia was satisfied mechanical faults had 

been eliminated. (NY Post, 5/20/68,21) 

NASA and British Ministry df Technology began month-long tests of devices for predicting performance of aircraft brakes at NASA Wallops 

Station on runway modified to include varied surface conditions. 

Under direction of Walter B. Horne, LaRC, tests in which FAA and USAF 

also were participating, would enable engineers to establish system for 

runway length requirements to bring landing aircraft to safe stop. 

(NASA Release 68-89) 

May 21 : NASA announced it would launch two Mariner spacecraft, F and 6, 

on flyby missions to Mars in 1969. Project responsibility was assigned 

to JPL; LeRc would be responsible for launch vehicle. 

Deep SFace Network stations would provide tracking and communications during launch period scheduled between mid-February and midApril. Spacecraft would reach Mars between end of July and mid-August. Arrival dates of two spacecraft would not be less than five days 

apart. Atlas-Centaur combination would for first time be used as launch 

vehicle for planetary exploration. Spacecraft would weigh approximately 900 lb. Mariner 111 (Nov. 5, 1964) weighed 575 lb. (NASA Special Release) 

9 NASA announced that Dr. Mac C. Adam, Associate Administrator for 

Advanced Research and Technology, would resign July 1 to return to 

private industry. He would be succeeded by James M. Beggs, Director 

of Purchases and Traffic, Westinghouse Electric Corp., who would join 

NASA June 1. Bruce T. Lundin, Associate Director for Development, 

LeRC, was named NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Advanced 

Research and Technology. Commenting on Dr. Adams’ departure, NASA 

Administrator James E. Webb said, “He brought to NASA strong man118 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 May 21 

agement and engineering competence . . . [and] gave us brilliant 

leadership in critical times.” (NASA Release 68-92) 

USAF grounded 42 F-111As to repair defective hydraulic valve. Aircraft 

had been under restrictions since May 8 accident at Nellis AFB, Nev., of 

which defective valve was “the most probable cause.” Twelve earlier 

model F-lI1As not containing defective part were not grounded. ACtuator valve problem was suspected in third F-111A crash in Thailand, 

attributed to capsule of sealant lodged in flight control system. Modifications should be completed in June. (DOD Release 472-68; AP, NYT, 

5/22/68,5; AP, W Star, 5/22/68, A20) 

Scientists from Stanford Univ. and Univ. of California, using telescope 

at Lick Observatory atop Mt. Hamilton, Calif., and telescopes on Kitt 

Peak, Ariz., had found one of four recently discovered pulsars flashed 

visible wavelengths of light at half the rate of its radio pulse. Discovery 

was disclosed by Univ. of California at Berkeley astronomer, Dr. David 

Cudaback, at pulsar meeting in New York sponsored jointly by NASA 

Institute for Space Studies and Belfer Graduate School of Science, 

Yeshiva Univ. (Sullivan, NYT, 5/21/68, 14; 5/22/68, 24; 5/26/68, 

12 ) Sen. Mark 0. Hatfield (R-Ore.), addressing IEEE Region Six Conference 

in Portland, criticized order of priorities by which “survival” was superseded by “our desire to explore new technological frontiers. . . . We must rationally decide if our goal of promoting the well-being of 

man is better served through huge expenditures to beat the Russians to 

the moon or through developing methods to feed a hungry world. It is 

a very black mark on our sense of values and a contradiction of man’s 

quest for progress when one part of the world competes for the moon 

while the other part competes for a loaf of bread.” (Text) 

Arthur C. Clarke, co-author of 2002: A Space Odyssey, told Los Altos 

Morning Forum proposed Federal cuts in NASA budget would curtail 

progress in “medicine, agriculture, weather forecasting, communication 

and other endeavors.” NASP budget now was “smaller than the amount 

American women spend ori cosmetics in a year.” (Anderson, San Jose 

Mercury, 5/23/68) 

Soviet space experts Dr. Georgii Pokrovskii and Aleksandr Yavnel believed automatic docking of Cosmos CCXll and CCXIII April 15 had 

brought U.S.S.R. closer to day when it could establish large permanent 

earth-orbiting stations and planetary laboratories. In Moscow interviews, they claimed docking had cleared way for launching segments of 

large spacecraft by individual rockets, then assembling them in common orbit. (Macomber, St. Louis G-D, 5/21/68) 

May 22: First public demonstration of satellite communications between 

merchant ship and shore was given before Propeller Club of Port of 

Baltimore, Md. Civic officials conversed via NASA’s Ats II with captain 

of vessel off Valparaiso, Chile, coast. Conversation was transmitted 

over telephone lines to GSFC and relayed to Rosman, N.C., to satellite, 

and to ship. (NYT, 6/26/68,86) 

Post-launch investigations at MSFC and at Rocketdyne Div. of North 

American Rockwell Corp., J-2 manufacturer, had revealed J-2 rocket 

engine malfunctions on April 4 Apollo 6 mission had been caused by 

ruptures of small-diameter fuel lines feeding engine igniters. Improved 

designs for lines had been completed and new lines were being man119 
May 22 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

ufactured for extensive testing before use in next Saturn IB and Saturn 

V launch vehicles. (Marshall Star, 5/22/68,1) 

Aerospace Industries Assn. released its 1967 Annual Report, reviewing 

“industry’s continuing pattern of growth”: 11% increase in sales over 

1966, to $27.2 billion; maintenance of 1,4007000-man work force, making aerospace industry largest U.S. manufacturing employer ; and 

$575-million increase in exports, to $2.2 billion, including 42.9% increase in civilian aircraft, to $789 million. (Text) 

NASA selected Fairchild-Hiller Corp., General Electric Co., and Lockheed 

Missiles & Space Co. for competitive negotiations for $5-million fixedprice contract to develop designs for basic spacecraft configuration of 

F and G models of Applications Technology Satellite. Firms would 

provide complete specifications and versions of critical spacecraft system. (NASA Release 68-95) 

MSFC awarded third one-year contract extension, at $6.448 million, to 

RCA Services Co. for institutional support services at MSFC. (MSFC Release 68-112) 

NASA established Office of Facilities, merging facility functions and applicable staff elements of Office of Manned Space Flight, Ofice of Space 

Science and Applications, Office of Advanced Research and Technology, Office of Tracking and Data Acquisition, and Facilities Management Office. New office, under direction of M/G Robert H. Curtin 

(USAF, Ret. ) , would encompass planning, design, acquisition, construction, repair, alteration, maintenance, operations, utilization, and disposal of facilities including land and collateral equipment. It would report to the Assistant Administrator for Administration. ( NASA Ann) 

May 23: World’s first passive satellite, Echo I, launched by NASA Aug. 12, 

1960, reentered earth‘s atmosphere and disintegrated over southeastern 

Pacific. Launched as passive communications and air-density research 

satellite, Echo I also served geodesists determining accurate continental 

and intercontinental distances. ( UPI, W Post, 5/24/68; W News, 

5/24/68,3; Newsweek, 5/27/68; SBD, 5/28/68,138) 

USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by Thor-Burner 

I1 booster into orbit with 561-mi (902.8-km) apogee, 509-mi (819-km) 

perigee, 102.1-min period, and 98.9” inclination. (Pres Rpt 68) 

Smithsonian Institution scientists positively identified as a meteorite, 

fist-size black stone which damaged Denver, Colo., warehouse roof in 

July 1967. It was “first recovered fresh-fall” meteorite in U.S. since 

Bells, Tex., meteorite Sept. 9, 1961. (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 5/24/68) 

May 24: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCXXI into orbit with 

2,082-km (1,293.7-mi) apogee, 214-km (133-mi) perigee, 108.3-min 

period, and 48.4” inclination. (SBD, 5/27/68, 132; GSFC SSR, 

5/31/68) 0 First satellite telephone link between U.S. and Australia began with 

opening of earth station at Moree, Australia. (W Star, 5/26/68) 

0 Mathematical tools used to predict lunar motions were so imprecise that 

they hampered evaluation of lunar flights and use of moon as timepiece, according to two articles in Science by group of JPL scientists. 

Amplifying report, Dr. J. Derral Mulholland, JPL scientist in charge of 

revision of methods of prediction, said errors seemed to derive largely 

from inadequate emphasis on gravital influence of other planets, particularly Jupiter and Venus. JPL was preparing computer program to pre120 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 May 24 

dict lunar position for future space flights. (Science, 5/24/68, 874-8; 

Sullivan, NYT, 5/24/68,47) 

0 James T. Murphy, Deputy Manager in NASA Saturn V Program Office at 

MSFC, was named Director of MSFC’S Safety Office. He would also serve 

as member of MSFC Flight Readiness Review Board. E. W. Neubert 

would continue as Chairman of MSFC Safety Board. (MSFC Release 

68-114; Marshall Star, 5/29/68,1) 

0 Before Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce, Sen. Thomas H. Kuchel (R-Calif.) said, “What we need and what we lack is an administration which will allocate space dollars according to the skills and 

manpower and brain power available, rather than on the basis of political preference.” No Federal program was more in need of public understanding than space and its relationship to balanced economy, he 

said. When looking at future space investment we needed to count 

“payofe” already gained. Spinoff from space technology was providing 

“enormous boon to both soldier and civilian.” We needed space goals 

which clearly stated potential benefits of program to people, he said, 

“or the public will justifiably fight a single penny being thrown into 

space.” (UPI, Sun Diego Union, 5/25/68; CR, 6/10/68) 

Six-month slippage in launch date of U.K.’s Skynet comsat to spring 

1969 was due to “normal R&D problems,” according to USAF Space and 

Missile Systems Organization. Philco-Ford Corp.‘s Space and Re-entry 

Systems Div. was building two Skynets compatible with US. Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program for delivery to U.K. While 

Skynet program was linked with U.K.’s latest defense review, Defense 

and Technology Ministry sources said its cancellation was not expected, 

though U.K.’s military withdrawal from Asia would substantially affect 

its use and scope. (Aero Daily, 5/24/68) 

May 25: Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR 

carried GSFC photometers and objective-grating wide-angle camera to 

105-mi ( 168.9-km) altitude to measure radiation from celestial bodies 

in X2800-Xl300 spectral range. Payload instrumentation performed 

satisfactorily; Aerobee pointing control system (ACS) malfunctioned. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

Unexpected solar flares could cause serious radiation damage to SST passengers and lead to aircraft navigation errors, according to Dr. Adolph 

Razdow, President of Yardney Electric Corp., Razdow Laboratories 

Div. Global solar watch, he said, could provide 10-min warning of 

strong solar flares, enabling pilot to descend to safer altitude. NASA’s 

Solar Particle Alert Network (SPAN) could give 20-min flare warning 

to unprotected astronauts on moon, who could then take shelter or take 

antiradiation drugs. Peak year in solar flare cycle would be 1969. (UPI, 

NYT, 5/25/68,59) 

May 26: NASA appointed H. Kurt Strass, Chief of Earth Orbital Mission 

Office, Advanced Spacecraft Technology Div., to head newly established 

Office of Aerospace Safety Research Programs. New office, which would 

operate within Office of Advanced Research and Technology, would report to Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology through Director, Space Vehicles Div., OART. (NASA Ann) 

May 27: U.S.S.R. announced successful completion of rocket tests in two Pacific areas to test equipment for spacecraft landings at sea. Series, 

12 1 
May 27 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

which began May 20, had been scheduled to last until June 30. (SBD, 

5/29/68,144) 

FAA announced Washington National Airport was first in US. to equip 

main instrument runway with color-coded centerline lights cautioning 

pilots entering last 3,000 ft of runway during takeoffs and landings. 

(FAA Release T 68-18) * Aerospace Daily survey showed most experts considered military R&D 

funds prime candidate for budget cuts. Services had been told to 

slash $900 million from FY 1969 requests as their part in $6-billion reduction demanded by Congress, which exhibited little support for either Manned Orbiting Laboratory program or Sentinel ABM system. 

Federal Contract Research Center also was likely to be cut, though 

Pentagon sought $48 million, $3 million less than FY 1968. Government 

was spending estimated $17 billion annually on research and there was 

rising general Congressional reluctance to approve more funds or 

even to provide additional money merely to keep pace with the inflation 

of the economy.” (Aero Daily, 5/27/68,26) 

* Charles J. Donlan was named Acting Director, Advanced Manned Missions Program, NASA Office of Manned Space Flight, replacing Edgar M. 

Cortright. He would serve in addition to his duties as Deputy Associate 

Administrator for Manned Space Night (Technical). (NASA Ann) 

m May 28: In second Mars lander experiment [see April 231 NASA concluded 

JPL R&D program demonstrating feasibility of sending lightweight 

scientific capsules to Mars by successful 250-ft free-fall drop of 63-lb 

heat-sterilized planetary landing craft from hovering helicopter onto 

asphalt pavement at Goldstone Tracking Station. Capsule, which struck 

at 80 mph, or impact of 2,500 g, was powered by 12-cell silver-zinc battery which produced sufficient electricity after impact to extend wind 

gauge and to operate radio transmitter and timer aboard Mars lander. 

Battery was believed to be toughest yet developed. (NASA Release 68- 

152 ; W Star, 9/8/68, A17; Pasadena Independent Star-News, 9/8/68; 

NYT, 10/15/68, 34; JPL Lab-Oratory 7/68, 8) 

* Gen. John P. McConnell, USAF Chief of Staff, was awarded National Geographic Society’s Gen. Thomas D. White Space Trophy for 1967 for 

“effective leadership and direction of U.S. Air Force in development 

and utilization of aerospace vehicles.” Award was presented annually to 

military or civilian member of WAF who made most outstanding contribution to US. progress in aerospace. (NGS Release; AP, NY News, 

5/29/68, 22) a MSFC announced it had extended for one year $3,6d7,603 cost-pl~s 

award-fee contract held by Management Services, Inc., for technical services at MSFC. ( MSFC Release 68-116) 

Muy 29: Command module for Apollo 7, first manned Apollo flight, left 

North American Rockwell Corp.’s Downey, Calif., plant enroute to 

Kennedy Space Center. Service module had arrived at RSC May 17. 

(NASA Release 68-100) 

Saturn V 2nd stage planned for first manned Apollo/Saturn V mission 

passed cryogenic proof pressure test at NASA Mississippi Test Facility. 

( MSFC Release 68-119) * NASA announced changes in Aerospace Safety Panel personnel: Dr. 

Charles D. Harrington, President of Douglas United Nuclear, Inc., was 

elected Chairman. Dr. Eberhard F. M. Rees, Deputy Director (Techni66 

122 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 May 29 

call at MSFC and Special Assistant to Apollo Spacecraft Manager, resigned from panel to devote full time to these assignments. Newly 

named to panel were: Frank C. Di Luzio, President of Raynolds Electrical and Engineering Co., Inc., and Vice President of E-G, Inc.; Gen. 

Orval Cook (USAF, Ret.) ; and Dr. Harold Agnew, Weapons Div. 

Leader, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. Dr. William A. Mrazek, Assistant Director for Engineering and Chief Engineer for Industrial Qperations at MSFC, was named consultant. (NASA Release 68-98) 

NASA selected Computer Sciences Corp., Lockheed Electronics Co., Computer Applications, Inc., and Service Technology Corp. (LW) , for competitive negotiations n $1-million one-year renewable contract to provide computer suppJt services at Electronics Research Center. ( NASA 

Release 68-99) 

May 31: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCXXIl into orbit with 

520-km (323.1-mi) apogee, 281-km (174.6-mi) perigee, 91.3-min period, and 70.9” inclination. Satellite reentered Qct. 11. (AP, NYT, 

6/2/68; GSFC SSR, 5/31/68; 10/15/68) 

U.K. successfully launched Skylark sounding rocket from Adelaide, 

Australia, to altitude of 149 mi (239.8 km) after initial delays caused 

by weather. (Reuters, NYT, 6/2/68, 55) ’ Roderick W. Spence, Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory, outlined advantages of nuclear rockets and offered chronological resum6 of Rover program in Science. Thirteen years had produced reliable reactor ready for 

development into flyable engine. Development of complete nuclear-electric propulsion system would be difficult and expensive, “but if man 

wants to continue to explore space to the best of his ability, such a development seems inevitable.” (Science, 5/31/68,953-9) 

NASA announced LaRC and LTV Aerospace Corp. would negotiate unified 

contract valued in excess of $14 million to provide complete system 

management for Scout launch vehicle for 24-mo period beginning Nov. 

1. (NASA Release 68-101) 

NASA announced extension until Feb. 13, 1969, of contract with SperryRand Corp. for mission support services to Systems Reliability Directorate at GSFC. Value of extended cost-plus-award-fee agreement with two 

one-year options was approximately $3.5 million. Included in services 

were operation and maintenance of test facilities such as large space 

chambers, laboratory equipment, and instrumentation. ( GSFC Release 

G35-68) 

0 USN told Pratt & Whitney Div., United Aircraft Corp., it would pay 

approximately $180 million less than $1.2-billion contract price for 

1,640 F-111 engines ordered in February 1967. Adjustment of approximately $19 million in price of engines already delivered brought difference between USN and Pratt & Whitney prices to almost $200 million. 

USN believed more efficient operation could produce engines at lower 

cost. (Kelley, W Star, 6/4/68,5) 

USAF awarded Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. $1.174-million initial increment to $2.959-million cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for launch 

services at ETR. (DOD Release 511-68) 

In response to pressure from smaller countries, U.S. and U.S.S.R. agreed 

to make changes in proposed nonproliferation treaty: stronger guarantees to small countries which would benefit from peaceful use of nuclear 

power, more urgent efforts to end world arms race, and enforcement of 

123 
May 31 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

During May: Project engineer W. B. Horne, with T. J. Yager, examines effects of Convair 990 landing on grooved runway at Wallops Station. Grooves-one inch apart, one- fourth inch wide, and one-fourth inch deep-increased friction on wet runways. 

U.N. charter authority against use of force generally. (Brewer, NYT, 

6/1/68,1) 

During May: Karl G. Harr, Jr., President of MA, commented in spring issue 

of Aerospace on preliminary report of space applications study being 

conducted by NASA and NAS. “Concept of funding space research as an 

investment has not yet found wide acceptance.” Intangibility of benefits 

-renewed national prestige, expanding technological capability, and 

enormous scientific gain-was to blame. Report indicated, however, 

that “investment will pay far greater bonus . . . monetary value alone 

124 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 During May 

may run into billions.” Advantages of applications program superseded 

dollar value. Potential contributions to “welfare of the planet” included 

possibilities of greater food availability, enhancement of air safety, 

more effective management of natural resources, higher general education level, closer relations among nations with cooperative management 

of earth‘s total resources. Opportunity to harvest these gains was present but “we must pursue . . . program aggressively” by increasing 

our investment. (Aerospace, Spring 68, 3) 

e LaRC was conducting operational research program at NASA Wallops %ation to evaluate runway grooving as a means of reducing aircraft hydroplaning, loss of friction during high-speed landing because of water 

or slush film. Aircraft landed on specially prepared runways with 

grooves % in wide, in deep, and 1 in apart and braking effectiveness 

was recorded by instruments on aircraft and on ground. Research indicated grooving helped to alleviate all known phenomena which resulted 

in low tire-ground friction, but scientists were concerned that undesirable vibrations might be introduced into aircraft. (Langley Researcher, 

5/17/68,4) 

* Lt. Gen. Ira C. Eaker (USAF, Ret.) wrote in Data he believed sonic boom 

problem would be eliminated, permitting transcontinental flight and 

realization of estimated 1,200 SSTS in service by 1990. ‘LN~ federal program since World War I1 had ever had the thorough analysis, careful 

examination and close scrutiny accorded the present SST plan.” (Data, 

5/68,8) 

125 
June 1968 

June 1 : U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXXIII from Plesetsk Cosmodrome 

into orbit with 979-km (608.3-mi) apogee, 221-km (137.34) perigee, 

89.9-min period, and 72.9” inclination. Satellite performed satisfactorily 

and reentered June 9. (UPI, P EB, 6/3/68; SBD, 6/4/68, 168; GSFC 

SSR, 6/15/68,7/15/68) 

June 2: New York Times editorial criticized Administration’s failure to support International Biological Program’s proposal to conduct five-year 

worldwide study of spoilage and near exhaustion of earth’s resources 

by chemical pollution. “One would think that the urgency and importance of these matters would quickly rally general support to these 

and related efforts to meet the worldwide challenge . . . [but] Ivan 

L. Bennett, Jr., Deputy Director of the Office of Science and Technology, 

opposed congressional appropriation of $5 million . . . for American 

participation . . , during fiscal 1969. The parochial priorities implied . . . must deepen concern as to whether Spaceship Earth can 

be saved for its proliferating cargo of fragile organisms whose increasingly ravenous demands steadily deplete and damage the ecological 

basis of life on this planet.” (NYT, 6/2/68) 

June 3: U.S.S.R. planned to test-fly Tu-144 supersonic aircraft during 1968, 

possibly within few months, Soviet Vice Minister for Air Industry 4- 

exander Kobzarez told press at Third International Air and Space 

Salon in Turin, Italy. Tu-144 would carry 120 passengers up to 1,500 

mph over 4,000-mi range. Soviet aircraft on display included $6.4-million, long-range, 186-passenger 11-62 jet aircra€t and $2-million Mi-6 

and Mi-] 0 heavy-duty helicopters. (NYT, 6/4/68, 93) * NASA and DOD would spend estimated $1.406 billion during next decade 

for parachutes, aerodynamic decelerators, aerial recovery systems, planetary landing devices, and spacecraft escape systems, according to 

Frank A. Burnham in Aerospace Technology. Technology was marked 

by rapid growth and widespread applications, including drogue chutes 

for supersonic aircraft; personnel parachutes capable of being “flown” 

to spot landings; recovery systems for Apollo, MOL, military spacecraft, 

drones, and test missiles; systems to drop cargo from altitude and deposit it on ground from aircraft in flight; and air “snatch” rescue systems. (Aero Tech, 6/3/68,26) 

June 4: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXXIV from Baikonur Cosmodrome 

into orbit with 311-km (193.2-mi) apogee, 167-km (103.8-mi) perigee, 

89. I-min period, and 51.8 O inclination. Satellite functioned normally 

and reentered June 12. (AP, NYT, 6/5/68, 7; SBD, 6/5/68,172; GSFC 

SSR, 6/15/68) 

Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR carried 

145-lb GSFC payload to 80.8-mi (130-km) altitude to evaluate parachute 

recovery system for Nike-Apache and Nike-Cajun launch vehicies. 

126 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 June 4 

Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily ; excellent data 

were obtained from all telemetry channels. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

MSFC awarded Boeing Co. $1,123,591 contract modification to perform 

failure effects analysis, components criticality determination, and. reliability report on Saturn V launch vehicles through SA-510, 10th flight 

vehicle. (MSFC Release 68-121) 

At Glassboro (N.J.) State College commencement, President Johnson discussed developments in US.-Soviet relations during past year : completion of space law and space rescue treaties, new consular treaty, bilateral air agreement, and negotiations on agreement to avoid costly ABM 

race. He proposed International Council on Human Environment, accelerated efforts to develop global satellite communications system, conducting of Arctic and Antarctic exploration, and study of possible 

productive uses of rain-rich tropical forest. (PD, 6/10/68, 903; NYT, 

6/5/68,1F) 

e Rep. Silvio 0. Conte (R-Mass.) inserted in Congressional Record results 

of questionnaire mailed to his constituents which showed 3,857 out of 

8,145 would reduce Government spending on space program. Second 

and third most popular candidates for cuts were public works (2,298) 

and poverty program (2,070). (NASA LAR VII/55) 

NASA announced that North American Rockwell Corp. Rocketdyne Div. 

injector would be used in Bell Aerosystems Go. engine of first manned 

lunar module. Decision on whether to use Bell or NAR injector for lunar 

mission had not yet been made. (MSC Release 68-41) 

June 4-28: Seventh session of Legal Subcommittee of U.N. Committee on 

Outer Space met in Geneva, Switzerland. U.S. delegation included two 

NASA officials, Paul G. Dembling, General Counsel, NASA, Alternate Representative; and Daniel M. Arons, Attorney-Adviser, NASA, as adviser. 

(NASA Hq, 10/14/68) 

June 5: USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by Titan 

111-B booster. Satellite entered orbit with 262-mi (421.6-km) apogee, 

85-mi (126.8-km) perigee, 89.9-min period, and 110.5’ inclination and 

reentered June 17. (Pres Rpt 68; SBD, 6/25/68,272) 

e Rep. Emilio Q. Daddario (D-Conn.) inserted in Congressional Record 

address he had planned to deliver to House, deploring 1969 budgetary 

cuts in research field, particularly 20% reduction in National Science 

Foundation funds. Tendency in times of stress to “jump on research as 

the vulnerable part of the Federal budget” came from thoughtlessness, 

but slashing research funds was particularly serious “in view of the administrative cutbacks in basic research funds being made by the SOcalled mission-oriented agencies.” America’s “tortuous new physical, 

social and security problems” could not be resolved without “new tools, 

new methods, new approaches” and only way to develop them was by 

research. (CR, 6/5/68, H4572) 

President Johnson, in accordance with Senate Concurrent Resolution 67 

approved May 29, bade Secretary of Commerce C. R. Smith to continue 

coordination of national efforts in World Weather Watch program by 

providing forum for consultation among interested Federal agencies 

and departments, requiring submission of plans for following fiscal 

year to Congress annually on March 1, and developing arrangements to 

further international participation and cooperation in weather program. (PD, 7/8/68,1057-8) 

127 
June 5 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

* NASA announced appointment of R. Emerson Harris, Supervisor of System 

Safety, Boeing Co., as Assistant Director of Safety (System) , reporting 

to Bob P. Helgeson, Director of Safety. Harris also would serve as 

Deputy Executive Secretary to the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel. 

(NASA Ann) 

June 6: NASA investigation board reported that primary cause of Oct. 5, 

1967, crash of T-38 jet trainer near Tallahassee, Fla., was “a jam in the 

lateral control system (ailerons) from unknown source.” Accident had 

claimed life of pilot, Astronaut Clifton C. Williams. Board recommended improvement in T-38 inspection procedures. (NASA Release 

68-102 ; UPI, W Post, 6/7/68, A2 ; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 6/7/68, A3) 

NASA appointed Jerome Freibaum, Assistant Executive Secretary, Office 

of the Administrator, to succeed L/C Wayne Mathews (USAF, Ret.) as 

Program Manager of ComSatCorp-related activities in Space Applications Programs Office. Col. Mathews had joined Lockheed Aircraft 

Corp. (NASA Ann) 

* New York Times editorial praised US.-U.S.S.R. cooperation on revision of nuclear nonproliferation treaty. Textual changes “are substantively important, but their psychological impact is even greater.” The 

way Soviet-American agreement was reached “was itself extraordinary. 

The two co-chairmen of the’Geneva conference came to New York determined to accept no amendments, but midway through the debate 

. . . they realized concessions might be essential. They prepared a joint 

contingency plan which contained the treaty changes they both would 

accept if necessary.” When changes had to be made, “they were able to 

negotiate details in a few hours. The flexibility of United States and the 

Soviet Union . . . should make [U.N. majority for treaty] a virtual 

certainty.” (NYT, 6/6/68, 46) 

June 8: NASA successfully launched two Aerobee 150 sounding rockets from 

WSMR. First rocket carried Naval Research Laboratory and Univ. of 

Maryland payload to 111.3-mi (179-km) altitude to flight-test flight design verification unit ( FDVU) of high-resolution spectroheliograph 

planned for use on Apollo Telescope Mount-A. Second rocket carried 

American Science and Engineering, Inc., payload to 93.7-mi (151-km) 

altitude to obtain high-resolution x-ray pictures of active region of sun 

during solar flare and general x-ray emission of solar corona. Rocket 

and instrumentation performed satisfactorily, but payload of first 

rocket failed to separate, preventing functioning of parachute recovery 

system. (NASA Rpts SRL) 

* Univ. of California scientist Dr. David Cudaback, in telephone interview, said rhythmic light flashes coming from one of newly discovered 

pulsars, which he described at NASA pulsar meeting May 21 in New 

York, had turned out to be rhythmic effect from his tape recorder. 

However, Kitt Peak National Observatory, which reported flashes at 

same meeting, still argued they seemed real. (Sullivan, NYT, 6/8/68, 

32 1 

June 9: Cosmos CCXV, launched by U.S.S.R. April 18, had carried telescopes to observe stars without interference from earth’s atmosphere, 

Pravda announced. Orbiting astronomical observatory had trained its 

eight mirror telescopes and one x-ray telescope on specific hot stars long 

enough for adequate study, partially by slowing satellite’s rotation to 

0.01 usual rate with magnetic anchor that fixed itself on earth’s mag128 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 June 9 

netic field. Data received in 150 radio sessions was being processed by 

computer. Satellite reentered June 30. (Anderson, NYT, 6/10/68, C14; 

Reuters, W Post, 6/10/68, A3; SBD, 6/11/68, 199; GSFC SSR, 

7/15/68) 

e Nike- Apache sounding rocket launched from Churchill Research Range 

carried GSFC payload to 92.7-mi (149.5-km) altitude to measure intensity and energy spectra of low energy protons helium nuclei and heavier 

nuclei present during Polar Cap Absorption (PCA) event. Launch was 

first o€ six scheduled during solar event. Parachute failed to deploy apparently because of technician’s failure to connect flight system pyrotechniques. Extendable nose cone malfunctioned for undetermined reason. Telemetry functioned for full flight duration. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

JPL Historian R. Cargill Hall had been selected for inclusion in 1968 

edition of Outstanding Young Men of America, compiled annually by 

14-man national board of editors. (LA Times, 6/9/68) 

* Univ. of Colorado electrical engineer, Dr. Warren L. Flock, was using 

radar to monitor migration of birds in study to help Government aircraft controllers predict bird migrations or establish aircraft guidance 

system eliminating hazards of collisions between aircraft and birds. 

(NYT, 6/9/68) 

“The seven fat years of the space effort are ended, and the seven lean 

years have begun,” William Hines wrote in Washington Sunday Star. 

During Ns 1962-1968 Congress had granted NASA more than $30 billion. In FY 1969 agency would be limited to slightly under $4 billion. 

Transition from fat to lean was “completely understandable.” NASA had 

received favored treatment because it had high-priority goal, but with 

attainment now in sight, NASA was no longer in priority position. “Beginning of the end” came in FY 1967 when funding fell nearly $250 

million from 1966 level. Budget for FY 1968 was down $400 million 

from FY 1967, and cut from FY 1968 to 1969 probably would be close 

to half billion dollars. With current inflation added, NASA “will be 

lucky to have $4 billion,” he said. Agency would be operating in 1969 

“at an economic level lower than that of six years ago when the moon 

program-and the fat years-were just getting started.” (W Star, 

6/9/68, E7) 

June 10: Senate passed by vote of 66 to 4 H.R. 15856, NASA FY 1969 authorization bill of $4.013 billion-$357 million less than Administration’s requested $4.37 billion, $18 million less than sum voted by 

House, and $136.4 million less than sum recommended by Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. Bill provided $3.37 million 

for R&D, $39.6 million for construction of facilities, and $603.17 million for administrative operations. During debate Sen. Carl T. Curtis 

(R.-Neb.) successfully proposed amendment to bar NASA space research 

grants to colleges and universities that refused to allow armed forces recruiters on their campuses. (CR, 6/10/68, S6943-77; W Post, 

6/11/68, A3; B Sun, 6/11/68, 1; SED, 6/11/68, 198; AP, NYT, 

6/12/68, 11) e Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR carried 

115-lb Dudley Observatory payload to 95-mi (152.4-km) altitude to 

collect micrometeoroid particles during meteor shower and recover 

payload for analysis and flux determination. Rocket and instruments 

performed satisfactorily; good data were obtained from telemetry. Pay. 

129 
June 10 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

load parachuted successfully but early efforts at recovery were not successful. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

e House passed H.R. 3400 giving FAA authority to set standards and make 

regulations for control and abatement of aircraft noise and sonic boom. 

Bill amended Title VI of Federal Aviation Act of 1958. (NASA LAR 

VII/59; Science, 6/21/68,1321) 

NASA awarded $200,000 fixed-priced contract to Lockheed Missiles & 

Space Co. Space System Div. for eight-month study of earth orbital 

flight emergency escape device. Contract called for development of conceptual design of three-man entry vehicle for emergency escape from vehicle in earth orbit up to 300 mi. Device could be launched into orbit 

with future space vehicles and remain in orbit until needed. (NASA Release 68-103) 

e Press reported recently released testimony at February hearings of House 

Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Department of Defense. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John P. McConnell had described 

Foxbat as only Soviet fighter aircraft “that we cannot match.” Undergoing late stages of testing, it had estimated mach 3 maximum speed, 

70,000- to 75,000-ft maximum altitude, 1,600-mi combat range without external fuel tanks, and 1,400-mph cruise speed at 50,000-ft altitude. US. observers believed fighter-bomber version could be operational in 1969 or 1970; advanced radar-equipped interceptor version 

with internally carried missiles could be in squadron service by 1970 

or 1971. Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Harold Brown, had testified 

that U.S. was not behind U.S.S.R. in aircraft development, while Gen. 

McConnell had said that F-X (fighter experimental) , US. fighter in 

Foxbat class, was still being designed and was “a little late.” (Transcript; Corddry, B Sun, 6/11/68,1) 

U.N. General Assembly’s Political Committee by vote of 92-4, with 22 

abstentions, endorsed draft treaty to halt spread of nuclear weapons. 

Chief U.S. delegate Arthur Goldberg called vote “a milestone on the 

road to a more peaceful and secure international order.” (de Onis, 

NYT, 6/11/68,1) 

Pratt 81 Whitney Div. of United Aircraft Corp. announced it had reached 

agreement with USN on prices covering all military aircraft engine programs during 1968-1970. Week before, USN had informed the company 

that top prke it was prepared to pay for 1,640 jet engines built for the 

F-111 was $180 million less than asked by the company. (Text: VSJ, 

6/11/68,34; Kelly, W Star, 6/11/68, B5) 

June 11 : Cosmos CCXXV was launched from Kapustin Yar by U.S.S.R. into 

orbit with 519-km (322.3-mi) apogee, 248-km (154.1-mi) perigee, 

92.1-min period, and 48.4” inclination. Instruments functioned normally and satellite reentered Nov. 2. (SBD, 6/13/68, 215; GSFC SSR, 

6/15/68; 11/15/68) 

NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from Kiruna, Sweden, carried Max Planck Institute (Germany) experiment to 114.2-mi (183.5- 

km) altitude to measure micrometeoroids by sensitive microphone detectors and electron emission and to measure electrical fields in ionosphere by static vlrltmeter. Good data were received. Rocket and instrumentation performanc 

Canadian Black Brandt sounding rocket was launched by NASA from 

Barreria. do Inferno Range near Natal, Brazil. It carried MSC Space 

as satisfactory. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

130 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 June 11 

Physics Div. 80-lb South Atlantic Anomaly Probe (SAAP) experiment 

package containing spect-ometer, magnetometers, ion chambers, and 

heavy ion detector to 502-mi (806-km) altitude to provide fast response capability for measuring radiation dose and dose rate at orbital 

altitude over South Atlantic. Project, cooperative effort of NASA and 

Brazilian Comissao Nacional de Atividades Espaciais ( CNAE) in support of Apollo program, would use data to study dynamics of inner 

Van Allen belt and possible radiation hazard to astronauts on low-altitude missions. (NASA Releases 68-94, 68-97K; NASA Rpt SRL; SBD, 

6/13/68,213) 

0 XB-70 No. 1, flown by NASA test pilots Donald L. Mallick and Fitzhugh 

L. Fulton, Jr., reached 9,500-ft altitude and 316.5 mph to obtain inflight data for SST program. Flight ended prematurely after 71 min because of hydraulic system malfunction. (XB-70 Proj Off; NASA Release 

68-105; SBD, 6/17/68,229) 

NASA’s HL-10 lifting-body vehicle, flown by NASA test pilot John A. 

Manke, successfully acconiplished eighth flight after being air-launched 

from B-52 aircraft. During four-minute pilot-checkout flight Manke 

tested limit cycle characteristics and performed stability and control 

maneuvers. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 68-105; SBD, 6/17/68, 

229) 

NASA and AEC successfully completed intermediate power run of Phoebus 

2A nuclear reactor at Jackass Flats, Nev. Level of approximately 2,000 

mw, highest achieved in program to date, was held about 30 sec to verify satisfactory operation of all equipment. In future test, reactor was 

expected to be operated at power level of 4,000-5,000 mw. (AEC/NASA 

Release L-131) 0 US. patent No. 3,380,687 was granted to Edwin H. Wrench, staff scientist at Convair Div., General Dynamics Corp., and five associates for 

satellite dispenser designed to release cluster of satellites into orbit. 

Launched by rocket-powered booster and propelled by its own engine 

after separation, dispenser would release satellites one at a time upon 

radio commands from ground. (Patent Off PIO; Jones, NYT, 5/4/68, 

53) 0 President Johnson submitted to Senate nomination of GSFC Deputy 

Director, Dr. John W. Townsend, Jr., as Deputy Administrator of 

Environmental Scimce Services Administration. He would succeed Dr. 

Werner A. Baum, who had accepted presidency of Univ. of 

Rhode Island. Dr. Townsend, scientific administrator and ionospheric physicist, had been head of Naval Research Laboratory’s Rocketsonde Branch and Deputy Science Coordinator of Project 

Vanguard before he joined NASA in 1958 as Chief of Space Sciences 

Div. (PD, 6/17/68,960; ESSA Release ES 68-38; W Star, 6/11/68; W 

Post, 6/11/68) 

0 Joseph E. Karth (D-Minn.) criticized general public’s “let it wait” attitude toward science and technology in Dandridge M. Cole Memorial 

Lecture before AIAA Greater Philadelphia Section: Poll after poll 

showed “strong inclination to slow down or cut back mw--particularly 

the space program. . . . Indeed, sentiment has grown that drastic cuts 

should be made in R&D to iinance a variety of requirements-Vietnam 

to urban renewal. . . . In April Senate turned down “by only two 

votes’’ move to .reduce DOD R&D budget half million dollars on top of 

131 
June 11 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

committee cut of $240 million. In House, space budget was cut to $4- 

billion level, $1.25 billion less than 16 mo before. 

Technology seemed major factor in economic and social progress 

and was essential to maintaining international position, but it needed to 

be more responsive to urgent social problems. “A strong case can be 

made to continue supporting vigorous RB~D efforts in the US., although 

directions and priorities must change to suit our needs from time to 

time.” (A&A, 7/68, 65) 

June 12: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXXVZ from Plesetsk. Orbital parameters: apogee, 519 km (398.9 mi) ; perigee, 597 km (370.9 mi) ; period, 96.8 min; and inclination, 81.1’. Equipment was functioning normally. (SBD, 6/13/68, 217; GSFC SSR, 6/15/68) 

X-15 No. 1, flown by NASA test pilot William H. Dana, reached 3,545 

mph (mach 4.96) and 214,000-ft altitude to measure earth‘s horizon at 

40-mi altitude. Data obtained would be used to redefine horizon as navigational reference for Apollo spacecraft on return flight from moon. 

(X-15 Proj Off; NASA Release 68-105 ; SBD, 6/17/68,229) e In what President Johnson described as “the most important international agreement in the field of disarmament since the nuclear age 

began,” U.N. General Assembly endorsed nuclear nonproliferation 

treaty by vote of 95 to 4 with 21 abstentions. Making surprise appearance, President told Assembly Geneva Disarmament Conference 

should begin early discussions on “limitation of strategic offensive and 

defensive nuclear weapons systems.” He promised quick U.S. action in 

ratifying and carrying out treaty, which provided : nuclear nations 

would not transfer arms or explosive devices to any nonnuclear nations 

or assist them in obtaining or manufacturing such items; nonnuclear 

nations would not receive such weapons or accept assistance in manufacturing them; nonnuclear nations would accept inspection system 

under International Atomic Energy Agency; research, production, and 

use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, except for development of 

nuclear explosives, would be made available through international 

body; nuclear nations would pursue negotiations for early end to nuclear arms race and for complete disarmament treaty. 

Twenty-five-year treaty would be in force when ratified by US., 

U.S.S.R., U.K., and 4LI nonnuclear countries. (de Onis, NYT, 6/13/68, 

1; Kilpatrick, W Post, 6/13/68, 1; PD, 6/17/68, 9544) e June 13: USAF Titan 111-C booster launched from ETR inserted eight 

Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program ( IDCSP) jam-resistant repeater satellites into separate, random, near-synchronous, 21,000- 

mi-altitude equatorial orbits. Addition of 8 comsats to 18 IDCSP 

comsats launched since June 16, 1966, was expected to boost average 

satellite-availability time between Vietnam and Hawaii from 92% to 

98% for top-priority messages and from 60% to 85% for lower priority 

and to considerably extend expected lifetime of communications system. (W Post, 6/14/68; AP, P Znq, 6/14/68,2; Pres Rpt 68) 

* Ogo V mission, launched from ETR March 4, was adjudged successful by 

NASA. Initial results provided first evidence of electric fields in bow 

shock. Other data indicated presence of electric field discontinuities in 

solar wind and observations of new particle and field phenomena. Performance of three-axis stabilization system had been excellent and, except for several unexplained transmitter anomalies, performance of 

132 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 June 13 

other subsystems was satisfactory. During first three months in orbit 

Ogo V had accumulated over 47,000 hr of experiment operations and 

was continuing to provide high-quality data for 21 of 24 onboard experiments. ( NASA Proj Off) 

NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from Kiruna, Sweden, carried Max Planck Institute (Germany) experiment to 114.2-mi (183.5- 

km) altitude to measure micrometeorites and electrical fields in ionosphere. Preliminary analyses indicated good data were received. Rocket 

and instrumentation performance was satisfactory. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA Associate Administrator for Organization and Management Harold 

B. Finger received AIAA’S James H. Wyld Propulsion Award-including 

certificate and $500 honorarium-for “outstanding achievement in the 

development of the technology required for a nuclear flight propulsion 

system.” Award was presented at Honors Luncheon during 4th Propulsion Joint Specialist Conference in Cleveland, Ohio. (AIAA Release) 

* Chicago Tribune criticized “ridiculously small” congressional cuts in 

NASA FY 1969 authorization bill: “Of all the ways in which the government has found to spend taxpayers’ money, the space program is the 

most expendable. . . . It is irrelevant to the war in Vietnam . . . irrelevant to the problems of poverty, crime, violence, and urban decay.” It 

could be “scrapped in its entirety without seriously affecting any of the 

critical problems we face today.” However, “today’s space research does 

have a bearing on tomorrow’s defense. It is better to keep the machinery 

running in low gear than to shut it down and then try to start it up 

again.” (C Trib, 6/13/68) 

* U.N. endorsement of nuclear nonproliferation treaty had “turned back 

the doomsday clock,)’ said New York Times editorial. Broad support 

for it would impose political restraints on all nations and reinforce national leaders in resisting demands for nuclear arms development. 

Treaty put “a particular duty” on US. and U.S.S.R. to “move rapidly 

to check their own dangerous nuclear arms race and to find new ways 

to prevent international conflicts.” (NYT, 6/13/68,46) 

Sen. John S. Cooper (R-Ky.) led bipartisan drive in Senate to deny DOD 

FY 1969 funds to begin deployment of Sentinel ABM system. There was 

“no present threat to American security from a Chinese intercontinental ballistic missile attack,” he said, and it was “difficult to believe 

they would invite the certain destruction of their country by a nuclear 

attack upon the US.” when they attained the capability. Coalition 

hoped to postpone Sentinel deployment for at least one year by striking 

approximately $600 million for further R&D. (Finney, NYT, 6/14/68, 

18; AP, W Post, 6/14/68, A28) 

June 13-1 5: NASA successfully accomplished first radar tracking of asteroid 

Icarus, which passed close to earth once every 19 yr. Using 85-ft-dia 

and 210-ft-dia antennas at Goldstone Tracking Station, scientists followed Icarus’ approach and June 14 flyby of earth at 3,945,000 mi and 

66,215 mph, logging 15y2 hr of radar contact to obtain data on asteroid’s size, velocity, rotation, and composition. Preliminary results of 

observations by Harvard Univ. and Univ. of Arizona suggested asteroid might be composed of iron and have two- to four-hour rotation period. (NASA Release 68-106; LA Times, 6/16/68; Pasadena Independent Star-News, 6/16/68; Glendale News-Press, 6/18/68; Sullivan, 

NYT, 6/27/68,41) 

133 
June 14 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

June 14: NAS announced establishment of 12-member Computer Science and 

Engineering Board chaired by Dr. Anthony G. Oettinger of Harvard 

Univ. to assess implications of rapid evolution of computers and their 

increasingly pervasive influence on individual lives and on the national 

welfare. (NAS Release; UPI, NYT, 6/15/68,20) 

AIA President Karl G. Harr, Jr., spoke before House Ways and Means 

Committee in support of H.R. 17551, Administration’s proposed 1968 

Trade Expansion Act. “It is no accident that the US. supplies more 

than 72 percent of the transport aircraft in airline use throughout the 

free world. . . . World markets have been won by designing and building products that are safe, reliable, economical, easy to maintain and 

backed by a vast network of manufacturers’ service organizations.” Industry’s 1967 gross sales had been $27.2 billion, of which a record $2.2 

billion or 8.3% of total were exported. In 1967, industry had accounted 

for more than 40% of U.S. merchandise trade surplus. Annual international sales revenue had exceeded $1 billion in 10 of past 12 yr. Recent 

Dillon, Read & Go. forecast, Harr said, showed US. commercial jet 

transport export sales would exceed $13 billion over next decade, anticipated gain of 300% over $3.2 billion in past decade. (Text) 

USAF announced it had authorized resumption of flights by some of 

42 F-111A aircraft grounded since May 8, after series of crashes. Tail 

control assembly rod, suspected cause of last crash, had been modified 

and installed in aircraft released. (AP, W Post, 6/15/68, A15; AP, W 

Star, 6/15/68, A10) 

June 15: Rare photographic zenith tube, PZT, which provided almost exact 

measurement of astronomical time, had been installed at Dominion Observatory, Priddis, Alberta, Canada. It would be used in conjunction 

with another PZT at Royal Greenwich Observatory near Herstmonceux, 

U.K., to study continental drift by establishing exact measurements between two points on same latitude and observing whether distance 

changed with time. (Can Press, NYT, 6/15/68,20) 

June 16: Astronauts Joseph P. Kerwin, Vance D. Brand, and Joe H. Engle 

began 177-hr simulated space journey with Apollo 2TV-1 model spacecraft inside giant vacuum chamber at MSC, to prove spacecraft structure and inner pressure vessel and verify Apollo’s environmental control system in temperature and vacuum extremes. (West, H Chon, 

6/17/68; E Post, 6/18/68,2; NAR Skywriter, 6/21/68,1) 

NASA and France’s Office National $Etudes et de Recherches AbrospatiaIes ( ONERA) had agreed on cooperative research project on tilt-rotors for vertical-flying aircraft. Data were expected to assist in design 

of rotors and propellers for V/STOL aircraft. NASA would provide rotors, 

hardware, and instrumentation for tests, minimum engineering support, 

and basic computations of structural strength; ONERA would conduct 

tests in Modane, France, wind tunnel at no cost to NASA. (NASA Release 

68-104) 

Pearl I. Young, first woman technical employee of National Advisory 

Committee for Aeronautics, died at age 72 in Hampton, Va. Author of 

technical editing manual used throughout NASA, head of NASA technical 

editing staffs at LaRC and LeRC for 28 yr, and engineering teacher for 

12 yr, Miss Young had retired from NASA in 1961 and at time of her 

death was completing a biography of Octave Chanute. (Newport News 

134 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 June 16 

Daily Press, 6/17/68; W Star, 6/18/68, B4; Denver Post, 6/23/68, 

33 1 

June 17: Tests to evaluate propellant lines for J-2 engine had been successfully conducted in vacuum chamber at Arnold Engineering and Development Center, B. J. Richey reported in Huntsville Times. Engineers 

had discovered that frosting which enveloped lines and provided extra 

protection when engine was fired at ground temperatures failed to form 

in vacuum or simulated vacuum, so lines burned through. Lines leading 

to engine’s augmented spark indicator, believed to have caused engine 

shutdowns and restart failure during Apollo 6 flight April 4, had been 

redesigned and strengthened without affecting engine performance. 

(Richey, Huntsville Times, 6/17/68) 

Tests at ARC VTOL Static Test Facility had shown that inverted “v” fence 

of porous metal could prevent soil erosion around landing pads for 

VTOL aircraft. Fence, developed for USAF Aero Propulsion Laboratory 

by Northrop Corp. Norair Div., was less than 16 in high; placed between aircraft and edge of pad, it permitted some of blast to flow 

through and deflected some upward at 45”, diffusing downblast. (AFSC 

Release 83.68) 

a Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Development submitted to 

House Committee on Science and Astronautics its report Managing the 

Environment. Subcommittee recommended development of national 

policy for environment, including: use of environment for benefit of all 

mankind ; maximized productivity consistent with continued usage into 

very long-term future ; systematic management of applied science and 

technology ; incentives to industry, land developers, and local governments; international agreement on projects with widespread or long 

term effects; assessment of new and extended applications of science; 

avoidance of speculative statements and emotional appeals; and increased education and information program in ecological principles. 

(Text) 

Washington Post editorial suggested House-approved bill H.R. 3400 

granting FAA authorization to control aircraft noise might cause conflict of interests by instructing FAA to consider safety, “technical practicability,,’ and “economic reasonableness” as well as noise. Many citizens would feel FAA already considered these criteria “too much.” Nor 

could it be ignored that FAA also was charged with building U.S. SST 

potential “boom maker.” House bill merited Senate support, however, 

as a first step. Its significance was “that finally the demands of the 

public are being heard in Congress over the roar of aircraft, airline, 

airport, air-traveler and air-bureaucrat interests too little concerned 

with noise.’’ (W Post, 6/17/68, A18) 

June 18: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXXVII from Baikonur into near-circular orbit with 271-km (168.4-mi) apogee, 202-km (125.5-mi) perigee, 89.2-min period, and 51.8” inclination. Satellite performed satisfactorily and reentered June 26. (SBD, 6/19/68, 24; GSFC SSR, 

6/30/68) 

House unanimously accepted $4.013-billion Senate version of NASA 

FY 1969 authorization bill (H.R. 15856) [see June 101 without conference and sent to President Johnson for signature. Final bill, 

$357.027 million less than NASA request, reduced funds asked for 

Apollo program by $13.8 million, to $2.025 billion; cut Apollo Appli135 
June 18 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

cations from requested $439.6 million to $253.2 million; and halved 

advanced missions funds, to $2.5 million. It increased House figure of 

$11.7 million for NERV.4 program to $55 million, still $5 million under 

request. Lunar and planetary exploration funds were cut from requested $107.3 million to $92.3 million, and space applications from 

$112.2 to $98.7 million. Final authorization figures were $3.37 billion 

for total R&D, $603.173 million for administrative operations ($45.027- 

million reduction) , and $39.6 million for construction of facilities. All 

items were subject to appropriations bills, not yet passed. (CR, 

6/18/68, H5052-3; Lannan, W Star, 6/19/68, D9; SBD, 6/19/68, 

239; Science, 6/28/68,1432) 

Apollo 7 spacecraft, which would carry three astronauts on 11-day 

earth-orbital mission in late 1968, was undergoing combined systems 

tests at KSC. Unmanned and manned altitude runs would follow, before 

spacecraft would be sent to Cape Kennedy to be placed on Saturn IB 

launch vehicle. Saturn had undergone tests and checkout on Launch 

Complex 34 for several months. 

NASA announced Apollo mission-which would demonstrate performance of spacecraft’s command module (CM) , service module (SM) , crew, and support facilities-would begin with mid-morning launch, 

carrying commander Walter M. Schirra, Jr., CM pilot Donn F. Eisele, 

and LM pilot Walter Cunningham into earth orbit. During second revolution, crew would separate Apollo from rocket’s upper stage and perform transposition and simulated docking maneuver similar to one to 

be performed on lunar mission. Reentry under manual control of crew 

would culminate in splashdown in Atlantic at approximately 7 am EDT 

on 11th day. (NASA Release 68-108; KSC Release 285-68) 

ARC reported that 90 US. scientists at ARC working group sessions had 

agreed electromagnetic systems would provide best data on moon’s interior and recommended three techniques, magnetometer systems, radio-frequency systems, and radar. Magnetometer systems could measure blocking of fluctuating solar magnetic field borne by solar wind 

by using network of emplacements on moon’s surface. Highly conductive hot lunar core would cut off field completely, while cold core 

would let most of field pass through. Magnetometer on lunar crawler 

could make similar measurements to find highly conductive masses of 

water, lava, or ore. Radio-frequency probes could make inexpensive 

subsurface surveys through spacecraft radio signals which would penetrate moon’s surface and bounce back to be measured as to wave characteristics. Wave-change data could help define ore, ice deposits, or 

permafrost. High-frequency radar systems could study lunar surface 

through radar bounced off moon from earth with return signal received 

by earth antennas, or beamed from spacecraft in lunar orbit or from 

lunar crawler at lunar surface, with return signals received by spacecraft or crawler. ( ARC Release 68-9) 

* Opening session of 3rd Eurospace U.S.-European Conference at Munich 

discussed disparity between U.S. and European space funding. Total 

spent on Western European space research in 1967 was $300 million, 

0.005% of gross national product of cooperating countries; NASA 

budget was 14 times that amount. West German Minister for Scientific 

Research, Dr. Gerhard Stoltenberg, proposed merger of ELDO and ESRO, 

10% increase in total funding, and possible cooperation with US. in 

136 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 June 18 

developing launch vehicle for use after 1975. International Space Research Committee Vice President Richard W. Porter urged increased cooperation with NASA, which already had concluded bilateral agreements 

with several countries for scientific satellite launching, eight of which 

had proved successful thus far. Some 42 countries were working with 

US. on meteorological satellite programs; 11 were cooperating o~ 

communications projects. There were 20 tracking stations in 11 countries cooperating in US. launching projects and 395 foreign technicisns, engineers, and scientists had worked in US. space centers. European industrial sources expressed hope system could be evolved for 

joint US.-European work on projects. (InteraviaAirLetter, 6/19/68, 1) 

Dr. Gardiner L. Tucker, Deputy Director of Defense Research and E@- 

neering (Electronics & Information Systems) , told Military Operations 

Subcommittee of House Committee on Government Operations DOD 

would proceed with new phase of Defense Satellite Communicatiops 

System (DSCS) , procuring more than three advanced synchronous sagellites and developing over six new ground terminals. Funding of satellites, which would use very narrow-beam steerable antennas illuminating 1,000- to 2,000-mi-dia area of earth, would start in FY 1969. DSCS 

satellites would be comparable to Intelsat IV series under consideration 

for commercial service. 

New DOD phase represented technological advance over advanced 

DSCS considered in 1967 but was Less ambitious in cost and size, with 

cost range of $100-200 million, contrasted with earlier $500 million. 

Current system had 25 satellites in orbit and operational, each 

equipped with switch to turn it off after six years in orbit. Number of 

terminals had grown from original two in field and seven transportable 

to worldwide operational system with terminals near Washington, D.C., 

and in New Jersey, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Guam, Australia, 

Korea, Okinawa, Philippines, South Vietnam, Thailand, Ethiopia, and 

Western Germany, plus six shipboard terminals. 

Cooperative programs with Allies in satellite communications included procurement of two synchronous Skynet satellites for U.K. as 

part of lnitial Defense Communications Satellite Program ( IDCSP) with 

first launch scheduled for mid-1969. Joint efforts were under way to 

ensure operability of US. and U.K. satellites and terminals, and work 

was under way to procure two Skynet satellites for NATO under program similar to that of U.K. First launch was planned for late 1969, 

with US. controlling satellite. U.S. had signed Memorandum of Understanding with six NATO countries establishing joint testing program utilizing Les Y experimental satellite, launched July 1, 1967. (Transcript: 

DOD Release 603-68; Johnson, Av Wk, 6/24/68) 0 Secretary of Transportation Alan S. Boyd testified before Senate Commerce Committee’s Aviation Subcommittee in support of S. 3645, proposing airport development and airways systems improvement. By 

1974, revenue passenger-miles flown by US. airlines were expected to 

rise to 200 billion, more than double 1967 level; hours flown by carriers, from 5.2 million in 1967 to 8.6 million, increasing 65%; and 

general aviation hours flown, SO%, from 21.9 million to 31.8 million. 

Air carrier fleet would increase from 2,272 aircraft to 3,320 and general aviation fleet would increase from 104,706 to 160,000. Aircraft 

handled by FAA towers would more than double, as would those han137 
June 18 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

dled by FAA route control centers. Increase in speed and quality of aircraft also would increase demand for use of FAA facilities. 

5.3645 would authorize direct loans for potentially viable airports 

when reasonable private financing was unobtainable and grant up to 

50% of cost for projects attributable to service by subsidized carriers. 

Federal assistance would be available only for development projects related to landing areas and safety facilities. DOT would be required to 

submit National Airport System Plan within two years. (Testimony) 

Response from U.S.S.R. and other nations to proposal for international 

decade of ocean exploration in 1970s had been “quite favorable,” Vice 

President Hubert H. Humphrey, Chairman of National Council on Marine Resources and Engineering Development, said in report released 

by council. “I welcome the enthusiasm with which the Decade is being 

received. . . . We look forward to a continuation of this spirit of close 

collaboration, for the seas can, and must serve the interest of mankind.” (Text; NCMRED Rpt, 5/68; Madden, NYT, 6/18/68,16) 

June 19: U.N. Security Council approved security guarantee by US., U.K., 

and U.S.S.R. to provide immediate assistance to nonnuclear nations 

facing nuclear attack, completing U.N. action on nonproliferation 

treaty endorsed by U.N. General Assembly June 12. Ten voted in favor 

of guarantee; France, India, Brazil, Pakistan, and Algeria abstained. 

(de Onis, NYT, 6/20/68,10C) 

0 In letter to Sen. Richard B. Russell (D-Ga.) , Chairman of Senate Armed 

Services Committee, Secretary of Defense Clark M. Clifford said that 

“it would be a serious mistake to eliminate construction and procurement funds in fiscal year 1969 for the deployment of the Sentinel System.” Program represented 12 yr of R&D at cost of $3 billion, he said, 

and time had come “when we can no longer rely merely on continued 

research and development but should proceed with actual deployment 

of an operating system.” Congressional decision to eliminate deployment funds would disrupt work under way and lose two years in availability of operating system which was important to US. security. 

Senate coalition responded with letter from Assistant Defense Secretary Paul C. Warnke acknowledging one-year delay in Chinese ICBM 

program and that Sentinel ballistic missile defense system had “also 

slipped a little.” (Text; Finney, NYT, 6/20/68, 24; Corddry, B Sun, 

6/20/68, A3) 

June 20: USAF launched two unidentified satellites from Vandenberg AFB by 

Thor-Agena D booster. One entered orbit with 251-mi (403.9-km) fpogee, 113-mi (181.8-km) perigee, 90.3-min period, and 85” inclination 

and reentered July 16. Second entered orbit with 322-mi (518.2-km) 

apogee, 273-mi (439.3-km) perigee, 94.1-min period, and 85.1” inclination. (SBD, 6/25/68, 272; Pres Rpt 68) 

Analysis of data returned by Pioneer VI11 had led ARC scientists to speculate that earth’s magnetic tail, extension of its magnetic envelope 

(magnetosphere) blown out by solar wind to resemble comet’s tail, 

might be shorter than the 200 million mi suggested by certain theoretical calculations. When Pioneer VlI flew through tail region at 3.5-million-mi distance from earth after Aug. 17, 1966, launch, it found long 

period when solar wind was completely or partially blocked out, suggesting spacecraft had observed end of organized tail region. Conditions encountered in tail area by Pioneer VIIl at 1.75 million mi from 

138 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 June 20 

earth after Dec. 13, 1967, launch, were similar. However, instead of 

smooth cylindrical structure expected at smaller distance, Pioneer 

found conditions resembling turbulent wake, leading some scientists to 

conclude tail was shorter. Others, including Pioneer Project Scientist, 

Dr. John Wolfe, believed tail might include successively turbulent and 

smooth areas. (ARC Astrogram, 6/20/68; AP, NYT, 6/22/68, 53) 

Eastern Air Lines and McDonnell Douglas Corp. announced joint program to evaluate propeller-driven STOL aircraft for use on 300- to 500- 

mi intercity flights by trial of 64-passenger French Breguet 941 

(McDonnell Douglas 188) aircraft. Beginning in September, performance of STOL aircraft, which could take off from 1,000-ft runway and 

cruise at 250 mph, would be compared with that of conventional jet 

aircraft on regular commercial air shuttle routes on same schedule to 

determine time saved by using separate runways and terminal airspace. 

(Hudson, NYT, 6/21/68; W Post, 6/21/68, A20; WSJ, 6/21/68,28) 

U.K. withdrew from $42O-million European Nuclear Research Center 

project because of financial difficulties resulting from devaluation of 

pound Nov. 18, 1967. Officials said U.K. could not afford to contribute 

its $93.6-million share in proposed 300-bev European nuclear accelerator. U.K. withdrawal from European Conference on Satellite Communications had been announced April 16. (W Post, 6/21/68, A16) 

NATO planned establishment by early 1970 of comsat network of advanced relay spacecraft in synchronous orbit 21,000 mi over Atlantic 

for communications between its military units in Europe and US. Reportedly $7.9-million contract calling for delivery in autumn 1969 of 

two spacecraft had already been signed. (AP, W Post, 6/21/68, A7) 

0 Commenting on reductions in NASA authorization bill, Kansas City 

Times editorial said: “We have supported the space program in the 

past, not as a window dressing but as an expression-and a catalystof the inventiveness and technical energies of the American people. We 

still support it, and believe it is beneficial. 

“We recognize, nonetheless, that it is but one of many costly and 

sometimes competing activities. Congress has decided that in a time of 

burdensome military expenditure, and of pressing domestic needs, the 

space budget is one logical place to apply the knife of economy. NASA 

planners will simply have to find creative ways to live with that decision.” (KC Times, 6/20/68) 

June 21 : U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCXXVZZZ. Orbital parameters: apogee, 241 km (149.8 mi) ; perigee, 203 km (126 mi) ; period, 88.9 min; and inclination, 51.6’. Satellite reentered July 3. 

(SBD, 6/24/68,260; GSFC SSR, 6/30/68,7/15/68) 

0 NASA’s HGlO lifting-body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry, 

successfully completed ninth flight. Purposes were to obtain stability 

and control data through pitch and rudder pulse maneuvers, verify yaw 

rate measurements, investigate pilot limit cycle, and verify predicted 

optimum use of landing rockets during landing flare. (NASA Proj Off) 0 Nearly 1,000 scientists and educators attended “crisis” meeting called by 

New York Academy of Sciences to demand science be declared “disaster area” because of threatened $6-billion Federal budget cut. Federal 

R&D funding, after decade of average 22% annual expansion, had risen 

only 2.5% annually since 19a, while number of scientists had risen 

20%. It was feared resulting crush would damage US. leadership in sci139 
June 21 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

ence and technology. MIT Provost Dr. Jerome B. Wiesner said, “If the 

Congress continues to do what it is now doing we’ll wake up with another sputnik in a decade.” Federal R&D funding had risen from $74 

million in 1940 to $16.9 billion in 1968 with October 1957 “shock of 

Sputnik” giving greatest impetus. Cut of $6 billion would mean “we’re 

going to cut not only into the fat, but into the flesh of lots of areas,’’ 

Dr. Donald F. Hornig, President’s Science Adviser, said. NASA’s sustaining university program had been one of chief casualties of recent 

cutbacks with budget slashed from $45 to $10 million yearly, forcing 

drop from 1,300 to 50 training grants which had produced more than 

1,000 Ph.D.s since 1961. Government officials had chided scientists 

for being ill-prepared for leveling of Federal support and for alleged 

detachment from political realities. (Reinhold, NYT, 6/21/68, 1) 

Jzme 22: Alexandru Birladeanu, Deputy Prime Minister of Romania and 

president of Romanian National Council of Scientific Research, visited 

KSC for general orientation and tour. (KSC Release 290-68) 

June 24: NASA Administrator James E. Webb testified before Senate Committee on Appropriations’ Subcommittee on Independent Offices that 

NASA was still uncertain as to exact levels at which a number of projects could be included in N 1969 operating plan and that at Housepassed $4.008-billion appropriations level NASA’s aeronautical and 

space activities would have to be sharply curtailed. “We will have to 

reduce and stretch out ongoing programs and eliminate or defer the 

work that would have enabled us to continue the research and 

development . . . looking toward a future resumption of tests and missions which will soon grind to a halt.” Because of reduced budget, 

Webb said, NASA would have to accept one-year gap in Saturn V production, discontinue production of Saturn IBs, delay initiation of NERVA 

development, either severely limit all proposed planetary orbiter missions or eliminate 1971 or 1973 missions, and curtail work toward 

using space systems for direct economic benefits. 

If NASA budget were further reduced under Revenue and Expenditure 

Control Act of 1968, requiring $6-billion reduction in Federal expenditures in FY 1969, result could be disastrous to goals of national space 

program. Although NASA would do everything possible to fulfill commitment to Apollo program and would continue on smaller scale programs of greatest and most immediate national importance, further 

budget cuts would require complete termination of Saturn production 

and cancellation of production of associated manned spacecraft ; elimination of Titan-Mars 1973 missions and possible elimination of Mariner-Mars 1971 missions ; and further delays, curtailments, and cancellations which might require more harsh steps such as canceling orders 

for hardware already under contract and mothballing entire installations. (Testimony; NASA LAR VII/65) 

* House Committee on Government Operations issued report urging immediate curtailment of Federal grants to foreign scientists, especially in 

developed countries, to conduct nonessential research. Committee said, 

despite balance of payments deficit, Government grants for foreign research projects amounted to $20 million yearly, more than $15 million 

in developed countries. Committee recommended limiting funds to proj - 

140 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 June 24 

ects urgently needed by US. until end of emergency. (H.R. 1578; AP, 

W Star, 6/24/68) 

e NASA Aerobee 150 A sounding rocket successfully launched from NASA 

Wallops Station carried 300-lb payload containing two white rats to 

89-mi (143.2-km) altitude in second of four experiments to study rats’ 

behavior in artificial gravity field and determine minimum level of 

gravity needed by biological organisms during space flight. During five 

minutes of free fall, rats selected artificial gravity levels created through 

centrifugal action by walking along tunnel runway in extended arms of 

payload. Data on their movement and position were telemetered to 

ground stations. Payload impacted 53 mi downrange in the Atlantic; 

no recovery was attempted. (WS Release 68-11; NASA Release 68-112; 

NASA Rpt SRL) 

House passed by 269-to-42 vote H.R. 3136 authorizing study of increased use of metric system in US. (CR, 6/24/68, H5341-6; AP, W 

Post, 6/25/68) 

* Denver Post editorial: “With the goal of the project-landing of men on 

the moon by 1970-so close at hand, it would be sad indeed if NASA 

lost some key people now because of budget and morale problems. . . . There are future manned flights and space experiments to consider, and 

these will surely be crippled at infancy if NASA’s budget is cut back too 

severely.” (Denver Post, 6/24/68) 

June 24-27: Fourth International Symposium on Bioastronautics and the Exploration of Space was held in San Antonio, Tex., under sponsorship of 

AFSC’S Aerospace Medical Div. 

In keynote address Dr. Edward C. Welsh, Executive Secretary of 

NASC, noted no other program had given such impetus to technological 

and economic growth as national space program. “Those who oppose 

adequate spending on space technology are deliberately or inadvertently campaizninq for a lower standard of living for our people, a declining Gross National Product for our Nation, and a secondary position in strength to that of the Soviet Union.” US. investment in space 

to date. he said, “has mostly been an investment in the future, the returns of which can be lost in large measure if we lack the vision and 

the vigor and the desire to keep this country great by maintaining a 

vigorous space effort. 

“Every major power and every nation eager to raise its standard of 

living and world influence strives to participate in space technology 

and space exploration. It certainly would be ironic if the United States, 

as the world’s leader in international cooperation and the world’s 

leader in standard of livinc, were to abandon or even neglect the 

source of such strength. I believe it miKht be labeled the worst mistake 

in history.” (Text; CR, 6/24/68, E5775-6; SBD, 6/25/68, 267; Aero 

Daily, 6/25/68) 

Gen. James Ferguson, AFSC Commander, said bioastronautics problems and provisions could have serious impact on mission performance, 

space station design. cost, and operations. Principal problems included 

those of crew rotation, crew size, compartment volume per crew member, radiation exposure, versatility of astronauts, station atmosphere, 

and prolonged weightlessness. In one study, savings from doubling 

crew rotation intervals from 30 to 60 days ranged from $220 million to 

$470 million per, year, depending on altitude. Savings from increasing 

141 
June 24-27 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

from 60 to 90 days were another $100 million a year. For same cost, 

slightly longer interval could support two more astronauts. Crew rotation intervals of two or more months should be goal. “If a future station can be expected to be useful over a period of many years and its 

cost can be amortized accordingly . . . efforts to achieve long crew rotation intervals have a very large potential payoff .” (Text ; Aero Daily, 

6/28/68) 

Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, MSC Director, described 100-man orbital 

workshop that could be operational by late 1970s. Proposed 6154% 

long, 1-million-lb vehicle, carrying 10,000 lb of experiments, would be 

launched in three separate parts by three Saturn V boosters and assembled in space. Baton-shaped station would revolve around hub in center 

which would serve as spaceport and zero-gravity laboratory. Crew 

would live and perform some work in 240-ft arm on one side of hub. 

On other side, 375-ft arm would house engine which would spin entire 

station at 3.5 rpq creating centrifugal force to serve as artificial gravity. (Maloney, H Post, 6/26/68; AP, W Star, 6/26/68; CSM, 

6/28/68) 

Arthur C. Clark, co-author of 2001: A Space Odyssey, suggested 

that most earth inhabitants could not be very objective about possibility of extraterrestrial life because they were too “geocentrically 

minded,” still considering earth the center of the universe. “The whole 

history of astronomy teaches us to be cautious of any theory purporting 

to show that there is something special about the earth. In their various 

ways, the other planets may have orders of complexity as great as ours. 

Even the moon-which looked a promising candidate for geophysical 

simplicity less than a decade ago-has already begun to unleash ar. 

avalanche of surprises. 

“The discovery that Jupiter is quite warm and has precisely the type 

of atmosphere in which life is believed to have arisen on earth may be 

the prelude to the most significant biological findings of this century.‘’ 

If we discover no trace of extraterrestrial life, he said, “even such a 

negative finding would give us much sounder understanding of the conditions in which living creatures are likely to evolve-and this in turn 

would clarify our views on the distribution of life in the universe as a 

whole.” (Leavitt, AF/SD, 8/68, 59-62) 

lune 25: NAS Committee on SST-Sonic Boom’s Subcommittee on Human Response reported that although studies indicated little cause for physiological concern, psychological impact of sonic boom would be 

discouraging for supersonic flight over land by present SST configurations. Report stressed, however, that although no damage to hearing or 

other direct physical damage was expected, indirect physiological responses could be caused by startle produced by even moderate booms. 

Committee’s recommendations to develop “commercial SST which will 

be able to fly supersonically over populated areas at frequent intervals 

without undue annoyance to the residents” included : further development of concept of “utility” in comparing monetary and nonmonetary 

costs and benefits of flights; continuation of laboratory studies of 

booms ; construction of additional boom-simulation facilities and improvement of existing ones; continuation of studies of human reaction 

to varied boom levels; and studies of human response during sleep 

142 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 June 25 

and effects of repeated awakenings. (NAS Release; Schmeck, NYT, 

6/26/68, 41; NAS-NRC-NAE News Report, 6-7/68, 1) 

* NASA awarded $36,271,376 threeyear cost-plus-award-fee contract to RCA 

Service Co. for maintenance and operation of Satellite Tracking and 

Data Acquisition Network (STADAN) facilities at GSFC; Rosman, N.C.; 

and Fairbanks, Alaska. Contract carried two one-year extension options. (NASA Release 68-110) 

* MSFC had brought 22 Super Loki Dart rockets from Space Data Corp. to 

replace larger, costlier Cajun-Dart sounding rockets in high-altitude atmospheric research at KSC. Super Loki, costing $800, in contrast to 

$2,800 for Cajun, would deliver similar performance in taking high-altitude wind measurements before and after Saturn launch vehicle 

flights. ( MSFC Release 68-139) 

a USN announced selection of 54 men to serve as aquanauts in 60-day 

Sealab I11 experiment in underwater living, scheduled to begin in October. Former Astronaut M. Scott Carpenter (Cdr., USN) , team leader for 

Sealab I1 ( Aug. 28-Sept. 26, 1965) , would serve as Senior Aquanaut. 

Ocean floor experiments would be conducted at 620-ft depth off San 

Clemente Island by 40 aquanauts in 5 teams serving 12 days each. Remaining 14 men would serve as alternates and backup surface support 

divers. (DOD Release 579-68; Aero Daily, 6/26/68) 

e President Johnson announced he would nominate AEC Chairman, Dr. 

Glenn T. Seaborg, to fill unexpired term of Dr. Samuel M. Nabrit, who 

had resigned from AEC Aug. 1, 1967. Term would end June 30, 1970. 

Dr. Seaborg’s current term would expire June 30, 1968. President also 

would nominate James T. Ramey, AEC member since 1962, to new fiveyear term expiring June 30,1969. (PD, 7/1/68,1012-3) 

* US patent No. 3,390,336 was issued to Dr. Michael J. DiToro, Vice 

President for Science of Cardion Electronics, for Adapticom, instrument that corrected multipath reception or time-spread responsible for 

fuzziness and consequent errors in high-speed radio and telephone communications and eliminated ghosts from facsimile transmission. (Jones, 

NYT, 6/15/68,49) * Senate by vote of 78 to 3 passed H.R. 16703, authorizing construction at 

military installations, including funds for ABM land acquisition and 

construction. Approximately $1.2 billion for Sentinel program was included in various budget requests of DOD and AEC for FY 1969. During 

final day of debate Sentinel system advocates had warned more of 

U.S.S.R. missile threat and less of Red Chinese missile threat which 

Sentinel had been designed to counter. (CR, 6/25/68, S7721; W News, 

6/25/68,4) 

June 26: Cosmos CCXXlX was launched by U.S.S.R. from Plesetsk into 

orbit with 328-km (203.8-mi) apogee, 222-km (137.9-mi) perigee, 

89.8-min period, and 72.9 inclination. Satellite reentered July 4. 

(SBD, 6/27/68,286; GSFC SSR, 6/30/68,7/15/68) 

Phoebus 2A nuclear rocket reactor was successfully tested by NASA and 

AEC at Jackass Flats, Nev. During 32-min ground test, reactor reached 

peak power level of approximately 4,200 mw, operating for about 12 

min at above 4,000 mw. Power density exceeded that required for 75,- 

000-lb-thrust NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application) . Test was part of NASA/AEC nuclear rocket program. (AEC/NASA Release 

J-148; W News, 6/27/68,3) 

143 
June 26 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

NASA issued Apollo Status Summary. In preparation for first manned 

Apollo flight, Apollo 7 spacecraft command module (CM) and service 

module (SM) had been mated in KSC altitude chamber to confirm compatible operation systems. Saturn IB launch vehicle 2nd-stage engine 

was being modified to strengthen propellant feed lines to augmented 

spark igniter. Apollo/Saturn 503 mission might be first manned Saturn 

V flight. 

Astronauts Joseph P. Kerwin, Vance D. Brand, and Joe H. Engle had 

successfully completed eight-day vacuum chamber test of Apollo 2TV-1 

CM and SM at MSC June 24. All tests necessary to help verify Apollo for 

first manned flight had been completed, with review of test data in 

progress. 

Last of seven scheduled verification tests of modified Apollo earth 

landing system had been postponed to complete analysis of all possible 

test conditions before drop of 13,000-lb full-scale Apollo CM from 

aircraft at Naval Air Facility, El Centro, Calif. Test would 

simulate severe landing condition using one of two drogue parachutes 

and two of three main parachutes. Ultimate load test of two modified 

Apollo drogue parachutes in reefed condition was scheduled no earlier 

than June 27. Repeat of unsuccessful test, it would be conducted from 

13,OO-lb parachute test vehicle at aircraft altitude of 46,000 ft. (Text; 

UPI, W Post, 6/22/68, A8; SBD, 6/25/68, 270; 6/27/68, 285) 

In GSFC tests using Omega Position Location Equipment (OPLE), track 

of specially equipped automobile had been located repeatedly within 

1,000 ft of its actual route on Baltimore-Washington Parkway by 

Ats 111, in 22,300-mi-altitude orbit. Satellite had also tracked and 

located boat in Chesapeake Bay, NASA calibration aircraft, and Coast 

and Geodetic Survey ship, Discoverer, in Caribbean. Meteorologists 

believed OPLE system, designed primarily as meteorological experiment 

for tracking balloons and floating buoys, might produce new data on 

wind circulation in atmosphere and its effect on weather. (NASA Release 

68-111; AP, B Sun, 6/27/68) 

NASA awarded Teledyne Systems Co. $1,358,728 incentive contract to 

design and construct prototype airborne computer unit for Centaur 

launch vehicle. NASA would have option to purchase five additional 

units, support equipment, and spare parts for $759,872. Contract would 

be managed by L~RC. (LeRC Release 68-44) 

June 27: NASA successfully launched four-stage Pacemaker rocket carrying 

52-lb spacecraft from NASA Wallops Station to test performance of 

phenolic nylon charring ablation material, foamed quartz material, 

MOD v ablation material, and foamed Teflon material. Spacecraft 

reached 7,200 mph and was lowered into Atlantic by parachute after 

four-minute flight. Recovery helicopter retrieved payload, which would 

be evaluated at LaRC. (WS Release 68-12) 

House Appropriations Committee struck all funds for SST development 

from Administration’s FY 1969 budget and asked return of $30-million 

carryover to Treasury. President Johnson had requested authorization of $223 million. Cut was unlikely to postpone development of 

project, which would be continued during FY 1969 entirely with 

carryover funds. First flight had been scheduled for first quarter, 1972. 

(CR, 6/27/68, H5766-7; Hoffman, W Post, 6/28/68, A3) 

144 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 June 27 

0 NASA awarded one-year $1,250,000 cost-plus-award-fee contract with two 

one-year renewal options to LTV Service Technology Corp. for computer 

support services at ERC. ( ERC Release 68-9) 

MSC engineers Edwin Samfield and William C. Huber were granted 

patent No. 3,389,877 for inflatable tether to connect orbiting spacecraft 

or to connect astronauts and spacecraft. Tether, which became semirigid 

when inflated to avoid problems of flexible tether, consisted of nylon 

tube with aluminum end pieces and shock-absorbing struts for attachment to spacecraft. It could be folded and stowed in end piece and 

expanded with compressed gas when needed. Prototypes were being 

constructed at MSC. (Patent Off PIO; Jones, NYT, 6/29/68, 37) 

0 Jet flying belt designed to propel wearer for minutes over multimile range 

at speeds from hovering to 70 mph and at varying altitudes was described by manufacturer, Bell Aerosystems Co., at Washington, D.C., 

press briefing. Miniature turbojet engine using kerosene fuel was 

designed by Williams Research Corp. for DOD Advanced Research 

Projects Agency. (Schmeck, NYT, 6/28/68, 18) 

0 Westinghouse Defense and Space Center engineer Paul J. IGefer had 

received AIM annual award for “outstanding contribution to aerospace 

sciences or technology” for overall mechanical design and development 

of Gemini rendezvous radar system and for development of lunar TV 

camera for use in Apollo series. (Westinghouse Release; AP, W Star, 

7/5/68, A3) 

Soviet Foreign Minister Andrey A. Gromyko announced at Supreme 

Soviet meeting in Moscow that U.S.S.R. was ready to open discussions 

with U.S. on mutual limitation of antiballistic missile defense systems. 

U.S.S.R., he said, was anxious to sign immediately international document prohibiting use of nuclear weapons and to reach agreement on 

mutual restriction and subsequent reduction of strategic nuclear vehicles. 

(UPI, W News, 6/27/68, 3; Anderson, NYT, 6/28/68, 1) 

June 28: NASA test pilots L/C Emil Sturmthal and Col. Joseph F. Cotton 

flew XB-70A to 39,400-ft altitude and mach 1.23 in flight from Edwards AFB. Purpose was to check exciter vane function, aeroelasticity, 

stability, control, and gust and canard loads and determine ground effects during load approaches. (XB-70 Proj Off) 

NASA announced probable spring 1969 launch of Nimbus B2 to replace 

Nimbus B experimpntal weather satellite intentionally destroyed after 

launch May 18. Primary meteorological objective would be to obtain 

data from advanced sensors to demonstrate infrared sounding techniques for determination of temperature profiles. Replacement mission 

would cost 1/3 of $61.9-million cost of Nimbus B and would eliminate 

critical 21-mo gap in US. meteorology satellite program. Nimbus I, 

launched Aug. 28, 1964+, operated 26 days. Nimbus 11, launched May 

15, 1966, was still transmitting, but with inoperable tape recorders. 

(NASA Release 68-114) 

* Third anniversary of beginning of commercial service by ComSatCorp’s 

Intelsat I (Early Bird), launched April 6, 1965. Service had been 

inaugurated by President Johnson in 25-min, six-nation conference 

call with European officials. (ComSatCorp Release 68-31; A&A 65) 

0 Presidential memorandum advised agency and department heads to 

achieve provisions of P.L. 90-364, Revenue and Expenditure Control 

145 
June 28 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Act of 1968, calling for reduction in Federal spending and lending of 

at least $6 billion below original 1969 fiscal estimates and restriction 

of hiring until Federal civilian employment was reduced to June 1966 

level. (PD, 7/8/68, 1041) 

NASA awarded three-year, $20,126,224 cost-plus-award-fee contract to 

Bendix Field Engineering Corp. for maintenance and operation of 

Satellite Tracking and Data Acquisition Network ( STADAN) facilities at 

GSFC; Fort Myers, Fla. ; Lima, Peru; Tananarive, Malagasy Republic; 

Mojave, Calif.; Quito, Ecuador; and Santiago, Chile. 

NASA also awarded $27.6 million cost-plus-incentive-award-fee contract to TRW systems group for work on mission trajectory control program and Apollo spacecraft systems analysis program for MSC. (NASA 

Releases 68-113,68-115) 

Wull Street Journal reported interview with Prof. Edwin L. Resler, Jr., 

Director of Cornel1 Univ. Graduate School of Aerospace Engineering, 

on possibility of reducing sonic boom created by supersonic transports 

to tolerable level by changing design of engines for big aircraft to slow 

down expansion of exhaust stream. “We can . . . reduce the shock 

wave effect and its consequent boom to a tolerable level so that overland flights of supersonic transports would be feasible,” Prof. Resler 

said. ( WSJ, 6/28/68) 

House Appropriations Committee released hearings on DOD appropriations for FY 1969 which helped explain why Vietnam war had produced 

strain on President Johnson’s budget. USAF was nyw paying $2.4 million 

for single rescue helicopter; during World War 11, each B-17 aircraft 

that had bombed Germany had cost $190,000 and each B-29 used 

over Japan had cost $635,000. Government had bought 200 World War 

I1 fighters for the $1.1 million it cost USAF for technical manuals for 

single type of aircraft in 1968. USN was spending $30,000 for single 

torpedo and $20.3 million for ammunition for battleship U.S.S. New 

Jersey to fire at Vietnam shore targets. It was requesting $51.8 million 

for one-year supply of aerial targets. Super Jolly helicopter which USAF 

was introducing in Vietnam was twice as expensive as predecessor, 

Jolly Green Giant, and could carry 60 passengers or 18,500-lb cargo at 

195 knots. F-111 was being produced at $8 million each; C-5AY 

world’s largest aircraft, had a unit cost of $25 million, with USAF requesting 120 aircraft. (Transcript; AP, B Sun, 6/30/68, 2) 

June 30: Lockheed-Georgia Co. test pilot Leo J. Sullivan successfully flew 

C-5 Galaxy, world’s largest aircraft, on 94-min first test flight from 

Dobbins AFB over Georgia countryside at speeds ranging from 143-mph 

takeoff to 230 mph and reaching 10,000-ft altitude. No attempt was 

made to reach maximum speed of 550 mph. C-5, powered by four 

TF-39 turbofan jet engines, each delivering 41,000 lb of thrust, could 

carry 265,000-1b payload over 2,875-mi range or 100,000-lb payload 

over 6,325-mi range at cruising speed of 506 mph. Military version 

would carry 350 fully equipped troops. USAF had ordered 58. “We like 

to talk about a commercial plane similar to the C-5 which could carry 

nearly 1,000 passengers,” said Lockheed-Georgia President T. R. May, 

but he found idea of carrying both passengers and freight attractive. 

“We have preliminary plans for airplanes weighing over a million 

pounds. But it is fairly clear that the world is not quite ready for a 

146 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 June 30 

June 30: UsAF-Lockheed C-5 Galaxy, world‘s Largest aircraft, takes off from Dobbins AFB on first test flight. C-5 reached 230 mph and 10,000-foot altitude on %-minute 

flight, not attempting maximum speed of 550 rnph. (AFSC PHOTO) 

commercial plane of this size.’’ (AFSC Newsreview, 6/68, 1 ; Witkin, 

NYT, 7/1/68, 1; AP, W Star, 7/1/68, 1; AFHF Newsletter, 8/68, 1) ’ Dr. Robert Jastrow, Director of GSFC Institute for Space Studies, reviewed 

Arthur C. Clarke’s The Promise of Space. Clarke had described 

chronology of Apollo decision as “politics and astronautics combined” 

and had written: “The verdict of history may well be that the United 

States made the correct decision even if from dubious motives.” Dr. 

Jastrow said Clarke “seems to betray a point of view that the primary 

purpose of the space program is, or should be, the exploitation of its 

scientif;c potential and the search for knowledge in the space around 

the earth and on the other bodies of the solar system. 

“My own view is that he is mistaken. Spacecraft have yielded 

important scientific discoveries . . . but it seems clear to me that preservation of national security, and not scientific research per se, was 

the motivation for the Kennedy proposal. Kennedy acted out of a deep 

gut instinct, shared by the Congress and the American people, that 

the United States had been presented with a major challenge to which 

it must respond effectively or pay a heavy penalty. The decision on the 

147 
June 30 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

expanded space program may have been accelerated by the events of 

the spring of 1961, but the Soviet challenge . . . was permanent.” 

Dr. Jastrow saw promise of space as “dollars-and-cents return in 

increased productivity in the U.S.” To Clarke it was “the universe-or 

nothing.” (W Post, Book World, 6/30/68, 1; CR, 7/9/68, E6290) 

During June: Last of 11 JC-130 Hercules turboprop aircraft left Patrick 

AFB, Fla., to be replaced by larger, high-speed jet EC-135N Apollo 

Range Instrumentation aircraft. With complex electronic instrumentation, Air Force Eastern Test Range Hercules had supported hundreds of 

Cape Kennedy space and missile launches, including Atlas, Titan, Polaris, Minuteman, Saturn, Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. When fully 

operational in 1961, they had replaced earlier C-54s. (AFSC Newsreview, 6/68, 4) 

Scientists were pressing NASA to prepare “Grand Tour” mission of successive unpowered flybys of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune to take 

advantage of configuration which occurred once in 179 yr. Alignment 

of planets would permit trip time as low as 8 yr rather than 30. Next 

opportunity would occur during 1975-1981 period, with 1978 and 

1979 regarded as best launch years. Tour was described by Lockheed 

Missiles & Space Go. engineer Brent W. Silver in Journal of Spacecraft 

and Rockets as “feasible and worthwhile.” It would be “waste of natural 

resources to pass up this opportunity,” he said. Studies indicated 

mission could be mounted with existing technology, but NASA, because 

of budgetary cuts, had yet to authorize it. JPL study had postulated 

nine-year tour including use of electric propulsion for sustained power 

between planets. MIT project, beginning with exploratory Jupiter probes 

in 1972, would cost $80 million annually over 17 yr and would use 

1,000-lb spacecraft launched by Titan 111-C with Centaur upper stage. 

(J/Spacecraft and Rockets, 6/68,633-7; Wilford, NYT, 6/20/68, 16) 

0 Evert Clark in Astronautics & Aeronautics praised Report to the Congress 

from the President of the United States: United States Aeronautics and 

Space Activities, 1967 [see Jan. 301. It was “small encyclopedia, revealing information that appears nowhere else in the public record . . . a valuable addition to the shelf of the careful collector.” Presidential 

reports, he said, served “as signposts for the road ahead as well as 

irreplaceable records of the recent past” and provided “only complete, 

official accounting of American appropriations and expenditures for 

military and civilian space since 1955.” (A&A, 6/68, 6) 

Cosmonaut Valentina Nikolayeva-Tereshkova, who became first woman to 

fly in space when she orbited earth June 16-19, 1963, on board 

U.S.S.R.’s Vostok VZ, was elected President of the Presidium of the 

Soviet Women’s Committee. (Moscow News, 6/22-29/68, 1) 

148 
July 1948 

July 1: Eighth anniversary of NASA’s largest Center, Marshall Space Flight 

Center. It became operational July 1, 1960, with 4,400 employees and 

facilities valued at estimated $100 million. On eighth anniversary 

MSFC had 6,500 employees. Plant value was estimated at $400 million, 

with real property values accounting for $140 million and capital equipment for remaining $260 million. Achievements during first eight years 

included development and successful flight of Saturn I, Saturn IB, and 

Saturn V launch vehicles. (MSFC Release 68-143) 

McDonnell Douglas Corp. received $9,666,800 NASA contract for 10 additional Improved (Long-Tank) Delta launch vehicles for use in variety 

of launches, including TOS-E for ESSA in August, Intelsat I11 for ComSatCorp in September, IDSCP/A for DOD in May 1969, HEOS (Highly 

Eccentric Orbiting Satellite) for ESRO in late 1968, and ISIS-A (International Satellite for Ionospheric Studies) in late 1968. North American 

Rockwell Corp. was awarded $6,968,038 contract extension for material, 

facilities, manpower and equipment for XB-70 flight operations, and 

General Electric Co. was awarded $1,957,323 extension for maintenance 

of XB-70 engines. Both extensions covered July 1, 1968, through June 

30,1969. (NASA Release 68-116; FRC Release 19-68) 

At signing in Washington, D.C., of nuclear nonproliferation treaty, President Johnson said: “The conclusion of this treaty encourages the hope 

that other steps may be taken toward a peaceful world. And . . . I have 

described this treaty as the most important international agreement 

since the beginning of the nuclear age. . . . After long seasons of patient 

and painstaking negotiation, we have concluded just within the past five 

years, the limited test ban treaty, the outer space treaty, the treaty 

creating a nuclear-free zone in Latin America. And the march of mankind is toward the summit and not the chasm.” 

Agreement had also been reached between US. and U.S.S.R., President Johnson announced, “to enter in the nearest future into discussions 

on the limitation and the reduction of both offensive strategic nuclear 

weapons delivery systems and systems of defense against ballistic 

missiles.” 

At Moscow signing of treaty, Soviet Premier Alexey N. Kosygin 

called agreement a “major success for the cause of peace.” He disclosed 

contents of U.S.S.R. memorandum to all nations proposing nine-point 

disarmament and arms control program and called on 18-nation Geneva 

disarmament conference to take up proposal. (PD, 6/8/68; Sherman, 

W Star, 7/1/68, Al; UPI, 7/1/68; Grose, NYT, 7/2/68, 1, 2) e Sudden affirmative response by U.S.S.R. to President Johnson’s longstanding offer for discussion of limiting missiles may have substantial 

meaning, said William S. White in Washington Post. “If this should 

turn out to be the case it would be ironic, indeed. It would mean that 

only after renouncing his office had the President been able to convince 

149 
July 1 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

the Russians . . . that this country was honestly prepared to make accommodations with MOSCOW, SO long as they were realistic and enforceable accommodations to reduce a possibility of nuclear holocaust that 

still hangs over the world and will so hang whatever may or may not 

happen in the Vietnams.” (W Post, 7/1/68, MI) 

Boeing Co. submitted SST progress report to FAA which indicated Government might have to guarantee $2 billion in production costs, depending on ultimate number of aircraft sold. Manufacturer estimated 

production and certification could cost $2.96 billion, assuming production of 500 aircraft. Airline advance payments could account for $905 

million; suppliers, including Boeing and General Electric Co., could 

raise $595 million, leaving $1.5 billion in capital to be acquired from 

other sources. Boeing said this capital probably would not be available 

unless Government guaranteed repayment. Total cost of each aircraft 

was estimated at $41.2 million, with probable 50% advance payment 

by airlines required. Since first flight tests were planned for September 

1972, further studies would be conducted, Boeing said, before final 

recommendations on SST financing were made. (Taylor, Am Av, 

9/16/68,224; AP, B Sun, 9/17/68, A9) * Resignation of Dr. Mac C. Adams, NASA Associate Administrator for 

Advanced Research and Technology, announced May 21, became effective. He rejoined Avco Corp., where he had worked from 1955 to 1965, 

as Corporate Vice President and Deputy Group Executive of Government Products and Services Group. (NYT, 7/2/68, 63) 

NASA appointed M/G Daniel F. Callahan (USAF, Ret.), Manager of Florida 

Missile Operations for Chrysler Corp., to position of Deputy Director 

of Administration, Kennedy Space Center, vacated in October 1967 by 

Frederic Miller, who became Director of Installation Support. ( KSC 

Release KSC-331-68) 

White House announced that Gen. William F. McKee (USAF, Ret.) had 

submitted his resignation as head of FAA, effective July 31. There was 

no indication of successor. (W News, 7/2/68, 12; WS!, 7/2/68) 

New subdivision of Air Force Systems Command, Air Force Human Resources Laboratory (AFHRL) , became operational at Brooks AFB, Tex., 

as focal point for USAF R&D effort to satisfy technology needs in human 

resources education, training, and management. It would also provide 

technical and management assistance in support of studies, analyses, 

development planning activities, acquisition, test evaluation, modification, or operation of aerospace systems and related equipment. (AFSC 

Release 93.68) 

0 Commenting on G5 maiden flight, New York Times editorial noted: 

“Of the many technological advances required for yesterday’s aviation 

breakthrough, the most important was the quantum leap in jet propulsion capabilities represented by the C-5’s motors. The enormous size of 

the new plane forced extraordinary use of light metals . . . to keep 

down weight, It also posed unprecedented manufacturing problems 

whose brilliantly successful solution was proved by yesterday’s pathbreaking flight. 

“But will the airports of this country-and the world, for that matter 

-be capable of meeting the challenges . . .? By 1978, “it may be 

commonplace for a few enormous planes landing minutes apart to de150 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 J.1,: 1 

posit 5,000 or 10,000 passengers on the ground almost simultaneously. . . . Now is none too soon to begin planning for handling 

such masses of people. . . . The vast size of the giant new planes 

ahead is dwarfed only by the enormity of the unprecedented problems 

they pose.” (NYT, 7/1/68,30) 

Surveyor Project Office at JPL officially closed after directing one of 

US’S most successful space exploration programs. Program director, 

Howard H. Haglund, recipient of 1968 Astronautics Engineer Award, 

had been accepted as Alfred P. Sloan Fellow and would attend Stanford Univ. (JPL PIO; SBD, 7/8/68, 10) 

July 2: USAF had attributed March 3 UFO reports over eastern US., including 70 eyewitness accounts, to reentry of booster rocket or other 

launching components of Zond ZV spacecraft launched by U.S.S.R. 

March 2 on apparently unsuccessful mission. Despite March flurry, there 

had been sharp decline in UFO reports; they were reaching USAF at 

one-fourth the monthly rate of 1967. As of previous weekend, 156 UFO 

reports had been received since Jan. 1, 1968; 21 were attributed to astronomical objects, 19 to aircraft, 10 to balloons, 8 to satellites, and 22 

to other known causes. There were 35 cases pending and 41 as yet unidentified. (Sullivan, NYT, 7/2/68,1) 

West Germany’s major aerospace companies-Messerschmitt-Bolkow, 

Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke of Bremen, Hamburger Flugzeugbau, 

and Dornier-formed subsidiary to coordinate all long-range aircraft 

and space projects. They met under auspices of West German government which had been urging greater concentration of the nation’s aerospace capacity. Experts termed new organization nucleus of eventual 

merger of the four companies to increase West German competition in 

world markets. (Shabecoff, NYT, 7/3/68,12) 

NASA awarded contracts valued at $579,000 to Lockheed Missiles & 

Space Co. and $568,313 to Northrop Systems Laboratories to build and 

test nonflight demonstration models for Orbiting Primate Experiment, 

as continuation of preliminary conceptual design studies made during 

1967. Research had been begun to gain better understanding of physiological changes anticipated in long manned flights. To assess effects of 

weightlessness on relatively high order mammal, NASA was studying experiment which might place two unrestrained rhesus monkeys in orbit 

and return them for detailed examination after extended period to isolate weightlessness as a variable while maintaining all other factors 

near normality. Postflight examinations could reveal changes resulting 

from absence of gravity. Orbiting Primate Experiment was part of 

NASA’s Human Factors Systems program to provide technology required to support man in space during extended periods. (NASA Release 

68-119) 0 Univ. of Virginia announced it would use $100,000 NASA grant to 

finance construction of 40-in astrometric telescope at its observatory 

south of Charlottesville, Va. Additional funding would come from estate of Lander McCormick, who provided funds for its 26-in telescope 

built in 1882. ( AP, W Star, 7/3/68, A20) 

US. patent No. 3,390,853 was issued to North American Rockwell Corp. 

mechanical engineer Raymond P. Wykes for inflatable drag balloon 

(ballute) to be released behind reentry vehicle or Mting-body vehicle 

at end of a cable which pulled spacecraft’s wings out from its body on 

151 
July 2 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

reentry and slowed it down for landing. Patent No. 3,390,492 was issued to General Electric Co. engineer Edwin T. Myskowski for glass 

deep-submergence module in titanium alloy frame usable as laboratory 

or living quarters on ocean floor in anchored or mobile form. (Patent 

Off PIO; Jones, NYT, 7/6/68,25) 0 N. Whitney Matthews, Chief of GSFC’S Spacecraft Technology Div., died 

in Alexandria, Va., at age 52. Pioneer in space research, he had been 

with NASA 10 yr and had helped see Goddard through planning stages 

He had worked with Projects Vanguard, Ariel, and Echo and with 

number of Explorer programs. He had specialized in electronic and 

solid-state instrumentation and control circuitry. ( W Post, 7/5/68, B8) 0 In editorial critical of June 25 NAS report on sonic boom, Washington 

Evening Star said: “There comes a time when the convenience of the 

few and the profit of the even fewer simply have to be made secondary 

to the sanity of the many. That time is arriving in the sonic boom business. There is no imaginable excuse for unleashing the boom against 

defenseless citizens.” (W Star, 7/2/68, 3) 

July 3: President Johnson signed H.R. 15856, NASA FY 1969 Authorization 

Act, which had been designated P.L. 90-373 [see June 181. (PD, 

7/15/68, 1099; NASA LAR VII/71) 

0 Washington Post editorial commented on complaints of scientists about 

deceleration of Federal funding for R&D. Since Federal expenditures had 

risen every year, there would not be “much lay sympathy for scientists 

who complain they are not getting their annual increase of 15 per 

cent. . . . Rather than crying ‘crisis’ . . . scientists ought to accept an 

ongoing obligation to help public officials devise better ways of deciding how to support the level of science that the national welfare requires.” (W Post, 7/3/68) 

Did it matter in 1968, asked New York Times editorial, that Italian astronomer Galileo after three centuries might be cleared of heresy by 

commission authorized by the Pope? “His astronomical theories and 

discoveries have long since been accepted; in a real sense, it is the 

spirit of scientific inquiry that will be ‘retried’ by the Vatican Tribunal. 

“. . . it still matters in 1968 that the intellectuals, the scientists and 

the students be granted full freedom of inquiry and participation in 

modern life and government. That is the meaning of Galileo, the individual and heretic, for today.” (NYT, 6/3/68) 

Senate approved reappointment of Gen. John P. McConnell as Air Force 

Chief of Staff effective Aug. 1, 1968. (CR, 7/3/68; 58200; W Post, 

7/4/68,4) 

Aluminum Co. of America and Ocean Science and Engineering, Inc., announced they would invest more than $5 million in Alcoa Seaprobe 

project calling for construction of ship permitting search, science, and 

salvage work at depths to 6,000 ft and able to hoist to surface loads 

weighing up to 200 tons. Planned for launch by May 1970, vessel 

would search Ocean floor by lowering streamlined sensor, carrying side-looking sonar, at end of long semirigid pipe. (W Star, 7/3/68, 

A2 ) ’ Jet ProPulSion Laboratory announced appointment of Dr. Robert V. 

Meghreblian, Manager of JPL Space Sciences Div., to newly established 

Post of Deputy Assistant Laboratory Director for Technical Divisions. 

152 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 July 3 

Dr. Donald P. Burcham, Deputy Manager of Space Sciences Div., 

would succeed him. ( JPL Release) 

* French government announced imminent start of new atomic test series 

in Pacific amid indications France would attempt her first explosion of 

hydrogen bomb in late summer or early autumn. Bulletin warned ships 

to avoid danger zone around Mururoa Atoll, about 750 mi southeast of 

Tahiti. (NYT, 7/4/68,1) 

* French Armed Forces Ministry announced successful testing of two new 

long-range ballistic missiles during preparation for Pacific nuclear test 

series. First missile, sea-to-ground, two-stage, remote-controlled rocket, 

would be used on France's first nuclear submarine, to enter service in 

early 1970. (Reuters, NYT, 7/5/68, 13; W Post, 7/5/68, A27) 

July 4-8: NASA launched 417-lb Explorer XXXVIII, Radio Astronomy Explorer (RAE-A) , from WTR by three-stage Thrust-Augmented Delta 

booster in first of two missions to measure frequency, intensity, and 

source direction of radio signals from solar, galactic, and extragalactic 

sources. 

Spacecraft entered elliptical transfer orbit, where it was spin-stabilized with 3,656.1-mi (5,884-km) apogee, 397.7-mi (640-km )perigee, 

157-min period, and 59.4' inclination. Apogee motor was fired July 7, 

placing Explorer XXXVIII into planned near-circular orbit vith 

3,654.3-mi (5,881-km) apogee, 3,641.2-mi (5,860-km) perigee, 224.4- 

min period, and 59.2' inclination. On July 8, yq-yo despin mechanism 

reduced spin rate €rom 93 rpm to 2.8 rpm. As primary objective, spacecraft would measure intensity and direction of radio signals from 

cosmic sources in 0.5- to 10-mhz range, not normally observable from 

earth. Secondary objectives were to place spacecraft into circular orbit 

of about 3,728-mi (6,000-km) altitude and to obtain useful data during 

first 30 days in orbit, for detailed study of dynamic spectra and decay 

rates of sporadic radio bursts. Spacecraft was expected to provide first 

low-frequency radio map of Milky Way and additional data on low-frequency signals from Jupiter and sun. 

Explorer XXXVIII was equipped with unique antenna system consisting of two antennas made of four s-in-dia booms which could be 

deployed up to 750 ft each, to form X-shaped array. Configuration was 

to be gravity-gradient stabilized [see July 221. Spacecraft was also 

equipped with dar,per boom, dipole antenna, and TV cameras to monitor spacecraft performance and determine source of radio signals monitored with upper array. Radio Astronomy Explorer project was 

managed by GSFC under OSSA direction. GSFC constructed, designed, and 

tested spacecraft and provided scientific instrumentation. (NASA Proj 

Off; NASA Release 68-109K; Schmeck, NYT, 6/29/68; 8; AP, W Star, 

7/5/68; AP, NYT, 7/5/68, 26; W Post, 7/8/68, A6; 7/9/68, A7) 

* July 4: Explorer XXVIII, Interplanetary Monitoring Platform launched 

by NASA May 29, 1965, to investigate earth's magnetosphere and study 

earth-sun relationships, reentered atmosphere as had been predicted at 

GSFC August 1967. Mrs. Barbara Lowrey of GSFC Laboratory for Theoretical Studies had found in analysis of satellite's orbit that-during 

perigee pass on July 4 (actually early next day in Indian Ocean reentry 

area)-joint effect of sun and moon would alter orbit and cause EXplorer XXVIII to make high-angle reentry and burn up in earth's at153 
July 4 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

mosphere. Computer tests had verified analysis. ( GSFC SSR, 7/15/68; 

NASA Release 68-117; Marshall Star, 3/6/68) 

July 5: U.S.S.R. successhlly launched Cosmos CCXXX from Kapustin Yar. 

Orbital parameters: apogee, 544 km (338 mi) ; perigee, 283 km (175.8 

mi) : period. 92.8 min: and inclination. 48.4O Satellite reentered Nov. 

2. (;PI, NYT, 7/6/68; SBD, 7/10/68, 26; GSFC SSR, 7/15/68; 

11 /1s /68) -~ I --, --, 

AEC’S High Energy Physics Advisory Panel report in Science decried 

cutbacks in funds for high-energy physics “one of main fronts of 

science” and recommended budget increase to avert decline in US. 

effort and construction of giant bubble chamber at Brookhaven Laboratory and electron-positron storage ring at Stanford Linear Accelerator 

(SLAC) , Work on 200-bev accelerator at Weston, Ill., should continue 

“at highest priority,” report stressed, and provision should be made 

to finance joint research with U.S.S.R. using present most powerful 

accelerator in world at Serpukhov, near Moscow. 

Lack of approval of bubble chamber and SLAC storage ring in 1968 

and 1969 budgets meant “for the first time in the history of this field, 

U.S. physicists will be unable to make use of some of the most modern 

means of research.” Further, there was “clear and present danger” that 

U.S. would lose its leadership in this fundamental field, “an ominous 

step” toward situation of 1930s, “when most of the major discoveries 

in fundamental science were made in Europe.” (Science, 7/5/68,11-9 ; 

Sullivan, NYT, 7/7/68, 17) 

JPL scientist Dr. Robert Nathan, who had devised method using computers to improve spacecraft photos of moon and Mars, planned to link 

computers with electron microscopes to photograph single atom. 

Within six months much of connection work should be done, he said, 

and “with luck, we could be taking pictures of atoms in a year or so.” 

(Dighton, Glendale Kews-Press, 7/5/68, 1) 

NASA awarded 16-1110, $178,844 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Lockheed 

Missiles & Space Go. for computer software to operate NASA/RECON remote-console information retrieval system. Consoles would be installed 

at field centers and NASA Hq. and linked to central computer at NASA 

Scientific and Technical Information Facility in College Park, Md. They 

would provide real-time access to NASA’s worldwide collection of scientific and tcchnical documents on aerospace. Users would need no special 

skill. (NASA Release 68-118) 

FcC ruled that rates charged TV networks for overseas service via satellite were not excessive and that companies providing service-AT&T, 

RCA Communications, Inc., ITT World Communications, Inc., and Western Union International-were no longer required to place payments 

for services in deferred credit fund. (AP, NYT, 7/7/68, 10) 

Danish government announced it had banned US. rocket flights to 

probe sunspot effects at high altitudes over Greenland during 1968 because of popular apprehension which followed January crash of nuclear-armed USAF B-52 aircraft near Thule AFB. Disappointed scientists 

noted 1968 was peak in 11-yr sunspot cycle; 1969 would offer hardly 

enough sunspots for study. (C Trib, 7/6/68,5) 

Sonic booms from USAF test flights were threatening prehistoric Indian 

cliff dwellings and natural rock formations in Arizona. Log kept at 

Canyon ,de Chelly National Monument had recorded 16 booms in April 

154 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 July 5 

1967, 19 in April 1968, 20 in May 1968, and 9 in June 1968. Natural Environment Panel, participating in Interagency Aircraft Noise 

Abatement Program under DOT, planned to place data recorders at Yellowstone, Yosemite, Bryce, and Mesa Verde national parks to extract 

information on which to base plea for “adjustment” from USAF. (Blumenthal, NYT, 7/5/68,11) 

July 5-12; High-quality weather data were moved from Suitland, Md., by 

wire to NASA’s Mojave, Calif., relay station and beamed, for first time, 

to stations in the Netherlands and West Germany via NASA’s Ats ZZZ 

Applications Technology Satellite. Transmissions, including cloud 

maps, charts, and photo-mosaics, were received “in good form,” according to ESSA. WEFAX (Weather Facsimile Experiment) project was 

part of World Weather Watch program to develop economical worldwide weather data distribution system. Further experiments scheduled 

for September included relay via Ats ZZZ of weather data to more than 

150 Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) stations in 30 countries. 

(ESSA ReIease ES-68-43, UPI, NYT, 7/19/68, 35: W Star, 7/24/68, 

A14) 

July 6: Ninth Molniya I comsat, Molniyu 1-9, was launched by U.S.S.R. to 

“ensure the operation of the long-range system of. . . communication” 

and TV transmission to far northern and far eastern U.S.S.R., according to Tass. Orbital parameters: apogee, 39,806 km (24, 734.2 mi) ; 

perigee, 396 km (246.1 mi) ; period, 11 hr 9 min; and inclination, 65”. 

Equipment, including instruments for transmission, command, and satellite operation, was functioning normally. (AP, NYT, 7/9/68, 6; SBD, 

7/10/68, 26; GSFC SSR, 7/15/68) 

Japanese astronomer Minori Honda of Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory, Okayama, discovered new comet south of Capella in Auriga constellation. Tokyo Astronomical Observatory said July 14 discovery had 

been confirmed by three American observatories. Comet was named 

Honda Comet No. 6. (AP, C Trib, 7/15/68) 

DOD released April 23-24 testimony before Senate Committee on Armed 

Services’ Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee. Dr. John S. Foster, 

Jr., Director of Defense Research and Engineering, had said F-111A 

wings had broken off during Jan. 23 ground test-under load greater 

than expected in flight but less than stipulated 50%-overload safety 

margin-before introduction into Vietnam combat, where aircraft had 

operated under protective restrictions. 

General Dynamics Corp. President Frank W. Davis later termed 

ground testing which broke wings off USAF F-111A “normal.” Tests, 

he indicated, were made to determine stress limitations. “We’ve had no 

failures . . . at stress simulation to be expected in combat.” (Transcript; Kelly, W Star, 7/7/68, A3; AP, W Post, 7/7/68, m2; 

7/8/68, A15; Corddry, B Sun, 7/7/68,1) 

* Washington Evening Star editorial praised WAF C-5 Galaxy jet aircraft 

and its “impressive” civilian potential; “According to Tom LT.R.1 

May, Lockheed’s president, all the experimental evidence indicates 

there are virtually no engineering limitations to building strikingly 

larger G5s than those scheduled,” but its commercial use would cause 

passenger and baggage congestion. “If the Galaxy is to become a cornmercial plane, then, at the most, only a third of its space should be for 

passengers; the rest should be for cargo. . . . Although [May is1 con155 
July 6 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%8 

fident that bigger and bigger G5s can be made, he doubts that the 

world is ready for them. We doubt it, too.” (W Star, 7/6/68) 

July 7: Melbourne, Fla., engineer Duane Brown had applied for patent on 

Survey Satellite ( SURSAT), system of four low-cost satellites which 

would enable surveyors to plot boundaries, route highways, make 

maps, and monitor earth’s crust to accuracies of a few inches. System 

included regional center for processing survey data and portable receiving and recording units for field use and could be operational by mid1970’s, Brown said. (UPI, W Star, 7/7/68, A7) 

Successful test-firing of Phoebus 2A, world’s most powerful reactor, 

June 26 might have been catalyst needed to bring DOD into partnership 

with NASA and AEC in development of nuclear energy for space propidsion, Frank Macomber wrote in San Diego Union. Not only was UMF 

becoming interested in military applications for nuclear engine, so were 

scientists and engineers representing aerospace industry. Phoebus firing 

would be followed in fall by first test of smaller NERVA XE-1 nuclear 

engine. Both were vital phases of NASA-AEC Rover program. (SD 

Union, 7/7/68,12) 

Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. announced plans for new Guppy, 

4,000-lbY low-cost, undersea research vehicle to be tethered to surface 

ship by electric cable and capable of carrying two men to 2,0(30-ft 

depth for up to 48 hr. First vehicle would be completed in March 1‘369. 

(NYT, 7/8/68,66) 

France began 1968 nuclear test series with detonation of conventional 

atomic warhead over Mururoa Atoll in Pacific. Device was fired to test 

complex measuring instruments installed for tests scheduled to culminate in explosion of France’s first hydrogen bomb. (UPI, NYT, 7/7/68, 

7; W Post, 7/8/68, A12) 

July 8: Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., Special Consultant to NASA Administrator and former NASA Deputy Administrator, had been elected to board of 

trustees of Aerospace Corp. (Aerospace Release; SBD, 7/8/68, 10) 

0 Approximately 36 Soviet Air Force flights with more than 85 bombers 

had been identified off northern coasts of North America during first 

half of 1968, six times scale of operations reported during last half of 

1967, according to Charles W. Corddry in Baltimore Sun. Soviet aircraft had cruised over international waters. DOD reportedly considered 

flights routhe. (B Sun, 6/9/68, 1) 

In joint communique, Dr. Donald F. Hornig, Special Assistant to the 

President for Science and Technology, and Alexandru Birlandeanu, 

member of Romanian Politburo touring US. scientific institutions, announced agreement to broaden scientific and technological ties, including 

exchange of scientists and possible collaboration in atomic energy field. 

Romania had asked US. for technical and financial aid toward construction of its first nuclear power plant by 1973. (Grose, NYT, 7/9/68, 1) 

New York Times editorial on June 21 emergency meeting of scientists to 

protest cuts in Federal support for basic research: “. . . deep slashes in 

basic research funds are likely to be extremely costly in the years 

ahead. The fundamental lesson of the history of science is that basic 

research is the indispensable seed bed for all future technology, the ultimate source of the new wealth and of the improved capacity to save 

lives that future technology could bring. . . . Those in Congress and 

the Executive Branch who are now applying the axe to Government 

156 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 JU~Y a 

spending would be wise to proceed as gently as possible in this small 

area that is so essential for the nation’s future.” (NYT, 7/8/68,36) 

NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. 

Mueller, addressed joint meeting of American Institute of Aeronautics 

and Astronautics ( AIAA) and Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute 

(CASI) in Montreal: Systems engineering concept applied to management “was pioneered and developed in aerospace programs and is 

being increasingly applied as a powerful tool in the management of 

other major enterprises.” In NASA most extensive application was in 

Apollo program. Factors unique to manned space flight had contributed to management approach, including “sheer size of Apollo program, larger in . . . lead time, money, organization and technological 

development than any previous program.” Special feature was high reliability and safety required. And space program had been executed 

under scrutiny of press, public, Congress, and scientific community. 

Weight and volume budgeting were critical. High cost of flight-testing space vehicles made maximum ground testing necessary, as well as 

all-up (concurrent rather than sequential) flight testing. Vehicle was as 

complete as practicable for each flight, to obtain maximum information 

from minimum number of flights and provide earliest possible system 

readiness. Open-ended mission concept was used to accomplish as many 

flight objectives per vehicle as consistent with safety and mission success. Review of status throughout mission determined length of mission. Redundant, or alternate, means of operation reduced ability of 

single €ailure to endanger crew or mission. Prime design consideration 

in all manned space flights was safety. (Text; UPI, H Chon, 7/10/68) 

NASA board investigating fatal accident at North American Rockwell 

Corp.’s Downey, Calif., plant Oct. 5, 1967, announced it had found that 

laboratory employees had ignored important safety procedures. “Most 

probable cause” of explosion which had killed two workmen and injured 11 was “frictional or impact force created while bariumFreon 

TF slurry was being transferred from a laboratory container to a shipping container.” Although NAR had issued safety instruction requiring 

barium-used in NASA sounding rocket experiments-be handled only 

under dry argon atmosphere, it had been washed and sieved in open 

air. Board recommended full recognition of chemical hazards of combining metals and chemicals such as Freon TF and upgrading of precautions. manuals. and vrocedures. NAR had altered vrocedures. would 

process barium oky under remote control. (NASA Recease 68-122; AP, 

NYT, 7/9/68,27) 

Inauguration of direct air service between New York and Moscow had 

been set for “on or after July 15” by letters between US. Moscow Embassy and U.S.S.R. Foreign Ministry. Soviet airline Aeroflot announced 

11-62 jet aircraft service would start from Moscow July 15. US. carrier Pan American World Airways expected to start Boeing 707 service 

from New York same date. Bilateral air agreement of Nov. 4, 1966, 

had stipulated once-weekly return flights over 4,700-mi route. May 6, 

1968, agreement added intermediate stop at Montreal, Copenhagen, 

Stockholm, or London. (CAB Docket 6489; State Dept Release 94; AP, 

NYT, 7/9/68,65; Ward, B Sun, 7/9/68,1; AP, W Post, 7/9/68, A15) 

July 8-9: Two major solar flares were detected within 25-hr interval by 

US. Space Disturbance Forecast Center scientists in Boulder, Colo. 

157 
July 8-9 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

First had interfered with short-wave transmissions worldwide, according to ESSA Chief of Forecast Services, Robert Doeker; second had 

seemed weaker. Scientists were watching for effect of cloud of electrons 

spawned by first solar flare, biggest and brightest since 1966. (AP, LA 

Her-Exam, 7/10/68; AP, NYT, 7/10/68,17) 

* Nine astronauts participated in life support training for aircraft pilots at 

Perrin AFB, Tex. They were second astronaut group to attend USAF 

course. (NASA Apollo Status Summary, 7/10/68) 

July 9: British physicist Samuel Tolansky, appointed special investigator for Apollo program, had predicted discovery of industrial diamonds among 40 Ib of matter Apollo spacecraft would bring back from 

moon. Theory was based on supposition that lunar craters had been 

caused by meteor impact or volcanic eruptions producing shock waves. 

“You can create diamonds by passing a shock wave through carbon,” 

he said. ‘‘And there has to be carbon on the moon.” (NANA, Pasadena 

Independent, 7/9/68) 

0 Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. scientists were studying use of small 

charcoal beds to remove contaminants in space capsules where pollution hazards had been found to be “more serious than those for the 

man on the street.” Studies had isolated 150 contaminants, most of 

which could be extremely toxic. ( WSJ, 7/9/68,23) 

0 President Johnson transmitted Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons to Senate for ratification and urgently recommended 

that Senate “move swiftly” to enhance US. and world security. “The 

treaty,” he said, ‘‘does more than just prohibit the spread of nuclear 

weapons. It would also promote the further development of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes under safeguards.” Treaty had been passed 

by U.N. General Assembly June 12 and opened for signature July 1. 

(PD, 7/15/68,1090-2) 

Fixed-wing SST design aerodynamically similar to one unsuccessfully 

submitted to USAF by Boeing in 1957 XB-70 competition but featuring 

more titanium, new flight control system, and more powerful turbojets 

was presented to customer airlines at FAA SST program briefing. Model 

was undergoing wind-tunnel tests to determine its ability to exceed 

mach 1 without perceptible sonic boom. (Hoffman, W Post, 7/9/68, 1) 

July 10: NASA issued Apollo Status Summary: Apollo 7 spacecraft was being 

prepared for unmanned altitude chamber tests at 210,000 ft for 15 hr. 

If successfd, manned tests might be scheduled to begin July 15 with 

Astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Donn F. Eisele, and R. Walter Cunningham in command module. In Apollo/Saturn 503 program, combined 

systems tests would continue through mid-July on Lunar Module 3. 

In Apollo spacecraft loading tests, drogue parachutes would be tested 

within several days at Naval Air Facility, with 13,000-lb test vehicle 

dropped from aircraft at 46,000-ft altitude, subjecting parachutes to 

“ultimate loads” in reefed condition before they opened fully. Drop, repeat of previous test which failed, was to tomplete verification test series which had begun in 1967. (Text) 

Cosmos CCXXXI was launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome by 

U.S.S.R. into orbit with 391-km (243-mi) apogee, 206-km (128-mi) 

perigee, 89.6-min period, and 64.9’ inclination. Equipment functioned 

normally and spacecraft reentered July 18. (UPI, W Star, 7/11/68, A5; 

158 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 July 10 

UPI, NYT, 7/12/68, 7; SBD, 7/12/68, 41; GSFC SSR, 7/15/68, 

7/31/68) 

Soviet Stalin Prize physicist, Prof. Andrey D. Sakharov, contributor to 

development of U.S.S.R. hydrogen bomb, had issued plea for full intellectual freedom, US.-U.S.S.R. cooperation, and worldwide rejection of 

“demagogic myths,” in unpublished essay entitled “Thoughts About 

Progress, Peaceful Coexistence and Intellectual Freedom,” which was 

circulating in Moscow. Expressing fear that world was on brink of disaster, he urged worldwide implementation of scientific method and 

freedom of thought in politics, economic planning and management, 

education, arts, and military affairs and denounced Soviet censorship. 

(Anderson, NYT, 7/11/68,1) 

DOD formally ordered work stoppage on USN E-111B development work 

being conducted by General Dynamics Corp. Action followed Congressional cuts of $460 million in program. (General Dynamics PIO; SBD, 

7/11/68,30) 

Sen. Eugene J. McCarthy (D-Minn.) , candidate for Democratic nomination for President, in position paper urged that US. delay deployment 

of Sentinel ABM system and Poseidon and Minuteman I11 missiles, to 

facilitate agreement with U.S.S.R. on defensive and offensive armament 

limitation. Delay would not jeopardize US. security, he said, since 

neither Chinese nuclear threat nor Soviet ABM development is “moving ahead perceptibly.” Paper was prepared by Harvard Univ. chemistry 

professor Dr. George B. Kistiakowsky and MIT Provost, Dr. Jerome 

B. Wiesner. (Text; Kenworthy, NYT, 7/11/68, 25; CR, 7/11/68, 

5843942) 

July 10-1 2 : Hearings were held by Senate Foreign Relations Committee and 

Senate members of Joint Committee on Atomic Energy on U.S. ratification of nuclear nonproliferation treaty. Secretary of State Dean Rusk 

affirmed treaty would bind U.S. to no more atomic defense action than 

already set forth in existing treaties and by membership in U.N. Security Council. 

Gen. Earle G. Wheeler, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul H. Nitze in joint testimony said US. 

would give up nothing under terms of treaty but would benefit from 

major step to reduce tensions. (AP, NYT, 7/11/68, 16; Roberts, W 

Post, 7/11/68, All; UPI, NYT, 7/12/68, 4; Sherman, W Star, 

7/12/68, A5) 

July 11 : USAF successfully launched OV 1-15 and OV 1-16 research satellites 

pickaback from Vandenberg AFB by Atlas-F booster. OV 1-15 entered 

orbit with 1,032-mi (1,660.8-km) apogee, 94-mi (151.3-km) perigee, 

103.0-min period, and 89.8’ inclination and reentered Nov. 6. OV 1-16, 

nicknamed “Cannonball,” was 600-lb, 23-in-dia Low Altitude Density 

Satellite (LOADS) launched to measure atmospheric density between 

90- and 110-mi altitudes for 25-30 days. Densest satellite US. had orbited, OV 1-16 had 162-lb-per-cu-ft density, which enabled it to orbit 

closer to earth than any previous spacecraft. Orbital parameters: 

apogee, 286 mi (460.3 km) ; perigee, 82 mi (132.0 km) ; period, 90.4 

min; and inclination, 89.8’. OV 1-16 reentered Aug. 19. (O’Toole, 

W Post, 7/12/68, A21; SBD, 7/15/68, 44; GSFC SSR, 7/15/68; 

8/31/68; Pres Rpt 68) 

159 
July 11 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

0 DOD directive that General Dynamics Corp. halt development of USN 

F-111B aircraft because of weight problem would not affect USAF’S 

F-111A program or Hughes Aircraft Co. development of Phoenix airto-air missile, which presumably would be installed in replacement aircraft, Wall Street Journal reported. Of 17 F-111B prototypes planned, 

8 had been produced and 6 delivered (one of which had crashed). General Dynamics was uncertain how many of remaining nine would be 

completed. USN had originally requested 30 aircraft. ( WSJ, 7/11/68, 

29) 

Secretary of Defense Clark M. Clifford announced USN would proceed 

with construction of one of two advanced nuclear submarines advocated by V/A Hyman G. Rickover to combat Soviet submarine threat. 

Authorization was for “super high-speed” version ; “quietyy electricpowered craft was still under consideration although its development 

had been stopped in May. Congressional committees had supported 

Adm. Rickover and urged development of both types. (Dale, NYT, 

7/12/68,1; Kelly, W Star, 7/12/68, A5) 

July 12: Last USN flying boat, SP-5B Martin Marlin, was formally retired 

from active service and turned over to Smithsonian Institution at ceremony at US. Naval Air Station, Patuxent, Md. Aircraft would be placed 

in proposed National Armed Forces Museum. (CR, 7/18/68, E6671) 

0 Dr. Stephen B. Sweeney, governmental administration professor at Univ. 

of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and Executive Director Emeritus of 

Univ.’s Fels Institute of Local and State Government, and Dr. Harold 

Asher, manager of General Electric Co.’s TEMPO section and former 

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, had been sworn in as consultants to NASA Administrator James E. Webb. Dr Sweeney would specialize in university affairs, public administration, and application of science 

and technology to urban problems. Dr. Asher would review and 

analyze NASA’s systems for resource management. (NASA Release 

68-124) 

July 13: USAF C-5 Galaxy jet aircraft, flown by Lockheed-Georgia Co. test 

pilot Walter E. Hensleigh, completed successful 2-hr Umin second 

flight with takeoff weight of 520,000 lb-believed to be 10 tons heavier 

than any previous aircraft takeoff weight. During ascent to 1,000 ft, 

crew cut each of four GE TF39 engines individually and restarted them 

in air. Auxiliary units also underwent cut-restart checks. (AP, W Star, 

7/14/68,14) 

0 FB-IllA, bomber version of F-111, successfully completed 30-min 

maiden flight from Carswell AFB, Tex., reaching 20,000-ft altitude and 

up to 660 mph. Equipped with advanced avionics, including onboard 

computers enabling pilots to alter missions in flight automatically, 

FB-lllA’s design incorporated basic fuselage of USAF F-111A tactical 

fighter recently grounded after three crashes in Southeast Asia. (DOD 

Release 652-68; AP, W Star, 7/14/68, A2; AP, W Post, 7/14/68, A5) 

Team of NASA and Max Planck Institute scientists completed 28-day tour 

of Argentina, Chile, Netherlands Antilles, Peru, and Venezuela. 

They had explored potential sites for optical observation of high-altitude ionized cloud experiment proposed as cooperative project of German Ministry for Scientific Research and NASA. Release of barium 

vapor at 12,000- to 20,000-ft altitudes by Scout rocket launched from 

NASA Wallops Station was being considered. Barium cloud would be 

160 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 July 13 

visible from large area of Western Hemisphere. (NASA Release 68-121) 

July 14: US. and U.S.S.R. had exchanged private messages which raised 

hope initial talks on limiting nuclear missiles would begin in few 

weeks, according to Geneva sources quoted by Washington Post’s Murrey Marder. Possible obstacle was Warsaw meeting of U.S.S.R. and 

Eastern European officials over Czechoslovakian advance toward liberalization. US.-U.S.S.R. accord on nuclear missile production presumably would interact on Soviet strength in Eastern Europe, weakening it 

as East-West tension subsided. ( W Post, 7/15/68, Al) 

* George Alexander reviewed in Washington Post Erik Bergaust’s Murder 

on Pad 34, story of Jan. 27, 1967, Apollo fire. Book was “characterized 

by sloppy errors of omission and commission, innuendo and pointlessness,” Alexander said. “It was good fortune, nothing else, that the various mechanical flaws and human faults that occurred in the . . . Mercury and Gemini programs did not coincide . . . as they did inside 

Apollo-one. Foresight tries to prevent such coincidence, but . . . not all 

possible coincidence can be foreseen. . . . Accidents . . will happen. 

And the searching investigation conducted by the National Aeronautics 

and Space Administration into Apollo-one could find no evidence that 

the fatal fire was anything but an accident.” (Book World, W Post, 

7/14/68,4-5) 

July 15: President Johnson formally asked Senate to ratify space rescue 

treaty endorsed by U.N. General Assembly Dec. 19, 1967, and signed 

by 43 nations April 22, terming it “another step toward stable peace on 

this threatened earth.” Astronaut assistance and return agreement 

looked “beyond the old divisions of history and ideology to recognize 

the challenge of common peril and the benefits of common action. . . . Our laws and treaties must always keep pace with our science. But the 

value of this Agreement goes beyond the protection it offers to those 

who venture into space.” It also “helps protect the peace of this planet. 

Surely two nations who aspire to the stars can realize the common danger and act in the common interest here on earth.” (Text; W Post, 

7/16/68, A9; AP, W Star, 7/16/68, A8; Nordlinger, B Sun, 7/16/68, 

1) * Harvard College Observatory scientists Dr. George R. Huguenin and Dr. 

J. H. Taylor became first US. scientists to identify a new pulsar when 

they discovered HP 1506 in northern sky near Little Dipper. Pulsar, 

similar to four pulsars discovered in 1967 by U.K. scientists, had pulse 

rate of one every 0.7397 sec, each lasting 0.020 sec. Pulse rate of other 

four pulsars ranged from 0.25 to 1.4 sec, with each pulse lasting 0.020 

see. Harvard scientists used National Radio Astronomy Observatory antenna at Green Bank, W. Va. (Sullivan, NYT, 7/19/68, 20) * NASA Administrator James E. Webb, discussing implications of FY 1969 

budget reductions at AAS Symposium in Denver, Colo., said he did not 

find public support for space program declining. Rather, “many people 

who in the years following 1961 ascribed to the space program a separate, special, top priority status are now realizing, as the national 

leadership in the space program has understood all along, that the 

space program must be regarded as only one of a number of essential 

activities of high priority to which the country must devote substantial 

resources. . . . The investments made in NASA may well add greatly to 

the value of investments we will have to make in these other fields.” 

161 
July 15 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

NASA was “very much in business, and it will stay in business. We 

are accepting the challenge of the time and will continue a hard-hitting, 

technically sound program aimed at the most important objectives of 

the future.” But he described cutbacks as well as elements of strength. 

We are doing all we can to avoid terminating completely such important activities as the unmanned planetary exploratory program, but it is 

not likely that we will be able to proceed with the Titan/Mars 1973 

missions.” Saturn I Workshop would be delayed and, “for a number of 

years to come, missions to use the manned space flight capabilities developed in the Apollo program will be very limited.” Reductions to a 

budget already “sharply reduced will have many very serious effects on 

the US. position in aeronautics and space. They are only the most recent in a series of cutbacks and, in effect, constitute something like 

final ratification of a decision . . . that the United States will not, at 

this time, take the steps necessary to continue the advances of the recent years.” 

Outlining NASA’s program, Webb said two flyby missions to Mars in 

1969 were largely paid for. “Even at our reduced levels, I believe we 

can follow the 1969 missions with two orbiter missions in 1971, but 

will probably have to postpone for another year the start of work on 

the two Titan-launched orbiter and lander missions which we had 

hoped to fly in 1973.” The 1969 missions “were initiated three or more 

years ago. We are approaching the end of our approved flight programs. The number of new projects started each year has sharply dwindled since 1966 and we will soon see years go by when we will have 

very few flights. We may see a gap of 2 years in our manned flight 

program after the landing on the moon, and a second gap, equally 

long, after the Saturn I Workshop. 

“Perhaps the most fundamental decisions ahead lie in the field of 

large launch vehicles. Can we gap the production of Saturn V or will 

we have to terminate it?” Question required reexamination of uses of 

Titan I11 and of possible development of new, less costly launch vehicles. 

‘‘Especially important” in this period was continuation of broad program of advanced research for future national needs, including broad 

university program. (Text) 

Sen. Gsrdon Allott (R-Colo.) told AAS Symposium: “. . . in the 

thirty minutes I spend talking about the space program this morning 

four Tiros satellites . . . will have monitored 10 cloud covers above 40 

million square miles of the earth’s surface. . . . During this same 

period, the Goddard Space Flight Center . . . will have received 340 

minutes of data from 37 active satellites ; and the NASA communications 

network around the globe will have sent and received over 750 messages 

dealing with information obtained from these satellites. . . . “Already the beneficial changes wrought by man’s incredible inventive genius have made their mark. When NASA launched Early Bird for 

Comsat three years ago, for example, it boosted the capacity of the 

transatlantic telephone system by 50%. The AIM has already estimated 

that this new industry will be grossing $200 million by 1975. . . . “Obviously, this is not all. Too often, it seems, those interested in giving an accounting of the $30 billion invested in the space program stop 

once they have demonstrated technological spin-off or . . . unmanned 

CG 

162 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 July 15 

communication and weather satellites. The crowning achievement of 

the space program has really been what man himself, in space, has accomplished during this past decade. For man has ventured into the hostile, mysterious world of space.” (CR, 7/18/68,58901-3) 

Martin Marietta Corp. planetary scientist Allan R. Barger, who was 

doing theoretical work on balloon-borne Venus probe, told AAS that 

U.S.S.R. data released a€ter Oct. 18, 1967, Venus probe was incorrect. 

Soviet report had set planet’s surface temperature at about 520” F and 

surface pressure at about 18 times that on earth. Barger said his conclusions, based on analysis of Soviet report and on data gathered by 

NASAS’S Mariner V space probe as it flew by Venus’ upper atmosphere, 

set planet’s surface temperature at about 890’ F and pressure at 100 or 

more times that on earth. (Denver Post, 7/15/68) 

USAF’s Arnold Engineering Development Center was conducting research 

with 5-million-w arc heater to determine temperature and pressure limitations of ablative materials used to prevent military reentry vehicles 

from burning up on encountering earth’s atmosphere. Military reentry 

vehicles had to withstand conditions similar to high-speed reentry of 

interplanetary vehicles on return to earth, far more severe than those to 

be met by lunar astronauts. Data had been produced for civilian and 

military agencies. (AFSC Release 117.68) 

House Committee on Government Operations’ Special Studies Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Porter Hardy, Jr. (D-Va.), ordered NASA to 

make every effort to cut escalating costs of its June 16, 1967, contract 

with Boeing Co. for technical integration and evaluation in assembly of 

Apollo spacecraft’s three modules with Saturn V launch vehicle. Contract, negotiated by NASA in drive to improve safety after Jan. 27, 1967, 

Apollo fire, had been listed tentatively as costing $20 million; NASA officials now placed cost of carrying work through 1968 at $73.4 million. 

(Transcript; UPI, W Post, 7/16/68, A6) 

Food, land, and raw material shortages might compel man to establish 

mining operations on other planets and to grow food in space stations, 

according to Dr. K. A. Ehricke, North American Rockwell Corp. 

scientist. He said farms growing food in chemicals could be established 

in earth-orbiting stations fertilized by chemicals produced on Mars 

and other planets. (AP, NYT, 7/15/68, 6) 

Boyd C. Myers 11, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Operations, 

Office of Advanced Research and Technology, became NASA Deputy Assistant Administrator for Administration. (NASA Release 68-125; AP, 

NYT, 7/16/68,7) 

July 15-16: Commercial air service between U.S. and U.S.S.R. was inaugurated with Moscow departure July 15 of Ilyushin-62 aircraft belonging to Soviet flag carrier Aeroflot. Aircraft, carrying 97 Soviet officials 

and commercial passengers, landed at Kennedy International Airport 

in New York July 16, after 13-hr 17-min flight via Montreal (including 

1 hr 35 min circling New York area because of air traffic). U.S. flag 

carrier, Pan American World Airways, flew two Boeing 707 aircraft 

from New York to Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport via Copenhagen 

July 16. First carried U.S. officials and press; second carried revenue 

passengers. (W Star, 7/15/68, All; 7/16/68, A7; Witkin, NYT, 

7/17/68,28) 

July 16: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCXXXII into orbit with 

163 
July 16 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

355-km (220.6-mi) apogee, 200-km ( 124.3-mi) perigee, 89.4-min period, and 65.3” inclination. Spacecraft reentered July 24. (UPI, NYT, 

7/17/68,30; GSFC SSR, 7/31/68) 

Maj. William J. Knight (USAF) piloted X-15 No. 1 to 218,500-ft altitude 

and 3,409 mph (mach 4.74) in flight from Edwards AFB. Objective of 

flight, exposure and satisfactory retraction of WTR experiment, was not 

accomplished because abnormally low hydraulic pressure and severe vibrations prevented aircraft’s reaching required altitude. (X-15 Proj 

Off 1 

NASA Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology 

James M. Beggs dedicated new $3.5-million Flight Control Research 

Facility at LaRC. Facility, connected to LaRC’S data analysis and computation center, would be used for guidance and control research in 

support of manned flight. 

During ceremony, Center’s Digital Computer Complex Group received Lam Group Achievement Award for “outstanding performance 

and dedicated efforts in combining unique concepts in computer organization and operating systems” contributing to “one of the most outstanding research computer installations in the United States.” (Langley Researcher, 7/26/68, 1, 4) 

MSC officials announced resignation of Astronaut John S. Bull (L/Cdr., 

USN) , third astronaut to leave space program because of medical problem. Dr. Charles A. Berry, MSC Chief of Medical Programs, told news 

conference Astronaut Bull had rare respiratory disease for which there 

was no known cure and no medical name. It was characterized by 

chronic sinus difficulties, lung obstruction, and sensitivity to aspirin. 

(UPI, W Post, 7/17/68, All) 

Global warning system operational since January was providing airline 

pilots with as much as two months, notice of.reentry of spacecraft debris, which had been averaging one reentry a day. Chances of damage 

by fragment to aircraft, while small, would increase with operation of 

SSTS at 70,000- and 80,000-ft altitudes. System, outgrowth of Volunteer 

Flight Officer Network formed in 1963, included more than 38,000 

flight crews attached to 117 airlines, which received reentry data from 

NORAD computers via United Air Lines communications facilities at 

Denver, Colo. (Sullivan, NYT, 7/17/68,27) 

0 President Johnson informed Geneva disarmament conference that agreement was expected “shortly” on time and place of US.-U.S.S.R. talks 

to limit nuclear missile production. In message read to opening of new 

session of conference, President said if progress could be made on limiting strategic delivery systems, US. “would be prepared to consider 

reduction of existing systems.” (Text; W Post, 7/17/68, A15; NYT, 

7/17/68,1) 

July 17: Investigation of Nov. 15, 1967, X-15 accident by NASA board indicated that pilot, Maj. Michael J. Adam (USAF) who died in crash, had 

suffered disorientation and operated controls improperly. Mistaking 

roll indicator for heading indicator, he had increased heading error, 

causing aircraft to spin uncontrollably at mach 5 and 230,000-ft altitude and then to go into severe pitch oscillation and disintegrate at altitude above 60,000 ft. Board requested that Government report on 

MH-96 control system experience and recommended use of telemetry 

for directional readings by NASA X-15 ground control center, careful 

164 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 July 17 

checkout of experiments and equipment for next X-15 flight, inclusion 

in pilot’s physical examination of special tests for tendency toward vertigo, and development of additional methods to maintain proper heading under ballistic flight conditions. (FRC Release 20-68; NASA Release 

68-126) 

0 James C. Elms, Director of ERC, discussed “the NASA Biomedical Program in Perspective” before Third Annual Meeting of Assn. for the 

Advancement of Medical Instrumentation in Houston. “Despite the 

rapid advance of biomedical techniques since World War 11, the main 

thrust of the activities was directed toward studying sick individuals in 

a normal environment. The manned space program has provided the 

opportunity for intensive controlled study of a select group of normal 

and healthy individuals in an abnormal and stressful environment. By 

so doing, we have achieved a better definition of the range of normality 

of the healthy organism which, in turn, is useful in the study and understanding of disease.” 

Interaction of space and medicine had led to many medica1 applications of aerospace hardware. Application of electron probe microanalyzer-used for chemical analyses of microelectronic circuits-to 

study of red blood cells had led to unexpected clues in study of blood 

cancer. System to monitor heart rate, respiration, and galvanic skin 

response was being considered for use in measuring efficiency of dental 

anesthetics on children and in training teachers for retarded children. 

Accomplishments of bioelectronics research in interdisciplinary dectronics environment included remote measuring technique for eyepointing direction, meaningful measurement of aerosol concentration 

and size distribution, and automatic tracking system to identify thresholds of mental alertness. (Text) 

0 Univ. of California physicist Dr. Edward Teller, at hearing on nuclear 

nonproliferation treaty before Senate Foreign Relations Committee, 

urged Congress to preserve option of giving nonnuclear allies control 

over “purely defensive” nuclear weapons systems. He was referring, he 

said, to system that could be exploded only over a nation’s territory, 

one involving “time-lock” of monthly inspection by donor nation, and 

one which would be proof against tampering or analysis designed to 

develop it into offensive system. (Maffre, W Post, 7/18/68, A4; Sherman, W Star, 7/18/68, A12) 

U.K., West Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands signed agreement to 

cooperate in $4.b-million project to develop and produce advanced 

combat aircraft for their air forces. Aircraft, scheduled to enter service 

in 1975, would replace US. Lockheed F-104 Starfighter currently 

being used. Orders for new aircraft were expected to reach 1,000. 

(Reuters, B Sun, 7/18/68,2) 

July 18: Cosmos CCXXXIII was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome by 

U.S.S.R. into orbit with 1,505-km (935.2-mi) apogee, 199-km (123.6- 

mi) perigee, 101.9-min period, and 81.9” inclination. Satellite reentered Feb. 7,1969. (SBD, 7/22/68,32; GSFC SSR, 7/31/68; 2/15/69) 

Senate passed unanimously H.R. 17023, FY 1969 Independent Offices 

and HUD appropriations bill, including $4.008 billion for NASA. Total 

for NASA agreed with House-passed total, but Senate adopted committee 

amendments increasing funds for construction of facilities by $12.95 

million and decreasing R&D funds by same amount. As passed by Sen165 
July 18 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

ate, bill provided $3.37 billion for R&D, $34.75 million for construction 

of facilities, and $603.17 million for administrative operations. Senate 

requested conference with House on amendments. (NASA LAR VII/76; 

House Appropriations Committee cut $550.5 million from DOD FY 1969 

appropriations, including $85 million from USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program. (CR, 7/18/68; SBD, 7/19/68,71) 

0 Defense Communications Agency had declared operational eight satellites 

added to Defense Satellite Communications System ( DSCS) by successful June 13 launch from ETR, final launch of Initial Defense Communications Satellite (IDSCP) Project. Total of 24 satellites were in normal 

use, orbiting eastward in 21,000-mi-altitude synchronous orbit. They 

would remain in use until 1971. (DOD Release 668-68) 

0 NASA had completed tests to find solution to “longitudinal oscillations” 

of Saturn V booster which had occurred during April 4 Apollo 6 mission. Tests revealed that natural frequency of vehicle structure and 

propulsion system frequently had coincided, multiplying amplitude of 

oscillations. Problem would be corrected by using accumulators, small 

gas reservoirs, in 1st-stage liquid-oxygen prevalves to change propulsion 

system frequency. Minor modifications necessary to allow helium injection into prevalves were being made on 1st stages of third and sixth 

Saturn Vs. (NASA Release 68-128 ; MSFC Release 68-158) 

Ryan Vertifan, jet V/STOL aircraft designated XV-5B by NASA, was undergoing flight tests at Ryan Aeronautical Co. in San Diego before 

delivery to ARC for use in aeronautical research. Aircraft’s counter-rotating fans submerged in wings and driven by jet exhaust provided lift 

for vertical takeoff , hovering, and vertical landing. XV-5B was improved version of Ryan Aeronautical Co. research aircraft built for 

USA; modifications and renovations, after damage from October 1966 

emergency landing at Edwards AFB, were made under $1-million NASA 

contract. (ARC Astrogram, 7/18/68,1) 

With U.S. and U.S.S.R. ready to discuss possible mutual restriction on 

production of strategic missiles, research and testing of advanced spectrometer designed to police agreement had been delayed because of 

congressional cuts in DOD funds for Arms Control and Disarmament 

Agency program. Device, which analyzed missile characteristics from 

their exhaust trails at launch sites, had been developed at cost of 

$574,000 after 1964 proposal by US. for missile agreement with 

U.S.S.R. Device could be manned by international inspectors positioned one mile irom launch site or read by remote control through 

transmission cable already developed for additional $200,000. Field 

testing under simulated U.S.S.R. conditions had been postponed one 

year until summer 1969. (Oberdorfer, W Post, 7/18/68, G4) 0 The Security of Japan and Prospects for 1970, study produced for Japanese Defense Agency by Security Research Council, said Japan had 

technical and economic resources to produce uranium and plutonium 

bombs and ICBM-producing capability similar to that of France. Japanese policy to date had banned construction and importation of nuclear 

weapons. (W Post, 7/18/68, A3) 

0 Dr. Ernest Harry Vestine, expert on geomagnetism who had joined RAND 

Corp. in 1957 after 20 yr with Carnegie Institution, died in Santa Monica, Calif., of heart attack at age 62. He had been an originator of 

CR, 523910-38; SBD, 7/19/68,71) 

166 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 July 18 

1957-58 International Geophysical Year and had served as consultant 

to DOD, NASA, and Dept. of Commerce. He had been one of leaders of 

1933 International Polar Year expedition, which established observatory to measure earth’s magnetic field. ( W Post, 7/19/68, B6) 

July 19: NASA test pilots Donald L. Mallick and Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., 

flew XB-70A to 42,000-ft altitude and mach 1.62 in flight from Edwards AFB. Purpose of flight was to evaluate performance at variety of 

speeds, check exciter vane function, determine ground effects during 

low approach, and evaluate pilot proficiency during touch-and-go landing. (XB-70 Proj Off) 

Astronauts James A. McDivitt, David R. Scott, and Russell L. Schweickart successiully completed checkout of Apollo spacecraft cabin flight 

equipment provisions under simulated mission conditions at North 

American Rockwell Corp.’s Downey, Calif., facility. (NAR Skywriter, 

7/26/68,1) 

USN awarded five $1-million contracts for preliminary design and engineering work on FB-111B replacement to Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., LTV Aerospace Corp., General Dynamics Corp., North 

American Rockwell Corp., and McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corp. Substitute for F-111B, designated VFX-1, would have vertical sweep 

wings and same jet engine. (AP, NYT, 7/20/68,27; V Post, 7/21/68) 

July 20: Senate by vote of 67 to 3 passed H.R. 17903, Ey 1969 public 

works and atomic energy appropriations bill, which included $36 million for NERVA and total of $68 million for space propulsion systems. 

Senate also passed H.R. 13781, authorizing $15 million for sea-grant 

colleges and ocean exploration in FY 1969 and $15 million in FY 

1970. (NASA LAR V11/77; CR, S9047, S9069-87) 

July 21: USN had awarded $143.5-million contract to Newport News (Va.) 

Ship Building Co. for two nuclear-powered guided-missile frigates, 

which would bring to five USX’S total atomic-powered escort vessels. ( W 

Post, 7/21/68, H1) 

July 22: Partial extension of Explorer XXXVffl’s antennas, delayed because of unexpected spacecraft oscillations and ground computer failure, was successfully conducted by NASA after series of complex 

maneuvers which permitted successful gravity-gradient capture and 

three-axis stabilization. Antenna array’s four booms would be held at 

planned 455-ft length for at least two weeks while data was collected and 

then, if spacecraft performed satisfactorily, antennas would be extended 

to full 750-ft length. Damper boom was deployed, experiments were 

turned on, and all spacecraft support systems were functioning normally. Dipole antenna was deployed July 23 and satellite was declared 

fully operational. Spacecraft had been launched July 4. (NASA Proj 

Off; RASA Releases 68-123,68-132 ; W Post, 7/18/68, D21) 

Explorer XXXV (IMP-E) , sixth spacecraft in Interplanetary Explorer 

series, completed one year of operation in lunar orbit. Seven of eight 

onboard experiments and all spacecraft systems were 100% operational. Eighth experiment had 5 % degradation in performance. Since 

July 19, 1967 launch, satellite had shown that positive ions from solar 

wind crashed directly into lunar surface and had verified existence of 

solar wind void directly behind moon, enabling scientists to deduce information on moon’s electrical conductivity and internal temperature. 

(NASA Proj Off) 

167 
July 22 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Despite sharp budget cuts NASA was not contemplating layoff of Civil 

Service Commission personnel, columnist Jerry Kluttz reported in 

Washington Post. As Government agencies searched for ways to meet 

cuts ordered by Congress, NASA appeared to be only major agency with no problem of excess employees. But because of “big money problems,” 

NASA hoped to save dollars by abolishing half of its currently vacant 

positions, possibly making some “selective” layoffs at MSFC and GSFC, 

and continuing major cutbacks in contractor personnel. NASA would reprogram its activities and transfer funds to finance csc positions. (W 

Post, 7/22/68, A20) 

In Project Cold Flare, joint NASA-FAA-USAF program to assess radiological effects of solar activity on future SST passengers and crews, radiation-measuring flights were being flown from Eielson AFB, Alaska, near 

North Pole, where solar and galactic charged particles were normally 

concentrated, to gather data on radiological phenomena during solar 

flares. (NYT, 7/22/68,61) 

July 22-23: Arthritic growth on spine of Astronaut Michael Collins 

(Maj., USAF), scheduled to pilot command module on third manned 

Apollo mission early in 1969, had led to his being grounded. USAF surgeons successfully removed bone spur from near base of his neck but 

speculated convalescence might take up to four months. MSC officials declined conjecture on his future flight status. Collins had piloted twoman Gemini mission July 18-21, 1966, during which he had performed 

two space walks. (AP, W Star, 7/23/68, A4; W Post, 7/23/68, A5; 

7/24/68) 

July 23: Senate passed H.R. 18188, Dept. of Transportation appropriations 

bill, by vote of 82 to 2 after approving addition of $153 million for 

FAA to hire 3,627 air traffic controllers to relieve congestion at nation’s 

busiest airports. (CR, S9226-47; AP, W Star, 7/24/68, A21) 

0 Guidance and control equipment used during Gemini XI reentry Sept. 

15, 1966, was being flight-tested at NASA Wallops Station to set up system performance requirements for automated landing for V/STOL aircraft. Tests were part of long-range NASA research program to develop 

all-weather aviation electronics systems for V/STOL aircraft. (ERG Release 68-12; WS Release 68-14; Marshall Star, 8/14/68,2) 

July 23-24: NASA launched series of 11 sounding rockets from NASA Wallops Station between 8:19 pm July 23 and 5:55 pm July 24 to gather 

upper-atmosphere data for weather research. Carried on six NikeApache and five Nike-Cajun sounding rockets, experiments included: 

two Univ. of Colorado experiments to obtain vertical profile of nitric acid 

density, with two spheres to measure daily density change; four payloads instrumented by GCA Gorp. and Univ. of Illinois to measure electron and ion density and solar radiation in ionosphere; three joint 

GSFC-Univ. of Michigan grenade launches to obtain temperature, pressure, and wind data; and two Univ. of Michigan payloads to measure 

ambient air density by tracking two small spheres as they fell from different altitudes. Experiments were expected to yield new information 

about interrelationship of ionosphere and neutral atmosphere between 

30- and 70-mi altitudes. (NASA Release 68-134; WS Release 68-15) 

.My 24: Zris I (Esro IZ-B) satellite launched May 16 by NASA for ESRO 

completed its 1,OOOth revolution of earth. Two of seven scientific experiments malfunctioned in first days after launch but were turned off 

168 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 July 24 

ow satisfactory. Three 

y after anomalies were 

een executed by space- 

. ComSatCorp reported $3.3 million net income (33 cents per share) for 

first half of 1968, of which $1.5 million (15 cents per share) was in 

second quarter. Earnings for first half of 1967 were $2 million (21 

cents per share) and for second quarter of 1967, $859,000 (9 cents per 

share) . (ComSatCorp Release 68-35) 

IBM physicists Dr. Peter P. Sorokin and J. P. Lankard had designed and 

built pulsed laser which produced 100,000-w bursts of light lasting 2.5 

millionths of a second and varying in color according to commercial liquid dye used. It could be built in home workshop with materials worth 

$25 to $50. By changing dye used, thereby selecting new molecule, 

light of new frequency was produced, enabling scientists to investigate 

energetic properties of molecules and atoms. (Stevens, NYT, 7/26/68, 

55) Joint Committee on Atomic Energy said no valid reason had been offered for DOD’S May 28 halt in spending for quiet electric drive submarine and urged that all restraints on its design and construction be 

removed. Recommendation accompanied release of June 21 testimony 

in which V/A Hyman G. Rickover strongly supported submarine and 

criticized DOD for delaying its development [see July 111. (Transcript; 

AP, NYT, 7/28/68,54) 

July 25 .- NASA was entering competitive negotiations with Informatics Inc. 

and Leasco Systems and Research Corp. for one-year, $4-million contract with two one-year options for operation of its Scientific and Technical Information Facility at College Park, Md. (NASA Release 68-133) 

President Johnson appointed 15-member Federal Air Quality Advisory 

Board-chaired by Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare Wilbur 

J. Cohen-to advise Government of effective state and community 

air quality control programs. (PD, 7/29/68, 1153; Science, 8/2/68, 

July 26: NASA Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched from WSMR, carried Columbia Radiation Laboratory experiment to 88.3-mi (142-km) 

altitude to examine x-ray polarization of Sco XR-1 in 10- to 25-kev 

region with x-ray polarimeter. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily. Experiment worked as expected, but some counter or electronic 

failure, or both, occurred during early part of flight. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

USAF-sponsored unidentified flying object (UFO) investigation by Univ. 

of Colorado concluded April 30 had become “mired in controversy,’’ 

said Science. Its Director, Dr. Edward U. Condon, had refused to discuss situation and critics were saying project was “biased and less than 

diligent investigation.” Chief targets for criticism were Dr. Condon and 

project coordinator Robert J. Low, while “most substantial” critics 

were James E. d, Univ. of Arizona senior physicist, and 

Northwestern U omer Dr. J. Allen Hynek, WAF’S chief UFO 

consultant, who feared Dr. Condon would recommend against further 

serious UFO study. Dr. Condon’s supporters had noted criticism was 

based on newspaper quotes, on his delight in humorous UFO anecdotes, 

statements from project members who had been fired, and memo writ169 
July 26 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

ten by a subordinate before project began. They did not find evidence 

convincing, Science said. (Boffey, Science, 7/26/68,33942) 

Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories scientists John W. Salisbury and Graham R. Hunt reported in Science they had found hypothesis of particle-size control of albedo incompatible with hypothesis of 

abmdant limonite on Mars. Their observations indicated that proposal 

that polarimetric, spectrometric, color, and albedo measurements of 

light and dark areas on Mars proved limonite was major soil constituent was irreconcilable with proposal that variations in size of particle 

could be responsible for albedo difference between light and dark 

areas. They showed relative albedo was reversed from blue to red for 

limonite samples with different-sized particles. Observations of Mars revcaled no blue-red albedo reversal between areas. Although evidence 

was insufficient for choice between hypotheses, they believed Mars soil 

was most likely, for geological reasons, to be composed of silicates 

stained or coated with ferric oxides. (Science, 7/26/68,365-6) 

July 27: Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR 

carried MIT payload to 84.1-mi (135.3-km) altitude to obtain data on 

celestial locations and energy spectra of discrete x-ray sources in three 

regions and to search for weak, undiscovered x-ray sources using proportional counters. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

* Sen. Clinton P. Anderson (D-N. Mex.) , Chairman of Senate Committee on 

Aeronautical and Space Sciences, inserted into Congressional Record 

his report “Legislative History of Space Nuclear Propulsion for Fiscal 

Year 1969,” which confirmed “the continued vigorous support of the 

Congress for this space research and development activity” and that 

“appropriate agencies should proceed with the development of the 

NERVA-1 nuclear rocket engine.” Final Congressional action on AEC 

and NASA FY 1969 authorizations strongly supported nuclear propulsion development, he said. 

NASA authorization had been $55 million for Nuclear Rockets Program. Joint Committee on Atomic Energy had recommended $69 million for AEC Nuclear Space Propulsion Systems and strongly recommended program proceed. AEC had requested $72 million for Project 

Rover, including $49 million for development of NERVA I rocket engine. 

Final action of both Senate and House Appropriations Committees on 

Independent Ofices bill and AEC appropriations bill had restored funds 

cut by House earlier. It was clear, said Sen. Anderson, “that the view 

of the Congress is that the Nuclear Rockets Program for fiscal year 

1969 is one of the most important and highest priority programs in 

NASA and should move forward as planned. . . .’, Amount finally appropriated for NASA R&D for FY 1%9 would not be less than $3.3703 

billion, including $55 million for the Nuclear Rockets Program. “The 

conference committee on the AEC appropriations . . . agreed to $53 

million on the AEC’S program in Reactor Development-Space Propulsion Systems, a figure more than halfway between the House lower 

figure [$31 million] and the Senate higher figure [$68 million].” 

(CR, 7/27/68, S95824; NASA LAR VII/81) 

* Army Electronics Command had produced new battery-operated nuclear 

clock which would gain or lose only one second every 3,000 yr. It 

would be used by USA, NASA, USAF, and USN primarily in aviation-elec170 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 July 27 

tronic systems and had potential use in U.S., U.K., Canadian, and Australian digital communications systems. ( AP, NYT, 7/28/68,30) 

July 28: JPL astronomers Dr. Richard M. Goldstein and Dr. Shalhav Zohar 

had located and mapped three rugged sectors on northwest face of 

Venus using Goldstone Tracking Station’s 210-ft antenna. Beta, most 

clearly defined, appeared roughly circular with 150-mi dia and 17,000- 

sq-mi area. Two other irregular features almost as large had appeared 

on radar map which covered triangular area of estimated 160,000 sq 

mi, equal to area of northeastern U.S. Dr. Goldstein inclined to theory 

that prominences were mountains, but he had not yet been able to measure their heights. “We know these features are permanent,” he said 

“because they have appeared on all our tests” for past six years. (JPL 

Release BB-483) 

German scientist Dr. Otto Hahn, who had won 1944 Nobel Prize for 

chemistry for his 1938 discovery of nuclear fission, died at Goettingen, 

Germany, of heart failure at age 89. He had been consistent opponent 

of use of atomic weapons, uiging scientists to concentrate on peaceful 

uses of nuclear energy. (UPI, W Post, 7/29/68, B4) 

July 28-August 3: Australian astronomers using Mills Cross antenna array 

at Univ. of Sydney had detected first two pulsars to be found in southern 

sky. They brought to nine total pulsars discovered to date. Pulse rates 

of once every 0.56 and 1.96 sec were similar to all others, which 

ranged between 0.25 and 2 sec. Cornel1 Univ. astronomer, Dr. Yervent 

Terzian, had observed that two-second pulse rate made it appear unlikely that pulsating neutron stars could account for the signals. Calculations indicated that, if they were quivering, or “ringing” like bell, it 

should be at much shorter intervals than those observed. Pulse rates 

were more compatible, he said, with proposal that they emanated from 

white dwarfs, “cinders” of stars that had consumed their nuclear fuel 

but were larger and less dense than neutron stars. (Sullivan, NYT, 

8/8/68,30) 

.Iuly 29: Aviation Week reported anticipated $100-million cut in FY 1969 

funding could halt contractors’ work on USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) in September, with slippage of flight schedule into 1972. 

Boeing Co. was working on new launch vehicle at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility under Project Scrimp. Booster would be vehicle 75 ft 

in dia and 80 ft high and use TRW engine based on Boeing lunar module ascent engine experience, with 2-million-lb operational thrust-although USAF had not decided to abandon Titan 111-M as launch vehicle. (Av Wk, 7/29/68) 

House passed H.R. 18785, military construction appropriations bill for 

FY 1969, which included $263.3 million for Sentinel ABM facilities. It 

had rejected by vote of 106 to 37 motion to delete missile funds. (CR, 

H7710-35; Crowther, B Sun, 7/20/68, AS; AP, NYT, 7/30/68,62) 

Aviation Week reported DOD concern over advanced U.S.S.R. tactical 

fighters [see June 101-particularly new Soviet mach 2.8 MiG23 

(Foxbat) -might result in approval of longdelayed USAF and USN projects including USN VFX-1 and follow-on VFX-2 interceptors for fleet 

defense, USAF FX air superiority fighter, and usAF/Lockheed F-12 interceptor. USAF originally had wanted next-generation continental defense 

interceptor force composed entirely of F-12s but would accept mixed 

171 
July 29 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

force of F-12s and modified Convair F-106 interceptors designated 

Panel of scientists testified before House Committee on Science and Astronautics symposium on unidentified flying objects ( UFOS) in unanimous support of further, more detailed UFO research. Northwestern 

Univ. astronomer Dr. J. Allen Hynek said US. should seek U.N. cooperation in setting up “international clearing house” for scientifically respectable UFO reports because there was almost a total lack of 

quantitative data about the phenomenon. Cornel1 Univ. exobiologist Dr. 

Carl Sagan told Committee it was not inconceivable that there were other 

planets with civilizations and technologies more advanced than earth’s, 

but he cautioned against a widespread UFO investigation program 

which would require “some harder evidence than is now present,” thus 

being expensive. 

Computer Science Corp. mathematician and celestial mechanics specialist, Dr. Robert L. Baker, Jr., revealed space-based sensor system operated from Colorado Springs Air Defense Command Hq. had received 

several anomalous UFO alarms that had not been explained. Dr. James 

A. Harder, Univ. of California at Berkeley engineer, suggested that 

power which permitted UFOS to undertake their reportedly incredible 

maneuvering might depend on a theoretically possible “second gravita. 

tional field” interacting with electrical field in a manner corresponding 

to reaction between conventional electrical motors and generators. 

(Transcript; Lyons, NYT, 7/30/68,10; Lannan, W Star, 7/30/68, A3) 

NASA had extended, for $29,130,524, one-year contract with Trans World 

Airlines, Inc., for installation support services at KSC, bringing total of 

cost-plus-award-fee contract to $101,017,194. ( KSC Release KSC-364- 

68 

July 30: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXXXZV from Baikonur Cosmodrome into orbit with 295-km (183.3-mi) apogee, 208-km (129.24 

perigee, 89.5-min period, and 51.8” inclination. Equipment functioned 

normally. Satellite reportedly softlanded in its home territory Aug. 5. 

(GSFC SSR, 7/31/68; 8/15/68; SBD, 7/31/68, 129; AP, NYT, 

7/31/68,3; 8/7/68) @ NASA announced addition of $35,048,000 to contract with General Electric Co. for continuation of design, fabrication, and testing for four remaining Eiosatellite spacecraft, associated experiment hardware, and 

aerospace ground equipment-bringing total value of contract to 

$136,662,157. (NASA Release 68-136) 

Cone-shaped instrumented payload of French Veronique rocket released 

at 114-mi altitude fell into Atlantic 164 mi off French Guiana and was 

swept away by currents, French National Space Center announced. 

(Reuters, W Post, 7/31/68, A14) 

Bernhardt L. Dorman had resigned as NASA Assistant Administrator for 

Industry Affairs to return to Aerojet-General Corp., NASA announced. 

He would be succeeded Aug. 5 by Philip N. Whittaker, Vice President 

of IBM Federal Systems Div. (NASA Release 68-137) 

US. patent No. 3,395,565 was issued to Norton Research Corp. for calibrator developed for NASA to enable crew of space vehicle, or ground 

control personnel in unmanned flight, to check accuracy of pressure 

gauges. Prototype instrument, containing quantity of helium, had been 

delivered to NASA. (Patent Off PIO; NYT, 8/10/68,33) 

F-106X. (Av Wk, 7/29/68) 

172 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 July 30 

* USAF Space and Missile Systems Organization issued Lockheed Aircraft 

Corp. $2-million initial increment to $4,131,785 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for reentry vehicle technology and observables program. (DOD Release 706-68) 

IuZy 31 : NASA issued Apollo Status Summary: Apollo 7 prime crew, hronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Donn F. Eisele, and R. Walter Cunningham, successfully completed nine-hour test in spacsraft in KSC altitude chamber July 26 at 226,000-ft simulated altitude, with cabin 

pressurized first with 60% oxygen and 40% nitrogen, then with 100% 

oxygen at 5 psi, normal orbital atmosphere. Astronauts Thomas P. Staf. 

ford, John W. Young, and Eugene A. Cernan had completed successful 

manned altitude test in KSC chamber July 29 with cabin pressurized 

with 60/40 mixture at start and oxygen to replenish atmosphere during 

test. Saturn IB launch vehicle stages were mated at Complex 34 with 

sequence malfunction tests scheduled for Aug. 1. Propellant utilization 

system modifications had been completed on 2nd stage. 

In Apollo/Saturn 503 program, Lunar Module 3 ascent and descent 

stages were being modified to correct radar lock-on problem in rendezvous radar subsystem. Saturn V launch vehicle 1st and 2nd stages were 

mated, with pogo suppressor modification kits on 1st stage being verified. 

Third-stage propulsion subsystem checks were in progress. 

In South Atlantic Anomaly Probe, computer analysis had confirmed 

radiation levels presented no hazard to low-altitude manned Apollo orbital flights. (Text) 

Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station 

carried Univ. of Maryland and Johns Hopkins Univ. experiments to 

186-mi (300-km) altitude to investigate role of electrons in producing 

day airglow. Rocket and instrumentation-which included five-wavelength filter-wheel photometer with special sunshade, 3- to 800-ev electron spectrometer, and electron retarding-potential analyzer-performed satisfactorily. Data correlating ionospheric electron density 

distribution with day airglow emissions in ionosphere were obtained. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

* NASA announced award of $31,270,300 contract to General Electric Co. 

for continuance of general support services at Mississippi Test Facility 

through September 1969, bringing total value of basic contract to 

$190,810,713. (MSFC Release 68-170) 

Dr. Henry J. Reid, former Director and Senior Staff Associate at NASA 

Langley Research Center, died in Gloucester, Va., after heart attack at 

age 72. He had become LaRC Director in 1926 and retired in June 

1961, after 34 yr continuous service. (AP, W Post, 8/1/68, B10) 

During July: Ralph Kinney Bennett in Data scored U.S. complacency in 

year which might “see some of the greatest Soviet space spectaculars of 

the decade.” In U.S., he said, early glamour of space race had faded 

and NASA projects were neither as ambitious nor as well-funded as they 

once were. In contrast, he noted, U.S.S.R. showed signs of “a new spurt 

of activity, new technical accomplishments above our planet, an accelerated assault on the moon and dark rumblings of advanced military 

uses of the threshold of space. The time for a Soviet resurgence could 

hardly be better. “. . . Soviets are badly in need of a great techno-propaganda feat to 

reassert their influence on world public opinion. . . .” Soviet hold on 

173 
During July ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

European satellite nations had shown evidence of advanced erosion. 

“Their position in relation to the rest of the communist world is no 

longer clearly defined.” U.S.S.R. was spending estimated $9 billion a 

year on space and half that sum went toward military applications of 

space technology. “There is an American attitude . . of waiting until 

you get burnt before you shed complacency. When Sputnik I burnt us, 

we came back with a vengeance. Now complacency has set in again. 

Perhaps we will feel the fire from the Soviets in space before this year 

is out and react accordingly. But in space technology . . . it’s a tough 

way to play the ball game.” (Datu, 7/68) 

Paul G. Thomas discussed “Earth-Resource Survey from Space,” in Spuce/ 

Aeronautics. Program called for: first mapping of earth to ultimate 

scale level of 1:25,000; first mapping of global sea state and surface 

temperature to help shipping, fishing, and weather forecasters; monitoring hydrological cycle to assist watershed planning and prediction 

of botanical responses; measuring plant vigor and impact on supply 

and price of earth‘s food ; measuring geographical surface phenomena 

to permit geologists to home in on mineral deposits and further arguments in morphology of planet earth. Signatures and their rapid analysis were major stumbling blocks in program. “Although there are 

about 50 geological signatures on record and about 100 for agriculture 

and forestry, each represents a one-of-a-kind situation . . . and, oddly 

enough, there is often more variance within a species than there is between species.” 

As remote sensing concepts emerged, it was “apparent that successful 

earth-resource surveillance will not be simply a matter of lashing together existing technology into pseudo-systems and hoping for benefits. 

The human effort and development funding needed to fully implement 

a system for earth observation from space will make the lunar landings 

look like a walk to the corner candy store. Thus the shift in emphasis 

to cost/benefit studies, new to the space age, is certainly not without 

foundation. If, on the other hand, an optimized system cannot-or 

should not-be realized, we should be willing to stumble a bit to find 

out.” (S/A, 7/68,46-54) 

174 
August 1968 

August 1 : Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched by NASA from Churchill 

Research Range carried ARC luster sampling instrument with collection 

modules, camera, and electronics package to 71.3-mi (114.7-km) altitude to sample material from noctilucent clouds as luster instrument 

passed through them. Sampling instrument was successfully flown and 

recovered. Instrument malfunction caused loss of four modules, but remaining eight were recovered in excellent condition. Experiment was 

considered highly successful. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

Senate passed by voice vote H.R. 18785, N 1969 military construction 

appropriation bill which contained $36 million for Sentinel planning, 

after defeating 46 to 27 amendment to cut $227.3 million in Sentinel 

deployment funds from its $1.7 billion Ey 1969 appropriation. (CR, 

8/1/68,59965; Wilson, W Post, 8/2/68, A10; SBD, 8/2/68,137) 

Groundbreaking ceremony marked start of construction on Hall of the 

National Academy of Sciences, symposia facility to be shared with National Academy of Engineering and National Research Council. An addition to present NAS structure, new building would contain 700-seat 

auditorium, lounge area, 40 research and administration offices, and 

research archive file. Design and construction funds had come from 

contributions to Hugh L. Dryden Memorial Fund and from other private and Government sources, including large gift on behalf of NAE. 

Total cost of structure was estimated at $3.8 million. Dr. Dryden, who 

died in December 1965, had served 10 yr as Home Secretary with NAS, 

12 yr as a NAS Council member, and 21 yr as member. He had joined 

NACA, NASA predecessor, in 1947 and had been named Director of NACA 

in 1949. (NAS Release) 

0 President Johnson announced appointed of David D. Thomas, Deputy 

Administrator of FAA, as Acting Administrator, (PD, 8/5/68, 1190) 

British Railways inaugurated commercial service across English Channel 

with 165-ton SRN4 Hovercraft, cutting time of 30-mi crossing between 

Dover and Boulogne from 1y2 hr by fastest ferry to 35 min. (Lee, 

NYT, 8/2/68,54; Wentworth, W Post, 8/5/68, A3) 

August 2: NASA launched two boosted Arcas I sounding rockets from 

Resolute Bay, Canada, carrying GSFC payloads to measure D-region electron density profiles in Polar Cap ionosphere and measure simultaneously solar proton spectra. Rockets and instruments performed satisfactorily. Minimum altitude required (52.8 mi) (85 km) was obtained, 

allowing excellent data recovery. Peak altitudes were not determined 

because of lack of radar support. (NASA Rpts SRL) 

NASA was stopping work on Saturn I33 vehicles 215 and 216 “to the extent possible without involving uneconomical terminations.” Contractors 

had been instructed to terminate work on long-lead-time items being 

procured for Saturn V vehicles 516 and 517; halt would cause time 

gap should decision be reached later to resume production. Boosters 

175 
August 2 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

August 2: NASA introduced new fireproof Apollo spacesuits at press shouing in Dover, 

Del. In earlier photo, test subject Ronald C. Woods wears integrated thermal micrometeorite garment (TMG) to be worn by astronauts during extravehicular activities. ILC 

Industries suit has back-puck life-support system deueloped by United Aircraft Cow. 

had been requested in NASA FY 1969 budget for follow-on utilization of 

Apollo capacity beyond manned lunar landing. Steps were taken after 

Congressional cuts in budget, in anticipation of final decisions on future production. (NASA Release 68-139 ; W Post, 8/3/68, A2) 

* At press showing in Dover, Del., NASA introduced fireproof Apollo space176 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 2 

suits developed after Jan. 27, 1967, Apollo fire to protect astronauts 

against extreme heat, cold, and flash fires. Beta cloth of glass fiber was 

nonflammable, with 1,200” F melting point. Former spacesuit fabric 

would melt at 700” F and would burn if ignited. New 541b suits were 

22 lb heavier but more flexible, consisting of inner layer of cotton underwear and cover layer of Beta cloth, nylon, and aluminized Kapton 

to protect against micrometeoroids and temperatures between 310’ F 

and - 250” F. Intermediate garment contained ventilation unit which, 

for astronauts participating in extravehicular activity, would be cooled 

with continuous flow of water while wearer was outside capsule and 

with pure oxygen inside capsule. Suits and cloth helmet to be worn after 

removal of plastic headwear were manufactured by ICL Industries, Inc., 

and cost $175,000-$200,000 each. NASA had ordered 100. (Lyons, 

NYT, 8/3/68,3; Lannan, W Star, 8/3/68, A2) * Ryan XV-5B Vertifan aircraft made first vertical and hovering flights at 

ARC, piloted by Ryan chief test pilot William Anderson in airworthiness 

tests. These were first vertical flights since extensive modifications converted aircraft from original XV-SA to new version for NASA research 

[see July 181. Aircraft made three vertical lift-offs, reaching 20-ft altitude and remaining stationarv in air UD to one minute. (ARC Astrogram, a/i5/68,3)u 

* Data collected for 17 mo by five Lunar Orbiters indicated rate of penetration of 0.025-mm beryllium copper surface of pressurized celis by 

meteoroids in near-lunar environment was approximately half the rate 

in near-earth environment as measured by similar detectors aboard 

Explorer XVZ and Explorer XXIII. Each experiment used 20 pressurized-cell detectors with total exposed area of 0.186 sq m, carried aboard 

spacecraft in both equatorial and polar orbits at altitudes between 18.6 

and 3,852.5 mi (30 and 6,200 km). Estimates of hazard near moon had 

ranged from less to much greater than hazard near earth. Major uncertainty had been contribution by secondary meteoroids created by impacts of primary meteoroids on moon, according to report by NASA 

LaRC scientists C. A. Gurtler and Gary W. Grew. Data showed no evidence of increase in hazard from such “backsplash.” (Science, 8/2/68, 

4624) 

0 Univ. of Minnesota scientists J. G. Sparrow and E. P. Ney reported in 

Science results of experiment on NASA’s Os0 IZ Orbiting Solar Observatory designed primarily to measure zodiacal light and continuum airglow. From February to November 1965, Os0 ZZ had been able to pick 

up and distinguish between such earth light sources as lightning, gas 

flares in Middle East oil fields, and nighttime lights of major US. cities. Most significant was recognition of 10 other satellites in low earth 

orbit. “In principle, each satellite could have been identified.” (Science, 

8/2/68,.259-60; W Post, 8/2/68, A10; SBD, 8/5/68,145) 

* NAS and NAE would collaborate on initial study of scientific and engineering aspects of US. participation in International Decade of Ocean 

Exploration planned for 1970s, Science reported. (Science, 8/2/68, 

447) 

August 4: NASA had concluded agreements for cooperative scientific experiments with space and upper atmosphere research authorities of Brazil, 

Norway, Spain, and Sweden. Brazilian Comissao Nacional de Atividades Espaciais (CNAE) and NASA project would include four sounding 

177 
August 4 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

rocket launches into upper atmosphere to measure micrometeoroid flux 

and its variations with latitude in early autumn. Royal Norwegian 

Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and NASA project would 

observe earth‘s magnetic and electrical fields and charged particle environment during stages of auroral activity by launch in September and 

October of three barium-release ion-cloud payloads followed by instrumented payloads. 

Spanish Comisi6n Nacional de Investigaci6n del Espacio ( CONIE) 

and NASA project would require launch of 24 Boosted-Dart meteordogical sounding rockets to 30- to 60-km (18.6- to 37.3-mi) altitudes at twoweek intervals throughout 1969 to obtain synoptic wind and temperature data on structure and circulation of upper atmosphere and wind 

oscillations. Swedish Space Research Committee and NASA project 

would study D and E ionospheric layers with instrumented payloads on 

four Boosted-Arcas I1 sounding rockets in autumn 1968. 

In all projects, principal experimenters would have first rights to 

data which subsequently would be made available to world scientific 

community. Each agency would bear full cost of its agreed responsibilities without exchange of funds. (NASA Release 68-138; SBD, 8/5/68!, 

148) 

August 5: U.S.S.R. was expected to make more successful launches than 

US. during 1968 for first time since 1957, with both nations emphasiaing military goals, Howard Benedict of Associated Press wrote. In 

1957, U.S.S.R. had launched two Sputniks, US. had launched none. In 

1958, US. had launched five to U.S.S.R.’s one; thereafter, U.S. had 

maintained substantial edge, building to 73-46 margin in 1966. In 

1967, US. had led by only one launch, 67-66. Through 1967, US. had 

had 400 successful launches, with 532 payloads orbited. U.S.S.R. had 

had 240 launches with 289 payloads. In 1968 to date, U.S.S.R. had successfully launched 40 rockets with 40 payloads; US. had launched 22 

rockets with 31 payloads, 23 fewer than in 1967, while U.S.S.R. 

launches had increased by five. 

Reasons for decline in US. launch rate were NASA budget cuts and 

improved instrumentation and data recovery in military launches 

(60% of US. firings). US. military payloads in 1968 numbered 22 to 

U.S.S.R.’s 24 out of total 40. Tracking experts had reported 16 of 1968 

U.S.S.R. satellites on reconnaissance assignments, with 13 reentering 

after 8-day orbit, two after 12 days and one still aloft. Sole U.S.S.R. 

Fractional Orbital Bombardment System (FOBS) test, Cosmos 

CCXVIII, had been launched and returned to earth in less than one 

orbit April 25. Drop from nine FOBS tests in 1967 indicated U.S.S.R. 

might have perfected at least first stage in FOBS development. 

Neither US. nor U.S.S.R. had launched men into space in 1968 but 

experts listed Cosmos CCXII and CCXIIl launchings April 15 as 

forerunners of manned lunar mission. In 1968, U.S.S.R. had launched 

nine scientific satellites, three for navigation, and two each for communications, weather, and deep space probes. US. had made two unmanned Apollo rocket and spacecraft tests, five scientific payloads, and 

one moon shot. (Huntsville Times, 8/5/68) 

0 Committee on Resolutions of 1968 Republican National Convention 

meeting in Miami Beach, Ha., proposed platform plank on science: “In 

science and technology the nation must maintain leadership against in178 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 5 

creasingly challenging competition from abroad. . . . We regret that 

the Administration’s budgetary mismanagement has forced sharp reductions in the space program. The Republican party shares the sense 

of urgency manifested by the scientific community concerning the exploration of outer space. We recognize that the peaceful applications of 

space probes in communications, health, weather, and technological advances have been beneficial to every citizen. We regard the ability to 

launch and deploy advanced spacecraft as a military necessity. We deplore the failure of the Johnson-Humphrey Administration to emphasize the military uses of space for America’s defense.” (NYT, 8/5/68, 

25 1 * First short-takeoff -and-landing strip for commercial aircraft in US. 

opened at La Guardia Airport in New York. Called STOL~O~~, it was 

1,095 ft long. Shortest regular runway at La Guardia was 4,000 ft. FAA 

said STOLport would be used for visual flying only. STOL aircraft landed 

and took off at 60 mph, rather than regular commercial aircraft’s 105 

mph. Three more stolports were to open Sept. 1 to provide taxi service 

between National and Dulles Airports in Washington, D.C., and Friendship Airport in Baltimore. (Shipler. NYT, 8/6/68, 1; AP, W Star, 

8/6/68, AS; W Post, 8/14/68,1) 0 NASA planned flight test of relatively inexpensive general-aviation collision-avoidance system, flight test of six or more general-aviation aircraft, and series of wind-tunnel tests of Learjet at ARC under five-year 

program to improve light aircraft technology with FY 1969 funding of 

$500,000. General-aviation research program’s main current emphasis 

was on flight-testing Piper Twin Comanche on twin-engine aircraft 

characteristics for comparison with measurements obtained during wind 

tunnel tests. ERC and LaRC work on collision-avoidance system was 

aimed at cooperative system costing below $1,000 commercially, in 

which pilot would be warned of impending collision if other aircraft 

was similarly equipped. LaRC was using randomly coded Doppler radar 

system, to be flight tested late in autumn, while ERC was developing optical system using xenon strobe light to illuminate aircraft. Light would 

be picked up by silicon detectors. ERC had not yet developed fully 

integrated system. (Am Av, 8/5/68,6) 

ciugust 6: USAF launched unidentified satellite with Atlas-Agena D booster 

from ETR into orb2 with 24,769-mi (39,866.8-km) apogee, 19,685-mi 

(31,556-km) perigee 1,436.0-min period, and 9.9 O inclination. USAF’S 

first unannounced ETR launching in five years (USAF usually launched 

from WTR) ; satellite carried payload described by USAF as “experimental.” AP story in Washington Post said payload’s primary purpose reportedly was to test improved sensing devices and other equipment designed to locate missile and other military installations and provide 

warning of rocket attacks from unfriendly nations. AP sources had indicated launch was from ETR so satellite could achieve high-altitude 

orbit where it could “dwell for a longer period over a desired area of 

the globe.’’ (AP, W Post, 8/7/68, A14; SBD, 8/7/68, 156; GSFC 

SSR, 8/15/68; Pres Rpt 68) 

USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by Titan 

111-B-Agena D booster. Satellite entered orbit with 266-mi (428.1-b) 

apogee, 88-mi (141.644 perigee, 90.5-min period, and 109.5’ incli179 
August 6 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%8 

nation and reentered Aug. 16. (SBD, 8/12/68, 177; GSFC SSR, 

8/15/68; 8/31/68; Pres Rpt 68) 

Washington Post article by George C. Wilson logged significant changes 

in U.S.S.R. space program: Cosmos CCVIII and Cosmos CCXXVZIZ, 

launched March 21 and June 21, had been first Soviet “spyyy satellites 

to stay up for 12 days instead of usual 7 or 8. US. space experts had 

said they would have to watch pattern of future satellites before concluding whether purpose of longer-lived satellites was peaceful. 

Launches had been logged without comment in GSFC Satellite Situation 

Report but West had evidence that U.S.S.R. had recovered photographs 

taken by them. U.S. analysts also had noted overlapping by U.S.S.R. of 

reconnaissance flights, possibly to ensure backup if one failed. Cosmos 

CCXXXIV marked 100th Soviet reconnaissance launch July 30. Cosmos CCXXXI had been launched July 10 at time appropriate for photographing French nuclear tests in Pacific near Tahiti. (W Post, 

8/6/68,2 1 

Republican presidential contender Richard M. Nixon told group of 

Southern delegates to nominating convention U.S. must restore balance 

of power in missile and space programs. “This Administration has allowed it to deteriorate. That is why I am opposed to any kind of program-such as defensive missiles-which allows the United States to 

take second place to the Soviet Union. We are going to restore our 

strength in the missile program.” 

In the space program, he said, “We have sort of a budget problem 

. . . and we may have to trim it in some places. But as far as these 

great and important objectives that involve national defense . . . [and] prestige, we have got to be sure that the United States is first 

and never second in space . . . [for] any great nation, to remain great, 

must explore the unknown. . . . As far as I am concerned . . . there is 

a research gap at the present time. We aren’t putting enough money 

into basic research to keep ahead of the Soviet Union. We are going to 

close that gap-and then create one where they are behind us all 

around the world.” (M Her, 8/7/68, A22; Cocoa, Ha., Today, 8/7/68; 

SBD, 8/8/68,162) 

0 In policy statement on science New York Governor Nelson B. Rockefeller, campaigning for Republican presidential nomination, had recommended that US. postpone manned space program after Apollo. He 

warned against treating space program as contest between U.S. and 

U.S.S.R. and advocated use of unmanned satellites for direct benefits 

on earth, to explore planets, and to study sun. Gov. Rockefeller said if 

he were President he would appoint commission “to review the whole 

field of government science.” He recommended President make annual 

report to Congress on science and technology. (SBD, 8/6/68,149) 

0 House Committee on Government Operations report, Government Use of 

Satellite Communications-1 968, endorsed DOD decision to proceed 

with Phase I1 of Defense Communications Satellite System [see June 

181 and urged immediate action in reprogramming and procurement. 

“The initial system, established partly on an experimental basis and 

without the benefit of more recent technological advances, needs to be 

supplemented and ultimately replaced.” It recommended DOD planning 

to develop facilities and methods for emergency communications by 

satellite, to provide satellite services when possible instead of expand180 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 6 

ing conventional systems, and to improve ground terminals and develop new ones. (Text; Aero Daily, 8/6/68) 

* NASA successfully completed month-long laboratory test of Biosatellite 

capsule which would maintain primate in space for 30 days in 1969. 

Fully instrumented, IS&, pigtailed monkey which made simulated 

space flight was alert and responsive when removed and was undergoing postflight examination and physiological measurements identical to 

those planned to follow actual flight. Test had been terminated after 28 

days when biomedical instrumentation measured less urine than monkey would normally secrete. 

Biosatellite D primate flight would duplicate most routines of 

manned flight to provide data on effects of prolonged weightlessness. 

During simulated flight, monkey ate penets, drank water, and performed two 30-min tasks each day. Test was conducted by Biosatellite 

experimenters at UCLA with support from NASA and General Electric Go. 

ARC was managing project. (NASA Release 68-142; AP, B Sun, 

8/29/68, A4) 

USAF experiments in human reactions to extreme heat had indicated astronauts could survive reentry through earth’s atmosphere if their 

cabin cooling system failed. In tests at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, airmen were being subjected to 300°F and 400°F heat in four-foot-high 

oven three times daily. Some could stand up to 15 min at 300°F; limit 

at 400°F had been two or three minutes. (AP, LA Times, 8/6/68) 

Apollo 7 prime crew successfully completed water egress training in Gulf 

of Mexico. (NASA Apollo Status Summary, 8/7/68) 

August 7: USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by 

Thor-Agena booster into orbit with 161-mi (257.2-km) apogee, .lOO-mi 

(160.9-km) perigee, 88.7-min period, and 82.1 inclination. Satellite reentered Aug. 27 (GSFC SSR, 8/15/68; 8/31/68; Pres Rpt 68) 

* NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station 

carried Rice Univ. payload to 121.6-mi (195.644 altitude to measure 

vector magnetic field in region between 90 and 130 km during electron 

current flow with sufficient continuity and signal strength to deduce altitude profile and absolute strength of current layer. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. Clear magnetometer data were received during payload ascent and descent. ( NASA Rpt SRL) 

* NASA issued Apollo Status Summary: Apollo 7 spacecraft had been 

moved from altitude chamber at KSC. During week it would be mated 

with lunar module adapter and prepared for mechanical mate with Saturn IB launch vehicle. In Apollo Saturn 503 project, radar lock-on 

problem in Lunar Module 3 ascent and descent stages’ rendezvous radar 

subsystem was being isolated. Saturn V launch vehicle 1st and 2nd 

stages had been mated. 

Last in series of seven water impact tests in support of first manned 

Apollo mission was scheduled for Aug. 13. (Text) 

AEC and US. Geological Survey experiments had shown that neutrons 

from man-made californium-252 hitting gold and silver atoms excited 

atoms to radioactive state ; atoms then emitted characteristic gamma rays by which they were identified. With californium, irradiation 

equipment for technique already known could be reduced about 

~00~~~~ times, making it ideal for sea bottom probes and for devices to 

analyze materials on moon’s surface as well as for mining and in181 
August 7 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

dustrial purposes. Geological Survey was working with GSFC on use for 

study of moon. (NEA, W News, 8/8/68) 0 St. Louis Globe-Democrat editorial said : “The principal criticism of the 

proposed cuts in the space budget is that they aren’t deep enough. NASA 

will be left with an expenditure of nearly $4 billion in the current fiscal 

year. With the nation in a financial bind and the Administration 

pledged to prune $6 billion from the federal budget, it seems that a 

good deal more than now suggested should be lopped off the space program.” (St. Louis G-D, 8/7/68) 

August 8: Explorer XXXZX (Air Density balloon) and Explorer XL 

(Znjun V) were successfully launched by NASA from WTR by single 

four-stage Scout booster. Primary mission objective was to place spacecraft in near polar orbits to extend studies of atmospheric density, geomagnetically trapped particles, and down-flux of these particles into atmosphere. Expected lifetimes were one year each. 

Explorer XXXlX entered orbit with 1,548-mi (2,492.3-km) apogee, 

425-mi (683-km) perinee, 117.9-min period, and 80.6” inclination. 

The 20.5-lb, 12-ft-dia inflatable sphere was covered with aluminum foiI 

to reflect sunlight and radio beacons and was coated with painted white 

spots for temperature control. It would extend measurements of latitudinal, seasonal, and solar cycle variations in upper air density and 

compare previous satellite measurements for further insight into 

sources of atmospheric heating. 

Explorer XL, 29-in-high, 30-in-dia, 153.1-lb hexagon, entered orbit 

with 1,573-mi (2,530-km) apogee, 424-mi (677-km) perigee, 

118.3-min period, and 80.6’ inclination. Satellite’s primary purpose 

was to measure directly down-flux of charged particles into atmosphere; study geomagnetically trapped charged particles, emphasizing 

spectra, spatial distribution, and time variations; and correlate VLF 

radio emissions and measurements of low-energy positive electrons 

with more energetic particle measurements. 

Mission was second NASA launch of two spacecraft by one Scout 

booster. First dual launch successfully injected Explorer XXZV (Air 

Density balloon) and Explorer XXV (lnjun ZV) into orbit Nov. 

21, 1964. LaRC desiqned, developed, and constructed Air Density Explorer and Univ. of Iowa designed, developed and constructed Injun V 

and provided all but one of its experiments. Proqram was managed by 

LaRC under OSSA direction. (NASA Proj Off; SBD, 8/12/68, 177; GSFC 

SSR, 8/15/68) 

NASA announced “interim operating plan” for FY 1969 designed to 

achieve $3.85-billion budget. Agency would reduce staff by 1,600 and 

contract employees by 2,000. Purchase or construction of four Saturn 

boosters had been canceled [see Aug. 21, plans for 1973 instrument 

payloads on Mars had been substantially reduced, lunar exploration 

programs had been halted, and development of NERVA nuclear 

rocket engine would be put back until next fiscal year, at least. Apol10 

Applications program would be reduced $300 million from budget request of $440 million and would include only two spacecraft-Saturn I 

Workshop and Apollo Telescope Mount-with boosters and backup 

equipment. “Work toward post-Apollo lunar exploration and toward 

Saturn V Workshop will be limited to studies.” (NASA Release 68-141) 

NASA Nike- Apache sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station 

182 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 8 

carried Univ. of Michigan payload to 94.7-mi (152.4-km) altitude to 

measure neutral atmosphere density and temperature profile in 17.4- to 

63.4-mi (28- to 120-km) -altitude range, compare day measurements 

with night measurements by rocket to be launched Aug. 9, and flighttest and evaluate new second-generation Pitot probe system flown without ejectable nose tip. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. Pitot tube performed well and seemed capable of reaching 

higher apogees, even without nose-cone tip, than old system. (NASA Rpt 

SRL) 

NASA announced Astronaut James A. Lovell, Jr., had replaced Astronaut 

Michael Collins as prime command module pilot for third manned 

Apollo mission. Lovell had held same position on mission’s backup 

crew. Collins had undergone successful spinal surgery July 23 and 

would require three to six months recuperation. Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., 

backup lunar module pilot, had been moved to command module pilot 

position on backup crew. Astronaut Fred W. Haise, Jr., had been assigned to backup crew as lunar module pilot. Lovell joined Astronauts 

Frank Borman and William A. Anders on prime crew for mission 

scheduled for first quarter 1969. (MSC Release; KSC Release 

KSC-374-68; AP, NYT, 8/9/68, 14; UPI, W Star, 8/9/68; W Post, 

8/9/68, A7; SBD, 8/9/68,169; MSC Roundup, 8/16/68,1) 

GSFC team headed by Peter Minott was studying amount of energy absorbed by atmosphere through experiments with laser beam directed at 

Explorer XXXVI. Reflectors on satellite returned beam to its starting 

point on earth while laser detector on satellite radioed back data on the 

strength of its light as it passed through atmospheric conditions. NASA 

laser expert Dr. Henry Plotkin said, “Some day we figure that with a 

laser we can build a space-to-earth communications link that won’t fade 

the way radio waves do.” Laser experiments also were being conducted 

with Explorer XXII, XXVII, and XXIX, and two French satellites. 

(Kehoe, W Post, 8/8/68, Fl) 

ComSatCorp, on behalf of INTELSAT, issued RFP for aeronautical communications satellites for two-way simplex voice communication between transoceanic aircraft and fixed earth stations. Spacecraft were to 

be active repeater VHF comsats with minimum five-year life for emplacement in synchronous equatorial orbit. (ComSatCorp Release 

.4ugust 8-9: Two NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rockets launched from 

NASA Wallops Station reached 178-mi (286.5-km) and 199-mi (320- 

km) altitudes in Univ. of Michigan experiments to obtain thermosphere structure measurements of N, density and temperature. Rockets 

and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. All scientific objectives 

appeared to have been met. (NASA Rpts SRL) 

August 9: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXXXV from Baikonur Cosmodrome into orbit with 283-km (175.8-mi) apogee, 203-km (126.2-mi) 

perigee, 89.3-min period, and 51.8’ inclination. Satellite performed satisfactorily and reentered Aug. 17. (W Star, 8/9/68, 1; SBD, 8/12/68, 

177; GSFC SSR, 8/15/68; 8/31/68) 

* NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station 

carried Univ. of Michigan payload to 90.9-mi (146.3-km) altitude to 

measure neutral atmospheric density and temperature profile at altitudes of 12.4-74.6 mi (20-120 km) , compare night measurements with 

68-38) 

183 
August 9 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

day measurements by rocket launched Aug. 8, evaluate lunar position 

sensing device for use in resolving payload altitude, and measure wind 

velocities. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily ; data 

were obtained as planned. Launch was to be last of this Pitot static 

payload configuration. New Pitot probe system would be used in future. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

0 NASA selected Nortronics Div. of Northrop Corp. and Fecker Div. of 

Owens-Illinois Go. for competitive negotiations for $2.5 million costplus-incentive-fee contract to design, build, and install 36in aperture infrared telescope in N.4SA’S high-altitude observatory aircraft. Aircraft, 

modified Convair 990 jet transport, was operated by ARC as national 

facility for astronomers and other scientists. Telescope would provide 

information on planets, comets, asteroids, solar surface, stars, nebulae, 

and galactic phenomena. Above interference of most of earth’s atmosphere, it would gather information in infrared portion of spectrum not 

available from ground observatories. (NASA Release 68-144) 

* Naval Research Laboratory scientists Dror Sadeh, Stephen Knowles, and 

Benjamin Au reported in Science observations made in two experiments in which an apparent decrease in frequency of radio or light 

waves was detected when optical path was in vicinity of a mass. Radio 

waves skirting earth and sun appeared to increase in wavelength, leading scientists to reason that all lights crossing portions of universe 

would be similarly affected by mass of objects along the way. Effect 

could account for part of “red shift” (shift in spectra of distant galaxies as they receded €rom earth), chief tool for measuring expansion 

rate of universe which, in turn, was used to measure age of universe. 

Thus, if observations by NRL scientists were confirmed, they could necessitate revision of long-standing estimates of age and expansion rate 

of universe. Experimenters, however, indicated their findings appeared 

inconsistent with results from “round-trip” experiments, such as those 

obtained during past year when radar impulses were bounced off 

Venus and Mercury. (Science, 8/9/68, 567-9; Sullivan, NYT, 

8/10/68,27) 

ComSatCorp, on behalf of INTELSAT, announced it had requested proposals for design of 120-in parabolic spacecraft antenna for experiments to evaluate feasibility of deployable, narrow-beam, parabolic antenna for use on spacecraft in synchronous, equatorial orbit in research 

on communications at 15 ghz. Antenna would be designed to provide 

0.5” width beam. (ComSatCorp Release 68-40) 

-4ugust 10: NASA’s 860-lb Ats ZV (ATS-D) (Applications Technology Satellite) was launched from ETR by Atlas-Centaur booster on mission to 

evaluate gravity-gradient system for spacecraft stabilization in synchronous orbit and to obtain data on experiments during first 30 days 

in orbit. 

Centaur ignited, successfully injecting spacecraft into elliptical parking orbit with 475.8-mi (765.7-km) apogee, 115.4-mi (175.7-km) perigee, and 29.1” inclination. Centaur engines, which were to have reignited to inject spacecraft into 22,300-mi-altitude synchronous equatorial orbit west of South America, failed to ignite. Since programmer 

did not receive accelerometer burn indication, it did not issue command to separate and spacecraft and Centaur stage remained joined, 

tumbling uncontrollably, in parking orbit. Three attempts to fire apo184 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 10 

gee kick motor were unsuccessful because firing was inhibited by separation switches. Efforts would be made to operate all experiments possible, but information beyond proof of operation was not expected. Although exact rate and direction of tumble had not been determined, 

preliminary assessment indicated rate was too high for successful boom 

deployment. 

Ats ZV was fourth in series of seven satellites designed to improve 

spacecraft technology, develop long-life control systems, advance spacecraft communications, and improve long-range weather predictions. 

First spacecraft to be placed in earth orbit by Centaur booster, Ats ZV 

was 56 in in dia, 72 in long, and would have been 251 ft across with 

gravity-gradient rods fully deployed. Spacecraft carried four applications technology experiments-gravity-gradient stabilization system, 

day-night Image Orthicon Camera (roc) , microwave communications 

experiment, and ion engine-and no science experiments. Ats I 

(launched Dec. 6, 1966) had exceeded its test objectives and was 

still operating satisfactorily. Ats ZZ (launched April 5, 1967), though 

judged a failure because of eccentric orbit, had transmitted some useful 

data. Ats ZZZ (launched Nov. 5, 1967) , last ATS spacecraft scheduled to 

be launched by Atlas-Agena D booster, had operated successfully and 

transmitted color photos of earth. ATS program was managed by GSFC 

under OSSA direction. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 68-127; UPI, ,YYT, 

8/12/68,34; AP, P Inq, 8/12/68; Lewis News, 8/16/68,1) * Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space 

Flight, told British Interplanetary Society in London : “I believe 

that the exploitation of space is limited in concept and extent by 

the very high cost of putting payload into orbit, and the inaccessibility 

of objects after they have been launched. Therefore I would forecast 

that the next major thrust in space will be the development of an economical launch vehicle for shuttling between earth and the installations, 

such as the orbiting space stations which will be operating in space.” 

Dr. Mueller said efficient earth-to-orbit transportation system would be 

needed to shuttle thousands of tons of material in and out of space, 

operating in mode similar to that of large commercial air transports 

and compatible with airports. Same technology could be applied to terrestrial point-to-point transport. (Text) 

New York News editorial criticized severe cut-backs in space funding: 

“Most ominous, we think, are the delays and curtailments likely to be 

economy-compelled in the Apollo moon program . . . too-drastic cutbacks in funds for space programs and researches would be foolish at 

best, and suicidal at worst, considering Russia’s known efforts to develop space weapons for world blackmail. What if Queen Isabella had 

limited Christopher Columbus to one little ship and a skeleton crew?” 

(NY News, 8/10/68) 

-4ugust 11 : Photographic evidence from US. satellites had indicated 

U.S.S.R. construction of Moscow antimissile defense had been slowed 

down, if not halted. US. intelligence officials had been satisfied from 

photographs that Tallinn defense across northeast approaches to 

U.S.S.R. was against US. bombers, not missiles. (W Post, 8/11/68, 1) 

August 12: NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried 

Dudley Observatory, Albany, N.Y., payload to 96.5-mi (155.2-km) 

185 
August 12 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

altitude to collect, recover, and evaluate micrometeoroid particles during approximate maximum of Perseid meteor shower. Rocket and 

instruments performed satisfactorily and telemetry data were obtained 

during entire flight time. Preliminary data indicated excellent experimental results. Payload was not damaged and was recovered within 

one hour. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

* Simplified instrumentation technique using miniaturization, developed 

by NASA’s FRC for monitoring pilots of XB-70 aircraft and wingless 

lifting-body vehicles, had been adapted to make possible almost instantaneous transmission of electrocardiograms taken of ambulance patients enroute to hospital doctors awaiting their arrival. In procedure 

taking total two minutes, data obtained from patient were flashed over 

ambulance radio to control center, relayed by telephone to cooperating 

hospital, and fed to ECG recorder. System had been successfully tested 

by a Los Angeles ambulance service for several months. (NASA Release 

68-145; W Post, 8/15/68) * New York Times reported interview in which General Electric Co. engineers described ARMS (Application of Remote Manipulators in Space), 

concept being pursued under $68,000 NASA contract to study feasibility 

of orbiting robots to refuel, resupply, and repair crippled spacecraft on 

signals from earth. They could be in operation by mid-1970s and, if 

successful, could extend useful lifetimes of communications and 

weather satellites and, possibly, could inspect or disable hostile spacecraft. One plan was to launch 600-lb robot attached to 1,000-lb tender 

or “home base” satellite. ,With repair kit orbited on distress signal 

from regular satellite, robot would rendezvous and repair disabled satellite directed by a ground controller by radio signals transmitted via 

the tender. After each repair robot would return to tender. Engineers 

estimated robot could remain in orbit four to five years and would 

have paid for itself after 12 repairs. (Wilford, NYT, 8/13/68,4) 

‘4ugust 13: Apollo 7 spacecraft had been mechanically mated to Saturn IB 

launch vehicle at Complex 34, NASA announced. Apollo 7 prime or 

backup crew, or both, would participate in 10-hr network simulation of 

first six revolutions of mission and 8-hr launch simulations during 

week. 

Spacecraft 2TV-1 command and service modules successfully completed menned checkout Aug. 9 and 10 in preparation for five-day 

manned thermal-vacuum test at MSC in September to help verify spacecraft in simulated space environment for Apollo earth-orbital and lunar 

missions. Two-minute captive firing of 6th Saturn V booster stage at 

MTF Aug. 13 would try out “fix” for Saturn V longitudinal oscillations 

--conversion of liquid oxygen prevalves into gas-filled shock absorbers. 

(Text; C Trib, 8/13/68) 

NASA issued request for quotations for design, development, fabrication, 

test, qualification, and delivery of actuator system for Apollo Telescope 

Mount (ATM) , calling for completion within nine months. System, expected to weigh 20 lb, would be contained in cylinder 18 in long and 1 

ft in dia. It would be used to deploy solar panels of ATM which would 

be placed in orbit and docked with Saturn I workshop. (MSFC Release 

68-178) 

NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Flight, Dr. George E. Mueller, 

had told Apollo project contractors that U.S.S.R. was developing a 

186 
P, STRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 13 

“large booster, larger by a factor of two, than our Saturn V,” New 

York Times’ John N. Wilford reported. Wilford said estimate was part 

of warning to Apollo team that unless they speeded their efforts, 

U.S.S.R. might beat U.S. to manned lunar landing. With Dr. Mueller in 

Europe, NASA spokesman had said he did not know basis of information. Previously, there had been no public statement indicating 

U.S.S.R. might be working on rocket with greater than 10-million-lb 

thrust. Saturn V had 7.5-million-lb thrust. (NYT, 8/14/68,11) 

NAE’S Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board called for review of air 

transport’s part in US. transportation network, urging that DOT and 

FAA take systems approach to study of R&D goals while leaving R&D itself to enlarged NASA role. Board report, Civil Aviation and Development: An Assessment of Federal Government Involvement, recommended, “NASA7s role should be expanded to involve not only flight 

vehicles and their propulsion systems, which have traditionally occupied its principal attention . . . but all aspects of research and development of importance to civil aeronautics.” 

First project of Board organized in 1967, study said NASA work 

should include “development of new technologies relating to air traffic 

control as well as to airports and their support facilities.” In addition 

to NASA’s background in vehicle technology and growing avionics capability, “developments in space technology, including the use of satellites 

for communications and navigation, offer new opportunities for improving air navigation.” (Text; NAE Release; Lannan, W Star, 

8/13/68, A8; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 8/14/68; A&A, 8/68) 

U.S. patent No. 3,396,921 was issued to Francis M. Rogallo, head of 

low-speed vehicle branch at LBRC, for control devices to regulate pitch 

and roll of paraglider planned for Apollo Applications flights. Rogallo 

and his wife Gertrude had developed paraglider-called Rogallo wing 

-under NASA contract. It was free-flight vehicle with flexible wings 

which could be extended upon reentry to carry astronauts to a landing. 

(Pat Off PIO; NYT, 8/17/68,37) 

0 DOD announced second $1-million installment on contracts for design of 

Navy VFX, substitute aircraft for F-111B, held by Grumman Aircraft 

Engineering Corp., General Dynamics Corp., LTV Aerospace Corp., 

McDonnell Douglas Corp., and North American Rockwell Corp. [see 

July 191. Five contractors would eventually get $3 million each under 

contract definition phase to end Oct. 1. (DOD Press Off; W Post, 

8/14/68, D9) 

0 USN had announced selection of General Dynamics Corp. and Lockheed 

Aircraft Gorp.-LTV Aerospace Corp. team to make contract definition 

studies of VSX, carrier-based antisubmarine aircraft to replace 15-yr-old 

52, Wall Street Journal reported. vsx, powered by turbofan-jets, 

would have twice S2’s speed, 10 times its efficiency because of its digital computers which could analyze underwater sound and present data 

on TV-like displays. Contract could eventually reach $1 billion. (VSJ, 

8/13/68,2) 

In closed meeting at Civil Aeronautics Board, Washington, D.C., 75 airline and US. Government officials discussed possible solutions to aviation congestion crisis, including: elimination of peak-hour charter 

flights; adoption of minimum flight distance rule for scheduled services 

from New York‘s Kennedy International Airport; rollback to 1967 

187 
August 13 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

level of Kennedy schedules; limitation of aircraft movements in peak 

hours, including general aviation; diversion of flights to other airports; and blackout of discount fares at peak periods. Trans World 

Airlines President Charles C. Tillinghast, Jr., disagreed with Port of 

New York Authority view that basic solution to air congestion was construction of fourth New York airport. Solution, he said, was expanding 

Kennedy’s capabilities to meet traffic demand. (Tolchin, NYT, 8/14/68, 

30; W Star, 8/14/68, A18) 

New York Times editorial advocated priority for passenger transports 

over private aircraft during peak hours at major airports-New York, 

Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles-until longer-range measures could 

be provided to alleviate congestion. “Such a solution will be strongly 

opposed by . . . general aviation which now numbers 112,000 private 

planes [including] 4,000 business jets, . . . The contention will be advanced that it is unfair to bar them from airports built with public 

funds through a system of preference for the 2,200 commercial airliners now in service. Yet no one can argue that it is in the public interest 

to keep a commercial airliner with 120 passengers aboard circling for 

. . . hours . . . while airport tower time and runway space are occupied 

by planes which may carry only two or three persons. . . . Where limited airport facilities necessitate a choice, common carriers should have 

preference over private planes. Delay in making that choice is an invitation to disaster.” (NYT, 8/13/68,34) 

Washington Evening Star editorial praised US. decision to test Multiple 

Independently Targetable Reentry %Vehicle (MIRV) despite suggestions 

that experimentation be suspended as token of U.S. readiness to negotiate with U.S.S.R. on international control of missile production: “. . . negotiations . . . are still in the future and will be drawn out. . . . Meanwhile, since neither party is subjecting itself to any kind of control . . . and since the technology of missiles continues a sort of explosive advance, nothing could be more foolish or more dangerous than 

a unilateral suspension . . . of the testing that is clearly necessary to 

the defense of the nation.” (W Star, 8/13/68, A6) 

0 Prof. J. Hoover Mackin, one of four experts chosen by NASA to examine 

first rock samples to be returned from moon, died in Houston, Tex., at 

age 62. He had held William Stamps Farish Chair in Geology at 

Univ. of Texas. ( AP, F Post, 8/14/68, B6) 0 Ralph Hazlett Upson, aeronautical engineer who won James Gordon 

Trophy in 1923 International Balloon Race from Paris to England and 

American National Balloon Races in 1913, 1919, and 1921, died in 

Burien, Wash., at age 80. (NYT, 8/15/68,35) 

August 14: NAS-NRC Space Science Board urged NASA to use developing 

technology of fully automated systems in planetary exploration rather 

than manned flights, which it felt were not “essential for scientific planetary investigation at this stage.” Recommendations on priorities were 

made in Planetary Exploration, 1968-1 975, prepared by panel of 23 

scientists who met during week of June 9 to reappraise 1965 study in 

light of rapid development in science and severe cuts in NASA budget. 

Report called 2% for planetary exploration out of NASA Ey 1969 

budget “totally inadequate.” It recommended diversion of funds from 

manned missions to instrument exploration, including biennial flights 

to orbit Venus and Mars until 1975; dropping capsule on Mars in 1973 

188 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 14 

to detect life signs and a major lander later, perhaps in 1975; multiple-drop probe of Venus’ surface in 1975; Mercury flight in 1973; and 

priority Jupiter flybys in 1972 and 1973. Panel advocated pursuit of 

planets in economical way: use of existing Pioneer spacecra€t in Venus 

and Jupiter missions, elimination of second spacecraft in all missions 

unless “clear gain . . . will result from such double launches,” and use 

of single launch for both Venus and Mercury missions by scheduling 

them when planets were in alignment (same technique could be used 

for “Grand Tour” of major planets in 1977, when they would be 

aligned in space). Referring to U.S.S.R. exploration, report said, “We 

certainly believe we cannot abandon this broad area of space activities 

to our competitors.” 

Report also recommended strong support for radioastronomy, including development of major new observatory primarily for planetary 

study, and continued support of ground-based optical planetary astronomy. It proposed coordinated, informal contact with Soviet scientists 

on possibility of joint planning of planetary exploration. (Text; NRC 

Release; Lyons, NYT, 8/15/68, 17; O’Toole, W Post, 8/15/68, Al; 

Lannan, W Star, 8/15/68, C8; Carter, Science, 8/16/68,671-3) 

Secretary of Transportation Alan S. Boyd said Government would limit 

both commercial and general aviation traffic at New York’s major airports unless aviation industry imposed its own limitations. Banishment 

of general aviation from Kennedy International or La Guardia Airport 

was “an extreme possibility”; problem of “spiderweb” of connecting 

flights would be tackled by diverting some international flights to airports at Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington. (Tolchin, NYT, 

8/15/68,1) 

Taccomsat 1, world’s largest synchronous orbit satellite, was scheduled 

for launch by USAF Titan 111-C booster in February 1969, Aerospace 

Daily reported. Spacecraft would be six times as powerful as any other 

comsat. Initial command and control of satellite, to be positioned near 

Galapagos Islands for undetermined checkout period, would be accomplished by Air Force Satellite Control Facility (AFSCF) . Taccomsat 1 

would have 6 kw of effective radiated power. Intelsat I1 satellites had 

50 w. Its 1 kw of raw dc solar power was 10 times that available in 

Intelsat 11. While Intelsat I1 communications bandwidth was 125 mhz, 

Taccomsat 1 would have down-link bandwidth of 10 mhz at X-band and 

500 khz at UHF frcquencies. (Aero Daily, 8/14/68) e Recorded aircraft highjackings had totaled 14 in past year, with 13 US. 

airliners over southern U.S. forced to land in Cuba, Andrew Wilson of 

London Observer reported. (W Post, 8/14/68, A3) 

.4ugust 14-27; At U.N. Conference on Exploration and Peaceful Uses of 

Outer Space held in Vienna and attended by 500 delegates from 74 

nations, Soviet Premier Alexey N. Kosygin announced U.S.S.R. and 

other Socialist countries” would establish comsat network “Intersputnik” to compete with INTELSAT. Draft agreement had been submitted in New York to U.N. Secretary-General U Thant by U.S.S.R., Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Mongolia, and 

Cuba. Vladimir Minashin, head of comsat div. of Soviet Ministry of 

Communications, said Intersputnik satellite would have same synchronous orbit used by the four US.-provided INTELSAT satellites. U.S. Dept. 

spokesman said US. had no need to join U.S.S.R.-sponsored system; 

<< 

189 
August 14-27 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

INTELSAT, with 62 member nations, was already operating successfully, 

handling 95% of total international telecommunications traffic. US. 

was not opposed to Soviet proposal for political reasons, but on grounds 

there would be economic problems in creation of two worldwide comsat 

systems. ( W Post, 8/14/68, 12 ; O’Toole, W Post, 8/15/68, A21 ; Hamilton, NYT, 8/15/68, 18; 8/20/68, 18; WSJ, 8/15/68, 1; Sehlstedt, B 

Sun, 8/15/68, 1) 

Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned 

Space Flight, at Vienna conference discussed three results of US. 

manned space flight program to illustrate contributions to space exploration. Program had proved man could live in space and man could do 

useful work in space and it had created technology to make these possible. In first category, NASA, NAS-NRC Space Science Board, NSF, ARPA, 

DOD groups, universities, and others had conquered problems of weightlessness in space, heavy acceleration and deceleration forces, air supply 

and pressure required for breathing in space, psychological problems 

presented by isolation, and problem of radiation. 

Successful termination of Mercury and Gemini programs had proved 

man capable of exizting in space. His capability to do useiul work in 

space had been proved by successful rendezvous and docking of spacecraft, by space photography, and by extravehicular activity. Pervasiveness of space technology had been demonstrated by range and variety 

of thousands of products, including Saturn V launch vehicle, world’s 

largest flight vehicle, and integrated circuit, one of world’s smallest 

manufactured items. 

Dr. Mueller said: “Our civilization has been built upon our accumulated knowledge of the natural laws of our environment. All of our inventions have been the result of the application of these natural laws. 

Advances in our civilization have always followed after discovery of 

some one of the missing links in our chain of knowledge. . . . We 

know that many of the missing links . . . will be supplied . . . as we 

move man with his accumulation of experience and his sophisticated 

equipment for exploration, into a new laboratory . . . the laboratory 

of the moon and outward to our solar system. . . . If all of us, from 

all nations, are sufficiently creative, abundantly inventive, and freely 

adaptive, we have it within our power to improve the lives of every 

man, womm, and child.” (Text) 

U.S.S.R. Cosmonaut Aleksey A. Leonov at Vienna conference proposed Aug. 15 that Ocean of Storms, prominent feature of lunar landscape, be renamed Ocean of Gagarin in honor of Soviet Cosmonaut 

Yuri A. Gargarin, who made first manned earth orbit April 12, 1961. 

Leonov, who took man’s first walk in space in 1965, read Gagarin 

paper which emphasized similarity between experience of Soviet astronauts and that of crews of deep-sea exploratory craft. He said all actions 

taken in Soviet space vehicles were tried first in underwater craft. 

Large Soviet exhibit at conference showed full-scale model of original 

Soviet spacecraft and listed Soviet space firsts. US. exhibit, small 

because of cut in NASA funds, depicted benefits space exploration would 

produce for developing countries. (Hamilton, NYT, 8/16/68) 

J. L. Blondstein of British National Industrial Space Committee told 

group meeting at conference Aug. 20 that production of US. military 

190 
BSTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 14-27 

satellites capable of direct TV broadcasts to military units was “imminent.” He said US. had spent between $80 million and $100 million 

on development but denied information was being withheld for military 

security reasons. DOD spokesman in Washington had said he knew of 

no plans for direct TV broadcasts by military satellites. (Hamilton, NYT, 

8/21/68,3) 

W. T. Pecora, Director, US. Geological Survey, said Aug. 23 that 

worldwide volcano and earthquake monitoring network might be provided within a few years by space satellites carrying cameras and 

sensing devices to give up to one hour advance notice of strong earth 

shocks. (AP, C Trib, 8/23/68) 

August 15: At closed meeting at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. in 

July, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George 

E. Mueller, had said contractors’ disregard of planned delivery dates 

for Apollo equipment amounted to a “disease” in the project, New 

York Times reported. Apollo Program Director L/G Samuel C. Phillips 

was quoted as saying, “The lunar landing next year is within our grasp, 

but we don’t have a hold of it because of the disease Dr. Mueller cited.” 

Project was running two years behind schedule, with first manned 

Apollo flight expected no earlier than mid-October and earliest lunar 

landing in a year. Dozens of contractors in $24-million program, urged 

to meet tough specifications for mission safety and success at same time, 

were obsessed with checking and double checking all systems as result 

of Jan. 24, 1967, Apollo fire. Lunar module (LM) regarded as pacing 

item of project, had undergone only one flight test. First LM for manned 

flight had developed problems in rendezvous equipment. Dr. Mueller 

had said rate of changes in LM was three times that of Apollo command 

module, whose rate of changes, in turn, was four times that of Saturn V 

rocket. He said changes placed added burden on technicians who should 

be concentrating on launching operations, not on vehicle modifications. 

(Wilford, NYT, 8/15/68,16) 

Washington Post editorial saw scheduled MIRV test as threat to success 

of missile-limitation talks between US. and U.S.S.R. “Perhaps it will 

prove possible to level off the arms race despite MIRV, although it is 

generally acknowledged that this weapon raises special inspection and 

stability issues of its own. If talks do stick, however, the Administration 

must be prepared to bend on MIRV. . . . No one seriously claims that 

there is any immediate military justification for it; deterrence works 

without it and the antimissile system it was designed to penetrate evidently is in low gear. It may be acceptable for MIRV to be tested in order 

to ease the Administration’s internal tensions and electoral exigencies. 

. . . But it would be intolerable to let MIRV spoil the missile talks. They 

hold more promise of mutual security-the only genuine kind there 

is-than any new weapon can provide.” ( W Post, 8/15/68, A20) 

August 16: NASA successfully launched Essa VZZ (TOS-E) , seventh meteorological satellite in ESSA’S Tiros Operational Satellite (TOS) System, 

from WTR by two-stage Thrust-Augmented Long-Tank Thor-Delta 

booster. This was first use of long-tank Thor for a NASA Delta mission, 

first use of two-stage vehicle for TOS spacecraft, and first operational 

two-burn mission for 2nd stage. 

Primary NASA mission objective was to place and operate spacecraft 

191 
August 16 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

August 16: NASA launched meteorological satellite Essa VI1 for Environmental Science 

Services Administration. Satellite relayed photo of tropical storm Shirley Aug. 19. 

in sun-synchronous orbit with local equator crossing time between 2:35 

pm and 2:55 pm so that daily Advanced Vidicon Camera System 

(AVCS) pictures of entire globe could be obtained regularly and de. 

pendably. Satellite achieved nearly polar, sun-synchronous, circular 

orbit with 918-mi (1,477.9-km) apogee, 895-mi (1,440-km) perigee, 

114.9-min period, and 101.7" inclination. Drift of only 0.002O per day 

out of sun-synchronous orbit meant it would take perhaps 15 yr to 

change equator crossing time by 1 hr and added considerably to expected useful lifetime. 

An advanced version of cartwheel configuration, 325-1b cylindrical 

Essa VZZ carried two AVCS cameras for global weather coverage. Photos 

would be stored onboard satellite on magnetic tape until readout by 

ESSA'S Command and Data Acquisition ( CDA) stations at Fairbanks, 

Alaska, and Wallops Island, Va. 

During first 42 orbits, spacecraft underwent orientation maneuver to 

place it in wheel mode and spin rate was adjusted. By Aug. 23 all 

spacecraft systems had been successfully programmed and excellent pic192 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 16 

tures had been read out directly, as well as sequences stored for remote 

readout. 

ESSA financed and managed TOS system and would operate spacecraft 

after NASA completed checkout later in month. GSFC was responsible for 

procurement, launch, and initial checkout of spacecraft in orbit. Essa Z 

was launched Feb. 3, 1966; Essa ZZ, Feb. 28, 1966; Essa ZZZ, Oct. 2, 

1966; Essa ZV, Jan. 26, 1967; Essa V, April 20, 1967; and Essa VZ, 

Nov. 10, 1967. Essa VZZ was 17th Tiros satellite launched successfully 

since Tiros Z, first weather satellite, April 1, 1960. All from Tiros ZZZ 

on had equaled or exceeded designed operation lifetimes. Millionth 

weather satellite photo had been received May 27, 1968. (NASA Proj 

Off; ESSA Release ES 68-48) 

USAF attempt to launch record 12 satellites from Vandenberg AFB with 

single Atlas-Burner I1 booster failed when heat shield apparently did 

not separate as planned. Telemetry during launch indicated Atlas and 

Burner II stages performed as scheduled, but confirmation of heat 

shield separation was not received. USAF was still investigating launch 

attempt. Upper stage had been designed to eject small satellites to measure size and shape of earth, provide targets for radar experiments, and 

test atmospheric drag in near space. ( W Post, 8/18/68; Boeing Release 

0 NASA’s Reentry VI mission-launched April 27 to obtain fundamental 

inflight research data on aerodynamic heating and transition from laminar to turbulent flow in boundary layer-was adjudged successful by 

NASA. Boosted flight trajectory was nominal and spacecraft was placed 

on desired trajectory with three sigma dispersion limits. Separation of 

spacecraft from Scout launch vehicle occurred as planned, with all systems fully operational. Maximum spacecraft velocity (19,820 fps) , altitude, and reentry angle were near nominal. Telemetry records indicated 

flight instrumentation performance was satisfactory throughout flight. 

Large unexpected amount of signal attenuation occurred at altitudes 

below 90,000 ft, but because of high design margins, no data were lost. 

Transitional and hlly developed heating data were obtained during 

reentry. (NASA Proj Off) 

DOD successfully launched first Poseidon and Minuteman I11 long-range 

missiles from ETR. USN’S two-stage, solid-fuel Poseidon, designed as 

submarine-launched missile, weighed 65,000 lb-twice as much as Polaris it would replace-and could carry up to 10 nuclear warheads in 

one Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) cluster. 

Missile traveled 1,000 mi downrange over Atlantic. 

USAF’s 76,000-lb Minuteman 111, more powerful version of Minuteman I and I1 missiles and capable of carrying three warheads, traveled 

5,000 mi downrange. (DOD Release 753-68; W Star, 8/16/68, A9; Wilford, NYT, 8/17/68, l; AP, B Sun, 8/17/68, l; W Post, 8/17/68, l) 

JPL scientists Paul M. Muller and William L. Sjogren, using tracking 

data from Lunar Orbiter V, had discovered mass concentrations of 

dense material beneath moon’s surface, centered below all five circular 

seas on moon’s near face. They had caused acceleration in speed of 

Lunar Orbiter V spacecraft, while irregular seas had only small effects 

on satellite’s orbital velocity. Source and nature of concentrations were 

not known, but their presence under circular seas indicated relationship 

to these seas. Further analysis was expected to yield more positive in5-9805) 

193 
August 16 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

formation on size and depth of masses, which might aid Apollo navigation and shed light on moon’s origin and evolution. (NASA Release 

68-143; JPL Release 486; Sullivan, NYT, 8/16/68, 42; Cob, W Post, 

8/16/68, A3) 

U.S.S.R.’s Tu-144 supersonic aircraft had been completed and was being 

prepared for maiden flight, Associated Press reported. According to 

Moscow radio, aircraft was at an airfield, would soon start flight tests, 

and would become operational “in the nearest future.’’ (AP, NYT, 

8/17/68,44) 

Washington Post editorial on NAS-NRC Space Science Board’s recommendation that NASA follow manned lunar exploration with unmanned planetary exploration: “The program they project would require more 

funds than so far given NASA but certainly would be more economical 

than preparation for manned flights to other planets. Without settling 

the basic issues dividing the exponents of manned flights and those in 

favor of unmanned flights, this program would be a logical preliminary 

to either alternative . . . [and] seems consistent with both scientific 

objectives and financial realities. And if success in this program justifies going on to manned flights, that can be decided later.” (W Post, 

8/16/68,20) 

At DOT press conference Secretary of Transportation Alan S. Boyd and 

Acting FAA Administrator David D. Thomas outlined proposed restrictions on air traffic at major US. airports to ease increasing congestion: 

limit aircraft movements in peak periods to 65 per hr at Kennedy International, 60 per hr at Newark and La Guardia, 130 per hr at Chicago’s O’Hare, and 70 per hr at Washington National; require all aircraft operating to and from those airports to file advance flight plans; 

and restrict use of those airports to aircraft meeting performance and 

equipment requirements which would eliminate many general-aviation 

planes. DOT said it planned to implement its proposals only if aviation 

community could not agree on alternative plans. (WSJ, 8/19/68, 3; 

Lyons, NYT, 8/20/68,1) 

Goodyear Tire Sr Rubber Co. and medical researchers were developing 

artificial heart of natural rubber and semirigid polyurethane with 

pumps and monitoring systems developed by NASA. Although rubber 

heart had been tried in animals, artificial heart was still experimental 

and was not expected to be available for use in man until 1975. (wsj, 8/16/68,4) 

USAF Space and Missile Systems Organization awarded Philco-Ford 

Corp. $2-million, cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for work on ejection 

equipment for reentry vehicles. (DOD Release 772-68) 

Howard H. Haglund, JPL Surveyor Project Manager, had been named 

Stanford-Sloan Fellow for 1968-69. Recipient of National Space Club 

Astronautics Engineer Award and NASA Exceptional Service Medal, 

Haglund would attend special nine-month Stanford Univ. graduate 

course in advanced management. (Pasadena Star-News, 8/16/68; Glendale News-Press, 8/19/68) 

August 17: In letter to President Johnson, Rep. Emilio Q. Daddario (DConn.) , Chairman of House Subcommittee on Science, Research and 

Development, urged reorganization of environmental science activities 

of Federal Government and asked that responsibility for development 

of weather modification programs be given to Environmental Science 

194 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 17 

Services Administration ( ESSA) . His committee, originator of NSF 

Amendments Act of 1968 which became effective July 18, was interested in implementing section which relieved NSF of that responsibility 

as of Sept. 1. 

Rep. Daddario stated three beliefs: “1. The weather modification program involves the development of environmental understanding which 

is crucial to the protection of our planetary resources; it should be supported and pursued without significant hiatus. 2. In light of the nature 

of the program and the present administrative organization of the executive branch, it seems clear that weather modification should become 

part of the portfolio of the Environmental Science Services Administration. 3. At the same time, there is considerable doubt whether the Environmental Science Services Administration should remain part of the 

Department of Commerce ; therefore consideration should be given to 

executive reorganization which might either relocate the Administration or give it independent status.” (Text; W Star, 8/23/68, A4) 

New York Times editorial said first flight tests of Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) and prototype missile carriers Poseidon and Minuteman 111 had taken U.S. “into a new nuclear 

arms race-with itself. The critical question now is whether the Soviet 

Union will feel sufficiently challenged to run along. Future generations 

undoubtedly will look back with disbelief at the way the United States 

again has invented, publicized and tested a deadly new weapon which, 

instead of improving American security, creates an added threat to it 

by putting the Soviet Union under pressure to produce the same 

weapon and aim it at the United States.” (NYT, 8/17/68, 26) 

dugust 18: U.S.S.R. had begun using new supersonic jet fighter, described 

by l’rud, Soviet trade union paper, as “similar to a triangle, split in 

two by the fuselage.” Aircraft, thought by US. sources to be MiG23 

(Foxbat), had reportedly undergone more than 1,000 hr of flight testing. (Reuters, NYT, 8/18/68,50) 

U.S.S.R. celebrated Aviation Day by extolling its supersonic bombers, 

but no new aircraft had been unveiled-in contrast to 1967 celebration, 

which featured several new jets and missiles. (W Post, 8/19/68, A13) 

DOD attributed May 8 crash in Nevada of USAF F-111A and “possibly” 

three other F-111A accidents in Southeast Asia between March 28 and 

April 22 to break in weld holding together two pieces of metal, totaling 

six inches, in hydraulic fluid control valve in aircraft’s tail. In early 

F-111s part was forged from single piece of high-grade steel but in 

subsequent models it was made from two pieces welded together. 

F-llls, grounded after May 8 crash, had resumed flying in mid-June 

after replacement of two-piece rod end assemblies with original onepiece firging. (DOD Press Off; Welles, NYT, 8/18/68;-W Post, 

8/19/68. B71 ,-, ,- , 

0 Soviet economist Dr. Viktor A. Cheprakov had published in Izvestia 

what appeared to be rebuttal to prognosis by Soviet nuclear physicist 

Prof. Andrey D. Sakharov of convergence of communism and capitalism by year 2000 [see July 221. In “Problems of the Last Third of the 

Century,” translated by New York Times, Dr. Cheprakov foresaw 

sharpening of struggle between the two ideologies and discussed role of 

science. “Science and technology are endowed with tremendous possibilities. . . . a new achievement . . . is being recorded every 25 see195 
August 18 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

onds. We have figures on what and how much can be extracted from 

the earth, on the benefits to be derived from new methods of food 

production . . . and on the undoubtedly vast prospects of using the resources of seas and oceans. But the realization of all these potentialities 

will require the victory of socialism . . . for only socialism makes it 

pclssible to funnel vast funds into scientific research and into the practical use of its results in the interest of the peoples.” (Anderson, NYT, 

8/19/68,1) 

Washington Post editorial called DOT and FAA decision to deal with air 

traffic congestion “long overdue.” Public had become aware that “saturation point had been passed early in July and those who use the airpassengers and pilots alike-have been suffering ever since. This suffering is going to go on for some time unless the FAA and the Department 

of Transportation move much faster in the future than they have in the 

last six weeks. The hope . . . that the aviation industry can solve this 

congestion problem within itself seems to be just wishful thinking. The 

airlines and the general-aviation people have not shown the slightest 

sign of producing constructive proposals either jointly or separately.” 

( W Post, 8/18/68, B6) 

August 19: Dr. Thomas 0. 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) 

* US. 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 

196 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 19 

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 81 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 1 

President Johnson signed H.R. 3136, bill authorizing three-year study of 

proposed increased use of metric system in US. 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) 

hgust 20: Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR 

carried Dudley Observatory experiment to 95.8-mi ( 154.3-km) altitude 

to determine micrometeoroid flux in absence of an active meteoroid 

shower from comparison with data from Aug. 12 launch during meteoroid shower. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily. Payload 

was recovered undamaged. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA issued Apollo Status Summary: Apollo 7 spacecraft would be 

electrically mated to Saturn IB launch vehicle at KSC Complex 34 next 

week. In Apollo 503 program, command module was scheduled to be 

mated to service module after Aug. 20. The three stages and instrument 

unit of Apollo 8 launch vehicle were mated at Complex 34 and undergoing tests. Modification and retests continued on Lunar Module 3 

ascent and descent stages and modification and checkout on Saturn V 

2nd stage for 504 mission. (Text) 

Los Angeles International Airport officials had initiated $300,000 test 

program to insulate 25 nearby houses against noise from jet aircraft 

taking off and landing 1,700 times per day. In effort to meet increasing 

resentment which had resulted in lawsuits against airport totaling more 

than $300 million in past six years, airport officials would soundproof 

197 
August 20 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

roo-fs, walls, doors, windows, and floors. Airport would also construct 

$170,000 “hush house” with four-inch-thick fiber glass panels where jet 

engines could be run at full power without disturbing nearby residents. 

(AP, W Star, 8/20/68, All) 

Three scientists were named winners of 1967 Atoms for Peace Award: 

Sigvard Eklund of Sweden, Director-General of International Atomic 

Energy Agency (IAEA) ; Abdus Salam of Pakistan, Director of IAEA’S 

International Center for Theoretical Physics in Trieste; and Henry DeWolf Smyth, US. Representative to IAEA and former AEC Commissioner. Presentation of gold medal and $30,000 honorarium to each 

would be made in New York Oct. 14. (AP, NYT, 8/22/68,61) 

French test pilot Andre Turcat successfully piloted Anglo-French supersonic transport Concorde in 1.2-mi first formal runway test at Toulouse-Blagnac. Aircraft, equipped with Sud-Aviation fuselage and four 

Bristol-Siddely engines, was scheduled for fall maiden flight and 1971 

production delivery. (W Post, 8/21/68, A16; Aw Wk, 8/26/68) 

August 21 : NASA successfully launched three Nike-Apache sounding rockets 

from NASA Wallops Station carrying GSFC experiments to determine Dregion electron density profile during solar flare. Rockets-launched 

into active electron density profile after flare was reported and, subsequently, into declining activity-reached 117.6-mi (189-km) , 119.8-mi 

(192.7-km), and 119.6-mi (192-km) altitudes. All rockets and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. Good data were obtained. Radar 

data showed remarkable continuity for all three trajectories, indicating 

that rockets carried payloads to same ionospheric region. (NASA Rpts 

0 Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched by SASA from NASA Wallops 

Station carried Univ. of Maryland-Geophysics Corp. of America experiment to 163-mi (262-km) altitude. Primary objectives were to evaluate 

capabilities and accuracies of pulse and thermal equalization probes, 

investigate electron energy distribution in normal daytime ionosphere, 

and evaluate use of wing-slope techniques with Langmuir probes. 

Rocket trajectory was nominal, but despin was higher than predicted. 

Problems were encountered in telemetry. GCA antennas broke off at deployment and no data were received. Clamshell deployed properly and 

exposed pulse probe as planned, but motor for boom deployment malfunctioned. No useful data were obtained. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

0 NASA test pilot William H. Dana flew X-15 No. 1 to 264,000-ft altitude 

and 3,443 mph (mach 4.71) during flight from Edwards AFJ3 to conduct WTR experiment and check horizon scanner, sky brightness, fluidic 

probe, and fixed alpha ball. (X-15 Proj Off) 

August 22: Cone-shaped RAM c-11 spacecraft was successfully launched 

from NASA Wallops Station by four-stage Scout booster at 11:16 am 

EDT. After reentering earth’s atmosphere at 17,000 mph, 264-lb spacecraft completed its eight-minute ballistic flight by impacting 725 mi 

downrange 150 mi northeast of Bermuda. No recovery was attempted. 

Primary mission objective of RAM c-11-15-in-long, 26-in-dia spacecraft with 12-in-dia hemisphere nose-was to measure electron concentrations in flow field at discrete locations along spacecraft during reentry at medium velocity. Secondary objectives were to measure ion 

concentrations in flow field as function of distance from spacecraft, 

measure antenna performance and signal attenuation during reentry 

SRL) 

198 
ASTRONAUTXS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 22 

under specified conditions, and measure spacecraft environmental 

parameters, including accelerations 

Launch was second in NASA’s Project RAM (Radio Attenuation Measurement) to study methods for preventing loss of radio signals from 

reentering spacecraft. RAM C-I, launched Oct. 19, 1967, had successfully demonstrated effectiveness of water addition to flow field and use 

of X-band telemetry signals in maintaining communications through 

ionized plasma sheath. RAM program was managed by LaRC under OART 

direction. RAM C-IL spacecraft was designed, fabricated, and tested by 

LaRC. (NASA Proj Off; LaRC Proj off; NASA Release 68-146; WS 

Release 68-17) 

JPL researchers Dr. Arvydas J. Kliore and Dan L. Cain in Journal of 

Atmospheric Sciences reported findings similar to July 15 findings of 

Martin Marietta’s Allan R. Barger that surface air pressure on Venus 

might be 75 or 100 times greater than that on earth, or four to five 

times greater than that reported by U.S.S.R. scientists from data 

supplied by Venus IV spacecraft. Kliore and Cain concluded that 

Venus IV either had landed on 15-mi-high Venusian peak undetected 

by earth radar or had stopped transmitting before it reached danet’s 

solid surface. 

Precise radio tracking of Mariner V-US. spacecraft which had 

completed flyby mission by crossing Venus orbit Oct. 19, 1967, 24 hr 

after U.S.S.R. had reported parachute landing on Venus-had enabled 

Kliore and Cain to calculate position of spacecraft’s rad;o beam, 

relative to Venus’ center. Resulting profiles indicated Soviet probe 

had penetrated to radial distance of 3,774 mi from Venus’ center, which 

point Soviets had taken to be Venus’ surface. US. radar studies had 

shown Venus radius of only 3,759 mi. If radar data were accurate, 

Yenus IV measurements were made at 15-mi altitude and reported 

conditions far less extreme than on surface. US. measurement of Venus 

surface temperature greater than 890’-900’ F was consistent with 

estimates from passive radio astronomy and with results of radiometer 

experiment conducted by Mariner II in 1962, when surface temperature 

was found to be 800” F. (NASA Release 68-147; Pasadena Independent, 

8/22/68; Parker, Denver Post, 8/22/68) 

NASA Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. Mueller, accepting 1968 Veterans of Foreign Wars Space Award in Detroit, Mich., 

said: “The long-term outlook for space is good. I have just returned 

from the first UN Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Space. There has 

been a world-wide increase in awareness of the values and practicality 

of space flight. The nations of the world have become more conscious 

of the economic benefits of the space program, and the public is becoming increasingly aware of the values derived from space technology. 

With the increase in public awareness of the importance of space technology to the future well-being of the Nation, I believe that the new 

Congress and the new President will and must reaffirm support for a 

dynamic US. Space Program. . . . Man will prevail in space. On that 

there can be no serious question. The only question is whether this Nation will prevail in space.” (Text) 

Wall Street Journal commented on DOT plan for easing air traffic congestion: “Many people are flying 100 or 200 miles, or even shorter distances, only because reasonably rapid and reliable rail service simply is 

ressures and temperatures. ’. p 

199 
August 22 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

no longer available. Before building airports still farther from where 

people want to go-and further jamming the highways leading to them 

-someone should start looking at the broader picture. mile the Government’s new air traffic plan may represent necessary movement on a 

problem that demands action, it scarcely qualifies as transportation 

progress.)) ( WSJ, 8/22/68, 14) 

August 23: After meeting privately with more than 100 representatives of 

aviation industry, Secretary of Transportation Alan S. Boyd said Government would propose regulations in September to unsnarl tr&c jam 

over Washington, New York, and Chicago. (Lardner, W Post, 8/24/68, 

A3) e NASA announced Astronaut John A. Lewellyn had withdrawn from astronaut training program because of inability to progress sufficiently 

with jet flight training at Reese AFB, Tex. After discussions with NASA 

and USAF officials, he had withdrawn to consider several opportunities 

within NASA and elsewhere. His departure reduced total number of NASA 

astronauts to 52. Nine of eleven scientist-astronauts selected in 1967 

were in flight training. Dr. Brian T. O’Leary had withdrawn April 23 

because he disliked flying. (MSC Release 68-63; AP, NYT, 8/24/68, 

12 1 

Dr. Alan H. Barrett and Dr. William J. Wilson of MIT reported in Science discovery of hydroxyl radio emissions from four infrared stars in 

Cygnus constellation, observed from National Radio Astronomy Observatory in West Virginia. They speculated that emissions indicated definite stage in stars’ evolution. (The older a star gets the hotter it becomes, until it has almost no oxygen and hydrogen.) Further studies, 

supported partially by NASA, would be conducted during next few years 

in attempt to determine how far young stars had progressed in process 

of evolution by observing hydroxyl emissions. (Science, 8/23/68, 

778-9; Wilford, NYT, 8/25/68,19) 

August 24: France became fifth nation to explode hydrogen bomb-joining 

U.S., U.S.S.R., U.K., and Communist China-when she detonated twomegaton balloon-borne device 1,800 ft above Fangataufa Atoll in Pacific. French Defense Minister Pierre Messmer later told press conference device weighed 154-2 tons and compared favorably with devices 

detonated by U.S. in 1956. He stressed that fallout would be minimal 

because of explosion’s altitude and “particularly satisfactory” weather 

conditions. He also revealed that France’s new submarine missile had 

become operational with final explosion July 16 and predicted .that 

French armed forces could be equipped with nuclear weapons withm 

several years. (AP, W Post, 8/25/68, Al; Hess, NYT, 8/28/68, 4; 

Fenton, B Sun, 8/28/68, A2) 

August 25: U.S.S.R.’s leading geneticist, Prof. Nikolay P. Dubinin, told International Symposium on Genetic Effects of Space Environment in 

Tokyo biological experiments on various Soviet satellites beginning 

with Sputnik I had disclosed that space flight caused higher frequency 

of mutation, chromosome damage, and disruptions in normal cell division mechanisms. “Dynamic flight factors,” he said, were responsible; 

doses of cosmic radiation registered were too small to account for a11 

genetic changes observed. Symposium was held in conjunction with 

12th International Congress of Genetics. American scientists also SUg 

gested “dynamic flight factors” of vibrations, acceleration, and weight200 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 25 

lessness might be factors in genetic damage observed aboard American 

spacecraft. (Reinhold, NYT, 8/26/68) 

0 St. Louis Post-Dispatch editorial on NAS-NRC Space Science Board recommendation that NASA “embark on an ambitious program” of interplanetary flights and expand other areas: “The program would be 

costly, of course, but nowhere near as costly as war, and the benefits, if 

the goals were reached, would be incalculable. Expenditures for purposes such as this must be fitted into the schedule of national priorities. 

Certainly outlays to relieve the plight of our cities and to end poverty 

come first. But the United States is uniquely qualified to take the lead 

in the sort of peaceful scientific endeavor that requires both technical 

skills and money, and it should not lose sight of its obligation to expand the area of human knowledge.” (St. Louis P-D, 8/25/68) 

August 26: New comet of undetermined size had been discovered by amateur astronomers John Bally-Urban and Pat Clayton, who were attending Southwest Astronomical Conference at New Mexico State Univ. 

Using 10-in telescope, they made discovery while observing comet 

Honda. Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory had confirmed sighting 

of comet, which had been given official name of Bally Clayton comet. 

(AP, W Star, 8/26/68, A2) 

August 27: U.S.S.R. launched two Cosmos satellites. Cosmos CCXXXVI entered orbit with 627-km (389.6-mi) apogee, 590-km (366.6-mi) perigee, 

96.8-min period, and 56” inclination. Cosmos CCXXXVII entered orbit 

with 323-km (200.7-mi) apogee, 199-km (123.6-mi) perigee, 89.7-min 

period, and 65.4” inclination and reentered Sept. 4. (GSFC SSR, 

8/31/68; 9/15/68) 

NASA issued Apollo Status Summary: Integrated Systems Test had been 

completed on Apollo 7 command and service module (CSM) , Apollo 8 

CSM would undergo combined systems tests at KSC early in week. Saturn 503 had been erected on mobile launcher. (Text) 

USAF announced actions to reduce FY 1969 expenditures by $219 million in accordance with Revenue and Expenditures Control Act of 

1968. Savings of $18 million would be achieved by deactivating seven 

F-101 squadrons earlier than planned and closing Paine Field, Wash. 

Early phase-out would reduce military space authorizations by 2,661 

and civilian authorizations by 372 and would remove 126 aircraft from 

active inventory. Revised production schedules and stretch-out of 

F-111A and FB-111 programs would save $201 million. Production 

would be leveled cff at combined production rate, below previously approved rates for each aircraft, causing extended force buildup, but not 

delaying initial deliveries. (DOD Release 800-68; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 

8/28/68, A2 ; AP, P Inq, 8/28/68,10) 

NASA Administrator James E. Webb conferred with West German Science Minister Gerhard Stoltenberg in Bonn on US.-German space projects. (AP, Min Trib, 8/28/68) 

0 USAF awarded United Aircraft Corp.’s Pratt & Whitney Div. and General 

Electric Co. separate letter contracts and $11-million initial obligations 

to develop and test prototype of high-performance afterburning turbofan engine for USAF FX air superiority fighter and USN VFX advanced 

fighter. Funded jointly by USAF and USN, 18-mo competitive contracts 

were valued at $100 million. (DOD Release 799-68) 

.4ugust 28: Cosmos CCXXXVIII was launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 

201 
August 28 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

210-km (130.5-mi) apogee, 203-km (126.1-mi) perigee, 88.6-min period, and 51.7” inclination. Satellite reentered Sept. l. (GSFC SSR, 

8/31/68; 9/15/68) 

NASA announced award to Bendix Corp. of $1,567,550 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for development, test, and delivery of one prototype 

and five flight-model ATM star trackers in 15-mo period. ATM, part of 

Apollo Applications program, would be launched into earth orbit and 

docked with Saturn I Workshop being developed by MSFC for 28- to 

56-day astronaut stays in space. Astronauts would use ATM to study sun 

from above earth‘s atmosphere. ( MSFC Release 68-196) 

August 28-30: AIAA and American Bar Assn. held joint Impact of Aerospace 

Science and Technology on Law and Government Conference in Washington, D.C. 

Dr. Edward C. Welsh, NASC Executive Secretary, asserted US. could 

afford multibillion dollar space program; “at least as much as President Johnson proposed this year-nearly $7,000,000,000-and perhaps 

an appreciable amount more.” (Figure included all Government spending, not just NASA funds.) Persons advocating big cuts in space program were “doing this country a disservice.” Much of high U.S. gross 

national product was result of prior investment in R&D. “This Nation 

invests more per capita in research than any other nation in the world 

and that is a major reason why we have a higher standard of living. 

The space program is the most active, economical, and productive stimulus to research and development in history. We cannot afford to slow 

it down . . . unless we think we can afford less investment in the elimination of poverty, less expenditure for health improvement, less income 

for an expanding population, and less readiness in the realm of national security.” Space program cost, though large, was “not really so 

expensive when we figure that we are spending less than 1% of our 

Gross National Product for a technological capability that increases the 

rate at which this Nation becomes wealthier and more powerful by 

many times l%.” (Text; B Sun, 8/29/68, A5; AP, LA Times, 

8/29/68) 

Dr. Charles S. Sheldon 11, Library of Congress Research Specialist, 

said U.S.S.R. was launching more military espionage satellites than any 

other spacecraft and therefore had softened complaints about U.S. espionage satellite activity. Tracing political and social implications of 

Soviet space program, Dr. Sheldon said U.S.S.R. accepted “importance 

of basic research on the cosmic scale” and vigorous exploitation of 

space applications for civil purposes was definite goal. In long-term 

outlook, U.S.S.R. talked of “future automated, cybernetics-aided industrial state . . . in which space applications, space travel, and use of 

extraterrestrial resources play a vital part.” We also credited NASA program of international cooperation with some influence on recent Soviet 

shift toward increased cooperation within and without Soviet bloc, 

though joint U.S.-U.S.S.R. program for space exploration would probably prove inoperable even if it could be established. (UM Paper 

68-900; AP, NYT, 8/30/68,7) 

M/G Jewel1 C. Maxwell (USAF), director of FAA SST development, 

said cost of designing and developing two prototype commercial SSTS 

would amount to $1.587 billion. Government share in total spending 

from 1963 through 1972 would be $1.239 billion, or 78%. Contractors, 

202 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 August 28-30 

Boeing Co. and General Electric Co., would pay $287.8 million, or 18%, 

and customer airlines would contribute $59.5 million, or 4%. Principal 

problem in financing, he said, was protection of manufacturers against 

catastrophic failure. This would require “some limitation of recourse of 

creditors . . . in event of program failure.” 

In addition, Gen. Maxwell forecast $2.5-billion to $5-billion market 

risk for period starting in 1972 and $15 billion commercial risk for 

period between start of sales and end of century. (AIM Paper 68-916; 

AP, NYT, 9/1/68,22) 

August 29: NASA’s Pegasus I, II, and III meteoroid technology satellites 

launched Feb. 16, May 25, and July 30, 1965, were turned off by 

ground command after more than three years successful operation. Designed for 18-mo lifetime, Pegasus satellites, by detecting meteoroids, 

had confirmed protective adequacy of Apollo spacecraft for manned 

lunar missions but indicated that spacecraft for longer missions might 

encounter protection design problems. Spacecraft also provided data on 

Van Allen belts, earth reflectivity, solar constant, orbital and gyroscopic motions of rigid bodies, degradation of surface coatings in space, 

thermal control systems, and lifetime of electronic components in space 

operations. Pegasus program had been managed by MSFC under OART 

direction. (NASA Releases 68-149, 68-149A, 68-149B; Marshall Star, 

8/21/68,1) 

NASA scientists working with Deep Space Network (DSN) had quadrupled 

distances over which signals from three Pioneer spacecraft currently in 

interplanetary space could be heard. Pioneers could view sun from 

every side. Improvements in DSN receivers so far had allowed return of 

50% more of their data than had been planned. All three Pioneersnow 29, 116, and 182 million mi from earth-could be heard through 

DSN antennas, ensuring return of data until they wore out. Together 

they had, to date, amassed 55 mo in orbit, measuring particles and 

fields of sun’s atmosphere and returning seven billion bits of data. 

Change of polarization of tracking antennas from circular to linear had 

doubled received signal power. (ARC Release 68-13; ARC Astrogram, 

8/29/68,1) 

President Johnson signed Executive Order 11424 ensuring “flight pay” 

to military personnel flying spacecraft and incentive pay for hazardous 

duty on same basis as for those flying in conventional aircraft. Order 

further ensured incentive pay for personnel injured in an “aviation accident” for three months without their completing performance requirements. Order included word “spacecraft” in previous Executive Order 

related to hazardous duty pay for “aerial flight” and “aviation accident.” (PD, 9/2/68,1285) 

* National Pilots Assn. issued statement defending C‘first-come, firstserved” principle of air traffic control and opposed priorities for air 

carriers as solution to mounting congestion at major airports. Instead, 

NPA recommended upgrading pilot and aircraft requirements for using 

New York, Chicago, and Washington terminals. It specifically advocated requiring IFR equipment including transponder for aircraft, instrument rating for pilots, and aircraft capable of maintaining specified 

approach speeds. ( NPA Release) 

* Library of Congress had acquired from former astronaut John H. Glenn, 

Jr., The John Glenn Papers, 90,000 items representing national and in203 
August 29 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%8 

ternational response to his first manned space flight, Feb. 20, 1962. Majority of letters covering 1962-64 were from ordinary citizens, largely 

elementary school children. Other items included subject files, space 

manuals, news clippings, scrapbooks, invitations, certificates, awards, 

maps, and charts which Library’s Information Bulletin said “reflect the 

contemporary need for a popular hero-one who can be held up to the 

young and who at the same time must undergo the rigorous pressures 

brought about by ‘instant’ fame and worldwide recognition.” Papers 

provided “many insights into contemporary social history.” Glenn had 

been asked for his opinion on every conceivable topic. (Sifton, LC Znfo 

Bull, 8/29/68) 

August 30: Apollo 7 spacecraft and launch vehicle were electrically mated at 

KSC Launch Complex 34. (NASA Apollo Status Summary, 9/4/68) 0 ComSatCorp had notified FCC of its intention to award $270,000 fixedprice contract to Hughes Aircraft Co. for installation, operation, and 

maintenance of transportable earth station in California to transmit, 

via Zntelsat ZZ satellite, TV coverage of Mexican Olympics to Pacific 

area in October. (ComSatCorp Release 6845) 

During August: In Astronmtics & Aeronautics editorial AIAA President 

Floyd L. Thompson heralded U.N. Conference on Exploration and 

Peaceful Uses of Outer Space in Vienna, August 14-27. Against background of new developments in arms control, it would emphasize practical benefits of space exploration, especially as to how they could aid 

developing nations. “This action by the UN points up the continuing 

concern of many about the need for cooperation among nations in the 

exploration of space. It recognizes that space represents an important 

element of national power, a force for growth, particularly in advanced 

technology and education.” (A&A, 8/6%,17) 
September 1968 

September I: In Baltimore Sun William J. Perkinson warned against “A 

Czechoslovakia In Space.” He said experts explained U.S. and other 

free-world nations “must insure that future Russian leaders will never 

be able to blackmail nations or whole continents of nations into submitting to the will of such Soviet leaders the way the leaders of the Kremlin forced Czechoslovakia to yield through the invasion of that country 

on the night of August 21.” 

By marrying technology of “spook,” or hovering, satellite with that 

used to produce MIRV and by use of more powerful rockets, “it would 

be possible to launch truly ‘orbiting men-of-war’ that could be used far 

more effectively to cow any nation than the most powerful of gunboats 

were able to do in the days of ‘gunboat diplomacy.’ ” Blackmail might 

not occur, if arms limitation treaties granted each nation right to board 

and inspect all heavy satellites in orbit. “But even that right would 

have to be backed up by means of spacecraft and spacemen capable of 

exercising that right. That . . . is why the invasion of Czechoslovakia 

is certain to spark new interest in manned space flight.” (B Sun, 

9/1/68,3) 

September 2: John Lannan in Washington Evening Star called GSFC “home 

base” for Apollo 7 astronauts. All their communications would pass 

through Center. Communicating with some or all lunar spacecraft 

would be 14 land stations, 4 ships, and 8 aircraft around the world, 

manned by 4,000 persons. All circuits used would be put together from 

GSFC switching centers. Except for astronaut’s electrocardiagram and 

his voice, all mission data would be channeled in digital form, which 

meant vast bulk of detail controlling system itself, in addition to mission data from Houston or spacecraft, could be handled rapidly by 

computers. (W Star, 9/2/68,1) 

* AEC was developing plans for “nuplexes,” giant agro-industrial complexes built around nuclear reactors and using advanced agricultural 

and industrial technologies, said AEC Chairman, Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, 

in U.S. News & World Report. While “modest type” could be built 

using reactors of type under construction, eventually feasible $1-billion 

nuplex could sustain 100,000 farmers, laborers, and their families and 

feed 5 million others, while exporting fertilizer to grow food for additional 50 million people. Nuplexes would generate own electricity and 

pump oceans for unlimited quantities of water for irrigation and industrial uses. Seaborg saw India and Middle East as specific areas for 

nuplexes. (W Post, 8/26/68, A12; US News, 9/2/68,62) 

September 3: Lunar Test Article (LTA 2R)--carried onboard Apoh 6 

flight April 4 to measure vibration, acoustics, and structural integrity 

for lunar module-reentered earth’s atmosphere and splashed into Pacific. Tracking station lost contact with debris in orbit at about 10 am 

205 
September 3 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

EDT but calculated its trajectory to landing area. (NASA Release 

68-155; AP, B Sun, 9/11/68, A3) 

September 4: NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried National Center for Atmospheric Research experiment to 77-mi 

(124-km) altitude to retrieve high-intensity air sample from 26.7- to 

40.4-mi (43- to 65-km) altitude, using low-temperature condenser. All 

cryogenic heat exchange and sampler functions performed satisfactorily; recovery parachute deployed and payload survived impact. Sample of eight moles of air was recovered between 26.8-mi (43.2-km) and 

38.9-mi (62.8-km) altitudes. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA issued Apollo Status Summary: Apollo 7 crew was participating in 

verification test of electrically mated spacecraft and launch vehicle. For 

Apollo 8 mission, combined systems test on Command and Service 

Module 103 and checkout of Apollo Saturn 503 launch vehicle would 

continue through week at KSC. (Text) 

0 FAA issued notice of proposed rule to restrict number, type, and equipment of aircraft using “high density” airports. New York‘s Kennedy 

International and La Guardia, Newark, Chicago’s O’Hare, and Washington National would be allocated 80, 60, 60, 135, and 60 operations 

per hr from 6:OO am to midnight. Rule would set minimum airspeed of 

150 knots while under air traffic approach control and require all aircraft to be equipped with radar beacon transponder with 64-code capability and two pilots while under reservations plan. Prior approved 

departure or arrival reservations would be required for each flight operated under IFR or from designated high-traffic airport. Public hearing 

on proposed rule would be held at FAA Hq. Sept. 25. (FAA Release 

68-53 1 0 At Fort Worth, Tex., ceremonies, Australian Minister for Defence Allen 

Fairhall accepted first of Australia’s 24 F-111C aircraft on order from 

General Dynamics Corp. U.S. Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Harold 

Brown, told assembled dignitaries F-111 “institutes a new generation 

of aircraft. . . . We have discovered . . . that when compared to fixedwing aircraft, the variable geometry wing requires far fewer compromises to obtain the desired performance.” ( DOD Releases 779-68, 

812-68; AFSC Newsreview, 9/68,1) 

0 Dr. George Kozmetsky, dean of Univ. of Texas College of Business and 

of Graduate School of Business, had been sworn in as consultant to 

NASA Administrator James E. Webb, NASA announced. Specialist in system analysis, organization theory, quantative methods, and system 

management, Dr. Kozmetsky would serve on NASA’s Management Advisory Panel. (NASA Release 68-153) 

September 5: Cosmos CCXXXIX was launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 

262-km (162.8-mi) apogee, 198-km (123-mi) perigee, 89.1-min period, 

and 51.8’ inclination. Satellite reentered Sept. 13. (GSFC SSR, 

9/15/68) 

0 Washington Daily News story by London Express Service said scientists 

“have told the military that a new infra-red sensing device tested in a 

secret American reconnaissance satellite may be able, from space, to 

detect the elusive submarines as they lurk under water. And the invention is said to work whether the quarry is moving, hovering in midwater, or even lying silently on the bottom. . . . More tests are to be 

206 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 5 

made. But it . . . seems fairly certain that the system will be put into 

full operation soon.” (W News, 9/5/68,6) 

0 USAF announced Aug. 25 discovery of new F-111A problem during fatigue test at General Dynamics-Convair plant, San Diego, Calif., would 

extend restrictions on aircraft. Problem was failure of steel fitting on 

which swing-wings pivoted. Technical officers believed crack in metal 

plate was caused by iaulty bolt hole rather than serious design deficiency. DOD said it would take 10 to 14 days to complete analysis. 

(Aero Daily, 9/6/68; W Post, 9/6/68, 1 ; AP. W Star, 9/6/68, C5; 

Sehlstedt, B Sun, 9/7/68, A7) 

President Johnson issued Executive Order 11428 terminating President’s 

Advisory Committee on Supersonic Transport, which had been established April 1,196LE. (PD, 9/9/68,1309) 

September 6: NASA announced it had terminated production of 60 H-1 engines for post-Apollo Saturn IB missions under contract with North 

American Rockwell Corp.’s Rocketdyne Div. Delivery of 32 engines to 

MSFC had already been completed. Of remaining 28 engines, 1 would 

be complete; 1, complete without firing; 6, assembled; and hardware 

for 20, delivered in present production state. (NASA Release 68-154; 

MSC Roundup, 9/13/68,1) 

* Charles G. Haynes, Director of NASA Inspections Div., had been assigned 

additional duties as Acting Director of Headquarters Administration, 

NASA announced. He would replace Alfred S. Hodgson, who was on extended leave. ( NASA Ann, 9/6/68) 

Col. Robert L. Stevens ( USAF) , holder of four of nine new world speed 

and altitude records set in Lockheed YF-12A jet interceptor, was 

named technical adviser to FAA SST Program Director, M/G Jewel1 C. 

Maxwell ( USAF) . (FAA Release 68-32) 

September 7: During visit to MSFC, Republican presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon said of space program, “I would have this clearly understood: that I consider this program as one of our national imperatives, that it must be supported at a level assuring efficient and steady 

progress, that the ups and downs . . . in planning, programming and 

financing must be brought to a halt, and that as President I will make 

certain our country retains leadership in this great endeavor. . . . It is 

an inescapable fact of our national life today that we cannot afford to 

do all we wish. But we must do all we can. . . . I assert my conviction 

that among the claimants for Federal support I consider the space program both indispensable and of major importance to our country. . . . In every area of science-in every area of knowledgethe United 

States must continue to probe the unknown. In terms of our long-range 

security and growth, the most critical gap which we could allow to develop would be a research gap.” (Text; NYT, 9/7/68, l; UPI, W Post, 

9/7/68 [photo] ; B Sun, 9/7/68) 

* Max Conrad, holder of world record for straight-line distance (7,688.5 

mi) in light aircraft, set June 24, 1959, claimed new world distance 

record of 4,968 mi in closed-circuit route. He landed his twin-engine 

Piper Aztec at Lambert Field in St. Louis, Mo., after flying 621-mi triangular route between St. Louis, Des Moines, Iowa, and Kansas City, 

Mo., eight times in 37 hr 50 min. (World Almanac, 68, 752; UPI, W 

Post, 9/9/68, C5) 

September 8: France exploded second hydrogen bomb-believed to be less 

207 
September 8 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

than two megatons-susDended above Mururoa Atoll in the Pacific. 

First test had-been cond&ted Aug. 24. (AP, B Sun, 9/2/68,2; W Post, 

9/9/68. A22) 

September 9: Apollo 7 prime and backup crews successfully completed 

egress test at KSC. Astronauts performed both aided and unaided egress 

from spacecraft under simulated emergency conditions. At MSC three 

astronauts completed five-da y vacuum chamber tests in spacecraft similar to command and service modules to be flown on second manned 

Apollo mission and lunar flights. (NASA Apollo Status Summary, 

9/10/69) 

U.S. News & World Report said story of how US. had been steadily 

stripping away “some of the most valuable military secrets of Soviet 

Russia for the past five years” was being revealed in bits and pieces. At 

heart of story were spy satellites orbiting earth. Powerful spaceborne 

cameras could photograph in detail objects less than one foot in diameter from 150-mi altitude. “Ultramodern” radar circling in outer space 

now penetrated cloud covers and forest vegetation to reveal hidden missile sites, tanks, and even troops. Infrared sensors could detect submarines and missile launching. Electronic sensors could monitor atomic explosions and pick up telephone messages from deep within U.S.S.R. or 

Communist China. President Johnson had said spy satellites alone 

made U.S. space investment worthwhile. 

USAF had, to date, launched more than 200 classified payloads. At 

least one intelligence satellite was always ready for orbit. Most stayed 

operational for 1 to 25 days. Even more useful, Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) was yet to come. U.S.S.R. was particularly concerned 

about its intelligence implications. “The Russians are starting now to 

understand that one of their centuries-old weapons against the rest of 

the world-their secrecy-is rapidly being removed.” (US News, 

9/9/68,2) 

by Titan 111-B booster into orbit with ZOO-mi (321.9-km) apogee, 89- 

mi (143.2-km) perigee, 89.1-min period, and 106’ inclination. Satellite 

reentered Sept. 25. (Pres Rpt 68; GSFC SSR, 9/15/68, 9/30,/68) 

XB-70A, flown by NASA test pilots Donald L. Mallick and Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., reached 63,000-ft altitude and mach 2.54 in flight from Edwards AFT(. Accomplished successfully were ILAF systems check; exciter 

vane tests; evaluation of stability, control, and handling qualities: and 

observation of duct turbulence. (NASA Proj Off) 

USAF announced successful completion on Aug. 6 of initial Aight phase 

of C-5A jet transport, after which aircraft had been put into six week 

planned layup for “configuration update and instrumentation for flutter 

testing.” It had accumulated 23 hr 48 min in flights on June 30; July 

13, 20, 25, and 31; and Aug. 1 and 6. During evaluation, C-SA had 

flown at maximum gross weight of 557,000 lb, logged gross maximum 

taxi weight of 732,000 Ib, and reached 250-knot top speed and 11,000- 

ft maximum altitude. 65A Galaxy was designed to operate at long- range cruise speed of MO knots with basic mission weight of 712,000 

lb. (Aero Daily, 9/11/68) 

Astronomer Dr. &mitt L. Verschuur, with aid of National Radio Astronomy Observatory, had measured for first time strength of Milky 

Way’s magnetic field as it existed in far reaches of the galaxy, to help 

September 10: uSAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenber, cr AFB 

208 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 10 

explain theories of star formation, radio wave propagation, and cosmic 

ray acceleration unprovable previously. ( W Post, 9/10/68, A10) 

Col. Albert J. Wetzel (USAF, Ret.), Director of Sponsored Programs at 

Tulane Univ., was sworn in as consultant to NASA Administrator James 

E. Webb. Former technical assistant to Director of Defense Research 

and Engineering and former Titan ICBM program director, Col. Wetzel 

would advise Webb on NASA Project Management System and other 

technical and personnel management activities. (NASA Release 68-156) 

* NASA Deep Space Network celebrated 1,OOOth tracking and data acquisition support pass of Pioneer VZ spacecraft, launched Dec. 16, 1965, as 

first of successful series. Pass was monitored by 210-ft antenna at Goldstone, Calif., where Pioneer Tracking and Data Systems Manager, Dr. 

N. A. Renzetti, congratulated members of JPL Pioneer Operations 

Team. ( JPL Lab-Oratory, 10/21/68,2) 

NAA selected Sen. Warren G. Magnuson (D-Wash.) to receive its 1968 

Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for “more than two decades of dynamic leadership in developing national and international policy that 

has assured United States preeminence in aeronautics throughout the 

world and has contributed immeasurably to the health and vitality of 

America’s economic structure.” Trophy would be presented Dec. 17 at 

Annual Wright Brothers Memorial Dinner in Washington, D.C. (NAA 

Release) 0 George C. Wilson in Washington Post wrote: “No one is willing to 

predict what form a new Soviet psychological sputnik would 

take . . . [but] it was a gut feeling among space leaders that the 

United States will pay the price eventually for cutting back on its space 

program while the Soviets move right ahead on all fronts with theirs.” 

Even Saturn V rocket “does not look big enough to close the thrust 

gap. NASA Administrator James E. Webb-one of the most underrated 

administrators in Washington-warns that the Soviets are about to fly 

arocket much bigger. . . .” 

By-product of big boosters was luxury of weight they allowed comsats. US. was using satellites weighing 357 lb at launch and 192 lb in 

orbit. U.S.S.R. was talking about 1,000-lb comsats for competing international communications system. “The Soviet Union’s bigness in boosters and payloads will be an advantage in this contest between the two 

AT&Ts of space.” (w Post, 9/10,/68, 14) 

September II: NASA selected Fairchild Hiller Corp. and General Electric 

Co. to develop spacecraft designs for Applications Technology Satellites 

(ATS) F and G under $4.6-million fixed-price contracts. Configuration 

would consist of 30-ft-dia deployable antenna and precision control system. Both spacecraft would carry advanced communications, navigation, weather, technical, and scientific experiments. They were scheduled for 1972 and 1973 synchronous orbits at 22,300-mi altitude. Each 

company would design and develop basic configuration for both spacecraft and provide specifications, drawings, and test procedures. ( NASA 

Release 68-157) 

Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories launched largest research 

balloon-28.7-million-cu-ft polyethylene sphere-to record 158,000-ft altitude from WSMR. Flight carried instruments for atmospheric measurements near stratopause and terminated near Needles, Calif., after 18 hr. 

Previous record size for polyethylene balloon was 13.5 million cu ft. 

209 
September 11 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Previous balloon record, 26 million cu ft, was held by five fiber-reinforced Mylar balloons flown by AFCRL for NASA in 1966 and 1967. (OAR 

Research Review, 1-2/69,8-9) 

0 Republican Presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon announced decision to request Senate postponement of approval of nuclear nonproliferation treaty. “Despite my concern over some of its provisions, I have 

endorsed [the treaty]. . . . I hope that it can be universally adopted. 

But the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia has seriously damaged the 

prospects for early ratification of the treaty.” 

Nixon statement came as Republicans blocked meeting of Senate 

Foreign Relations Committee for second day, preventing voting on 

treaty approval. (Semple, Finney, NYT, 9/12/68, 1 ; Oberdorfer, W 

Post, 9/12/68,1) 

September 12: Institute for Strategic Studies in London issued report, “The 

Military Balance,” which said U.S.S.R. had rushed construction of 

land-based ICBMS and now had almost as many as US. By end of 1968 

Soviet total was expected to reach US. total of 1,054. (Shuster, NYT, 

9/13/68,9) 

Slide-wire escape way, 1,200-ftt-long, from 215-ft level to ground at KSC 

Complex 34 was declared man-rated following tests by five dummies 

and five men. Slide wire was designed as last means of escape from tot, 

of Saturn IB gantry for astronauts and close-out crews if emergency 

should shut off other routes. (Spaceport News, 9/12/68,1) 

0 NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. 

Mueller, told World Affairs Council in Pittsburgh, Pa.: “The U.S. 

space program was undertaken in 1958, and accelerated by three Presidents and six Congresses who considered it basic to our national 

strength and essential to our continued leadership of the Free World. It 

is . . . significant to note that this has been a bipartisan effort, with 

Republican as well as Democratic support. . . . Space expenditures 

contribute significantly to the national power of the United States in a 

world where military and economic security increasingly rest upon 

technology.” US. space program “has been deliberately oriented toward cooperation with other countries. It is providing opportunities for 

foreign scientists to contribute and develop their talents and, at the 

same time, gives other nations a chance to share not only in the published results of space research, but in the accomplishment of these 

achievements as well. . . .” (Text) 

* Senate adopted S.R. 391, changing assignments of minority Senators to 

standing committees. Measure excused Senators Edward W. Brooke 

(R-Mass.) and Charles H. Percy (R-Ill.) from Senate Committee on 

Aeronautical and Space Sciences and assigned Senators Mark 0. Hatfield (R-Ore.) and-Charles E. Goodell (RyN.Y.) to Committee. (NASA 

LAR VTT/9C)\ . . -_ I ~ -, 

September 13: Explorer XXXVIII (RAE-A) , launched from WTR July 4, was 

adjudged successful by NASA. Satellite had completed 30 days of successful three-axis gravity-gradient-stabilized operation in orbit as of 

Aug. 22. Experiment instrumentation and all spacecraft support systems were operational and functioning satisfactorily. Recording of variations in galactic emission, low-frequency solar bursts, and radio signals from earth had been acquired. Some evidence had been found of 

enhanced noise bands at medium frequencies within magnetosphere, 

210 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 13 

and strong noise enhancement had been observed in vicinity of South 

Atlantic anomaly. (NASA Proj Off) 0 Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched by NASA from portable launcher 

at WSMR carried GSFC payload to 3.1-mi (5.05-km) altitude. Objectives 

were to flight-qualify production lot of VAM-20 variboosters, demonstrate Aerobee rail launch feasibility, determine exiting loads on rail 

launcher, establish procedures for rail launching, and verify boostphase dispersion calculations. Booster web burning time, booster pressure, acceleration, velocity, and system impact were as predicted. (NASA 

Rpt SRL) 

X-15 No. 1 was successfully flown by Maj. William J. Knight (USAF) 

to 254,100-ft altitude and 3,716 mph (mach 5.26) in test from Edwards 

AFB. Primary objectives were to conduct WTR experiment and check out 

horizon scanner, fixed alpha cone, and fluidic probe. (X-15 Proj Off) 

0 President Johnson selected Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, AEC Chairman, to 

head US. delegation to 12th conference of International Atomic Energy Agency, which would open in Vienna Sept. 24. (UPI, NYT, 

9/15/68,34) 

September 14: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXL into orbit with 283-km 

(175.8-mi) apogee, 203-km (126.1-mi) perigee, 89.3-min period, and 

51.8’ inclination. Satellite reentered Sept. 21. (GSFC SSR, 9/15/68, 

9/30/68) 

While Soviet scientists believed in use of some drugs to help man adapt 

to long space flights, US. medical experts wanted to avoid use of medication in orbit because of unpredictable side effects they sometimes 

produced, Associated Press reported. US. astronauts had carried only 

nonbromide, antimotion sickness pills and these had been used only 

once, by Gemini VZZZ pilots Neil A. Armstrong and David R. Scott 

when stuck thruster caused spacecraft to roll and forced emergency 

landing. Soviet representatives at Vienna U.N. Conference on Peaceful 

Uses of Outer Space had indicated most U.S.S.R. cosmonauts had used 

depressants for sleeping in orbit and stimulants to counteract fatigue. 

To avoid need for drugs, NASA selected only highly qualified astronaut 

candidates and trained them to cope with situations they might find in 

space. (B Sun, 9/16/68,8) 

Joint Committee on Atomic Energy called for prompt DOD action to revive work on quiet electric-drive nuclear submarine halted in May by 

DOD order when it decided to proceed with new high-speed nuclear submarine [see July 241. (Transcript; Greene, NY News, 9/20/68, 8) 

September 15-22: Zond V automatic space station was launched by 

U.S.S.R. and placed on lunar trajectory from parking orbit of another 

satellite to explore outer space and test spacecraft systems, Tass announced. All systems were functioning normally. Speculation in Moscow, later confirmed, was that spacecraft would attempt to circle moon. 

On Sept. 18 Sir Bernard Lovell, Director of U.K.’s Jodrell Bank Experimental Station, said spacecraft had passed within 1,000 mi of moon 

and was returning to earth and predicted U.S.S.R. would attempt to recover it. West Germany’s Bochum Observatory agreed that Zond F’ was 

returning but insisted spacecraft had circled moon. U.S.S.R. initially 

denied both reports, but two days later, confirmed that Zond V had circled moon Sept. 18 and was continuing its flight. Tass said spacecraft 

had flown within 1,200 mi of moon and obtained data on physical 

211 
September 15-22 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

characteristics of outer space near moon. Research mission had been 

completed and spacecraft was continuing to relay information to space 

stations. 

Zond V’s reentry and splashdown in Indian Ocean Sept. 21 was recorded by US., U.K., and West German space scientists, but U.S.S.R. 

made no official announcement until Sept 22. Tass then said Zond V 

had circled moon, explored space near moon, reentered at 11,000 mi per 

sec, softlanded by parachute in predetermined area, and was recovered 

by Soviet recovery ship-becoming first circumlunar spacecraft recovered on earth. “During the flight the station’s systems and aggregates 

for maneuvering on the trajectory and for returning to the Earth were 

tested. Flight control systems of the station and the radio-engineering 

means for measuring the parameters of its trajectory ensured the successful execution of the programme. 

“The successful flight of the ‘Zond-5’ automatic station over the 

Earth-Moon-Earth route, and its return to the predetermined area are 

an outstanding achievement of Soviet science and engineering. Another 

scientific-engineering problem has been solved, and broad prospects 

have been opened up for further research of outer space and planets 

of the solar system by automatic space stations which bring back research data to the Earth.” 

Tass announcement that atmosphere and pressure “remained within 

the limits of their present range” supported earlier speculation that 

Zond V carried prototype passenger cabin with atmosphere of artificial 

helium mixture which would be used by cosmonauts on future flights. 

Later Tass report quoted Soviet Prof. Leonid I. Sedov as saying spacecraft had special heat shield and was slowed down during reentry by 

air resistance” and, “at a comparatively small height,” by parachute. 

Zond V was fifth spacecraft in Zond series and first Soviet spacecraft 

to land in water. Zond Z (launched April 2, 1964) had failed in attempt to reach Venus and Zond ZZ (launched Nov. 30, 196p) had suffered communications failure enroute to Mars. Zond ZZZ (launched July 

18,1965) had obtained photos of far side of moon; Zond IV (launched 

March 2, 1968) apparently had reached apogee comparable to lunar 

altitude and had burned in earth’s atmosphere on reentry. (GSFC SSR, 

9/15/68; 9/30/68; W Post, 9/16/68, A17; 9/19/68’ A25; 9/23/68, 

Al; NYT, 9/16/68, 29; 9/21-23/68, 1; Moscow News, 10/5-12/68, 

3) 

September 16: At White House press conference NASA Administrator James 

E. Webb announced his resignation, effective Oct. 7, his 62nd birthday. 

He wished to retire to devote his time to interests in education and foreign and urban affairs after 25 yr in Government and nearly 8 yr as 

NASA chief. President Johnson would name Dr. Thomas 0. Paine, NASA 

Deputy Administrator, to succeed him as Acting Administrator. Webb 

would remain as consultant to Dr. Paine until Jan. 20,1969. 

Webb told press: ‘‘I leave NASA well prepared and with a conservative financial structure to carry out the missions that have been approved. They will go forward. What we have not been able to do under 

the pressures on the budget has been to fund new missions for the 

1970’s. So, there is going to be a period when there will be fewer 

flights than would, in my view, have been important to do. . . . We 

planned, with the President’s leadership in 1961 and his recommenda66 

2 12 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 16 

tions to President Kennedy to develop an ability to fly six Saturn V’s 

per year and six Saturn 1’s per year. . . . Under the reductions in the 

budget beginning in 1964 . . . we have reduced that anticipated flight 

schedule, or production schedule, [until] we have now cancelled the 

production lines on both these boosters. . . . what we will have to do 

is develop a new base of technology for the next generation of boosters 

[and] . . . the country will have to look with great care into what it is 

it wants to do with those boosters that will be in storage.” 

Answering query, Webb said, ‘‘I am not satisfied with the program. I 

am not satisfied that we as a nation have not been able to go forward 

to achieve a first position in space. What this really means is that we 

are going to be in a second position for some time to come. . . . I am 

satisfied with what we have developed in every field and that we have 

been flying three successful generations of spacecraft. . . . I think now 

the question is what will the fourth . . . be. We have a vast amount of 

capability. As the U.S.S.R. proceeds to fly and remains in the number 

one position, we will have the capability to start new programs as the 

need is clearly indicated. . . . We have worked up to a work force of 

420,000 people. At the end of this fiscal year, we will be down to just 

over 200,000. So we have shown the administrative capability to build 

up and then to reduce without losing pace in the program.” Webb said 

NASA had decided to man third Saturn V flight in December. “We did 

calculate that we needed 15 Saturn V’s in program to make sure we 

would do the Lunar landing. We have funded eight. . . . Now we can 

only fly seven. So the real question is can we make the landing by number seven?” 

A good many people, Webb said, have tended to use space program 

“as a sort of whipping boy. . . . But in essence, if it were not for the 

fiscal problems faced by the President and the Director of the Budget I 

would believe that the program would have been supported in the Congress and in the country at a higher level than it has been.” Webb 

thought US. had reached parity with U.S.S.R. 21/, yr earlier except in 

large boosters and spacecraft. If U.S. could have had 12 Saturns a year 

in late 1967 or 1968, “I think we would have forged ahead.” Instead, 

“while we are reducing down to half to two-thirds of our program, they 

are still increasing.” Webb said current US space program had created 

capability that could be used for major efforts in exploration if adequately funded. “Any danger to the United States that would come 

from the Russian program would be visible in time to use this capability to start out. But they are going to have the reality and the image of 

being out in front for a number of years to come. How dangerous that 

is, you will have to judge yourself.” (Transcript; Sheehan, NYT, 

9/17/68, 1; Kilpatrick, O’Toole, W Post, 9/17/68, Al; Dobbin, B Sun, 

9/17/68, A9) @ U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCXLI into orbit with 326-km 

(202.6-mi) apogee, 198-km ( 1234 perigee, 89.7-min period, and 

65.4” inclination. Satellite reentered Sept. 24. (C Trib, 9/17/68; GSFC 

SSR, 9/30/68) @ NASA launched series of three sounding rockets from NASA Wallops Station. First Nike-Cajun carried GSFC experiment to 42.6-mi (68.6-km) 

altitude to determine ozone concentration and water vapor distribution 

as a function of altitude and obtain finite data during parachute de213 
September 16 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

scent from 43.4-mi (70-km) altitude. Basic payload design proved operational. Rocket performance was good; peak altitude was 6% below 

predicted. Instrumentation’s tone ranging was lost after payload despin 

and new AB signal replacing FM signal slowly deteriorated after liftoff. Radar tracked all systems from liftoff to impact. Although parachute was not fully deployed during descent and aluminum oxide 

hydrometer failed to project because of spring malfunction, key events 

occurred within two seconds of predicted times and significant data 

were obtained. Midair-retrieval attempt was not successful, but payload 

and parachute were recovered. 

Second Nike-Cajun carried GSFC payload to 73.1-mi (117.6-km) altitude to obtain vertical profile of temperature, pressure density, and 

wind data between 21.8- and 59-mi (35- and 95-km) altitudes by detonating 19 grenades and recording their sound arrivals at ground. 

Rocket performed satisfactorily. Grenade timer malfunctioned and instead of ejecting 19 grenades during ascent, vehicle ejected 1 grenade 

after apogee during descent and 12-14 grenades which detonated at 

sporadic intervals during descent. Final destruct grenade destroyed 

payload before impact. Some significant data could be correlated from 

ground arrivals. 

Arcas sounding rocket carried U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station 

payload to 34.5-mi (55.5-km) altitude to measure ozone concentration 

at 18.6- to 37.5-mi (30- to 60-km) altitudes by observing solar UV 

light attenuation by ozone during parachute descent. Rocket performed 

nominally; altitude achieved was within 10,000 ft of predicted. Instruments performed satisfactorily and good data were obtained. Parachute 

deployed properly and payload was tracked by radar and retrieved in 

midair. (NASA Rpts SRL) 

0 Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched by NASA from portable launcher 

at WSMR carried GSFC experiment to 3.14-mi (5.05-km) altitude to: 

(1) flight-qualify production lot of VAM-20 variboosters, (2) demonstrate feasibility of Aerobee rail launch, (3) determine exit loads, (4) 

establish rail-launching procedures, and (5) verify boost-phase dispersion calculations. System was ballasted with water and lead to produce 

mass and mass distribution of fully loaded rocket with 200-lb net payload. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily. Booster web 

burning time, booster pressure, acceleration, velocity, and system impact occurred as predicted. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

German scientists at Max Planck Institute-using U.S., U.K., and French 

rockets-had shown that borders of magnetic energy extending from 

earth could be made visible directly to persons on earth, New York 

Times reported. Release of barium clouds in space produced glowing, 

colored filaments outlining magnetic field. Technique showed influence 

of electric fields in space. Preparations were being made to release barium cloud in heart of inner radiation belt around earth before year’s 

end. Cloud would inscribe in space magnetic lines of force which held 

radiation belt in place. ESRO had prepared Highly Eccentric Orbiting 

Satellite (IIEOS) for launch by US. booster in experiment which would 

be too high for naked eye to observe. Telescopic Schmidt cameras were 

to be used. (NYT, 9/17/68,1) 0 NASA awarded $3,290,500 contract to Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Co. 

for fabrication and installation of heavy steel test chambers and related 

214 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 16 

systems as part of second phase in expansion of Propulsion Systems 

Laboratory at LeRC. (LeRC Release 68-56) 

September 17: Presidium of Supreme Soviet ratified space rescue treaty 

signed by U.S. and U.S.S.R. April 22, according to Tass report. Presidium took care of legislative matters when Supreme Soviet was not in 

session. (AP, W Star, 9/19/68, A10) 

0 Dr. Thomas 0. Paine, NASA Deputy Administrator whom retiring Administrator James E. Webb had said would be named Acting NASA Administrator by President Johnson, represented “new breed of scientistadministrators making their way into government,” said John Lannan 

in Washington Evening Star. Unlike Webb, he was new to Government, 

having come up through “the scientific ranks of the sprawling General 

Electric Co. over a period of 19 years.” As Webb’s chief deputy since 

March, Dr. Paine had been authorizing and signing major announcements but had yet to confront Congress. He and Webb saw eye-to-eye, 

he had said, on agency’s current program emphasis, which had been 

criticized as too heavily oriented to manned flight. “I am a very strong 

supporter of doing as much as we can in planetary areas.” Dr. Paine 

said, “but it’s one of those cases where you’ve got limited resources 

and you’re trying to do all the things you can. You’ve got to do things 

in aeronautics; we’ve got to finish up the Apollo program; and we’ve 

got to do more in earth resources (surveying them from space) here on 

this planet.” A lot of NASA’s future “is in the questions that we’ll 

be raising as we continue to probe the planets.” 

On balancing space needs against problems of cities, Dr. Paine felt 

U.S. suffered from “what I would call almost a national hypochondria . . . in many ways crippling some of the forward-looking 

things we’re able to do. . . . I feel that one of the very highest priority matters is the war on poverty and the problems of the cities. But in 

the meantime, we’re making . . . a lot of progress in the civil rights 

area and really, this nation is a good deal healthier than we’re giving it 

credit for today.” He was confident of a resurgence of public interest 

in space once the Apollo program got underway. (W Star, 9/17/68, 

A41 0 Under Administrator James E. Webb’s leadership, Don Kirkman commented in Washington Daily News, NASA had “put John Glenn in orbit 

in the Mercury capsule, brought back all the Gemini spacemen without 

mishap, and intended to put U.S. astronauts on the moon before the 

1960s ended.” Unmanned spaceships had photographed moon and Mars 

and probed Venus host of weather, communications, and navigation 

satellites had been launched. But since Jan. 27, 1967, Apollo fire and 

with needs of Vietnam war, “every new budget brought new blows.” ( W 

News, 9/17/68, 9) 

U.S. patent No. 3,4.02,295 was issued to Robert W. Astheimer, Vice President of Barnes Engineering Co., for process by which aircraft pilot 

could spot clear air turbulence (CAT) far enough ahead to avoid danger. 

To discover rise in temperature which marked CAT, pilot would scan 

ahead with radiometer to detect significant heat radiation from carbon 

dioxide uniformly distributed through air. (Pat Off PIO; Jones, NYT, 

9/21/68,45) 

September 17-18: Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved nuclear 

215 
September 17-18 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

nonproliferation treaty by vote of 13 to 3 after three previous meetings 

failed to attract majority of members. Senate Democratic leaders expressed hope treaty could be brought to vote on Senate floor before 

mid-October Congressional adjournment. In formal statement after 

Committee approval, Vice President Humphrey, Democratic Presidential 

candidate, called upon Republican Presidential candidate Richard M. 

Nixon to support ratification. U.S.S.R.’s occupation of Czechoslovakia, 

Humphrey said, should not deter Senate approval of “cmcial” treaty. It 

was not agreement between Washington and Moscow, but a treaty already signed by 81 nations and developed among many signers as we11 

as the United Nations. (Sherman, W. Star, 9/17/68, A5 ; Unna, V. Post, 

9/18/68,1; Finney, NYT, 9/18/68,1; Furgurson, B Sun, 9/19/68,1) September 18: NASA launch from ETR of Intelsat-I11 F-1, first of four Intelsat 111 comsats scheduled for 1968-69, failed to reach orbit when 

three-stage Long-Tank Delta booster, on maiden flight, pitched backward and was exploded several thousand feet above Atlantic. NASA 

Launch Director Robert Gray said booster encountered trouble in gyroscope system controlling pitch rate 20 see after blastoff. Launch vehicle 

became erratic and uncontrollable, pitching backward 1 min 2 sec into 

flight, and 6 sec later ETR safety officer sent signal to destroy vehicle. 

Delta fuel tanks had already begun to tear apart and burst into flame. 

Pieces of booster and satellite fell into ocean 12 mi off Florida. Experts 

were studying radio data to determine cause of failure, which ComSatCorp said would not have significant effect on 1968 revenue. Delay in 

completing cycle of four Intelsat 111s would be felt in 1969; ComSatCorp officials termed it “major blow” to plans for early full-scale 

global system. 

TO be owned by 63-nation INTELSAT consortium, each of satellites 

was designed to have 1,200-voice capacity or four TV channels; completed series of four was to make coverage available around the world. 

First had been planned for synchronous equatorial orbit above Atlantic. (ComSatCorp PIO; ComSatCorp Release 68-46; AP, W Post, 

9/19/68, A3; Dimond, W Star, 9/19/68, A21; CSM, 9/20/68) 

USAF launched two unidentified satellites from Vandenberg AFB by 

Thor-Agena D booster. One entered orbit with 243-mi (391.1-km) apogee, 111-mi (178.6-km) perigee, 90.1-min period, and 83’ inclination 

and reentered Oct. 8. Second satellite entered orbit with 318-mi 

(511.8-km) apogee, 312-mi (502.1-km) perigee, 94.7-min period, and 

83.2’ inclination. (Pres Rpt 68) e Nike-Cajun sounding rocket launched by NASA from Churchill Research 

Range carried GSFC payload to 12-mi (19-km) altitude to obtain variations in temperature profile and atmosphere structure. Launch was one 

of series scheduled for winter 1968-69 at Churchill, Point Barrow, 

Alaska, and NASA Wallops Station. Nineteen grenades deployed and e*- 

ploded as planned. Second stage failed to ignite causing low apogee, 

which prevented acquisition of useful data. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

At international symposium in Washington, D.C., sponsored by NAS and 

GSFC, Univ. of California scientist Dr. W. Ian Axford explained new 

phenomenon, “polar wind,” which was constantly blowing away small 

portions of earth’s atmosphere and losing them in space. In polar regions, ea&s magnetic lines of force plunged almost straight down, 

leaving considerable area “accessible to space.” Charged particles mov2 16 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 18 

ing rapidly could escape local entrapment by planet’s field. US satellites had observed such particles rising toward space at supersonic 

speeds. They climbed vertical magnetic force lines and wound up in 

long tail which protruded from earth on side away from sun (distortion of earth’s magnetic field by solar wind of charged particles flowing 

continuously from sun). Univ. of California scientist Peter M. Banks 

was credited with deducing existence of polar wind. (W News, 

9/18/68,18) 

Four NAVSATS (satellites resembling comsats) in synchronous equatorial 

orbit could control entire air traffic of US. and 18 could handle entire 

world’s air traffic, according to TRW Systems Div., which demonstrated 

system during Air Force Assn. meeting in Washington, D.C. Satellites 

would serve as reference points for aircraft in flight, ships at sea, or 

mechanized ground equipment and could locate user’s longitude and 

latitude to accuracy within 60 ft and his altitude to within 120 ft. They 

would operate like comsats but, instead of relaying messages from 

point to point, would beam signals to aircraft. By taking bearings on 

any two satellites, computerized unit in aircraft could pinpoint aircraft’s location by radio. Militarily, system could lead to accurate allweather bombing capability and armored column movements in poor 

terrain or weather, or help infantrymen in the field. For civilian air 

traffic control, it could overlap existing equipment and eventually 

phase it out. (Lannan, W Star, 9/18/68) 

Boeing Co. confirmed it was most likely to submit conventional 

fixed-wing design resembling large F4 Phantom fighter as design for 

U.S. SST when firm’s final proposal became due at FAA, no later than 

Jan. 15. If approved, aircraft‘ would start moving from paper to titanium, 

Boeing President T. A. Wilson told Air Force Assn. seminar. M/G Jewell C. Maxwell, FAA’S SST Program Director, said aircraft could fly in 

first half of 1972 and be ready for passenger service as early as 1974 

(1976 if Government decided to test prototype before starting production line). A. H. C. Greenwood, Assistant Managing Director for British Aircraft Corp., said Anglo-French Concorde would fly in 1968 and 

be in commercial operation by summer 1972. (Wilson, J7‘ Post, 

9/19/68, D1) 

0 Prototype four-engine turboprop STOL aircraft built in France as Breguet I11 and in U S. as McDonnell Douglas 188 was demonstrated for 

press in flight over Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Eastern Airlines, McDonnell Douglas, and FAA were testing aircraft as possible replacement for jet aircraft on Eastern’s crowded shuttle service between 

Washington, New York, and Boston. When fully developed, aircraft 

would carry 100 passengers at 4+00 mph with all-weather capability. It 

would take off and land on less than 800-ft runway and operate on 

more direct routes closed to conventional aircraft under noise-abatement rules. Airline spokesman had said aircraft could be operational in 

“early 1970.” (Yarborough, W Star, 9/18/68, Al; Valent-ine, W Post, 

9/19/68, B1) 

AEC Chairman, Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, was named 1968 winner of Arches 

of Science Award presented annually by Pacific Science Center of Seattle, Wash., to American who had contributed to public understanding 

of science. Award of $25,000 would be presented Oct. 16 to Dr. Sea217 
September 18 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

borg, who won Nobel Prize in chemistry in 1951 and was codiscoverer 

of plutonium. (W Post, 9/18/68, B5; AP, NYT, 9/18/68, 12) 

Washington Post commented on resignation of James E. Webb as NASA 

Administrator: “Virtually from scratch, with the country in a swivet 

over Soviet prowess, James E. Webb took over the Nation’s feeble 

space program and drove the United States firmly into the space 

age. . . . he created-in the civilian space agency-the largest 

and most labryrinthine engineering organization in American 

history. . . . In his eight-year stewardship, NASA proceeded under 

presidential and Congressional flogging toward the goal of a manned 

lunar landing ‘in this decade.’ It achieved repeated successes and but a 

single important failure-the fire that claimed the lives of three astronauts last year. 

“It is characteristic of this self-effacing, organization-minded man 

that he should choose to retire now at his 62nd birthday, qractically on 

the eve of the Apollo launching-a career-capping event if ever there 

was one. His purpose is to hand NASA over to his lieutenants before the 

change of administration, on the theory that the agency will thereby 

have a better chance of riding out next year’s power transfer. The 

country is fortunate that Mr. Webb is in good health and determined to 

apply himself vigorously to further the Nation’s understanding of the 

space age. For him this is far more than a matter of projectiles and 

orbits; it goes to the heart of the necessities and the aspirations of a 

great modern society. 

“Whereas Mr. Webb leaves NASA with its current mission adequately 

funded and its capabilities well formed, he does not leave it with a set 

mission beyond landing on the moon. This is hardly his fault. The fading American taste for competition with the Russians in space and the 

rising competition of other claimants for Federal funds explain NASA’s 

uncertain estate; its budget has been cut $1.4 billion in four 

years. . . . it will be up to the next Administration and the next 

Congress to chart America’s future in space. That they have a choice is 

the singular achievement of Jim Webb.” ( W Post, 9/18/68, A22) 

September 19: House adopted conference report on H.R. 17023, N 1969 

Independent Offices and HUD Appropriations, which allocated $3.995 

billion to NASA. [See Sept. 251. (CR, H8970-1; NASA LAR VII/95) 

In 12-yr NASA-sponsored experiments with roosters spinning at 130 rpm 

up to 15 mo on double-deck centrifuge, Univ. of California’s Davis 

Chronic Acceleration Laboratory gravity experts had noted possible adverse effects of long-term weightlessness on astronauts. Without steps to 

counter effects, “man in space for long periods will find his body decalcified,” said Dr. Arthur H. Smith. “He will not be able to stand up 

without fracturing bones. All his muscles will shrivel up including 

those around his blood vessels. He will be overloaded with fat which he 

may not be able to use.” Among methods being developed to offset disturbances to human body in space were drugs which stabilized proper 

balance of red cells and steroids which helped maintain calcium metabolism. Roosters were used in tests since their upright posture, heart-tohead distance, and circulatory systems were similar to man’s. (Hillinger, W Post, 9/19/68, G11) 

NASA said it had reassigned management responsibility for Saturn I 

Workshop airlock module and modified lunar module ascent stage for 

2 18 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 19 

Apollo Telescope Mount from MSC to MSFC, to establish satisfactory 

balance between Apollo Applications and Apollo programs. Move 

placed AA program design and integration responsibilities under single 

NASA center. Management responsibilities encompassed systems engineering, including development test and integration, to ensure compatibility of flight hardware and ground support equipment. Airlock module, mounted on Saturn IB vehicle, would provide 65-in-dia airlock 

tunnel for Apollo astronauts between spacecraft and living area of 

workshop inside hydrogen tank of rocket’s 2nd stage. Lunar module 

ascent stage was being modified as control station for ATM. AA program 

would further develop space capability in series of earth-orbital longduration flights using Apollo hardware and other facilities. (NASA Release 68-159) 

* NAS published report of NASA-sponsored two-year study of planetary astronomy by NAS-NRC Space Science Board’s 16-scientist panel headed 

by Dr. John S. Hall, Director of Lowell Observatory, Ariz. Planetary 

Astronomy: An Appraisal of Ground-Based Opportunities recommended assignment of high priority to erection of 60-in optical telescope in mountains of northern Chile, where atmospheric conditions 

permitted favorable view of Mays, in time to observe planet’s closest 

approach to earth in almost 50 yr, August 1971. Also recommended 

were construction of large dish antenna in US. for planetary radar astronomy; two large radiotelescope arrays in California and West Virginia, plus third planetary radio facility to pick up signals at short 

wavelengths ; and 120-in infrared telescope in desert region where 

vapor would be less likely to interfere with infrared radiation. (Text; 

Wilford, NYT, 9/20/68, 29) 

0 Boeing Co. dedicated $8-million low-speed wind-tunnel complex for development of helicopters and STOL and V/STOL aircraft at its Vertol 

Div., Eddystone, Pa. (P EB, 9/19/68) 

September 20: Cosmos CCXLZZ was launched by U.S.S.R. Orbital parameters: apogee, 404 km (251 mil ; perigee, 269 km (167.2 mi) ; period, 

91.2 min; and inclination, 70.9’. Satellite reentered Nov. 13. (UPI, 

NYT, 9/21/68,14; GSFC SSR, 9/30/68; 11/15/68) 

* NASA Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried 

NAs-Univ. of Wisconsin experiment to 107.7-mi (173-km) altitude to 

measure radiation from celestial objects in spectral regions 2,800- 

1,200 hi, 6WOhi, and 15-2hi using photometers and gas-filled proportional counters as x-ray detectors. Both x-ray and UV payloads functioned well and acquired data. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA Boosted Arcas I1 sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station carried GSFC experiment to 26.5-mi (42.7-km) altitude to determine feasibility of launching Boosted Arcas I1 from Arcas tube 

launcher and to obtain data on complete system flight. Booster pressure 

and acceleration were nominal throughout flight. Pressure transducer 

produced data until 2nd stage ignition. However, there was no drag 

separation after booster burnout. Separation occurred at 2nd stage ignition. Radical coning occurred during burn and predicted altitude of 

71.5-mi (115-km) was not attained. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from Andoya, Norway, 

carried GSFC experiment to analyze electric fields from observed motions of neutral and ionized barium clouds during auroral condition. 

219 
September 20 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%8 

Preliminary results indicated good photographic coverage was obtained 

from all sites. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

* Apollo 7 prime crew-Astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Donn F. Eisele, 

and R. Walter Cunningham-held news conference at MSC. Crew saw 

no reason to delay Apollo 7 launch beyond scheduled lift-off on Oct. 11 

but results of flight readiness test following week would determine definite plans. 

Questioned about safety, mission commander Schirra said, “when we 

go over the sill for launch day, we will consider that all those risks that 

are appropriate for this type of mission are either understood by us or 

that they are low enough that we have a very, very high 

probability. . . . We would like 10.8 days and we will do our best to 

do it. . . . We’ve had a goal that is rather a hard one to achieve, particularly one that we have to follow on when we lost three of our compatriots, and we don’t want any mistakes . . . to happen again. We 

have not been the ‘kid-around’ types that we might have been in the 

past, we’re much more serious about it, because this is a much more 

complicated machine and there are many, many more people involved 

in it. . . . I think you will find that you will see a good performance 

out of this total crew and we have tried very hard to make this machine 

work just the way it should. We have basically lived with it at the 

plant [and] at the Cape . . . and if somebody even takes a small component off it, we become furious and say, ‘Why did you remove it?’ 

We expect answers immediately . . . that is the way we are working.” 

In answer to question, Schirra said it had taken 1 min 5 sec for all 

three to exit from spacecraft to white room in simulated emergency, 

while still being careful not to damage equipment. In real emergency, 

crew could probably exit in 45 sec. (Transcript) 

Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr., announced he would retire as NASA astronaut after commanding Apollo 7 mission. At 45, Schirra would be 

world’s most experienced astronaut, having flown six orbits Oct. 3, 

1962, on Sigma 7 in Mercury mission and having commanded two-man 

Dec. 15-16, 1965, Gemini VI mission, which had participated with 

Gemini VI1 in first rendezvous of spacecraft in space. He would remain 

in space program, he said, “until we effect the job we set out to do”- 

to land men on moon and return them. (W Post, 9/21/68, A7; W Star, 

9/21/68, A2) * Saturn V launch vehicle has passed Design Certification Review conducted over communication facilities linking NASA and contractor personnel at Washington, D.C., Houston, Tex., Cocoa Beach, Ma., and 

Huntsville, Ala., into one conference. Purpose was to certify overall design of rocket, including engineering modifications after two previous 

Saturn flights. Certification for manned mission was issued, subject to 

verification of data in minor areas in later, limited review. Under particular consideration were engineering changes to correct pogo, or excessive oscillations, during second Saturn V flight and anomalies experienced by J-2 engines on upper stages. Solutions had been tested to satisfaction. Major efforts on both items would continue. (MSFC Release 

68-216) 

Commenting on expected Boeing Co. decision on fixed-wing design for 

SST, Washington Evening Star editorial said: “America’s first fumbling 

rush into the field of supersonic transportation now appears destined to 

220 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 20 

end not with a boom, but with a whimper . . . from the company 

which, after years of effort and a few hundred million dollars expenditure, has apparently decided to scrap the swing-wing concept and retreat to the drawing board. . . . It was the boldness and originality of 

the variable wing that won the contract for Boeing, so there would 

seem to be room for complaint if it now develops that the system is too 

heavy to be practical.” (W Star, 9/20/68, A10) 

AEc announced selection of Dr. John Archibald Wheeler of Princeton 

Univ. to receive its $25,000 Enrico Fermi Award for 1968 for “his pioneering contributions to understanding nuclear fission, and to developing the technology of plutonium production reactors, and his continuing broad contributions to nuclear science.” Award would be presented 

in ceremony Dec. 2, 26th anniversary of first sustained controlled nuclear reaction. (AEC Release 1,224) 

Dr. Dinsmore Alter, astronomer, first to provide evidence that moon was 

not as inactive as had been thought, died in Oakland, Calif., at age 80. 

He had been director of Griffith Planetarium in Los Angeles from 1935 

until his retirement in 1958. On Oct. 26, 1956, from Mt. Wilson, Calif., 

he had seen apparent mistiness at bottom of crater which later led to 

re-evaluation of concepts of moon. (NYT, 9/24/68,47) 

September 21 : Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched by NASA from 

Andoya, Norway, carried GSFC payload to analyze electric fields from 

observed motions of neutral and ionized barium clouds during an auroral condition. All four barium clouds were released in visible aurora 

as planned. Good photographic coverage was obtained from all sites. 

Peak altitude would be determined from triangulation of photos. (NASA 

Rpt SRL) 

September 22: NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried NRL experiment to 117.4-mi (188.9-km) altitude to obtain UV 

photographs of sun’s disk and white light photographs of outer solar 

corona in conjunction with measurements made by others during total 

solar eclipse. Payload contained two externally occulting coronagraphs, 

with Univ. of Colorado solar pointing control. Solar pointing control 

operated properly, with exceptionally steady pointing; white light corona and streamers were recorded in both coronagraphs with excellent 

resolution. xuv heliograph and spectroheliograph were recorded with 

excellent resolution. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

Washington Sunday Star commented on resignation of NASA Administrator James E. Webb: “The abrupt announcement, which was notably 

lacking in the customary ceremonial niceties, was the final confirmation 

that NASA’s honeymoon is definitely over. The relationship between the 

space agency and Congress must rank as perhaps the longest, and in 

many ways the happiest, official honeymoon on record. For six years, 

hardly a frown or a cross word came between the blossoming agency 

and the guardians of the nation’s treasure. The amiable and loquacious 

Webb proved himself an able administrator who knew his way around 

in the bureaucratic jungle. Through Mercury and Gemini programs, 

NASA virtually had only to ask, and Congress was ready to give. Then 

came the Apollo tragedy.” But Jan. 27, 1967, fire did not cause the 

change of heart. “It was . . . a catalyst that speeded the process. But a 

growing coolness was bound to develop . . . for the basic economic 

22 1 
September 22 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

fact is that America simply cannot continue to meet NASA’s ever-expanding economic demands-not, at least, without a critical weighing 

of those demands against the nation’s existing domestic, diplomatic and 

military obligations. . . . “Long before the tragedy that threw the timetable into a shambles, 

the conflict between America’s technical ability to move men into space 

and America’s ability to pay the freight could be seen by those who 

cared to look ahead. . . . Congressional reluctance to commit the nation to further, open-ended expenditures in manned space flight is 

therefore inevitable. But equally inevitable is the dismay-and in some 

cases the bitterness-of NASA officials. Webb and his lieutenants can 

take justifiable pride in what has been accomplished in the brief span 

of the space age. . . . They have solved problems quickly and accurately that men have never faced before. In the process, they pulled together a scientific and technical team unequalled in the peacetime history of this country. Now they are watching that massive army 

disband. . . . “Man will someday go to the planets and beyond. But that day must 

wait until the breakdown of nationalistic barriers makes possible a 

truly united world space program. Meanwhile, the United States should 

concentrate on the development of more sophisticated machines, less 

costly rocket systems and closer cooperation between the military and 

civilian space programs to avoid wasteful duplication. America’s space 

effort must not end with the Apollo program. It must be diverted into 

equally exciting and frequently more rewarding channels of unmanned 

space exploration.” (W Star, 9/22/68, Cl) * Associated Press roundup of comment by space authorities on U.S.S.R.‘s 

Zond V mission: 

NASA Administrator James E. Webb : “The most important demonstration of total space capability up to now by any nation.” 

Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.), Chairman of House Committee on 

Science and Astronautics’ Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight : 

Hoped U.S.S.R. achievement would “cause some stir in Congress. . . . The Russians again did something we have not done. We slept until the 

Sputnik. That may be what we’re doing now.” 

Sir Bernard Lovell, Director of U.K.’s Jodrell Bank Experimental 

Station: “I think it is a very considerable achievement and I expect 

that a human being will be placed in a similar spacecraft in a matter of 

months.” 

Heinz Kaminski, Chief of West Germany’s Bochum Observatory: 

‘‘Still in this year or at latest in first quarter of 1969 a three-man 

spacecraft of the Soyuz type will circle the moon. After that [in a later 

flight] they will land on the moon.” 

In Moscow, unidentified Western expert on U.S.S.R.’s space program 

said that, because of seasonal factors, best time for Soviet manned 

lunar circumnavigation would be no later than early November-or 

spring 1969. “They are now in a position to send a man around the 

moon and back to earth, without landing him on the moon. They might 

try one more unmanned shot, just to be sure, and then they could send 

up a man.” (AP, NYT, 9/23/68, E8) * In This Week, Erik Bergaust discussed improvements in safety made by 

NASA since Jan. 27, 1967, Apollo fire. Though NASA leaders in Washing 

222 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 22 

ton and at MSC believed this was “doing the job, other experts in and out 

of NASA privately are expressing their doubts,” he said. They felt “NASA 

had been slow to correct [and] . . . its solutions have been more political than practical.” Experts insisted, “that while progress has been 

made, there have been very few significant improvements in NASA’s own 

management. . . . reports circulating in Washington [since] the accident indicated the conditions that led to the Apollo fire may not have 

been corrected.” (This Week, W Star, 9/22/68,7) 

September 23: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXLlIl into orbit with 297-km 

(184.6-mi) apogee, 206-km (128-mi) perigee, 89.5-min period, and 

71.3” inclination. Satellite reentered Oct. 4. (GSFC SSR, 9/30/68; 

10/15/68) 

NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from Andoya, Norway, 

carried GSFC experiment to analyze electric fields from observed motions of neutral and ionized barium clouds during auroral condition. 

All four barium clouds were released in visible aurora as planned, and 

good photographic coverage was obtained from all sites. (NASA Rpt 

SRL) 

NASA Apollo Program Mission Director William C. Schneider told news 

conference astronaut training for possible manned moon-orbiting mission later in 1968 was under way. “We will do the maximum the systems will allow,” he said, “and the maximum you could foresee would 

be lunar orbit.” Decision in November, after evaluation of Apollo 7 

data, would determine if Apollo 8 crew-Astronauts Frank Borman, 

William A. Anders, and James A. Lovell, Jr.-were to attempt lunar 

orbit in December. NASA Deputy Administrator, Dr. Thomas 0. Paine, 

pointed out that plans for possible manned lunar mission had been 

made long before U.S.S.R.’s Zond Y circumlunar flight. 

In Oct. 11 Apollo 7 launch, Schneider said, earth orbital flight was 

set to run up to 10 days 19 hr at altitudes from 120 to 150 mi. Primary 

objectives were tests of command and service modules with crew, tests 

of ground control facilities, demonstration of capability for rendezvous 

with spent rocket section, and eight firings of service propulsion system. Schneider said he would rate Apollo 7 a success if “we get rendezvous and stay up three days to accomplish our main objectives.” 

Discussing plans to follow Apollo program with lunar exploration 

program Dr. Paine said, if forced to choose between Apollo Applications program in eaith orbit or lunar exploration, NASA “would be most 

reluctant to give ~p manned lunar exploration,” as an area “man is 

uniquely qualified to contribute to” and one “of enormous scientific interest and importance.” (Transcript; Wilford, NYT, 9/24/68, 26; 

Cohn, W Post, 9/24/68, Al) 

New York Times editorial on U.S.S.R.’s Zond V mission: “Until the nation [U.S.] has a better idea of the progress achieved during this long 

interval between American manned flights, it is premature to conclude 

that the Russians have a significant over-all lead in space capability 

and that Soviet citizens will certainly paint their flag on the lunar surface before American astronauts. 

“In any event, as the Soviet rape of Czechoslovakia has recently reminded the world so dismayingly, a nation’s image and prestige depend 

primarily upon what it does here on earth, not on its feats in space.” 

(NYT, 9/23/68,32) 

223 
September 23 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

* Senate Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee of Senate Armed Services Committee recommended continuing expansion and improvement 

of US. nuclear submarine fleet to meet “serious challenge” from 

U.S.S.R., which was “giving major emphasis to qualitative improvement of its submarine fleet.” Committee recommended US. continue 

building nuclear submarines after 1970 and proceed with high-speed, 

electric-drive, and advanced-design submarines. (Text ; Finney, NYT, 

9/24/68,1) 

* William E. Stoney, Jr., former Chief of MSC’S Advanced Spacecraft 

Technology Div., became NASA Deputy Director (Engineering) of 

Apollo program. (NASA Release 68-151) 

September 23-24: USAF halted all F-111A flights for second time in 1968 

day after Sept. 23 crash at Nellis AFB, Nev., in which two pilots, including Australian trainee, escaped serious injury by triggering escape cap 

sule. It was 11th F-111A accident since aircraft’s inception. USAF was 

investigating crash in which aircraft had plummeted 300 ft to runway 

after “SIOW pull-up maneuver’’ during which pilots, on routine training 

mission, were unable to maintain aircraft control. (UPI, W Post, 

9/24/68, A18; Witkin, NYT, 9/25/68, 1; AP, W Post, 9/25/68, AS; 

WSJ, 9/25/68,1; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 9/25/68,1) 

September 23-25: Washington Airlines inaugurated nation’s first regularly 

scheduled short-takeoff -and-landing STOL service linking Friendship, 

National, and Dulles Airports in Washington, D.C., area, 16 twin-engine Dornier flights daily. In other STOL developments, McDonnell 

Douglas Corp. and Eastern Airlines had started evaluation of Model 

188 STOL over Eastern’s shuttle routes [see Sept. 181 ; MIT scientists 

Rene H. Miller and Robert W. Simpson in Astronautics & Aeronautics 

said series of studies of VTOL and STOL transportation systems for US. 

Northeast Corridor started in 1964 showed need for cooperation among 

states and Federal Government to pave way for V/STOL as essential 

mode of transportation ; production arrangements had been announced 

for 32- to 36-passenger, short-field, turboprop transport by General 

Aircraft Corp.; Rutgers Univ. was getting Federal grant to continue 

studies of feasibility of low-altitude air shuttle service in New YorkNew Jersey-Connecticut area ; and Boeing Co. had dedicated advanced 

R&D facilities for testing V/STOL aircraft at its Vertol Div. near Philadelphia. (Stout, W Post, 9/23/68, B2; Yarborough, W Star, 9/23/68, 

B1; 9/25/68, A53; A&A, 9/68, 28-34) 

September 24: NASA doubled resolution capability of Explorer XXXVIII to 

map radio sources in space by extending each of satellite’s four antennas to 600 ft by ground command. Antennas, which could be extended 

to 750-ft maximum, had been initially deployed to 455 ft each July 22. 

Satellite, launched July 41, had monitored solar radio emissions, variety 

of emissions across Milky Way, radio emissions apparently related to 

earth’s magnetosphere, and possible emission from earth’s radiation 

belt. (NASA Release 68-162 ; AP, W Star, 9/25/68, A5) 

* NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried Harvard College Observatory experiment to 111.9-mi (180-km) altitude to 

scan sun in 1,400-1,875 A spectral region using photo-electronic detector and BB solar pointing control. Solar pointing control malfunctioned, changing signal on experiment detector. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA’s HGlO lifting-body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry 

224 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 24 

(USAF) , successfully completed 10th flight from Edwards AFB. Primary 

objectives were to check out vehicle systems, evaluate new nonlinear 

longitudinal gearing to control stick, obtain stability and control data, 

and evaluate modified cab’ pressure system. (NASA Proj Off) 

NASA was conducting three $,ate studies to determine reasons for failures of May 18 launch of Nimbus B, Aug. 10 launch of Ats IVY and 

Sept. 18 launch of Intelsat 111-which had brought its launch record 

down to 0.500 average. Before May failure, agency had compiled “almost incredible” launch record, said Thomas O’Toole in Washington 

Post. Sources close to NASA had said agency was conducting fourth investigation to determine whether there was “something systemic at 

the root of the trouble.” One theory was that decline in NASA launch 

activity in 1968, with 42 attempted launches thus far compared to 69 at 

same time in 1967, had caused similar drop in attention to detail. Second theory was that layoffs and turnover in launch crews had cut 

down efficiency and introduced element of inexperience. Third theory 

was that NASA was suffering from “a sudden case of overconfidence 

brought on by its long string of launch succe~ses.~~ 

Seven-man board to investigate failure of first Intelsat I11 mission 

met for organization session. Board, convened by Dr. John E. Naugle, 

NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, 

would have five observers in addition to seven voting members and 

would be chaired by Daniel G. Mazur, Assistant Director for Technology at GSFC. (NASA Release 68-160; NYT, 9/21/68, 14; W Post, 

9/24/68, A10) 

9 Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved space rescue treaty providing for rescue and recovery of astronauts down in foreign lands. 

U.S.S.R. had given final approval along with 73 other nations. (AP, 

NYT, 9/25/68, 17; WSJ, 9/25/68,1; UPJ, W Post, 9/25/68, A6) 

* Dr. Thomas 0. Paine, NASA Deputy Administrator, told House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Subcommittee on Advanced Research 

and Technology that, while NASA was “maximizing . . . technical support of the DOD within the framework of their systems approach to new 

military aircraft,” major changes in civil aeronautics made that situation “more complicated for NASA and the nation.” Growth of air transportation, decline in development of military aircraft whose technology 

was directly applicable to civilian use, and ground transportation’s saturation had created era in which “it is not simply enough to build aircraft which are bigger or fly €aster; rather, future advances in aeronautics must also take the form of aircraft which complement the nation’s 

overall transportation systems while operating harmoniously with the 

constraints imposed by urban environments.” 

Basic issue facing NASA and US. in civil aeronautics R&D was proper 

role of Government in fostering its advances. “In my view, government 

actions to stimulate the development of advanced aircraft transportation system should be such as to leave the maximum initiative and business risk in the hands of industry. The government [might] carry 

promising new technological principles . . . into experimental hardware, but only to the point of demonstrating the soundness of the principle involved, and only when this demonstration is essential and would 

not be otherwise undertaken. 

NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Aeronautics Charles W. 

225 
September 24 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Harper told Committee accelerated research was needed not only 

on supersonic and hypersonic aircraft, but in development of quiet subsonic jets with steeper landing patterns, helicopters with greater safety 

and less noise, and STOL aircraft for interurban transport. He said air 

traffic control systems bogging down at major airports were based on 

technology developed in 1940. He doubted “continued evolutionary 

modernization” of this system would suffice in future. (Transcript; AP, 

W Star, 9/25/68,1; Cohn, W Post, 9/25/68, D8; UPI, NYT, 9/25/68, 

93 1 * General Accounting Office revealed in report to Congress that Bendix 

Corp. had agreed to lower by $520,000 fees it would have collected 

under $465-million NASA contract for construction of Saturn V platform. GAO had found that target cost included overstated amounts for 

certain materials in relation to pricing data available to contractor before start of negotiations. (Text) 

United Press International quoted Soviet scientists interviewed by 

U.S.S. Army newspaper Krusnaya Zvezda (Red Star) as saying they 

recovery of Zond V from Indian Ocean. Before Zond V, all Soviet 

probes had been brought down in Siberia. Sea landing in warm climates would allow year-round launchings. Although Soviet ships did 

not recover spacecraft till day after landing, scientist N. Melnikov told 

newspaper, “The time and place of Zond‘s landing were calculated beforehand with precision. Everyone . . . knew the exact hour, minute, 

and even second of Zond’s landing.” Krasnaya Zvezda said even slightest deviation ccwould have resulted in tremendous overloads [on Zond 

VI which could have gone again into outer space.” (W Post, 9/25/68, 

All) 

Washington Post editorial praised “magnificent achievement” of 

U.S.S.R.’s Zond V: “In its own way, Zond-5 should serve to shake this 

Nation’s complacency once again. Our national goals in space exploration are fuzzy, our hopes have been out of line with our commitments. 

From President Kennedy’s glowing picture of Americans in space we 

have slipped into a program put together in fits and starts-fits 

brought about by a realization of how much it would cost to do it right 

and starts caused by a basic desire never to be second to anybody. Because of this, there is no use in seizing upon Zond-5 as a reason to go 

all-out to beat the Russians in a race for men on the moon. Our 

program . . . ought to move at its own pace. If that pace is sufficiently 

rapid to bring American astronauts to the moon first, fine. If it is not, 

so be it. The Russians will deserve the honor and praise they will win 

if their men make the first landing. In space exploration, it is more important to do things right than to do them first.” (W Post, 9/24/68, 

A16) 

* Washington Evening Star editorial commented on “Soviet Spectacular.” 

U.S.S.R. had scored impressive advance with ccboomerang-styleyy Zond 

V. “Congratulations are in order. But handwringing assertions that the 

Russians will be indisputable masters of the universe are decidedly premature. The shot demonstrated two major steps forward in the space 

sciences: A degree of accuracy in the guidance and navigational systems 

that is new for Russian spacecraft, and a re-entry system capable of 

withstanding the searing heat of a 25,000-mile-an-hour plunge into the 

would R’$ ai more space vehicles for sea landings because of successful 

226 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 24 

atmosphere. . . . But the essential fact is that neither Russia nor the 

United States has yet successfully flown its third generation spacecraft 

-the ships that will eventually carry men to the moon. The outcome of 

the ‘space race’ . . . will depend on what happens in the Apollo missions immediately ahead and the Soviet manned flights still to come.” 

(W Star, 9/24/68, A12) 

Television sequences showing Apollo 7 astronauts working in spacecraft 

as it passed Corpus Christi, Tex., and Cape Kennedy, Fla.-as well as 

shots of terrain more than 130 mi below and views of anything interesting in space would be telecast by three major US. networks “live” 

Oct. 12 through Oct. 19, NASA said. Pictures would be transmitted from 

camera in space capsule to MSC for instant showing over TV networks. 

Neither launch day nor splashdown day would be included in 11 am to 

12 pm series. (Kirkman, W News, 9/24/68, 7) 

USN had selected Lockheed Aircraft Corp. design for its first Deep Submergence Search Vehicle. Craft would be able to descend to 20,000 ft 

to locate objects and recover small ones with claw-like projecting arm. 

It would be able to submerge for 40 hr and would have maximum 

speed of five knots. (NYT, 9/24/68) 

Press said WSMR Public Information Office had denied reports by Ohio 

newspaperman that disc-shaped practice parachute platform used in five 

Voyager space vehicle tests at WSMR had inspired reports of unidentified flying objects over southwestern US. in 1966 and 1967. Vehicle 

had been tested only five times, Acting Chief of Information Gabe Brillante had said; there had been many more UFO sightings during period. 

He said WSMR would have acknowledged tests if it had had inquiries 

about sightings. (UPI, W Star, 9/24/68,4; Auerbach, W Post, 9/24/68, 

A5 ) September 25: Senate adopted Senate-House Conference report on H.R. 

17023, FY 1969 Independent Offices and HUD appropriations bill, clearing it for White House action. In addition to $500,000 for NASC and 

$400 million for NSF, bill agreed to by Conference included $3.995 billion for NASA-$12.95 million below amount passed earlier by House 

and Senate and $375.12 million below original budget request. NASA allocations were $3.37 billion for R&D, $21.8 million for construction of 

facilities, and $603.17 million for administrative operations. (CRY 

9/25/68, S11393-402; NASA LAR VII/98) 

Rep. Seymour Halpern (D-N.Y.) on behalf of himself and 14 sponsors 

introduced H.R. 19990, Sonic Boom Damage Recovery Act of 1968, to 

protect public against anticipated damage from sonic boom from military and civilian aircraft. (CR, 9/25/68, H9149; NASA LAR VII/98) 

NASA issued Apollo Status Summary: Apollo 7 space vehicle Flight 

Readiness Test was under way at KSC, with prime crew-Astronauts 

Walter M. Schirra, Jr., Donn F. Eisele, and R. Walter Cuhningham-to 

participate without spacesuits and with hatch open. Apollo 8 manned 

altitude runs had been successfully completed, with prime crew spending 13% hr in its spacecraft Sept. 20 and backup crew spending 10% hr 

Sept. 22. (Text) 0 NASA announced it had selected North American Rockwell Corp. Rocketdyne Div. to provide injector for Apollo lunar module ascent engine 

under $10-million subcontract with Grumman Aircraft Engineering 

Corp. Bell Aerosystems Co., also under subcontract to Grumman, would 

227 
September 25 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

continue to provide engine hardware for assembly with the injector. 

(NASA Release 68-164; MSC Release 68-71; WSJ, 9/26/68, 3) 

AEC Chairman Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg told 12th General Conference of 

International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna that US. planned realization of terms OI nuclear nonproliferation treaty. “We shall continue 

to conduct, within the limitations of available funds, an active research 

and development program both on nuclear explosive devices . . . particularly suited for peaceful uses and on various peace applications for which nuclear explosions can be used. Concurrently, we will 

provide available information and data and technical advice and assistance to those nonnuclear weapon parties to the Treaty seeking such assistance.” (AEC Release S-34-68) 

Sen. Henry M. Jackson (D-Wash.), Chairman of Senate Nuclear Safeguards Committee, in Senate review of implementation of limited nuclear test-ban treaty safeguards reported possibility of black-out of 

communications, radar, and missile systems by electromagnetic pulse 

(emp) emitted by nuclear explosion. If absorbed in electronic equipment, this surge of electricity could blow fuses or disrupt electronic 

components. Scientists had warned of insufficient data on emp and its 

possible effects on intercontinental and other missile systems. U.S. would 

spend third more on underground nuclear testing in 1968 than in 1967. 

Five-year-old treaty, Sen. Jackson said, was being observed. US. satellites kept watch from space “to the earth’s surface” to guard against 

violation. (Text; AP, W Star, 9/25/68, A6; Finney, NYT, 9/26/68) 

0 EDP Technology, Inc., of Washington, D.C., independent concern providing technical support in computer use and technology, had announced 

it would purchase Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, Buffalo, N.Y., from 

Cornell Univ. for $25 million. (NYT, 9/26/68) 

September 26: USAF Titan 111-C booster launched from ETR successfully inserted four satellites into separate earth orbits. Satellites were one Lincoln Experimental Satellite (Les VZ) , two Environmental Research 

Satellites (Ers XXI, also called OV V-4; and Ers XXVIZI, also called 

OV V-2), and one Orbiting Vehicle research satellite (OV ZZ-5). 

Powered flight of Titan 111-C was very close to planned parameters, 

according to preliminary figures. First transtage burn placed transtage 

and payload into parking orbit with 107.5-mi (173-km) apogee 90.8- 

mi (146.2-km) perigee, 87.7-min period, and 28.6” inclination. Second 

transtage burn moved stage and payload into elliptical transfer orbit 

with 22,241-mi (35,792.4-km) apogee, 112.7-mi (181.4-km) perigee, 

631-min period, and 26.2 ” inclination. 

Booster ejected Ers XXVZII (OV V-2) into orbit with 22,236-mi 

(35,777.7-km) apogee, 115-mi (185-km) perigee, 630.8-min period, 

and 26.4” inclination, where satellite would investigate radiation in 

Van Allen belts. Third transtage burn put satellite dispenser frame and 

remaining three satellites into final orbit with 22,201.9-mi (35,729.5- 

km) apogee, 22,037.4-mi (35,W.9-km) perigee, 1,428-min period, and 

3” inclination. 

Ers XXI (OV V-4). which would conduct research on heat transfer 

in liquids at zero gravity, was ejected into circular orbit with 22,225- 

mi (35,760-km) apogee, 22,220-mi (35,771.9-km) perigee, 1,435.8-min 

period, and 3 ” inclination. 

OV II-5, synchronous-altitude research satellite equipped with 10 

228 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 26 

sensors to investigate radiation, entered separate orbit with 22,232-mi 

35,771.2-km) apogee, 21,827-mi (35,771.2-km) perigee, and 1,418-min 

period. 

Les VI, major payload, entered synchronous orbit with 22,236-mi 

(35,777.7-km) apogee, 22,233-mi (35,772.9-km) perigee, 1,435.9-min 

period, and 2.9’ inclination. Second all solid-state UHF-band comsat, 

Les VI would transmit radio signals to test communications to aircraft, 

ships, and ground troops. First Lincoln Experimental Satellite, Les V, 

had been launched July 1, 1967. USAF officials reported all satellites 

were functioning properly. (DOD Proj. Off; UPI, NYT, 9/26/68, 8; 

AP, W Star, 9/26/68, Al; B Sun, 9/27/68, A3; GSFC SSR, 9/30/68; 

Pres Rpt 68) 

Univ. of Wisconsin meteorologist Verner E. Suomi said weather satellite 

research could reduce critical hours needed to identify tornado-producing cloud systems and warn public of threat. Photos from Ats ZZZ had 

shown it was possible to observe rapid expansion at top of tornadoproducing clouds, while radar and ground observation tended to show 

only their “stems.” With adequate facilities, Suomi saw possibility of 

satellite tornado forecasts presented directly to the public via television. 

(UPI, W Post, 9/26/68, K3) e In Washington Post Rudy Abramson of Los Angeles Times described retiring NASA Administrator James E. Webb as “a huckster. A good one. 

Maybe the best Washington has ever seen.” Even when he could talk 

politicians into putting up $5 billion in a year for civilian space program, “he left many of them feeling a little guilty because they had not 

done enough.” Congressional opponents had charged he was overzealous to point of dishonesty in protecting his empire at NASA. “Space 

buffs were piqued because Webb continued calling the Apollo spacecraft a ‘capsoole’ and publicly seemed to view the astronauts with childlike adoration. But Webb had it where it counted. President Johnson 

ranked him with Robert S. McNamara as an administrator. Influential 

Congressmen sided with him against their colleagues who challenged 

the wisdom of the space program and the quality of the Webb 

management. . . . “If Richard Nixon is elected President, it is a dead certainty that he 

would not want to keep Webb on as NASA Administrator. Hubert Humphrey might also want his own man. But even if Webb could stay in 

the job, it’s probably all for the better that he quit now. The investigation following the Apollo accident permanently soured his relations 

with some members of Congress. One has to suspect that Webb is leaving the space program because the country seemed less and less interested in listening to its evangelist.” (W Post, 9/26/68, K4) 

Commenting on retirement of James E. Webb as NASA Administrator, 

Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.) on House floor said: “I share with Mr. 

Webb his continuing concern that the Soviets are determined to be the 

No. 1 power in space. Jim Webb has counseled us often and with great 

clarity on the seriousness of such a situation. We must heed Jim 

Webb’s warning that the United States should be first in space. 

. . . [He] is to be congratulated for his unselfish dedication and great 

skill in leadership. . . . It will be difficult for any man to fill those 

large and capable shoes.” (CR, 9/20/68, E8135) 

September 27: In Christian Science Monitor, Robert C. Cowen asked, “Is 

229 
September 27 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

US. space ability eroding?” and warned, “Even if it beats the Soviet 

Union to the moon, the American space capability relative to that of 

the Soviet Union may have atrophied.” At Boeing Co. Space Div. some 

valuable space teams were splitting up. “It will take time as well as 

money to buy this kind of asset back, if and when it is wanted.” At 

JPL, officials had said personnel cutbacks now were “reaching the 

bone.” More than any other facility, JPL “embodies American competence in this challenging field.” Plight of Boeing, as an industrial contractor, and JPL, “as an outstanding government space laboratory, 

typify the peril the American space program faces. Loss of 

funds . . . means more than postponement of certain projects. . . . It 

threatens also at least partial loss of the competence to carry out such 

projects in the future.” (CSM, 9/27/68) 

Dedication ceremonies were held for ComSatCorp’s new high-capacity 

earth station for satellite communications at Etam, W. Va. Station 

would serve as major US. East Coast facility for sending and receiving 

all forms of communications via satellite between US. mainland, 

Puerto Rico and Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, and other Atlantic 

points. It was designed to work with INTELSAT satellites stationed in 

synchronous orbits 22,300 mi over Atlantic. (ComSatCorp Release; 

AP, B Sun, 9/28/68, A3) 

Senate Committee on Foreign Relations urged President Johnson to 

delay formal ratification of nuclear nonproliferation treaty until majority of nations “nearest to a nuclear weapons capability” had promised to join it, although it urged immediate Senate approval of treaty. 

(Unna, W Post, 9/28/68,1; NYT, 9/28/68,1) 

NASA appointed Ronald J. Philips Director of Technology Utilization 

Div., succeeding George J. Howick, who had resigned to join International Research and Marketing Corp. Philips, who had joined NASA 

in 1964 as management intern at MSC, had been principal staff assistant 

to NASA Administrator and Executive Assistant to Associate Administrator for Organization and Management. (NASA Release 68-166) 

September 28: U.S.S.R.’s Zond V automatic research station had apparently 

suffered series of errors during reentry that could have been fatal if 

men had been on board, John Lannan reported in Washington Evening 

Star. According to one unidentified US. source, Zond V had entered 

atmospheie and “skipped” back out as planned, but then skipped along 

top of atmosphere and reentered “at a peculiar angle.” Reentry caused 

g forces and heat loads that would have been fatal to crews if aboard, 

and spacecraft landed thousands of miles short of its intended landing 

area, which was probably on land in Soviet territory. 

Chicago Tribune later supported theory that Zond V’s reentry was a 

disaster and reported that US. sources said evidence indicated spacecraft had: (1) failed to circle as close to moon as intended, and was 

thus unable to obtain useful photos of possible landing sites; (2) reentered earth’s atmosphere at angle much steeper than planned, causing 

friction temperatures that would have killed cosmonauts; and (3) 

landed in water accidentally instead of in Soviet territory as planned. 

(W Star, 9/28/68, Al; C Trib, 10/1/68) 

Civilian pilot Bernie J. Dvorscak flew USAF’S XV4B Hummingbird I1 

VTOL research aircraft on maiden flight from Dobbins AFB, Ga., for 28 

230 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 28 

min at 7,600-ft altitude and 240 mph with conventional takeoff and 

landing. First Hummingbird I1 vertical flight was scheduled for early 

November. Aircra€t had four J8S-19 lift engines mounted vertically in 

center fuselage and two J85-19 cruise engines mounted in nacelles, 

providing total thrust of 18,000 lb. (AFSC Newsreview, 10/68,3) 

Senate Committee on Armed Services’ Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee called for rapid development of new strategic bomber to 

supplement “obvious and admitted shortcomings” of F-111 aircraft. 

Report, US. Tactical Air Power Program, said: “During the past decade the Soviet Union has introduced at least one new type operational 

fighter every 2 years-a total of six, with 11 models. . . . United 

States does not have a single STOL airplane even in contract definition, 

[while] the Soviets are now flying three supersonic STOL models and 

also one VTOL.” New U.S. fighter “designed to achieve air superiority 

is a vital and urgent requirement, should be optimized for its prime 

mission, not compromised by assigning it multipurpose roles,” and 

should receive “highest priority.” (Text; UPI, W Star, 9/29/68, A2) 

DOD had approved purchase by Lockheed Aircraft Corp. of $113,886,000 

Government plant at Marietta, Ga., world’s largest aircraft assembly 

area under one roof. USAF had declared it in c4excess” of its needs and 

would sell it only to Lockheed, which had been using facility to produce 

C-5A cargo transports under $l.Cbillion USAF contract. Lockheed 

would continue work on the huge aircraft and could be required to 

produce an additional 172 on priority basis under USAF agreement. 

(Wilson, W Post, 9/28/68, 1) 

September 29 : Highly sophisticated “multispectral analysis” under development at Space and Re-entry Systems Div. of Philco-Ford Corp. was enabling scientists to extract additional information from photos taken by 

satellites. Assigning color ratings to gradations of gray in pictures and 

filtering out color levels as many as 18 times, to create series of transparencies in vivid hues, allowed details previously undetectable in gray 

to be distinguished. Technique could be applied to all black and white 

photos, enabling scientists to map ocean bottom, prospect for precious 

metal, and explore composition of sun without leaving darkroom. (UPI, 

NYT, 9/29/68,28) 

0 In New York Times Magazine article. “The Universe Is Not Ours 

Alone,” Walter Sullivan recounted discovery of pulsars, “strange 

. . . radio pulsations coming from certain spots in the sky.” Ten had 

been discovered io date. Radioastronomers leaned toward natural explanation, yet there were “tantalizing questions that remain unanswered.” It was possible “that evidence for the existence of superior 

civilizations lies hidden in the archives of magnetic tape at our radio 

astronomy observatories.” (NYT Magazine, 9/29/68, 40-1 ff) 

FAA released Kling Report outlining four plans for possible modernization of Washington National Airport. Four options, offered to extend 

National’s short-haul role through 1970s, envisioned no major expansion except for 22-acre river fill. All proposed designs emphasized people-handling or terminal side of airport. Report was prepared by Vincent Kling and Associates, Philadelphia, with James Buckley, New 

York, and Jackson and Moreland, Boston, under $297,000 FAA contract 

awarded in May 1966. (FAA Re!ease T 68-38; W Star, 9/29/68, Al; 

Eisen, W Post, 9/29/68, Al) 

231 
September 30 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%8 

September 30: NASA Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched from WSMR 

carried GSFC experiment to 126.5-mi (203-km) altitude to obtain solar 

extreme UV spectra from 40 to 390 A and from 10 to 390 A using 

BBRC-SPC 300D solar pointing control and recovery system. Despite 

better than expected performance, no solar spectrum was detected. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

* NASA Administrator James E. Webb delivered John Diebold Lecture on 

Technological Change and Management at Harvard Univ. Graduate 

School of Business Administration. Speaking on “NASA as an Adaptive 

Organization,” he emphasized “how as well as what” in NASA’s buildup 

of capabilities and learning to “apply new ways of organizing and administering human and material resources.” 

* Capabilities demonstrated during one week-second week of November 1967-in launching Ats 111, Surveyor VI, Saturn V, and Essa IV 

represented “better than 90% of everything we would need to carry out 

almost any mission that even the most daring have placed on our space 

agenda for the next decade.” Measurements made by experimental 

spacecraft plus ESSA’s 24-hr-per-day operations were providing handsome returns in understanding and predicting weather. “This is one 

way our country says to every other country, every day, that we as a 

people want to use our new power over the forces of nature in a joint 

effort with them, with benefits to both of us, and not to threaten or to 

coerce them to follow some pattern laid down by us.” 

Magnification capability of Ranger and Surveyor opened way “for 

lunar and planetary investigations of a type and scope undreamed of 

before we learned to use the rocket technology.” Saturn V launch 

“demonstrated that we can have . . . the big-booster capability and 

the launch rate capability in which we have been behind the U.S.S.R.” 

Utility of Essa ZV was “far beyond any we can achieve in any other 

way. It works . . . all around the world, and feeds information into 

something like 296 stations in the United States and about 86 in 45 

other countries. It is truly a working bird. . . . “I do not believe our Nation could have long continued as a great 

power if we had not built up the means to conduct operations in 

space. . . . I believe we would have sacrificed our chances to keep 

pace in the technological competition that is the crucial test of our 

times. . . . We would have denied to ourselves the tools and the 

knowledge necessary . . . [for] problems that beset us and the rest 

of mankind the benefits that surely will follow from the full develop 

ment of space applications.” (Text; IT‘ Post, 20/13/68, B5) 

World‘s largest commercial jet-360- to 490-passenger Boeing 747 with 

mach 0.84 to 0.90 cruising speed-was rolled from factory for first 

time in ceremony at Everett, Wash. The 962O-million aircraft was scheduled for first flight in December 1968 and first passenger service, with 

Pan American World Airways, Inc., one year later. (Boeing PIO; AP, 

W Post, 9/30/68, A22; 10/1/68, A9; Witkin, NYT, 10/1/68, UPI, W 

Star, 10/1/68, A6) 

USAF announced it had called for proposals from eight aircraft companies for contract definition of advanced tactical fighter aircraft designated FX, highly maneuverable, single-place, twin-engine jet with initial operational capability in mid-1970s. Engine development contracts 

232 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 September 30 

had been announced Aug. 27. Maiden flight was expected in 1972. FX 

would have significantly better air-to-air performance than any known 

fighter aircraft. (DOD Release 891-68) 

Newsweek commented on break-up of European Launcher Development 

Organization: “The seven-nation . . . [ELDO] which never really got 

off the pad, will be buried early in October. Efforts to get Britain to 

remain only made clear the reason for her withdrawal: France refused 

to accept Britain as a member of Euromart and the British pulled out. 

The Netherlands backs Britain’s move in the face of De Gaulle’s stubbornness, and Italy has already expressed reservations about the project. 

If Western Europe wants launchers for scientific space exploration in 

future, it will have to buy them from the US.” (Newsweek, 9/30/68, 

20) 

Gen. William F. McKee (USAF, Ret.), President of Schriever and McKee 

Associates, had been sworn in as consultant to NASA Administrator 

James E. Webb, NASA announced. Former FAA Administrator and 

former NASA Assistant Administrator for Management Development, 

Gen. McKee would advise NASA on management, aeronautics, and coordination with other Government agencies. (NASA Release 68-169) * Dr. Hubertus Strughold retired as Chief Scientist of Aerospace Medical 

Div., at Brooks AFB, Tex. He had been associated with USAF aerospace 

medical program since 1947 and was known as father of space medicine. (Brooks AFB PIO; AFSC Newsreview, 10/68, 3) 

House, by voice vote, passed H.R. 12012 to encourage worldwide interest in US. developments and accomplishments in military and related 

aviation and equipment by authorizing Federal sponsorship of an International Aeronautical Exposition in U.S. (CR, 9/30/68, H9254; NASA 

LAR VTl/101) 

LeRC began l8-mo program to flight-test advanced inlets and exhaust 

nozzles for supersonic transport engines. Tests, conducted in modified 

USAF F-106B jet aircraft, would study performance of nozzles and inlets in transonic speed range. ( NASA Release 68-163) 

During Septem,ber: Bureau of the Budget released Summer Review of the 

Budget. From action taken on five regular appropriations bills to date, 

Congress was expected to reduce remaining appropriations by approximately $9.3 billion. On completion, further reductions required to comply with Revenue and Expenditure Control Act of 1968 would be determined by Presideni. For portion of budget covered by required reduction under P.L. 90-364, total outlays were estimated at $6 billion 

below January budget estimate. Overall $6-billion reduction would be 

made approximately 50% in DOD and 50% in civilian agencies. NASA outlays beyond those for manned lunar landing would be held to $100-million level below that resulting from Congressional action. (Text) 

Astronautics & Aeronautics noted that NASA-sponsored translations of 

Russian historical works compiled 1963-68 were available from Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, 

Va. 22151. It was a credit to NASA’s historians “that they have not neglected bringing to our attention the products of their opposing numbers.” (Stehling, A&A, 9/68, 76) * Astronautics & Aeronautics published letter from J. Gordon Vaeth of 

ESSA’S National Environmental Satellite Center: With emphasis of space 

technology on applications and practical benefits, it was ‘%urious that 

233 
During September ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

. . . little is apparently being said or done about using communications 

satellites to ‘carry’ the mail over intercontinental distances.” Facsimile 

techniques were available for scanning and electronic transmission of 

letter mail by geostationary spacecraft. “In-depth professional consideration of this satellite application is overdue” (A&A, 9/68, 17-20) 

* P. J. Parker listed in Spaceflight “typical examples of space-inspired 

technology” which had either appeared or were expected to emerge 

from future space activity : low-weight, high-calorie “spacefoods” developed for mass-feeding undernourished peoples ; adaptation of Saturn V 

air-bearing to other large items such as refrigerators; use of spacecraft 

automatic monitoring unit in hospitals for relaying data on patient’s 

heart condition to central point; use of high-pressure oxygen in astronauts’ suits to reduce lung collapse and to save lives of premature babies; potential cure for stuttering from examination of voice communication problems; electric switch adapted for use by paralyzed patients 

to operate hospital call boards and wheelchairs; and lunar exploration 

vehicle redesigned into walking-chair with reciprocating legs. 

Industrial applications included solar cells used to drive small outboard motorboats and “outback” telephone booster units; heat-resistant coatings for spacecraft used in furnaces, aircraft, and domestic 

cookers; and new precision tooling methods that worked to nearest millionth of an inch, (Spaceflight, 9/68,306-7) 

National Science Foundation issued Employment of Scientists and Engineers in the United States, 1950-1966. Such employment had risen 

from 550,800 in 1950 to 1,412,500 in 1966156%. Scientific occupations had increased by 185%, from 146,300 to 416,800, engineering had 

increased 146%, from 404,600 to 996,000. Chemists accounted for more 

than 25% of scientists in 1966, while medical scientists more than doubled rate for all scientific occupations. 

Between 1950 and 1966, number of R&D scientists and engineers rose 

242%. Proportion of R&D personnel grew from 28% of all scientists and 

engineers in 1950 to 37% in 1966. Private industry employed 71% of 

total scientists and engineers ; government, 16% ; universities and colleges, 13% ; and nonprofit institutions about 1%. Employment increased 

more rapidly in nonprofit sector (359% between 1950 and 1966). Government employment (excluding public educational institutions) 

showed lowest growth-106%. (Text) 

234 
October 1968 

October 1 : NASA 10th Anniversary: National Space Club presented special 

award to President Johnson at White House citing his legislative and 

executive leadership of national space program. At Space Club dinner 

in Washington, D.C., Sen. Clinton P. Anderson (D-N. Mex.) and Rep. 

George P. Miller (D-Calif.) presented retiring NASA Administrator 

James E. Webb award for his outstanding contributions to national 

space effort. In telegram tribute to Webb, President Johnson said, “The 

Nation is in his debt. He will be deeply missed but gratefully remembered as his dreams continue to become reality in the years ahead.” 

Telegram from Vice President Hubert Humphrey said, “The span of 

achievement which measures a decade of space progress is one which 

should be a source of pride to all of us. Now a new decade beckons, 

with new challenges, and new opportunities. And, such is the nature of 

the space age that we dare not become complacent about our rate of 

progress or the scope of our past accomplishments. It is unthinkable 

that we would allow ourselves to be surpassed in technology by any 

other nation. I have never questioned that space endeavors have contributed significantly to the strengthening and enrichment of our whole 

society, through a teamwork approach by private industry, our universities, and the Federal Government. By means of this program we have 

vitalized our economy, developed improved methods of management, 

stimulated our educational system, produced new goods and services, 

added to our store of scientific knowledge, and buttressed our national 

security.” Telegram from Republican Presidential candidate Richard 

M. Nixon said, “The space program must continue to be one of our 

national imperatives, and it must be supported at a level assuring 

efficient and steady progress.” 

Anniversary ceremonies also included open house and annual awards 

presentation at MSFC Sept. 28-29. (NSC Newsletter; Texts; Marshall 

Star, 9/25/68,4) 

In anniversary statement issued by White House President Johnson 

said: “. . . not all of NASA’s accomplishments have been out of this 

world. Satellites have given us a new look at the world’s weather. . . . They have given us intercontinental television broadcasts, and broken 

down the technical barriers to worldwide communications. NASA has 

brought us advances in medical science, education, mapmaking, geology, transportation, and a host of other areas that promise a better life 

for us here on Earth. Its intensive research and development efforts 

have given us new materials, products and processes; raised our standards of reliability and advanced managerial techniques. These advances, together with the useful facilities it has built, will be lasting national assets long after the Moon landing is ancient history. . . . “In the years ahead-as in the past decade-our foremost motive is to 

make men wiser and life on earth more meaningful. And on the mile235 
October 1 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

October 1: Ten years ago NASA officially came into being. In photo, President Dwight 

D. Eisenhower hands commissions to heads of new agency after Sept. 8, 1958, swearing 

in ceremonies. At President’s left is Dr. T. Keith Glennan, first NASA Administrator. 

Accepting commission is first Deputy Administrator, the late Hugh L. Dryden. 

stone of this rewarding effort, we renew our dedication to the guiding 

principle we expressed 10 years ago at NASA’s launching: that our further mastery of space may continue to be ‘for the benefit of all 

mankind.’ ” (PD, 10/7/68,1435-1436) 

During its first 10 yr NASA had completed 234 major US. and international launches plus thousands of sounding rocket launches. Of 234 

major launches, 189 were launch-vehicle successes and 174 were spacecraft or mission successes, with two missions still under evaluation. For 

these launches NASA had developed rockets ranging from 88,000-lb 

thrust to Saturn V with 7.5-million-lb thrust capable of sending nearly 

100,000-lb payload to moon. 

First phase of manned flight program, Project Mercury, had begun 

seven days after NASA was established. Six manned Mercury flights had 

proved man could go into space and function as pilot-engineer-experimenter for up to 34 hr weightless flight before returning to earth. Gemini program announced in 1961 had demonstrated work could be performed in orbit outside spacecraft in more than 12 hr extravehicular 

activity. Gemini included 52 experiments, among them 17 scientific-in 

astronomy, biology, geology, meteorology, and physics. Seven rendezvous techniques and nine dockings had been accomplished during Gemini. More than 2,000 hr manned spaceflight experience gained through 

236 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 1 

Mercury and Gemini had contributed heavily to Apollo, including 16 

flights of unmanned Saturn launch vehicle which had confirmed Apollo 

engineering concepts and qualified all systems for manned missions. 

Although Apollo fire on Jan. 27, 1967, had delayed manned missions, 

it had resulted in safer spacecraft and improved suits for astronauts. 

Ahead were two manned missions for 1968 and possibly five for 

1969, culminating in landing of U.S. astronauts on moon. Facilities at 

NASA installations in US. were worth more than $2.5 billion and peak 

35,000 staff included some of Nation’s top scientists. Industrial work 

force had peaked at 4.00,OOO and was dropping to 200,000. NASA had 

established global tracking network capable of communicating with vehicles as far away as far side of sun. Its aeronautics program conducted R&D on noise abatement, flight safety, supersonic and hypersonic 

aircraft, lifting-body vehicles, and V/STOL aircraft. NASA’s technological advances included development of new electronic parts, alloys, adhesives, lubricants, valves, and pumps, as well as progress in miniaturization. More than 2,500 technical innovations applicable in industry, 

medicine, and other nonaerospace activities had resulted from 10 yr of 

NASA progress. In Christian Science Monitor, Neal Stanford said, “It is 

. . . science satellites and the new technology developed that are 

counted on to return to the tax-paying public the dividends that some 

say will make space the best investment man ever made.” (Marshall 

Star, 9/25/68,5; Wilford, NYT, 10/1/68; CSM, 10/5/68) 

In Washington Sunday Star special report, “A Decade in Space,” 

John Lannan commented on NASA’s 10th anniversary: “. . . the space 

agency’s real promise for improving the general welfare of mankind as 

set forth in the Space Act which brought it into being has apparently 

been too slow in being fulfilled. The fact that the space investment is 

only now starting to pay off, and at an increasingly rapid pace, is 

going unnoticed in the glare of present problems, past mishaps and the 

imminence of the Apollo venture. Where NASA’s real goals lie are in the 

future-the near future and the near earth. Spin-off, the serendipity of 

technology, has long been used as a justification for the vast sums 

poured into space, but little beyond Teflon-coated frying pans have impinged on the tax-payer’s mind.” (W Star, 9/29/68, Al) 

NASA Assistant Administrator for DOD and Interagency Affairs Jacob 

E. Smart wrote in Space Digest: “The tenth anniversary . . . marks 

the end of a decade of concerted effort across a broad front to advance 

the nation’s capabiiities in aeronautics and space. It has been a decade 

of accomplishment that has few peers in this country’s history. . . . the 

good working relationships . . . between NASA and DOD have been of 

immeasurable benefit to them both, and the nation’s space effort is the 

stronger for it. . . . with the prospect of tighter budgets likely, the 

maintenance of such relationships-and their improvement-assumes 

an increasing importance. The need to stretch the appropriations dollars to the maximum may be partly met by fresh efforts to find common ground where cooperation will produce economies as well as mutual benefits.” (Space Digest, 10/68,68-70) 

In Space Digest Gen. James Ferguson, Commander of AFSC, described “A Decade of cooperation-The Military-NASA Interface.” 

AFSC’S FY 1969 NASA support expenditures “amounted to millions of 

dollars and thousands of man-years in effort. The sums of money, and, 

237 
October 1 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

more important, the human technological resources we are currently 

expending on the nation’s space programs are of great consequence 

since they are the foundations of our future benefits. . . . we are 

acutely aware that the fate of future generations lies in space. . . . It is 

a sad commentary to state that technology has provided us with the 

means to conduct wars. But it is heartening to realize that one day 

technology will provide us with the means to prevent wars. (Spacz Digest, 10/68, 71-3) 

Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR carried 

Univ. of Colorado experiment to 108-mi (173.8-km) altitude to measure height profile of nitric oxide and nitrogen and test Marine.. Mars 

UV spectrometer. UV spectrometer measured earth’s dayglow and daylight between 1,100 A and 4,300 A. Inertial ACS successfully maneuvered payload until scat eye took control and caused instrument to scan 

through 10”. Experiment’s measurements and tests were successful. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

* Dr. Finn J. Larsen, DOD Deputy Director of Defense Research and Engineering, testified before House Committee on Science and Astrnnautics’ 

Subcommittee on Advanced Research and Technology : “If our civil 

aviation is to continue its dramatic progress, the greatest slngle requirement is to accomplish . . . complete system engineering. The . . . planning must consider not only the aircraft in flight as a system, but 

also the entire problem of moving people from destination tD destination,” requiring “planning and resources on a considerably larger scale 

than are now available.’’ 

NASA’s responsibility for U.S. aeronautical research “should continue.” DOD had used NASA research, augmenting it for defense as necessary, with “excellent coordination for many years.” Military R&D was 

specialized, but much was transferable to civil aviation. Long-term 

goals of smokeless combustors and silent aircraft would be of mutual 

benefit. SAGE air defense computer system had contributed to FAA radar 

beacon system and new national standards. Much improved altimetry 

reporting came from DOD development for high-performance jet aircraft. Common digitizer was joint DOD-FAA project, as was TPX-42 

airport traffic control facility. Eleven aircraft carriers had pilot 

“hands-off capability for blind landing. Microwave scanning-beam 

landing systems were in testing. Collision avoidance, V/STOL, and 

cargo-handling R&D had civil application. (Text) 

* Dr. Frank D. Drake, Director of Cornel1 Univ.’s Arecibo Ionospheric 

Observatory in Puerto Rico, said he had detected first distinct pattern 

to radio signals from two pulsars. He told radioastronomy seminar at 

National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, W. Va., pulse 

rate could be explained only if source were star of extraordinary density spinning at incredible speed-such as neutron star. If correct, findings would be first scientific proof that hypothetical neutron stars actually existed. (Wilford, NYT, 10/2/68; Lannan, W Star, 10/2/68, 

MIT physicist and radioastronomer, Dr. Bernard Burke, and teams of 

scientists using 140-ft “Big Dish” antenna at National Radio Astronomy Observatory began first radioastronomy test of Einstein’s general 

theory of relativity in attempt to discover gravity’s effect on universe. 

Among three basic tests proposed by Einstein to test his theory 

238 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 1 

to account for action of all bodies under gravitational force was 

one to measure bending of light from distant source as it passed an 

energetic body like the sun. Dr. Burke’s experiment measured signals 

from newly discovered quasars to determine amount of bending they 

underwent in passing the sun. If light, in form of quasar radiowaves, 

was bent, Einstein theory would receive added support; if it was not 

bent as much as he predicted, or if astronomers were unable to detect 

significant bending, theory would remain intact until further proof was 

provided. (NRAO Proj Off; Lannan, W Star, 10/1/68, A9) 

0 MSFC announced it had selected RCA for negotiation of $5.1-million costplus-fixed-fee contract for logistics and engineering support for Saturn 

ground computer systems and associated equipment. Contract would 

cover Oct. 1,1968, through June 30,1970. (MSFC Release 68-231) 

President Johnson announced resignation of Leonard H. Marks as Director of U.S. Information Agency in time to head US. delegation to negotiate permanent arrangements for INTELSAT at February 1969 conference in Washington, D.C. (PD, 10/7/68, 1433; Halloran, W Post, 

10/2/68, A8; AP, NYT, 10/2/68,23) 

0 Arnold W. Frutkin, since Feb. 1 Special Assistant to NASA Associate Administrator, resumed his duties as Assistant Administrator for International Affairs. (NASA PAO; NASA Ann, 10/2/68) 

October 2: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXLIV into orbit with 158-km 

(98.2-mi) apogee, 140-km (87-mi) perigee, 87.4-min period, and 49.6” 

inclination. Satellite reentered same day. U.S. press later reported U.S. 

observers said launch appeared to have been 13th test of Soviet fractional orbital bombardment system (FOBS). Orbit followed pattern of 

previous tests identified as FOBS by US.-very low earth orbit with 

satellite reentering before completing first revolution of earth. ( GSFC 

SSR, 10/15/68; UPI, NYT, 10/9/68, 12; W Post, 10/8/68, A10) 

Sen. Clinton P. Anderson (D-N. Mex.) , Chairman of House Committee 

on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, told Senate: “Ten years from now 

NASA will be celebrating its 20th anniversary. I hope that the chairman 

of the Committee . . . at that time will be able to stand here and congratulate the agency and its people for 20 years of accomplishment and 

say that the United States is still first in space and in aeronautics. But 

unless we are vigilant and supply the agency with the needed authorizations and appropriations, that statement will not be made.” (CR, 

10/2/68, S11844) 

NASA awarded Chrysler Corp.’s Space Div. $10,545,753 cost-plus-awardfee extension to $77,877,486 contract for KSC support services. Extension, for July 1 through Dec. 31, covered manpower and material to 

design and sustain engineering, modification, testing, refurbishing, and 

launch support of Ksc-designed equipment and Saturn IB launch operations. ( KSC Release KSC-418-68) 

Sen. Stuart Symington (D-Mo.) said on Senate floor: “In the past ten 

years, money expended by the Defense Department for R&D has almost 

doubled, from $4 billion to about $8 billion. Yet since 1955, the United 

States has not produced a single modern fighter; in fact, it has produced no combat plane except the TFX series. The Navy version of that 

plane has already been abandoned; and the Air Force has once again 

found it necessary to ground their version because of technical difficulties.” Despite “all those billions we have developed no air superior239 
October 2 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

ity fighter capable of competing against a first-class air force such as 

the Soviets possess today.” He said U.S. was losing its lead on seas as 

well because “our various Government branches produce arguments, 

whereas the Soviets produce the submarine.’’ (Text; NY News, 

10/3/68,18) 

0 MSFC announced it had awarded American Science and Engineering, 

Inc., $5,413,000 addition to contract for final design, fabrication, assembly, integration, test qualification, and acceptance of prototype and 

flight unit x-ray spectrographic telescope for Apollo Telescope Mount. 

Award brought total value of contract to $11,617,471. (NASA Release 

68-170; MSFC Release 68-234) 

0 National Center for Atmospheric Research and Information announced 

10-ft-dia Global Horizontal Sounding Technique (GHOST) plastic balloon launched from Christchurch, New Zealand, Sept. 29, 1967, had 

broken a11 balloon flight-duration records by remaining aloft for one 

year. (AP, St. Louis G-D, 10/3/68) 

October 3: Aurorae (Esro I) satellite, designed, developed, and constructed 

by European Space Research Organization under July 8, 1964, NASAESRO agreement, was successfully launched by NASA from WTR by 

four-stage Scout booster. Orbital parameters: apogee, 952.1 mi (1,532.2 

km) ; perigee, 158.9 mi (255.8 km) ; period, 102.8 min; and inclination, 93.8’. Primary NASA mission objectives were to place Aurorae into 

planned orbit and provide tracking and telemetry support. The 185-lb 

cylindrical satellite carried eight experiments to study aurora borealis 

(Northern Lights) and other related phenomena of polar ionosphere, 

representing six different organizations from U.K., Denmark, Sweden, 

and Norway. All experiments were operating as planned, and their scientific objectives were being achieved. 

Aurorae was second successful ESRO satellite launched by NASA. Iris 

I, launched May 16 to replace ESRO 11-A which had failed to achieve 

orbit May 29, 1967, had entered planned orbit and conducted solarastronomy and cosmic-ray studies. ESRO was responsible for experiment instrumentation, delivery of spacecraft to launch site, equipment and personnel necessary to mate spacecraft to launch vehicle, 

and spacecraft testing. NASA provided Scout launch vehicle, conducted launch operations, and supplied data and tracking acquisition 

support. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 68-158; AP, W Star, 10/4/68; 

GSFC SSR, 10/15/68) 

Cosmos CCXLV was launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 481-km 

(298.9-mi) apogee, 272-km (169-4 perigee, 92-min period, and 

70.9’ inclination. Satellite reentered Jan. 15, 1969. (GSFC SSR, 

10/15/68; 1/31/69) 

NASA’s HL-10 lifting-body vehicle, flown by NASA test pilot John A. 

Manke, successfully completed eleventh flight from Edwards AFB. Vehicle with full load of fuel was carried to altitude, where successful jettison test was performed before launch from B-52 aircraft. (NASA Proj 

Off) 

NASA Deputy Administrator, Dr. Thomas 0. Paine, presented NASA FY 

1969 interim operating plan to Senate Committee on Aeronautical and 

Space Sciences. Although President Johnson had not yet signed appropriations bill, Bureau of the Budget had indicated NASA’s share of $6 

billion ,expenditure reduction might amount to $350 million. This 

240 
ASTRONAUTTCS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 3 

meant limitation of use of N 1969 appropriations to $3.85 billion, Dr. 

Paine said. “Our actions also have had to be constrained by our current instructions within the Executive Branch to hold expenditures to a 

minimum in 1970 as well as in 1969, and to be prepared for the eventuality of budgetary limitations in FY 1970 even more restrictive than 

those in N 1969. I am personally convinced that the nation’s space 

program requires an increase in funding in FY 1970 and I am 

hopeful . . . we will succeed in establishing the need for a significant 

increase. Until this decision is made . . . we have no alternative but to 

proceed with an interim operating plan . . . which, where possible, 

holds open options we can exercise in FY 1970 if the budget is higher 

but which does not overcommit us if the FY 1970 budget is lower.” 

Plan retained $2.025 billion authorized for Apollo program-$14 

million below budget request. It reduced authorized $253.2 million for 

Apollo Applications to $150 million, amount “required to work toward 

the important but sharply limited and deferred Apollo Applications 

program we now propose.” This would include cessation of Saturn IB 

launch vehicle production after completion of 14th (Saturn 214) and 

discontinuation of Saturn V at completion of first 15 vehicles. Single 

Saturn I workshop and single Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) would 

be launched in early 1970s. Authorized $5 million for advanced missions would be cut to $2.5 million, for continued studies related to 

manned earth-orbital and lunar missions. Authorized $136.9 million 

would be reduced to $132.1 million for physics and astronomy, with 

level of effort in supporting research and technology and data analysis 

approximately 10% lower than in FY 1968. 

The $92.3 million authorized for lunar and planetary exploration 

would be cut to $75.8 million, with $6.8 million for lunar and $69 million for planetary-to support Mariner-Mars 1969 mission, reacquisition of telemetry from Mariner V, and Mariner-Mars 1971 mission. 

Plan also supported in FY 1969, at reduced funding level, capability to 

conduct Mars mission during 1973 opportunity in keeping with NAS 

recommendation [see Sept. 191. Overall scope of mission would be reduced and schedule compressed. Operating plan provided for construction of two 210-ft antennas for Mars and other missions during 1970s. 

Launch vehicle procurement authorization of $115.7 million would be 

cut to $100.2 million and bioscience from $33 million to $32.7 million, 

which was $15 mi2ion below budget request and required slip of 6-12 

mo in 21-day Biosatellite missions. 

Space applications authorization of $98.7 million would be retained ; 

program change necessitated by May 18 destruction of Nimbus B 

would result in launch of replacement, Nimbus B2, in spring 1969. 

Aeronautics R&D budget would remain at authorized $74.9 million, 

while IT 1969 effort in nuclear rockets would be limited and NERVA 

development deferred until 1970, when $7.5 million withheld in Ey 

1969 could be added to allow total of $39.5 million. Interim plan-would 

provide $178.4 million for basic research, space vehicle systems, electronics systems, human factor systems, space power and electric propulsion systems, and chemical propulsion-at reduction of $21.5 million 

from NASA’s budget request. Work in long-endurance life-support-equip 

ment technologies would proceed as planned but in other areas research and technical development would be reduced, especially efforts 

241 
October 3 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

in support of advanced space missions. Tracking and data acquisition 

budget would be reduced from $289.8 million authorized to $280 million, providing full Apollo schedule support but limiting support for 

spacecraft aloft and on future missions. 

Construction of facilities funds had been reduced from $39.6 million 

authorized to $21.8 million appropriated. Operating plan would increase figure to $35.7 million by transferring funds from R&D appropriation. Facility planning and design funds were reduced from $3 million 

requested to $1 million. Interim operating plan anticipated transfer of 

$20.1 million from R&D to administrative operations, bringing total to 

$623.3 million instead of $603.2 million in authorization and appropriations acts and $648.2 million requested by NASA in budget. Dr. Paine 

emphasized that administrative operations appropriation did not cover 

only “administrative” expenses ; it covered direct costs of operating 

NASA laboratories, research centers, development centers, and launch 

centers. 

NASA Administrator James E. Webb told Committee: “. . . when you 

use words such as ‘Congress consistently has supported the Apollo program,, you must add ‘at a minimum level.’ We have clearly indicated in 

every budget that the basis on which we were going forward with this 

support by Congress was one that did not take into account unusual 

risks and happenings and was, in effect, based on success in all these 

efforts.” Webb said NASA Apollo funding was related to success on various operations and did not include “a return to test flight on the Saturn 

IB should we not be able to make the shift to the big rocket after this 

next flight.” From 1961 to 1969, Webb said, “we have not had the 

funds to proceed except in a manner that would permit us, within the 

total budget, to do this lunar landing within this decade and on an all-up 

systems test basis. So the excruciatingly painful period of all-up testing 

on the Saturn V is yet ahead of us.” (Testimony; Transcript) 

Senate by vote of 55 to 2 passed H.R. 18707, defense appropriations bill 

containing initial funds for deployment of ‘‘thin” missile system, already under construction. (CR, 10/3/68, S11951-79) 

0 Senate, after secret session, defeated by vote of 45 to 25 amendment by 

Sen. John S. Cooper (R-Ky.) to eliminate from $71.8-billion defense 

appropriations bill the $387.4 million requested by Administration to 

start deployment of Sentinel antiballistic missile system. Final action 

on largest defense appropriations bill in US. history was deferred. 

(CR, 10/2/68, S11872-85; AP, W Star, 10/2/68, A4; Finney, NYT, 

10/3/68,1; Lardner, W Post, 10/5/68,1) 

0 NASA said spacecraft and parts of Agena 2nd stage of Nimbus B weather 

satellite launched unsuccessfully May 18, including two SNAP-19 nuclear power generators, had been found Sept. 30 by crew of research 

submarine four miles south of San Miguel Island off California coast. 

Pictures taken by submarine indicated three- by six-inch graphic cores 

of generators were intact; surrounding magnesium-thorium alloy casings were almost completely decayed since they dissolved in sea water 

almost immediately. Each core contained three pounds of plutonium. 

AEC had spent $200,000 searching for missing nuclear sources. Nimbus 

B had been destroyed shortly after launch when it veered off course. 

(NASA Release 68-171; Lannan, W Star, 10/4/68, A16) 

Boeing Co. said it would build one-fifth size thermal models of manned 

242 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 3 

space stations under $156,500 NASA contract to determine their feasibility for predicting temperatures in full-size earth-orbiting station. 

(Boeing Release 5-9840) 

October 4: NASA-USAF review board report said failure of Nimbus B mission May 18 had been caused by improper installation of yaw-rate gyro 

90” from design position in Thorad-Agena launch vehicle. Board recommended revision of test procedures which failed to discern error and 

redesign of gyro mounting brackets to make improper installation impossible. Repeat mission, Nimbus B2, would be launched in spring 

1969 because of flight’s importance to meteorological research. (NASA 

Release 68-171 ; UPI, H Chron, 10/5/68) 

President Johnson signed H.R. 17023 as P.L. 90-550, Independent 

Offices and Dept. of Housing and Urban Development Appropriations 

Act, 1969, which included NASA appropriations of $3.995 billion. Conference report on bill had been adopted by Senate Sept. 25 and by 

House Sept. 19. (PD, 10/14/68,1484) 

At NASA Pasadena (Calif.) Office third annual awards ceremony, Dr. 

John E. Naugle, NASA’s Associate Administrator for Space Science and 

Applications, said: “During the next few years . . . our efforts in astronomical observations, in space applications and in planetary exploration, should receive priority. . . . In astronomy, perhaps more than 

in any other scientific discipline, major progress has been achieved 

when a new observing technique is used. In the next several years we 

will provide our astronomers with such new observational tools-telescopes and detectors in space above the absorbing and obscuring effect 

of the earth‘s atmosphere. . . . we envision a complementary program 

using both manned and automated observational platforms leading to 

permanent observatories in space in the next 10 to 15 years. On the 

other hand, OAO, OSO, and the small astronomy satellite will carry the 

burden of automated observation, while the Apollo Telescope Mount 

provides us with early experience in the contribution man can make in 

astronomy. Before very many years, it should be possible for us to 

move into astra-type systems in which we combine the best of both 

techniques, i.e., long-term automated instruments in orbit of a cost and 

complexity which justify their being serviced and maintained by 

man. . . . “Although . . . post Apollo plans are much more modest than previously announced, even at these reduced levels, it should be possible to 

carry out some important near-earth and extended lunar missions following the Apollo landings. However, there remains no clear picture as 

to the future of manned space flight beyond the use of the launch vehicles and rockets left over from Apollo. The resolution of the future 

goals of manned space flight must await the . . . next administration.” 

(Text) 

NASA’s Os0 ZV spacecraft (launched Oct. 18, 1967) had obtained valuable new data on three-dimensional structure of sun’s atmosphere, Leo 

Goldberg, Robert W. No yes, William H. Parkinson, Edmond M. 

Reeves, and George L. Withbroe of Harvard College Observatory’s 

Solar Satellite Project reported in Science. During five weeks of experiment operation-before electronic failure of instrument detection system-more than 100 solar flares were recorded. More than 4,000 UV 

images in 52 different wavelengths over wide range of temperatures 

243 
October 4 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

and heights in solar atmosphere were obtained. Most of emission lines 

represented had not been observed before with spatial resolution on 

solar disk. 

New instrument was being prepared for flight on OS- in 1969, to 

have twice spatial resolution and 10 times time resolution of instrument on Os0 IV. (Science, 10/4/68,95-9) 

0 ComSatCorp, on behalf of INTELSAT, awarded Hughes Aircraft Co. $72- 

million contract for Intelsat IV advanced comsats. Hughes would deliver within 22 mo four flight spacecraft, one prototype, associated 

spacecraft test equipment, and necessary ground equipment. (ComSatCorp Release 68-52; WSJ, 10/7/68,3) 

0 AFSC’S Space and Missile Systems Organization awarded Philco-Ford 

Corp.’s Space and Re-Entry Systems Div. $7,805,000 fixed-price-incentive-fee contract for development, production, and launch of two comsats for NATO. First satellite would be launched from ETR in late 1969 

by Thrust-Augmented Thor-Delta booster into 20,000-mi-altitude synchronous orbit. Second would be backup. (AFSC Release 145.68) 

October 5: USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by 

Thor-Agena D booster into orbit with 316-mi (508.5-km) apogee, 300- 

mi (482.8-km) perigee, 94.5-min period, and 74.9” inclination. (Pres 

Rpt 68) 

U.S.S.R. successfully launched Molniya 1-10 to relay telephone and telegraph communications and TV programs to far northern and far eastern U.S.S.R. and to central Asia. Orbital parameters: apogee, 39,639 

km (24,630.5 mi) ; perigee; 429 km (266.6 mi) ; period, 711.9 min; 

and inclination, 64.8”. (UPI, W Star, 10/7/68, A9; AP, NYT, 10/8/68, 

2; GSFC SSR, 10/15/68) 

* Republican Presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon issued policy statement, “The Research Gap: Crisis in American Science and Technology’’: US. was “shortchanging” its scientific community and risking 

research gap between US. effort and that of U.S.S.R. “Faced with dynamic possibilities for science, the current Administration is hobbled 

by the static philosophy that technological potentialities are 

limited. . . . This attitude is particularly perilous in the realm of 

defense. . . . In few areas of development is activity so intense and 

productive as in Soviet military research and development.” While 

U.S.S.R. graduated twice as many scientists annually as US., American 

scientific community was “demoralized” by wavering attitudes toward 

R&D. “Scientific activity cannot be turned on and off like a faucet. The 

withdrawal of support disperses highly trained research teams, closes 

vital facilities, loses spinoff benefits, and disrupts development 

momentum. . . . The United States must end this depreciation of research and development in its order of national priorities. . . . It 

would be an urgent goal of my administration to devise effective means 

by which it could cooperate with industry and the academic community 

in an effort to make maximum use of scientific advances to help solve 

major national problems. . . . Our goal is to make the United States 

first again in the crucial area of research and development.” (Text; 

Walsh, Science, 10/18/68,335-7) 

October 6: In Washington Sunday Star William Hines commented on 

James E. Webb‘s resignation as NASA Administrator: “Yes . . . there 

was a James Webb. He had his faults, God knows, and a peculiar style. 

2444 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 6 

Most people would have done the job differently. But, on balance, it is 

difficult to see how anyone could have done it much better.” (W Star, 

10/6/68, C4) 

October 7: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXLVI into orbit with 317-h 

(197-mi) apogee, 145-km (90.1-mi) perigee, 89.1-min period, and 

65.3 O inclination. Satellite reentered Oct. 12. (InteraviaAirLetter, 

10/8/68,11; GSFC SSR, 10/15/68) 

NASA Administrator James E. Webb issued order dissolving Apollo 2M 

Review Board established Jan. 27, 1967, to investigate accidental 

Apollo fire of that date. (Text) 

* Resignation of James E. Webb as NASA Administrator, announced Sept. 

16, became effective. Deputy Administrator, Dr. Thomas 0. Paine, assumed duties as Acting Administrator. (NASA Off of Administrator; Off 

of Acting Administrator) 

In National Observer, Peter T. Chew criticized Americans as “uncertain, 

timid farers in space.” During “19-month interregnum in manned 

space flight” occasioned by Jan. 27, 1967, Apollo fire, “Americans have 

become obsessed with the race question at home and the Vietnam Wai 

abroad. . . . If some doomsayers are to be believed, the vast U.S. 

space science and technology establishment put together during the la$% 

decade will be systematically dismantled once the manned Apollo laniling has been accomplished because NASA has ‘no clear mandate’ to go 

on; cornfields will reclaim the great rocket and spacecraft-testing 

sites . . .; the solar system will become the exclusive playground #of 

Soviet cosmonauts.” Yet NASA% mandate to explore space “for the benefit of all mankind” had been set down in legislation establishing the 

agency and did not end with the moon. If anything, “the moon is the 

first stepping stone.” Dr. Wernher von Braun “stands almost alone 

among the country’s leaders in his ability to express in understandable 

terms just why we are going to the moon-and beyond. . . . To critics 

of the space program he replies, ‘Man was born with an insatiable nosiness about his natural environment. . . . it seems to pay off handsomely, but often in the most unexpected way, to keep satisfying his 

curiosity about the world around him.” (Natl Obs, 10/7/68) 

NASA announced it had awarded Technical Information Services co. 

$4.3-million cost-plus-award-fee contract for continued operation of 

NASA’s Scientific and Technical Information Facility at College Park, 

Md. Contract would extend through November 1969 with two oneyear options. Current contractor was Leasco Systems and Research 

Corp. (NASA Release 68-173) 

Newsweek said NERVA project had “become one more casualty of cutbacks in the space program.” Workers at Nevada test site “say only a 

skeleton staff will be left on the project by spring.” (Newsweek, 

10/7/68) 

0 Sen. Stuart Symington (D-Mo.) said on Senate floor: “I am now 

confident . . . serious consideration should be given to canceling the 

entire Air Force F-111 series. . . . If the plane is fundamentally unsound-and that would now appear to be the case-its termination 

would prevent the loss of additional billions of dollars-and what is 

more important, save the lives of many pilots.” He said October report 

oi Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee of Senate Committee on 

Armed Services “points up the grave security deficiencies that have re245 
October 7 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

sulted from the Department of Defense forcing the Air Force and Navy 

to put all the eggs of their aircraft development into one unfortunate 

basket.” (Text; CR, 10/7/68, S12148-51; Witkin, NYT, 10/8/68, 18; 

W Post, 10/8/68, All) 

October 8: Antennas on NASA’s Explorer XxxvIII (launched July 4) 

were each successfully extended to 750-ft maximum length and damper 

boom to maximum 630 ft by ground command. Satellite’s antennas had 

been initially deployed to 455 ft each July 22 and extended to 600-ft 

each Sept. 24. Maximum extension completed planned antenna deployment sequence. (NASA Release 68-174; NASA Proj Off) 

Senate unanimously approved space rescue treaty, providing for rescue 

and return of astronauts downed on foreign soil. It had been signed by 

’75 nations. (CR, 10/8/68, S12215-6; AP, B Sun, 10/9/68, A10) 

0 NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. 

Mueller, addressed Ninth National Conference of United Press International Editors and Publishers in Washington, D.C.: “For the conception 

and construction of the equipment necessary to the safe transport of 

men into space and for their accomplishment of productive tasks in 

that new atmosphere, a new mix of professional and scientific disciplines has been created which has forced cooperation between engineers and medical doctors. Many of the technologies which are essential to our sending three men to the moon and back did not exist a few 

years ago. They had to be invented, adapted or developed. . . . “We now have the giant boosters which have released man from his 

atmosphere, and . . . life support systems that can maintain him in 

space. As a result of the cleanliness requirements of the space program 

we have the largest ‘clean rooms’ in the world-rooms which hospitals 

are now emulating. . . . Over 600 computers now comprise the largest 

and most advanced communications system in the world. The fuel cell, 

which had lain dormant for many years, was activated to power spacecraft in orbit. Thirty public utility companies now have a $27,000,000 

program for the adaptation of the fuel cell for home power units. We 

had to know on a real-time basis how fast the hearts of the astronauts 

were beating while they were in space . . . how much oxygen they 

were using, and how their muscles were responding . . . so we invented another new system, biosensor to computer to data gathering 

equipment, and through communications network to the Manned 

Spacecraft Center at Houston-from 100 . . . or 800 . . . or from 

of a million miles out in space. And a half a dozen newly formed companies are now manufacturing these adapted space-created instruments 

for the use of doctors and hospitals here on earth.” 

In conclusion Dr. Mueller quoted the late Dr. Hugh L. Dryden, first 

Deputy Administrator: “None of us knows what the final destiny of 

man may be-or if there is any end to his capacity for growth and 

adaptation. Wherever this venture leads us, we in the United States are 

convinced that the power to leave the Earth-to travel where we will in 

space-and to return at will-marks the opening of a brilliant new 

state in man’s evolution.” (Text) 

0 Commenting on James E. Webb’s retirement, Sen. John Stennis (DMiss.) said on Senate floor, “I have been a member of the Committee 

on Aeronautical and Space Sciences since about the time Mr. Webb 

was appointed to head NASA. I am not given unduly to praise a man. I 

246 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 8 

am not impressed by a title. I am impressed by a record. But I am 

certainly impressed with the fact that Mr. Webb carried out his responsibilities for NASA with an expenditure of $34 billion, in what might be 

called a crash program; and I have not seen any evidence of any activity of his except that clothed in the highest degree with integrity, honesty, frankness and openness in his dealings with the committee, with 

Congress, as well as with the public.” (CR, 10/8/68, 92227-8) 

Dept. of State said it would issue visas to 35 Soviet space scientists to 

attend 19th Congress of International Astronautical Federation (IAF) 

in New York Oct. 13-19. However, it might recommend cancellation of 

sightseeing tour of KSC arranged with NASA by AIAA for scientists from 

34 countries attending both IAF Congress and AIAA annual meeting in 

Philadelphia Oct. 21-25. No Soviet scientist had yet visited KSC, “apparently out of concern that the United States would ask for reciprocal 

rights in Russia for American scientists,” said New York Times. Rep. 

Paul G. Rogers (D-Ha.) , in letter to Secretary of State Dean Rusk, had 

said visit was inappropriate in light of U.S.S.R.’s invasion of Czechoslovakia, imprisonment of Pueblo crew by. North Korea, Soviet aid to 

North Vietnam, and existence of Communist regime in Cuba. (NYT, 

10/9/68) 

October 8-10: NASA held conference at L~RC on progress of NASA research 

on noise alleviation of large subsonic jet aircraft. It dealt with nacelle 

acoustic treatment technology and application, noise generation and reduction at source, operational considerations, and subjective reaction. 

In introductory remarks, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for 

Aeronautics Charles W. Harper said NASA support for research programs on noise had risen from less than $1 million per year to 

nearly $18 million in 1968, most of which was used to obtain industry 

support for program. (NASA SP-189) 

October 9: Univ. of California at Los Angeles astronomer Dr. Kurt Riegel 

and graduate student Mark Jennings reported discovery of cloud of intensely cold interstellar hydrogen gas near region of galaxy where star 

formation was known to be taking place, about 3,000 light years from 

earth in direction of Milky Way. Dr. Riegel said, “The implication is 

that the process of star formation may in some way depend on the cooling of the gas floating around between the stars.” (Getze, LA Times, 

10/9/68) 

NASA was completing tests for USAF Cambridge Research Laboratories in 

which individual plastic hailstone models were dropped from 20,000- to 

25,000-ft altitudes near NASA Wallops Station to study speed at which 

hailstones fell to earth and its effect on their size and growth rate in 

atmosphere. Wind-tunnel tests had confirmed that size and weight to 

which naturally formed hailstones would grow was related to speed 

they fell and thus to length of time spent in storm clouds. Shape and 

surface roughness affected fall speed by changing drag characteristics. 

Wallops test data would check tunnel results and would be applied in 

predicting growth of real hailstones. (NASA Release 68-172) 

October 10: Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR 

carried Naval Research Laboratory experiment to 109.2-mi (174.7-km) 

altitude to obtain stellar spectra in Scorpius in 1,000-1,600 A far UV 

range and photometric data on stellar fluxes. Rocket performed satisfactorily. Scientific objectives were not achieved because attitude con247 
October 10 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

trol system (ACS) malfunctioned and vehicle failed to capture and point 

at desired targets. Experiment performed as expected, but because of 

ACS malfunction no film was advanced by spectrograph or aspect camera. Some photometric data were obtained by Geiger tube photometers. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

* Australian House of Representatives, by 60-30 vote, defeated opposition 

Labor Party motion to condemn government for ordering 24 F-111C 

fighter-bombers from US. Crashes, delays, and cost increases had led 

to major criticism of government. Deliveries of aircraft were 18 mo behind schedule. Latest US. estimate of cost, including spares and 

ground equipment, was $294.63 million, about one-fourth Australian 

defense budget for 1968-69. There was no ceiling price on aircraft and 

no way Australia could cancel contract without $200-million penalty. 

(AP, W Post, 10/11/68, All; NYT, 10/9/6&, 12) 

* NASA announced it had requested proposals by Nov. 18 for two experimental turbofan jet engines for extensive test program [see Aug. 181. 

Objective was to reduce two major sources of noise-interaction of jet 

exhaust with outside air and noise created by fan-to produce turbofan 

demonstrator engine operational at noise level at least 15-20 db below 

those powering DC-8 and Boeing 707 aircraft. Specifications were developed at LeRC with assistance on contract from Allison Div. of General Motors Corp. and Pratt & Whitney Div. of United Aircraft Corp.; 

McDonnell Douglas Corp. studied feasibility of integrating quiet engine 

with DC-8. ( ~ASA Release 68-175) 

* Sen. John J. Sparkman (D-Ala.) on Senate floor said: “President Johnson is properly called the principal architect of America’s space program. As Senator and Vice President he worked unceasingly to assure 

this country a role of leadership in the exploration of space. . . . Under President Johnson’s leadership in the Senate the Space Act was 

passed in 1958, creating the National Aeronautics and Space 

Administration . . . setting up a charter to win for this country a preeminence in the peaceful exploration of space. NASA pulled together widely scattered efforts in space and built an organization 

unique in this country’s history. It has contributed to the technological 

competence so vital to modern industrial society.” (NASA LAR VII/108; 

CR, 10/10/68, S12423) 

FAA published report, SRDS Program Goals, Achievements and Trends, 

on 50 Systems Research and Development Service projects undertaken 

in FY 1968. Beacon tracking level of terminal automation would provide aircraft identity, altitude, and computed ground speed on air traffic 

control radarscopes. Over three years, automated radar tracking system 

ARTS 111 would be installed at 62 busiest airports. Computer-aided approach spacing (CAAS) system would give more consistent spacing of 

landing aircraft. R&D eventually would lead to Category I11 all-weather 

landing systems (AWLS) at major airports, permitting aircraft to land 

with zero ceiling and runway visual range. (FAA Release T-68-39) 

October 11: Cosmos CCXLVll was launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 

343-km (213.1-mi) apogee, 215-km (133.6-mi) perigee, 89.9-min 

period, and 65.4” inclination. Satellite reentered Oct. 19. (GSFC SSR, 

10/15/68; 10/31/68) 

U.S.S.R.’s Zond V could be precursor to next step in flying complex unmanned missions to Venus or Mars as well as to carrying men to moon, 

248 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 11 

RAND Corp. Scientist Merton E. Davies and Cal Tech scientist Bruce 6. 

Murray wrote in Science. Soviet descriptions of Zond V suggested 

U.S.S.R. might plan to send pair of spacecraft to Mars in late February 

or early March. One might land on Mars and cast off satellite to orbit 

it and relay signals to earth; other might fly by Mars and return to 

earth with film of Mars surface. Speculations were based on Pravda 

and Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) articles by Soviet Prof. A. Dmitriyev, 

which said “information from space” must be delivered “directly to the 

scientists’ laboratory” free of “encumbrances and distortions of radioed signals.” He said Zond Y had successfully completed assignment 

of developing means and methods for returning space devices. Also, 

U.S.S.R. had previously sent pair of spacecraft on planetary mission 

and might repeat mission to take advantage of favorable Mars or 

Venus positions for flyby or landing attempts. (Science, 10/11/68, 

245-6; Cohn, W Post, 10/11/68, A9) 

President Johnson transmitted NASA’s 15th, 16th, and 17th Semiannual 

Reports to Congress covering July 1, 1966, to Dec. 31, 1967. President 

wrote, “I commend these reports to your attention. They contain, I believe, concrete evidence that NASA is moving forward, and that America 

is contributing mightily in the worldwide effort to conquer space for 

the benefit of all mankind.” 

In letter accompanying 17th report, NASA Administrator James E. 

Webb wrote, “This period was overshadowed by the Apollo fire which 

took the lives of three of our astronauts. The thorough investigation of 

the accident and the steps that were initiated to improve safety by 

changes in design and procedures have previously been made matters of 

public record. This report shows that the same period was also one of 

progress in aeronautics and space as evidenced, for example, by the 

successful flights of Surveyor, Lunar Orbiter, and many other spacecraft. It was a difficult time for NASA, but one in which the agency 

showed, I believe, that it could react maturely to failure as well as success, and continue to deserve the confidence and support of the nation.” 

(Text; NASA LAR VII/III) 

Republican Presidential candidate Richard M. Nixon said in TV program to viewers in Texas, New Mexico, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, Republican administration would strive to make US. “first in space.” “I 

don’t want the Soviet Union or any other nation to be ahead of the 

United States. . . . Let’s emphasize the moon shot and others where we 

can make a direct break-through.” (W Star, 10/12/68, Al) 

0 President Johnson vainly urged Senate ratification of nuclear nonproliferation treaty: “If the treaty does not go into effect soon, an increasing 

number of countries will see it in their national interest to go nuclear.” 

He said if Senate found it impossible to remain in session to act on 

ratification, he might call special session after election. However, after 

consulting with President Johnson, Senate Majority Leader Mike Mansfield (D-Mont.) announced he was laying treaty aside for this session 

of Congress because to call it up during closing days would result in “a 

devisive political dispute” that could convert it into partisan issue and 

imperil its eventual approval. (PD, 10/14/68, 148181; CR, 10/11/68, 

S12685-90; Finney, NYT, 10/11/68, 12; Kilpatrick, W Post, 

10/12/68, A14) 

NASA task force appointed by Assistant Administrator for University Af249 
October 11 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%8 

fairs Francis B. Smith announced publication of A Study of NASA University Programs, containing assessment of programs and their benefit 

to NASA and academic community. NASA university programs had 

“made major contributions to aeronautics and space program. Research sponsored . . . has generated new concepts, has developed new 

technology, and has created unique facilities for further education and 

research. Over 50 percent of all experiments flown on NASA satellites 

have been generated by university programs. Universities have 

awarded at least 500 graduate degrees and provided continuing education opportunities to thousands . . . [and] university consultants have 

given policy, scientific, and engineering advice to NASA at all levels.” 

(Text; NASA Release 68-177) 

NASA had asked its contractors to cut KSC personnel 10% in effort to save 

$40 million by July 1. Boeing Go. had already announced plans to reduce 4,400-man force to 4,000. Chrysler Corp. would keep 1,000 of its 

1,200. Cutbacks were due to NASA budget cuts and affected only 2% of 

work force. (NASA PAO; W Star, 10/11/68, A3) 

Comparison of infrared images of lunar eclipses of Dec. 19, 1964, and 

April 13, 1968, showed thermal anomalies of lunar maria unchanged 

after 3y2 yr, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories researchers 

reported in Science. Graham R. Hunt, John W. Salisbury, and Robert 

K. Vincent wrote that hundreds of hot spots that cooled more slowly 

than surroundings were strikingly similar in images from both eclipses. 

One new, linear thermal anomaly had been discovered, whose close relation to lunar crustal fracture line suggested it might be of internal 

origin. Origin could give clue to formation of craters. (Science, 

10/11/68,2524) 

October 11-22: NASA’s Apolb 7 (A!3-205), first manned mission in Apollo 

lunar landing program, was successfully launched from KSC Launch 

Complex 34 at 11:02 am EDT by Saturn IB booster. Primary objectives 

were to demonstrate command and service module (CSM) and crew 

performance; demonstrate crew, space vehicle, and mission support facilities ; and demonstrate CSM rendezvous capability. All launch events 

occurred as planned and spacecraft, carrying Astronauts Walter M. 

Schirra, Jr. (commander), Donn F. Eisele (CM pilot), and R. Walter 

Cunningham (LM pilot) , entered initial orbit with 177.8-mi (286.1-km) 

apogee, 138.2-mi (222.4km) perigee, 89.9-min period, and 31.6’ inclination. Saturn IB 2nd stage (S-IVB) manned control test was completed with excellent results, and S-IVB separated from CSM on schedule. Crew successfully transposed CSM and simulated docking by 

maneuvering CSM to within four or five feet of S-IVB. 

President Johnson sent message to Apollo 7 crew: “Everything in 

the Presidential office came to a halt as Foreign Minister Debr6 of 

France and I watched with mounting excitement the magnificent 

launch of the Saturn. . . .” Message was relayed from Air Force I as 

President flew from Washington to visit former President Harry S. 

Truman. 

On second day Schirra told ground controllers crew was too busy to 

set up portable camera for live TV coverage because of minor but 

time-consuming difficulties. Astronauts had to pump waste water manually from spacecraft, Schirra and Eisele had trouble with their biomedical harnesses, Schirra had head cold symptoms, spacecraft evaporator 

250 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 11-22 

system required maintenance, and hatch windows blurred and were 

bordered by mysterious “small hairs like fuzz.)’ Crew fired SPS engine 

for 10 sec and 8 sec to set up rendezvous and maneuvered CSM to 

within 70 ft of tumbling spent 2nd stage, simulating techniques to be 

used on future flights if LM were to become disabled in lunar orbit. 

Crew took close-up photos of LM adapter attached to 2nd stage. S-IVB 

reentered earth’s atmosphere Oct. 18 and splashed into Indian Ocean. 

On third day crew, which had already accomplished half its objectives, photographed clouds and earth and continued checking out spacecraft systems. Power failure in spacecraft’s AC electrical system was 

quickly restored, but overloading prompted officials to reschedule third 

SPS burn 20 hr sooner than planned. Burn positioned and sized ellipse 

for CM reaction control system deorbit in case of emergency and set up 

auxiliary gaging system test. Astronauts, all with head colds, appeared 

on national TV for 7 min for first time live from space. Crew displayed 

hand-printed signs bearing greetings from “the lovely Apollo room 

high atop everything.” 

Second live telecast for 11 min Oct. 15 showed closeups of spacecraft 

interior and astronauts so clear that observers could read astronauts’ 

lips. Third TV appearance Oct. 16, which included nine-minute tour of 

spacecraft, won astronauts honorary membership in American Federation of Television and Radio Artists. Later, crew successfully fired SPS 

engine for fourth burn, demonstrating 20,500-lb-thrust engine’s minimum impulse capability. As spacecraft passed over Hurricane Gladys 

in Gulf Qf Mexico, astronauts photographed storm and relayed data to 

Weather Bureau hurricane center. They also took pictures of “long 

plume” of air pollution. Crew continued spacecraft checkout, guidance 

and navigation procedures, and TV operations on seventh day, but 

fourth telecast was smudgy. Successful 67-sec fifth SPS burn-longest to 

date-was performed out of plane to test auxiliary gaging system and 

readjust ellipse for lifetime and CM reaction control system deorbit. 

On ninth day astronauts showed viewers exceptionally sharp pictures 

of main control panels in fifth TV broadcast and performed close-order 

drill to demonstrate movement in weightless environment. Sixth SPS 

burn, essentially duplicate of fourth minimum impulse test burn, was 

successfully conducted. Seventh burn, on following day, adjusted time 

phasing for backup SM reaction-control-system deorbit burns. At 

259:39 GET astronauts fired SPS engine for eighth time, to deorbit CSM 

for reentry. CM/SM separation, parachute deployment, and other reentry events were nominal, and spacecraft splashed down in Atlantic 

eight miles north of recovery ship U.S.S. Essex at 7:11 am EDT Oct. 22 

after completing 163 revolutions. Crew was picked up by helicopter 

and flown to recovery ship within one hour after splashdown. 

All primary Apollo 7 mission objectives were achieved, as well as 

every detailed test objective and three not originally planned. Crew comfort and safety were enhanced by change in cabin atmosphere to 100% 

oxygen in flight, hot meals, and relatively complete freedom of motion in 

spacecraft. Engineering accomplishments included live TV from space 

and drinking water produced as by-product of fuel cells. NASA’s Ats I11 

applications technology satellite relayed TV pictures to Europe. Service 

module SPS main engine, largest thrust engine to be manually thrustvector controlled, proved itself by accomplishing longest and shortest 

251 
October 11-22 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

October 11-22: Bearded Apollo 7 astronauts emerge from recovery helicopter which 

carried them from landing point to deck of U.S.S. Essex after 11 days in orbit on first 

manned mission in Apollo Program. Left to right are Walter M. Schirra, Jr. (commander), Donn F. Eisele (CM pilot), and R. Walter Cunningham, (LM pilot) 4.5 

million miles and 163 revolutions after launch. 

manned SPS burns, and largest number of inflight restarts. Manual 

tracking, navigation, and control achievements included full optical 

rendezvous, daylight platform realignment, optical platform alignments, 

pilot control of launch vehicle attitude, and orbital determination by 

sextant tracking of another vehicle. Mission also accomplished first 

digital-sutopilot-controlled engine burn and first manned S-band communications. 

All launch vehicle systems performed satisfactorily ; spacecraft systems functioned with some minor anomalies, countered by backup subsystem, change in procedures, isolation, or careful monitoring so that 

no loss of systems support resulted. 

Apollo 7 spacecraft had been redesigned for safety. Original twopiece side hatch had been replaced by a quick-opening, one-piece hatch. 

Flammability within CM had been reduced by extensive materials substitution, and systems redundancy had been expanded to reduce single 

failure points. Saturn IB launch vehicle carried less telemetry and instrumentation equipment, to lower weight and increase payload capability. New propellant lines to augmented spark igniter had been installed in J-2 engine to prevent failure which had occurred on Apollo 

6. I 

252 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 11-22 

Earlier unmanned Apollo flights had yielded all spacecraft information possible without crew on board. Apollo 4 (launched Nov. 9, 

1967) and Apollo 5 (launched Jan. 22, 1968) had both been highly 

successful, completing inflight tests of all major pieces of Apollo hardware. Apollo 6 (launched April e), despite launch vehicle problems, 

had attained four of five primary objectives and had been recovered in 

excellent condition. Apollo program was directed by NASA Office of 

Manned Space Flight; MSC was responsible for Apollo spacecraft development, and KSC for launch operations. Tracking and data acquisition 

was managed by GSFC under overall direction of NASA Office of Tracking and Data Acquisition. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Releases 68-,168K, 

68-179; MSC Historical Off; W Post, 10/12-23/68; B Sun, 10/12/68; 

10/23/68; W Star, 10/13-19/68; PI), 10/21/68,1492) 

October 12: Washington Post editorial noted total cost of space program to 

date was upwards of $20 billion: “The expenditure of sums of money 

like these cannot be justified in terms of the military or civilian spinoff, although both have been substantial, or of the knowledge we have 

gained about the atmosphere surrounding our planet. But they can be 

justified in terms of the national prestige that is to be won or lost in 

space and of the inevitable fate of man to pursue knowledge towards its 

ultimate end in hope of some day achieving a better understanding of 

what the earth and universe are all about. It is in this latter hope that 

we cheer the astronauts on, wish them well in their planned 163 orbits 

of the earth, pray for their safe return, and urge those who make the 

crucial decisions about the future space program to proceed with all 

deliberate speed to reach the goal President Kennedy put before us.” 

(W Post, 10/12/68, A12) 

“NASA’s 10th anniversary was celebrated with appropriate fanfare, but 

the 11th anniversary of the Space Age, which came during the same 

week, slipped by with barely a nod of recognition,” James J. Haggerty, 

Jr., charged in Armed Forces Journal. “It should have been given more 

attention. The U.S. needs a continual reminder that we were dragged 

kicking and screaming into space exploration, that the U.S. space program was born only out of reaction to the accomplishments of another 

nation. . . . “The summary for 11 years of space launchings shows a total of 881 

launches through the Oct. 4 anniversary date. About 400 of all the 

spacecraft launched still are in orbit. 

“The US. enjoj-ed a considerable quantitative lead at the end of the 

11-year period. It sent into orbit 564 spacecraft, or 64% of the total, 

compared with 298 spacecraft, or 3376, for the USSR. . . . “Manned flights, of course, were confined to the US. and the USSR. 

Through the anniversary date the U.S. had launched 14 flights involving 24 astronauts and 1,993 man-hours; the USSR had made nine 

flights with 12 cosmonauts piling up 532 man-hours.” (AFJ, 10/12/68, 

13) October 13: New observations from U.K.‘s Jodrell Bank Experimental Station indicated distance estimates to pulsars had been 30 times too 

short. Observations from Australia’s Molonglo Radio Observatory had 

identified pulsar PSR 1749-28, believed to be three times more distant 

than 10 others observed to date. Despite great distance, its pulses were 

more powerful than those of all but one other. From these observa253 
October 13 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

tions, Jodrell’s Dr. Graham Smith believed pulsars lay in distant halo, 

not in Milky Way. (Sullivan, NYT, 10/13/68,74) 

October 13-19: At 19th Congress of IAF in New York, Dr. Edward C. 

Welsh, NASC Executive Secretary, read message from Vice President 

Hubert H. Humphrey, Chairman of NASC: “We take considerable pride 

in the United States with the generally open nature of our space program and in the manner in which we have attempted to cooperate with 

other nations in space participation as well as in the dissemination of 

facts and theories gleaned from our space experience. . . . man has 

now begun to make the space far beyond the Earth’s surface a part of 

his library of education and his scope of achievement. Now more than 

ever before the way of the future must be the way of nations working 

together to harness the forces of nature so that the peaceful pursuits of 

mankind may flourish.” 

Dr. Welsh said: “I would place high on the list of benefits those 

which flow from increased international cooperation in the field of 

space. . . . stimulated by the universal desire for knowledge [it] has 

brought somewhat closer together the peoples of the world. . . . as the 

practical applications of space become more evident in the form of 

weather predictions, communications, and increased knowledge of the 

world’s limited natural resources, additional strength is added to the 

foundation for peace.” (Text) 

Daniel and Florence Guggenheim International Astronautics Award 

of $1,000, made annually by International Academy of Astronautics in 

recognition of outstanding contribution to progress of space research 

and exploration over five-year period, was presented Oct. 18 at IAF 

Congress banquet to Dr. Zdenek Svestaka of Astronomical Institute of 

Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences. He was Chairman of Commission 

on Solar Activity of the International Astronomical Union. (IAF IAA Release 34; AIAA Release 10/13/68) 

Soviet scientist Prof. Leonid I. Sedov in news conference said 

U.S.S.R. was not in race to moon with US. “The question of sending 

astronauts to the moon at this time is not an item on our agenda. The 

exploration of the moon is possible, but it is not a priority.” Prof. 

Sedov said Soviet timetable for manned expeditions would depend on 

next series of flight tests using Zond rocket. Zond Y was successful, he 

said, “because the capsule returned safely, which was the purpose of 

the flight.” Regarding US-U.S.S.R. scientific cooperation, “its successful implementation is very much dependent on international relations.” At present, he said, close relations did not exist. (NYT, 

10/15/68,48) 

Informal meeting of international space scientists, organized by 

Northwestern Univ. UFO expert, Dr. J. Allen Hynek, in conjunction 

with IAF Congress, discussed advisability of world cooperation on UFOs. 

Several speakers urged international cooperation such as uniform UFO 

report forms, but it was agreed that no action should be taken until 

after appearance of Univ. of Colorado report expected later in year. 

(Sullivan, NYT, 10/16/68,12) 

Dr. Harold Masursky, US. Geological Survey astrogeologist, reported to IAF analysis of data from spacecraft that had orbited and 

crashed into or landed intact on moon had shown side facing earth was 

largely a basin similar to that of Pacific Ocean. It seemed more like 

254 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 13-19 

earth than had been previously believed. Lunar interior had been molten. Deep cracks in its crust were lined with craters where molten material had erupted from below. Study of remains of giant crater in western Texas had shown features analogous to lunar craters with mountain 

in center. (Sullivan, NYT, 10/19/68,19) 

October 14: NASA successfully launched two Nike-Cajun sounding rockets 

two hours apart from Point Barrow, Alaska, to 80-mi (128.8-km) altitudes. Purpose of launches was to obtain data on variation of temperature, pressure, and wind profile by detonating 19 grenades per rocket 

at prescribed times and recording sound arrivals on ground. Data 

would be compared with data from two launches to be conducted from 

Churchill Research Range Oct. 15. Rockets and instruments performed 

satisfactorily ; sound arrivals were recorded for all grenade ejections. 

Good data were anticipated. (NASA Rpts SRL) 

e NASA FY 1970 budget request, totaling $4.698 billion, was submitted to 

Bureau of the Budget. Subsequently, Acting Administrator Thomas 0. 

Paine met with BOB Director Charles J. Zwick, and BOB staff members 

held budget hearings with NASA officials. (NASA Off of Admin) 

* Special committee of National Academy of Sciences had nominated 

Duke Univ. biochemist Dr. Philip Handler, Chairman of National Science Foundation’s National Science Board, to succeed Dr. Frederick 

Seitz as NAS president. Election by mail ballot would be held in December. (NYT, 10/14/68,33) 

Barron’s editorial criticized concentration of space funding on manned 

lunar program rather than on military: “Congress in its wisdom already has curtailed funds for manned flights after the lunar landingthe so-called Apollo Applications Program-and it could usefully wield 

an even sharper axe. The money might far better go toward the military exploitation of space, which, for the past seven years, has suffered 

from dangerous neglect. Thus, out of the vast sums spent on space, at 

most one dollar in six has had a ,military bearing. In turn, with the 

possible exception of the Manndd Orbital Laboratory . . . nearly 

every cent of the so-called military budget has gone for hardware with 

a passive or defensive aim, notably satellites for reconnaissance, communications, navigation and weather forecasting. In striking contrast, 

the Soviet Union has developed and tested . . . a weapon aptly known 

as Scrag, which can hurl a guided missile carrying a nuclear payload 

of 15 megatons or =ore into a partial orbit (hence, fractional) round 

the earth. To anyone in his right mind, FOBS constitutes a gross violation of the outer space treaty, which prohibits the placing of nuclear 

warheads in orbit. However, according to the confused legal eagles in 

the State Department and Pentagon (if not to some future hapless populace which finds itself on ground zero), anything less than a full 

orbit goes. . . . In the interest of survival, here is one balance the US 

must move swiftly to redress. . . . The first duty of government is to 

protect its people. Neither the Kennedy nor the Johnson Administration 

has honored that trust.” (Basron’s, 10/14/68, 15) 

Christian Science Monitor editorial listed purchases bought by $32.4 billion spent on national space program in past 10 years: manned-spacecraft program that should put men on the moon within a year; unmanned-satellite program of 234 major launches; stable of space rockets ranging from workhorse Scout with thrust of 88,000 lb, to Saturn V 

255 
October 14 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

with 7,500,000 lb of thrust; facilities at NASA’s 15 installations worth 

over $2.5 billion; staff of 35,000 NASA employees, including some of the 

nation’s top scientists, physicists, and engineers; industrial work force 

that peaked at more than 400,000 (now down to about 200,000); 

global tracking network stretching around the world that can track, receive telemetry, control, and communicate with vehicles as far away as 

other side of sun; aeronautics program largely unpublicized but constantly growing; advances in technology that have developed new electronic parts, power sources, alloys, adhesives, lubricants, and highly reliable hardware components. 

“This is just a bare-bones receipt for the American tax payers’ $32 

billion. But it represents an investment that is already producing a civilian ‘spinoff‘ of incalculable value.’’ (CR, 10/14/68, E9524) 

October 15: NASA launched two Nike-Cajun sounding rockets from Churchill Research Range to obtain data on variation of temperature, pressure, and wind profile by detonating 19 grenades per rocket at prescribed times and recording sound arrivals on ground. Rockets reached 

78.8-mi (126.8-km) and 77.8-mi (123.5-km) altitudes and performed 

nominally. Sound arrivals were recorded from all grenades. Data would 

be compared with data from Oct. 14 Point Barrow, Alaska, launches. 

(NASA Rpts SRL) 

NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station carried Univ. of Michigan payload to 211-mi (340-km) altitude to 

investigate role of quenching, dissociative recombination, ionospheric 

decay, and nonthe‘rmal electrons on airglow during decay period immediately following sunset. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily; peak altitude was as predicted, and 570 sec of telemetry was 

received. All measuring systems functioned properly and scientific objectives were met. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

Dr. Kurt Debus, Director of KSC, said Saturn IB Launch Complexes 34 

and 37 would be put on standby basis until beginning of Apollo Applications program in late 1970, with reduction of 1,315 personnel. Shutdown, forced by space budget cuts, would save NASA $20 million. Some 

10% of 2,400 contract work force would be affected, with 1,000 engineers and technicians continuing to work in other areas. Complexes 

were to have been maintained in event Saturn V launch vehicle encountered serious development problems, but Dr. Debus said this insurance 

was no longer needed. (KSC Release 463-68; AP, B Sun, 10/16/68, 

A7) 0 U.K. Minister of State in Ministry of Technology, J. P. W. Mallalieu, 

told House of Commons U.K. would have to pay US. equivalent of $60 

million in cancellation fees and other expenses connected with termination of its order for 50 F-111 aircra€t Jan. 16, 1968. Order was valued 

at $650 million but this would have risen to $1 billion with computation of spares and 10-yr interest. (VSJ, 10/15/68, 17) 

October 16: Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched by NASA from 

WSMR carried Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. experiment to 96.6-mi 

( 155-km) altitude to obtain quantitative measurements of spectrum 

and intensity of solar x-ray flux in 2- to 30-kev range, determine distribution on sun, and observe galactic x-ray sources. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily. All detection systems on payload 

acquired useful data. Communications, maintained with both satellite x256 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 16 

ray monitor and ground-based optical observer, indicated sun was in 

nonflaring state with increasing activity on west limb. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

Ray Cromley commented in Washington Daily News: “It is one of the 

tragedies of the moon race that earth satellite programs which could 

revolutionize certain aspects of agriculture, mineral exploration, TV 

broadcasting, navigation, weather forecasting and flood control are 

being squeezed unmercifully by Apollo. It is now clear that these unpublicized, unromantic programs promise unbelievably large payoffs. 

The US. return . . . has been conservatively estimated at $400 million 

to $1 billion for every $100 million invested after feasibility research is 

completed. The investments could be private, public or a mixture of 

both.” (W News, 10/16/68,31) 

US. and Australia signed five-year agreement in Canberra to expand 

scientific cooperation through exchanges of scientists and information, 

to participate in joint research projects, and to include scientists and 

institutions from other countries in some projects. (Reuters, NYT, 

10/17/68,14) 0 MSFC issued to WAR’S Rocketdyne Div. two contract modifications to extend engine production and delivery. An $8.4-million supplement was 

awarded for extension of J-2 engine production through April 30, 

1970, because of overall stretch-out of launch vehicle production. 

Under extension, J-2 engine production would be cut from three engines per month to one. Contract for F-1 engine deliveries was extended through June 1970 under $4-million modification which decreased F-l production rate from two engines per month to one. 

( MSFC Releases 68-246,68-247) 

October 17: NASA’s Ats ZV applications technology satellite reentered 

earth‘s atmosphere over South Atlantic southwest of St. Helena island. 

Spacecraft, launched Aug. 10, had remained in parking orbit, tumbling 

uncontrollably, when Centaur engines failed to reignite for second 

burn. (NASA Release 68-188) 

NASA issued summary of combined findings of Accident Board and Review Board appointed to investigate May 6 accident which destroyed 

Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) at Ellington AFB. Pilot, Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, had to eject few seconds after loss of helium 

pressure in propellant tanks caused premature shutdown of attitude 

control rocket system. Helium had been inadvertently depleted earlier 

than usual in flight. Armstrong incurred minor injuries. Review Board, 

appointed by theR NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Thomas 0. Paine to 

study accident’s possible impact on Apollo program, discovered no unfavorable effects on lunar landing project, particularly lunar module. It 

agreed with Accident Investigation Board in calling for improvements 

in design and operating practices in LLRV and urged more stringent 

control over such flying programs and greater attention to all NASA 

lunar landing simulators. (NASA Release 68-182) 

0 Atmospheric scientists at JPL and Ohio State Univ. announced successful 

high-altitude test of balloon-borne spectrometer to measure atmospheric 

radiation emitted in four-micron region. Data, obtained on flight from 

National Center for Atmospheric Research and Information station at 

Palestine, Tex., indicated sunlight reflected from earth would pose no 

significant obstacle to continuous effective operation of radiation sensors on spacecra€t in earth orbit. Researchers concluded satellite-borne 

257 
October 17 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

instrument could probe earth’s lower atmosphere for global weather 

prediction. Test marked step in NASA program to define experiments for 

manned earth-orbiting missions in Apollo Applications program. (NASA 

Release 68-176; Pasadena Star-News, 10/17/68) 

October 17-18: IAF International Institute of Space Law held XIth Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space in New York. Lawyers and jurists 

from 17 countries presented papers on Treaty on Outer Space, Treaty 

on Rescue and Return of Astronauts and Space Objects, telecommunications by satellites, and next steps in space law. NASA General Counsel, 

Dr. Paul G. Dembling, presided. (NASA Hq Memo) 

October 18: RAM C-11 radio attenuation measurement mission launched 

Aug. 22 was adjudged successful by NASA. Good-quality measurements 

of electron and ion concentrations in flow field were obtained at discrete locations along the spacecraft during reentry. (NASA Proj Off) 

XB-70A, flown by NASA test pilot Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., successfully 

reached 52,000-ft altitude and mach 2.18 in flight from Edwards AFB to 

evaluate ILAF-exiter vane systems, air vehicle performance, and handling qualities. (XB-70 Proj Off) 

USAF announced lifting of three-week ban on F-111A flights but reimposed severe limits on speeds and maneuvers in force before halt. Restrictions would be lifted following reinforcement of high-stress area of 

wing box to distribute load more evenly. Investigation of Aug. 27 

ground fatigue testing failure had shown it was “due to an isolated 

small crack induced during manufacturing process in the metal surrounding a bolt hole.” No other such imperfections had been found. 

USAF said Sept. 23 F-111A accident at Nellis AFB had occurred when 

pilot lost control because of excessive rearward shift of aircraft’s center 

of gravity following fuel transfer to which crew had given inadequate 

attention. (DOD Release 947-68; Witkin, NYT, 10/19/68, 1; B Sun, 

10/19/68,4; AP, W Post, 10/19/68, All; W Star, 10/22/68, A9) 

ComSatCorp reported net income of $5,054,000 (50 cents per share) for 

first nine months of 1968. Income included $1,750,000 (17 cents per 

share) for third quarter. (ComSatCorp Release 68-56) 

0 NASA announced it had released tracking ship USNS Watertown from 

priority role of reentry support for Apollo missions, thus effecting reduction in operational costs required by budgetary curtailments. 

Manned Space Flight Network land stations in Pacific, Apollo tracking 

ship Huntsville, and Apollo range instrumentation aircraft would serve 

returning Apollo spacecraft landing in preselected Pacific area. (NASA 

Release 68-181) 0 Sen. Gordon L. Allott (R-Colo.) in letter to Science scored “Understanding Gap” between scientific community and Congress and taxpayers on 

Federal R&D funding: “We are limited to a great degree by revenue 

taken in by the Treasury if we are to make the financing of our national debt manageable. Within our admitted lack of expertise, coupled 

with an appalling lack of national goals or a system of priorities, I 

think we do a fair job of spreading out the federal dollar. We could do 

better, though, with some constructive help from the scientific community from an objective and realistic appraisal of the circumstances and 

of existing realities, and we could benefit from the establishment of 

some system, either a Joint Committee or something similar, which 

would view research on an overall basis, which would review national 

258 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 18 

goals and aspirations and which might . . . make a stab at setting up 

some type of priority list.” US. “might well benefit if . . . the scientific community would become ‘involved,’ would drop the cloak of mystery, and take the time to explain, not just to us in Congress, but to Mr. 

Taxpayer as well, just what it’s all about.” (Science, 10/18/68, 

2144) 

October 19: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXLVIII into orbit with 543-km 

(337.4-mi) apogee, 473-km (293.9-mi) perigee, 94.7-min period, and 

62.2 O inclination. (InteraviaAirLetter, 10/21/68, 6; UPI, W Post, 

10/21/68, All; GSFC SSR, 10/31/68) 

USAF test pilot Maj. William J. Knight was named 1968 winner of Harmon International Aviator’s Trophy as “world’s outstanding pilot for 

exceptional individual piloting performance.” He had piloted X-15 No. 

2 to 4,520 mph Oct. 3, 1967. Maj. Knight held both command pilot and 

USAF astronaut’s command wings, having piloted research aircraft to 

280,000-ft altitude. (NYT, 10/20/68,84; CSM, 10/21/68) 

October 20: Cosmos CCXLIX was launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 

2,158-km (1,340.9-mi) apogee, 491-km (305.1-mi) perigee, 112.1-min 

period, and 62.3” inclination. (AP, B Sun, 10/21/68, A4; GSFC SSR, 

10/31/68) 

October 21: GSFC used ruby laser to track Explorer XXXVI (Geos 11) satellite during daylight, a significant milestone in development of laser 

satellite-tracking system. (Cambridge Research Lab PAO ; NASA Release 

ComSatCorp, on behalf of INTELSAT consortium, signed $72-million contract with Hughes Aircraft Co. for construction of Intelsat IV series of 

advanced comsats-four spacecraft and one prototype, with test and 

ground equipment. (ComSatCorp Release 68-57) 

0 Richard Witkin in New York Times quoted “reliable sources” as saying 

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Systems Analysis, Dr. Alain C. Enthoven, had forwarded paper to Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul H. 

Nitze proposing further cuts in F-111 production, including cancellation of interim bomber version, Dr. Enthoven, specialist in calculating 

cost effectiveness of competing weapons systems, claimed many projected F-111 missions could be performed by much cheaper aircraft 

such as Ling-Temco-Vought A-7. (NYT, 10/21/68, 25; Business 

Week, 10/26/68) 

October 21-23: Tenth Rational Trendex Poll sponsored by Thiokol Chemical Corp. reported public support for space program was 17% higher 

than in 1967. Taken after successful ApoElo 7 mission, it showed 68% of 

US. public favored Apollo program to land man on moon by 1970, 

21% did not, and 11% was undecided (in September 1967 poll, Apollo 

had 51% support, with 35% opposed and 14% undecided). Public desire for increased Government spending on space was at its highest point 

in five years, with 18% in favor, as against 7% in 1967. Support for 

program was highest among college-educated, those under 35, and men; 

49% favored manned space exploration, versus 25% for instrumented 

program; 60% backed planetary exploration, with 30% opposed. Favored programs after Apollo were: (1) reusable space system, (2) 

lunar exploration, (3) manned space stations, (4) manned Mars exploration. (CR, 1/6/69, E6M; SBD, 12/16/68, 197-8) 

October 21-25: At Fifth Annual Meeting and Technical Display of AIM in 

68-2 19) 

259 
October 21-25 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

October 19: Test pilot Maj. William .I. Kncght (USAF) was named wznner of Harmon 

International Aviator’s trophy. In photo, he inspects connection between external tank 

and rocket-powered X-15 No. 2, which he flew to record 4,520 mph Oct. 3, 1967. Two 

tanks supplied additional engine propellant for increased speed. On Oct. 24, 1968, NASA 

test pilot William H. Dana took X-15 No. 1 on last flight of research program. 

Philadelphia, Boeing Co. Vice President John M. Swihart announced 

abandonment of swing-wing design for SST in favor of fixed-delta-wing 

aircraft with four independently mounted engines under triangular tail. 

Final detailed design would be given to FAA by Jan. 15, 1969, deadline. 

New design differed from delta-winged Anglo-French Concorde and 

Soviet Tu-144 in wider wing span and horizontal tail which, according to 

Boeing Vice President in charge of SST H. W. Withington, made possible superior control at low speeds and compensated for more drag encountered with sweep-back angle of wing. Aircraft cost would be same 

as swing-wing, $40 million. It would carry same number of passengers, 

280 or more, at same maximum speed, 1,800 mph. (Witkin, NYT, 

10/22/68, 77; UPI, W Post, 10/22/68, All; AP, W Star, 10/22/68, 

A3 1 

Dr. William H. Pickering, JPL Director, received $5,000 AIAA Louis 

W. Hill Space Transportation Award “for devising, developing and supervising significant space and satellite programs for military and civilian agencies of the United States Government.” ARC Director H. Julian 

Allen was named Honorary Fellow of AIM, highest membership award 

given by Institute. It was presented annually to two Americans and one 

foreign national. Other 1968 recipients were James S. McDonnell , 

260 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 21-25 

Chairman of Board, McDonnell Douglas Gorp., and England’s Sir 

Frank Whittle, often called father of jet engine. (AIAA Releases; ARC 

Release 68-15 ; ARC Astrogram) 

October 22: DOD Systems Analysis Office cost-effectiveness proposal submitted to Secretary of Defense Clark M. Clifford called for elimination from budget of new nuclear submarines requested by Adm. 

Hyman Rickover, reduction in funds already approved for purchase of 

antisubmarine weapons, and retirement of more than 20 diesel-powered 

submarines, said George C. Wilson in Washington Post. Proposal, according to sources, was to postpone high-speed submarine and cancel 

development of “quiet” one. Its severity “illustrates the money pinch 

the Pentagon finds itself in as it tries to cut billions from its fiscal 1969 

budget as well as the new budget.” (W Post, 10/22/68, A10) 

October 23: USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by 

Thor-Burner I1 booster into orbit with 529-mi (838.3-km) apogee, 

497-mi (799.8-km) perigee, 101.3-min period, and 99.0” inclination. 

(Pres Rpt 68) 

NASA successfully deployed 40-ft-dia parachute with predicted 10-lb-percubic-ft dynamic pressure at mach 3.5. Parachute was ejected from fivefoot-long canister which had been propelled to 33-mi altitude by 

three-stage rocket launched from WSMR. Test was to determine possible 

use of parachute for aerodynamic deceleration in planetary entry missions. Another test in Project SHAPE (Supersonic High Altitude Parachute Experiments) was scheduled for November. ( NASA Release 

Ats ZV mission (launched Aug. 10 and reentered Oct. 17) was adjudged a failure by NASA. Satellite had remained in elliptical parking 

orbit instead of entering planned synchronous orbit when Centaur engines failed to reignite for second burn. Resulting highly elliptical orbit 

precluded meaningful return of gravity gradient data. Day-night camera 

operated, but attitude dynamics precluded reception other than smeared 

unintelligible pictures. Electrical operation of ion engines, microwave 

multiple access, and microwave wide band was verified. Boom camera 

returned good photos, including some of earth. (NASA Proj Off) * NASA’s HGlO lifting-body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. Gentry 

(USAF) , failed to climb to desired 45,000-ft altitude after air-launch 

from B-52 aircraft, apparently because of rocket engine malfunction. 

Vehicle glided to smooth 225-mph emergency landing on Rosamond 

Dry Lake. Fliglit from Edwards AFB was to have been HL-lo’s first 

powered flight. (NASA Proj Off; LA Times, 10/24/68) 

68-185; AP, NYT, 10/27/68,66) 

Apollo 7 editorial comment: 

Washington Post: “. . . as the men in the space program go over 

the data on Apollo 7 and consider the alternatives of manned or unmanned flight on Apollo 8, they must not allow anyone’s desire to beat 

the Russians, or to get around the moon by the end of 1968, or to fan 

public interest in the future of space exploration to enter into their calculations. Only if they are convinced that our knowledge is sufficient, 

our spacecraft is totally adequate, and our men are ready should they 

give the go to Astronauts Borman, Love11 and Anders for a Christmas 

trip into space.” ( W Post, 10/23/68, A24) 

Washington Evening Star: “To those who have made a close study 

of the space program, [Walter M.] Schirra is the astronaut’s astro261 
October 23 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

naut; the man whose ability stands out in that company of the superable. To those in the know, Schirra is the mischievous perfectionist, the 

naval officer who lives by the book when he isn’t too busy carrying out 

an elaborate practical joke. But Schirra will surely be remembered by 

the public as the astronaut who caught cold, who growled when the 

alarm clock rang, and who blew up when he was pushed too far. And it 

may be that Schirra’s greatest contribution to the space program is that 

he, the most superlative of the supermen, forcefully demonstrated to the 

world that his is completely and refreshingly human.” (W Star, 

10/23/68, A20) 

Baltimore Sun: “The toting up and analysis of all the information 

brought home this time must be left to the teams of experts. So must 

the decisions as to what comes next, and the planning such decisions 

call for. The public is content to know that three men in a spaceship 

have added another brave and brilliant chapter to a history of which 

all of us are unreservedly proud.” (B Sun, 10/23/68, A6) 

MSFC issued McDonnell Douglas Corp. $2,395,955-supplemental-contract 

agreement for qualification test program to verify capability of maintaining S-IVB stage auxiliary-propulsion-system modules for up to 90 

days with propellants loaded. Award brought total value of contract to 

$965,568,493. ( MSFC Release 68-252) 

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory dedicated multipurpose astronomical station at Mount Hopkins, Ariz. Station, supported by NASA 

Office of Tracking and Data Acquisition and Office of Advanced Research and Technology, would be site of experimental series on laser 

communications to be conducted by NASA and Smithsonian. (Smithsonian PAO) 

October 24: X-15 No. 1, flown from Edwards AFB by NASA test pilot William H. Dana, successfully reached 255,000-ft altitude and 3,682 mph 

(mach 5.04) in 199th and last flight of program. Purpose was to conduct WTR experiment and check out fixed alpha cone and fluidic probe. 

Flight scheduled for Dec. 20 was later canceled because of adverse 

weather. It was not rescheduled because NASA announced completion of 

program [see Jan. 21 and Dec. 201. (X-15 Proj Off; NASA Release 

68-221; AP, W Post, 10/25/68; SBD, 10/29/68, 289) 

Boosted Arcas I1 sounding rocket launched by NASA from Kiruna, 

Sweden, oarried Uppsala (Sweden) Ionospheric Observatory payload to 

65.2-mi (104.3-km) altitude. Objectives were to measure electron density profile, distribution of positive and negative ions and secondary xrays in D region and lower E region of ionosphere during auroral glow, 

quiet arc, and violent and pulsating auroral conditions and to study its 

effects on radio wave propagation. Rocket was launched in conjunction 

with three others. Rocket performance was 12% below predicted. Experimental results were successful. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

0 NASA was negotiating with General Electric Co. for data management system costing in excess of $750,000 for 15 mo. It would be used to monitor data from Barbados Oceanographic Meteorological Experiment 

(BOMEX) , in which NASA would assist ESSA during 1969. Data from satellites, five to seven ships, many buoys, and from high in atmosphere to 

bottom of ocean would be processed by system. (NASA Release 68-251) 

Rep. Alphonzo Bell ( R-Calif. ) told American Astronautical Society 

meeting in Los Angeles: “In evaluating space spending as a budget 

262 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 24 

priority, it is vital to consider the relationship of space to defense. 

. . . Both Russia and the United States have advance surveillance capacity. . . . As long as the threat of nuclear war from any source continues, Russia and the United States will be producing ever more sophisticated orbital ‘spies in the skies’. . . . That is why the space program 

of the United States never is going to be abandoned. It will always be 

high on the list of spending priorities. The reason is not charming, but 

basic. We need to be in space to protect ourselves. . . . In the somewhat more distant future the harvest of human rewards . . . now only 

beginning . . . will prove that space research and space applications 

justify a continuing high priority.” (Text; Aero Daily, 10/29/68) 

October 25: Soyuz I1 was successfully launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 

229-km (142.3 mi) apogee, 191-km (118.7-mi) perigee, 88.6-min period, and 51.7’ inclination. Satellite later was used in rendezvous maneuvers with manned Soyuz 111 [See Oct. 26-30] and reentered Oct. 28. 

(Lannan, W Star, 1G/27/68, Al; SBD, 10/28/68, 279; GSFC SSR, 

10/31/68) 

@ Secretary of Defense Clark M. Clifford announced decision to proceed 

with program for turbine electrical drive (quiet) submarine. He had 

ordered construction of high-speed nuclear-propelled attack submarine 

July 1. “The close re-examination , . . just completed has convinced 

me that costly as it is [$150 to $200 million compared with $78 million 

for new Sturgeon class nuclear attack submarine], there is no cheaper 

and effective way to achieve in equal time desired progress in noise 

s~ppre~sion.” (DOD Release 971-68) 

NASA announced that H. Julian Allen, who joined NACA in 1936, would 

retire as Director of Ames Research Center Nov. 15. ARC Associate 

Director John F. Parsons would serve as Acting Director. Leading authority on supersonic and hypersonic wind-tunnel design, Allen had 

originated concept of bluntness for reentry shapes-as used in Apollo 

spacecraft-and had received NACA’S Distinguished Service Medal, 

NASA medal for Exceptional Scientific Achievement, AIAA Sylvanus A. 

Reed Award, and Air Force Assn.’s Air Power Trophy. After his retirement Allen would be available to NASA as a consultant. (NASA Release 

68-183; SBD, 10/28/68,272; NASA Ann) 

New York Times editorial commented on failure of swing-wing design 

for SST: “More than ever now the burden of proof is on those who urge 

that billions of taxpayers’ dollars be spent on an American SST. The fallibility of their judgment has been demonstrated in the loss of the 

swing-wing gamble. Is there reason to suppose that their optimistic 

forecasts about the profits to be made from such an airplane are any 

sounder? The aerodynamics of different wing configurations is not the 

only thing that needs to be assessed in the current re-examination of 

the SST.” (NYT, 10/25/68,46) 

@ In Washington Evening Star Carl T. Rowan wrote: “Some disenchanted 

Americans shake their heads as they note the poverty, the hunger, the 

sickness, the ignorance that plague the earthlings about them, and they 

ask what logic provokes our government to ignore critical problems at 

hand while investing vast sums in space ventures of doubtful value. 

. . . we have become an ‘either/or’ society. . . . Even though our gross 

national product is now running at a fantastic level of $871 billion a 

year, it is absolutely inconceivable to most taxpayers that we can have 

263 
October 25 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

guns and butter, space spectaculars and dramatic domestic change. . . . Well, no man of vision, imagination, or hope can possibly believe that 

we are wrong to search the darkest reaches of outer space. . . . Who 

can say that contributions to medicine, to weather control, to science in 

general, to the problems of feeding man, to national defense, and ultimately to peace may flow from the space program?” Space program 

was “inherently and intrinsically, justification enough for spending 

$340 for every man, woman, and child in America. But are we not wise 

to ask: what is man profited if he harness the universe and yet fail to 

conquer the meanness . . . the hatreds, that dog those who inhabit the 

earth? . . . Much of the public is not in a mood to finance anything 

else. So we shall be stuck with the ordeal of setting priorities where 

there is scant room for making choices.” (W Star, 10/25/68, A15) @ MSFC announced Boeing Co. contract modifications totaling $4,652,364 

for Saturn V R&D, to: install over 4,000 instrumentation and data 

acquisition systems in special 2nd stage structural test verification program to confirm design of lighter weight, more powerful 2nd stage 

for fourth Apollo/Saturn V and subsequent vehicles; perform an abort 

and alternate mission analysis for Apollo/Saturn vehicles 503 through 

510; and perform reliability, quality, and component qualification program, special prelaunch analysis, telemetry systems, and Saturn V/ 

Apollo operations system safety program. Total value of Boeing Saturn 

V systems engineering and integration contract was now $213,443,238. 

( MSFC Release 68-253) 

@ USAF’S Space and Missile Systems Organization announced award of initial increments to cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts with McDonnell Douglas 

Corp. : $5-million increment was awarded to $9,829,177 contract for 

reentry vehicle developmental flight tests ; $756,285 increment was 

awarded to $1,739,105 contract for reentry vehicle environmental components tests. ( DOD Release 974-68) 

@ Edward J. Schmidt, Special Assistant to General Electric Co.’s Vice 

President for R&D, was sworn in by NASA Acting Administrator, Dr. 

Thomas 0. Paine, as consultant to the Administrator in management 

operations as affected by scientific and technical information. (NASA 

Release 68-189) 

October 26: Business Week editorial: “. . . since the tragedy on the launch 

pad . . . [Tan. 27, 19671 NASA and its thousands of supporting companies have done a tremendous job in rebuilding the spacecraft and in 

perfecting the safety and reliability of the entire Apollo system. The 

clear message of Apollo 7 is that NASA now has a spacecraft that can 

take men to the moon and back safely. This is a triumph for NASA and 

for US. science, engineering, and management. (Bus Wk, 10/26/68) 

October 26-30: U.S.S.R. successfully launched Soyuz ZZZ, carrying Cosmonaut Georgy T. Beregovoy, from Baikonur Cosmodrome with “a powerful rocket-booster,” Tass announced. Spacecraft entered orbit “close 

to the preset one,” with 205-km (127.44 apogee, 183-km (113.7-mi) 

perigee, 88.3-min period, and 51.7O inclination; all equipment was 

functioning normally. Launch was first manned Soviet mission since 

Soyuz Z (April 23-24, 1967) , in which Cosmonaut Vladimir M. Komarov was killed when spacecraft crashlanded following reentry. 

Tass later announced that during first revolution Soyuz ZZZ “approached’’ to within 200 m (656 ft) of unmanned Soyuz ZZ (launched 

264 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 26-30 

Oct. 25) , initially by “an automatic system”; subsequent operations 

were performed manually by Beregovoy. On Oct. 27, Tass said, Beregovoy ‘‘independently oriented the ship in space and switched on the 

motor,” to alter spacecraft‘s orbit; continued conducting scientific, 

technical, medical, and biological experiments and research; transmitted TV pictures of cabin interior; and approached Soyuz II for second 

time before it reentered Oct. 28. Soyuz III remained in orbit until Oct. 

30, completing 94 hrs 51 min and 64 orbits, before it softlanded “with 

the use of aerodynamics,” in a preset area in Soviet territory. (Lannan, 

W Star, 10/27/68, A1 ; O’Toole, l?’ Post, 10/27/68, A1 ; Kamm, NYT, 

10/27/68; SBD, 10/28/68, 279; 10/31/68, 297; AP, W Post, 

10/28/68, AI; GSFC SSR, 10/31/68) 

October 27: Lightweight plastic foam invented by ARC scientists Dr. John 

A. Parker and Salvatore Riccitiello showed promise for industrial fire 

protection, particularly fuel fires. Extremely light polyurethane with additives formed tough, protective char layer when exposed to flame, 

while simultaneously releasing fire-extinguishing gases which helped to 

quench flame. Used to fill airspaces within structures, foam would prevent oxygen from reaching and feeding a fire. Demonstrations had 

shown it suitable for fire protection in aircraft, spacecraft, homes, and 

other structures. Other possible uses included automobiles, boats, trains, 

oil refineries, paint and chemical processing, and laboratories. Foam was 

resistant to heat flow, making it an excellent insulator. (NASA Release 

68-187) 

9 In New York Times John N. Wilford said some NASA Hq. officials were 

“hesitant to approve a lunar orbit mission out of fear of being criticized for taking undue risks by skipping preliminary test flights. They 

are worried about the spacecraft’s electrical system, which developed 

some minor ‘bugs’ during Apollo 7, and the propulsion system, even 

though the on-board rocket apparently performed well in eight firings 

during Apollo 7.” If lunar mission was decided on, it would probably 

be launched Dec. 21 when moon’s position to earth would require minimum midcourse rocket firing maneuvers for landing and light conditions would give good view of potential lunar landing site. First astronauts on moon were expected to stay less than 24 hr, to demonstrate it 

could be done. In time astronauts would make many return trips and 

would roam moon’s surface in “moon buggies.” Day might come when 

people would estabiish lunar colonies. (NYT, 10/28/68, 12E) 

0 Dr. Lise Meitner, nuclear physicist who was for 30 yr scientific partner 

of Dr. Otto Hahn, Nobel Prize winning discoverer of nuclear fission, 

died in Cambridge, England, at age 89. She had been forced to leave 

her work with Dr. Hahn and flee Nazi Germany’s antisemitism in 

March 1938, nine months before he announced results of experiments 

which indicated atom could be split. Dr. Meitner was credited with 

having laid much of theoretical groundwork for atomic bomb. Though 

it was she who named the phenomenon “nuclear fission,” she took 

pains to disassociate her work from the bomb itself. (NYT, 10/28/68, 

1) October 28: NASA outlined six steps which would lead to final decision during week of Nov. 11 on next Apollo manned mission. Apollo 8, scheduled for December, was planned as manned earth-orbital mission on 

Saturn V vehicle. Because of Apollo 7 success, NASA was considering 

265 
October 28 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

alternative mission possibilities: earth-orbital mission deeper into 

space, circumlunar flyby, and lunar orbit. 

Steps-laid out by Associate Administrator for Manned Space 

Flight, Dr. George E. Mueller, and Apollo Program Director, L/G Samuel C. Phillips-were: detailed analysis and review of ApoZZo 7 results 

to determine any necessary spacecraft changes; final certification of solutions to Apollo 6 problems; certification of strengthened Saturn V 

2nd and 3rd stage fuel lines and elimination of pogo in 1st stage; completion of ground tests before Apollo 8 command and service module 

(CSM) certification for lunar flight; completion of flight computer programs for deep space and lunar missions; rehearsal of CSM operations 

tests with mathematical models and delivery of Apollo 8 CM computer 

program; and completion of design certification reviews of launch vehicle and spacecraft subsystems. 

Dr. Thomas 0. Paine, NASA Acting Administrator, said, “The final 

decision on whether to send Apollo 8 around the Moon will be made 

after a thorough assessment of the total risks involved and the total 

gains to be realized in this next step toward a manned lunar landing. 

We will fly the most advanced mission for which we are fully prepared 

that does not unduly risk the safety of the crew.” (NASA Release 

68-190; UPI, NYT, 10/29/68,14) 

Washington Evening Star editorial: “The Russians are going to the 

moon just as fast as their technology will carry them. . . . It is, of 

course, impossible to judge what lies ahead or guess what problems either nation may encounter before the lunar landings are carried out. 

But if all goes well it looks as though both nations might be ready to 

go in about a year. We would have no objection at all if a way could 

be found to ‘fix’ the race, and an agreement reached to make the landings literally simultaneous. It would be one way of assuring that neither nation would pursue the goal of national prestige to the point of 

tragedy.” (W Star, 10/25/68, A10) 

October 29: ESSA said “very minor” solar flare reported at 7:18 am EST was 

accompanied by large radio burst that could interfere with radio communication. It was too small to affect U.S.S.R. Cosmonaut Georgy T. 

Beregovoy in orbit. (UPI, W Post, 10/30/68, A23) 

Army Map Service technicians were building 22- by 14-ft hand-carved 

model of landing site astronauts would see on approaching lunar “target area,” to assist NASA in simulating manned landings on moon. 

Model, part of lunar module simulator (LMS), would be constructed 

from high-fidelity lunar relief map made from Orbiter ZV and Y photography. (DOD Release 966-68) 

NASA announced retirement, effective Nov. 1, of Werner R. Kuers, Director of Marshall Space Flight Center’s Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory since 1961. ( MSFC Release 68-257 ; Marshall Star, 10/30/68, 

1) * MSFC awarded Boeing Co. $1,404,548 contract modification to predict 

and evaluate orbital heating effects of liquid-hydrogen boil-off , supply 

thermal criteria and profiles related to Saturn V 2nd stage, assist with 

Saturn V preflight reviews, and provide configuration accounting. 

Award brought total contract to $212,128,585. (MSFC Release 68-256) 

October 30: Award of $70,000 Nobel Prize in physics to Univ. of California at Berkeley Prof. Luis W. Alvarez and in chemistry to Yale Univ. 

266 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 October 30 

Prof. Lars Onsager meant US. had won all three Nobel science categories for 1968, as it had in 1946. Awards in medicine and physiology 

[see Oct. 161 went to US. geneticists. Dr. Alvarez was cited for “decisive contributions” in early 1960s to physics of subatomic particles and 

techniques for their detection. Dr. Onsager was honored for findings 

published in 1931 and sometimes regarded as fourth law of thermodynamics, “the reciprocity relations of Onsager,” which could determine 

interrelation between voltage and temperature as electric current flowed 

through metal wire. Awards would be presented in Stockholm Dec. 10. 

(Lannan, W Star, 10/30/68, Al; Lee, NYT, 10/31/68, 1; O’Toole, W 

Post, 10/31/68, A25) 

October 31 : U.S.S.R. launched two Cosmos satellites. Cosmos CCL entered 

orbit with 845-km (525.1-mi) apogee, 735-km (467.8-mi) perigee, 

100.6-min period, and 74” inclination. Cosmos CCLI entered orbit with 

226-km (140.4-mi) apogee, 170 km (105.6-mi) perigee, 88.3-min period, and 64.7” inclination and reentered Nov. 18. Both satellites functioned normally. ( GSFC SSR, 10/31/68; 11/30/68; SBD, 11/4/68,12) 

* Dr. William H. Pickering, JPL Director, and Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, Cal 

Tech President, presided at unveiling of historical marker at JPL commemorating test-firing of rocket engine Oct. 31, 1936, by students of 

Cal Tech‘s Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory under the late Dr. 

Theodore von Karmhn. With firing, Cal Tech had become first university actively to sponsor rocket research. Its work had gained Government sponsorship and later had led to establishment of JPL. (JPL Release 492; Diebold, LA Times, 11/1/68) 

NAS President Dr. Frederick Seitz announced William W. Rubey, professor of geology and geophysics at Univ. of California at Los Angles had 

been named Director of Lunar Science Institute, Houston, Tex. NAS had 

accepted interim responsibility for operation of Institute until consortium of universities could be formed to assume its direction. Formation 

of Institute had been announced by President Johnson March 1, 1968, 

to provide base for academic scientists participating in lunar exploration program, working in Lunar Receiving Laboratory, or using other 

facilities of Manned Spacecraft Center devoted to study of the moon. It 

was to serve also as center for analysis and study of lunar data obtained from NASA unmanned missions. (NASA Release 68-191; NAS Release) 

October 31-November 1 : Soviet academician and aerospace scientist, Prof. 

Leonid I. Sedov, visited Univ. of Tennessee Space Institute during 

AIAA-sponsored tour of U.S. At press conference he said U.S.S.R. would 

reach moon from orbital station but this was not crux of Soviet effort 

in space. “Other planets are just as important.” Zond-type satellites 

would circumnavigate other planets and return. In question and answer 

period following lecture he said U.S.S.R. would not conduct manned 

lunar space operation within following six months. 

In lecture, Prof. Sedov said it was “obvious that space technology 

and the associated research have a pronounced stimulating effect on the 

development of the technological fields . . . essential for large-scale 

progress-particularly in the development of automatic control systems; in radio engineering, television, and telemetry; in computer technology; in the preparation of new materials and new devices; in minia267 
October 31-November 1 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

turization and minimum-weight design ; in problems associated with 

accuracy and reliability of automatic systems. . . .” It was clear that 

“space technology has become pivotal in modern industry in the broadest sense of the word.” 

Dr. G. G. Chernyi, Moscow Univ. professor, also participated in seminar. (Transcripts; Aero Daily, 11/7/68,29) 

During October: Soviet Science in the News, Electro-Optical Systems, Inc., 

publication, said review of Soviet technical press indicated U.S.S.R. 

would attempt to orbit manned space station within the year and that it 

possessed “well-devised and thoroughly realizable designs.” First 

“rooms” of station would comprise Cosmos or Proton booster joined 

with Soyuz spacecraft. Additional rooms would combine solid and inflatable elements like polyethylene. Tests of water recovery systems in 

Pacific indicated broadening of Soviet techniques. Six vessels had been 

completed for ocean recoveries of spacecraft. Conclusion of Soviet scientists that weightlessness had adverse effect on human skeletal composition seemed to indicate space station would use artificial gravity. 

‘Rotation of space station of from 40 to 60 meters in diameter would 

generate sufficient artificial gravity to allow large number of scientists 

to work in space.” (SSN, 10/68, 1; Aero Daily, 10/16/68) 

Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., former NASA Associate Administrator 

(1960-67) and now MIT professor and consultant to the NASA Administrator, was nominated as AIAA President for 1969. (A&A, 10/68, 106) 

268 
November 1968 

November 1 : U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLll from Baikonur Cosmodrone 

into orbit with 2,148-km (1,334.7-mi) apogee, 531-km (330-mi) perigee, 112.4-min period, and 62.3” inclination. (W Star, 11/1/68; 

NASA XB-70, flown by NASA test pilots Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., and Emil 

Sturmthal, reached 41,000-ft altitude and mach 1.62 in flight from Edwards AFB to obtain stability and control data and to test ILAF. (XB-70 

Proj Off) 

November 2: President Johnson presented NASA Distinguished Service 

Medal, NASA’s highest award, to recently retired NASA Administrator 

James E. Webb at ceremony in Johnson City, Tex. He also awarded 

cluster to NASA Exceptional Service Medal held by Apollo 7 commander 

Walter M. Schirra, Jr., and Exceptional Service Medals to Apollo 7 Astronauts R. Walter Cunningham and Donn F. Eisele. 

President said US. was “ready to take that first great step out into 

the solar system and on to the surface of the nearest of the many mysterious worlds that surround us in space.” Noting that Apollo 7 had 

logged more than 780 man-hours in space-more than had been logged 

“in all Soviet manned flights to date”-and had accomplished 56 mission objectives, as many “in this one flight as were accomplished in the 

first five manned flights oi the Gemini spacecraft,” he said: “This is 

not important as either a game or a contest. But it is important because 

the United States of America must be first in technology if it is to continue its position in the world. I believe today, as I did when we had 

our original hearings that created the Space Administration, that the 

United States must be first.” 

President read citation, presenting Medal to Webb for “outstanding 

leadership of America’s space program from 1961 to 1968. . . . More 

than any other individual he deserves the credit for the great achievements of the United States in the first decade of space, and for helping 

man to reach outward toward the stars.” 

Webb responded: “The citation and medal . . . should, in my view, 

be converted into some kind of holographic substance so it could be 

divided into thousands of parts . . . and each part should really go to 

an outstanding person in NASA, in our scientific group, working in our 

universities, and in the great industrial organizations of this country 

that have really done the work.” (Transcript; Citation; PD, 11/8/68, 

1568-71) 

0 In Prague newspaper Mlaba Fronta, Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences’ 

astronomer Dr. L. Krivsky said “very dangerous” radiation from solar 

radio storm might have forced premature ending of U.S.S.R.’s Soyuz 

ZZZ mission Oct. 30. He implied, said New York Times, that U.S.S.R. 

had either been unaware or had failed to consider radio storm forecast 

for late October. (NYT, 11/3/68,35) 

SED, 11/4/68, 12; GSFC SSR, 11/15/68) 

269 
November 2 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

November 2: President Johnson reads citation before presenting NASA’s Distinguished 

Service Medal to James E. Webb, who retired as NASA Administrator Oct. 7. Medal was given for outstanding leadership of America’s space program. 

* Business Week commented on results of “two bad decisions by agencies 

of the federal government.” Boeing Co. was scrapping swing-wing concept on SST in favor of fixed-wing and “word seeped out of the Pentagon that a real fight has developed over whether to cut back production 

of . . . F-lll.” How were such mistakes to be prevented in future? 

“One lesson that emerges . . . is that the government must learn to 

avoid premature commitment to any huge-scale project. . . . Another 

lesson is that in such major decisions, an independent, technologically 

competent judgment should be brought to bear on the issue. On the 

F-111, the President’s Science Advisory Council did not even look at 

the design features of the aircraft. On the SST, a Special Presidential 

Advisory Committee was set up, but it was chaired by [then Secretary 

of Defense Robert S.] McNamara and was dominated by top Administration officials. Such changes in procedures may not wipe out all mistakes, but they could greatly reduce the chances of astronomically 

costly blunders.” (Bus Wk, 11/2/68) 

270 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 3 

November 3: USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by 

Thor-Agena D booster into orbit with 177-mi (2843-h) apogee, 108- 

mi (173.8-km) perigee, 88.8-min period, and 82.1” inclination. Satellite reentered Nov. 23. (Pres Rpt 68) 

November 4: President Johnson released Noise-Sound Without Value, report of Federal Council for Science and Technology task force, and 

challenged industry, universities, and public authorities to attack noise 

in environment from many sources. He directed Federal departments 

and agencies to undertake or expand noise abatement programs. 

Among recommendations endorsed by President, report said : NASA 

should complete studies of community response to airport noise, in addition to HEW, DOT, and HUD studies of effects; NASA and DOT should 

continue air transport noise abatement research; DOD and NASA should 

continue to study and set standards for noise in special situations: and 

DOT should dkvelop sonic-boom-control stanhards. (Text ; PD, 

11/11/68,1575-6) 0 New York Times editorial commented on award of all 1968 Nobel Prizes 

in science and medicine to US. citizens: “. . . there are real and important roots of American scientific prowess which need to be understood and fostered so that future achievement may match or excel that 

of the past. This country’s hospitality to refugees from political tyranny 

and to those seeking to better themselves economically has brought 

rich rewards particularly in science and technology. The nation’s huge 

investment in education has permitted able young people to develop 

their talents. Generous Government support of basic research has given 

the nation’s scientists the tools and the material security needed for the 

realization of their potential excellence. The abundant returns from 

these policies provide good reason for maintaining them so that American science can continue to flower.” (NYT, 11/4/68,46) 

In Aviation Week & Space Technology editorial, Robert Hotz said: “The 

element of sharp competition between the US. and the USSR in 

manned space flight has unquestionably forced progress at a much 

more rapid pace than if either nation were going it alone. . . . Much 

has already been learned by these competitors from each other. It is a 

pity that the Soviets’ obsession with secrecy bars them from a more 

fruitful international exchange of technology. . . . “Events of the past month have put the space race into high gear 

again. With a lunar window opening in December, it is a strong possibility that both the US. and the USSR can launch a manned circumlunar mission as another step towards the ultimate lunar landing. With a 

Soyuz and an Apollo carrying the Hammer and Sickle and the Stars 

and Stripes, respectively, around the moon at about the same time, it 

would require a phlegmatic world indeed not to get excited at these extraterrestrial Olympics.” (Av Wk, 11/4/68, 11) 

November 5: Republican candidate Richard M. Nixon was elected President of United States, with 302 electoral votes from 32 states and poplar vote of 30,041,582, or 43.42%. Democratic candidate Hubert H. 

Humphrey polled 191 electoral votes from 14 states and 29,817,385 popular votes, or 43.10%. American Independent Party candidate George 

C. Wallace won 45 electoral votes and 9,242,950 popular votes, or 

13.36%. While space had not been major issue in election, candidates 

271 
November 5 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%0 

had made statements in support of space program in campaign 

speeches. (NASA EH; CQ Weekly Rpt, 11/8/68, 3071) 

* Soviet Academy of Sciences President Mstislav V. Keldysh told Moscow 

news conference Soyuz 111 spacecraft flown by Cosmonaut Georgy T. 

Beregovoy Oct. 30 was intended only for earth orbit. He said U.S.S.R. 

might send animal on lunar mission before sending human to ascertain 

that cosmic radiation was not too dangerous. (AP, B Sun, 11/6/68, 

USAF awarded separate $3,941,500 contracts to Westinghouse Electric 

Corp. and Hughes Aircraft Co. for 20-mo competition to develop new 

attack radar system for ZF-15A (formerly FX) advanced air superiority fighter aircraft. Awards were initial obligations of contracts which 

would total $22 million during FY 1969 and FY 1970. Winner would 

be selected after flight tests and evaluation of both radar prototypes. 

(DOD Release 1006-68; WSJ, 11/6/68,13) 

November 6: USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by 

Titan 111-B booster into orbit with 249-mi (400.7-km) apogee, 90-mi 

(1U.8-km) perigee, 89.8-min period, and 106” inclination. Satellite 

reentered Nov. 20. (Pres Rpt 68) * National Radio Astronomy Observatory astronomers at Green Bank, W. 

Va., disclosed discovery of first pair of pulsars, near Crab Nebula, 6,000 

light yr from earth. Through association with the decayed star, they 

might provide clue as to pulsars’ identity. (Cohn, W Post, 11/7/68, 

A41 

With task of designing equipment for U.S. space program largely over 

and because of cuts in ~~s~.spending, hundreds of scientists and engineers were losing their jobs or getting out “while the getting is good,” 

said Peter H. Prugh in Wall Street Journal. Boeing Co. was laying off 

several hundred at New Orleans and Cape Kennedy; its Huntsville 

work force was down from 4,600 in 1966 to 3,000, with more cuts coming. Chrysler Corp. had cut employment at New Orleans from 3,300 to 

1,500 and most of its 900 Cape Kennedy employees faced layoffs or 

shifts to other cities. Huntsville office of Alabama State Employment 

Service said area employment had declined 3,500 in past year with biggest drop in aerospace field. 

Space scientists and engineers were finding even mundane jobs difticult to land because of their specialized skills and relatively high salary 

demands. Exodus was worrying space experts, “who fret that a new 

emphasis on US. space efforts or new military needs would leave companies hard pressed to fill the rows of desks being vacated now.” 

(PSI, 11/6/68,1) 

AFSC Commander, Gen. James Ferguson, addressing Fourth Biennial 

Guidance Test Symposium at Holloman AFB, N. Mex., cited missile 

guidance needs and said U.S.S.R. was “working night and day to upset 

the status quo. There are a number of possible advances or even breakthroughs that would give them decided advantages over us. We would 

be most unwise to let them take a lead in technology through our lack 

of decisive effort. We must, at all times, maintain a technical momentum in order for our nation to maintain adequate strength across the 

entire spectrum of deterrence.” (Text) 

* NASA announced appointment of Dr. Mathias P. Siebel as Director of 

MSFC’S ,Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, replacing W. R. Kuers, 

fw 

272 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 6 

who retired Nov. 1. Dr. Siebel had been Deputy Director of Laboratory 

since going to MSFC in 1965. (MSFC Release 68-262) 

0 Ham, first chimpanzee successfully launched on space flight [Jan. 31, 

19611, and now 11 yr old, was among five great apes at National Zoo 

who reacted positively to tuberculosis tests, according to zoo veterinarian, Dr. Clinton W. Gray. Animals were under treatment and expected to be fit for exhibiting again within 60 to 90 days. (Schaden, W 

Star, 11/6/68, B2; Elsberg, W News, 2/L4/69,5) 

November 7: NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station carried GSFC payload to 64.4-mi (103.6-km) altitude to determine absolute value of positive ion concentration in D and E regions 

of ionosphere. Quadrupole mass spectrometer for measuring relative 

abundance of positive ions malfunctioned and, consequently, launch of 

two supporting rockets was postponed. Vehicle performance and trajectory were good and experimental related events functioned well and on 

time. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

0 NASA Nike- Apache sounding rocket launched from Thumba Equatorial 

Rocket Launching Station carried Physical Research Laboratory experiment to 93.2-mi (150-km) altitude to measure absolute flux and energy spectrum of x-rays from sources in constellations Scorpius, Taurus, and Centaurus and time variation of x-ray fluxes from Scorpius 

and Centaurus sources. Experiment also would survey southern sky for 

undiscovered x-ray sources. Rocket and instrumentation performed 

satisfactorily. Good x-ray data were reported. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

0 ARC Astrogram reported successful completion of first in series of studies 

by Ames Biomedical Research Branch in which primates had been restrained in chairs for 98 days to provide information on calcium metabolism and bone mineralization when normal weight load on bones was 

altered as in weightlessness in space. Results showed that with application of weight loads on certain bones loss of calcium in urine was 

within normal limits; without load, control animal’s calcium loss was 

elevated and lasted throughout experiment. X-rays showed normal bone 

mineralization in vertebrae and bones of loaded pig-tailed monkey, 

while unloaded animal sustained mineral loss. Studies would determine 

methods for prevention of bone changes and improve safety and 

efficiency of manned space flights. (ARC Astrograrn, 11/7/68,2) 

0 NASA released Delta launch vehicle for Nov. 8 launch of Pioneer D 

after completion of “corrective actions” to prevent repetition of vehicle’s first flight failure Sept. 18. Delta No. 59, carrying Intelsat 111-A 

(Intelsat III/F-1) , had been destroyed shortly after liftoff when vehicle 

began breaking up. (NASA Release 68-195) 

U.S.S.R. celebrated 51st anniversary of Bolshevist Revolution in Moscow 

with missile display which included no new weapons. (AP, W Star, 

11/7/68, A3) 

November 8: NASA’s Pioneer IX (Pioneer D) , fourth in series of five spacecraft designed to provide continuing measurements over solar cycle at 

widely separated points in interplanetary space, was successfully 

launched from ETR by Thrust-Augmented Improved Thor-Delta 

(DSV-3E) booster into orbit around sun. Orbital parameters: aphelion, 0.99 astronomical unit (au) , or 92.04 million mi (148.10 million 

km) ; perihelion, 0.75 au, or 69.71 million mi (112.19 million km) ; 

period, 297.55 days; and inclination 0.09’. 

273 
November 8 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Test and Training Satellite Tetr II (TETR-B) carried pickaback on 

2nd stage, was successfully ejected after 3rd-stage burnout and entered 

orbit around earth with 582.3-mi (937-km) apogee, 231.3-mi (373-km) 

perigee, 97.9-min period, and 32.8’ inclination. S-band transponder 

was operating properly. Tetr I1 was follow-on Tetr I (formerly designated Tts I; launched pickaback on Pioneer VIIZ Dec. 13, 1967), 

which was highly successful in testing Apollo communications network. 

Primary mission objective of 147-1b, drum-shaped Pioneer ZX was to 

collect scientific data on electromagnetic and plasma properties of interplanetary medium for period covering six or more passages of solar 

activity centers. As secondary mission, Pioneer ZX would: (1) acquire 

data when highly significant solar event occurred; (2) refine primary 

.determinations of earth and moon masses, the astronomical unit, and 

osculating elements of earth’s orbit; (3) provide synoptic study of solar-interplanetary relations; and (4) provide target for checkout of 

Manned Space Flight Network equipment and training of operations 

personnel by launching Test and Training Satellite as secondary payload. Pioneer IX separation, boom deployment, and first solar orientation occurred as planned and all eight experiments were operating properly and returning good data. 

Pioneer VI (launched Dec. 16, 1965), Pioneer VZZ (launched Aug. 

17, 1966), and Pioneer VIIZ (launched Dec. 16, 1967) were all successful and were continuing to transmit excellent data. Pioneer program was managed by ARC under OSSA direction. (NASA Proj Off; NASA 

Release 68-192; UPI, W News, 11/8/68; W Post, 11/9/68, A10; AP, 

LA Times, 11/9/68; Lannan, W Star, 11/11/68, A17; SBD, 11/12/68, 

0 Bureau of the Budget issued tentative allowance of $3.623 billion for 

NASA’s FY 1970 budget request. (NASA Off of Admin) 

0 American Nuclear Society held panel session in Washington, D.C., on 

“The US. Space Program: Achievements and Objectives.” 

Dr. Edward C. Welsh, NASC Executive Secretary, declared: “We must 

step up the rate at which we tap the vast potential of nuclear energy for 

the space activities of tomorrow. . . . if we do not make greater use of 

nuclear energy, we will neglect our mission of learning rapidly more 

and more about the solar system in which we live and about the planet 

where we reside. In the field of propulsion, chemical rockets, both liquid and solid, can be vastly improved when combined with the products of nuclear technology.” Combining nuclear stage with Saturn V 

“will greatly increase that rocket’s power of achievement. . . . Not only 

will we have the vast power of the atom at our command, but it will be 

compact, self-contained, long lived, highly maneuverable, and virtually 

independent of its surrounding environment. . . . Atomic energy will 

enable the space effort to reach for the infinite.” (Text) 

NASA Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology James M. Beggs discussed “Research and Technology for the Future,’: “The difference between success and failure of [NASA] missions 

. . . lies in our knowledge of the flight sciences and our skill for applying this knowledge to the development and operation of space vehicles. 

. . . A natural characteristic of technology is its multiapplicability; an 

improvement in guidance or communication equipment, for example, 

may find many uses in space missions as well as non-aerospace applica46; GSFC, SSR, 11/15/68) 

274 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 8 

tions. A key to making this process productive . . . is a continuing 

research program . . . that has a good balance between the effort in 

the scientific and engineering disciplines and in the technologies needed 

to explore the unknown.” (Text) 

Dr. Wernher von Braun, WSFC Director, said: “The first practical 

application of space electric power systems, which have been under development over the past 10 years, may well be found in our second generation orbital space station program. Consistent with our present estimates of station initial power requirements, and allowing for growth, a 

zirconium hydride reactor coupled with a thermoelectric conversion 

system is being studied for application on such a space station.” (Text; 

Reuters, B Sun, 11/14/68, A10) * MSFC announced Boeing Co. had been issued $239,000 contract for 10- 

mo study defining two-stage derivative of Saturn V launch vehicle. 

With 1st (S-IC) and 3rd (S-IVB) stages and instrument unit of Saturn V, vehicle could place up to 158,000 lb in low earth orbit. Varying 

the number of F-1 engines in S-IC could tailor vehicle to specific missions. Five-engine configuration could put into orbit Saturn I Workshop with airlock and multiple docking adapter, plus Apollo Telescope 

Mount and Apollo CSM and three-man crew. Three Saturn IB vehicles 

would be required to do same job. Vehicle could resupply space stations and could be used for synchronous orbits and unmanned lunar 

and planetary flights at major savings over three-stage Saturn V. Twostage version was called “Intermediate 20.” With Centaur 3rd stage, vehicle could send about 15,000 lb to Jupiter or Saturn. 

MSFC also had signed $22,826,736 contract modification with North 

American Rockwell Corp.’s Rocketdyne Div. for continued production 

support of J-2 engines used on Saturn IB and Saturn V boosters. 

Modifications would improve engines’ versatility. ( MSFC Releases 

68-264,68-266) * NAS-NRC Space Science Board issued Physics of the Earth in Space-A 

Program of Research: 1968-1975, report of NASA-supported study by 

31 scientists at Woods Hole, Mass., Aug. 11-24. Report, dated October 

and fourth by Board to provide guidance for NASA’s programs in space 

physics, said results of decade of research by artificial satellites were 

“revolutionary; few of the concepts of the early 1950’s have survived 

without major revision and totally unexpected discoveries have provided fundamentally new theoretical challenges.” And “results of today’s space research on the physics of the Earth in space become the 

engineering design data of tomorrow’s civilian and defense applications 

programs.” 

Report defined program of satellite, space-probe, and sounding 

rocket missions for concerted attack on questions of fundamental physical mechanisms of sun-earth system, in contrast to past decade’s exploratory surveys. It emphasized coordinated investigations, new experimental techniques, and major observation effort during 1974-1975 low 

solar activity. Recommendations included continued NASA support for 

balloon, aircraft, and ground-based observations and of advanced development of spacecraft instruments; better means of data handling 

and adequate support for data analysis; and restoration of NASA program of predoctoral traineeship grants to 1966 level. (Text) 

* Astronomers reported in Science conclusion neither NASA7s Mariner v 

275 
November 8 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

(launched June 14, 1967, for flyby of planet Venus) nor U.S.S.R.’s 

Venus ZV (launched June 12, 1967) had reported atmospheric conditions near level of mean surface of planet. Von R. Eshleman and Gunnar Fjeldbo of Stanford Univ., John D. Anderson and Arvydas J. 

Kliore of JPL, and Rolf B. Dyce of Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory 

(Puerto Rico) had made new determination of radius of planet, based 

on concurrent ranging from earth to Mariner V near encounter and to 

surface of Venus. Extrapolations of measurements had given surface 

values for mid-latitudes of close to 100 atmospheres pressure and 

700°K temperature (within 100”) , rather than Soviet values of 1922 

atmospheres and 544” &10”K. Soviet probe apparently was not designed to work through such thick atmosphere. Simple ambiguity 

(times two) in Venus ZV altimeter reading could explain supposition 

that probe reached Venus surface, “since this would bring all other 

data into excellent agreement.” (Science, 11/8/68,661-5) * At press conference, inventor-scientist Stanford R. Ovshinsky described 

production of electronic devices-including desktop computers; flat, 

tubeless TV sets that could be hung on walls; amd missile guidance 

systems impervious to destruction by man-made radiation. Devices 

were made of amorphous materials whose electrical properties differed 

from transistor materials. Balance of energy forces within amorphous 

glasses was such that application of voltage of right minimum strenzth 

made material switch from insulator to conductor. (Stevens, NYT, 

11/11/68, 1) 

American Telephone & Telegraph Co. said it had asked FCC to authorize 

its acquisition of 70 additional satellite communications circuits from 

ComSatCorp. Purchase would boost AT&T circuits to 396. (WSJ, 

11/8/68,5) 

November 9: ApolZo 7 commander Walter M. Schirra, Jr., received from 

Italian Ambassador to U.S. Egidio Ortona gold medallion awarded by 

Assn. of Man in Space, group of Italian scientists and jurists, at Washington, D.C., party in his honor. (Billington, W Star, 11/11/68, B7) 

November 10: On nationwide “Meet the Press” TV interview, Astronaut 

Walter M. Schirra, Jr., commented on NASA budget cuts: “We’ve built 

up a fantastic technology [but] talented people are starting to leave. 

. . . We should let it be known that we are in this for the future, not 

just one flight.” Cost of manned missions was justified in quest for 

knowledge not only outward, but earthward, too. Astronauts were 

“looking at portions of the earth that had never been documented before. A crew can see something and respond to it, on earth or the 

moon.” Fellow ApoZZo 7 crewman R. Walter Cunningham said never 

had Soviet crewmen “functioned in the same operational conditions as 

we.” U.S.S.R. was putting fewer higher trained persons in orbit, “mainly as biological specimens.” (AP, W Post, 11/11/68, A2; AP, B Sun, 

11/11/68, A5) 

* NASA announced it soon would begin series of test flights at LaRc of 

XC-142 tilt-wing VTOL aircraft on loan from USAF, to determine operational problems in airport terminal areas during poor visibility. 

XC-142, for which Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc., was prime contractor, 

was propeller-driven and powered by four GE turboshaft engines. NASA 

also was testing Ryan Aeronautical Co.’s XB-5A, which it had modified 

276 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 10 

as XV-5B, and Hawker Siddeley P-1127 vectored jet VTOL aircraft. 

(NASA Release 68-194) 

In New York Times Walter Sullivan described “The Sun-Spot Menace to 

Astronauts.” Apollo 7 and U.S.S.R.’s Soyuz ZZZ served as reminders 

that sunspots were reaching their 11-yr peak. If eruptions were particularly severe, protons were hurled out at almost speed of light. These 

could penetrate spacecraft. While Apollo 7 astronauts were never in 

danger, Soviet spacecraft placed in orbits reaching north beyond latitude 51” might “nudge zone” within which protons ejected by sun 

“rain fiercely on the atmosphere.” Major flare had occurred Oct. 30 

just after Soyuz IZI returned to earth. If astronauts had been in orbit 

-particularly if they had been outside spacecraft-they could have 

been subjected to hazardous radiation. Many warnings preceded this 

event. For moon journey it should be possible to postpone or cut short 

flight if sun looked ominous. In any miscalculation, radiation exposure 

to astronauts inside spacecraft would be severe only during most intense outbursts. However, on prolonged journeys to other planets there 

would be no escape. “It may therefore be necessary to design the spacecraft so that a portion of its interior will be shielded from such radiation.” (NYT, 11/10/68, 7E) 

November 10-1 7: Zond VI automatic space station was successfully 

launched by U.S.S.R. and placed on lunar trajectory from parking 

orbit of another satellite to explore outer space and test spacecraft systems, Tass announced. All equipment was functioning normally. Speculation, later confirmed, was that spacecraft would attempt to circle 

moon on same route taken by Zond V Sept. 15-21. On Nov. 14 Tass 

announced that Zond VI had circled moon at minimum distance of 

2,420 km (1,503.8 mi) and had conducted studies of physical characteristics of near lunar space before continuing its journey back to 

earth. 

Zond VZ reentered and softlanded in a predetermined area in Central 

Asia Nov. 17. Unlike Zond V, which had plunged directly through 

upper atmosphere, Zond VI skipped across outer layers of atmosphere 

to reduce its reentry speed and then resumed its descent with aerodynamic forces. Announcing recovery, Tass said Zond VI had for first time 

tested a “more complex and promising method of the return of spacecraft from interplanetary trajectories-the method of controlled descent 

with the use of aerodynamical lifting force (aerodynamical quality) of 

the descending craft. . . . “The braking of the descending apparatus in the atmosphere . . . was effected along a trajectory with two immersions in the atmosphere. 

During the first immersion . . . the second cosmic speed . . . [ll km 

per sec, 24,607 mph] was reduced to 7.6 kilometers a second (17,000 

mph) through aerodynamical braking. In doing so, the descending apparatus . . . was oriented through the onboard control system in such a 

way that it, passing through the dense layers of the atmosphere, left 

them and next continued along the ballistic trajectory until the second 

immersion . . . [in which] the further lowering of the descending apparatus was also effected along the trajectory of controlled descent with 

the use of aerodynamical qualities which ensured its return to the 

Earth in the pre-set district.” 

Zond VZ was sixth spacecraft in Zond series [see Sept. 15-21]. (AP, 

277 
November 10-17 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

W Star, 11/11/68, 1; NYT, 11/15/68, 8; GSFC SSR, 11/15/68, 

11/30/68; Winters, B Sun, 11/19/68, 1; Kamm, NYT, 11/19/68, 1; 

November 12: NASA Acting Administrator, Dr. Thomas 0. Paine, announced at NASA Hq. news briefing that Apollo %-carrying commander Frank Borman, CM pilot James A. Lovell, Jr., and LM pilot 

William A. Anders-would be launched from ETR Dec. 21 on openended lunar orbital mission of at least six days. Spacecraft would circle moon 10 times at 70-mi altitude before returning to earth. Dr. 

Paine explained: “After a careful and thorough examination of all of 

the systems and risks involved, we have concluded that we are now 

ready to fly the most advanced mission for our Apollo 8 launch in December, the orbit around the moon. . . . “We have reached this conclusion after a long series of intensive investigations of the status of our program, the flight hardware, ground 

support equipment, status of our training.” 

L/G Samuel C. Phillips, Apollo Program Director, cited two categories of new risks with a lunar orbital mission: “In the one . . . the 

spacecraft propulsion system must operate properly in order to propel 

the spacecraft back out of lunar orbit and on its way back to earth. 

And the other category of risks are those that are inherent in being 

some three days away from the earth as opposed to . . . between a half 

an hour and three hours which the crew is away from the earth in a 

low earth orbital mission.” Although increased reliance would have to 

be placed on dependability of life support and electric power systems 

and mission would have to take on additional risks, Gen. Phillips said, 

“The progression of risk between the Apollo 7 mission which we have 

flown and the Apollo 8 mission which we have designed is a normal 

progression of risks in a logically stepped development, flight test program.” (Transcript; NASA Release 68-199; Schmeck, NYT, 11/13/68, 

1; O’Toole, W Post, 11/13/68, 1; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 11/13/68, 1) 

Engineer Michael O’Hagan, manager of space and military systems 

in government contracts dept. of U.K.’s Standard Telephone & Cables 

Co., told Conservative Party seminar in London U.S. was “actually 

buying land with mineral rights” in other countries after using satellites to discover its location. Hawker Siddeley Group Ltd. scientist 

K. C. C Pardoe said countries could use satellites to spy on rival nations, crops and decide best time for marketing. (Reuters, W Post, 

11/13/68, A25) 0 FAA issued 1968 edition of National Airport Plan, annual assessment of 

civil airport needs for commercial and private flying. U.S. would require 808 new airportsincluding 22 for airline traffic and 748 for general aviation-during next five years, to relieve congestion and accommodate growth. Plan included recommendation for 25 STOLports in 

heavily congested areas. (FAA Release 68-74) 

Office of Secretary of Defense issued list of 100 companies and subsidiaries awarded largest dollar volume of military prime contracts of 

$10,000 or more in FY 1968. Total of these was $26.2 billion, 1.9% 

above FY 1967. U.S. companies received $38.8 billion, 1% less than in 

FY 1967. No. 1 on list was General Dynamics Corp., F-111 manufacturer, with $2.24 billion in contracts; No. 2, Lockheed Aircraft Corp., 

$1.87. billion; No. 3, General Electric Co., $1.49 billion. McDonnell 

SBD, 11/19/68,71-2) 

278 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 12 

Douglas Corp. fell from first place in 1967 to fifth with $1.1 billion. 

(Text; Wilson, W Post, 11/19/68, D7; WSJ, 11/19/68, 27) 

New York State Supreme Court Justice Abraham N. Geller issued temporary order blocking sale of Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory to EDP 

Technology, Inc., Washington, D.C., for $25 million. Order had been 

requested by State Attorney General Louis J. Lefkowitz, who alleged 

alteration of Laboratory from public purposes to profit-making organization would be a “major change detrimental to the national interest, 

to the quality and effectiveness of the laboratory and to the . . . public.” New York State had sought to purchase facility but was reportedly unable to match EDP Technology, Inc., offer. (@, NYT, 

11/13/68,11) 

November 12-14: Twelve nations attending Third European Space Conference in Bonn decided to work toward creation of single European 

Space Authority, in effort to end dependence on U.S. space research. 

Committee was appointed to draft convention for new body encompassing 6-nation ELDO, 10-nation ESRO, and 12-nation CETS and functioning 

somewhat like NASA. Member nations would be free to choose programs 

they would support-which could mean small group would work on 

launchers as well as working with number of other nations on space 

applications and research. 

Day preceding conference, ELDO meeting had resolved, with U.K. abstaining, to proceed with launcher development on scale designed to 

hold down costs. U.K. had proposed European nations abandon project, rely on US. boosters, .and concentrate on space applications, particularly communications. U.K. agreed, however, to fulfill commitment 

to support launcher program until 1971. (W Post, 11/15/68, A20; 

Greenberg, Science, 12/6/68,1108-9) 

November 13: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLZZZ from Plesetsk Cosmodrome into orbit with 337-km (209.4-mi) apogee, 216-km (134.2-mi) 

perigee, 90-min period, and 65.4” inclination. Equipment functioned 

normally and satellite reentered Nov. 18. (SBD, 11/14/68, 53; GSFC 

SSR, 11/15/68; 11/30/68) 

NASA’s HL-10 lifting-body vehicle, flown by NASA test pilot John A. 

Manke, completed first powered flight after air launch from B-52 aircraft near Lancaster, Calif., to demonstrate successful operation of 

XLR-11 rocket engine and to investigate effects of engine operation on 

basic stability and control of wingless vehicle. Manke said craft 

climbed and maneuvered in “marvelous fashion.” Increased performance expected in successive flights would simulate lifting-body spacecraft during terminal portion of flight. 

Manke ignited two of four chambers in HL-lo’s rocket engine and 

climbed from 35,000 to 43,250 ft, reaching top speed of 610 mph (mach 

0.8) during 184-sec engine burn. Eventually speeds of 1,000 mph and 

altitudes to 80,000 ft were expected. Oct. 23 HL-10 flight had ended 

with early shutdown of rocket engine. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 

68-198; FRC Release 26-68; A€’, B sun, 11/14/68, A10; LATNS, W 

Post, 11/14/68, A22) 

NASA announced it had assigned Astronauts Thomas P. Stafford, John 

W. Young, and Eugene A. Cernan as prime crew for Apollo 10 mission, scheduled for second quarter of 1969 as second manned flight of 

lunar module. Backup crew would be Astronauts L. Gordon Cooper, 

279 
November 13 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 19G8 

November 13: John A. Manke, NASA research pilot at FRC, stands before wingless 

HGlO lifting-body vehicle which he flew in first powered flight, after air launch from 

B-52 aircraft. Manke reached 610 mph in NASA-WAF program to evaluate possible 

forerunners of reusable spacecraft. Eventual 1,000-mph speed was expected. 

Donn F. Eisele, and Edgar D. Mitchell. Flight crew support team was 

Astronauts Joseph H. Engle, James B. Irwin, and Charles M. Duke, Jr. 

Mission probabilities ranged from earth orbital operations to lunar orbital flight, with separation and docking of command and service module and lunar module. (NASA Release 68-201; AP, W Star, 11/14/68, 

A7; W Post, 11/14/68, A12; AP, NYT, 11/14/68, 21; Sehlstedt, B 

Sun, 11/14/68, 1) 

Dr. John E. Naugle, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and 

Applications, addressed International Meeting of American Nuclear SOciety in Washington, D.C. In past decade NASA had developed “impressive capability” in “competent and creative people who make up our 

government-university-industry team.” It was “prepared to accomplish 

any goal in space exploration which the new administration may establish.” NASA future included “broad, balanced, Planetary Program” emphasizing Mars but examining other planets like Mercury and Jupiter; 

major lunar exploration program in 1970’s; astronomy program covering optical astronomy, x-ray and gamma ray fields, and low-frequency 

280 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 13 

radio astronomy; and increased emphasis on space applications programs, with major efforts toward surveying earth’s resources from space 

and continuing developments in meteorology and communications. 

(Text) 

Dr. Abe Silverstein, Director of Lewis Research Center, was announced 

winner of Rockefeller Public Service Award in science category. He 

had supervised plans for rocket installation on Lunar Orbiter and Surveyor spacecraft. 

Dr. Silverstein had been first Director of Space Flight Programs in 

NASA Hq. in 1958. Under his leadership first US. man-in-space program, Project Mercury, had been planned and groundwork laid for 

Gemini and Apollo programs. He had joined NACA at Langley Aeronautical Laboratory in 1929 and helped design and later was in charge of 

Full-Scale Wind Tunnel. He was transferred to Lewis Laboratory in 

1943, where he was responsible for conception, design, and construction of first US. supersonic propulsion wind tunnels. Alter serving in 

Washington, D.C., three years he returned to LeRC as Director in 1961. 

Leonard C. Meeker, State Dept. legal adviser, won award in foreign 

affairs and international administration for his work on 1967 mace law 

treaty. (W Post, 11/14/68, B7; LERC Biog, 4/67; Lew$ News, 

11/22/68,1) 

New York Times editiorial, “After the Lunar Landing,” said first priority 

would probably go to study of moon’s surface and resources. “Beyond 

this exploration, the moon-once accessible to men-will immediately 

become a laboratory world for expanding knowledge in astronomy, 

physics, chemistry, geology and a host of other sciences. For both purposes . . . it will be desirable to create one or more permanent manned 

communities on the moon as soon as possible. . . . As the pioneers in 

space, the United States and the Soviet Union have the responsibility 

now to begin organization of the vast international effort that must follow the coming triumph of human courage and human ingenuity. And 

the United Nations, of course, is the body whose flag must fly over future lunar settlements.” (NYT, 11/13/68, 4x)) 

e Purdue Univ. Prof. James E. Etzel said in Evanston, Ill., interview that 

technique for processing sewage sludge by bombarding it with ionizing 

radiation from chemical emitter of gamma rays could save $1 billion a 

year if used by all US. cities. Process was pioneered by Etzel and Gordon S. Born of Purdue in cooperation with Jerome Stein, director of 

R&D for Chicago Sanitary District. Plan would cut solid-waste-processing costs by more than half. Treated sludge would be completely disinfected, odorless, and compressed to y3 its volume. (Randal, W Star, 

11/14/68, A5) 

USAF awarded $8.5 million addition to contract with Northrop Corp. for 

F-5 aircraft. ( WSJ, 11/13/68,7) 

November 14: NASA announced it had authorized JPL to proceed with construction of two Mariner spacecraft for 1971 Mars orbit with funds allocated under approved FY 1969 NASA appropriations bill. In combined 

mission to assist in establishing touchdown sites for 1973 Mars lander 

mission, spacecraft would be launched by Atlas-Centaur boosters into 

orbit around Mars to examine Mars polar cap, provide high-resolution 

coverage of selected areas, and permit oblique views of broad areas of 

Mars’ surface and, possibly, its moons, Phobos and Deimos. Each 

281 
November 14 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

spacecraft would complete trip from earth to Mars in six months, with 

May 1971 launch and November 1971 arrival, and would orbit Mars 

for three months or more. (NASA Release 68-196; B Sun, 11/14/68, 

A10; W Post, 11/14/68, D16) 

Washington Evening Star editorial commented on scheduled December 

launch of Apollo 8: “. . . this promises to be one Christmas when the 

thoughts of all . . . will contain more than visions of sugarplums, of 

laden stockings, of gifts about to be received and bills about to come 

due. It is, in fact, just possible that NASA will succeed in putting that 

missing ingredient back into the yule season, and that more prayers 

will be offered this Christmas than at any time in the past 2,000 years.” 

(W Star, 11/14/68, A14) 

At hearing of Congressional Joint Economic Committee’s Subcommittee on 

Economy in Government, A. E. Fitzgerald, Deputy for Management Systems in USAF financial office, said ultimate cost to DOD of 58 G5A 

cargo aircrait might be “100% above the original estimate” of $1.279 

billion for Lockheed Aircraft Corp. airframes. General Electric Co. estimate of $459 million for engines was not expected to double. Increase 

resulted from rise in manufacturing costs, higher subcontracting prices, 

and rising administrative costs, rather than gross original underestimate, although there was probably some original underestimate by 

Lockheed. DOD was weighing all factors before deciding action on option for 62 additional MAS which would expire Jan. 31, 1969. 

(Crowther, B Sun, 11/14/68, A12; AP, NYT, 11/14/68,10; Porter, w 

Post, 11/14/68, Al) 

0 Soviet aviation experts told Pravda they had successfully tested “ornithopter,” aircraft which flew by waving its wings like a bird. Craft was 

said to have “withstood all aerodynamic tests” and to have greater lifting power than ordinary aircraft. Pravda said test “opens unheard of 

prospects.yy (UPI, P Znq, 11/15/68) 

November 15: NASA Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched from WSMR 

carried Princeton Univ. Observatory experiment to 108-mi (174-km) 

altitude to obtain UV radiation of bright star in constellation Cassiopeia, using gyro-stabilized spectrograph, ACS, and recovery system. 

Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily. ACS stabilized rocket 

on target at star. Spectra were obtained on three exposures and payload was recovered in excellent condition. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA released plans for lunar landing experiments. First U.S. astronauts 

to land on moon in 1969 would place three scientific experiments on 

lunar surface instead of more complex Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package ( ALSEP) originally planned. Change was necessitated by 

uncertainties in workload required to deploy ALSEP by astronauts in 

pressurized suits on moon’s surface. Mission’s primary objective would 

be to prove Apollo system by achieving successful moon landing and 

safe return to earth. During first landing, two astronauts would leave 

spacecraft for up to three hours on moon’s surface, making observations and photographing area in vicinity of landed spacecraft, collecting soil and rock samples, and deploying experiments. 

Scientific and medical data would be obtained on expenditure of astronauts, energy, monitoring ability to perform in vacuum, extreme 

temperature, and I/s gravity for planning of longer, more complex missions. Experiments were (1) passive seismometer (self-contained 1OO-lb 

282 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 15 

seismic station with earth-moon communications link, designed to last 

up to one year), (2) 70-lb laser ranging retro-reflector, and (3) 1-lb 

solar-wind-composition experiment. They would provide data on internal activity of moon; would provide data to improve measurement of 

earth-moon distance, fluctuation of earth’s rotation rate, and variations 

in gravitational constant 6, as well as to test theory of intercontinental 

drift by direct measurements from different continents; and would entrap nobly gases (helium, neon, krypton, xenon) from solar wind for 

analysis. 

In second lunar landing mission, astronauts would deploy full geophysical station or ALSEP and conduct detailed field geology investigation. (NASA Release 68-200) 

U.S.S.R.’s Zond Y automatic space station [see Sept. 15-21] had carried first living organisms-wine flies, turtles, meal worms, plants, bacteria, and seeds-around moon and returned them safely to earth, 

Pravda announced. Turtles had lost about 10% of their body weight but 

remained very active and showed no loss of appetite. Preliminary blood 

tests indicated no substantial deviation from laboratory control animals, but analysis of test turtles 21 days after flight revealed excess gly. 

cogen and iron in their livers. (AP, W Star, 11/15/68, A4; B Sun, 

11/16/68, M) * NASA Honor Awards ceremony was held at Washington, D.C., wiih Dr. 

Thomas 0. Paine, Acting Administrator, making presentations. Alexander H. Flax, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Research and Development), was main speaker. . 

Distinguished Service Medal, NASA’S highest honor, was presented to 

Secretary Flax; Edmond C. Buckley, former NASA Associate Administrator for Tracking and Data Acquisition; Paul G. Dembling, NASA General 

Counsel; and Abe Silverstein, Director of Lewis Research Center. 

NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal went to LeRc’s G. 

Mervin Ault, Edmond E. Bisson, and John C. Evvard; JPL’S Richard 

M. Goldstein, Alan Rembaum, Lewis D. Kaplan, and Conway W. Snyder; MSFC’S Otto A. Hoberg and Hans H. Hosenthien; LaRC’s Mark R. 

Nichols; and ARC’S William A. Page and John A. Parker. 

Exceptional Service Medal recipients were: Mac C. Adams, Walter 

Boone, Richard I,. Callaghan, Arnold W. Frutkin, Alfred S. Hodgson, 

Mildred V. Morris, and Boyd C. Myers, NASA Hq.; Robert M. Crane 

(posthumous), William R. Schindlar, and Michael J. Vaccaro, ARC ; 

Robert J. Darcey, Herman E. LaGow, and Robert J. McCaffery, GSFC; 

Philip Donely, Paul F. Fuhrmeister, and Harry H. Hamilton, LaRC; 

Robert C. Duncan, ERC; Fred H. Felberg and Alvin R. Luedecke, JPL; 

Arthur Rudolph, MSFC ; and Hubert Ray Stanley, Wallops Station. 

Group Achievement Award went to Apollo 7 Flight Operations 

Team, Instrumentation Ships Team, Mariner Occultation Experiment 

Team, OGO Project Team, Sonic Boom Investigating Team, and Surveyor Team. (Program; MSFC Release 68-267; Marshall Star, 

11/13/68, 1 ; Pasadena Independent, 11/15/68; ARC Astrogram, 

11/21/68,1) 

0 Dr. R. G. McIver, head of aeromedical research at Holloman AFB, N. 

Mex., said tests on chimpanzees had shown astronaut experiencing sudden decompression outside spacecraft might live at least three minutes 

in total vacuum, giving his companions time to get him inside pressur283 
November 15 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

ized cabin. Survival of astronauts in ruptured space cabin would depend on presence of one man wearing space suit and thus able to place 

other crewmen in suits after they lost consciousness. Earlier, scientists 

had predicted sudden death for astronauts experiencing space vacuum 

decompression. Revised estimates of life expectancy were based on simulated space capsule experiments with 150 chimpanzees. (AP, B Sun, 

11/16/68, A4) 

* Science editorial on NASA administration: “In terms of numbers of dollars or of men, NASA has not been our largest national undertaking, but 

in terms of complexity, rate of growth, and technological sophistication 

it has been unique. . . . Keeping all of [its] parts-often working right 

at the edge of technological knowledge and capacity-finely tuned and 

in close harmony has been an organization achievement of high order. 

. . . Ever since the space program began to take shape there has been 

talk of technological spin-offs. It may turn out that the most valuable 

spin-off of all will be human rather than technological: better knowledge of how to plan, coordinate, and monitor the multitudinous and 

varied activities of the organizations required to accomplish great social undertakings.” (Wolfle, Science, 11/15/68,753) 

* In Wushington Post George C. Wilson said Secretary of Defense Clark M. 

Clifford’s office had recommended cutback in USAF’S order for FB-111, 

bomber version of TFX, from 253 to 90, a saving of $1.5 billion. While 

DOD was under pressure to reduce spending by $3 billion, said Wilson, 

argument “goes to the heart of the strategic question of unmanned missiles vs. manned bombers.” ( W Post, 11/15/68, 1) 

Formal establishment of Science and Public Policy Studies Group temporarily housed at MIT became effective. Group was designed as focus 

of interest and information for scholars, universities, and government 

officials engaged in teaching and research in science and public policy. 

Any university with active teaching and research program in science 

and public policy could become affiliate. Some 50 had indicated interest. Funding for two-year period was from university contributions and 

matching Sloan Foundation grant. Prof. Eugene B. Skolnikoff of MIT 

would serve as chairman. (Group Ann) 

0 Dr. Frank D. Drake, Director of Cornel1 Univ.‘s Arecibo Ionospheric 

Observatory (Puerto Rico) , told meeting of Council for the Advancement of Science Writing at Evanston, Ill., that pulsar discovered Nov. 

14 near Crab Nebula was almost certainly a neutron star. It was second 

discovery during week [see Nov. 61 and was located by Arecibo radio 

dish telescope. (Randal, W Post, 11/16/68, A5; Sullivan, NYT, 

11/20/68,31) 

* Edward Wenk, Jr., Executive Secretary of Marine Resources Council, told 

new American Oceanic Organization in Washington, D.C., “We are 

ready for the next step in Federal management of marine affairs-creation of an independent civilian operating agency.” Chairman of new 

group, Rep. George E. Shipley (D-Ill.) , member of House Appropriations Committee, said, “I think that we will see the time that this country will spend as much in oceanography as we are spending in the 

space program.” (Corrigan, W Post, 11/17/68, K1) 

November 16: U.S.S.R.’s Proton ZV, largest unmanned scientific satellite to 

date, was launched into orbit with 472-km (293.3-mi) apogee, 248-km 

(154.1-mi) perigee, 91.7-min period, and 51.5” inclination. Satellite 

284 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 16 

weighed 17 metric tons (37,478 lb), including 12.5-metric ton 

(27,557.5-1b) scientific payload to continue studies of cosmic rays. 

Equipment was functioning normally. (AP, W Star, 11/17/68, A18; 

Kamm, NYT, 11/17/68, 1; SBD, 11/19/68, 72-3; GSFC SSR, 

11/30/68) 

Apollo 8 prime crew-Astronauts Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, Jr., 

and William A. Anders-held press conference at MSC on Apollo 8 

flight plan. Commander Borman explained that an important feature of 

mission’s flight plan was establishment in advance of decision points 

when crew could decide whether to continue mission as planned or return to earth: “. . . the first one [decision point] will be 

whether we commit to translunar injection [from parking 

orbit] or not. . . . But even if we do commit . . . we have 

regular abort times along the course to the moon, so that we could-in 

case of a system problem . . . stop at any time and come back. Then 

we finally reach a point where it would be swifter to just go on around 

the moon than it would be to try to abort. The next great point is before we burn lunar orbit injection.” Once in lunar orbit crew would 

receive abort data regularly and have option to return to earth every 

two hours. “The mission, if all works well, will be a relatively simple 

one,” Borman said. “. . . we designed Apollo, we said we were going 

to the moon, and . . . finally when we get down to examining the details and saying we are really going, people start getting a little queasy 

about it. But I have no hesitancy about the hardware.” (Transcript; 

O’Toole, W Post, 11/17/68, A8) 

November 17: Boeing Co. in Washington, D.C., displayed scale model of 

new fixed-wing design for SST with downward-bent wings inboard toward fuselage and vertical tail placed well forward of horizontal tail. 

SST Program Director M/G Jewel1 C. Maxwell said in interview, “I 

think we have a much greater feeling of confidence than we have had 

in some time. We now have a design in hand that seems able to do the 

job.” Boeing would submit new design to Government in mid-January 

but, said New York Times, “there is some nervousness about the receptivity of the new Congress for a budget request that will probably come 

close to $300 million for the fiscal year ending June lWO.” Current 

estimates of overall SST cost were $1.5 billion. (NYT, 11/18/68, 93) e In New York Times Walter Sullivan said nuclear specialists who met in 

Stockholm during April and June at invitation of International Institute for Peace and Conflict Research had confirmed effectiveness of 

new method of distinguishing man-made explosion from natural earthquake at thousands of miles by comparing magnitude of seismic event 

in waves crossing earth‘s surface with magnitude of “body waves” 

from same event that had passed through earth‘s depths. Analysis by 

scientists from U.K., Canada, and U.S.S.R. had shown strength of surface waves related to body waves was consistently less in bomb explosions than in earthquakes. (NYT, 11/17/68,1) 

November 18: Bullet fragment in brain of holdup victim Joseph Barrios 

was successfully repositioned into brain membrane by whirling patient 

in ARC centrifuge, subjecting him to force of 6 g. Fragment had moved 

from critical central ventricle to lateral ventricle when doctors at 

O’Connor Hospital in San Jose, Calif., somersaulted Barrios on rotating chair, but fragment could move again. Force of centrifugenor285 
November 18 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

mally used by NASA for space research-imbedded fragment in mem 

brane of left ventricle, where it was expected to remain safely encapsulated by scar tissue. Dec. 16 x-rays showed fragment had not moved 

since centrifuge treatment. Barrios was sent home from hospital Dec. 

17. (Brody, NYT, 11/21/68, 37; AP, V Post, 11/21/68, A3; ARC Astrogram, 12/8/68,1; ARC Medical Services Branch) 

Astronaut Walter M. Schirra was announced winner of Kitty Hawk Memorial Trophy for distinguished achievement in aeronautics. Trophy 

would be presented at annual Wright Brothers memorial banquet in 

Beverly Hills, Calif., Dec. 6. (UPI, W Star, 11/19/68, A2) 0 NASA submitted reclama to Bureau of the Budget’s tentative FY 1970 

budget allowance, for total $4.074 billion. Subsequently, Acting Administrator Thomas 0. Paine met with BOB Director Charles J. Zwick. 

(NASA Off of Admin) 

USAF denied decision had been made to cut back or cancel FB-Il? 

production [see Nov. 151, Wall Street Journal said, but reports persisted that fewer than 253 would be purchased because of their high 

cost and indifferent performance. Aerospace Daily said its sources reported recommended cutback of more than 50% was “essentially acciirate” and put figure at “about 100” to give USAF Unit Equipment force 

of 90 aircraft. (WSJ, 11/18/68,12; Aero Daily, 11/18/68) 

November 18-19: Conference on Pavement Grooving and Traction Studies 

was held at LaRC on results of NASA research program into hydroplming and effectiveness of runway and highway grooving in minimizing 

accidents on wet pavement. Among papers presented, joint NASA-Br3:ish 

Ministry of Technology study of tests at Wallops Station showed 1- by 

%- by %-inch grooving “at least doubled the friction coefficient” of 

aircraft runway surfaces. Studies by LaRC, California Div. of Highways, and other state highway departments showed grooving of highway pavement was effective in preventing wet-weather accidents. (NASA 

Air Transport Assn. of America reported that 15- to 19-mo use at 

three major airports had convinced airlines that runway surface grooving was “an effective aid in overcoming hydroplaning” during wet 

landings. Airline operation evaluation had “dispelled earlier fears that 

grooving might damage runways or aircraft.” (Text; NYT, 11/24/68, 

84) 

November 18-21: During Geneva conference of IAF on Basic Environmental Problems of Man in Space, Dr. Boris B. Yegorov, only physician to 

travel in space (launched in U.S.S.R.’s Voskhod I Oct. 12, 1964) , told 

press conierence he believed planetary flights would be achieved by 

1987. 1J.S.S.R. was experimenting with 8- to 10-volt electrical shocks 

administered to improve circulation and stimulate muscles of cosmonauts to enable them to endure strain of returning to earth after prolonged period in confined space capsule. He claimed problem of 

weightIessness was same for short or long flights and urged immediate 

planning for flights to galaxies outside solar system. 

Dr. Walton W. Jones, NASA Director of Biotechnology and Human 

Research, told conference US. could keep astronauts in earth orbit a 

year within 10 yr if US. would allocate sufficient resources to project. 

ARC experiments had shown rats subjected to gravitational pull 4.7 

times above normal had increased life expectancy. He said after meetSP-5073) 

286 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 18-21 

ing that NASA planned experiments with rats at zero gravitation to determine if aging process was suspended while man was free from gravitational pull. 

Dr. J. F. Kubis of Fordham Univ. emphasized importance of psychological factors in selecting space crews. On long flight, “lack of privacy, crowding, and continuous exposure to interaction will become 

sources of aggravating stress.’’ He recommended no more than one in 

crew with dominant personality. 

Soviet scientist Dr. N. N. Gurovsky said condition of two dogs after 

22-day orbital flight (in Cosmos CX Feb. 22-March 16, 1966) had 

aroused forebodings on effect of year-long flights on astronauts. Loss of 

calcium in bones would make them prone to breaking. Both dogs had 

.developed liver and intestinal ailments including edemas. Human 

beings could expect same effects. Earlier reports had noted dogs suffered muscular reduction, dehydration, and confusion in adjusting to 

walking. 

Cal Tech Prof. Fritz Zwicky said some apparently unexplained 

deaths on earth each year could be due to blows from meteors or heavy 

nucleons in cosmic rays. (Hamilton, NYT, 11/20/68, 31; 11/21/68, 

18; AP, B Sun, 11/22/68,1) 

November 19: NASA launched series of three sounding rockets from NASA 

Wallops Station to conduct acoustic grenade experiments. Nike-Cajun 

carried GSFC experiment to 72.6-mi (122.7-km) altitude to obtain vertical profile of temperature, pressure, density, and wind data between 21.8- 

and 59-mi (35- and 95-km) altitudes. Sound arrivals of 18 exploding 

grenades, ejected at programmed altitudes, were recorded and shock 

waves were measured by two rocketborne pressure transducers. Launch 

was correlated with similar grenade experiments launched from 

Churchill Research Range and Point Barrow, Alaska. 

Nike-Apache carried GSFC payload to 124.3-mi (200-km) altitude to 

define D-region electron-density profile in conjunction with measurements by Nike-Apache launched later. Good data were obtained, but 

radar failed to track vehicle. 

Second Nike-Apache, carrying Univ. of Michigan experiment, 

reached 80-mi (148-km) altitude. Objective was to obtain neutral particle parameters of pressure, temperature, and density between 24.8- and 

62.1-mi (40- and 100-km) altitude with Pitot static tube and falling 

sphere. All key experimental events occurred as planned. (NASA Rpts 

SRL) 

Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey spent five hours in briefings at KSC, 

ascending to spacecraft level of Apollo 8 moon rocket, performing simulated rendezvous and formation flying inside mock spacecraft, and 

lunching with NASA officials and Apollo 8 Astronauts Frank Borman, 

James A. Lovell, Jr., and William A. Anders. During visit, he said: 

“The space program has contributed greatly to the structure of our nation. . . . I have felt it has been underfunded at times and we will pay 

the price. I feel it is a wise investment on the part of Congress and the 

public. I’ll do what I can as a private citizen and a former chairman of 

the space council to see it is funded.” (KSC Release KSC-496-68; AP, 

W Star, 11/20/68, AS; AI’, W Post, 11/20/68, C1; Today, 11/20/68, 

1) * Soviet Prof. Georgy I. Petrov in Izvestzh said successful recovery of 

287 
November 19 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Zond VI opened way (‘for creation of spacecraft able to get to the 

moon, Mars, Venus, and other planets and return to earth.” Such experiments, he said, “will allow us in the near future to create long-lasting orbital stations, moon laboratories manned by scientific personnel. 

. . . The passenger ships will differ from the present spacecraft, but 

now we are witnessing their birth.” In another dispatch Tass said 

basic problem of reentry by spacecraft at “second cosmic speed,” about 

25,000 mph, had been solved by Zond VI. (UPI, W Star, 11/20/68, 

B11) 

In answer to queries [see Nov. 161 DOD issued statement on increased 

cost of C-SA, world’s largest aircraft. “At the beginning of this program over three years ago, the Air Force estimated that the cost of 

development and production of the first 58 airplanes would be $2.3 

billion. The corresponding estimate for the 120 airplanes ultimately 

contemplated was $3.1 billion. Current estimates, including economic 

escalation and all other factors, are $3.25 billion and $4.3 billion, 

indicating increases of 41 % and 39% respectively.” Additional costs 

had resulted from increased labor and materials costs due to Vietnam 

war and “unprecedented demand for civilian aircraft,” introduction of 

new technology, and modifications to overcome technical difficulties. 

(Text; WSJ, 11/20/18, 2; AP, W Post, 11/20/68, A3; Kelly, W Star, 

11/20/68, All) 

November 20: NASA successfully launched two Nike-Cajun sounding rockets 

to 74.6-mi (120-km) and 70.6-mi (113.6-km) altitudes to obtain data 

on variation of temperature, pressure, and wind profile by detonating 

grenades at prescribed times and recording sound arrivals on ground. 

Rockets and instruments performed satisfactorily; sound arrivals were 

recorded from 19 grenades on each rocket. Data would be compared 

with data from launches from NASA Wallops Station and Point Barrow, 

Alaska. (NASA Rpts SRL) 

NASA Acting Administrator Dr. Thomas 0. Paine in speech before AIA 

Fall Conference in Phoenix, Ariz., said, “Today the United States stand 

at the crossroads.” In FY 1969 NASA was operating close to “breakpointyy 

level. Below $4-billion budget level, NASA could no longer “hold 

together our hard-won capabilities and utilize them effectively in 

critical programs; some of them would have to be dropped entirely.” 

Budget aEwe $4 billion would “not only allow us to . . . carry forward major programs, but might permit . . . modest investments 

aimed at reducing costs of future space activities.” 

Pointing to “long-term results of the tremendous technological effort 

. . . mounted during World War 11” and “still being exploited today,” 

Dr. Paine urged that as “we tackle grave social ills, we’ve got to continue to forge ahead in other areas.’We must worry about how we 

create new wealth as much as we do about how we better distribute 

today’s wealth. It would be an international tragedy if America were to 

turn back now from its forward thrust in space at the end of an astonishingly productive first decade.” 

James M. Beggs, NASA Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology, discussed three major aerospace needs: increased aeronautical research, low-cost boosters, and use of nuclear energy in space. In aircraft technology, NASA was “increasing . . . effort 

by increases in old and new aeronautical disciplines in V/STOL technol288 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 20 

ogy, and in noise reduction.” Pressing need for boosters as reliable as 

existing boosters but far more economical, “means a fresh approach to 

the entire concept of boosters and a critical examination of each step 

. . . from the drawing board to the end of the boost operation.” NASA 

was recommending that NERVA engine development be continued with 

engine and stage ready for a mission as early as 1977. (Texts) 

@ In BBC TV interview Jodrell Bank Experimental Station Director, Sir Bernard Lovell, said US. Apollo 8 plan for manned lunar orbit was, “On 

a scientific basis . . . wasteful and silly. . . . We’ve reached the stage 

with automatic landings when it’s not necessary to risk human life to 

get information about the moon. Within a few years this information 

could be obtained by automatic, unmanned instruments.’’ Sir Bernard 

said he was full of admiration for project but added, there was “a dangerous element of deadline beating in it.” 

NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George 

E. Mueller, commented, “The purpose is not scientific but to take an important step in developing the capability of landing men on the moon.” 

In telephone interview from Huntsville, Ala., he said, “We are taking 

no undue risks.” 

Apollo 8 crewman William A. Anders told news conference at KSC, 

“We are flying primarily an operational mission and we strongly feel 

that a manned platform in lunar orbit with the operational equipment 

we have can add significant bits and pieces to scientific knowledge. 

. . . We think it will be a real boon for future Apollo flights to have 

the photographic, navigation, tracking, mapping, and other knowledge 

we’ll bring back.” (AP, B Sun, 11/21/68, 1; NYT, 11/21/68, 19; 

O’Toole, W Post, 11/21/68, A3) 

Survey by AIA predicted decline in aerospace industry employment from 

1,431 million in March to 1,400 million by December because of continuing decline in space program and leveling off of employment requirements in aircraft production and R&D programs. Employment was 

expected to remain at December level through March 1969. Aircraft 

production and R&D employees were expected to decline from 854,000 

to 833,000, or by 2.5%. Missiles and space employment was expected 

to drop from 517,000 to 507,000, or 1.9%. Scientists and engineers 

would continue to form 16% of aerospace employment, with technicians making up 6% of aerospace industry employment. (MA Release 

68-56) 

@ Soviet trade union newspaper Trud said mass production of powerful intercontinental rockets had started at U.S.S.R.’s “Rocket City” because 

the conquest of space is expanding.” Device made at the unidentified 

city “will help our scientists discover new mysteries of the universe for 

the good of man.” (UPI, NYT, 11/22/68,22) 

@ GSFC awarded $3,127,001 one-year extension of cost-plus-award-fee contract to Fairchild-Hiller Corp. for scientific and engineering support 

services at GSFC. ( GSFC Release G-53-68) 

November 21 : Cosmos CCLIV was successfully launched by U.S.S.R. from 

Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Satellite entered orbit with 332-km (206.3-4 

apogee, 210-km (130.5-mi) perigee, 89.8-min period, and 65.4” inclination and reentered Nov. 29. (UPI, NYT, 11/22/68, 22; GSFC SSR, 

11/30/68; SBD, 12/2/68,129) 

@ NASA Aerobee 150 A sounding rocket successfully launched from NASA 

289 

(6 
November 21 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%8 

Wallops Station carried 300-lb payload containing two white rats to 

101-mi (162.5-km) altitude in third of four experiments to study rats’ 

behavior in artificial gravity field and determine minimum level of 

gravity needed by biological organisms during space flight. During five 

minutes of free fall, rats selected artificial gravity levels created through 

centrifugal action by walking along tunnel runway in extended arms of 

payload. Data on their position and movement were telemetered to 

ground stations. Payload impacted 69 mi downrange in the Atlantic. 

( ws Release 68-21 

NASA Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried 

Univ. of Colorado experiment to 121-mi (193-km) altitude to take 

high-resolution spectra of carbon-2 resonance doublet at wavelength 

1,334 and 1,336 A; to retake, for comparison, high-resolution spectra 

of oxygen-1 resonance triplet at 1,302, 1,304, and 1,306 A; and to 

measure total intensities of these lines. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. Analysis of experiment results awaited recovery 

and processing of flight film. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

e National Science Foundation released Research and Development in Industry, 1966. Total 1966 industrial R&D expenditure was $15.5 billion, 

with industry accounting for 70% of nation’s R&D performance. Federal Government R&D performed in industry reached $8.3 billion, 53% 

of industrial total. In January 1%7, 163,900-30% of total-industrial 

scientists and engineers were engaged in R&D directly supported by 

Federal Government. In 1966, NASA and DOD financed work of 89% 

of R&D scientists and engineers employed by industry on Federal projects, with 54,000 working on NASA projects, an increase of 50% over 

1963. DOD-financed scientists and engineers decreased 23% in same 

period. (Text) 

At awards dinner of National Institute of Social Sciences in New York, 

Charles A. Lindbergh said, “My hope that aviation would cause better 

relationships between our earth‘s peoples gave way to realization that 

the airplane’s primary significance lay in its power of destruction. . . . My fascination with the rocket as a space-exploring vehicle has been 

replaced by my alarm at its ability to wipe out our civilization overnight.,, Lindbergh and his wife, Anne Morrow, received gold medals 

for “distinguished service to humanity” for their work in conservation. 

(UPI, W Star, 11/22/68, A2) 

Washington Evening Star said U.K. and Australian governments had 

drawn up joint plans for largest telescope in Southern Hemisphere, 

150-in optical telescope at Siding Spring Mountain Observatory of Australian National Univ. It would cost $10.5 million. (W Star, 11/21/68, 

A6) 

ComSatCorp announced it had requested proposals for construction of 

two new earth stations near Talkeetna, Alaska, and Apra Heights, 

Guam. (ComSatCorp Release 68-63) e Dept. of Interior released Noise and the Sonic Boom in Relation to Man, 

report of 12-scientist study group appointed by Interior Secretary Stewart L. Udall. Study found boom effects not harmful to hearing but estimated regular commercial overland SST flight would produce possible 

$80 million worth of damage claims annually from owners of buildings. Although value of time saved by SST passengers might be $3 billion annually, number of persons “gravely annoyed” probably would 

290 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 21 

be larger than that of SST passengers. Widespread use of SSTS would 

introduce large quantities of water vapor into atmosphere, which might 

affect weather. 

Group found urgent necessity for prompt decision on SST program 

and recommended : permitting only controlled experimental SST flights 

over populated areas while full determination of effects was being made; 

making immediate large-scale experiments with existing supersonic aircraft simulating intercity SST operations ; and establishing Presidential 

committee to hold public hearings in all regions of US. likely to be 

affected by sonic boom. (Text; Hornig, W Star, 11/22/68, A4; Rich, 

W Post, 11/22/68, A2; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 11/22/68, AS) 

November 21-22: NASA launched two Nike-Cajun sounding rockets from 

Point Barrow, Alaska, carrying GSFC experiments to obtain vertical 

profile of temperature, pressure, density, and wind data between 21.8- 

and 59-mi (35- and 95-km) altitudes by detonating grenades at prescribed times and recording sound arrivals on ground. Rockets and instruments performed satisfactorily; 19 grenades on each rocket exploded as planned. (NASA Rpts SRL) 

November 22: NASA Aerobee 150 A sounding rocket launched from NASA 

Wallops Station carried Univ. of Kentucky experiment to 101.7-mi 

(163.6-km) altitude to determine gravity preference of small white rat 

when subjected to artificial gravity field [see Nov. 211. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. Good data were obtained. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

0 JPL announced its astronomers had determined asteroid Icarus was about 

half mile in diameter and rotated every 2% hr, from data received during three-day series of seven microwave probes. Icarus was clocked at 

speeds from 36,000 mph to 1,450 mph at 4-million-mi distanc-losest 

approach it had made to earth in 19 yr. A 450,000-w transmitter on 

85-ft antenna at Goldstone Tracking Station in Mohave desert beamed 

radar waves at 2,388-mc frequency. Reflected echoes were received by 

210-ft antenna 14 mi away. Average radar round trip to Icarus was 43 

sec. JPL radar astronomer, Dr. Richard M. Goldstein, said indications 

were that Icarus was “rough, even jagged, and perhaps shaped like a 

peach stone.” Radar reflections were unable to indicate whether its surface was stony or metallic. If metallic, Dr. Goldstein said, its radius 

might be as small as 300 m; if stony, 600 my which fixed Icarus’ diameter at 600 to 1,200 m, with 900 m a probable figure. (NASA Release 

68-197; AP, W Star, 11/20/68, A8; Goldstein, Science, 11/22/68, 

903-4) 

0 Electronic device used to monitor heart pumping performance of astronauts was being tested as a “potentially sensitive indicator of early 

transplant rejections,” MSC’S Dr. Charles A. Berry and Dr. Lawrence F. 

Dietlein told symposium of medical space scientists from 15 nations at 

World Health Organization in Geneva. “The device, if successful, 

would be ideally suited for this use.” Dr. Dietlein pointed out that since 

no needles were used there would be no risk of infection and no risk of 

upsetting the delicate immunological balance of patients. (AP, Today, 

11/24/68,12A) 

NAS in The Mathematical Sciences: A Report said that before World 

War I1 US. was consumer of mathematical talent but now was “universally recognized as the leading producer.” Graduate education in 

291 
November 22 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

mathematical sciences at major US. centers was ‘‘far superior to that 

in all but two or three centers in the rest of the world,” but shortage of 

college teachers was likely to worsen. Report recommended increased 

Federal support for basic research, including NASA programs, computer 

science, applied mathematics, graduate apprenticeships, and faculty improvement. (Text; Schwartz, NYT, 11/24/68,74) 

* Dr. Donald F. Hornig, President Johnson’s Special Assistant for Science 

and Technology, would join Eastman Kodak Co. in “executive capacity” in early January, Science reported. He would also become professor of chemistry at Univ. of Rochester. (Science, 11/22/68,881) 

* US. and Romania signed agreements to exchange information on peaceful uses of atomic energy, scientific delegations, and unclassified technical literature and films. Romanian graduate students would be assigned 

to US. laboratories and universities. (Cohn, W Post, 11/21/68; El; 

AP, NYT, 11/24/68,43) 

November 23: First Lady, Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, and daughter Mrs. 

Lynda Robb paid their first visit to KSC and participated in simulated 

moon landing in lunar landing module replica. Dr. Thomas 0. Paine, 

NASA Acting Administrator, presented model of Apollo lunar landing 

module for display in Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library. He said 

model would bear plaque listing “a few of the many contributions to 

our space program of Lyndon B. Johnson-as Senate Majority Leader, 

as Chairman of the Senate Aeronautics and Space Sciences Committee, 

as Chairman of the National Aeronautics and Space Council when he 

was Vice President, and then as President of the United States.” Dr. 

Paine told Mrs. Johnson, “We trust that this model of the lunar landing 

module will signify to the many visitors . . . the President’s vision 

and leadership that has carried this nation outward into the new ocean 

of space.” (KSC Release KSC-500-68; Shelton, W Star, 11/25/68, E3; 

Blair, NYT, 11/24/68,41) 

November 24: Cornel1 Univ. scientists reported pulsar lying in or near 

Crab Nebula with €astest pulse rate of pulsars discovered thus far was 

slowing pulse tempo at rate of one part in 2,000 a year. Discovery was 

made with 1,000-ft-dia antenna at Arecibo (Puerto Rico) Observatory. Walter Sullivan in New York Times said discovery encouraged 

view that astronomers “are penetrating an entire new realm of physics 

. . . physics of superdense matter (in the form of so-called neutron 

stars), magnetic fields far beyond anything observable in the laboratory and superpowerful gravity.” (NYT, 11/25/68,53) 

0 New York Times article said at least eight nations, including US. and 

U.S.S.R., were building astronomical observatories in Chile, which had 

been termed ideal site because of its latitude, near 30’ South. Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA), dependency of NSF, had invested $19 million thus far in observatory of Cerro 

Tololo. Other groups were European Southern Observatory ( ESO, consortium of West Germany, France, Holland, Belgium, Sweden, and 

Denmark) and Soviet Astronomical Mission. A 36-in-telescope at US. 

observatory already had photographed powerful ray-emitting star 

whose existence previously had been only suspected. (NYT, 11/24/68, 

27) 0 USAF launched experimental Advanced Ballistic Reentry System ( ABRES) 

vehicle from Vandenberg AFB. (AP, W Post, 11/25/68,9) 

292 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 November 25 

November 25: Four foreign firms who handled all Argentine overseas telephone calls and telecommunications, with multimillion-dollar investment, had been notified by lower echelons of Argentine government 

that its national carrier ENTEL would be exclusive international carrier 

and would reserve all communications satellite channels for itself, 

Washington Evening Star reported. Argentina was to link up with 

ComSatCorp and INTELSAT on completion of earth station at Balcarce 

in June 1969. Firms-U.S.-based ITT World Communications, Inc. ; 

Transradio, which had RCA hookup; Western Telegraph of U.K.; and 

Italcable of Italy-would propose mixed government-carrier company 

to own and operate Argentine earth station. (O’Leary, W Star, 

11/25/68, A15) 

G130 troop and supply carrier, used as pick-up aircraft for satellites 

dropping special reconnaissance photos into sea, had developed serious 

wing cracks which would cost USAF $11 million to repair, Bob Horton 

reported in Washington Evening Star. USAF had been reinforcing wings 

but would have to build entire new wing on 400 C-130 models B 

through E to ensure long service. Model C-130A was not affected. (W 

Star, 11/25/68, A3) 

New York Times editorial commented on NAS report on status and needs 

of American mathematics [see Nov. 221 : “. . . this era-often called 

the age of the computer-is really the time of the most widespread and 

fruitful application of mathematics ever known. . . . The cost of supporting American mathematics is so slight in relation to the vast potential benefits that even the most economy-minded Congressman should 

be chary of using his ax” on Federal support. (NYT, 11/25/68,46) 

Harold T. Luskin, Director of Apollo Applications in NASA O5ce of 

Manned Space Flight, died in Bethesda, Md., of respiratory illness. He 

had joined NASA in March 1968 and had become Apollo Applications 

Director in May. He was past president of AIAA and had been associated with Douglas Aircraft Co. for 20 yr and Lockheed Aircraft 

Corp. for 9 yr. He had held engineering and management positions in 

connection with Agena space vehicle, USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory, X-3 supersonic research aircraft, and DC-8. (NASA Ann, 

11/26/68; W Post, 11/27/68, C3; Marshall Star, 11/27/68,1; W Star, 

11/27/68, B4) 

In Aviation Week & Space Technology editorial Robert Hotz said, “The 

national space program is approaching a critical watershed at about the 

same time the Nixon Administration will assume stewardship. . . . It is 

obvious now that space technology has demonstrated its ability to provide a wide range of benefits for better living on earth. It would be a 

national tragedy, if this country failed to capitalize on the substantial 

investment it has already made in developing space technology. It will 

fall to the Nixon Administration to make the critical decisions during 

the next few years that will determine the future course of the national 

space program.” (Av Wk, 11/25/68,11) 

Dr. Paul Allman Siple, polar explorer and geographer who had accompanied Adm. Richard E. Byrd to Antarctica and science adviser to U.S. 

Army 1946-1963 and since 1967, died at Arlington, Va., at age 59. 

(NYT, 11/27/68,47) 

November 26: Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for 

Manned Space Flight, told National Space Club in Washington, D.C., 

293 
November 26 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

unique conditions in space suggested use of orbiting space stations for 

certain manufacturing processes. “For instance, liquid floating in a 

weightless environment takes the shape of a perfect sphere. Thus, it is 

e that metal ball bearings could be manufactured in space to 

impossible on earth, yet at a cost, including transportation, 

less than we can now achieve. Perfect bearings would reduce friction 

and noise levels to the vanishing point. Free-fall casting techniques 

could be utilized to cast large flawless optical blanks for telescopes and 

by proper combinations of spinning and electrostatic forces we should 

be able to shape the surface as well.” 

Stable foams for mixtures of liquefied materials and gases, impossible 

to produce satisfactorily on earth, could be produced in weightlessness, 

resulting in “a steel foam almost as light as balsa wood with many of 

the properties of solid steel.” Composite materials like steel of different 

densities and properties and glass also could be produced. (Text; 

Schmeck, NYT, 11/27/68,48; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 11/27/68, A6) 

0 Dr. Homer E. Newell, NASA Associate Administrator, said in speech before annual convention of National Council for Social Studies at GSFC: 

. . . because of the length of time between investment in basic scientific research and important use of the results thereof, support by Conblic of basic research is hesitating and often outright 

elopment and application of technology to the quick 

solution of current problems is better understood and more readily 

supported. Yet the fact is that technology to be used in the solution of 

a practical problem rests ultimately upon the results of basic research 

performed years, and often many years, ago.” Experience proved, he 

said, “that the effort to select the basic research to support in terms 

of predicted usefulness would over and over again preclude support 

of the research that in time would prove to be the most valuable.” (Text) 

0 NASA and Univ. of Texas dedicated world’s third largest telescope, 107- 

in, 15O-ton instrument at McDonald Observatory, Mount Locke, Tex. 

Observatory Director, Dr. Harlan J. Smith, said it had been booked a 

year in advance. The $5-million observatory would emphasize studies 

of moon and other planets. Government scientists hoped for information to help them design planetary spacecraft. (UPI, NYT, 11/27/68, 

26) 

French Prime Minister Maurice Couve de Murville announced France’s 

1969 atomic test program would be canceled and credits would be reduced for Concorde supersonic aircraft as part of austerity program to 

save French franc from devaluation. French contribution to Concorde 

development would be cut by $12 million. It was not known how much 

move might delay program, with first prototype scheduled to fly in late 

December. (AP, W Star, 11/26/68, 1 ; Louchheim, W Post, 11/27/68, 

Al; Tanner, NYT, 11/27/68,1) 

November 27: NASA FY 1970 budget request of $3.878 billion was agreed 

on in meeting between President Johnson and NASA Acting Administrator Thomas 0. Paine. (NASA Off of Admin) 

NASA awarded Allis-Chalmers $3,500,000 contract to flight-qualify Multimission Fuel Cell Assembly, an improved fuel cell electrical power 

system for Apollo Applications (AA) program. System had been developed under three previous NASA contracts since 1962. Allis-Chalmers 

would produce two assemblies for use in qualification program and two 

66 

294 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%8 November 27 

for delivery to MSC. (NASA Procurement Off; MCS Roundup, 12/6/68, 

1) 

U.K. became first nuclear power to ratify nuclear nonproliferation 

treaty. At Washington, D.C., ceremony, British Charg6 d’tlffaires Edward E. Tompkins handed instruments of ratification to Director William C. Foster of U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. (NYT, 

11/28/68,9) 

0 Soviet journal Aviatsiya i Kosmonavtika (Aviation and Cosmonautics) 

said Soviet scientists had concluded “basis of a linked system for providing man with vital necessities on board spaceship will be the cultivation of higher plants. . . . Scientists believe that artificial soil could be 

used for space plant growing.” Once spacecraft left earth gravitation 

field, “plants will be fixed in special holders and sprayed with concentrated solutions containing all necessary substances.’’ ( UPI, NYT, 

11/29/68,22) 

USN’s Sealab I11 was carried by barge to §an Clemente Island, Calif. It 

would be lowered 600 ft to Pacific Ocean bottom to serve as working 

and living quarters for five teams of 8 to 10 men setting up underwater 

trolley line, building dry and lighted hut on sea floor, starting lobster 

farm, and training porpoises and sea lions to fetch and carry. Sealab 

111, submerged to three times depths of Sealab I ahd Sealab 11, was 

final experiment in Sealab program. (AP, W Stat, 11/28/68, A36) 

November 28: NASA announced Mexican cities Gomez Palacios and Torreon had been saved from flooding in wake of Hurricane Naomi when 

Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) station at Mexico City relayed 

data from Essa VZ satellite indicating weather was clearing. Mexican 

authorities thus were saved from opening dangerously filled dam which 

would have inundated the cities. (NASA Release 68-203; UPI, NYT, 

12/1/68,77) 

Canadian scientist I. A. Stewart, Operations Manager of Churchill Research Range, said at first International Aerospace Exposition in Montreal he believed range, operated jointly by U.S. and Canada, could be 

converted for $1 million to accommodate satellite launching pad. Canada could thus rise to ranks of space-age power, he said. Of more than 

200 on staff, only one was from U.S. (Can Press, NYT, 12/1/68,13) 

November 29: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLV from Plesetsk Cosmodrome into orbit with 317-km (197-mi) apogee, 211-km (131.1-mi) 

perigee, 89.6-min period, and 65.4’ inclination. Spacecraft reentered 

Dec. 7. (GSFC SSR, 11/30/68; 12/15/68; SBD, 12/2/68,129) 

MSFC announced it had requested proposals from 11 aerospace companies for six-month design and definition study for dual mode lunar roving vehicle ( LRV) capable of transporting astronauts on lunar surface 

and of performing automated, long-range scientific traverses across 

moon under remote control from earth. 

Vehicle was to permit manned sorties of up to 6 mi from landed 

spacecraft, with total round trip of more than 18 mi. After astronauts 

left moon, LRV would be placed in remote control mode for automated 

long-range (600 or more mi) geological and geophysical trips for one 

year. It would collect up to 200 lb of lunar samples and measure terrain, then rendezvous with manned spacecraft for return of samples to 

earth. (MSFC Release 68-274; SBD, 12/3/68, 134; Marshall Star, 

12/4/68,1) 

295 
November 29 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

* FAA announced it had issued RFP for collection and analysis of information on engineering, economic, and operational aspects of proposed 

construction of airports on offshore water sites, including floating airports and those to be built on fill or piles or in areas protected by dikes. 

(FAA Release 68-75; NYT, 12/2/68,94) 

* World’s largest vacuum telescope, scheduled for spring 1969 completion 

at Sunspot, N. Mex., could provide method of predicting solar flares, 

Associated Press reported. Housed in 135-ft concrete needle atop mountain ridge 4,000 ft above WSMR, at Sacramento Peak Observatory, telescope was brainchild of USAF astronomer Dr. Richard Dunn, who told 

AP, “Prediction of solar flares would give us time to warn astronauts 

working outside the radiation shielding of a spacecraft to take cover 

and allow us to predict periods of radio communication interference.’’ 

Project cost $3.5 million. (AP, NYT, 12/1/68,65) 

November 30: U.S.S.R launched Cosmos CCLVI into orbit with 1,223-km 

(759.9-mi) apogee, 1,195-km (742.6-mi) perigee, 109.4-min period, 

and 74” inclination. ( GSFC SSR, 11/30/68) 

* European Launcher Development Organization ( ELDO) attempt to place 

550-lb Italian ELDO F-7 into polar orbit failed when technicians lost 

contact with payload shortly after launch. Satellite launched from 

Woomera Rocket Range by booster with U.K. Blue Streak 1st stage, 

French Coralie 2nd stage, and West German Astris 3rd stage stopped 

transmitting after abbreviated seven-second 3rd-stage burn and could 

not be tracked. (Reuters, NYT, 12/1/68, 11) 

During November: Milton Alberstadt reviewed 25-yr history of MSFC’S 

Michoud Assembly Facility. U.S. Government built plant (dedicated 

Oct. 24, 1943) on Michoud sugar mill site during World War I1 to assemble Curtiss C-46 Caravan transports. After C-46 contract was canceled, “Flying Dutchman,” air-sea rescue boat carried under belly of 

Boeing B-17 bomber, was developed. Michoud plant was reactivated 

during Korean War by Chrysler Corp. to produce 810-hp engines for 

Patton tanks. It was selected by NASA in 1961 as site to build Saturn 

rocket to put man on moon. (Boeing Magazine, 11/68, 8-9) 

In Air Force and Space Digest interview General Electric Co. Vice 

President Gerhard Neumann, head of GE Aircraft Engine Group, said 

postponement of essential R&D during past several years had “mortgaged” nation’s techological future. He saw hazards in current DOD 

contracting policies which kept industry from taking “reasonable risks” 

because they imposed implacable performance guarantees. He blamed 

parsimonious funding on Vietnam War requirements and urged lost 

ground be regained as soon as priorities permitted. In era of R&D austerity, Neumann advocated “lot more” work in advanced-engine research by NASA. (AF/SD, 11/68,58) 

* Secretary of Defense Clark M. Clifford wrote in Air Force and Space 

Digest: “Not too many years ago, the War and Navy Departments 

were concerned almost exclusively with men and simple machines. Defense industries were regarded as mere munitions-makers. . . . We now 

have a military-industrial team with unique resources of experience, engineering talent, management and problem-solving capacities, [ and it] 

must be used to help find the answers to complex domestic problems 

as it has found the answers to complex weapon systems. Those answers can be put to good use by our cities and our states, by our 

296 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 During November 

schools, by large and small businesses alike. The nation will be the 

better and the stronger.” (AF/SD, 11/68, 76-7) 

In Air Force and Space Digest Capt. Gerald T. Rudolph (USAF) of AFSC 

Space and Missiles Systems Organization scored lack of progress in 

adopting systems technology to solve “nation’s mounting social problems.” He found two major reasons for lag: “the public does not entirely understand [it] , largely because the aerospace industry has been 

unable to define it adequately and explain how it is used. And . . . American society has always been reluctant to accept the kind of centralized authority required to implement systems solutions, especially at 

the community and regional levels.” 

Every effort should be made, he said, to surmount obstacles because 

“it is the judgment of many experts that systems technology will prove 

to be the most valuable parcel of knowledge to come out of present day 

space technology.” (AF/SD, 11/68,79-81) 

* J. S. Butz, Jr., in Air Force and Space Digest article “The Men Behind 

Soviet Aircraft Design” wrote : “Top Russian designers are exuberant 

realists; and they operate under a ‘prototype’ system of development 

that is probably the most competitive and technically stimulating in the 

world. This system is similar to the one employed in the United States 

until the mid-1950s and the odds appear strong that the US. will return to such an approach in the 1970s’ rejecting the strong dependence 

on ‘systems analysis’ and ‘cost-effectiveness’ studies that characterized 

the 1960s.’’ (AFISD, 11/68,62-7) 

297 
December 1968 

December 1 : Tenth anniversary of Antarctic Treaty signed by 12 nations 

to promote scientific research and to bar military activity in the area. 

(A&A, 1915-1960) 

December 2: Retirement of H. Julian Allen as Director of Ames Research 

Center, announced Oct. 25, would be deferred, NASA announced. Allen 

would be Special Assistant to Associate Director, Office of Advanced 

Research and Technology, and would serve as Acting Director of ARC 

for indefinite period. ARC Associate Director James F. Parsons, named 

to be Acting Director after Allen’s retirement, had become seriously ill. 

Parsons died March 2, 1969. (NASA Ann, 12/2/68; ARC Memo from 

Director to Staff, 3/3/69) 

U.S.S.R. published Zond VZ photo of 70-mi-wide lunar crater carrying 

name honoring geneticist Nikolay I. Vavilov, who had been sent to Siberia in 1939 for opposing ideas of Trofim D. Lysenko, and his brother 

Sergei I. Vavilov, who had later become president of Soviet Academy 

of Sciences. Nikolay Vavilov died in Siberia in 1943; his brother died 

in 1951. Soviet name for crater, Brothers Vavilov, had not yet been accredited by International Astronomical Union. (NYT, 12/3/68,36) 

President Johnson presented 1968 Enrico Fermi Award in White House 

ceremony to Dr. John Archibald Wheeler, Princeton Univ. physicist, 

for “pioneering contributions to understanding nuclear fission and to 

developing the technology of plutonium production reactors and his 

continuing broad contributions to nuclear science.” Award carried gold 

medal, citation, and $25,000. (PD, 12/9/68, 1956; W Post, 12/3/68, 

A2; W Star, 12/3/68, A6) 

DOD announced issuance of $4,400,000 initial increment to $31,132,689 

cost-plus-incentive-fee USAF contract with Lockheed Missiles and Space 

Co. for launch support services at WTR. (DOD Release 1060-68) 

U.K., West Germany, and the Netherlands had decided to pool secrets 

and build centrifuge separation plant to produce cheap enriched-uranium reactor fuel, Don Cook reported in Washington Post. In 1962 

agreement with U.S., the countries had contracted to keep experimentation in centrifuge secret from each other. In addition to U.S., U.S.S.R. 

and Communist China produced enriched uranium by gaseous-diff usion 

process. ( W Post, 12/2/68, A3) 

December 3: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLVZZ into orbit with 438-km 

(272.2-mi) apogee, 269-km (167.2-mi) perigee, 91.6-min period, and 

70.9O inclination. Satellite reentered March 5, 1969. (AP, B Sun, 

12/4/68; Reuters, C Trib, 12/4/68; GSFC SSR, 12/15/68; 3/15/69) 

S70A experimental supersonic bomber, piloted by NASA test pilots 

Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., and Donald L. Mallick, reached mach 1.64, and 

39,400-ft altitude during 1-hr 58-min flight from Edwards AFB to test 

exiter vwe integrated loads and frequency and handling qualities. All 

298 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 3 

primary objectives were accomplished, although cabin pressure problem necessitated manual operation of system. (XB-70 Proj Off) 

* President Johnson proclaimed Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, 

the Return of Astronauts, and the Return of Space Objects in effect 

with deposit in three capitals of instruments of ratification by U.S., 

U.S.S.R., and U.K. Ireland and Nepal had previously ratified treaty, 

which had been signed by 75 countries. Proclamation noted new agreement was essentially humanitarian. Its provisions “carry forward the 

goals Qf international cooperation to which the United States has been 

dedicated since enactment of the National Aeronautics and Space Act 

of 1958 and to which the United States renewed its commitment in the 

outer space treaty of 1967.” (PD, 12/9/68, 1658; AP, NYT, 

12/5/68, 13; NASA Off of General Council) 

0 President-elect Richard M. Nixon named Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, retiring 

President of Cal Tech, as his Science Adviser and announced formation 

of task force under Dr. H. Guyford Stever, President of Carnegie-Mellon Univ., to make recommendations in general science field. Task 

force headed by Dr. Charles Townes, Nobel Prize winning physics professor at Univ. of California at Berkeley, would recommend in space 

field. 

Dr. DuBridge described as a ‘‘very critical matter” loss of momentum in US. space program because of appropriations cuts and said reducing activities in basic and applied research damaged nation’s future. 

Later, National Science Board Chairman, Dr. Philip Handler of 

Duke Univ., said of Dr. DuBridge, “He has one rare attribute . . . wisdom, an unusual commodity. He is knowledgeable about the role of 

technology in our society and has a deep belief in the importance of 

fundamental research to the health and welfare of the country. And he 

is usually understanding of the problems of the private universities.” 

Horner, W Star, 12/3/68; Cohn, W Post, 12/3/68, A7; S%D, 12/4/68, 

141 ; W Star, 12/4/68, A13) 

President Johnson presented Harmon International Aviator’s Trophy to 

Maj. William J. Knight (USAF) for piloting X-15 rocket research aircraft to unofficial record speed of 4,520 mph (mach 6.70) Oct. 3, 1967. 

During White House ceremony President said, “What we learned from 

the X-15 program will enable us to improve on all our aircraft. The information gained from Major Knight’s ‘flying iaboratory’ will make the 

airplanes of the future safer, faster, and more efficient.” (NASA PAO; w 

Post, 12/4/68, A3; S%D, 12/5/68,151; PD, 12/9/68,1660) 

Gen. Jacob E. Smart (USAF, Ret.), NASA Assistant Administrator for DOD 

and Interagency Affairs, addressed Armed Forces Management Assn. 

on NASA Interagency Coordination: “. . . I believe it would be appropriate for the President or the Congress to charge NASA with exercising 

the lead in a national R&D program that is designed to learn how and to 

what degree science, engineering, and technology can be applied to 

help the Departments of Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Navy, and 

others to fulfill their responsibilities for development and management 

of natural resources. . . . National decision on whether we undertake 

development of operational space systems must await outcome of 

R&D. Issues will be more clearly identified and understood if the 

President and the Congress lend their interest and public support to a 

first class R&D program.’’ (Text) 

299 
December 3 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

e FAA adopted rule proposed Sept. 4 to limit number and type of aircraft 

operations at five “high-density” airports in New York, Washington, 

and Chicago and included supplemental carriers in same category as 

scheduled carriers. Final rule, effective April 27, 1969, dropped proposed requirement that all aircraft operating instrument flight rule 

(IFR) at high-density airports have minimum two-pilot crew and be 

able to maintain 150-knot minimum airspeed. (FAA Release 68-76; W 

Star, 12/3/68, Al; Eisen, W Post, 12/3/68, Al; Witkin, NYT, 

12/4/68,1) 

Cal Tech said Mt. Wilson and Mt. Palomar observatories were keeping 

close watch for developing sunspots that might threaten Apollo 8 astronauts with dangerous x-ray radiation. (Reuters, W Post, 12/5/68, H9) 

December 4: USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by 

Titan 111-B booster into orbit with 454-mi (730.6-km) apogee, 94-mi 

( 151.3-km) perigee, 89.3-min period, and 106.2 inclination. Satellite 

reentered Dec. 12. (Pres Rpt 68) 

0 Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR carried 

Dudley Observatory payload to 95.8-mi (153.2-h) altitude to determine particle flux during quiet period preceding Geminid meteor 

shower (Dec. 13-14). Launch was first in series of two; second would 

be launched Dec. 14. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily. 

All collection trap functions occurred as programmed. Payload was 

tracked visually during descent and sucessfully recovered. (NASA Rpt 

SRL) 

Eugen Sanger Medal of German Society of Aeronautics and Astronautics was awarded to US. X-15 research aircraft team in Bonn, West 

Germany, for X-15 program’s contribution to advancement of space 

flight. Medal honored German rocketry leader, Dr. Eugen Sanger, first 

to define potential of hypersonic rocket aircraft, who died in 1964. 

John v. Becker of LaRC accepted award on behalf of NASA-USN-USAF 

team. (NASA Release 68-206) 

0 Dr. Abe Silverstein, Lewis Research Center Director, received one of six 

$10,000, 1968 Rockefeller Public Service Awards-highest privately 

sustained honor for Federal career servicein Washington, D.C., ceremonies. (Causey, W Post, 12/5/68, A22) 

0 In letter to National Council on Marine Resources and Development, 

President-elect Richard M. Nixon said his administration would “consider an integrated program in oceanology a first priority.” (AP, 

NYT, 12/8/68, 74) 

December 5-30: NASA successfullv launched ESRO’S 24041 Heos-A Highly 

Eccentric Orbiting Satellite from ETR by Thrust-Augmented Thor-Delta 

(DSV-3E) booster. Drum-shaped satellite entered orbit with 138,831.2- 

mi (223,579.4-km) apogee, 263-mi (423-km) perigee, 112-hr 29-min 

period, and 28.3” inclination. 

Primary NASA objective was to place Heos-A into earth orbit which 

would permit successful achievement of ESRO scientific objectives and 

to provide spacecraft tracking and telemetry support. Eight onboard 

experiments designed by nine scientific groups in Belgium, France, 

West Germany, Italy, and U.K. would investigate interplanetary magnetic fields and study solar and cosmic-ray particles outside magnetosphere during period of maximum solar activity. By Dec. 30 seven experimene had been turned on and operated satisfactorily. Eighth ex300 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 5-30 

periment would be activated two months after liftoff. Spacecraft control 

had shifted to ESRO Operations Center, Darmstadt, Germany. 

Heos-A was third ESRO mission orbited by NASA, first ESRO mission 

on Delta launch vehicle, and first NASA-ESRO reimbursable mission, in 

which ESRO would pay U.S. for launch vehicle hardware and certain 

launch costs. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 68-204; Wilford, NYT, 

December 5: Interview with Dr. Donald F. Hornig, Science Adviser to President Johnson, appeared in New Yorlc Times. Dr. Hornig said 

problem facing his successor, Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, was finding funds 

for science and technology, to preserve “the vitality, the creativity and 

the entrepreneurial surge of the establishment.” Next science adviser 

would have to orient new administration to give science proper place 

in overall scheme. One of America’s great strengths was recognition 

that science, like economics, was part of everything. 

New administration would have to set course for space program after 

manned lunar landing. It would have to decide how to improve nation’s 

health care, deal with environmental pollution, and face technological 

problems of keeping world free of nuclear war. Particularly important 

task would be advancing vitality of basic science enterprise-research 

devoted to quest for knowledge with no immediate applications in 

mind. (Schmeck, NYT, 12/5/68,28) 

WuZZ Street Journal editorial said major task of new Presidential Science 

Adviser, Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, would be “to try to help instill some 

semblance of order in the Government’s massive involvement in science.” While DOD and NASA had been biggest science spenders, other 

agencies were extensively involved. “Because there was such a limited 

effort to set priorities in the first place, it’s hard for anyone to know 

for sure which programs the nation now can best afford to slow down 

or abandon. . . . [Dr.] DuBridge now must try to plan the future 

course of Federal science, somehow reconciling all the competing pressures from scientists, universities, industry, Congress, maybe even taxpayers.” ( WSJ, 12/5/68) 

NASA Deputy Administrator for Space Sciences and Applications Oran 

W. Nicks described applications of Surveyor and Lunar Orbiter techniques to Mars exploration before AIAA meeting in Washington, D.C. 

Two 1971 Marinez Orbiter missions would provide new tools for survey of dynamic Mars, arriving when most striking seasonal changes 

were evident in Southern Hemisphere. Their combined orbits and life 

expectancies would allow observations of dynamic changes in clouds 

and surface features over several months. In 1973, two additional orbiters would survey Mars from different orbits during different seasons, 

with support of landing mission as prime requirement. Also planned 

for 1973 was survivable landing spacecraft to make local measurements 

of environment, photograph surface and topography, and analyze soil. 

Burning question of immediate concern to you and me will be addressed by use of our new tools,” Nicks said: “Is there life elsewhere? 

Has life existed on nearby planets and disappeared for any reason? 

Can nearby planets be made suitable for life?’ Together, orbiters and 

landers form a powerful team for the study of Mars and for seeking 

answers to these questions. Together, they will continue to extend our 

12/6/68; GSFC SSR, 12/15/68) 

$6 

301 
December 5 

\ 

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

capabilities in what is probably the most challenging, open-ended arena 

for expansion of science and technology in the decade ahead.” (Text) 

* NASA announced plans to use Titan 111-D/Centaur in dual launches of 

6,000-lb spacecraft consisting of Surveyor-type soft landers mated to 

Mariner 1971 class Mars orbiters in mid-1973, in Project Viking, to 

obtain scientific information on life on Mars. Launched 10 days apart, 

spacecraft would arrive about seven months later, when orbiter propulsion systems would place orbiters and landers in Mars orbit. After reconnaissance, landers would be detached and softland on Mars. (NASA 

Release 68-207 ; Pasadena Independent, 12/6/68) 

* LeRc announced NASA-developed artificial-heart control system delivered 

to Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, would aid research into ways 

man-made ventricle could assist damaged natural heart. Later, system 

could be modified to control artificial replacement heart. Electronic Rwave detector sorted heartbeat from background noise in electrocardiogram to synchronize beat in artificial heart with natural heart and 

gave synchronization signal to programmer, which could adjust pumping of artificial ventricle to needs of body. (LeRC Release 68-80) 

* ComSatCorp announced it had placed in full-time commercial operation 

two new earth station facilities at Jamesburg, Calif., and Paumalu, Hawaii, to handle U.S.-Pacific area communications via Zntelsat-ZZ F-d 

(Intelsat 11-D) satellite. (ComSatCorp Release 68-66) 

* Scientists at Univ. of California at Los Angeles, testing to determine if 

life could exist in hostile environment of Venus, said they had grown 

algae in atmosphere of 100% carbon dioxide. They said Venus had 

more than 90%. More complex plants had not survived, reported Dr. 

Willard F. Libby, Nobel Prize winner in chemistry, Dr. Joseph Seckbach of Israel, and Dr. Irene Aegerter of Switzerland. (AP, NYT, 

12/8/68,35) * DOD announced USAF scientists, in study conducted by Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, would fly KC-135 flying ionospheric 

laboratory around auroral oval in Arctic during seven-day series of 

first flights attempted along this route. Purpose was to obtain data on 

spatial extent and intensity of optical and radio auroras in midwinter 

and define relationships between them. USAF was interested in influence 

of auroras on radio communication and navigation and on radar surveillance. AFCRL scientists hoped, eventually, to predict occurrence and 

severity of auroral activity. (DOD Release 1065-68) * Washington Post editorial commented on FAA’s limitation of operations 

at five major airports [see Dec. 31: “It is unfortunate, of course, that 

the capacity of airports at New York, Chicago and Washington have 

not kept up with the growth of the Nation’s air fleet. But airports do 

have limits, and it is growing increasingly clear that the only solution 

to congestion problems is to separate commercial and noncommercial 

traffic. It would make far more sense for those who feel they have been 

unfairly treated by the FAA’s action to campaign for more reliever airports around large cities (and the taxes on airport users to pay for 

them) than to attempt . . . to overturn the FAA decision.” (W Post, 

12/5/68, A20) * USN announced authorization of $22 million to Electric Boat Div. of 

General Dynamics Corp. for planning and procurement of materials 

and equipment for “quiet” nuclear-powered submarine. Award brought 

302 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 5 

total allocation thus far to $30.5 dion. Initial $8.5 million was for 

design. (UPI, W Post, 12/5/68, H7) 

December 6: Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched by NASA from 

WSMR carried American Science and Engineering, Inc., payload to 

92.6-mi (149-km) altitude to collect data on celestial x-ray sources in 

1- to 20-kev range. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily. 

(NASA Rpt SRL) 

@ NASA announced first successful orbital operation of two low-thrust space 

engines during five separate tests in two-month lifetime of Ats ZV 

spacecraft. Ion, or electrical engines, producing thrust of less than 20 

micropounds, had been fired for total 23 hr and perfprmed perfectlyIon engines for future spacecraft were ideal systems for countering 

gravitational attraction between spacecraft, moon and sun, and elliptical equatorial section-to keep satellite stationary for conducting communications, meteorological, and navigational experiments. They haid 

controllable thrust level and direction, higher fuel efficiency, and longer 

fuel life than Chemically propelled engines. Reservoir of 1/10 lb cesiua 

could keep synchronous satellite stationary for more than three years. 

Before test, propulsion experts had expected ion engine firings might 

create radio frequency interference. Test showed no interference. Two 

more ion engines were planned for testing aboard ATS-E, scheduled for 

August 1969 launch. (NASA Release 68-205) 

9 In major organizational changes at Marshall Space Flight Center, Dr. 

W. R. Lucas, Director of Propulsion and Vehicle Engineering Laboratory, was named Director for Program Development, effective Dec. 16; 

Dave Newby was named Director of Center Operations; and Dr. Ernst 

Stuhlinger, Director of Space Sciences Laboratory, was named Associate Director for Science. All were new positions. MSFC Research and 

Development Operations would become Science and Engineering, with 

Hermann K. Weidner remaining Director ; Industrial Operations would 

become Program Management under same director, E. F. O’Connor. 

Dr. Wernher von Braun, MSFC Director, said major function of new 

Program Development organization would be to “harden” complete 

package plans for new programs, such as space station. Director for 

Program Development would “help chart the course for this Center in 

the post-Apollo period, keeping in mind our Apollo program requirements and AAP obligations.” ( MSFC Release 68-276; Marshall Star, 

12/11/68,1) 

@ Apollo 7 Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr., received Kitty Hawk Memorial Trophy for distinguished achievement in aeronautics at annual 

Wright Brothers memorial banquet in Beverly Hills, Calif. Banquet 

commemorated 65th anniversary of flight of Kitty Hawk. (UPI, W Star, 

12/7/68, A2) 

ComSatCorp filed application for authority to construct earth station for 

satellite communications in Alaska, 90 mi north of Anchorage near 

Talkeetna Village. (ComSatCorp Release 68-68) 

0 In Washington Post, Thomas O’Toole said Howard R. Hughes organization’s holding company, Hughes Nevada Operations, had requested 

public disclosure of alleged DOD study by Harvard Univ.’s Dr. George 

Kistiakowsky and MIT’S Dr. Jerome Wiesner and James Killian. Company claimed Special Report on Underground Testing concluded there 

was no reason for continued underground atomic tests. DOD spokesman 

303 
December 6 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

denied existence of study, while Science Adviser to President Johnson, 

Dr. Donald F. Hornig, said only that he had met with top physicists in 

November to discuss safety of underground testing. “We may make a 

public report on it. The subject seems to be of enough importance to 

warrant a public airing.” ( W Post, 12/6/68,87) 

December 7-10: NASA’s Oao 11 (oAo-A~) Orbiting Astronomical Observatory was successfully launched from ETR by two-stage Atlas-Centaur 

booster. Orbital parameters: apogee, 485.7 mi (781.6 km) ; perigee, 

479.2 mi (771.2 km) ; period, 100.4 min; and inclination, 35”. Heaviest and most complex automated spacecraft ever developed by U.S., 

Oao IZ was 7 ft wide and 10 ft high, weighed 4,400 lb, carried 11 telescopes, and contained 238,000 separate parts. 

Primary mission objective was to demonstrate flight operation to 

support two experiments provided by Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory and Univ. of Wisconsin for at least 30 days. Secondary objective was to obtain scientific data over a range of star magnitudes 

and wavelengths for at least 50 hr. Experiments would observe interstellar dust and extremely young hot stars in UV portion of spectrum 

not visible to human eye or earth-based observatories. Satellite would 

he able to collect six hours of UV data per day-twice as much as had 

been obtained in 15 yr from 40 sounding rocket launches. Through its 

complex ground-command spacecraft-attitude system Oao IZ would be 

aimed at individual objects in space with precision never before attained by an orbiting satellite. Information from experiments would be 

radioed to earth as digital data for analysis by experimenters. 

By Dec. 10 all spacecraft equipment had been turned on and operated satisfactorily: satellite had been placed in its sunbathing mode 

with its solar panels oriented toward sun; its six star trackers had 

been activated; three of the trackers had been locked on to preplanned 

guide stars ; and satellite had established three-axis stabilization. Smithsonian experiment initial power had been turned on. Wisconsin Experiment Package would be turned on Dec. 11. 

Oao 11 was second in series of four spacecraft in NASA’s OAO program to obtain precise astronomical observations of celestial objects 

above earth’s atmosphere. Oao I had been launched into almost perfect 

orbit April 8, 1966, but had failed because of power supply system 

malfunction and probable high voltage arcing in star tracker. OAO program was managed by GSFC under OSSA direction, (NASA Proj Off; 

NASA Release 68-186K; KSC Release KSC-68; UPI, W Star, 12/8/68, 

A5; O’Toole, W Post, 12/8/68; AP, W Star, 12/9/68, A6; SBD, 

12/10/68,172; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 12/12/68, A5) 

December 7: ApoZZo 8 Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr., William A. Anders, 

and Frank Borman-scheduled to begin lunar orbital mission Dec. 21- 

held preflight press conference at MSC. Borman, comparing mission to 

“a combat tour in Vietnam,” said: “The risks we take are acceptable 

ones. . . . V7e have to accept them if we believe it’s worthwhile. If 

I ever feel it’s not worthwhile, I’ll quit.” 

Describing the magnificence of space flight, Borman said, “When 

you’re finally up at the moon and looking back at the world, the nationalities blend. . . . You get the concept that this really is one world 

and wonder why . . . we can’t live together like decent people.” Anders 

said crew “might use the opportunity [of being in lunar orbit Christ304 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 Dedember 7 

December 7-10 : NASA’s’ Oao-I1 21 -foot-wide, 4,400-pound Orbiting Astronomical Observatory carried 11 telescopes into orbit to seek answers to questions on origin, evolution, and future of universe. Photo was made in final flight qualification testing. 

mas Day] to express to all peoples of the world our purposes and the 

benefits we can expect from space exploration.” (Lannan, W Star, 

12/8/68, A4; AP, ICC Star, 12/8/68; AP, M Her, 12/8/68) 

December 8: Chief Test Pilot Joseph S. Algranti successfully ejected from 

lunar landing training vehicle about four minutes into planned six-minUte flight, when large lateral-control oscillation developed as he descended from maximum altitude of 550 ft. He ejected at 200 ft and 

landed by parachute while $1.8-million vehicle crashed and burned several hundred feet away. Flight was 14th for this LLTV. Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr., was named chairman of board to investigate accident. (MSC Special Releases; W Post, 12/9/68, 1; SBD, 12/10/68, 

172) 

e In New York Times, Walter Sullivan said President-elect Richard M. 

Nixon’s entourawe had discussed creation of Cabinet post for science 

and technology.”The science adviser, in the view of the Nixon entourage, has been unable to streamline the machinery for making science 

policy. Science, and the problems relating to it, has outgrown its old 

boundaries. The big problems are interdisciplinary. Their solution 

requires expertise in many fields, and the cooperation of many departments of government. This has led to a proliferation of interdepartmental committees.” However, “because the creation of a Cabinet post 

would have major repercussions within the scientific establishment, it is 

unlikely that such a step will be taken until there has been an extensive 

study, lasting perhaps a year or more.” (NYT, 12/8/68, 3E) 

305 
December 9 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

December 9: NASA’s HGlO lifting body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Jerauld R. 

Gentry ( USAF) , successfully completed second rocket-powered flight 

from Edwards AFB reaching mach 0.8 (550 mph) at altitude approaching 50,000 ft. (NASA Proj Off; AP, B Sun, 12/10/68, 5) 

At White House Dinner honoring members of space program, President 

Johnson presented Presidential Medal of Freedom, Nation’s highest civilian award, to retired NASA Administrator, James E. Webb, “a most 

distinguished public administrator, . . . a farsighted and forceful 

leader of this Nation in the pioneer exploration of outer space, opening 

new frontiers of discovery and progress for the American people.” 

President told 23 Apollo astronauts, NASA officials, Government 

leaders in space program, and heads of rocket-building firms, “I asked 

you to come here tonight in the twilight of this administration, so I 

could pay the respect and the honor and the affection that I felt for the 

man who has directed your efforts and directed them so well, and so 

that I could express my personal admiration and respect for you.” 

In response, Webb said, “The challenge of space is large and so is 

NASA. In all such human endeavors, organized institutional efforts are 

essential, and we know, in the words of Emerson, that they are ‘the 

lengthened shadow of one man.‘ We in NASA know, Mr. President, that 

you are the man of which our civilian space effort, conducted for the 

benefit of mankind, is the lengthened shadow.” 

At predinner ceremony, document for White House Treaty Room 

was signed by ApoZZo 7 astronauts Walter M. Schirra, Jr., R. Walter 

Cunningham, and Donn F. Eisele; Apollo 8 Astronauts William A. Anders, Frank Borman, and James A. Lovell, Jr.; and pioneer aviator 

Charles A. Lindbergh. Also in Treaty Room were commemorations of 

May 21, 1963, visit to White House by Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper 

following 22-orbit mission in Faith VI1 May 15-16 and of June 17, 

1965, award of Exceptional Service Medal to late Astronaut Edward H. 

White 11, and Astronaut James A. McDivitt following first U.S. space 

walk during June 3-7 Gemini IV mission. 

During exchange of dinner toasts President Johnson said that “in the 

hundreds of laws on which I have answered the rollcall, the bills that I 

have sponsored or cosponsored or amended or defeated, there is not a 

single one that gives more pride than the Space Act.” Responding, 

Webb citsd three generations of spacecraft in 10 yr, “put to use . . . in 

every major field,” and said he had “strongly held view that in the 

kind of world we live in, our Nation needs this kind of success in this 

kind of endeavor.” (PD, 12/16/68, 1689-91; McCardle, V’ Post, 

12/10/68, D1; Shelton, W Star, 12/10/68, B6; NYT, 12/10/68,86) 

0 World Meteorological Organization, U.N. agency managing World 

Weather Watch project, said work was well advanced, according to UPI. 

System would be fully operational in 1971 and save world economy estimated $17 billion annually in losses caused by unexpected weather 

changes. System called for 29,000 observations daily, of which 24,OW 

were already being made. Additional 2,500 by 1971 would bring implementation level to 91%. World centers at Melbourne, Moscow, and 

Washington would be computerized by 1969, increasing daily output of 

134 charts to 223 by 1971. Additionally, 21 regional centers issuing 

1,191 charts daily would increase output to 1,830 charts by 1971 and, 

eventually, would be linked to global communications system. Observa306 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 9 

December 9: Apollo 7 and 8 flight crews sign memorial document for White House 

Treaty Room. Signers are (left to right) : Astronauts R. Walter Cunningham, Donn F. 

Eisele, Walter M. Schirra, Jr. (Apollo 7) ; WiUiam A. Anders, James A. Lovell, Jr., and 

Frank Borman (Apollo 8). Standing are Charles A. Lindbergh (who also signed), Mrs. 

Johnson, President Lyndon B. Johnson, retired NASA Administrator James E. Webb, 

and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey. 

tions would be made by land surface stations 300 mi apart throughout 

world with exception of desert areas. Further data would be passed on 

by weather ships, upper-air sea stations, aircraft, and meteorological 

satellites. (W Star, 12/9/68, AFI) 

December 9-12: New Yorlc Times and Washington Evening Star published 

contents of unreleased draft report by Presidential task force appointed 

in 1967 to formulate national communications policy dealing with 

rapid technological changes and providing for adequate Government 

supervision. Report would recommend reorganization of US. communications industry to include Government-sponsored monopoly to transmit all international communications-including ComSatCorp satellites 

and ground stations; AT&T underseas cables; and terminals and switching stations of record'^ carriers ITT World Communications, Inc., RCA 

Communications, Inc., and Western Union International, Inc. If ComSatCorp became single international “entity,” committee’s recommendations would preclude it from becoming owner and manager of domestic satellite communications system for which the report would 

propose pilot program. 

Committee claimed single entity could make more balanced investment choice on whether to lay more cables or launch satellites and 

would eliminate need for duplicate transmission facilities. Conclusions 

were challenged in dissenting footnote to report by Dr. Edward C. 

Welsh, Executive Secretary of NASC, who said merger would inhibit de307 
December 9-12 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

velopment of satellite technology and reduce technological competition 

between cables and satellites that could result in lower rates. 

Report also would recommend informal merger of postal and telegraph services, with Western Union Telegraph Co. permitted to operate 

in post offices; relaxation of FCC restrictions on cable TV to protect 

broadcasters ; and Government sponsorship of experimental program to 

test TV’s usefulness in assisting minority groups. (Finney, NYT, 

12/9/68, 1 ; 12/10/68, 1 ; Aug., W Star, 12/12/68, A13) 

December 10: Cosmos CCLVIII was successfully launched by U.S.S.R. into 

orbit with 302-km (187.6-mi) apogee, 206-km (128-mi) perigee, 89.5- 

min period, and 64.9’ inclination. Satellite reentered Dec. 18. (UPI, W 

Star, 12/10/68, A6; AP, NYT, 12/11/68, 6; GSFC SSR, 12/15/68; 

12/31/68) 

Javelin sounding rocket launched by NASA from Churchill Research 

Range carried Syracuse Univ. Research Corp. payload to 520-mi (837- 

km) altitude to observe ionization levels of helium in exposure. Data 

would be related to aspects of sun and earth relative to payload. Rocket 

and instruments performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

NASA announced award of $1,046,123 contract to Thiokol Chemical 

Corp.’s Elkton, Md., Div. for development of more powerful solid-fuel 

rocket for automated missions, including possible use as 3rd stage for 

Centaur and Delta. New 3rd stage was expected to be ready for use in 

1971. (NASA Release 68-210) * NASA announced joint 1969 project with German Federal Ministry for 

Scientific Research (BMWF) to photograph earth’s magnetic lines of 

force high in space would involve release of barium vapor by NASA 

Scout rocket at 20,000-mi altitude. Scientists would use special optical 

equipment to view resultant glowing ionized cloud along magnetic field 

lines and visually map electromagnetic forces acting in barium area. 

Agreement on project called for BMWF to provide payload, two ground 

observer stations, and data analysis. NASA would furnish rocket, conduct launch from NASA Wallops Station, and provide tracking and communications services. (NASA Release 68-211) 

MSC had awarded $16.4 million, one-year extension to cost-plus-awardfee contract with Lockheed Electronics Co. Div. of Lockheed Aircraft 

Corp., NASA announced. Award was €or general electronic, instrumentation, and engineering support services, bringing total contract value to 

$46.4 million. (NASA Release 68-209) 

0 Washington Daily News editorial commented on statement by physicist 

Dr. Ralph E. Lapp warning of possible dangers in Apollo 8 mission 

[see Dec. la]: “There are perhaps sound reasons involving national 

prestige for trying to be the first nation to send men into a moon orbit. 

But surely no such reasons are compelling enough to cut corners on 

safety. The technical arguments advanced by Dr. Lapp are far too complex to be resolved by laymen. But after the tragic fire that took the 

lives of three of our Apollo spacemen two years ago it should not be 

necessary to urge that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration exercise all due prudence-even at the risk of losing the race 

around the moon.” (W News, 12/10/68,24) 

Secretary of Defense Clark M. Clifford announced DOD had completed 

Project 693 (a $3-billion cutback in FY 1969 expenditures required by 

Revenue and Expenditure Control Act of 1968) including $85-million 

308 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 10 

reduction in MOL program. (DOD Release 1083-68; SBD, 12/11/68, 

176) 

0 Soviet Finance Minister Vasily Garbuzov told semiannual budget meeting of Supreme Soviet in Moscow that nominal U.S.S.R. defense spending in 1969 would increase 6%, from 16.7 billion to 17.7 billion rubles. Institute of Strategic Studies in London had estimated before 

Aug. 20 invasion of Czechoslovakia that real Soviet military spending 

for 1968 would be approximately equivalent to $50 billion. Thus, announced increases would bring total 1969 budget to some $53 billion, 

as against $80 billion for US., which had allocated $30 billion for 

costs of Vietnam War. However, Soviet figure did not include military 

R&D and investment in defense industries. 

Budget also disclosed continued expansion of government support 

for scientific research. (Shabad, NYT, 12/11/68, 1; Shub, W Post, 

12/11/68, Al) 

December 11 : President-elect Richard M. Nixon introduced his Cabinet on 

nationwide TV from Washington, D.C. Among appointments, William 

P. Rogers, Washington attorney and Eisenhower Administration Attorney General, would serve as Secretary of State; Rep. Melvin R. Laird 

(R-Wis.), as Secretary of Defense; and Massachusetts Gov. John A. 

Volpe, as Secretary of Transportation. (Herbers, NYT, 12/12/68) 

0 Apollo 8 crew, wearing their spacesuits, participated in final 2 hr 45 min 

of countdown rehearsal for Dec. 21 launch. Spacecraft had completed 

four-day rehearsal fully fueled Dec. 10. (AP, B Sun, 12/11/68, A9; 

UPI, W Star, 12/11/68, C4) 

NASA was unsuccessful in second Project SHAPE (Supersonic High Altitude Parachute Experiments) attempt at WSMR when parachute was 

ejected prematurely from five-foot-long canister after three-stage rocket 

had successfully propelled payload to 33-mi altitude. First test Oct. 23 

had been successful. (NASA Release 68-216) 

Fhdkration Akronautique Internationale ( FAI) had established Yuri Gagarin gold medal honoring cosmonaut who became first man in space 

April 12, 1961, during Soviet Vostok I mission, Space Business Daily 

reported. Medal would be awarded annually to pilot contributing best 

performance of year in peaceful exploration of space. (SBD, 

12/11/68,178) 

Cal Tech‘s Dr. Maarten Schmidt received Rumford Premium, nation’s 

oldest science award for “the most important discovery or useful improvement . . . on heat and on light” at AAAS dinner in Boston, Mass. 

Award, established in 1796 by Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford, 

consisted of medal and $5,000. Dr. Schmidt had determined intense 

radio emission of quasars indicated they were moving away from earth 

at speeds up to 149,000 mps, or about 80% of speed of light. (AP, 

W Star, 12/12/68, A2) 

December 12: USAF launched two unidentified satellites from Vandenberg 

AFB by Thor-Agena D booster. One entered orbit with 148-mi (238.3- 

km) apogee, 109-mi (175.4-km) perigee, 88.6-min period, and 81.0” 

inclination and reentered Dec. 28. Second satellite entered orbit with 

916-mi (1,474.1-km) apogee, 862-mi (1,387.2-km) perigee, 114.4-min 

period, and 80.3” inclination. (Pres Rpt 68) 

Two Nike-Cajun sounding rockets launched by NASA from Churchill Research Range carried GSFC experiments to 75-mi (120-km) and 78-mi 

309 
December 12 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

( 124d-km) altitudes to obtain temperature, pressure, density, and wind 

variation data in atmosphere between 21.8- and 59-mi (35- and 95-km) 

altitudes by detonating grenades at various altitudes and recording 

their sound arrival on ground. Grenades exploded as planned. Launches 

were coordinated with series at Point Barrow, Alaska. (NASA Rpts SRL) 

December 13: Explorer XXXIX (Air Density Explorer C) and Explorer 

XL (Irzjun Y), launched as dual payload Aug. 8, were adjudged successful by NASA. Explorer XXXIX balloon had been ejected and fully 

inflated. Explorer XL had despun, extended booms, and turned on experiments satisfactorily. Malfunction in spacecraft's power subsystem 

had caused loss of one-third of power generated by solar panels, reducing quantity but not affecting quality of data. Satellite would enter full 

sunlight Sept. 18, 1969, permitting originally planned data-acquisition 

rate. (NASA Proj Off) * NASA announced agency and DOD had agreed jointly to make computer 

programs available to industry, educational institutions, scientific and 

technical organizations, and others through Computer Softwear Management and Information Center (COSMIC). Established in 1966 under 

NASA contract at Univ. of Georgia, COSMIC listed some 350 computer 

programs for sale at fraction of cost. More than 100 DOD programs, 

with additional NASA programs, would be added during 1969. 

Part of NASA Office of Technology Utilization effort to encourage secondary use of aerospace R&D results, COSMIC offered design information 

for electronic printed-circuit boards and programs for such jobs as inventory control, accounting, data control, stress analysis, equipment 

checkout, and structural testing. (NASA Release 68-212) ' Cal Tech trustees announced choice of Dr. Harold Brown, Air' Force 

Secretary, to replace Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, who resigned effective Jan. 

20 to become Science Adviser to President-elect Richard M. Nixon. 

(UPI, VET Star, 12/14/68, A3; W Post, 12/15/68, A6) 

Naval Ship Systems Command had awarded $13.5-million contract to 

Todd Shipyards Corp. for first of nine oceanographic ships of radically 

new design. Prototype would provide USN with its first catamaran-style 

hull. Diesel-propelled, 246-ft-long ship would be designated GOR-16 

(for general ocean research). (NYT, 12/13/68,86) 

December 14: NASA's Oao 11, launched Dec. 7, photographed three unnamed stars in Draco Constellation 2,000 light years from earth, near 

Vega between Big and Little Dippers-to make first UV photos of stars. 

Photos were taken by telescopes of Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory experiments aboard satellite and used UV radiation which did not 

penetrate earth's atmosphere. They gave GSFC astronomers enough information to reconstruct fairly detailed images of stars, GSFC spokesman said. (OSSA; UPI, NYT, 12/15/68, SBD, 12/17/68, 208) 

U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLIX from Kapustin Yar into orbit with 

1,331-km (827-mi) apogee, 213-km (132.4-mi) perigee, 100.3-min period, and 48.4" inclination. Satellite reentered May 5, 1969. (GSFC 

SSR, 12/15/68,210; SBD, 12/17/68,210; 3/15/69) 

* Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR carried 

Dudley Observatory payload to 98.9-mi (159.2-km) altitude to 601- 

lect micrometeoroids during peak of annual meteor shower. Particles would be studied to determine chemical composition, size distribution, numerical density in upper atmosphere, and crystal structure. 

310 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 14 

Control experiment had been launched successfully Dec. 5. Although 

two doors failed to operate properly, scientific objectives were accomplished and payload was recovered. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

@ New Republic reported interview with Dr. Ralph E. Lapp, physicist and 

assistant laboratory director of World War I1 Manhattan Project. Dr. 

Lapp said: “We are pushing our luck, gambling that everything will 

work perfectly” on Apollo 8 mission. He advised delay in program so 

that Apollo 9, configured to have relief-capability, would be on pad 

ready for launch should Apollo 8 ‘<run into trouble.” Asked if U.S. 

could afford to delay Apollo 8, Dr. Lapp said, “The basic factor is not 

really technical. We are racing the Russians to the moon. A lot of people in NASA and in industry are hoping that a successful Apollo-8 orbiting of the moon-or even circumnavigation-will build up public support for an invigorated manned space program. It’s just one of the 

weighty techno-decisions facing Mr. Nixon. He is committed to funding 

out the Apollo program-but post-Apollo programs await his decision.” 

(AP, W Star, 12/9/68; W Post, 12/9/68,3; New Republic, 12/14/68, 

16-9) 

Deep sea drilling between U.S. and Africa by scientists of Joint Oceanographic Institutions for Deep Earth Sampling ( JOIDES) had confirmed 

that sea floor was spreading and pushing Europe and America farther 

apart, John Lannan said in Washington Evening Star. Evidence, 

brought to surface in samples, or cores, extracted from earth’s bottom, 

showed fluid internal mass of moIten rock under ocean was stilf welling 

up along mid-Atlantic Ridge. Cores indicated “this newly formed crust 

must spread slowly aside, like a giant conveyor belt, continuously accumulating sediment . . . throughout millions of years as it moves,” scientists said. (W Star, 12/14/68, Al) 

December 15-19: NASA successfully launched Essa VZZZ (TOS-F) , eighth 

meteorological satellite in ESSA’S Tiros Operational Satellite ( TOS) system, from WTR by two-stage, Thrust-Augmented, Long-Tank Thor-Delta 

booster. Primary NASA mission objective was to provide global cloud 

coverage on regular, daily basis with six-month nominal and threemonth minimum lifetime. Satellite achieved nearly polar, sun-synchronous circular orbit with 903.4-mi (1,453.6-km) apogee, 874.6-mi 

(1,407.2-km) perigee, 114.6-min period, and 101.9’ inclination. 

An advanced version of cartwheel configuration, 300-lb Essa VZZl 

carried two Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) cameras which 

would photograph earth‘s cloud cover and immediately transmit pictures 

to local APT stations in 52 nations. During first 22 orbits spacecraft underwent orientation maneuver to place it in wheel mode and spin rate 

was adjusted by 0.2 rpm. By Dec. 19 all spacecraft systems had been 

successfully programmed and excellent pictures had been read out. 

ESSA financed and managed TOS system and would operate spacecraft 

after NASA completed checkout later in month. GSFC was responsible for 

procurement, launch, and initial checkout of spacecraft in orbit. Essa 

YZZZ was 18th Tiros satellite launched successfully since Tiros Z, first 

weather satellite, April 1, 1960. All from Tiros ZZZ on had equaled or 

exceeded designed operation lifetimes. Most recent satellite 

launched was Essa VZZ, launched Nov. 10. (NASA Proj Off: ESSA Release ES 68-67; SBD, 12/17/68,210) 

December 15: Apollo 8 launch crew began lengthy countdown on time at 

311 
December 15 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

KSC at 7:OO pm EST, for launch scheduled for 7:51 am EST Dec. 21. (W 

Post, 12/16/68, A12; W Star, 12/16/68, A5; W News, 12/16/68,3) 

0 NASA announced millions of home TV viewers in U.S., Europe, and Japan 

would see live pictures taken by Apollo 8 crew with cigar-box-size camera similar to that carried on Apollo 7 mission. They would be beamed 

to earth from spacecraft six times during Apollo 8 mission, including 

twice while spacecraft was in moon orbit. Manned Space Flight Network stations near Madrid, Spain, and Goldstone, Calif., would convert 

slow-scan signal into TV picture. Still photos would be taken of TV 

monitor during live transmission and pictures released in Los hgeles, 

Madrid, and Canberra. (NASA Release 68-214) 

Scientific team headed by Nobel Prize winning physicist, Dr. Charles H. 

Townes, announced discovery of ammonia molecules in direction of 

Sagittarius toward Milky Way center, 30,000 light years away from 

earth. Finding was made through spectrographs at radioastronomy observatory of Univ. of California at Berkeley during studies supported by 

NASA, Office of Naval Research, and NSF. Ammonia was considered chemical ancestor of organic compounds and necessary step toward origin of life. Team said discovery “marks the first time that a 

relatively complex molecular compound has been definitely identified in 

the vast regions between the stars.” It would spur intensified search for 

additional combinations of life-essential elements detected in space. 

Former MIT provost and inventor of maser, which led to development 

of laser, Dr. Townes had been named Dec. 3 to head President-elect 

Richard M. Nixon’s task force to make recommendations on space program. Report would be published in Physical Review Letters of American Institute of Physics. (UPI, NYT, 12/16/68, 93; AP, W Post, 

12/16/68, Al) 

In Washington Sunday Star William Hines said NASA announcement of 

plans for 1974 Mars landing marked revival “of a project that was sacrificed last year on the altar of the great God Apollo whose manned 

moon program was gobbling up all the funds at NASA’s disposal. It also 

marked the first positive action by NASA in two years directed to starting rather than terminating activities.” Its timing, one month after 

presidential election, seemed “to provide a tantalizing clue to the Nixonian philosophy about space.” Hines said it was likely new administration would heed post-Apollo views of NAS which had recommended 

more attention to scientific exploration of space with instruments. (W 

Star, 12/15/68, F4) 

In Washington Post Thomas O’Toole said poisoning from overexposure 

to beryllium powder had resulted in 800 known deaths in U.S. during 

past 15 yr. Beryllium disease expert, Dr. Harriet L. Hardy of Massachusetts General Hospital, estimated total beryllium cases at 2,500, 

“about three times as many as we’ve heard about.” New uses for lightweight, heat-resistant metal had pushed production to 150,000 lb per 

year. Battelle Memorial Institute estimated output would grow at 20% 

rate per year for next five years; NAS estimated 1979 production at six 

times 1969’s. Beryllium was being used by Lockheed Aircraft Corp. for 

wheel brakes in C-5A transport and heat shields for Poseidon missile. 

Boeing Co. used it for new Minuteman missile shield. In past three 

years estimated $25 million had been spent on beryllium rocket 

research: O’Toole said one scientist claimed test firing in California 

312 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 15 

had so contaminated site that electrician working there developed beryllium poisoning. Neither NASA nor USAF planned to abandon testing 

beryllium rockets, however, and beryllium use had “kicked off a lively 

debate inside the Federal Government.” (W Post, 12/15/68, Al) 

December 16: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLX into orbit with 39,576-km 

(24,591.3-mi) apogee, 511-km (317.5-mi) perigee, 712.3-min period, 

and 64.9” inclination. (AP, B Sun, 12/18/68, 10; SBD, 12/18/68, 

211; GSFC SSR, 12/31/68) 

NASA announced decision to terminate work on two Biosatellites 

scheduled for 21-day missions beginning in 1971. Contract with 

General Electric Co. Reentry Systems Div. would be revised to retain 

only work on two 30-day primate-experiment Biosatellites scheduled to 

begin in 1969. Funding for later missions had been reduced and 

efficient planning made more difficult. Possibilities for experiments with 

greater flexibility in early 1970s had been indicated by success of 

smaller satellites and by studies. (NASA Release 68-215) 

e FRC said two reports-one by Dr. Eldon E. Kordes, NASA Senior Staff 

Scientist, to American Society of Mechanical Engineers and one by 

Chief XB-70 Pilot for FRC, Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., to Flight Safety 

Foundation-indicated NASA-USAF XB-70 test program was providing 

valuable information for operation of large supersonic commercial and 

military aircraft. Results from XB-70’s participation in national sonic 

boom research program had shown methods used to predict overpressure and extent of boom were generally adequate for aircraft of this 

size and speed under “standard day” conditions but indicated unusual 

weather conditions and other factors could affect these predictions. 

XB-70 program was attempting to define intensity of turbulence at 

higher altitudes. System to improve stability, lessen turbulence-induced 

accelerations, and improve passenger riding qualities while lengthening 

aircraft’s fatigue life was being tested. 

New methods of presenting flight and engine information to pilot had 

evolved from XB-70 program, including digital form for more precise 

readout. Special warning systems prevented exceeding operating limits 

and attitude indicator with changeable sensitivity for smoother flight 

control had been evaluated. XB-70 flight had demonstrated need for 

further research in basic stability and control characteristics of its class 

of aircraft. Actual cross-country flight experience had been gained with 

trip from Edwards AFB, Calif., to Carswell AFB, Tex., and return. Both 

reports emphasized that, although XB-70 was not passenger aircraft, it 

was similar in size and performance characteristics to proposed SSTS 

and was only operational aircraft approaching SST size and speed. (FRC 

Release 28-68) 

* Apollo 8 astronauts were pronounced in perfect health by NASA Director 

of Medical Operations, Dr. Charles A. Berry, after three-hour physical 

examination as countdown proceeded toward Dec. 21 launch for moon 

flight. “The crew is in real fine spirits,” he added. (AP, B Sun, 

12/17/68; AP, W Star, 12/17/68) 

President Johnson proclaimed Dec. 17 Wright Brothers Day, commemorating aircraft flights made by Orville and Wilbur Wright 65 

E earlier: “Their first journey was shorter than the floor of the giant 

C-5 cargo ship that was test flown earlier this year. But those brief 

313 
December 16 ASTRONAUTICS AND IERONAUTICS, 1968 

flights . . . on December 17, 1903, launched the air age. They changed 

mankind‘s way of life.” (PD, 12/23/68,1718-9; NYT, 12/17/68, 16) 

December 17: In interview published in New York Times, Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, science adviser-designate to President-elect Richard M. Nixon, 

said problem facing Government was not “Shall Government support 

and use science and technology, but how shall it do it. What are the 

priorities. . . .” Fundamental to use of science was knowledge; therefore, “one must have in any modern society a very important. and 

extensive free basic research enterprise establishment, largely in universities, so that new areas of knowledge will be explored.” Basic research budget of country should increase at least 10% annually for next 

few years. When it came to using this knowledge, “the Government can, 

and somebody must, direct, set up the goals.” 

On space program, Dr. DuBridge said that “the astonishing discoveries” made by launching instruments into space justified further 

exploration from scientific point of view. When man entered picture 

as “another piece of the instrumentation that is needed for the exploration,’’ first effect “is that the costs get large. . . . Apollo landing of a 

man on the moon is vastly more expensive . . . than the Surveyor 

landing. . . . By the same token, the information returned will be 

much greater, too. However, as the technology of the spacecraft improves, and our instruments need to get more complex, heavier, or 

longer lasting, there may very well be a time when putting a man up 

will actually be cheaper than trying to use automated instruments.” 

(Sullivan, NYT, 12/17/68, 1). 

At Wright Brothers Memorial Dinner, Washington, D.C., sponsored by 

NAA, Sen. Warren G. Magnuson (D-Wash.) received Wright Brothers 

Memorial Trophy for “assuring United States preeminence in aeronautics throughout the world.” (NAA PAO) 

0 At Washington, D.C., ceremony, Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, Chief of 

Naval Operations, USN, presented Distinguished Service Medal to 

Astronaut Walter M. Schirra, Jr. (Capt. USN), for space deeds “exceeded by no one afloat or airborne.” (AP, W Star, 12/18/68, B2; 

W Post, 12/18/68, A3) 

0 Dr. Philip Handler, National Science Board Chairman and only nominee 

to succeed Dr. Frederick Seitz as NAS president in July 1969, said in 

interview he would urge Federal program of “bloc grants” to U.S. 

universities in 1969 to support science. Legislation would be introduced in new Congress, with “something like” $500-million price tag 

in first year, “just for starters.” Universities, “completely dependent 

upon science project grants,” had had funds for individual projects 

cut off leaving “numerous employees for whom they have no salaries.” 

(Cohn, W Post, 12/18/68, A32) 

0 DOD announced USN had selected Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. 

and McDonnell Douglas Corp. to continue to contract definition phase 

for F-14A aircraft, formerly called VFX-1. Selection of contractor was 

scheduled for January 1969. (DOD Release 110948; WSJ, 12/18/68; 

upr, W Star, 12/18/68, A6) 

December 18-20: Intelsat-III F-2 was successfully launched by NASA for 

ComSatCorp on behalf of International Communications Satellite Consortium. Launch was from ETR by three-stage, Thrust-Augmented, 

Long-Tank Delta booster. The 632-1b7 cylindrical satellite entered 

314 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 18-20 

elliptical transfer orbit with 22,590-mi (36,355.1-km) apogee, 161.9-mi 

(260.5-km) perigee, 642.9-min period, and 28.8’ inclination. All systems were functioning normally. On Dec. 20 apogee motor was fired 

to kick satellite into planned near-synchronous orbit over Atlantic 

at 51” west longitude with 22,328.2-mi (35,933.8-km) apogee, 21,833.4- 

mi (33,137.5-km) perigee, 0.79’ inclination, and 3.25O per day eastward orbital drift. 

Intelsatlll F-2, first successful launch in Intelsat I11 series, was 

backup to Intelsat-I11 F-1 (Intelsat 111-A) which had been destroyed 

minutes after launch Sept. 18 when launch vehicle began to break up. 

Satellite was scheduled to begin commercial service Jan. 2, 1969 [see 

Dec. 281, handling up to 1,200 voice circuits or four W channels. By 

Jan. 29, 1969, all Atlantic area service except NASA Apollo traffic would 

be transferred to Intelsat-Ill F-2 from other Atlantic comsats. Intelsat 

I (Early Bird) and Zntelsat-11 F-3 (Atlantic 11). Etam, W. Va., 

earth station would become prime East Coast terminal and Andover, 

Me., station would be removed from service preparatory to its use 

as prime terminal for Intelsat-I11 F-d. NASA Apollo communications 

would be maintained through Intelsat-11 F-3 with 42-ft terminal 

antenna at Andover. (NASA Proj Off; ComSatCorp Release 68-69; 

Stevens, NYT, 12/19/68, 1; AP, W Post, 12/19/68, A3) 

December 18: NASA announced appointment of William C. Schneider, Apollo 

Mission Director, as Director of Apollo Applications, succeeding latc 

Harold T. Luskin, who died Nov. 25. George H. Hage, Deputy Director 

of Apollo Program, would be Acting Apollo Mission Director in add,- 

tion to his present duties. (NASA Release 68-217) 

0 Apollo 8 astronauts heading for moon would be “in far less hazardous 

position” than they would have been as crew for Columbus, NASA 

Director of Manned Space Flight Safety Jerome F. Lederer said in 

speech before Wings Club in New York. “Columbus did not know 

where he was going, how far it was, nor where he had been after his 

return. With Apollo, there is no such lack of information.” Nevertheless, 

mission would “involve risks of great magnitude and probably risks 

that have not been foreseen. 

“Apollo 8 has 5,600,000 parts and one and a half million systems, 

subsystems and assemblies. Even if all functioned with 99.9 per cent 

reliability, we could expect 5,600 defects. Hence, the striving for perfection and the use of redundancy.” (Text; NYT, 12/19/68, 56) 9 Aerospace sales reached record high of $30.1 billion in 1968, an increase 

of almost $3 billion over 1967, Aerospace Industries Assn. President 

Karl G. Harr, Jr., told Washington, D.C., meeting of Aviation/Space 

Writers Assn. Commercial aerospace sales increased 39%, to record $6.4 

billion; aerospace exports rose 32%, to $3 billion. 

Military space programs in 1968 rose 3%, from $1.088 billion in 

1967 to $1.121 billion, reported AIA’S “1968 Aerospace Industry Review 

and Forecast,” which Harr released. Nonmilitary space sales declined 

3.7%, from $4.202 billion in 1967 to $4.047 billion in 1968. Sales 

of products and services for use of aerospace technology in nonaerospace areas-such as marine science, water desalination, crime control, 

and rapid transit-increased irom $2.579 billion to $2.726 billion. 

Harr predicted slight decline in total aerospace sales to about $29.6 

billion during 1969 because of 25% drop in jet transport sales before 

315 
December 18 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

deliveries of new high-capacity aircraft ; continuing increase in helicopter, executive, and utility aircraft sales; modest increase in defense 

and nonaerospace sales; and decline in civil space sales. He noted that 

in third quarter of 1968 backlog of Government aerospace orders was 

less than that of other customers for first time since before World War 

11. (Text: AIA Release 68-60; W Star, 12/19/68, A19) 

USAF flew 11 newspapermen on simulated combat missions in F-111A 

from Nellis AFB, Nev., to demonstrate aircraft’s systems. In Washington 

Post, George C. Wilson said decision to allow newsmen in cockpits of 

controversial plane for first time evidenced USAF’S conviction “that 

the F-11 program is at a crucial juncture as the Nixon Administration 

gets ready to take office.” (W Post, 12/19/68, A8) 

Df. Anatoli A. Logunov, Director of Institute of High Energy Physics 

near Serpukhov, 60 mi south of Moscow, said in Zzvestiu that Institute’s 

l,OW-yd-dia, 7O-bev, proton accelerator had joined scientists elsewhere 

in search for quark. Quark was hypothetical particle thought to be 

elementary building block of all matter and to carry electrical charge 

one-third to two-thirds that of electron charge. (NYT, 12/20/68, 3) 

AIAA announced Dr. Charles P. Sonnett, Chief of ARC’S Space Science 

Div., would receive Space Science Award, including $500 honorarium, 

“for his personal contribution as planner, leader and individual experimenter in major space science vehicle programs which have contributed 

to the field of space physics.” He had worked in magnetospheric 

physics and nuclear physics and was currently concentrating on interplanetary physics. He had been principal investigator on several NASA 

experiments and ALSEP. Award would be presented at AIAA 7th Aerospace Science Meeting in New York Jan. 20-22, 1969. 

Dr. Stanley G. Hooker, Technical Director of Bristol Engine Div., 

Rolls-Royce Ltd., and Perry W. Pratt, Vice President and Chief Scientist of United Aircraft Corp., had been selected to share $10,000 

Goddard Award for their separate work in developing gas turbine 

engines. Goddard Award, named for late rocket pioneer Robert H. 

Goddard, was awarded annually to “a person who has made a brilliant 

discovery or a series of outstanding contributions over a period of time, 

in the engineering science of propulsion or energy conversion.” 

Prof. Rene H. Miller, head of MIT Dept. of Aeronautics and Astronautics, would receive Sylvanus Albert Reed Award for “outstanding 

contributions” to rotary-wing aircraft. Dr. Robert D. Fletcher, USAF 

Air Weather Service’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Aerospace Sciences, 

would receive Robert M. Losey Award for “outstanding and dedicated 

leadership and service” for 30 yr to aeronautical meteorology. (AIAA 

Release; NASA Biog, 11/29/68; NYT, 12/31/68, 52) 

December 19: NASA Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched from WSMR 

carried Cornel1 Univ. experiment to 100.3-mi (161.3-km) altitude to 

examine sky in far infrared (5 micron to 1,600 microns) using copperdoped-germanium, two gallium-doped-germanium, and indium-antimonide detectors in conjunction with telescope. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. Preliminary results indicated detectors 

functioned properly. (NASA Rpt SRL) 

0 NASA issued Management Instruction establishing Committee on ExtraVehicular Activities (EVA), activities performed in space by astronaut 

outside space vehicle. Seven-member committee, serving for two-year 

316 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 19 

period, would provide Deputy Associate Administrator for Manned 

Space Flight with recommendations on overall NASA EVA planning and 

development by : identifying EVA capabilities which must be defined 

and developed to support manned space flight activities ; identifying 

ground-based, orbital, and lunar surface experiments to establish required EVA capabilities; providing recommendations on short- and 

long-term EVA program plans ; reviewing proposed EVA flight experiments and making recommendations ; and maintaining awareness of 

EVA-related activities of organizations other than NASA. (NMI 1152.36) 

NASA announced renewal through August 1970 of 10-yr contract with 

NAS which provided one-year appointments for post-doctoral and senior 

post-doctoral scientists and engineers specializing in space-related work 

to conduct research at NASA field centers. NASA would pay NAS $2,390,- 

500 to carry out program. (NASA Release 68-218) 

0 AEC announced it had conducted underground nuclear test of about onemegaton yield at Nevada Test Site. It was similar to April 26 test. 

Tests had been described in press as largest continental explosions announced by AEC. Newsmen were permitted to witness test for first time 

in 10 yr. (AEC PIO; AEC Release L-288; Wilson, W Post, 12/20/68, 

A3; Hill, NYT, 12/20/68, 1; 12/25/68; AP, NYT, 12/18/68, 35) 

* U.N. General Assembly, by vote of 96-0, approved plans for permanent 

body of 42 members to study means of reserving seabed for peaceful 

purposes and of exploring resources beyond national jurisdiction. 

(Estabrook, W Post, 12/20/68, A12) 

December 20: Cosmos CCLXI was launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 

initial apogee of 670 km (416 mi) , perigee of 207 km (128.5 mi), 

93-min period, and 71 O inclination. Satellite carried scientific equipment for studies of upper layers of earth’s atmosphere and nature of 

Northern Lights, with participation of research institutions and observatories of Bulgaria, Hungary, East Germany, Poland, Romania, 

U.S.S.R., and Czechoslovakia. Satellite reentered Feb. 12, 1969. (SF, 

5/69, 165; GSFC SSR, 12/31/68; 2/15/69) 

a NASA announced completion of X-15 flight research program [see 

Jan. 211. On final flight Oct. 26199th in series which began June 8, 

1969-NAS~ test pilot William H. Dana flew rocket-powered aircraft 

to 255,000-ft altitude. Attempt at 200th flight Dec. 20 was canceled 

because of adverse weather conditions. 

In NASA-USAF-USN program initiated in 1954, flights by three X-15 

aircraft manufactured by North American Rockwell Corp. had included 

more than 82 min of flight at speeds exceeding mach 5 and total flight 

time of more than 30 hr. Peak altitude reached was 354,200 ft (67.04 

mi) and top speed was 4,520 mph (mach 6.7)-speeds and altitudes 

never before attained by any vehicle fully controlled by pilot from 

launch to landing. It had set two official world altitude records of 

246,740 ft and 314,750 ft previously. X-15 flight program provided 

knowledge applicable to design and development of future spacecraft 

and commercial supersonic aircraft and data on aerodynamic heating 

in high-speed flight, which could cause deterioration of aircraft 

structural integrity. X-15 remained only aircraft capable of studying 

phenomena at hypersonic speeds, space-equivalent flight, and reentry 

flight. 0 

It also had served as test bed for new components and subsystems, 

317 
December 20 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

subjecting them to hypersonic flight environment. In 1962 four X-15 

pilots received Robert J. Collier Trophy from President Kennedy for 

“the greatest achievement of aeronautics or astronautics in America, 

with respect to improving the performance, safety, or efficiency of air 

and space vehicles.” (NASA Release 68-221; NASA SP-60; NASA EP-9; 

AP, NYT, 12/21/68,73; SBD, 12/23/68,236) 

Workmen loading super-cold oxygen into Apollo 8 service module discovered gas had been contaminated, apparently by nitrogen used to 

flush tanks. Oxygen would be changed and tanks reflushed and launch 

was expected to take place on schedule (Lannan, W Star, 12/20/68, AS) 

Dr. Robert H. Guest, professor of organizational behavior in Amos Tuck 

School of Business Administration, Dartmouth College, was sworn in as 

consultant by Dr. Thomas 0. Paine, Acting NASA Administrator. Dr. 

Guest would serve on Management Advisory Panel. (NASA Release 

68-220) 

December 21-27: NASA’s Apollo 8 (AS-503), second manned mission in 

Apollo lunar landing program and first manned mission to orbit moon, 

was successfully launched from KSC Launch Complex 39 at 7:51 am 

EST by Saturn V booster. Primary objectives were to demonstrate crew, 

space vehicle, and mission support performance during manned Saturn 

V mission with command and service module (CSM) and to demonstrate 

performance of nominal and selected backup lunar orbit rendezvous 

(LOR) mission activities-including translunar injection ; CSM navigation, communications, and midcourse corrections ; and CSM consumables 

assessment and passive thermal control. All launch events occurred as 

planned and spacecraft-carrying Astronauts Frank Borman (commander), James A. Lovell, Jr. ( CM pilot), and Willam A. Anders (LM 

pilot)--entered initial orbit with 118.4-mi (190.6-h) apogee, 113.8-mi 

(183.2-km) perigee, 32.51 O inclination, and 88.2-min period. 

At 10:42 am EST 3rd stage burned for second time, injecting spacecraft into lunar trajectory, and astronauts began journey to become 

first men to leave earth‘s gravitational field. Stage and instrument unit 

separated as planned and service module propulsion system was fired 

to increase separation distance from 3rd stage, which was trailing 

500-1,000 ft behind spacecraft, spewing unused propellants. Crew fired 

service propulsion system (SPS) engine for 2.4 sec, correcting trajectory and increasing velocity by 25 fps. 

Second midcourse maneuver, scheduled for second day, was canceled because trajectory was already so accurate that burn would have 

required velocity change of only 0.7 fps. Borman reported illness, apparently from 24hr intestinal virus or from reaction to sleeping pills 

being used during space flight for first time, and Lovell and Anders 

reported nausea. Crew took navigation sightings and conducted first 

TV transmission, showing spacecraft interior and earth from 138,690-mi 

altitude and demonstrating food preparation and movements in weightlessness. Signals were received at ground stations and transmitted to 

NASA Mission Control Center in Houston before release live to commercial networks. 

Second TV transmission, on third day, showed excellent pictures 

of earth from 201,365-mi altitude, including view of Western Hemisphere in sunlight. Crew pointed out North Pole, South America, Cape 

318 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 21-27 

Horn, and Baja California and noted that U.S. East Coast was very 

cloudy. Earth, they said, was beautiful; water looked royal blue, land 

areas brown, and clouds bright white. Reflection off earth was much 

greater than off moon. SM reaction control system’s four rockets were 

fired for 12 sec to reduce velocity by 2 fps and to make approach to 

moon closer to 60 mi at nearest point. 

On fourth day, Christmas Eve, communications were interrupted as 

Apollo 8 passed behind moon and astronauts became first men to see 

moon’s far side. SPS engine was fired for 4 min 2 see, reducing speed 

by 2,994 ips and placing spacecraft in lunar orbit with 193.6-mi 

(310.6-km) apolune and 69.1-mi (111.2-km) perilune. In third 

telecast Anders described lunar surface as “whitish gray, like dirty 

beach sand with lots of footprints on it. Some of these craters look 

like pick-axes striking concrete, creating a lot of fine dust.” After 

spacecraft passed behind moon at end of second revolution, SPS engine 

burned for 10 sec to reduce speed by 135 fps and to circularize orbit with 

70.0-mi (112.6-km) apolune and 69.6-mi (112.0-km) perilune. Love11 

said astronauts had “a grand view” of the lunar surface and confirmed 

that prospective landing sites were satisfactory. He reported that at 

about two minutes before sunrise a fan-shaped white haze appeared just 

behind moon’s Iimb. Crew continued landmark sightings and named 

numerous unnamed lunar features after other astronauts, NASA officials, 

and friends. They conducted communications experiment which showed 

that radio signal from earth to ApoZZo 8 and back to earth took three 

seconds to make 460,000-mi round trip. 

Third TV transmission during ninth revolution showed heavily impacted mountains described by Anders as “a vastness of black and white, 

absolutely no color. The sky up here is also rather forbidding, foreboding extents of blackness with no stars visible when we5-e flying over the 

moon in daylight. You can see by the numerous craters that this planet 

has been bombarded through the eons with numerous small asteroids 

and meteoroids, pock-marking the surface of every square inch. And one 

of the amazing features of the surface is . . . that most of the craters 

. . . have a round mound type of appearance instead of sharp jagged 

rocks. All, only the newest of features have any sharp definitions to 

them, and eventually they get eroded down by the constant bombardment 

of small meteoroids.” The moon is “a very dark and unappetizing 

place. . . .” 

Crew read verses from first chapter of Genesis and wished viewers 

“good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of 

you-all of you on the good earth.” 

On fifth day, Christmas Day, while spacecraft was behind moon 

completing its 10th revolution, SPS engine was fired for 3 min 23 sec, 

increasing spacecraft velocity by 3,523 fps and propelling ApolZo 8 

back toward earth. Spacecraft left lunar gravity at 201,807 mi above 

earth. At 104 hours mission elapsed time 14-sec reaction-control-system 

burn increased velocity by 5 fps. Fifth TV transmission showed spacecraft interior, controls, and food preparation. Data analysis revealed 

sixth midcourse correction would not be necessary because of accuracy 

of course. Astronauts reported they had slept well and were in “very 

good shape.” Sixth TV transmission showed earth from 112,125-mi 

altitude. 

3 19 
December 21-27 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

December 21-27: NASA’s Apollo 8 carried Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr., Yilliam A. 

Anders, and Frank Borman (left to right above) out of earth’s field of gravity and into 

man’s first orbit of moon. In photo at right, Saturn V lifts off rom KSC launch com- plex 39 to put command and service module into initial orbit. f 

On sixth day crew prepared for reentry and SM separated from CM 

on schedule. Parachute deployment and other reentry events were 

nominal and Apollo 8 splashed, apex down, in Pacific about 5,100 yd 

from recovery ship U.S.S. Yorktown at 10:51 am EST Dec. 27, 147 hr 

after launch and precisely on time. According to prior planning, helicopters and aircraft hovered over spacecraft and pararescue personnnel 

were not deployed until local sunrise, 50 min after splashdown. Crew 

was then picked up and reached recovery ship at 12:20 pm EST. 

All primary Apollo 8 mission objectives and detailed test objectives 

were achieved and, in addition, five not originally planned. All launch 

vehicle and spacecraft systems performed according to plan. Engineering 

accomplishments included use of ground network with onboard navigational ,techniques to sharpen accuracy of lunar orbit determination 

320 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 21-27 

and successful use oi Apollo high-gain antenna, four-dish unified 

S-band antenna the+, deployed from SM after separation from 3rd stage. 

Mission proved wpability of Apollo CSM and crew, as well as ground 

support and control systems, to operate out to lunar distances and 

return through the earth's atmosphere at lunar velocity. 

Apollo 8 was fifth Apollo mission to date, second manned Apollo 

mission, first manned mission on Saturn V launch vehicle, and first 

manned operation of Apollo system under conditions for which it was 

designed. Earlier unmanned Apollo flights had yielded all spacecraft 

information possible without crew on board. Apollo 4 (launched Nov. 

9, 1967) and Apollo 5 (launched Jan. 22, 1968) had both been highly 

successful, completing inflight tests of all major pieces of Apollo hardware. Apollo 6 (launched April 4), despite launch vehicle problems, 

had attained four of five primary objectives with the spacecraft recovered in excellent condition. First manned Apollo mission, Apollo 7 

Oct. 11-22, had achieved all primary objectives and had verified opera321 
December 21-27 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

December 21-27: Rising earth, 240,000 miles away, greets Apollo 8 astronauts as they come from behind moon after lunar orbit insertion burn. 

tion of spacecraft for lunar-mission duration. Apollo program was 

directed by NASA Office of Manned Space Flight; MSC was responsible 

for Apollo spacecraft development, MSFC for Saturn V launch vehicle, 

and KSC for launch operations. Tracking and data acquisition was 

managed by GSFC under overall direction of NASA Office of Tracking and 

Data Acquisition. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 68-208; NASA Special 

Releases; W Star, 12/21/68, Al; W Post, 12/21-28/68, A1; NYT, 

12/21-28/68,1; B Sun, 12/21-28/68, A1 ; MSC Roundup, 1/10/69,3) 

December 21 : President Johnson sent congratulatory message to Apollo 8 

astronauts: “I am confident that the world’s finest equipment will strive 

to match the courage of our astronauts. If it does that, a successful 

mission is assured.” (PD, 12/30/68, 1738) 

Apollo Program Director, B/G Samuel C. Phillips, told post-launch press 

conference at KSC early portion of Apollo 8 mission had been perfect: 

bb. . . Apollo 8 is now on its way to the Moon. And . . . I certainly 

envy the crew the magnificent views that they might have at this point 

as they were describing it to us. . . . To be able to see the entire earth. 

I think by this time in their flight, they are something over 10,000 miles 

322 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 21 

high and moving at about 25,000 miles an hour. . . . The countdown 

. . . was4uring most of the night actually a hit, and even into the late 

minutes of this morning, the count was proceeding with comfortable 

margins of time. The flight of the Saturn V was flawless in all of the 

maneuvers it was expected to make. The performance of the spacecraft . . . has similarly been flawless.” (Transcript) 

December 22: New York Times commented on Apollo 8 flight: “Space contains more than enough opportunity for fruitful application of the energies that all mankind can devote to its exploration, development and 

eventual settlement. There is no need here for wasteful rivalry deriving 

from earthbound nationalistic and political ambitions. In the face of 

the most breathtaking challenge humanity has ever faced, the only rational response is cooperation to make space an arena of unity and international brotherhood. Man’s hopes and prayers ride with the preChristmas voyagers. After them must come ships bearing the United 

Nations flag, each carrying men of different citizenship, language, political and religious convictions and color.” (NYT, 12/22/68, E10) * New York Academy of Sciences investigative committee of 22 members 

directed “preliminary report” to President Johnson, President-elect 

Richard M. Nixon, and Congress on intensifying crisis in US. science 

and education which they said stemmed from cuts in Federal Government support. Investigation covering 84 academic institutions and work 

of 193 research scientists had shown “potential solutions of such problems as poverty, racial discrimination, population control, air and 

water pollution, cancer and cardiovascular disease, mental illness, mass 

transportation, housing and education are not being pursued because of 

lack of continuing support.” Committee recommended diverting Federal science funds earmarked for buildings and other capital equipment 

to use on research programs and in training scientific manpower to 

“preclude a serious shortage in the near future, a crippling one within 

five years.’’ (UPI, W Post, 12/23/68, ,420) 

December 24: Intelsat-Ill F-2 began carrying segment of coverage of 

Apollo 8 to Europe. It transmitted moon pictures from capsule and relayed TV coverage of Pacific splashdown to Europe and Puerto Rico. 

Intelsat I1 satellites over Atlantic and Pacific each reserved about 100 

voice circuits for NASA support communications with Apollo 8. Ats II 

and Ill augmented commercial communications coverage and transmitted limited number of weather photos. (OSSA; NASA Release 69-6) 

One out of every four persons on earth-nearly one billion people in 64 

countries-heard Christmas Eve reading of Genesis by moon orbiting 

Apollo 8 crew either on radio or TV, according to TV Guide. Delayed 

broadcasts same day reached 30 additional countries. “The fantastic 

success of TV on that flight echoed around the world.” (TV Guide, 

5/10-16/69,9) 

New York Times said of Apollo 8 telecast of earth: “. . . the drama 

and interest of yesterday’s view of earth from space transcended any 

prosaic considerations of practical utility. Rather the excitement these 

pictures aroused among millions of stay-at-homes flowed from the visual evidence they provided of man’s successful entrance into a completely new realm, one which poses challenges, opportunities and dangers such as the human species has never before faced. And yesterday’s 

pictures provided a sobering perspective on man’s puny earthly works 

323 
December 24 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

and rivalries, reminding all humanity that nature is the basic antagonist, not other men.” (NYT, 12/24/68,22) 

@ FAA announced report Friction Elgects of Runway Grooves, Runway 

18-36 Washington National Airport [AD 678 645 (DS 68-21)], 

result OF nine-month test series at Washington National Airport, indicated runway grooving, designed to prevent hydroplaning by increasing drainage of water, might also enhance braking effectiveness of aircraft on wet runways [see Nov. 171. (FAA Release T 68-48) 

@ U.S.S.R. announced through Tass successful completion of experiment in 

which three researchers spent from Nov. 5, 1967, to Nov. 5, 1968, in 

isolated chamber consisting of living compartment and greenhouse 

linked to outside world by videotelephone. Purpose of experiment was 

to test man’s ability to live in isolation for year, using water and oxygen regenerated from waste products and dehydrated food supplemented by greenhouse-grown vegetables; study effects of various factors on human organism and establish optimum conditions for long 

isolation ; and evaluate effectiveness of self-contained life-support systems based on regeneration of waste products. Daily requirements of 

astronauts on long voyage included 700 g of food, 2.4 kg of drinking 

water plus 5.5 kg of water for other purposes, and 800 g of oxygen, 

amounting to 11 tons of supplies for one-year space voyage. Report said 

there were no significant changes in body weight and temperature of experimenters except one lost eight to nine pounds before his weight stabilized in five to six months. Electrocardiogram remained unchanged and 

no dehydration was observed. Pulse and respiration rates had fluctuated before assuming lower level than at start of experiment. Researchers Gherman A. Manovtsev, Andrey N. Bozhko, and Boris N. 

Ulybshev were reported in good health at conclusion of experiment. 

(Shabad, NYT, 12/25/68, 38) 

December 25: The space age, no doubt, will produce many future heroes 

and many other historic accomplishments, New York Times said, “but 

even now it is plain that yesterday Astronauts Borman, Lovell and Anders assured themselves of immortality as the first men literally to 

break the shackles of earth and travel successfully to another destination in this suddenly shrunken solar system.” (NYT, 12/25/68,30) 

December 26: U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLXll from Kapustin Yar into 

orbit with 791-km (491.5-mi) apogee, 264-b (164-mi) perigee, 95.2- 

min period, and 48.4” inclination. Equipment was functioning normally. (SBD, 12/30/68,257; GSFC SSR, 12/31/68) 

ApoZZo 8 lunar flight was voted top news story of 1968 in Dec. 24 repolling of editors of Associated Press member newspapers, radio, and TV 

stations. Previous poll, completed before Dec. 21-27 mission, had selected assassinations of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King as No. 1 and No. 2 stories of year. (W Star, 12/26/68, A8) 

Washington Post said of Apollo 8: “Above all, perhaps, this Christmas 

Eve at the moon and Christmas Day on the way home have told us 

more about our earth than about the moon. One of the astronauts had 

wondered on his way to the moon whether, if he were a traveller from 

another planet, he would think that intelligent life existed on Earth. 

The answer, from Captain Lovell at least, is that our planet is ‘a grand 

oasis in the great vastness of space.’ That is an awing insight and it 

reminds us that man has far to go here at home to fulfill the Christmas 

324 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 26 

promise of Peace on Earth, Good Will toward Men.” (W Post, 

12/26/68, A20) 

Times of India termed Apollo 8, “the most magnificent achievement in 

space to date.” It was “by any reckoning a tremendous achievement of 

science and technology” and “decidedly the most daring adventure man 

has ever undertaken.’ (Times of India, 12/26/68, 8) * In Washington Post, columnist Joseph Kraft said post-Apollo programs 

had been sharply cut in Congress and space spending had been compared unfavorably with money for pressing internal needs. “In this situation, it makes sense for this country to disengage while it is ahead. 

There is no need for the United States to race Russia to every new 

milestone in space. On the contrary, what the United States wants is a 

program closely connected to explicit American requirements-a program of exploration for its own sake, not for the sake of beating the 

Russians. In that way, this country can continue to develop a capability 

in space, without having to respond in a panic to the ups and downs 

that are necessary part of the space business.” ( W Post, 12/26/68) 

December 26-31: During 135th meeting of AAAS in Dallas, Tex., Catholic 

Univ. of America assistant professor of international relations John M. 

Logsdon gave paper on lunar landing decision at session of Society for 

the History of Technology. Prof. Logsdon said President Eisenhower 

had planned to end manned space flights after Project Mercury but his 

successor, President Kennedy, had “calculated the costs, weighed the 

needs, and finally decided that ‘whatever mankind must undertake, free 

men must fully share.’ ” 

Outgoing Presidential Science Adviser, Dr. Donald F. Hornig, recommended reexamination of concept of Federal Dept. of Science since 

science “has now assumed such importance to the nation that its position would be stronger if it had a voice in the Cabinet.” He advocated 

annual report on state of science similar to annual economic report and 

said Office oi Science and Technology “could eventually evolve in an 

office of planning and analysis, looking broadly at national problems 

with some scientific or technological component, but extending well beyond the purely technical areas.” Under questioning, Dr. Hornig said 

he agreed with Dr. J. Herbert Hollomon, President of Univ. of Oklahoma and former Assistant Secretary of Commerce, that Federal Dept. 

of Science, with NSF as its core, might encompass oceanographic agencies, high-energy-physics research currently funded by AEC, ESSA, Bureaus of Census and Labor Statistics, geophysics branches of Geological 

Survey, and some NIH programs. Dr. Hollomon also suggested NASA be 

added when it could be included “without having it become the tail 

that wags the dog.” Dr. Hornig insisted no massive “science agency” 

should be created to usurp supervision of Nation’s science effort. 

Bacteria might have caused gastrointestinal upset suffered by astronaut Frank Borman on Apollo 8 mission, Dr. Rudolf H. T. Mattoni, 

head of Biological Systems Div. of Nuclear Utility Services, Hawthorne, Calif., told meeting. Effects of weightlessness on bacteria on 

Biosatellite I1 flight (Sept. 7-9, 1967) suggested that lack of gravity 

might have allowed common, normally benign, intestinal bacteria to 

cause illness like Borman’s. 

Drs. Bouilin Browning of St. Thomas Univ. and Irwin Oster of 

Bowling Green State Univ. reported first experimental evidence that 

325 
December 26-31 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

weightlessness can cause chromosomal damage of genetic significance, 

based on sperm cells flown 45 hr aboard Biosatellite. 

Cornel1 Univ. map expert, Prof. Arthur J. McNair, said sophisticated 

photographic mapping by satellites at 140-mi altitude would provide 

faster, cheaper, broader, and more detailed coverage than now possible 

by airplane mapping. Single map-making satellite photo, he said, would 

be equivalent to 1,000 photos taken by aircraft. US. could be fully 

mapped in one year from photos from satellite in near-polar orbit for 

four weeks. Another 11 mo would be needed for data processing. 

Dr. Robert H. Hardie of Vanderbilt Univ. said planet Pluto had appeared to be dimming for past 10 yr. It was moving in 248-yr orbital 

period to point where it reflected little sunlight and its surface temperature had dropped two degrees. He speculated that planet froze into 

mass of stone and solid nitrogen as temperatures reached -250’ C 

when facing away from the sun. When bathed in sunlight, planet 

warmed to -200” C and formed reflecting puddles which astronomers 

saw as variations in liqht intensity. (Text; UPI, W Post, 12/28/68, A9; 

Lannan, W Star, 12/30/68, A3; AP, W Post, 12/30/68, A6) 

December 27: At White House press conference President Johnson discussed Apollo 8’s effect on US. position in space race: “We are very 

pleased with the progress we have made. . . . Each side has different 

examples of its achievements. But in the 10 to 11 years since Sputnik 

I . . . when we didn’t even have a space committee in the Congress, 

when we were talking about the basketball up there in the air, when we 

have weathered the storms that .have brewed-everyone who wanted to 

cut anything, the first thing they wanted to cut was the space program 

-when we have seen the editorial professors inform us that there was 

really no value in doing all of this anyway, it gives me great pleasure 

now to see the thrill that even they are getting out of it.” 

President described anxiety about complex mission and said he had 

repeatedly asked himself whether U.S. was ready, whether date selected 

was best one, whether every possible precaution had been taken, and 

whether every man had performed his requirements. “About all you 

can do . . . is to pick men that you have confidence in, that you trust, 

give them the support they need, and then hold on.” Remembering he 

had “recommended this goal for this decade” to President Kennedy, he 

said: ‘‘Therq have been many pitfalls every step of the way. I don’t 

know how many folks have just wanted to abandon it, clip it, cut it, 

take the money for the cities or the war or just anything else. Space 

has been a whipping boy. 

“So when you see the day approaching when visions, and dreams, 

and what we said to the Congress when we created the Space Administration back in 1958 are becoming reality, you naturally are hopeful.” 

Later, in telephone message to Apollo 8 astronauts, President congratulated crew and said: “You have made us very proud to be alive at 

this particular moment in history. You have made us feel akin to those 

Europeans nearly five centuries ago who heard stories of the New World 

for the first time. . . . My thoughts this morning went back to more than 

10 years ago . . . when we saw Sputnik racing through the skies, and 

we realized that America had a big job ahead of it. 

“It gave me so much pleasure to know that you men have done a 

large part of that job.” (PD, 12/30/68, 1744-50) 

326 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 27 

International comment on Apollo 8 mission: 

In statement distributed by Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C., 

Boris Petrov, Chairman of Council for International Cooperation in Investigation and Utilization of Outer Space, U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences, hailed “hardware” and “courage” of Apollo 8 astronauts but 

called attention to “considerable accent” placed on “automatic devices” 

in Soviet space program. He said, “The Soviet Union is engaged in a 

large-scale program of planned studies and exploration of outer space, 

which provides for the investigation of the earth’s upper atmosphere 

and of near-earth outer space and studies of sun-earth relationships and 

of our closest space neighbors-the moon, Venus and mars, and later, 

on more remote planets.” 

Cuban National Radio called mission “a total success.” 

Tass: “Due tribute should be paid to the courage and mastery of 

Frank Borman, William Anders and James Lovell who have accomplished this outstanding scientific and technical experiment. The successful flight of Apollo 8 ushers in a new stage in the history of space 

exploration.” Ten Soviet cosmonauts telegraphed Apollo crew congratulations for “another milestone in scientific and technical progress.” 

Pope Paul VI, in message to President Johnson: “Giving thanks to 

God for the successful completion of the magnificent enterprise of the 

Apollo 8 mission, we congratulate you and the people of the United 

States of America and particularly the intrepid space travelers, and invoke divine blessing upon all contributing to this noble achievement.” 

U.N. Secretary General U Thant: “The powerful thrust of the 

rocket engines, the awesome speeds attained in flight, the vast 

distances traveled, the precision of navigation and the fidelity of 

communications, aural and visual, all stagger the imagination and defy 

the comprehension of man.” 

Emperor I-Iaile Selassie of Ethiopia: “a great milestone in man’s continued search of the unknown.” 

Gov. Gen. Roland Michener of Canada, in message to President 

Johnson : Canadians had followed astronauts’ flight with “admiration 

for their courage and the technical skill of all who have a part in the 

enterprise.” 

Prime Minister Eisaku Sat0 of Japan to President Johnson: feat 

showed America’s “courage and the high level of scientific technology.” 

In Kaduna, Nigeria, New Nigerian said Apollo 8, “Apart from being 

the supreme technological achievement . . . of all time,” was “another 

exciting chapter in man’s eternal quest to triumph over his own natural environment.” Same skills and resources which were helping to conquer space ”could easily be diverted to giving man a better life on 

earth itself-if only all of us would allow the good that is inherent in 

all mankind to assert itself.” (AP, B Sun, 12/28/68, 1; New Nigerian, 

12/27/68,1) * San Francisco Chronicle said: “In their meteoric flitting about the skies 

the crew of the Apollo 8 did more than thrill their fellow Americans 

and pump up the national ego. They drew commendations from directors of the Soviet space project whose considerable achievement they 

had outstripped.” They made believers of “informed skeptics such as 

Sir Bernard Lovell, director of Britain’s Jodrell Bank Observatory, who 

had more than ever scoffed at the value of the moon venture. (They 

327 
December 27 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

also drove the stubborn adherents of the flat-earth theory into confusion.) All this they accomplished in faultless style.” (SF Chornicle, 

12/27/68, 30) 

Associated Press quoted Mrs. Madalyn Murray O’Hair, who was instrumental in having prayer removed from US. public schools, as saying 

she would register complaints with NASA against reading by Apollo 8 

astronauts of portions of Genesis during lunar orbit and would organize mail campaign to bar prayer from space. (AP, W Post, 12/28/68, 

A91 

Washington Post said Harvard Univ. scientist Dr. George B. Kistiakowsky, who in 1959 was chief science adviser to President Eisenhower, had said in taped interview for broadcast on CBS radio network 

Dec. 29 that putting man on moon would not compare to great scientific achievements such as breaking genetic code. “This [moon flight] 

is an adventure. . . . it’s different from Darwin’s travels,”’ which led to 

his discovery of genetic evolution. ( AaFons, W Post, 12/28/68, AS) 

Apollo 7 mission (Oct. 11-22) was adjudged successful by NASA. All 

launch vehicle systems had performed-satisfactorily throughout expected 

lifetime and spacecraft systems functioned with few minor anomalies, 

which were countered, preventing loss of systems support. Splashdown 

occurred within one mile of guidance system target point and recovery 

of flight crew and CM was successful. All test objectives had been successfully accomplished. (NASA Proj Off) e Apollo 6 (launched April 4) was adjudged unsuccessful by NASA. Although 

three of five primary mission objectives had been fully accomplished 

and two partially accomplished, overall mission was not a success. 

Apollo 6 had entered elliptical parking orbit instead of planned circular orbit when 2nd stage engines shut down prematurely and 3rd 

stage failed to reignite on command. (NASA Proj Off) 

NASA announced it would convert to civil service operation during next 

18 mo work performed in 810 contractor positions at GSFC, to bring 

Center’s operations into accord with Civil Service Commission guidelines prohibiting Government supervision of contractor employees. Many 

incumbent contractor employees would be offered Government positions 

and only small portion of contractors’ activities would be affected in 

many cases. Conversion would be completed by June 1970 and NASA 

would coptinue to rely on industry to considerable extent for support 

services. (NASA Release 68-223) 

MSFC announced it had issued Boeing Co. $8,429,047 supplemental agreement extending from October 1968 to March 1970 maintenance and 

operation of Saturn V development facility at MSFC and providing for 

mechanical ground support equipment and logistics work. ( MSFC Release 68-283) 0 NASA announced award by LeRC of $3,448,762 cost-plus-award-fee contract 

to Honeywell, Inc., for Centaur launch vehicle guidance system including management, engineering, repair, and modification support during 

1969. (NASA Release 68-222) 0 In Science Dr. J. C. G. Walker, Yale Univ. geologist and geophysicist, 

and N. W. Spencer, Chief of GSFC’S Laboratory for Atmospheric and 

Biological Sciences, said thermosphere probe experiments had provided 

largest body of rocket mass-spectrometer data obtained. Tests had been 

conducted jointly by scientists at GSFC and Space Physics Research Lab. 

328 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 27 

at Univ. of Michigan to determine temperatures of earth’s upper 

atmosphere. Since 1962, concentration and temperature of molecular 

nitrogen in upper atmosphere had been measured in 22 successful flights 

under varying conditions of solar activity, from launch sites at Fort 

Churchill, Manitoba, Wallops Island, Va., and Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. 

Scientists had concluded that upper atmosphere consisted of mixture of 

gases-electrons, ions, and neutral particles-each oi which had distinct 

temperature. Multiplicity of temperatures could be expected in upper 

atmosphere of planets, though differences between planetary atmospheres 

must be more striking than similarities because of differences in atmospheric composition and in distance from sun. It was likely that 

absence of permanent magnetic field on either Mars or Venus caused 

further substantial differences between upper atmospheres of these 

planets and upper atmosphere of earth. (Science, 12/27/68, 143741) e National Science Foundation announced median annual salary of US. 

scientists in 1968 was $13,000, up $1,200 (10%) from 1966. Selfemployed scientists earned highest median, $18,000, in 1968, with 

those employed by industry, business, and nonprofit organizations 

second at $14,700. Federal Government scientists reported same median 

salary-$13,50O-as those employed on yearly basis by educationa! 

institutions. Single largest users of scientific talent were educational 

institutions (40%). Industry and business employed 32%, and 1077 

were civilians in Federal Government. Information was based on rcsponses by 298,000 US. scientists to NSF’S biennial National Register 

survey. ( NSF Release 68-181) 

New York Times said article in December issue of Australian Quarterly 

by Australian National Univ. lecturer Robert Cooksey had suggested 

US. “space research facility” at Pine Gap near geographical center of 

Australia might be station designed to guide orbital missiles fired from 

US. to targets in Communist China. Article had caused flurry of 

questions about base in Australian press. Later New York Times story 

said US. officials in Washington had denied suggestion and said Pine 

Gap installation was joint US.-Australian space research facility 

established by agreement in 1966. (Trumbull, NYT, 12/29/68, 30) 

e DOD announced appointment to Defense Science Board of Dr. Arthur T. 

Biehl, Associate Director for Advanced Study, Lawrence Radiation 

Laboratory; Dr. Lewis M. Branscomb, Chairman of Joint Institute for 

Laboratory Astrophysics, Univ. of Colorado ; Daniel J. Fink, General 

Manager for Space Systems, General Electric Corp.; and Dr. Charles 

M. Herzfeld, Technical Director of Defense Space Group (R&D), 

International Telephone and Telegraph Corp. (DOD Release 1139-68) 

December 28: Intelsat-III 1;-2 (launched Dec. 19) was used between Etam, 

W. Va., and Raisting, Germany, under emergency authorization to 

back up interruption of service on TAT4 cable. (NASA Proj Off) 

Finnish professor Arrno Niini said photos of earth brought back by 

Apollo 8 astronauts might show tiny ring of small dust particles 200 

to 350 mi above earth. It would be discernible only in pictures taken 

with sun behind camera and with sufficiently sensitive film. (UPI, NYT, 

12/30/68,2) 

e In Moscow interview with Turin, Italy, newspaper La Stampa, Soviet 

space scientist Prof. Leonid I. Sedov said U.S.S.R. was concentrating 

329 
December 28 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1%8 

on perfecting unmanned spaceships for exploration of celestial bodies 

deeper in space than moon. “There does not exist at present a similar 

project [to Apollo 81 in our program. In the near future we will not 

send a man around the moon. We start from the principle that certain 

problems can be resolved with the use of automatic soundings.” Sedov 

hailed Apollo 8 mission as “a great scientific conquest.” (UPI, W Post, 

12/29/68, A4,) 

* President Johnson announced promotion of Apollo 8 Astronaut William 

A. Anders (Maj., USAF) to lieutenant colonel under his policy of 

granting one-grade promotion to military astronaut after his first 

successful space mission. (Maynard, W Post, 12/29/68, A4; PD, 

$/6/69,5) 

Polish noncommunist party newspaper Zycie Wrszawy said of Apollo 8 

crew: “We were all with them during those five days. . . . We congratulate them heartily. At such a time we do not think about politics and 

we forget about the country‘from which they come.” Paper also said, 

“Only a few changes would be enough for the monstrous rocket to 

carry a nuclear warhead into orbit instead of astronauts.” ( UPI, C Trib, 

12/29/68) 

In Paris Match, Raymond Cartier said, “With Apollo 8 the summit is 

human daring is attained.” (Paris Match, 12/28/68, 37) 

Chicago Tribune said, “NOW that Apollo 8 and its three astronauts are 

home from their historic trip around the moon, we can safely call it 

one of the most memorable Christmas gifts ever given to the American 

people and mankind.” (C Trib, 12/28/68,12) 

The Economist: “What did they think, those three men of Apollo 8 who 

risked their lives and their sanity to fly to the moon only to report 

that it Iooked like grey plaster of paris? What should we earthbound 

ones think? In New York City, there are at least 2,000 people who 

would rather have watched a football game and were sufficiently incensed to telephone the television networks and tell them so. The blame 

is not the astronauts’. A whole series of photographs, some taken from 

instruments actually on the moon’s surface, some in black-and-white, 

some in colour, had already warned them what to expect. The buck lies 

on the desks of the men who for the past 13 years have directed the 

United States’ $32 billion space programme, and spent 70% of it on 

getting men into space without planning anything constructive for them 

to do when they got there. . . . The cost of a manned moonshot is put 

at around $1 billion, and for that sum you could get a whole programme 

of unmanned moon launches. . . , 

“But man does not live by science alone. . . . the greatest achievements of men in space have so far been in the realm of the human 

spirit. . . . Apollo 8 is part of the unceasing restlessness, invention and 

ambition of our kind. Have we really any reason to believe that man’s 

evolution has come to a stop after a bare half million years on earth? 

It requires arrogance, a closed mind and absolutely no sense of 

history . . . to say that sending men into space is an utter waste of 

time.” (The Economist, 12/28/68,112) 

Neither Peking Radio nor New China News Agency covered ApoZZo 8 

Mission. (N Vu Sun, 12/28/68, 1) 

December 29: Yomiuri of Tokyo said of Apollo 8: “This splendid voyage is 

330 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 29 

hailed around the world as ‘mankind’s greatest feat’ and ‘a symbol of 

hope for the future’. . . . For the US. and the Soviet Union, it may 

be a matter of serious concern as to which puts men on the moon 

first. . . . This aspect is not important for mankind in general. The two 

superpowers should regard space exploration as a project of the human 

race and not a narrow issue of national prestige.’’ (Yomiuri, 12/29/68, 

2) 

International Flat Earth Society said in London that earth was definitely 

flat despite pictures from ApoZZo 8. Society Secretary Samuel Shenton 

said moon was circular but there was no proof it was a globe. (Reuters, 

B Sun, 12/30/68) 

In Washington Sunday Star, William Hines reported results of query 

of eight eminent scientists on most important single decision related 

to science and technology which faced President-elect Richard M. 

Nixon early in his administration. Consensus was: shaping of long-term 

science policy. Also cited were need for reexamination of priorities and 

goals, with firm decision on extent to which science and higher education should receive Government support; creation of Dept. of Science 

in cabinet or stronger science-Government communication lines ; reassessment of space funding and other “big science” projects, including 

proton accelerators ; greater emphasis on social goals ; vigorous antipollution efforts; and more imaginative use of science and technology 

as instruments of national policy. None of eight scientists advocated 

abandonment of space program after culmination of Apollo project. 

Alvin M. Weinberg, Director of Oak Ridge National Lab., said of space 

program, “This thing takes so very much money that it’s hard to get 

excited about any other decision in science until this one has been 

made. What should be its level in the 1970s? We have become accustomed to something like four or five billion dollars a year, but I doubt 

very much that this is a level the new President is likely to concur in.” 

(W Star, 12/29/68, C3) 

0 Noting what he called “curious conspiracy of silence on Russia’s capabilities and intention” for almost eight years, William Hines in Washington Sunday Star said: “One of the many small acts of positive 

statesmanship which Richard M. Nixon could profitably perform early 

in his administration would be to tell the American people fully and 

frankly just what the United States government knows about the Soviet 

space program. . . . It would lend credence to Mr. Nixon’s professed 

policy of openness. It would compromise no significant secrets. And it 

would enable the American public to make judgments about the future 

of the US. space program at a time when vital decisions along this line 

would be coming due.” (W Star, 12/29/68, C4) 

December 30: Defense Secretary designate, Rep. Melvin R. Laird (R-Wis.) , named David Packard, chairman of Hewlett-Packard Co., California 

electronics firm, to be Deputy Secretary of Defense in Nixon Administration. (Beecher, NYT, 12/31/68, 1; WSJ, 12/31/68; Aero Daily, 

12/31/68) 

0 Cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Cal Tech’s operation of Jet Propulsion 

Laboratory as a major NASA installation was renewed by NASA and Cal 

Tech through Dec. 31, 1971. Cal Tech staffed and operated JPL; prop331 
December 30 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

erty, facilities, and equipment were owned by Government. (NASA 

Procurement Off; NASA Release 69-2) 

In Pravda, Prof. Boris Petrov, Soviet guidance mechanisms specialist, 

said U.S.S.R. preferred not to send men to moon at this point, though 

unmanned Zond V and Zond VI “were adapted for piloted flight.” (Reuters, W Post, 12/31/68, A3) 

Cleveland Plain Dealer editorial: “Those who argue that the country 

should be spending more money on important domestic programs are 

correct. But these increases should not have to come at the expense of 

American space exploration and newly-won world prestige. NASA’s needs 

deserve high priority. There should be no lost opportunities. When the 

first American sets foot on the moon next year, his accomplishment 

should symbolize a beginning, not an ending.” (C Plain Dealer, 

12/30/68) 

e In Washington Evening Star, David Lawrence asked, “What was really 

the big ‘miracle’ in the voyage of the American astronauts to the 

moon and back?” It could have happened, “and the rest of the world 

would not have witnessed the dramatic arrival of the astronauts aboard 

an aircraft carrier in the middle of the Pacific Ocean or the pictures 

sent from outer space for several days if it had not been for another 

great feat of science-transmission of television and radio from 

artificial satellites direct to every continent of the world.” (W Star, 

12/30/68, A9) 

December 31 : White House announced from Johnson City, Tex., that President Johnson would present NASA Distinguished Service Medals to 

Apollo 8 Astronauts Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, Jr., and William A. 

Anders during “Astronaut Day” ceremonies in Washington, D.C., Jan. 

9, 1969. (AP, W Star, 12/31/68, A5; UPI, NYT, 1/1/69, 10; W Post, 

1/1/69,2) 

Soviet test pilot Eudard V. Yelyan test-flew Tu-144, U.S.S.R.’s delta-wing 

supersonic transport, on successful 38-min maiden flight from airport 

near Moscow. Tass reported “the equipment on board the airliner 

operated normally.” Aircraft was designed to carry 120-135 passengers 

at speeds to 1,600 mph over 4,000-mi range. It was equipped with four 

Kuznetsov N.K.-144 turbofan engines. Tass said sonic boom “is almost 

not felt” on earth because Tu-144 reached maximum speed at high 

altitudes. 

Later, New York Times editorial commented : “The lung international 

debate about supersonic airliners is sure to be stepped up in the wake 

of the news that the Soviet entry, the TU-144, has made its first flight. 

Since it has not been claimed that this initial trial reached supersonic 

speeds, the likelihood is that the TU-144 was kept subsonic on its first 

outing. But Soviet airplane designers and builders have manufactured 

enough supersonic military planes to suggest that on a subsequent flight 

the TU-144 will fly faster than the speed of sound. . . . In this 

country, the Soviet first will undoubtedly spur those who want to 

pour still more Government funds into the Boeing project to build an 

advanced supersonic plane that is faster and larger than the TU-144. 

Fortunately, this country’s technological prestige is now higher than 

ever in the wake of the Apollo 8 moon journey. That fact should help 

the incoming Nixon Administration to see that there are better uses for 

332 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 December 31 

the nation’s scarce resources than to engage in a supersonic plane race 

whose economics are dubious and whose product’s contribution to 

noise pollution is all too loud.” (Shabad, NYT, 1/1/69, 1; UPI, W Star, 

1/1/69, A7; Winters, B Sun, 1/1/69, Al; NYT, 1/2/69, 30) 0 Earth Resources Satellite System, report by Subcommittee on Space 

Science and Applications for Subcommittee on NASA Oversight, House 

Committee on Science and Astronautics, was transmitted to committee 

and subcommittee. ERS system “unquestionably presents NASA with 

. . . perhaps the best possible opportunity to achieve tangible economic returns from the substantial investment already made by the 

American taxpayer in the US. space program.” Pace of program 

to date had been “much too leisurely” and financial support, “inadequate.” Report recommended “NASA concentrate a much larger 

portion of its efforts and resources on this project” and “give the most 

serious consideration to the recommendation of the National Academy 

of Sciences’ summer study to the effect that funding for the applications 

satellite program should be at least doubled, perhaps tripled.” (Text) 

0 National Science Foundation released Federal Funds for Research, 

Development, and Other Scientific Activities : Fiscal Years 1967, 1968, 

and 1969. Federal obligations for basic research, applied research, and 

development (plant excluded) totaled $16.5 billion in FY 1967 and 

were expected to total $16.2 billion in FY 1968, first drop since 1955. 

Obligations had been expected to total $17.3 billion in FY 1969, but, 

because of appropriations and apportionment actions, probably would 

be even less than in 1968. 

Basic research obligations totaled $2.0 billion in FY 1967 and were 

expected to be $2.1 billion in 1968. Applied research obligations totaled 

$3.3 billion in FY 1967, with $3.3 billion estimated for 1968. Originally 

expected increases in FY 1969 obligations, to $2.4 billion for basic 

research and $3.6 billion for applied research, probably would not oecur because of cutbacks in FY 1969 budget. Development obligations 

were $11.3 billion in 1967, highest ever reported, but were expected to 

drop to $10.8 billion in 1968. Originally expected rise to $11.3 billion 

in 1969 probably would not be achieved. In FY 1967, obligations for 

R&D plant totaled $620 million, with estimated $517 million for 1968 

and $777 million for 1969. DOD, NASA, and AEC provided bulk of R&D 

funds, with 90% average share during 1960-66 and 85% during 

1967-69. DOD, NASA, and AEC together supported 60% of Federal 

research total and more than 95% of development total in 1968. 

During 1967-69, 80% of Federal R&D funds were scheduled for 

extramural performers, chiefly US. industrial firms. In 1968 they 

received 60%. (Text) 

0 New York Gov. Nelson B. Rockefeller announced Apollo 8 astronauts 

had accepted invitation to come to New York for special day of 

observance Jan. 10. (Fox, NYT, 1/1/69,1) 

Senator-elect Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.) test-rode F-111A and took 

controls during part of 90-min flight to and from Nellis AFB, Nev. Later 

he said aircraft had been victim of politics, not by party, but by “bungling in the Defense Department.” Goldwater said he had not opposed 

aircraft but objected to way DOD had awarded contract to General 

Dynamics Corp. He said USAF had done good job in “taking the bugs 

out of this airplane.” (AP, W Post, 1/1/69, A9) 

333 
December 31 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

USAF awarded contracts totaling $28.8 million to Fairchild Hiller Corp., 

McDonnell Douglas Corp., and North American Rockwell Corp. for 

contract definition for ZF-15A advanced air superiority fighter aircraft. (DOD Release 1147-68) 

During December: NASA issued Objectives and Goals in Space Science ad 

Applications-1968. NASA Office of Space Science and Applications had 

participated in 1968 agency-wide planning to detail program objectives 

and options from which program could be built. Many tools required 

for future space program had already been developed and many future 

ventures would require onIy modest improvements. Spacecraft pointing 

accuracies and stability would improve, and their lifetimes would 

increase. More powerful transmitters would communicate data across 

ever-widening expanses. Spacecraft weight would increase and man 

would have increasing capability to work and navigate in space. 

Advances in chemical propulsion, introduction of nuclear and electric 

propulsion, and new combinations of existing stages, would permit 

growth of launch vehicle capability to meet mission demands. 

FY 1969 support of program recognized need for austerity and provided for continuance of existing programs at economical level and 

initiation of only “projects of great merit, including those where a 

unique opportunity might be lost.” Future emphasis would be on 

applications of space and space technology for benefit of man: surveying earth‘s resources, TV broadcast from space, and weather forecasting. Knowledge of Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, and other outer 

planets would be expanded. Introduction of larger, more accurate 

telescopes would provide man perhaps with “his greatest step in 

understanding the nature of his universe.” (Text) 

Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences issued Tenth Anniuersary, 1958-1968 to meet requests for information concerning its 

historical background, activities, jurisdiction and procedures, legislative record, membership, and staff assistance. Report contained 

National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, as amended, related 

legislation-including NASA’s funding history-and Communications 

Satellite Act of 1962. (Text) 

Global military expenditures ranked first in world public expenditures. 

They had risen irom $132 billion to 1964 to $138 billion in 1965, $159 

billion in 1966, and estimated $182 billion in 1967-record high level. 

Preliminary data, said U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency 

Report, World Military Expenditures 196647, said current military 

spending exceeded by 40% world‘s expenditures on education by all 

levels of government and was more than three times worldwide public 

health expenditure. (Text; Shackford, W Post, 1/24/69, A21) 

During 1968: In 1968 US. orbited 64 spacecraft and U.S.S.R., 74. U.S. 

total included 43 launched by DOD. NASA’s 21 included satellite orbited 

as secondary payload. 

Highlight of NASA’s 10th anniversary year was success in carefully 

planned series of Apollo mission-including first two manned flights 

in Apollo lunar landing program. Unmanned Apollo 5 and Apollo 6 

completed inflight tests of all major pieces of Apollo hardware. First 

manned mission, ApoUo 7, carried three astronauts around earth for 

11 days, veriiying spacecraft operation before splashing down precisely 

on target.. Mission included live TV transmission from space, largest 

334 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 During 1968 

number of inflight restarts of SPS to date, and new record of 781 manhours in space. Apollo program climaxed Dec. 21-27 with highly successful six-day Apollo 8 mission on which three-man crew demonstrated operation of spacecraft systems in lunar environment while 

world watched live TV coverage via satellite. Spacecraft orbited moon 

10 times, providing man with his first trip out of earth’s gravitational 

field and first look at moon’s far side and proving capability of crew, 

spacecraft, and support and control systems to operate out to lunar 

distances and return through earth‘s atmosphere at lunar-return 

velocity. 

Unmanned Surveyor VIZ, NASA’s first launch in 1968 and last 

spacecraft in Surveyor series, softlanded on moon, conducted on-site 

analyses of lunar soil, and took part in laser-detection communications 

experiment. 

Applications satellites launched included Intelsat-ZII F-2 comsat 

for ComSatCorp and Essa VI1 and VIIZ meteorological satellites for 

ESSA. Scientific achievements included orbiting of NASA’s Ogo V, Aao 11, 

Explorer XXXVI, XXXVZII, XXXIX, and XL satellites and Naval 

Research Laboratory’s Explorer XXXVII. Oao 11-heaviest and most 

complicated US. automated spacecraft ever launched-took first 

UV photos of stars, returning previously unobtainable data. Explorer 

XXXVI was successfully used by GSFC as target in first daylight operational laser tracking. Pioneer IX, launched into solar orbit, carried 

Tetr I1 pickaback and ejected it into earth orbit where it served as 

tracking target for NASA’s Manned Space Flight Network. 

Some 157 meteorological sounding rockets and 100 scientific sounding rockets were launched, and RAM C-11 spacecraft was launched 

on suborbital mission to obtain data on radio attenuation during 

reentry. 

X-15 rocket research aircraft made 13 flights, ending its flight program with 199 missions, including 154 at mach 4 or greater, 109 at mach 

5 or above, and 4 at greater than mach 6. NASA-USAF flight research 

continued with 13 flights of XB-70 supersonic aircraft. USAF’S C-5A, 

world’s largest military cargo aircraft, made its maiden flight and 

three of the aircraft completed 31 flights for 88-hr total flying time. 

Design of SST was reevaluated and program was delayed until new 

fixed-wing design was selected, with prototype construction expected 

to begin in 1969. NASA’s HGlO lifting-body vehicle completed 12 

successful glide flights and first powered flight. 

DOD space program included orbiting of 8 IDCSP comsats, 1 Lincoln 

Experimental Satellite, 5 Orbiting Vehicle research satellites, and 2 

environmental research satellites; static test-firings of Titan 111-M 1st 

stage; and near completion of MOL launch complex at Vandenberg 

In joint NASA-AEC effort, propulsion technology highlights included 

power tests of Phoebus 2A nuclear reactor, first tests of cold-flow test 

engine in flight configuration in new test stand, and first test-firings 

of Pewee 1 fuel element test-bed reactor. 

U.S.S.R. launched 74 payloads, including 64 Cosmos satellites, 1 

Luna, 1 Proton, 3 Zond, and 2 Soyuz spacecraft, and 3 Molniya I 

comsats. Manned Soyuz 111 rendezvoused but did not dock with unAFB. 

335 
During 1968 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

manned Soyuz ZZ launched one day earlier. Unmanned Zond V and VI 

completed circumlunar flights and were recovered. Zond ZV circled 

moon and apparently crashlanded. U.S.S.R.’s Tu-144 delta-wing supersonic transport successfully made 38-min maiden flight. (Pres Rpt 68; 

NASA Release 68-219; B Sun, 1/18/69,28; Shabad, NYT, 1/1/69, 1; 

UPI, W Star, 1/1/69 A7) 

Major administrative events affecting NASA and its role in space were 

resignation of Administrator James E. Webb in October, after 71/2 yr 

as NASA’s head, and budget cuts necessitating program and personnel 

reductions. 

Press marked Webb retirement with praise for many accomplishments of US. space program during his leadership. Webb, planning 

to devote time to interests in education and urban and foreign affairs, 

continued to serve as consultant to Acting Administrator Dr. Thomas 

0. Paine. 

NASA FY 1969 budget request of $4.37 billion, already smallest since 

1963 and $700 million below FY 1968 request, was further trimmed 

by Congress because of urgent national needs in other areas, particularly Vietnam war and urban problems. Authorization of $4.013 billion 

was lowered to appropriation of $3.995 billion-$375.12 million below 

original request. Revenue and Expenditure Control Act of 1968 again 

reduced NASA funds, as well as funds for Dm and other agencies. 

Dr. Paine in October announced NASA interim operating plan limited 

to $3.85 billion for FY 1969. Cutbacks included “sharply limited and 

deferred” Apollo Applications program, end to Saturn IB and V booster 

production, 50% cut in advanced mission studies, reduced lunar and 

planetary exploration program, one-year delay in NERVA development, 

slips in Biosatellite program, and reductions in astronomy, physics, 

and basic research. In November Dr. Paine said that below $4-billion 

level NASA could no longer “hold together our hard-won capabilities 

and utilize them effectively in critical programs; some of them would 

have to be dropped entirely.” (EH) 

0 In its international cooperation program, NASA successfully launched 

three satellites for European Space Research Organization : International Radiation Investigation Satellite Iris Z (Esro ZZ-B) , Aurorae (Esro Z) to study aurora borealis and related polar ionosphere 

phenomeni, and Highly Eccentric Orbiting Satellite Heos A for interplanetary physics research. From eight nations, 35 investigators were 

selected to carry out experiments with first lunar surface material to 

be retrieved by NASA. Four nations contributed experiments flown on 

NASA spacecraft and 122 sounding rockets were launched in scientific 

programs with eight countries. Geodetic satellite observations were 

carried out with 34 countries; aeronautical research was conducted 

with 4 countries; and 52 countries had APT facilities to receive cloud 

cover pictures from US. satellites. (NASA Releases 68-219, 68-204; 

Pres Rpt 68) 

0 Uspekhi SSSR v Zssledovanii Kosmicheskogo Prostranstva. Pervoye 

Kosmicheskoye Desyatiletiye 1957-1967 [U.S.S.R. Achievements in 

Space Research (First Decade in Space, 1957-1967) ] was published 

as Sputnik anniversary edition by Nauka Publishing House, Moscow. 

Dr. Anatoly A. Blagonravov, Academician and chief editor, wrote 

336 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 During 1968 

introduction. Text included results of scientific studies, experiments, 

and exploration. Appendix listed satellites, spacecra€t, and their 

characteristics. Joint Publications Research Service of U.S. Dept. of 

Commerce published translation, JPRS 47,311, on Jan. 24, 1969. (Texts) 

337 

Appendix A 

SATELLITES, SPACE PROBES, AND MANNED 

SPACE FLIGHTS 

A CHRQNZCLE FOR 1968 

The following tabulation was compiled from open sources by Leonard 

C. Bruno of the Science and Technology Division of the Library of Congress. Sources included the United Nations Public Registry; the Satellite 

Situation Report issued by the Operations Control Center at Goddard Space 

Flight Center ; public information releases of the Department of Defense, 

NASA, ESSA, and other agencies, as well as those of the Communications satellite Corporation. Russian data are from the U.N. Public Registry, the 

Satellite Situation Report, translations from Tass News Agency, statements 

in the Soviet press, and international news services’ reports. Data on satellites of other foreign nations are from the U.N. Public Registry, the SateE 

lite Situation Report, government announcements, and international news 

services’ reports. 

It might be well to call attention to the terms of reference stated or implied in the title of this tabulation. This is a listing of payloads that have 

(a) orbited; (b) as probes, ascended to at least the 4,000-mile altitude that 

traditionally has distinguished probes irom sounding rockets, etc. ; or (c) 

conveyed one or more humans into space, whether orbit was attained or not. 

Furthermore, only flights that have succeeded-or at least can be shown by 

tracking data to have fulfilled our definition of satellite or probe or manned 

flight-are listed. Date of launch is referenced to local time at the launch 

site. An asterisk by the date marks those dates that are one day earlier in 

this tabulation than in listings which reference to Greenwich Mean Time. A 

double asterisk by the date marks those dates of Soviet launches which are 

a day later in this compilation than in listings which reference to Greenwich Mean Time. 

World space activity in 1968 continued at about the same pace as 1967. 

There was a slight decline in total successful launches-119 against 127 in 

1967-and a decline in total payloads orbited-138 against 159 in 1967, a 

good deal under the record 160 of 1965. The difference between launches 

and payloads is of coprse accounted for by the multiple-payload launches 

339 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

(DOD is the principal user of this system, with 9 multiple-payload launches 

orbiting a total of 26 payloads and with as many as 8 payloads on one 

Titan 111-C vehicle; NASA had 2 multiple launches of 4 payloads against one 

multiple launch and 2 payloads in 1967; the U.S.S.R. again had none). 

Of the 1968 world total, the United States launched 45 boosters carrying 

64 payloads (compared with 55 and 87 in 1967), the U.S.S.R. launched 74 

(compared with 67 in 1967) ; 6 of NASA’s total were non-NASA missionsEsro II, Aurorae, Heos-A, Intelsat-Ill F-2, Essa VIII. 

If 1967 was characterized by the large number of U.S. lunar flights 

(seven compared with none for the U.S.S.R.), 1968 was distinguished by 

the reappearance of manned flight. The US. moved closer to its lunar landing goal with two manned Apollo successes, and the Soviet Union demonstrated its manned capability in the Soyuz 111 flight. In 1968 both the 

United States and the Soviet Union successfully circled the moon. The 

Soviet’s Zond V first accomplished the feat with an unmanned craft, while 

the United States was first in putting men around the moon in ApoZZo 8. 

As we have cautioned in previous years, the “Remarks” column of these 

appendixes is never complete because of the inescapable lag behind each 

flight of the analysis and interpretation of results. 

340 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

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Appendix B 

CHRONOLOGY OF MAJOR NASA LAUNCHES 

JANUARY 1,1968, THROUGH DECEMBER 31,1968 

This chronology of major NASA launchings in 1968 is intended to provide 

an accurate and ready historical reference, one compiling and verifying information previously scattered over several sources. It includes launchings 

of all rocket vehicles larger than sounding rockets launched either by NASA 

or under “NASA direction (e.g., NASA provided vehicles, launch facilities, and 

performed the launches for ComSatCorp’s Intelsat-Ill F-2, for ESSA’S Essa 

VI1 and VIII, and for ESRO’S Iris I, and Aurorae and Heos-A in 1968). 

NASA sounding rocket launches are published annually by the Goddard Space 

Flight Center Historian in Goddard Projects Summary: Satellites and 

Sounding Rockets. 

An attempt has been made to classify the performance of both the launch 

vehicle and the payload and to summarize total results in terms of primary 

mission. Three categories have been used for evaluating vehicle performance and mission results-successful (S) , partially successful (P) , and unsuccessful (U) . A fourth category, unknown (Unk) , has been provided for 

payloads where vehicle malfunctions did not give the payload a chance to exercise its main experiments. These divisions are necessarily arbitrary, since 

many of the results cannot be neatly categorized. Also they ignore the fact 

that a great deal is learned from missions that may have been classified as 

unsuccessful. 

Date of launch is referenced to local time at the launch site. Sources used 

were all open ones, verified where in doubt from the project offices in NASA 

Headquarters and from NASA Centers. For further information on each item, 

see Appendix A of this volume and the entries in the main chronology as 

referenced in the index. Prepared May 1969 by Dr. Frank W. Anderson, Jr. 

Deputy NASA Historian (EH) . 

367 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

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370 
Appendix C 

CHRONOLOGY OF MANNED SPACE FLIGHT, 1967-1968 

This chronology contains basic information on all manned space flights 

during 1967 and 1968 and, taken with Appendix C to the 1965 and 1966 

editions of this publication, provides a summary record of manned exploration of the space environment through 1968. The information was compiled 

by William D. Putnam, Assistant NASA Historian for Manned Space Flight. 

The year 1967 saw only one flight by man into space and that mission of 

lhe Soviet spaceship Soyuz 1 ended in the tragic death of Cosmonaut Vladimir M. Komarov. Although there were no US. flights in 1967, tragedy also 

struck the American program with the death of astronauts Virgil I. Grissom, 

Edward H. White 11, and Roger B. Chaffee inside their spacecraft on the 

launch pad at Cape Kennedy while they were conducting tests preparatory 

to the first manned flight in the Apollo program. 

It was October of 1968 before each nation resumed manned space 

flight, with ApoZZo 7 the initial manned test of America’s spacecraft for the 

lunar landing program and the Soyuz 111 the first Soviet manned flight 

since the crash of Soyuz I 18 months earlier. The epochal flight of ApolZo 8 

was man’s first trip outside the earth’s environs to lunar orbit. This landmark in human exploration demonstrated the ability of the Apollo-Saturn 

V system to perform the mission for which it was designed and builtman’s landing on the lunar surface and safe return to earth. 

By the end of 1968, the United States had conducted a total of 18 manned 

space flights, 15 in earth orbit and one circumlunar voyage, with a total of 

22 different crewmen. Six of the 22 American astronauts had participated 

in two flights each, and two had flown three times. The Soviet Union had 

conducted a total of 10 manned flights, all in earth orbit, with 12 different 

crewmen. Cosmonaut Romarov’s fatal flight in 1967 was his second. Cumulative totals for manned spacecraft hours on flight had reached 1,430 hours 

53 minutes for the United States and 554 hours 4 minutes for the Soviet 

Union. Cumulative total man-hours in space were 3,215 hours and 628 

hours 40 minutes, respectively. 

Data on US. flights are the latest available to date within NASA. Although 

minor details are subject to modification as data are refined, major aspects 

of all US. manned flights remain subject to direct observation by interested 

citizens of the world, with a significant portion of recent missions seen live 

on worldwide television. 

371 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

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Appendix D 

ABBREVIATIONS OF REFERENCES 

Listed are abbreviations for sources cited in the text. This list does not 

include all sources provided in the chronology, for some of the references 

cited are not abbreviated. Only those references which appear in abbreviated 

form are listed below. Abbreviations used in the chronology entries themselves are cross-referenced in the Index. 

A&A 

A&A 68 NASA,: Astronautics and Aeronautics 1968 Cthiti pubABC American Broadcasting Company AEC Release Atomic Energy Commission News Release 

Aero Daily Aerospace Daily newsletter 

Aero Tech 

AFJ Armed Forces Journal magazine AFFTC Release Air Force Flight Test Center News Release 

AFHF Newsletter Air Force Historical Foundation Newsletter AFNS Release Air Force News Service Release AFOSR Release Air Force O5ce of Scientific Research News Release 

ABPL Release Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory News Release AFSC Newsreview Air Force Systems Command’s Newsreview AFSC Release Air Force Systems Command News Release 

AF/SD Air Force and Space Digest magazine AFSSD Release Air Force Space Systems Division News Release 

AIA Release Aerospace Industries Association News Release AIAA Facts American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics’ 

Facts AIAA News American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics‘ 

News AIAA Release American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 

News Release 

Amer Av American Aviation magazine (formerly Aerospace 

Technology) 

AP Associated Press news service ARC Astrogram 

ARC Release NASA Ames Research Center News Release 

Av Daily Aviation Daily newsletter 

Av Wk 

B News Birmingham News newspaper 

B Sun Baltimore Sun newspaper 

Bus Wk Business Week magazine 

Can Press CBS Columbia Broadcasting System 

C Daily News 

OmSatCorp Release 

CQ 

CR 

AIAA’S magazine, Astronautics & Aeronautics 

licationl 

Aerospace Technology magazine (now Americzn Aviation) 

NASA Ames Research Center’s Astrogram 

Aviation Week and Space Technology magazine 

Canadian Press news service 

Chicago Daily News newspaper 

Communications Satellite Corporation News Release 

Congressional Quarterly 

Congressional Record 

375 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

CSM 

C Trib CTNS 

DJ 

DOD Release 

DOT Release 

EH 

ERC Release ESSA Release 

FAA Release 

FonF 

FRC Release 

FRC X-Press 

GE Forum 

Goddard News GSFC Release 

GSFC SSR 

H Chron 

H Post JPL Lab-Oratory JPL Release 

KC Star 

KC Times KSC Release 

LA Her-Exam 

Langley Researcher 

LaRC Release 

LA Times 

LC Info Bull 

LeRC Release 

Lewis News 

Marshall Star 

M Her 

MJ 

M News MSC Release MSC Roundup 

MSFC Release 

M Trib NAA News NAc Release 

NAE Release 

NAR Release NAR Skywriter NAS Release 

NASA Ann 

LATNS 

NANA 

NASA Auth Hearings NASA Hq PB NASA Hq WB NASA Int Aff 

NASA LAR mI/8 

NASA Proj Off 

NASA Release NASA Rut SRL NASA SP-4006 

Christian Science Monitor newspaper 

Chicago Tribune News Service 

Chicago Tribune newspaper 

Dow Jones news service 

Department of Defense News Release 

Department of Transportation News Release 

NASA Historical Staff (Code EH) NASA Electronics Research Center News Release 

Environmental Science Services Administration News 

Federal Aviation Administration News Release 

Facts on File NASA Flight Research Center News Release NASA Flight Research Center’s FRC X-Press 

General Electric Forum magazine NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Goddard News 

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center News Release 

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Satellite SituaHouston Chronicle newspaper 

Houston Post newspaper 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Lab-Oratory 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory News Release 

Kansas City Star newspaper 

Kansas City Times newspaper 

John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA, News Release 

Los Angeles Herald-Examiner newspaper NASA Langley Research Center’s Langley Researcher NASA Langley Research Center News Release 

Los Angeles Times newspaper 

Los Angeles Times News Service 

Library of Congress Information Bulletin NASA Lewis Research Center News Release NASA Lewis Research Center’s Lewis News NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center’s 

Miami Herald newspaper 

Milwaukee Journal newspaper 

Miami News newspaper NASA Manned Spacecraft Center News Release NASA Manned Spacecraft Center’s Space News 

NASA George C. Marshall Space Flight Center News 

Minneapolis Tribune newspaper 

National Aeronautic Association News 

National Aviation Club News Release 

National Academy of Engineering News Release 

North American Newspaper Alliance 

North American Rockwell Corp. News Release 

North American Rockwell Corp. Skywriter 

National Academy of Sciences News Release 

NASA Announcement NASA Authorization C19691 Hearings NASA Headquarters Personnel Bulletin NASA Headquarters Weekly Bulletin NASA Office of International Affairs 

NASA Lezislative Activities Report, Vol. VII, No. 8 NASA Project Office NASA Headquarters News Release NASA Report of Sounding Rocket Launching NASA Special Publication #406 

Release 

tion Report 

Marshall Star 

Roundup 

Release 

376 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

NASC Release 

NAS-NRC Release 

NAS-NRC-NAE News 

Natl Obs NBC 

NGS Release 

NMINN 

N News NSC Release 

NSF Release 

N Vu Sun 

NY News 

NYT 

NYTNS 

Oakland Trib 

Omaha W-H 

0 Sen 

PD 

P E3 

P Inq 

PMR Release 

Pres Rpt 68 

PA0 

PI0 

P SB 

SA 

SBD 

Sci Amer 

SciServ 

SD 

SD Union 

SF 

SF Chron 

SP 

SR 

SSN 

St. Louis G-D 

St Louis P-D 

Testimony 

Text 

Transcript 

USGS Release 

US News 

IJPI 

WH Release 

IJT 

W News 

w Post 

WSJ 

WS Release 

W Star 

National Aeronautics and Space Council News Release 

National Academy of Sciences-National Research 

Council News Release 

Rpt National Academy of Sciences-National Research 

Council-National Academy of Engineering News 

Report 

National Observer magazine 

National Broadcasting Company 

National Geographic Society News Release 

NASA Management InstructionNASA Notice 

Newark News newspaper 

National Space Club News Release 

National Science Foundation News Release 

Northern Virginia Sun newspaper 

New York News newspaper 

New York Times newspaper 

New York Times News Service 

Oakland Tribune newspaper 

Omaha World-Herald newspaper 

Orlando Sentinel newspaper 

Public Affairs Office 

National Archives and Records Service’s Weekly 

Compilation of Presidential Documents 

Philadelphia Evening Bulletin newspaper 

Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper 

Public Information Office USN Pacific Missile Range News Release 

United States Aeronautics & Space Activities 1968, 

Report to the Congress from the President of the 

United States 

Philadelphia Sunday Bulletin newspaper 

Space Aeronautics magazine 

Space Business Daily newsletter 

Scientific American magazine 

Science Service news service 

Space Digest magazine 

Sun Diego Union newspaper 

Space Flight magazine 

Sun Francisco Chronicle newspaper 

Space Propulsion newsletter 

Saturday Review magazine 

Soviet Sciences in the News, published by ElectroOptical Systems, Inc. 

St. Louis Globe-Democrat newspaper 

St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper 

Congressional testimony, prepared statement 

Prepared report or speech text 

OEcial transcript of news conference or Congressional hearing 

United Press International news service 

U.S. Geoloeical Survev News Release 

U.S. News-and World Report magazine 

White House News Release 

World Journal Tribune newspaper 

Washington Daily News newspaper 

Wmhington Post newspaper 

Wall Street Journal newspaper NASA Wallops Station News Release 

Washington Evening Star/Sunday Star newspaper 

377 

INDEX AND LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS 

AND ACRONYMS 

A 

AA. See Apollo Applications program. 

AAs. see American Astronautical society. 

AAAS. See American Assn. for the AdABM. See Antiballistic missile system. 

ABMA. See Army Ballistic Missile 

Abramson, Rudy, 229 

ABRES. See Advanced Ballistic Reentry 

Acceleration, effects of, 86, 190, 200-201 

Accelerator, 91, 93, 154, 316 

Accident, 95, 96, 157 

vancement of Science. 

Agency. 

System. 

aircraft 

F-IllA, 2, 72, 75, 80, 84, 87, 97, 

102, 108, 109, 117, 119, 134, 160, 

195,207,224,258 

F-1llB. 2 

Mig-15; 70 

SR-71, 8 

T-38. 128 

X-15, 12, 164-165 

Lunar Landing Research Vehicle, 257 

Lunar Landing Training Vehicle, 305 

spacecraft 

Apollo AS-204, 25, 51, 161, 191, 215, 

249,264,308 

Soyuz I, 70, 264 

Sputnik IV, 16 

221-222, 222-223, 229, 237, 245, 

ACS. See Attitude Control System. 

Adams, Dr. Mac C., 57, 118-119, 150, 

Adams, Maj. Michael J. (USAF), 164-165 

Adapticom, 143 

283 

Adelaide, Australia, 123 

Advanced Ballistic Missile Defense 

Advanced Ballistic Reentry System 

Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft 

Advanced Research Projects Agency 

Advanced Videcon Camera System 

AEC. See Atomic Energy Commission. 

Aegerter, Dr. Irene, 302 

Aerobee (sounding rocket), 62, 87, 

Agency, 43 

(ABRES), 292 

(AMSA), 81 

(ARPA) 40, 42, 43, 145, 190 

(AVCS) , 192-193 

150 auroral experiment, 36 

instrumentation test, 17,65, 175 

launch test, 211, 214 

solar astronomy, 221, 224 

stellar data, 67 

ultraviolet astronomy, 115 

upper atmosuhere data. 206 

x&y astronomy, 30, 46-41, 128 

150 A, 141,289-290,291 

150 MI 

infrared astronomy, 49-50, 316 

solar astronomy, 97, 118, 232, 

stellar data, 247-248, 282 

upper atmosphere data, 90, 12’, 238, 

x-ray astronomy, 169,256-257, 303 

256-257 

289-290 

Aeroflot, 163 

Aerojet-General Corp., 59, 75, 172 

Aeronautics, 172, 249, 249-250. 291 

Space Div., 86 

anniversary, 11, 303, 313-314 

award, 15, 70-71, 84, 209, 259, 263, 

286,299,300,303,316 

cooperation, 118, 238, 336 

employment, 289 

exposition, 233 

funds for, 18-19, 33-34, 71, 126, 

general aviation. 71, 137-138. 179. 

161-162, 237-238, 239 

- i87-188,189, i94. i96;278 ’ 

military, 239-240,313, 317-318 NASA program, 19, 25, 33-34, 47, 48, 

118, 125, 161-162, 166, 179, 187, 

225-226, 236-237, 238, 248, 255-256, 

288-289,313,317-318 

noise abatement. See Noise, aircraft. 

research (see also X-15 and XB-701, 

19, 25, 38-39, 56, 69-70, 118, 

124-125, 166, 168. 197,237, 247, 296 

Aeroplane Structures, 91 

Aerospace Communications Award, 77 

Aerospace Corp., 156 

Aerospace Defense Command, 9 

Aerospace Industries Assn. (AIA) , 6, 

Aerospace industry, 6, 134, 272, 278-279, 

Aerospace Medical Assn., 109 

Aerospace Safety Panel, (NASA). 122-123 

AFCRL. See Air Force Cambridge Re124-125, 134, 288-289, 315416 

289,297,315-316 

search Laboratories. 

379 
AFETR. See Air Force Eastern Test 

Range. 

AFHRL. See Air Force Human Resources 

Laboratory. 

Africa, 31, 311 

AFSC. See Air Force Systems Command. 

AFSCF. See Air Force Satellite Control 

Facility. 

Agena (booster) (see also Atlas-Agena 

and Thor-Agena) , 11,26,242,293 

Agnew, Dr. Harold, 122-123 

Agreement, 

astronaut, rescue, 161, 299 

international, 27, 165,298 

'NASA-Brazil, 177-178 

-ESRO, 113, 240 

Norway, 177-178 

-Spain, 177-178 

-Sweden, 177-178 

-USAF, 83 

US.-Australia, 257, 329 

-Romania, 292 

-South Vietnam, 88 

U.K.-US., 59-60 

-USSR., 127, 149-150, 157, 159, 

164, 166 

Agriculture, 16, 62, 85, 106, 205, 257 

Agriculture, Dept. of 299 AIA. See Aerospace Industries Assn. AIAA. See American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. 

Air Defense Command, 9 

Air Force Academy, 104-105 

Air Force, Assn., 217 

Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (AFCRL), 10, 170, 209-210, 247, 

250,302 

Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR), 

148 

Air Force Human Resources Laboratory 

Air Force Satellite Control Facility 

Air Force Systems Command (AFSC), 5, 

(AFHRL) , 150 

(AFSCF), 189 

Aeronautical Systems Div., 61 

Aerospace Medical Div., 141 

Air Force Human Resources Laboratory, 150 

associateships, 8 

contract, 2 

rocket engine, reusable, 2 

Space and Missiles Systems Organizatest, 70 

39-40, 54, 81, 237-238, 272 

tion, 244, 297 

Air Holdings, Ltd., 72 

Air pollution, 169, 251, 323 

Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., 79 

Air traffic control, 104,203,238 

contract, 82 

FAA regulation, 1-2, 194, 196, 199-200, 

NASA role h, 187,225-226 

206,24% 

press comment, 188, 196 

satellite use in, 217 

Air Transport Assn. of America, 286 

Air transportation, 99, 104, 187-188, 194, 

206,217, 232 NAE reuort. 187 

R&D, 4f, 224,225-226 

Airborne Auroral Expedition (19681, 

10-11. 17-18. 72 

Aircraft' (see ' also individual aircraft, 

such as C-5A, F-111, X-15, 

XB-70), 288-289, 291 

accident, 2, 8, 12, 72, 75, 80, 97, 102, 

108, 109, 117, 119, 128, 134, 157, 160, 

164-165, 195,207,224,258 

air show, 105, 117 

antisubmarine, 187 

award, 76 

bomber, 76, 112,240,280 

cargo, 16, 19, 54, 81, 146-147, 150, 

155-156, 208, 231, 282, 288, 312, 335 

collision study, 179 

communications test, 111, 205, 229 

delta-wing, 332-333 

fighter, 76, 130, 165, 187, 195, 201, 217, 

flying boat, 160 

foreign, 40, 49, 52, 105, 112, 115, 126, 

130, 139, 151, 156, 165, 194, 195, 198, 

general-aviation, 71, 137-138 

helicopter, 18. 219. 226. 251 

Cost, 146, 202-203, 282, 288 

232-233,272,281, 314 

217,233,259,294, 332-333 

Hovercraft, 175 

hypersonic, 226, 237, 300, 317 

interceptor, 112, 156, 171-172 

navigation, 187, 217 

noise. See Noise, aircraft. 

personal, 207 

reconnaissance, 8, 40 

record, 11-12,207,299. 317-318 

regulations, 1-2, 116,. 130, 194, 196, 

research (see also X-15 and XB-70), 

206,300 

8, 18, 34, 39, 72, 81, 184, 276-277, 

286,313,324, 335 

safety, 187 

sonic boom. See Sonic boom. 

statistics, 71, 120, 137-138 

STOL, 16,139,217,219,224,226,231 

tracking, 12 

transport (see also Supersonic transport) air-bus, 72 

jet, 134, 157, 197 

military, 293 

231 

STOL, 16, 139, 179, 217, 219, 224, 226, 

variiblesweep-wing, 206,220-221 

Vietnam War use. 195 

V/STOL, 33, 34, 4f 104, 134, 166, 168, 

VTOL, 16, 33, 40, 47, 105, 135, 219, 224, 

177,219,224,238,288 

230-231,276 

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

380 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

381 

wind-tunnel testing, 40, 59, 219 

Aircraft carrier, 238 

Airglow, 177, 256 

Airlines (see also Air traffic control and 

Supersonic transport), 107-108, 135, 

196, 203,206,286 

aircraft, 45, 71-72. 139. 217. 224-225. .,I 

232-233 ‘ 

forecast, 137-138, 278 

highjacking, 189 

Airlock module, 218-219 

Airmail, 113 

Airports (see also Air traffic control; 

Noise, aircraft ; and individual airports, such as Washington National 

Airport), 150-151,179,199-200 FAA plans, 82, 137-138, 248, 278, 296 

facilities, 122, 187, 286 

funds for, 95,168 

meeting, 187-188 

regulation, 189, 194, 203, 206, 300, 302 

runway research, 215, 286, 324 

statistics, 137-138 

Alabama, 73-74, 272 

Alabama State Employment Service, 272 

Alaska, 10-11, 303 

Alaska, Univ. of, 14, 49 

Alberstadt, Milton, 296 

NASA role, 187, 225-226 

Aldrin, L/C Edwin E., Jr. (USAF), 109, 183, 196 

Alexander, George, 161 

Alexandria, Va., 152 

Algeria, 138 

Algranti, Joseph S., 305 

All-weather landing system (AWLS), 248 

Allen, M/G Brooke E. (USAF, ret.), 49-50 

Allen, H. Julian, 70,260-261,263,298 

Allen, William M., 1E5 

Allenby, Dr. Richard J., Jr., 2 

Allis-Chalmers, 294 

Allison Div., General Motors Corp., 247 

Allott, Sen. Gordon L., 162, 258 

Alouette I1 (Canadian satellite), 65, 106 

Alpha-scattering instrument, 3, 6 ALSEP. See Apollo Lunar Surface ExperiAlter, Dr. Dinsmore, 221 

Altman, Dr. David, 5 

Aluminum Co. of America, 152 

Alvarez, Prof. Luis W., 266-267 

Amazon River, 62 

American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 

ment Package. 

309 

. ._ 

American Airlines, 40 

American Assembly, 105 

American Assn. for the Advancement of 

Science (AAAS), 325 

American Astronautical Society (AAS) , 79, 111, 161-163, 262-263 

Space Flight Award, 89 

American Bar Assn., 202 

American Federation of Television and 

Radio Artists, 251 

American Helicopter Society, 116 

American Independent Party, 271 

American Institute of Aeronautics and 

Astronautics (AIAA), 48, 268, 293 

award, 15, 66, 71, 133, 145, 260-261, 

316 

meetings, 38-39, 55, 65, 105, 131, 157, 

National Capital Section, 2 

202, 247, 259-261, 301-302, 316 

American Institute of Physics, 312 

American National Balloon Race, 188 

American Nuclear Society, 274 

International Meeting, 280-281 

American Oceanic Organization, 284 

American Ordnance Assn., 39-40 

American Physical Society, 49, 91 

American Science and Engineering, Inc., 

American Society for Public AdminisAmerican Society of Mechanical Engi30, 62, 128, 240 303 

tration, 66 

neers. 313 

American Telephone and Telegraph Co. 

American Univ., 1 

(AT&T), 82, 154,276, 307 

Ames Research Center (ARC), 42, 138, 181, 

2 74 

award, 70-71, 260-261, 263, 283 

Biomedical Research Branch, 273 

experiment, 65, 175 

meeting, 135-136 

uersonnel. 263. 298 

research, 2, 16-17, 21-22, 78, 166, 285- 

286, 286-287 

aircraft, 179, 184 

Space Science Div., 316 VTOL Facility, 135 

Aircraft. 

Ammonia, 312 AMSA. See Advanced Manned Strategic 

Analytical Services Inc., 26-27 

Anchorage, Alaska, 303 

Anders, L/C William A. (USAF) 

Apollo 8 flight, 318-323, 327 

preparations for, 59, 183, 196, 222- 

award, 332 

Humphrey, Vice President Hubert H., 

press conference, 285, 289, 304.305 

promotion, 330 

White House visit, 306 

Anderson, Sen. Clinton P., 30, 170, 235 

Anderson, John D., 275-276 

Anderson, Prof. Kinsey A., 15 

Anderson, William, 177 

Andover, Me.. 315 

223, 261-262, 278 

visit with, 287 

Andoya,’Norway, 219-220, 223 

Andrew, 6. M., 11 

Angaran, Jack G.. 44 

Anrmal experiments, space, 46, 47,86, 95, 

Ann Arbor, Mich., 85 

105, 151, 181, 218, 283-284 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Anniversary, 221, 298, 313-314 

Government, 12, 113 

industry, 26 

MSFC, 149 NASA. 64-65, 135. 235, 239.253. 334-335 

satellite, 15; 22124, 30, 49-50, 63-65, 

80, 145 

USSR., 4546, 273, 336-337 

Antarctic Treaty, 298 

Antarctica, 46, 72, 89, 127, 293 

Antenna, 5, 49, 133, 167, 171, 219, 238- 

spacecraft, 34-35, 153, 184, 224, 246 

agreement, 127, 159 

contract, 72 

Europe (NATO), 88 

funds for, 122, 133, 138, 171, 242 

limitation of, 145 

U.S.S.R., 145, 159 

239,241-242,290, 293 

Antiballistic missile (ABM) system, 28 

APL. See Applied Physics Laboratory. 

Apollo (program) (see also Apollo Applications program), 41, 45, 102-103, 

108-109, 131, 145, 148, 215, 218, 237, 

281, 311 

astronaut. See Astronaut. 

communications, 205, 289, 312, 315 

criticism, 25, 191, 289, 308 

facilities, 34-35, 256 

fire. See Accident, spacecraft, Apollo 

A.WM. __ ~. 

funds for, 19, 35, 104, 110, 135-136, 

House staff study, 51 

landing site, 35-36, 66, 265, 266, 319 

launch 

175, 185, 241-242, 311 

Ap0110 5 (AS-204), 13, 334 

APOUO 6 (AS-502), 77-78,334 

Ap01l0 7 (AS-205), 150-253,334-335 

Ap0110 8 (AS-503), 318-322, 335 

management, 2, 8-9, 20, 25, 157, 218- 

plans for, 33, 35, 63, 66, 92-93, 97, 158, 

press comment, 80-81, 81-82, 161, 222- 

219, 224, 303, 315 

196, 223, 227, 257, 278, 279-280 

223, 253, 261-262, 265, 271, 323-324, 

324-325. 327-328 

progress, 92-93, 122, 136, 141, 144, 158, 

test. 63. 78. 158, 173, 181, 197. 201, 209 

173, 181, 186, 191, 197, 201, 209 

tracking, 205, 289 

training, 2, 158, 181, 223, 227,266 

Apollo (spacecraft), 13, 77-78, 92-93, 

251-253, 319-322 

ascent propulsion system, 13 

command and service module, 11, 201, 

command module. 13. 42. 77. 122. 144. 

206, 208,250, 251, 318, 320 

I,, 

181, 186, 197, 251-253’ 

control. 77-78, 136, 251-252, 319-322 

descent propulsion system, 13 

emergency detection system, 77 

environmental control system, 61-62, 

134, 186, 251-252 

escape device, 77-78, 210 

equipment, 167, 282-283, 295 

fire prevention, 4-5, 13-14, 61, 163, 

237, 252 

heat shield, 77 

landing system, 59, 144, 158 

launch. See Apollo (program). 

launch vehicle. See Saturn. 

life support system, 61-62, 144, 251-253 

lunar module, 1, 13, 17, 37, 63, 92, 144, 

materials, 4-5 

recovery, 70, 77, 320 

service module, 13, 42, 63, 122, 144, 

test, 1, 17, 25, 33, 37, 42, 63, 77, 81, 

136, 143, 158, 181, 186, 201, 206, 209, 

227 

ApoUo 4 (AS-501) (spacecraft), 13, 78, 

173, 181, 191, 197, 205-206, 227 

181, 186, 197, 251-252, 318, 321 

92. 253. 321-322 

Apollo 5 (AS-204), 17, 78, 253, 321-322, 

334-335 

launch, 13 

Apollo 6 (AS-502), 42, 63, 70, 83, 92-93, 

135, 166, 205-206, 253, 266, 321-322, 

328, 334-335 

launch, 77-78 

press comment, 80-81, 81-82 

Apollo 7 (flight), 259, 265-266, 278, 312, 

321-322 

launch. 250-253 

preparations for, 136, 144, 158, 180, 181, 

Dress comment, 208. 222-223. 253. 261- 

197, 206, 209, 222-223, 227 

262, 264-265, 265, 266 

press conference, 219 

results, 251-253, 334-335 

Apollo 7 (AS-205) (spacecraft), 204, 261 

command and service module, 201, 206, 

command module, 122, 136, 144, 181, 

lunar module, 144, 181, 205 

service module. 122. 136. 144. 181. 251 

223, 250-251 

251 

test, 136, 144,’158, 181, 186, 197, 201, 

Apollo 8 (flight), 261, 266, 315, 330, 330- 

205, 208 

331 

criticism, 308, 311 

Johnson, President Lyndon B., meslaunch, 318,320 

preparations for, 196, 197, 201, 208, 

press comment, 323, 323-324, 324-325, 

press conference, 223, 278, 285, 289, 

results, 321-322, 326, 330, 334-335 

Apollo 8 (AS-503) (spacecraft), 315 

command and service module, 196, 201, 

command module, 266 

lunar module, 196 

sage, 322 

227,265-266, 278,311-312,313 

327-328, 329-330, 330331 

304-305, 322-323 

266, 318 

382 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

service module. 319. 320.321 

test, 197, 201,265-266, 318 

Apollo 9 (flight), 311 

Auollo 10 (flight). 279-280 

Apollo AppliGtions (AA) program, 

51-52,108-109 

contract, 79, 202, 296295 

funds for, 19, 35, 41, 101, 102-103, 

House staff study, 51 

management, 218-219, 293, 303, 315 

plans for, 86,223,243,336 

Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package (ALSEP), 51-52, 68, 282-283, 316 

Apollo, Pa., 2 

Auollo 204 Review Board. P-5. 25. 245 

110, 135-136, 182, 240-241, 255, 256, 

311, 325,336 

Ai0110 Telescope Mount’ (ATM) ,‘33, 109, 

110, 128, 275 

contract, 62, 80, 85-86, 186, 202,240 

Ascent propulsion system (APS) 

Asher, Dr. Harold, 160 

Asia, 31 

Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, 165 

Association of Man in Space, 276 

Association of Universities for Research 

in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA), 292 

Asteroid, 133, 291 

Astheimer, Robert W., 215 

Astin, Dr. Allen V., 5 

Astris (West German rocket), 296 

Astrobee 1500 (sounding rocket), 88 

Astronaut (see also Cosmonaut ; Extravehicular activity), 187, 218, 223, 

261-262,295, 296, 305 

accident, 105, 128, 218, 308 

achievements, 22-24, 66, 236-237, 253, 

experiment, 80 Auollo mission. 66. 81-82. 85. 97, 

funds for, 182,241 227, 

management, 218-219 313, 

use of, 202,243 318-322 

crew assignment, 59, 92, 97, 183, 196, 

8 279-280 

(Apollo), 13 

326, 334-335 

Applications Technology Satellite (ATS) , 

Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) 

(Johns Hopkins Univ.), 8, 86 

Apra Heights, Guam, 290 APS. See Ascent propulsion system. APT. See Automatic Picture TransmisAquanaut, 41-42 ARC. See Ames Research Center. 

Arcas (sounding rocket), 67, 86, 214 

Arcas I, 60, 175 

Arches of Science Award, 217-218 

Arctic, 127, 302 

Arecibo (Puerto Rico) Ionospheric Observatory, 37-38, 54, 64-65, 238, 

275-276,284 

Argentina, 46, 160-161,293 

Ariel (program), 152 

Ariel III (U.K. satellite), 105 

Arizona, 154-155 

Arizona, Univ. of, 133 

Arkansas, 249 

Arlington, Va., 293 

Armed Forces Management Assn., 299 ABMS (Application of Remote ManipulaArmstrong, Neil A., 105, 116, 196, 211, 257 

Army Ballistic Missile Agency (ABMA) , 

sion. 

Planetary Laboratory, 12-i3 

tors in Space), 186 

“0 

& 

Army Electronics Command, 170-171 

Army Map Service, 266 

Arnold Engineering Development Center, 

Arons, Daniel M., 127 ARPA. See Advanced Research Projects 

ARTS. See Automated radar tracking sysAscension Island, 5 

135, 163 

Agency. 

tem. 

-116-117, 136, 183, 196, ,223:’ 

250-253, 278, 282-283, 311-312, 

former, 203-204, 286 

hazards, 61-62, 131, 176-177, 220, 278, 

honors. 11-12. 28. 103. 109. 110. 259. 

283-284, 296,300 

269,’286, 303, 306, 314, 330, 332 333 

physiology 61-62, 113, 168, 181, 205, 

211,218, 283-284, 286-287,291 

press conference, 220, 276 

scientist-astronaut, 36, 51-52, 200 

space rescue. See Space rescue treaty. spacesuit, 57, 176-177, 236-237, 

283-284 

training, 22, 52, 59, 92, 105, 134, 14-4, 

158, 173, 181, 186, 200, 208, 211, 223, 

227,266, 309 

Astronaut Day, 332 

Astronautics Engineer Award, 151 

Astronomy (see also individual observatories, planets, and satellites such as 

Om I, Oao II; Pulsar; Radioastronomy; Star), 142, 151, 155, 221, 290, 

292,294, 312 NASA program, 44, 241, 243, 280-281, 

336 

solar, 56-57, 153, 219, 224, 266, 269, 

277,296,300-301 

stellar, 128-129, 208-209, 231, 238, 

247,272, 284,292, 304,310 

ultraviolet, 310 

x-ray, 30, 62, 104, 256-257, 303 AT&T. See American Telephone & Telegraph Co. 

See Intelsat-I1 F-3. 

Atlantic II (communications satellite). 

Atlantic Ocean, 130-131, 193, 216 

Apollo 7 splashdown, 251 

satellite communications over, 5, 39, 

80, 139, 314-315, 323 

sounding rocket, 141, 144, 172 

383 
Atlas (booster), 80, 148, 159 

Atlas-Agena D (booster), 1, 54-55, 179, 

185 

Atlas-Burner I1 (booster), 193 

Atlas-Centaur (booster), 3, 8, 39, 55, 118, 

ATM. See Apollo Telescope Mount. 

Atmosphere, 29, 56, 62, 63-64, 105, 168, 

National Atmospheric Sciences Pro184-185,281-282,304 

177-178,182-183,217,328-329 

gram, 101-102 

Atom, man-made, 6 

Atomic bomb, 265 

Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) (see 

also NASA-AEC Space Nuclear Propulsion Office; NERVA, Rover, SNAP, and 

Vela programs), 82, 117, 181, 242, 

325 

Annual Report to Congress . . . for 

artificial elements, production of, 6 

award. 198.217-218.221 

1967, 25-26 

Brookhaven National Laboratory, 154 

budget, 19, 170 

contract, 75 

cooperation, 65, 70, 91, 131, 156, 170, 

335 

food irradiation test, 2 

High Energy Physics Advisory Panel, 

154 

nuclear power, peacefuI use of, 205, 

nuclear reactor, 131, 143, 156, 205, 335 

nuclear rocket engine, 65, 170, 

nuclear test, 108, 335 

nuclear test detection, 91 

personnel, 143 

Plowshare, Project, 110 

Atoms for Peace Award, 198 ATS. See Applications Technology Satellite. 

228 

288-289, 335 

AL--I (Applications Technology Satellite), 2627,185 

Ats 11. 119. 185. 323 

Ats III, 3?, 62; 14.2, 155, 185, 229, 232, 

Ats IV, 184-185, 225,257,261,303 

251-252,323 

ATS-D, 1 

ATS-F, 120, 209 

ATS-G, 120,209 

247-248.282 

ATS-E, 303 

Attitude control system (ACS), 30, 121, 

Au, Benjamin, 184 

Aubiniere, Gen. R. (France), 60 

Auk, G. Mervin, 283 AURA. See Assn. of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. 

Auriga (constellation) , 155 

Aurora borealis, 240,302, 336 

Aurorae (Esro I) (satellite), 240. 336 

Auroras, 10-11, 17-18, 31-32, 49, 53-54, 

Australia, 35, 46, 118, 120, 137, 170-171, 

219-220,223 

206,224,248,253-254,257,290,329 

Australian Air Force, 118 

Australian National Univ., 290, 329 

Automated radar tracking system (ARTS), 

248 

Automatic Picture Transmission (APT), 

Avco Corp., 150 AVCS. See Advanced Vidicon Camera Sys50,97, 155,295,311,336 

tem. 

Aviation Day (USSR.), 195 

AviatiodSpace Writers Assn., 315-316 

Awards 

civic, 281, 290, 300 

Government, 2, 7, 11-12, 29, 38, 39, 51, 

91, 117, 164, 194, 221, 263, 269, 283, 

298,306,314,332 

institutions, 110, 194,217-218 

military, 11-12, 104-105, 314 

society 

aeronautics, 15, 66, 70-71, 84, 116, 

209,259,263, 286,303,314,316 

astronautics, 15, 57, 89, 106, 133, 

145, 151, 194, 235, 260-261, 276, 

300, 316 

military, 199, 263 

science, 122,198, 309 AWLS. See All-weather landing system. 

Axford, Dr. W. Ian, 216-217 

B-17 (Flying Fortress), 146, 296 

I1-29 (Superfortress), 1% 

B-52 (Stratofortress) 

B 

accident. 154 

HGlO flights, 63, 131, 139, 224-225, 

240,261, 279, 306,335 

Babcock Harold D.. 82 

Baehr, Edward F., 104 

Baikonur Cosmodrome, 126, 135, 158-159, 

172, 183, 264, 269 

Baja California, 318-319 

Baker, Dr. Robert, L., Jr., 172 

BaI Harbour, Ha., 109 

Balcarce, Argentina, 293 

Ball Brothers Research Corp., 85-86 

Balloon, 151-200 

drag, 151-152 

Explorer XXIV, 182 

Explorer XXXIX, 182, 310 

race, 188 

record, 209-210, 240 

research, use, 68, 209-210, 275 

Stratoscope 11,116 

tracking, 144 

Venus probe, 163 

Bally Clayton comet, 201 

Bally-Urban, John, 201 

Baltimore, Md., 119, 179 

Banks, Peter M., 216-217 

Barbados Oceanographic Meteorological 

Experiment (BOMEX) , 262 

Barger, Allan R., 163, 199 

Barium, 157, 160, 161, 223, 308 

Earnes Engineering Co., 215 

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

384 
Barreria do Inferno Range, Brazil, 130-131 

Barrett, Dr. Alan H., 200 

Barrios, Joseph, 285-286 

Battelle Memorial Institute, 312-313 

Battery, 78-79 

Baum, Dr. Werner A., 131 BBC. See British Broadcasting Co. 

Beams, Jesse W., 38 

Bear (U.S.S.R. turboprop aircraft), 40 

Becker, John V., 300 

Beggs, James M., 26, 118-119, 164, 274- 

Beheim, Milton A., 104 

Belgium, 5, 60, 89, 292, 300-301 

Bell Aerosystems Co., 107, 127, 145, 227- 

Bell, Rep. Alphonzo, 262-263 

Bell Telephone Laboratories, 26-27 

Bellingshausen station, Antarctica, 46 

Bells. Tex.. 120 

275, 288-289 

228 

Beloit College, 116-117 

Bendix Corp., 59, 61,202, 226 

Bendix, Field Engineering Corp., 12, 97- 

98. --I 146 --- 

Benedict, Howard, 178 

Benn, Minister of Technology Anthony 

W. (U.K.), 49,85 

Bennett, Dr. Ivan L., Jr., 126 

Bennett, Ralph Kinney, 173-174 

Beregovoy, Georgy T., 264-265, 266, 272 

Bergaust, Erik, 161,222-223 

Berkey, Donald C., 15 

Bermuda, 97 

Berne, Univ. of, 68 

Berry, Dr. Charles A., 109, 164, 291, 313 

Beryllium, 312-313 

Betts. L/G Austin W. (USA), 29-30 

Beverly Hills, Calif., 303 

Biehl, Dr. Arthur T., 329 

Biennial Guidance Test Symposium, .- Fourth, 272 

co., 45 

Big Dipper (constellation), 310 

Big Three Industrial Gas and Equipment 

Bine. R.H.. 115 

Bio&ronautics. See Space biology. 

Biology, 60, 126 

Biosatellite (program), 161, 241, 313, 336 

BLosatellite 11. 46. 325-326 

Biosatellite C,’ 47‘ 

Biosatellite D, 1, 47, 95 

Biosatellite E. 47 

Biosatellite F: 47 

Biosensor, 2% 

Birch, Prof. A. Francis, 38 

Birlandeanu. Alexandra 140. 156 

Bisplinghoff,’ Dr. Raymond L., 1, 5 

Bisson, Edmond E., 283 

Black Brandt IV (Canadian sounding 

rocket), 106, 130-131 

Blagonravov, Dr. Anatoly A., 336-337 

Blondstein, J.L., 190-191 

Blue Streak (UX. rocket), 296 BMWF. See Germany, West Ministry of 

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

385 

Scientific Research (BMWF) . 

211-212,222 

Bochum Observatory (W. Gemany), 54, 

Boeing Co., 5 

award. 15 

boost&, 171 

Saturn V, 35, 39, 104, 127, 266, 275 

contract, 35, 39, 104, 127, 242-243, 

266.275.328 

employment, 229-230, 250, 272 

Lunar Orbiter, 12-13,24 

Minuteman, 312-313 

noise suppression, 47 

Space Div., 229-230 

space station, 242-243 

supersonic transport, 11, 45, 66-67, 150, 

202-203, 217, 220-221, 259-260, 270, 

285,332-333 

Vertol Div., 219, 224 

Boeing 707 (jet transport), 163,248 

Boeing 727 (jet transport), 15 

Boeing 747 (jet transport), 104,232 BOMEX See Barbados Oceanoerauhic -_ Meteorological Experiment. 

Bonn, W. Germany, 201, 279,300 

Boone. Adm. Walter F. (USN, Ret.), 283 

Boosted-Arcas I1 (sounding rocket), 178, 

Boosted-Dart (sounding rocket), 178 

Borman. Col. Frank (USAF) ,332 

219, 262 

Apollo 8 flight, 325,327 

flight, 318, 324 

plans for, 183, 196, 223, 261, 278 

award 332 

Apollo 8 flight, 325,327 

flight, 318, 324 

plans for, 183, 196, 223, 261, 278 

award 332 

Humphrey, Vice President Hubert H., 

Press conference, 285, 3@4-305 

White House visit. 306 

visit with, 287 

Born, Gordon S., 281 

Boston, Mass., 49, 217, 231, 309 

Boulogne, France, 175 

Bourdon, Allen, 49 

Bourguiba, President Habib (Tunisia), 

118 

Bowie, Tex., 97 

Boyd, Secretary of Transportation Alan 

Bozhko, Andrey N., 324 

Brackett, Ernest W., 83 

Bradbury, Dr. Norris E., 94 

Brand, Vane D., 134,144 

Branscomb, Dr. Lewis M., 329 

Brazil, 32,39,130-131, 138, 177-178 

Breguet HI (STOL aircraft), 217 

Breguet 941 (French aircraft), 139 

Breit, Prof. Gregory, 38 

Brewer, Frank G., Trophy, 71 

Brewster Flat, Wash., 82-83, 103 

Brezhnev, Leonid, I., 72 

Bridges, Thomas J., 39 

Brillante, Gabe, 227 

Bristol Siddely Engines, Ltd., 198 

British Aircraft Corp., 70, 217 

British Broadcasting Go. (BBC) ,289 

S., 137-138,189,200 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

British Interplanetary Society, 52, 73, 185 

British Railways, 175 

Bronk, Dr. Detlev W., 76-77 

Brooke, Sen. Edward W., 25, 210 

Brookhaven National Laboratory, 154 

Brooks AFB, Tex., 11, 150,233 

Brooks, Harvey, 115 

Brown, Duane, 156 

Brown Engineering Co., 79-80, 110 

Brown, Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. 

Harold, 112, 130,206, 310 

Brown, Col. Henry W. (WAF), 2 

Browning, Dr. Bouilin, 325-326 

Bryce National Park, 154-155 

Bubble chamber, 154 

Buckley, Edmond C., 17, 283 

Buckley, James, 231 

Budget, Bureau of, 286 

Buffalo, N.Y., 228 

Bulgaria, 189-190, 317 

Bull, L/ Cdr. John S. (USN), 113, I64 

Bunker Hill AFB, Ind., 39, 110 

Burcham, Dr. Donald P., 152-153 

Bureau of Labor Statistics, 325 

Bureau of the Census, 325 

Burke, Dr. Bernard, 238-239 

Burnham, Frank A., 126 

Butz, J.S., Jr., 297 

Bykovsky, Valery F., 46 

Byrd, Adm. Richard E. (USN) , 293 

Byrd Station, Antarctica, 36 

C 

C-5A (Galaxy) (military cargo transport), 15, 18-19, 81, 104, 231, 

312-313 

cost, 146,282, 288 

Johnson, President Lyndon B., statement, 54 

press comment, 150-151, 155-156 

test flights. 146147. 150-151. 208, 335 I. 

C-54 (tGboprop aircraft), 148 

C-130 (transport aircraft), 9, 293 

C-131 (research aircraft), 81 

6-46 (Caravan), 296 CAAS. See Computer-aided approach spacing system. CAB. See Civil Aeronautics Board. 

Cable, underwater, 5 

Cactus test, 97 

Cahn, M.S., 11 

Cain, Dan L., 199 

Caiun-Dart (sounding rocket), 143 

Caiifornia, 8, 137, 204 219 

California Div. of Highways, 286 

California Institute of Technology (Cal 

Tech), 5,43,79, 248-249,287 299 

award, 38,309 

contract, 331-332 

Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory, 

pulsar signal research, 114-115 

symposium on space research, 2930 

68,128, 216-217 

267 

California, Univ. of, 1, 5, 38, 51-52, 65, 

Berkeley, 172, 266-267, 299. 312 

Davis Chronic Acceleration Lab., 218 

Imine, 115 

Los Angeles, 17, 29-30, 88, 181, 247, 

San Diego, 31-32, 90,98,103 

School of Medicine. 5 

267, 302 

Californium, 6, 181-182 

Callaghan, Richard L., 283 

Callahan, M/G Daniel F. (USAF, Ret.), 150 

Cal Tech. See California Institute of 

Cambridge, U.K., 265 

Camera, 49-50, 145 

Technology. 

Apollo 6, 78 

Apollo 7,227,250-252 

Apollo 8, 312 

Ats Ill. 29 

Ats IV; 185 

Essa VII. 192 

Essa VIII, 311 

reconnaissance, 200 

Cameron, Dr. Roy E., 89 

Campbell, John P., 116 

Canada, 46,54, 65,113, 170-171, 285 

cooperation, 1, 10-11, 64-65 

satellite, 1, 64-65 

sounding rocket, 106, 130-131 

tute (CASI) , 157 

Canadian Aeronautics and Space InstiCanberra, Australia, 312 

Cannon, Sen. Howard W., 98 

Canyon de Chelly National Monument, 

Cape Horn, 318-319 

Cape Kennedy, FIa. (see also Eastern 

Test Range and Kennedy Space Center), 62, 136, 148,227, 272 

154-155 

Carbon dioxide, 302 

Cardion Electronics, 143 

Carlson, Sen. Frank, 62 

Carlson, Dr. Loren D., 5 

Carnegie Institute of Washington, 166 

Carnegie-Mellon Univ., 110, 299 

Carpenter, Cdr. M. Scott (USN), 

Carswell AFB, Tex., 160, 313 

Cartier, Raymond, 330 

Case Western Reserve Univ., 1 

CASI. See Canadian Aeronautics and 

Space Institute. CAT. See Clear air turbulence. 

Cate, Dr. James L., 1 

Catholic Univ. of America, 325 

Cattaneo, Dr. Alfred G., 36-37 

Centaur (booster) (see also Atlas-CenCentaure (French sounding rocket), 31, 

Centaurus (constellation), 273 

Central Bay (moon), 35 

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), 208 

Cernan, L/Cdr. Eugene A. (USN), 173, 

116-117, 143 

taur), 1, 82, 144,148,261, 275,329 

108, 118 

279 

386 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Cerro Tololo, Chile, 292 CETS. See Conference Europeenne sur les 

TBl6communications par Satellites. 

Chaffee, L/Cdr. Roger B. (USN), 103 

Chanute, Octave, 134 

Chanute, Octave, Award, 66 

Charlottesville, Va., 151 

Cheprakov, Dr. Viktor A., 195 

Chernyi, Dr. Gorimir G., 268 

Chew, Peter T., 245 

Chicago, Ill., 15, 112, 188, 200, 203, 300, 

Chicago Sanitary District, 281 

Chicago, Univ. of, 1, 90 

Chile, 46, 160, 219, 292 

Chimpanzee experiment, 283 

China, Communist, 208,298,329 

302 

missile threat, 18-19, 32, 88, 138, 143 

nuclear test, 200, 330 

weapons, 159 

Christchurch, New Zealand, 240 

Christmas Island, 116 

Chrysler Corp., 61, 91, 150, 250, 272, 296 

Space Div., 84, 239 

Churchill Research Range, Canada (see 

also Ft. Churchill, Canada), 287, 295 

Airborne Auroral Expedition, 10-11, 

launch 

17-18 

Aerobee 150, 36, 175 

Javelin, 54, 113, 308 

Nike-Apache, 90, 129 

Nike-Cajun, 216,256, 309-310 

Nike-Tomahawk, 14, 31-32, 43-44, 

45, 49, 65, 67, 90, 94, 98, 103 CIA. See Central Intelligence Agency. 

Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), 40, 

Civil Service Commission, 168, 328 

Clark, Evert, 10, 43, 93-94, 148 

Clark, R/A John E. (USN, Ret.), 17, 42 

Clarke, Arthur C., 72, 119, 142, 147 

Clayton, Pat, 201 

Clear air turbulence (CAT), 215 

Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and 

Cleveland Clinic. 302 

187-188 

Technical Information, 97. 233 

Clifford, Secretary of Defense Clark M., 

98, 138, 160, 261, 263, 284, 296, 308 

appointment, 12, 45 

Cloud, 29, 50, 62, 85, 251, 311, 336 CM. See Command module. CNAE. See ComissZo Nacional de AtiviCocoa Beach, Fla., 220 

Cohen, Prof. Paul J., 38 

Cohen, Secretary of Health, Education, 

Cold Flare, Project, 168 

Cold Regions Research and Engineering 

Cole, Dandridge M., Memorial Lecture, 

Cole, Kenneth S., 38 

dades Espaciais. 

and Welfare Wilhur J., 169 

Laboratory, 36 

131 

College Park, Md., 111, 154, 245 

Collier, Robert J., Trophy, 84, 106, 

Collins, L/C Michael (USAP), 168, 183 

Collision-avoidance system (CAS), 129, 

Colloquium on the law of Outer Space, 

XIth, 258 

Colorado. 137 

317318 

177, 238 

Colorado; Univ. of, 90, 129, 168, 169, 197, 

Joint Institute for Laboratow Astro238,254, 290,329 

physics, 329 

Columbia Radiation Laboratory, 169 

Columbia Univ., 38, 117 

Graduate School of Business, 103 

Comet, 155,201 

Comisi6n Nacional de Investigacibn del 

Espacio (CONIE) , 178 

ComissZo Nacional de Atividades Espaciais (CNAE), 131, 178 

Command module (cM), 11, 14, 183 

Apollol Saturn 

AS-202, 13 

AS-203,13 

AS-501,13 

AS-502 (Apollo 6), 77 

Apollo 7,144, 186, 197, 201, 251 

Apollo 8, 265 

An0110 6. 77 

Command and service module (CSM), 11, 

15, 181,208,277 

Ai0110 7,‘ 197, 201, 223, 250, 251 

Apollo 8, 206, 265, 321 

ADO~~O 10. 281 

Commerce, ‘Dept. of, 89, 195, 299, 325, 

Committee for Environmental InformaCommunications, 307-308 

336-337 

tion, 108 

deep space, 5, 6, 10, 16, 61, 118, 203, 

global, 76, 111, 127,237 

international, 10, 69, 73, 80, 82-83, 95, 

137, 196197,230,293 

laser use in, 6, 183 

military use, 60, 79, 111, 132, 134, 137, 

139, 166, 180,217,228 

Communications satellite (see also in237, 246 

dividual satellites : Zntekut-111 F-2, 

Molniyu 1-9, etc.) 

anniversary, 80 

award, 77 

contract, 9, 38, 149, 183, 184, 204, 209, 

coooeration. 128 

244,259 

Lnternational, 10, 17, 52, 82-83, 85, 

95,111,136-137, 139, 279,292 

I 

mound station, 39, 69, 80, 88, 103, 108, 

111. 137. 230. 290. 302. 303. 306-307 

launch, 1, 178,213-214, 335 ’ 

failure, 216, 273 

Initial Defense (IDCSP), 121, 132, 

137,166,335 

387 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Intelsat-Ill F-2, 314-315, 335 

Les VI, 228 

Molniya 1-8,88 

Molniya 1-9, 155 

Molniya I-10,244 

plans for, 1, 38, 39,88, 137, 189 

military, 9, 59, 79, 111, 121, 132, 137, 

139,166, 180, 229 use of, 1, 39, 60, 80, 82-83, 93, 109, 

209 

Communications Satellite Act, 334 

Communications Satellite Corp. (ComAtlantic II. See Intelsat-I1 F-13 

contract, 38, 149, 183, 184, 204, 244, 

Early Bird. See Intelsat I. 

FCC regulation, 111,204 

ground station, 39, 69, 80, 88, 103, 108, 

Intelsat I (Early Bird), 27, 39, 80, 111, 

Intelsat 11, 189,204, 323 

Intelsat-I1 F-2 (Intelsat 11-B; Pacific 

Intelsat-I1 F-3 (Intelsat 114: AtlanSatCorp), 128 

259 

111, 204,230,290, 302, 303, 307 

145,315 

I), 82-83, 103, 111 

tic II) , 5, 39, 111, 315 

II), 111,302 

Intelsat-11 F-P (Intelsat 11-D; Pacific 

Intelsat 111. 111. 149. 216. 225. 314-315 

Intelsat-I11 F-1, 216,'225,'273, '315 

Intelsat-Ill F-2, 314-315, 323, 329, 335 

Intelsat-111 F-4, 315 

Intelsat I11 !h, 38 

Intelsat IV, 38, 111, 137, 244, 259 

Pacific I. See Intdsat-I1 F-2. 

Pacific 11. See Intelsat-11 F4. 

revenues, 69, 93, 111-112,169, 258 

satellite program, 69, 88, 93, 111, 183, 

services, 111, 145, 196-197, 230, 276, 

Computer-aided approach spacing system 

(CAAS) ,248 

Computer Applications, Inc., 123 

Computer Sciences Corp., 123, 172 

Computer Softmar Management and Information Center (COSMIC), 310 

Computers, 172, 228, 238, 267-268, 276, 

184, 216, 243,259,307-308 

293, 302,307-308 

293 

contract, 3, 75, 79, 154, 239 

NASA, 120-121,164,205, 246, 310 

Concorde (U.K.-France) supersonic 

transport, 49, 115, 198, 217, 259-260, 

294 

Condon, Dr. Edward U., 99, 169 

Conf6rence Europdene sur les T&- 

communications par Satellites (ems), 

52, 85, 139, 279 

Conference on Basic Environmental 

Problems of Man in Space, 286-287 

Conference on Exploration and Peaceful 

Uses of Outer Space, 189-191, 204, 211 

Conference on Pavement Grooving and 

Traction Studies, 286 

Congress, 43, 60, 75, 101, 115, 131-132, 

McNamara, Secretary of Defense RobPresident's budget message, 18-20 

President's report to Congress, United 

States Aeronautics and Space Activities, 1967, 20-21, 148 

159, 160, 168, 175-176, 180, 225-226, 

235,301,323 

ert s., report to, 29 

R&D, 122, 156-157,258-259,299 

space program, 24, 65, 87, 110, 139, 

147, 199, 210, 213, 218, 221-222, 233, 

242,287, 325,326, 336 

Joint Committee on Atomic Energy, 

Joint Economic Committee, Subcom159, 169, 170,211 

mittee on Economy in Government. 

282 

Congress, House of Representatives, 

15-16, 93, 127, 135, 140, 197, 218, 

229 

bills introduced, 32,227 

bills passed, 102-103, 108, 130, 

Committee on Appropriations, 144, 146, 

Subcommittee on Department of DeSubcommittee on Independent 

Committee on Government Operations, 

135-136, 171,218,233 

166, 170,284 

fense, 130 

Offices and HUD, 32 

1 "" 

13 I 

Subcommittee on Military OperaSubcommittee on Special Studies, 

tions, 137 

163 

Committee on Interstate and Foreign 

Committee on Science and Astronautics, 16, 33-35, 47, 53, 57, 58, 99, 

Subcommittee on Advanced Research and Technology, 41, 44, 47, 

50, 53,225-226,238 

Subcommittee on Manned Space 

Flight, 41,58, 103, 222 

Subcommittee on NASA Oversight, 

4-5, 51, 68, 99, 333 

Subcommittee on Research and 

Technical Programs, 70 

Subcommittee on Science, Research, 

and Development, 10, 60, 135, 

194-195 

Subcommittee on Space Science and 

Applications, 41, 43, 44, 49, 333 

Committee on Ways and Means, 134 

Commerce, 116 

102-103, 172,239 

Congress, Senate, 131, 135, 152, 239-240, 

348,292 

bills introduced. 30 

bills passed, 129, 165-166, 167, 168, 175, 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty, 158, 

210,227, 242 

249 

388 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

389 

resolution, 127 

space rescue treaty, 161 

Committee on Aeronautical and Space 

Sciences, 210,246-247 

Apollo AS-204 accident, 4-5,25 

DOD, 69-70 NASA budget, 30, 48-49, 50, 57, 65, 

90-91,93,94, 98, 110 240-242 NASA contracts, 86 NERVA program, 57, 93, 94, 98,170 

Tenth Anniversary, 1958-1968, report, 

Subcommittee on Dept. of Defense, 

334 

Committee on Appropriations, 170 

29 

Subcommittee on Independent Offices, 

140 

Committee on Armed Services, 20, 29, 

71, 76, 138 

Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee, 155,224, 231; 24g246 

Committee on Commerce, 26 

Subcommittee on Aviation, 137-138 

Committee on Foreign Relations, 56, 

Committee on Government Operations, 

159, 165, 210, 215-216, 225, 230 

71 

Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs, 68 

Committee on Nuclear Safeguards, 228 

Committee on Post Office and Civil 

Service, 62 CONI. See Comisi6n Nacional de Investigaci6n del Espacio. 

Connecticut, 224 

Conrad, Max, 207 

Conte, Rep. Silvio O., 127 

Contract (see also under agencies, such as NASA, USAF) 

cost-plus-award-fee, 59, 122, 143, 145, 

146, 239, 245, 289,308,328 

cost-plus-fixed-fee, 79, 84, 104, 173, 239, 

cost-plus-incentive-award-fee, 146 

cost-plus-incentive-fee, 9, 39, 123, 184, 

194,202,298 

fixed price, 59, 86, 120, 130, 209 

fixed-price-incentive-fee, 59 

incentive-fee. 144 

264,331-332 

study, 62, 187, 275 

10-11 17.72. 184 

Convair 990 (Galileo ) (jet aircraft), 

Cook, Don,'298 

Cook, Gen. Orval (USAF, Ret.), 123 

Cook, William H., 15 

Cooksey, Robert, 329 

Coon, Grant W., 2 

Cooper, L/C L. Gordon (WAF), 279, 280, 

Cooper, Sen. John S., 242 

Copenhagen, Denmark, 163 

Coralie (French rocket), 296 

Corddry, Charles W., 40, 156 

Corliss, William R., 82 

306 

Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, Inc., 31, 

Cornell, Univ., 31, 49,-50, 54, 171, 172, 

81,228,279 

228. 238.284.292. 316. 326 

Cente; for' Radiophysics ' and Space ReGraduate School of Aerospace Engisearch, 37-38 

neering, 146 

Corpus Christi, Tex., 227 

Cortright, Edgar M., 65, 101, 122 COSMIC. See Computer Softwear Management and Information Center. 

Cosmic ray, 93. 208-209 284-2285. 

300-301 

Cosmonaut, 28, 83, 116--117,190, 212, 230, 

253, 254 

accident, 264 

commemorative stamp, 85 

death, 70, 72, 264 

interview, 46 

medal, gold, 309 

Soyuz 3 flight, 264-265, 266, 272, 277 

space flight, effects of, 211 

space rescue treaty, 299 

Vostok I flight, 17, 309 

woman, 148 

Cosmodrome, 126, 130, 132, 135, 

158-159, 165, 172, 183, 264-265, 269, 

279, 289, 295 

Comos CX (U.S.S.R. satellite), 287 

Cosmos CLXXXIV, 2 cosmos CXCIX, 9 

Cosmos CC, 11 

Cosmos CCI, 32 

Cnsmos CCII, 42 

Cosmos CCIII, 42 

Cosmos CCIV, 57 

Cosmos CCV, 57 

Cosmos CCVI, 61 

Cosmos CCVII, 66 

Cosmos CCVIII, 63, 180 

Cosmos CCIX. 67 

Cosmos CCX, 76 

Cmmos CCXI, 82 

Cosmos CCXII, 84, b., R7 R8-89, _- 119, 178 

Cosmos CCXIII. 84. ,. 87. 88-89. 119. ,, 178 

Cosmos CCXIV,'87 

Cosmos CCXV, 87, 128, 130 

Cosmos CCXVI, 88 

Cosmos CCXVII, 92 

Cosmos CCXVIII, 93, 178,180 

Cosmos CCXIX, 95 

Cosmos CCXX, 106 

Cosmos CCXXI, 120 

Cosmos CCXXII, 123 

Cosmos CCXXIII, 126 

Cosmos CCXXIV, 126 

Cosmos CCXXV, 130 

Cosmos CCXXVI, 132 

Cosmos CCXXVll, 135 

Cosmos CCXXVIII, 139 

Cosmos CCXXIX, 143 

Cosmos CCXXX, 154 

Cosmos CCXXXI, 158, 180 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Cosmos CCXXXII, 163-164 

Cosmos CCXXXIII, 165 cosmos CCXXXIV, 172,180 

Cosmos CCXXXV, 183 

Cosmos CCXXXVI, 201 

Cosmos CCXXXVII, 201 

Cosmos CCXXXVIII, 201 

Cosmos CCXXXIX, 206 

Cosmos CCXL 211 

cosmos CCXLI, 213 

Cosmos CCXLII, 219 cosmos CCXLIII, 223 

cosmos CCXLIV, 239 cosmos CCXLV, 240 

Cqsmos CCXLVI, 245 

Cosmos CCXLVII, 24% 

Cosmos CCXLVIII, 259 

Cosmos CCXLIX, 259 

cosmos CCL, 267 

Cosmos CCLI, 267 

Cosmos CCLII, 269 cosmos CCLIII, 279 

cosms CCLIV, 289 

Ccsmos CCLV, 295 

Cosmos CCLVI, 296 

Cmmos CCLVII, 298 

Cosmos CCLVIII, 308 

Cosmos CCLIX, 310 

Cosmos CCLX, 313 

cosmos CCLXI> 317 

Cosmos CCLXII, 324 

Cotton, Col. Joseph F. (USAF) ,67, 145 

Council for the Advancement of Science 

Couve de Murville, Prime Minister MaurCowen, Robert C., 229-230 

CP-1919 (pulsar), 114-115 

Crab Nebula, 52,62, 272, 284, 292 

Crane, Robert M., 283 

Cromley, Ray, 257 

Crooker, John H., 40 

Cryogenics, 101,122 

CSM. See Command and service module. 

Cuba, 42, 189,28/ 

Cudaback, Dr. David, 119, 128 

Cunningham, R. Walter, 276 

ApoUo 7 flight, 250,252,276 

award, 269 

press conference, 220, 276 

White House visit, 306 

Curtin, M/G Robert H. (USA, Ret.), 102, 

120 

Curtis, Sen. Carl T., 129 

Curtiss, Prof. W. David, 31 

Cushman, Ralph E., 102 

Cygnus (constellation), 52, 200 

Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences, 269 

Astronomical Institute, 254 

writing, 284 

ice (France), 294 

preparations for, 97, 158, 173, 220, 

227 

Czechoslovakia, 161, 189-190, 205, 

215-216,223,247,309,317 

D 

Dacca, East Pakistan, 18 

Daddario, Rep. Emilio Q., 10, 127, 

194-195 

Dallas, Tex., 112, 325 

Dana, William H., 53, 78, 132, 198, 262, 

Darcey, Robert J., 283 

Darmstadt, W. Germany, 300-301 

Dartmouth College, 117 

istration, 318 

Davies, Merton E., 248449 

Davis, Frank W., 155 

DC-8 (jet airliner), 293 

Deb& Foreign Minister Michel (France), 

Debus, Dr. Kurt H., 89, 256 

317 

Amos Tuck School of Business Admin250 

Deep Space Network (DSN), 5, 6, IO, 

Deep Submergence Search Vehicle, 227 

Defense Communications Agency, 166 

Defense, Dept. of (DOD) (see also US. Air 

Force, US. Army, and US. Navy), 

40, 42, 156, 301 

Advanced Research Projects Agency, 

40, 42, 145 

aircraft, 71, 75, 146, 155, 160, 245-246, 

282,284, 288, 333 

annual report to Congress, 29 

award, 7,51 

budget, 18-20, 143, 146, 166, 233, 242, 

118, 203,209 

243,261. 336 

communications satellite system, 9, 137, 

contract, 9, 61, 278-279, 298, 334 

166, 180-181 

NASA, 20, 33 

31 0 

criticism, 83-84, 333 

Defense Science Board, 7, 76-77, 329 

facilities, 231 

missile program, 61, 133, 137, 143, 155, 

193, 242 

nuclear submarine, 169, 211, 261 

personnel, 12, 40, 51, 331 

reentry vehicle program, 8 

space program, 32, 69-70,126, 137, 149, 

underground atomic tests study, 303- 

Defense Production Act, 83 

Defense Projects Support Office (DPSO) . 

Defense Satellite Communications System 

De Gaulle, President Charles (France), 

Deimos (Mars moon), 281 

DeLong, Dr. Earl H., 

R&D, 69-70, 101-102, 136-137, 186, 

239-240,290,302 

180-181, 190, 208, 255, 335 

304 

84 

(DSCS) , 137 

233 

390 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

391 

Delta (booster) (see also Thor-Delta), 

Demblinp, Dr. Paul G., 12, 127, 258, 283 

59,273,300 

DenmarK 5.154. 24 LO. 292 

Denver, dolo., 112, 161 

Des Moines, Iowa, 207 

Descent propulsion system (DPS) 

(Apollo) ,13 

Detroit, Mich., 199 

DFC. See Distinguished Flying Cross. 

Diamonds, industrial, 158 

Diebold, John, Lecture, 232 

Diehl, William, 49 

Dietlein, Dr. Lawrence F., 291 

Di Luzio, Frank C., 123 

Disarmament, 11, 27, 32, 59, 63, 149, 160, 

Distinguished Civilian Service Medal 

164 

(DOD) ,7 

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) , 11-12 

Distiueuished Service Medal. 314 

Distiniuished Service M<dA (NASA), 

Distinguished Service Medal (USN) ,29 

Ditoro, Dr. Michael J., 143 

Dmitriyev, Prof. A., 249 

DO 31 (VTOL transport aircraft), 105 

Dobbins AFB, Ga., 1%, 230-231 

Docking, 236 

automatic, 24, 84, 85, 87, 88, 93, 119 

manned, 24,84,250,280 DOD. See Defense, Dept. of. 

Doeker. Robert. 158 

263, 269,283,332 

Dominion Observatory (Canada), 134 

Donely, Philip, 283 

Dong Hoi, North Vietnam, 69 

Donran, Charles J., 51, 65, 122 

Dorman, Bernhardt L., 172 

Dornier-Werke, GmbH, 105, 151 

DOT. See Transportation, Dept. of. 

Doty, Robert C., 88 

Douglas Aircraft Co., Inc. See McDonne11 Douglas Corp. 

Douglas United Nuclear, Inc., 87-88, 122 

Dover, Del., 176-177 

Dover, U.K., 175 

Downey, Calif., 122, 167 

DPS. See Descent propulsion system. DPSO. See Defense Projects Support Office. 

Draco (constellation), 310 

Drake, Dr. Frank D., 54,238,284 

Dryden, Dr. Hugh L., 175 

Dryden, Hugh L., Memorial Fund, 175 

Dryden Research Lecture Award, 15 DSCS. See Defense Satellite CommunicaDSN. See Deep Space Network. 

Dubinin, Prof. Nikolay P., 200 

DuBridge, Dr. Lee A., 267, 299, 301, 310, 

tions System. 

314 

Dudley Observatory (Albany, N.Y.) , 129, 

185,197,300, 310 

Duff, Brian M.. 117 

DuBy, Robert T., 30-31 

Duke, Capt. Charles M., Jr. (USAF), 59, 

280 

Ouke Univ., 255,299 

Medical Center, 40, 115 

Dulles International Airport, 179,224 

Dunbar, William R., 104 

Duncan, Robert C., 283 

Dunn, M/G Carroll H. (USA), 32 

Dunn, Dr. Richard, 296 

Dupree, Dr. A. Hunter, 1 

Dvorscak, Bernie J., 230-231 

E 

Eaker, L/G Ira C. (WAF, Ret.), 125 

Early Bird (communications satellite). 

Earth. 

See Intelsat I. 

gravitational field, 318,335 

horizon, 132 

light sources, 177 

magnetic field, 72, 308 

magnetic tail, 138 

mapping, 325 

photographs of, 251, 318, 323, 324, 329 

resources measurement, 33-34, 174 

shape, 1611,331 

size, 10-11 

Earth Resources Observation Satellite 

(EROS) program, 7-8, 19,39,62,333 

Earth Resources Satellite System (Congressional report), 333 

Earth Resources Snrvey Program, 39, 51, 

85, 173,215,279 

Earthquake, 191 

Easter Island, 112 

Eastern Airlines, 72, 139, 217 

Eastern Test Range (ETR) (see also 

Cape Kennedy and Kennedy Space 

Center) 

contract, 83, 123 

launch, 1, 9, 59, 105, 244, 278 

Apollo/Saturn, AS-204, 13 

Atlas-Agena D, 5655,179 

Atlas-Centaur, 184, 304 

failure, 216, 225 

Long-Tank Delta, 216 

Minuteman III, 193 

Poseidon, 193 

satellite, 3, 54-55, 111, 132, 179, 184, 

Thrust-Augmented Improved ThorThrust-Augmented LongTank Delta, 

Thrust-Augmented Thor-Delta, 244, 

AC-15,3 

216,228,273,300, 314-315 

Delta, 273 

314-315 

300 

Titan 111-C, 132,228 

Eastman Kodak Co., 292 

EC-135N ( Apollo Range InstrumentaEcho program, 152 

Echo I (communications satellite), 60, 

tion aircraft), 148 

120 

Eclipse, lunar, 250 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Ecology, 126, 135 

Economic Club of Detroit, 37 

Ecuador, 37 

Eddystone, Pa., 219 

Editorial comment. See Press comment. EDP Technology, Inc., 228,279 

EDS. See Emergency detection system. 

Education, 235, 249-250, 271, 314, 323, 

Edwards AFB, Calif. (see also Air Force 

Flight Test Center) 

accident, 2 

HLlO (lifting body vehicle), 63, 

331,334 

flight 

F-lllA, 2 

131, 139,224-225.240 

X-15,53, 78,164, 198,211, 262 

XB-70, 8, 38, 67, 269, 313 

XB-70A, 145,167,208,258,298 

EG&C, InC., 123 

Eggers, Dr. Alfred J., Jr., 55 

Eglin AFB, Fla., 4 

Ehricke, Dr. Kraft A., 163 

Eielson AFB, Alaska, 168 

Eisele, Maj. Donn F. (USAF) 

Apollo 7 flight, 250, 251 

preparations for, 97, 158, 173, 220, 

227 

Apollo 10 flight, 279-280 

award, 269 

press conference, 220 

White House visit, 306 

328 

Eisenhower, President Dwight D., 325, 

Ekers, Dr. Ronald D., 114 

Eklund, Sigvard, 198 

El Centro, Calif., 8 

ELDO. See European Launcher Develop 

ment Organization. 

ELDO F-7 (ELDO satellite), 296 

Electric power, 275 

Electromagnetic pulse (emp) ,228 

Electro-Mechanical Research Co., 111 

Electron, 31, 60, 62-63, 67, 173, 175, 198, 

Electronics Research Center (ERC) 

Electro-Optical Systems, Inc., 268 

Ellington AFB, Tex., 105, 116, 257 

Elms, James C., 165 

Emergency detection system (EDS) 

Emme, Dr. Eugene M., 1 

Emmons, Dr. Howard W., 5 

Employment of Scientists and Engineers 

Engine (see also individual engines, such 

256,329 

(NASA), 39,123, 145,164,179, 283 

(Apollo), 77 

in the United States, 1950-1966 

(NSF report), 234 

as F-1, H-1) 

aircraft, 313 

gas turbine, 316 

jet, 130, 197, 198, 226, 232 

Quiet Research Engine Program, 47, 

197,2” 

aircraft, 313 

gas turbine, 316 

jet, 130, 197, 198, 226, 232 

Quiet Research Engine Program, 47, 

197,2” 

supersonic transport, 146,233, 332 

tubofan, 145,158 

turboprop, 148,217 

electric, 25-26, 303 

flying platform, 107 

hypersonic, 47, 299 

lunar module, 127,227-228 

nuclear (see also NERYA), 44, 53, 57, 

93,94,156,241-242,302 

reusable, 2 

rocket, 2, 62-63, 68-69, 261, 275, 279, 

308.317 

hybrid, 3-4,9 

test, 13, 17, 36, 42, 77-78, 92, 143, 

184 

space station, 141-142 

vernier, 6 

280 

Engineers, 234, 289 

Engle, Capt. Joseph H. (USAF), 134, 144, 

English Channel, 175 

ENTEL, 293 

Enthoven, Dr. Alain C., 259 

Environment, 135 

Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA) 

budget, 19 

cooperation 66, 262, 335 

Man’s Geoaranhvsical Environment : Its 

Study from Siace, 73 

personnel, 131 

research. 101-102. 110. 266. 325 

satellite,‘ 1,49, 111, 149; 232,’ 311 

weather modification. 194-195 

launch, 193, 335 

ERC. See Electronics’ Research Center 

EROS. See Earth Resources Operation Sat- 

(NASA). 

ellite. 

Ers XXI (OV V-d) (Environmental Research Satellite), 228, 335 

Ers XXVII (OV V-2). 228,335 

Escape system, 78,210 ‘ 

ESO. See European Southern Observatory. 

EERO. See European Space Research OrEsro I (ESRO satellite). See Aurorae 

ESRO 11-A (International Radiation Invesganization. 

(EST0 I). 

tigation Satellite), 113 

Esro 11-B. See Iris I (Esro 11-B) . ESSA. See Environmental Science Services 

Administration. 

Essa I (meteorological satellite), 193 

Essa It, 50, 193 

Essa Ill. 193 

Essa IV; 193,232 

Essa V, 193 

Essa VI, 193.295 

Essa Vi1 (TOS-E) ,193, 311,335 

Essa VIII (TOS-F), 311, 335 

Etam, W. Va., 230,315,329 

Ethiopia, 137,. 327 ETR. See Eastern Test Range. 

392 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Etzel, Prof. James E., 281 EURATOM. See European Atomic Energy 

Community . Euromart, 233 

Europe (see also European Launcher Development Organization; European 

Space Research Organization), 160 

communications, 38, 73, 139, 230, 312, 

323 

cooperation, 136-137, 139 

space funding, 136 

tracking station, 137 

European Atomic Energy Community 

(EURATOM), 11,92 

European Conference on Satellite Commuyications. See Conference Europeene sur les Tdldcommunications 

par Satellites. 

European Launcher Development Organilaunch 

merger proposal, 136-137 

policy, 279 

president elected, 60 

U.K. membership, 85,95,233 

292 

zation (ELDO) 

ELDO F-7,2% 

European Nuclear Research Center, 139 

European Southern Observatory (ESO) , 

European Space Conference, Third, 279 

European Space Authority (proposed), 

European Space Research Organization 

279 

(ESRO ),60 

satellite, 1 

launch 

Aurorae (Esro I), 241) 

Heos-A, 301, 336 

Iris I (Esro 11-B), 113, 336 

sounding rocket, 108, 118 

membership, 5, 85 

merger proposed, 136 

satellite, 95, 149, 168-169, 214, 240, 

Eurospace Conference, Third U.S.-European, 136137 EUV: extreme ultraviolet. EVA. See Extravehicular activity. 

Evans, Albert J., 47 

Evanston, Ill., 284 

Everett, Wash., 232 

Evvard, John C., 283 

Exceptional Scientific Achievement 

Medal (NASA), 263,283 

Exceptional Service Medal (NASA), 194, 

269, 283 

Exhibit, 190 

Exosphere, 82 

Explorer (program), 44 

Explorer I (satellite), 22,2!9-30, 37 

Explorer XVl, 177 

Explorer XXII, 10, 183 

Explorer XXIII, 177 

Enplorer XXIV, 182 

Explorer XXV (Injun IV), 182 

336 

Explorer XXVll, 183 

Explorer XXVIII, 153-154 

Explorer XXIX, 8, 183 

Explorer XXX (IQSY Solar Explorer), 

Enplorer XXXV (IMP-E) ,167 

Explorer XXXVI (Geos 11; GEOS-B), 1, 

7, 8, 16, 42-43, 71, 183, 259, 335 

Explorer XXXVll (Solar Explorer B), 

5657,335 

Explorer XXXVlll (Radio Astronomy 

Explorer RAE-A), 153, 167, 210, 224, 

246. 33s 

56-57 

Ezplorer -XXXIX (Air Density Explorer 

Explorer XL (Injun V), 182,310, 335 

Extraterrestrial life, 54, 142, 301, 302 

Extravehicular activity (EVA), 24, 168, 

C), 182, 310, 335 

177, 190, 236, 316-317 

F 

F-1 (rocket engine), 30, 257, 275 

F-4 (Phantom) (fighter aircraft), 3, 14, 

F-5 (supersonic fighter aircraft), 281 

F-12 (interceptor aircraft), 112, 171-172 

F-14A (USN interceptor aircraft), 76, 

F-15A (aircraft). See ZF-15A. 

F-104 (Starfighter) (aircraft), 165 

F-106 (interceptor aircraft), 171-172 

217 

F-4J, 76 

98-99, 167, 171,230-231,314 

F-106B, 233 

F-l06X, 171-172 

F-111 (supersonic fighter), 130, 206, 

231,245-246, 259,270 

accident, 2, 195 

cost, 130, 146 

accident, 2, 72, 80, 84, 87, 97, 102, 108, 

109, 119, 134, 160,195,224,258 

defense of, 75,333 

test 155, 207, 258 

Vietnam War use, 69, 71, 72, 84, 104, 

F-IllA, 117, 160,201,316,333 

109,155 

accident, 2 

funds for, 14,19, 71,98, 159 

weight, 160 

tion. 

nationale. 

F-IllB, 76,130,167 

F-lllC, 206, 248 FAA. See Federal Aviation AdministraFAI. See FedBration Aironautique InterFairbank. Dr. William M.. 91 

Fairbanks, Alaska, 35,143, 192 

Fairchild-Hiller Corp., 120, 209, 289, 334 

Fairhall. Defence Minister Allen (Australia), 206 

284,286 

Fangataufa Atoll, 200 

FB-111 (supersonic bomber), 201, 259, 

FB-lllA, 160 FCC.. SFe Federal Communications Commission. 

393 
FDA. See Food and Drug Administration. FDVU. See Flight Design Verification 

Tlnit 

Feiiii-Aid Airport Program (FAAP) , 95 

Federal Air Quality Advisory Board, 169 

Federal Aviation Act of 1958, 130 

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 

26,96,108, 150, 175, 207 

air traffic control, 1-2, 82, 137-138, 

168, 187, 196, 206, 238, 248, 300, 302 

airports, 95, 137-138, 231, 278, 296, 

302, 324 

appropriations, 19, 168 

contract, 82, 231 

cooperation, 168, 238 

forecast, 71, 137-138 

landing system, 248 

noise, aircraft, 116, 130, 135 

regulations, 1-2, 116, 130, 194, 206, 

300 

transport, supersonic (see also Supersonic transport), 19, 66-67, 135, 150, 

158 

design and development, 45, 202-203, 

260 

Federal Communications Commission 

Federal Contract Research Center, 122 

Federal Council for Science and TechnolInterdepartmental Committee for AtFederal Department of Science (proDosed). 325 

(FCC), 111, 154, 204,276, 308 

ogy, 271 

mospheric Sciences, 101-102 

Fld6ration A6ronautique Internationale 

(FAI), 111,309 

Felberg, Fred H., 283 

Fels Planetarium, 27 

Ferguson, Gen. James (USAF), 5, 141, 

Fermi, Enrico, Award, 221, 298 

Fermi, Enrico, Institute, 90 

Findlay, Dr. John W., 30 

Finger, Harold B., 35,48, 133 

Fink, Daniel J., 329 

Finney, John W., 92 

The First Four Stages, 17 

Fitzgerald, A. E., 282 

Fjeldbo, Gunnar, 276 

Flammability tests, 13-1% 57, 61, 265 

Flax, Dr. Alexander H., 283 

Flemming, Arthur S., Award, 39 

Fletcher, Dr. Robert D., 316 

Flickinger, B/G Don, Jr. (USAF), 28 

Flight design verification unit (FDVU) , 

237,272 

128 

12, 42,48, 68,186,313 

Flight Research Center (FRC) (NASA), 

Flight Safety Foundation, 313 

Flight Test, Simulation and Support 

Flock, Dr. Warren L., 129 

Flood control, 62 

Florida, 109 , 

Conference, 65, 66 

FOBS. See Fractional orbital bombardFood and Drug Administration (FDA), 

ment system. 

~ 2 

Food irradiation, 2 

Fordham Univ., 287 

Ft. Churchill, Canada (see also 

Churchill Research Range, Canada), 

29, 72, 329 

Fort Myers, Fla., 146 

Fort Worth, Tex., 206 

Foster, Dr. John S., Jr., 69-70, 155 

Foster, William C., 295 

Founders Medal (NAE) ,43 

Fowler, Prof. William A., 115 

Foxbat (U.S.S.R. fighter aircraft), 130 

Fractional orbital bombardment system 

(FOBS), 55-56, 93, 94, 102, 178, 239, 

355 

France, 46,60 

aircraft, 217 

balloon, 166 

Concorde (FrancaU.K. supersonic 

cooperation, 5, 31, 55, 113, 134, 214,233, 

hydrogen bomb, 153, 156, 200, 

missile program, 153, 200 

nuclear attack, 138 

nuclear test, 156, 180, 294 

sounding rocket, 31, 296 

transport), 115, 198, 260, 294 

U.S.S.R., 10 

292, 300-301 

207-208 

Frantz, Dr. Joe B., 1 FKC. See Flight Research Center. 

Freibaum, Jerome, 128 

French Guiana, 172 

Frenkel. Dr. Lothar. 39 

Freon TF, 157 

Friction Efects of Runwq Grooves, 

Runway 18-36, Washington National 

Airport, 324 

Friel, Dr. Patrick J., 43 

Friendship Airport, 179,224 

Fruehaf, Capt. David E. (WAF), 8 

Frutkin, Arnold W., 30,239, 283 

Fucino, Italy, 80 

Fuel, 94, 303 

hydrogen, 1 

leak, 92 

liquid, 3-4,9, 274 

liquid hydrogen, 79, 101, 266 

nitrogen, 45 

oxygen-hydrogen, 2 

plutonium 238, 116 

safety, 95 

solid, 3-4,42, 68, 193, 274 

Fuel cell, 246,251-252, 294-295 

Fuhrmeister, Paul F., 283 

Fullbright, Crooker, Freeman & Bates, an &., 

Fulton, Fitzhugh L., Jr., 8, 38, 50, 67, 

131, 167, 208, 269,298 

FX (aircraft). See ZF-15A. 

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

394 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

G 

Gagarin, Col. Yuri A. (U.S.S.R.), 17, 

70,72, 190, 309 

Galapagos Islands, 189 

Gamma (star), 67 

Gamma ray, 52,5655, 181,281 

Gamow, Dr. George, 197 

Ganczak, Edward G., 107 

Gandhi, Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira, 

GAO. See General Accounting Office. 

30-31 

Garbuzov, Finance MiGster Vasily 

Gardner, Lester D., Lecture, 104 

Gas turbine, 316 GCA Corp., 45, 46-47, 168 

Geiss, Dr. Johannes, 68 

Geller, Justice Abraham N., 279 

Gemini (program), 66, 80, 103, 161 

Gemini (spacecraft), 148 

Gemini X (flight), 168 

Gemini XI (flight), 168 

General Accounting O5ce (GAO) , 86, 

General Aircraft Corp., 224 

General aviation. 47 

(U.S.S.R.), 309 

211, 215, 221-222, 236-237, 269, 281 

226 

air traffic, 1871188, 189, 194, 196 

aircraft, 71, 137 

airports, 278 

collision avoidance system, 179 

flying hours, 71, 137 

General Dynamics Corp. 

contract, 167, 187, 278, 333 

Convair Div., 8, 131, 207 

Electric Boat Div., 302-303 

F-lllA, 117, 155,224,333 

F-lllB, 159, 167 

F-IllC, 206 VFX aircraft, 187 

General Electric Co., 215, 329 

Aircraft Engine Group, 296 

Apollo Systems Div., 79 ARMS (Application of Remote Manipulators in Space), 186 

award, 15 

contract, 40, 54, 12n, 149, 172, 173, 

laboratory, undersea, 101 

Mississippi Test Facility, 173 

“Quiet jet engine,” 197 

Re-Entry Systems Div., 97 

reentry vehicle, 40 

spacecraft, 120.172. 181. 209 

186, 201, 202-203, 209, 262, 278 

,,., supersonic transport engine, 150, 

Technical Military Planning Opera202-203 

tion (TEMPO). 26 

turbofan engine,’54z 201,276,282 

XB-70 engine, 149 

General Motors Corp., Allison Div., 248 

General Precision Systems, Inc., 22 

Geneva Disarmament Conference, 59, 

62, 132 

Geneva, Switzerland, 32, 59, 127, 149, 

Gentry, Maj. Jerauld R. (WAF), 63, 

164 

139.226225. 306 

Geocorona, 55 ’ 

Geodetic satellite, 1, 7-8, 16, 42-43, 

71, 183,335 

Geoloev. 51-52 

Geophisics Corp. of America, 198 

Georgia, Univ. of, 310 

Geos I1 (GEOS-B; Explorer XXXVI) 

(geodetic satellite), 1, 7-8, 16, 

42-43, 71,183,259, 335 

aircraft, 105, 151, 165 

Bochum Observatory, 54, 211-212, 

222 

cooperation, 5, 137, 160, 165, 201, 

292,298, 300-301 

Ministry of Scientific Research 

(BMWF), 75-76, 160-161, 308 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty, 11 

space program, 137, 151, 160-161, 

201,300 

Technique. 

Germany, East, 317 

Germany, West, 46 

GFT: ground elapsed time. 

GHOST. See Global Horizontal Sounding 

Gilruth, Dr. Robert R., 14, 28, 75, 142 

Giroux, Dennis, 44 

Glassboro (N.J.) State College, 127 

Glenn, Col. John H., Jr. (USMC, Ret.), 

Global Atmospherics Research Program 

Global Horizontal Sounding Technique 

Globe Exploration Corp., 29 

Goddard, Dr. Robert H., 28, 57, 316 

Goddard, Robert H., Award, 15,316 

Goddard, Dr. Robert H., Lecture, 55-56 

Goddard, Dr. Robert H., Memorial TroGoddard Memorial Dinner, 57-58 

Gcddard Memorial Symposium, 58-59. 

Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), 

203-204, 215 

(GARP), 101-102 

(GHOST), 240 

phy, 57 

216,225,294 

Apollo 6, 78 

Apollo 7, 253 

Apollo 8,322 

award. 283 

contract, 45, 47, 61, 123, 289 

facilities, 123 

Laboratory for Atmospheric and Biological Sciences, 328-329 

Laboratory for Theoretical Studies, 

153-154 

laser experiment, 71, 183,335 

personnel, 35, 131, 152, 168, 328 

Radio Astronomy Explorer, 153 

satellite monitoring 

Ats Il, 119 

Ats Ill, 29, 37, 144 

Ats IV, 185 

Essa VU, 191-193 

395 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Essa VIU, 311 

Explorer XXXVl, 71, 183, 259, 335 

Explorer XXXVIII, 153 

Molniya 1-8,110 

Oao II (OAO-A), 304, 310 

Satellite Tracking Center, 12, 143, 146, 

205 

sounding rocket experiments, 434 

astronomical, 62-63, 67, 115, 118, 

121, 129, 175, 198, 232 

atmospheric data, 13, 60, 62, 6M5, 

76, 82, 130-131, 168, 175, 213-214, 

216, 219-220, 223, 273, 287, 291, 

OgO v (OGO-E), 55 

309-310 

instrumentation test, 17, 31, 70 

launch test, 211, 214 

parachute recovery system test, 

vehicle performance test, 31 

126-127 

Gold, Thomas, 37-38 

Goldberg, Ambassador Arthur J., 130 

Goldberg, Leo, 243-244 

Goldberger, Dr. Marvin L., 93 

Goldstein, Dr. Richard M., 114-115, 

171,283,291 

Goldstone Tracking Station, 114-115, 

122, 171,209, 291,312 

Goldwater, Barry M., 333 

Gomez Palacios, Mex., 295 

Goodell, Sen. Charles E., 210 

Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co., 194 

GOR-16 (general ocean research 

Gordon, James, Trophy, 188 

Grants, 44-45,46, 140-141, 151, 314 

Gravity, 141, 238-239 

artificial, 268, 291 

Gray, Dr. Clinton W., 273 

Gray, Harold E., 107-108 

Gray, Robert H., 216 

Greater Lameshur Bay, Virgin Islands, 

Grechko, Defense Minister Marshal AnGreen Bank, W. Va. 161,238, 272 

Green State Univ., 325-326 

Greenbelt, Md., 205 

Greenland, 11 

Greenwood, A. H. C., 217 

Grew, Gary W., 177 

Gri5th Planetarium, 221 

Grissom AFB, Ind., 39, 110 

Grissom, L/C Virgil I. (USAF), 103, 110 

Gromyko, Foreign Minister Andrey A. 

Gross National Product, 141 

Group Achievement Award (NASA), 

ship), 310 

101 

drey A. (U.S.S.R.), 4546 

(U.S.S.R.), 145 

164. 283 

Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp., 

GSFC. See Goddard Suace Flight Center. 

14,86, 167, 187,191,227-228, 314 

- 

Guam, 137 

Guest, Dr. Robert H., 318 

Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory 

Gulf of Mexico, 59,73-74, 181, 251 

Guppy (undersea research vehicle), 

(Cal Tech), 267 

lS6 

Gurovsky, Dr. N. N., 287 

Gurshteyn, A. A., 61 

Gurtler, C. A., 177 

H-1 (rocket engine), 9, 207 

Hackerman, Norman, 115 

Haeussermann. Dr. Walter. 111 

H 

_..._ 7 --- 

Hage, George H., 315 

Haggerty, James J., Jr., 95, 117, 253 

Haslund. Howard H.. 151. 194 

Hasn, Dr. Otto, 171,'265 ' 

Haile Selassie, Emperor of Ethiopia, 

Hailstone model test, 247 

Hake, Fred W., Jr., 183, 196 

Halaby, Najeeb E., 107-108 

Hall, Donald A., 104 

Hall, Ernest, 49 

Hall, R. Cargill, 129 

Halle, Louis J., 81 

Halpern, Rep. Seymour, 227 

Ham (chimpanzee), 273 

Hamburger Flugzeugbau, 151 

Hamilton, Harry H., 283 

Hammett, Prof. Louis P., 38 

Handler, Dr. Philip, 40, 115, 255, 299, 

Haney, Paul, 36 

Hanover Air Show, 105 

Hanover, N. H., 36 

HAPPE. See High Altitude Particle ExHarder, Dr. James A., 172 

Hardie, Dr. Robert H., 326 

Hardy, Dr. Harriet L., 312-313 

Hardy, Rep. Porter, Jr., 163 

Harlow, Prof. Harry F., 38 

Harmon International Aviator's Trophy, 

Harper, Charles W., 26, 38-39, 47, 

327 

314 

periment program. 

259, 299 

225-226. 247 

Harr, Dr.' Karl G., Jr., 124-125, 134, 

Harriman, N. Y., 105 

Harrington, Dr. Charles D.. 87, 122-123 

Harris, R. Emerson, 128 

Harris, S. T., 88 

Harvard College Observatory, 161, 224 

Solar Satellite Project, 243 

Harvard Univ., 5, 38, 115, 133, 134, 159, 

Graduate School of Business Admin315-316 

303-304,328 

istration, 232 

Hatfield, Sen. Mark O., 119, 210 

Haueter, Paul E., Award, 116 

Haughney, Louis C., 11, 72 

Hauser, John A., 91 

Hawaii, 116, 132, 137 

396 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Hawker Siddeley Aviation Co., 277 

Hawker Siddeley Group, Ltd., 278 

Hawthorne, Calif., 325 

Hayes International Corp., 80 

Haymes, Dr. R. C., 52 

Haynes, Charles G., 207 

Haystack, Mass., 49 

Hazelhurst Field, N.Y., 11 

Health, Education, and Welfare, Dept. 

of, 169, 271 

Heart, 291 

artificial, 194, 302 

Heat shield, 212 

Helgeson, Bob P., 128 

Helicopter, 219 

astronaut pickup, use for, 251 

commercial use, 225-226 

military, 18-19, 146 

Helium, 82, 257, 308 

Henry, Dr. Richard C, 87 

Hensleigh, Walter E., 160 

HEOS (Highly Eccentric Orbiting Satellite), 1, 149, 214 

Hem-A, 300-301, 336 

Herzfeld, Dr. Charles M., 329 

Hess, Dr. Harry H., 90 

Hess, John L., 95 

Hess, Dr. Wilmot N., 36 

Hevelius, Johnannes, 28 

Hewlett-Packard Co., 331 

High Altitude Particle Experiment 

Hill, Louis W., Space Transportation 

Himmel, Dr. Seymour C., 104 

Hines William, 129, 244-245, 312, 331 

HL-IO (liftingbody vehicle) 

test flight, 63, 131, 139, 224-225, 240, 

(HAPPE) program, 68 

Award, 260-261 

335 

powered, 279, 306 

unsuccessful, 261 

test results, 67-68 

Hoberg, Otto A., 283 

Hodge, John D., 39 

Hodgson, Alfred S., 207, 283 

Hodgson, Dr. Gordon W., 22 

Hoff, Dr. Nicholas J., 5 

Holloman AFB, N. Mex., 117, 272, 

Hollomon, Dr. J. Herbert, 325 

Honda (comet) ,201 

Honda, Minori, 155 

Honeywell, Inc., 8, 328 

Hooker, Dr. Stanley G., 316 

Hornbeck, Dr. J. A., 32 

Horne, Walter B., 118 

Hornig, Dr. Donald F., 13%14~0, 156, 292, 

301, 304, 325 

Horton, Bob, 293 

Hosenthien, Hans H., 283 

Hotz, Robert, 271, 293 

Housing and Urban Development, Dept. 

of (llUD), 108, 165-166, 218, 227, 

283-284 

No. 6, 155 

243,271 

246,267 

Houston, Tex., 53, 82-83, 118, 188, 220, 

Hovercraft, 175 

Howick, George J., 230 

HP 1506 (pulsar), 161 HRE. See Hypersonic Research Engine 

243,271 

Houston. Tex.. 53. 82-83. 118. 188. 220. I. I,, 

246,267 

Hovercraft, 175 

Howick, George J., 230 

HP 1506 (pulsar), It1 HRE. See Hypersonic Research Engine 

program 

Bubbard, Samuel H., 8-9 

Huber, William C., 145 

HUD. See Housing and Urban Develop 

ment, Dept. of. 

Hughes Aircraft Co., 3, 5, 84, 106, 111, 

160. 204.244.259. 272 

Satellite Systems Laboratories, 76 

Space Systems Div., 77 

Hughes, Howard R., 303-304 

Hughes Nevada Operations, 303-304 

Huguenin, Dr. George R., 161 

Hulburt, E. O., Center for Space ReHumphrey, Vice President Hubert H., 

search, 87 

astronauts, visit with, 287 

Earth Resources Observation Satelelection results, 271-272 

NASA visit, 287 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty, 

ocean exploration, 138 

space program, 106-107, 178-179, 

229 

lite, 7 

215-216, 230 

235-236,254 

Hungary, 189-190, 317 

Hunt, Graham R., 170,250 

Huntsville, Ala., 220, 272 

Hurricane Gladys, 251 

Hurricane Naomi, 295 

Hydrogen bomb, 152, 156, 200, 207-208 

Hyland, Lawrence A., 84, 106-107 

Hynek, Dr. J. Allen, 169-170, 172, 254 

Hypersonic aircraft, 226, 237, 300, 

Hypersonic Research Engine ( HRE) 

I 

IAEA. See International Atomic Energy 

IAF. See International Astronautical 

IAU. See International Astronomical 

IBM. See International Business MachIcarus (asteroid), 133,291 ICBM. See Intercontinental ballistic misICL Industry, Inc., 176-177 

Iconoscope, 43 IDSCP. See Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program. 

IEEE. See Institute of Electrical and 

Electronics Engineers. 

317-318 

program, 47 

Agency. 

Federation. 

Uniorr 

ines Corp. 

sile. 

397 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

IES. See Institute of Environmental Sci- ences. 

R.. 14 

Ignatius, Secretary of the Navy Paul 

.- IGY. See International Geophysical 

Illinois Institute of Technology, 15 

Illinois, Univ. of, 63, 168 

Ilyushin-62 (U.S.S.R. airliner), 126, 

Image Orthicon Camera (IOC) , 185 IMP-E (Interplanetary Monitoring Platform). See Explorer XXXY (IMP-E) . IMP-G, 1 

Year. 

163 

India 

cooperation, 27, 30-31, 75-76, 

Dept. of Atomic Energy, 31 

ground station, 27 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty, 32, 

196-197,273 

138 

nuclear power, 205 

satellite, 27 

Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching 

Station, 30-31, 60, 75-76, 273 

weapons, 130-131 

Indian National Commission for Space 

Research (INCOSPAR) , 30-31, 75-76 

Indian Ocean, 196-197,212, 250-251 

Industrial Research, Man of the Year 

award, 15 

Informatics, Inc., 169 

Information retrieval, 48, 154 

Infrared sensor, 206-207, 208 

Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP), 121, 132, 137, 

166,335 

Injun IV. See Explorer XXV. 

lnjun V. See Explorer XL. 

Institute for Strategic Studies, 

Institute of Electrical and Electronics 

Institute of Environmental Sciences 

Institute of High Energy Physics, 316 

Institute of Strstegic Studies, 309 

INTELSAT. See International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium. 

Intelsat (communications satellite), 1, 

39 

Intelsat I (Early Bird), 27, 39-44 80, 

111 14s 314-315 

210 

Engineers (IEEE), 82, 119 

(IES), 79 

I ---I --- --- 

Inteisat 11, 189,204,323 

Intelsat-11 F-2 (Intelsat 11-B : Pacific 

I), 82-83, 103, 111 

htelsat-I1 F-3 (Intelsat 114; Atlantic 

lntelsat-I1 F-4 (Intelsat D-II; Pacific 

Intelsat 111, 111, 149, 216, 225, 315 

Intelsat-I11 F-I, 216,225, 273, 315 

Intelsat-Ill F-2, 314-315, 323, 329, 335 

Intelsat-III FA, 315 

11) , 5, 39, 111, 315 

111, 111, 302 

Intelsat I11 %, 38 

Intelsat IV, 38,111, 137, 244,259 

Interaeencv Aircraft Noise Abatement 

Pro&& 154-155 

Intercontinental ballistic missile 

(ICBM), 3, 18-19, 29, 42, 138, 191, 

195, 210, 312 

“Intermediate 20” (booster), 275 

Interior, Dept. of, 101,290-291,299 

International Academy of Astronautics, 

International Aeronautical Exposition 

International Aerospace Exposition, 295 

International Air and Space Salon, 

International Astronautical Federation 

254 

(proposed), 233 

Third, 126 

(IAF) , 258,286-287 

Congress, 246-247 

Commission on Solar Activity, 254 

International Atomic Energy Agency 

(IAEA), 92, 132, 198,211,228 

International Center for Theoretical 

Physics, 198 

International Astronomical Union 

(IAU) ,27-28,298 

International Balloon Race, 188 

International Bank for Reconstruction 

and Development, 16 

The International Biological Problem 

-Its Meaning and Needs House 

study), 60 

International Biological Program, 60, 

126 

International Business Machines Corp. 

(IBM), 79, 169 

Federal Systems Div., 82, 173 

Space Guidance Center, 77 

ment, 117 

200-201 

International Congress for Noise AbateInternational Congress of Genetics, 

International cooperation (see also Nuclear nonproliferation treaty), 127 

aircraft, 9, 49, 105-106, 117, 118, 126, 

134,157-158, 163,165, 198 

astronomy, 72 

law, 12,127 

meteorology, 127 

military, 9, 127, 145, 146, 149-150, 

nuclear power, 11, 154 

oceanography, 56, 72, 138 

science and technology, 39, 60, 126, 

140, 141, 156, 158, 159, 247, 255, 

257 

International cooperation, space (see 

also European Launcher Develop 

ment Organization; European 

Space Research Organization ; International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium ; Space rescue treaty) , 2,2621, 30 

160, 164, 166, 170-171, 191 

law, 12, 127,258,281 

398 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

satellite, 19, 52, 134, 137, 189, 233, 

236 

Europe, 10,85 

NASA-ESRO, 113, 214, 240 

-Canada, 1,11, 72 

-India, 196-197 

-U.K., 1 

-USSR., 2 

us. 

-Japan, 82 

-South Vietnam, 88 

-U.K., 9 

-USSR., 66,99, 281 

USSR.-France, 10 

sounding rocket, 29, 154 

India-France, 31 

NASA-Brazil, 131, 177 

-USSR., 31 

-Canada, 64-65,106 

-Germany, West, 75-76, 160 

-India, 30-31, 75-76, 273 

-Spain, 177-178 

Sweden, 177-178 

space research, 141,204,210,254 

Europe, 136-137,279 

U.K.-U.S.S.R., 52 

US.-Australia, 329 

-Germany, West, 201 

-Switzerland, 68 

US.-Australia, 34-35 

-USSR., 202 

tracking, 137 

-Spain, 34-35 

International Council on Human EnviInternational Decade of Oc, in ExploraInternational Flat Earth Society, 331 

International Geophysical Year (IGY) , 

International Institute for Peace and 

International Institute of Space Law, 

International Polar Year, 166-167 

International Radiation Investigation 

Satellite (IRIS), 113 

International Research and Marketing 

Corp., 230 

International Satellite for Tonospheric 

Studies (ISIS), 1, 106, 149 

International Space Research Committee, 136-137 

International Symposium on Bioastronautics and the Exploration of Space, 

Fourth, 141-142 

International Symposium on Genetic 

Effects of Space Environment, 

200-201 

International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (INTELSAT) , 27, 

60,80,239,293 

communications satellite, 39, 80, 183, 

Interim Communications Satellite 

ronment, 127 

tion, 177 

2W0, 73, 166-167 

Conflict Research, 285 

258 

lm, 189-190, 216, 243-24, 259 

committee, 35, 80 

membership, 26, 46 

International Telephone and Telegraph 

Corp. (IT&T), 329 

Interplanetary Monitoring Platform 

(IMP). See Explorer XXXV (IMP-E) 

and IMP-G. 

Intersputnik, 18%190 

Invention, 91 IOC. See Image Orthicon Camera. 

Ion propulsion, 25-26, 303 

Ionosphere, 63, 73 

175, 198,273 

composition, 46-47, 60, 130, 132, 168, 

diurnal changes, 64-65 

probe, 106,149,336 

properties of, 31, 168,24U, 262 

Iowa, univ. of, 29-30, 113, 182 

Ireland, 299 

Iris I (Esro ZZ-B) (International Radiation Investigation Satellite), 113, 

168-169, 240,336 

Irwin, Maj. James B. (WAF), 279-280 ISIS-A (International Satellite for Ionospheric Studies), 1, 106, 149 

Isolation experiment, 324 

Italcable, 293 

Italy 

cooperation, 5, 46, 95, 108, 165, 233, 

293, 300-301 

ground station, 69 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty, 32 

satellite, 296 ITT World Communications, Inc., 82-83, 

154,293,307-308 

J 

J-2 (rocket engine) 

Apollo 6 and 7, 77-78, 92-93, 

contract, 257, 275 

failure, 92, 119-120, 135, 252-253 

test, 220 

251-252 

585-19 (VTOL engine), 230-231 

Jackass Flats, Nev., 131, 143 

Jackson, Sen. Henry M., 228 

Jackson and Moreland, 231 

Jaffe, Leonard, 30-31 

James, Lee B., 20,112 

Jamesburg, Calif., 302 

Japan, 46,82433,146,155,166, 312 

Japanese Defense Agency, 166 

Jastrow, Dr. Robert, 147-148 

Javelin (sounding rocket), 54, 82, 113, 

308 

JC-130 (Hercules) (turboprop aircraft), 148 

Jennings, Mark, 247 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) (Cal 

award, 15, 89, 106, 151, 194, 260-261, 

Deep Space Network, 6, 209 

Goldstone Tracking Station, 114-115, 

122, 171,209,291,312 

Tech), 22-23,79,148,331-332 

283 

399 
Mariner Project, 118, 122, 199 

personnel, 15, 17, 42, 129, 152-153, 

Pioneer VI, 209 

Surveyor Project, 3, 106, 151 

symposium on space research, 29-30 

Jodrell Bank Experimental Station, 42, 

Johns Hopkins Univ., 8,36, 86, 173 

Johnsen, Edwin G., 82 

Johnson City, Tex., 1, 269, 332 

Johnson, President Lyndon B., 301, 304, 

171,22%230, 267, 275-276 

54,83,211-212,222,253-254, 289 

323,327 

aircraft, 54 

Apollo 8 flight, 322, 326 

appointments and nominations by, 12, 

45, 115,131, 143, 169,175,211 

astronauts, 322, 326, 330, 332 

flight pay, 203 

awards by, 38, 51, 57, 269, 298, 332 

awards to (National Space Club), --- 2.15 

balance of payments deficit, 1 

bills signed, 135-136, 152, 197,243 

budget, 18-19,60,233 

communications satellite system, 76 

disarmament, 164 

international cooperation, 20-21, 127 

meteorology, 127 

metric system, 197 

noise abatement, 271 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty, 132, 

149, 158, 230,249 

oceanography, 60 

press conference, 1 

resignations acceuted bv. 40 

NASA, 135-136, 152,294 

space program, is-19,' 20-21, 53, 179, 

space rescue treaty, 89, 127, 161, 299 

202, 208,235,248, 267, 292 

supersonic transport, 144, 207 

Webb, James E., 235,269 

Wright Brothers Day, 313-314 

Johnson, Mrs. Lyndon B., 292 

Johnson, Lyndon B., Presidential Library, 292 

Joint Oceanographic rnstitutions for 

Deep Earth Sampling (JOIDES), 311 

Joint Publications Research Service, 

336-337 

Jolly Green Giant (helicopter), 146 

Jonash, Edmund R., 104 

Jones, John W., 43 

Jones, Dr. Walton W., 286-287 

Jordon, L/C Joe B. (USAF), 2 

Journal of the Royal Aeronautical SociJPL. Pee Jet Propulsion Laboratory. 

Judi-Dart (sounding rocket), 31 

Jupiter (planet), 120-121 

atmosphere, 16-17, 142 

exploration of, 19, 30, 44, 51, 79, 148, 

ety, 91 

153-154, 188-189, 275, 280-281, 

334 

life on, 51, 142 

photographs of, 6 

Jupiter C (booster), 22 

Jurgens, Raymond F., 3738 

K 

Kaminski, Heinz, 54,222 

Kansas City, Mo., 207 

Kaplan, Dr. Joseph, 29-30 

Kaplan, Dr. Lewis D., 283 

Kapustin Yar, U.S.S.R., 130, 154, 310 

Karth, Rep. Joseph E., 58-59, 131-132 

KC-135 (flying ionospheric laboraKeldysh, Mstislav V., 272 

Kennedy, President John F., 147- 

Kennedy, John F., International 

Kennedy, Sen. Robert F., 326 

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) 

tory), 302 

212-213,317-318,325,326 

port, 163, 187-188, 189,194,206 

Apollo/Saturn, 77, 78, 136, 

astronauts at, 172, 208 

award, 89 

contract, 45, 172,239 

facilities, 210, 256 

high-altitude research, 143 

personnel, 150 

spacecraft delivery and shipments to. 

spaceport, 1 

visits to 

H., 287 

186-187,250,252,318.321322 

22, 30, 101, 122, 181, 186 

Humphrey, Vice President Hubert 

Johnson, Mr. Lyndon B., 292 

Robb, Mrs. Lynda, 292 

U.S.S.R. scientists, 247 

Kentucky, Univ. of, 291 

Kerwin, Joseph P., 134, 144 

Kiefer, Paul J., 145 

Killian, Dr. James R., 303-304 

King George Island, % 

King, Guy H., 44 

King, Rev. Martin Luther, 324 

Kirkman, Don, 215 

Kiruna Range, Sweden, 29, 70, 118, 

130. 133.262 

Kistiakowsky, Dr. George B.. 38. 

Kitt Peak National Observatory, 6, 119, 

303-304,328 

12% 

Kittikachorn, Prime Minister Thanom 

(Thailand), 108 

Kitty Hawk Memorial Trophy, 286, 303 

Klein, Milton, 44, 65, 94 

Kling Report, 231 

Kling, Vincent, and Associates, 231 

Kliore, Dr. Arvydas J., 199,275-276 

Kluttz. .Term. 168 

Knighi,- Maj. William J. (USAF) , 11-12, 

66, 95, 164,211,259,299 

Knouuers, Dr. Anthonie T., 16 

Knowles, Stephen, 185 

Kobzarez, Alexander, 126 

-148, 

Air144, 

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

400 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

401 

Kocjan, Barbara E., 68 

Kokusai Denshin Denwa Co., Ltd., 82-83 

Komarov, Col. Vladimir M. (U.S.S.R.), 

70.264 

Kometsky, Dr. George, 206 

Kordes, Dr. Eldon E., 313 

Korea, 109. 137 

Korolev. Sereei P.. 17 

Kosygin, PGmier’ Alexey N. (U.S.S.R.), 

72, 149, 189-190 

Kraft, Joseph, 325 

Kranzbere. Dr. Melvin. 1 

Krausha;; Dr. William, 93 

Krivsky, Dr. L., 269 KSC. See Kennedy Space Center. 

Kubat. .Terald K.. 9 

Kubis,’ Dr. Joseph F., 287 

Kuchel, Sen. Thomas H., 121 

Kuers, Werner R., 266,272-273 

Kuiper, Dr. Gerard P., 12-13 

Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory, 155 

Kuznetsov N.K.-144 (U.S.S.R. turbofan 

Kwajalein Test Site, 72 

L 

L-loll (jet airbus), 72, 72 

Laboratory, 12-13, 17-18, 59, 91, 101, 

LaGow, Herman E., 283 

La Guardia Airport, 179, 189, 194, 206 

Laika (dog, U.S.S.R.), 46 

Laird. Rem Melvin R.. 309. 331 

engine), 332 

151, 266 

Lambert Field, Mo., 207 ‘ 

Lzncaster, Calif., 279 

Land, Dr. Edwin H., 38 

Langley Aeronautical Laboratory, 

Langley Research Center (LaRc) 

144, 177,300 

award, 116,283 

281 

(NASA), 

collision-avoidance system, 179 

contract, 87, 123 

Digital Computer Complex Group, 

lfih -- - 

Explorer program, 182 

Flight Control Research Facility, 164 

Lunar Orbiter program, ?4 

noise alleviation conference, 247 

paraglider, 187. 

personnel, 15, 65, 101, 134-135, 173 

runway grooving research, 125, 286 RAM program, 198-199 VTOL aircraft. 276-277 

Langmuir probe, 45,46-47 

Lankard, J. P., 169 

Lannan, John, 205,215,230,237,311 

Lapp, Dr. Ralph E., 308, 311 

Larsen, Dr. Finn J., 238 

Las Vegas, Nev., 108 

Laser, 312 

exDeriments. ,. 6. 10. 71. 183, 262. , . i82-283 

measurement of, 39 

production of, 169 use of, 6, 183, 259 

Latin America, 230 

Launch Complex 13,55 

Launch Complex 34 

Saturn IB test, 136, 144, 173, 186 

Saturn/ Apollo 

launch, 250 

mating, 186, 197, 204, 206 

side-wire escape way test, 210 

Launch Complex 37, 256 

Launch Complex 39, 318 

Launch Escape System (LES) (Apollo), 711 .., Launch vehicle (see also individual 

launch vehicles such as Atlas-Centaur, Saturn, etc.), 36, 37, 185 

U.S.S.R., 33-34,36, 93, 186-187 

US., 235-236, 246 

Lawrence, David, 332 

Lawrence Radiation Laboratory (Univ. 

Learjet, 179 

Leasco Systems and Research Corp., 

169,245 

Leavitt, William, 28 

Lebedev, Vladimir, 81 

Lederer, Jerome F., 315 

Lefkowitz, Louis J., 279 

Leonov, L/C Aleksey A. (U.S.S.R.), 81, 

LES. See Launch Escape System. 

Les Y (Lincoln Laboratory Experimental Satellite), 79, 137, 228 

Les VI, 228,335 

Lesher, Dr. Richard L., 35 

Levitt, Dr. I. M., 27-28 

Lewellyn, John A., 200 

Lewis Research Center (LeRC) (NASA) 

Aerospace Safety Research and Data 

Institute, 95-96 

Atlas-Agena, 54-55 

Atlas-Centaur, 3, 8 

award, 281,283, 300 

of Calif.), 329 

85, 190 

budget, 41 

contract. 59, 82. 144.329 

noise abatement, 248 

organization, 104 

personnel, 26, 32, 101,104, 118, 134-135 

Propulsion Systems Laboratory, 214-215 

research, 302 SERT 11,26 

supersonic transport engine, 233 

Lewis. Dr. W. Demine. 36 LEX (French sounding rocket), 9 

Ley, Willy, 28 LFU. See Lunar flying unit. 

Libbv. Dr. Willard F.. 17. 302 

Libra& of Congress,’ 202, 203-204 

Lick Observatory, 119 

Liepmann, Dr. Hans W., 5,15 

Lifting body vehicle, 65 

HL-10, 63, 131, 139, 224-225, 240, 

261, 279,306,335 

M2-F2,67-68 

X-24,42 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Lilly, William E., 35,4349 

Lima, Peru, 1% 

Lindbergh, Anne Morrow, 290 

Lindbergh, Charles A., 104,290,306 

Ling-Temco-Vought A-7 (fighter airLing-Temco-Vought, Inc., 276-277 

Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV) Aerospace 

Corp., 123,167, 187 

Range Systems Div., 3 

Linville, Dr. John R, 5 

Liquid hydrogen, 79-80 

Little Dipper (constellation), 161, 310 LM. See Lunar module. LLRV. See Lunar Research Vehicle. 

LLTV. See Lunar Landing Training 

LMS. See Lunar module simulator. 

Local scientific survey module (LSSM) , 

Lockheed Aircraft Corp., 5, 43, 128, 293 

C5A (cargo transport), 146-147, 285, 

contract, 62, 173, 187, 225, 278 

Deep Submergence Search Vehicle, 227 

F-104 (Starfighter), 165 

GlOll airbus, 72 

Marietta, Ga., plant purchase, 231 

Lockheed-California Co., 48 

Lockheed Electronics Co., 123, 308 

Lockheed-Georgia Co., 54,1%-147 

Lockheed Missiles and Space Co., 148 

craft), 259 

Vehicle. 

51-52 

312-313 

contract, 11, 26, 61, 120, 123, 151, 298 

missile, 61 

pollution study, 158 

sounding rocket experiment, 40-41, 

Space Systems Div., 130 

Logsdon, Prof. John M., 325 

Logunov, Dr. Anatoli A., 316 

London Imperial College, 70 

London, U.K., 89-90, 117, 185, 210, 278 

Long-Tank Delta (booster), 216 

Long-Tank Thrust-Augmented Thor 

Look, 99 

LOR. See Lunar orbit rendezvous. 

Los Alamos (N. Mex.) Scientific LaboraLos Altos Morning Forum, 119 

Los Angeles, Calif., 112, 186, 188, 221, 

meeting in, 65,66, 262-263 

Los Angeles International Airport, 197- 

198 

Los Angeles Junior Chamber of Commerce, 121 

Losey, Robert M., Award, 316 

Louisiana, 73-74 

Lovelace, Dr. W. Randolph, II, 28 

Lovell, Sir Bernard, 42, 54, 211-212, 222, 

256-257 

(LTTAT)-Agena D (booster), 16,61 

tory, 91,94,123 

265,312 

289.327-328 

Lovell; Capt. James A,, Jr. (USN) 

Apollo 8 flight, 318, 322-323,327 

preparations for, 59, 183, 196, 223, 

261-262, 278 

award, 332 

Humphrey, Vice President Hubert H., 

visit with. 287 

press confdrence, 285, 304-305 

White House visit, 306 

Low, Robert J., 169-170 

Lowell Observatory, 219 

Lowery, Mrs. Barbara, 153-154 LRV. See Lunar roving vehicle. LSSM. See Local scientific survey module. L1A. See Lunar Test Article. LTV. See Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc. LTV Service Technology Corp., 145 

Lucas, Dr. W. R., 303 

Luedecke, M/G Alvin R (USAF, Ret.), 

Lugo, Fernando, 41-42 

Lukasik, Dr. Stephen J., 40 

Lukens, Matthias E., 5 

Luna IX (U.S.S.R. lunar probe), 61 

Luna XIV, 81,83, 87. 335-336 

283 

Lunar flying unit. (LFU) ,51-52 

Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) , 

Lunar Landing Training Vehicle, (LLTV) 

105,116,257 

305 

Lunar module {LM), 19-20, 116, 183, 

218-219 

contract, 86 

flight test, 1, 191 

No. 1, 13, 17, 37, 63 

No. 2, 78, 92 

ground test, 143,173,181 

Lunar Module 3, 158, 173,181, 196 

manned, 127, 191,279-280 

266 

301-302 

Lunar module simulator (LMS) , 227-228, 

Lunar orbit rendezvous (LOR), 318 

Lunar Orbiter (program), 41, 281, 

Lunar Orbiter I, 24 

Lunar Orbiter II,24 

Lunar Orbiter 111, 24 

Lunar Orbiter IV, 24,266 

Lunar Orbiter V, 12-13, 24, 193-194, 266 

Lunar roving vehicle (LRV) , 295 

Lunar Science Institute, 53,267 

Lunar Test Article (LTA), 205-206 

Lundin, Bruce T., 32, 118-119 

Luskin, Harold T., 15, 48,65, 293, 315 

Lysenko, Trofun D., 298 

M2-F2 (liftingbody vehicle), 67-68 

McCaEery, Robert J., 283 

McCarthy, Sen. Eugene J., 159 

McCartin, Matthew J., 83 

Macomber, Frank, 156 

McConnell, Gen. John P. (USAF), 39, 

McCormack, James, 111 

McCormack, Rep. John W., 16 

McCormick, Leander, 151 

M 

122, 130, 152 

402 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

McDermott, Sgt. Robert (USA), 112 

McDivitt, L/C James A. (USAF), 97, 167, 

MacDonald, Dr. James E., 169 

McDonald Observatory, 294 

McDonnell Douglas Corp., 22, 44, 47, 

McDonnell, James S., 260-261 

McIver, Dr. R. G., 283-284 

McKee, Gen. William F. (USAF, Ret.), 

Mackin, Prof. J. Hoover, 188 

McKinsey Foundation lecture, 103, 109, 

McNair, Prof. Arthur J., 326 

McNamara, Secretary of Defense Robert 

196,306 

260-261 

150,233 

115 

S., 12, 20, 29, 51; 53, 75, 93-94, 112, 

229,270 

Madrid, Spain, 312 

Magnetometer. 130-136 

Magnetosphere, 88, 138-139, 153-154, 

Magnuson, Sen. Warren G., 26, 209, 314 

Mallick, Donald L., 8, 131, 167, 208, 

Management Services, Inc., 122 

Managing the Environment (House reManhattan Project, 311 

Manila, Philippines, 103 

Manke, John A., 131,240,279 

Mann, Dr. David E., 43 

Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL), 32, 

210-211 

298-299 

port), 135 

105. 126. 208.255.293 

appropriations,’ 19, ‘ 20, 122, 166, 171, 

308-309 

cooperation, 20, 70, 102 

launch complex, 335 

test, 20 

Manned space flight (see also Apollo 

program, Gemini program, and 

flights ; Astronaut ; Cosmonaut ; 

Manned Orbiting Laboratory; Soyuz 

3 flight; Space biology; and Space 

station), 73-74, 80-81, 281, 304-305 

achievements, 24, 66, 165, 190, 215, 

236-237, 253, 269, 324-325, 326, 

327-328, 334-335 

criticism, 25, 51, 257 

EVA. See Extravehicular activity. 

funding, 19-20, 33-34, 35,- 53, 98, 

hazards, 25,200-201, 230,278,311 

102-103, 140,218,311,336 

longd&ation, 35, 219 

lunar landing, manned. See Moon 

landing, manned. 

military potential, 205 

policy and plans 

US., 33-34, 35, 41, 47, 51-52, 55, 

61-62, 63, 86, 92-93, 94-95, 97, 

108-109, 112-113, 141, 173, 180, 

188-189, 191, 194, 196, 215, 223, 

311,312,314, 328 

243, 245, 265-266, 276, 282-283, 

U.S.S.R., 34, 40, 116-117, 178, 222, 

223, 254, 266265, 267-268, 

277-278 

safety, 4-5, 25, 51, 92-93, 246, 264, 

Manned Space Flight Network (MSFN) , 265-266,273 

5. 12.97-98.258.273-274.312.335 

hIa&e;l Spacecraft Ce‘nter ’ (MSC) 

(NASA), 39, 222-223, 224, 227, 246, 

291 

Apollo spacecraft, 78,253, 322 

astronauts at, 164, 168, 208, 220, 285, 

304-305 

award, 75 

contract, 14, 22, 146 

Lunar Landing Test Vehicle (LLTV), 

Lunar Receiving Laboratory, 267 

management, 218-219 

patent, 145 

Space Physics Div., 130-131 

Space Environment Simulation Laboratory, 144 

spacecraft test. See Apollo (space. 

craft). 

visits to 

Bourguiba, President Habib (TuniJohnson, President Lyndon B., 53 

Nixon, President-elect Richard &I., 

Webb, James E., 53 

Manovtsev, Gherman A,, 324 

Alan’s Geophysical Environment: Its 

Study from Space (ESSA study), 73 

Mansfield, Sen. Mike, 249 

Manson, MIG Hugh B. (USAF) , 11-12 

March, James G., 115 

Narder, Murrey, 161 

Marietta, Ga., 231 

Marine Resources Council, 284 

Marine Science Affairs-A Year of Plans 

and Progress (President’s report), 60 

Mariner (program), 8, 33-34, 240-241, 

Mariner F, 118 

Mariner G, 118 

Mariner II (Venus probe), 199 

Mariner Ill (Mars probe), 118 

Mariner V (Venus probe), 10, 162, 199, 

Mark 11 (reentry vehicle), 8 

Mark 17,8 

Marks, Leonard H., 239 

Mars (planet) (see also Mariner IZI and 

Voyager program), 162 

atmosphere, 328-329 

exploration of, 219, 280-281, 327, 334 

funding, 18, 162, 188-189, 241, 

manned, 259 

plans for, 118, 162, 182, 18G-189, 

spacecraft, 18, 43, 44, 78-79, 118, 

305 

sia), 118 

207 

281-282 

241,275-276 

281-282 

248-249,281-282,301-302 

403 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

212,248-249,281-282,287-288 

unmanned, 51, 66, 78-79, 212, 215, 

248-249 

life on, 97, 188-189 

magnetic field, 329 

photographs, 215,249,301-302 

surface, 170, 249, 301-302 

Marshall Islands, 72 

Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) 

(NASA), 57-58, 66, 68, 91, 98, 143, 

275 

anniversary, 149,235 

Apollo Telescope Mount, 62, 85-86, 

218-219, 240 

Astrionics Laboratory, 59 

award, 235, 283 

contract, 62, 79, 85-86, 110, 120, 122, 

Saturn, 75, 77, 79, 127, 207, 239, 257, 

240,257,266,295 

262,275,328 

employment, 149, 168 

launch vehicle. See Saturn. 

Lunar roving vehicle (LRV) , 295 

management, 219 

Manufacturing Engineering Laboratory, 272-273 

meeting, 88 

marine transportation, 110 

organization, 303 

Pegasus program, 203 

personnel, 20, 45, 47-48 

Safety Office, 121 

Saturn I Workshop, 21-22, 202, 

Space Sciences Laboratory, 110 

Test Laboratory, 144 

Martin Marietta Corp., 42, 163, 199 

Maryland, Univ. of, 67, 128, 173, 198 

Maser, 312 

Mason, Roy, 59-60 

Massachusetts General Hospital, 312-313 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

(MIT), 1, 5, 57, 139-140, 148, 224, 

268, 303-304, 312 

Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 53, 316 

Div. of Sponsored Research, 14 

experiment, 170 

research, 49,200, 238-239 

School of Engineering, 99 

Masursky, Dr. Harold, 254-255 

Materials technology, 39, 53, 144, 

218-219 

150-151, 157, 162-163, 177, 234, 251, 

253. 265.267-268 

The Atathematical Sciences: A Report, 

Mathematics. 291-292. 293 

291-292 

Mathews, Charles W., 65, 86, 108 

Mathews, L/C Wayne (USAF, Ret.), 128 

Matthews, N. Whitney, 152 

Mattoni, Dr. Rudolph H. T., 325 

Max Planck Institute, 130, 133, 160, 214 

Maxwell, M/G Jewel1 C. (USAF), 66-67, 

202-203, 207,217 

May, Tom R., 146-147, 155-156 

Mazur, Daniel G., 225 

Mechling, A. L., Inc., 110 

Meeker, Leonard C., 281 

"Meet the Press" (TV program), 276 

Meghreblian, Dr. Robert V., 152-153 

Meitner, Dr. Lise, 265 

Melbourne, Australia, 306-307 

Melbourne, Fla., 156 

Mellon Institute Award, 110 

Melnikov, N., 226 

Memorandum of Understanding, 137 

Merck & Company, Inc., 16 

Mercury (planet), 30, 184, 188 

Mercury (program), 66, 102-103, 

Mercury (spacecraft), 148 

Mesa Verde National Park, 155 

Messerschmitt-Bijlkow. 151 

.. 

280-281,334 

220,221-222,236-237, 281,325 

-189, 

161, 

Messmer, Defense Minister Pierre 

Meteor, 5, 185-186.287 

(France), 200 

Meteorite, 5, 120 

Meteoroid, 177 

Meteorological satellite (see also individual satellites, such as Ats Ill, Ats 

IV, Essa VI, Essa VII, Essa VIII), 

185,229, 232,237,306-307 

cooperation, 

ground station, 97 

Nimbus program, 1, 33-34, 

photographs by, 97,229,311 

Tiros program, 49, 191, 311 

U.S.S.R., 2 

Meteorology, 101-102, 235, 

U.S.-U.S.S.R., 2 

116, 145,241-242,243 

251 

49, 60-61, 

236-237, 

award, 316 

cooperation, 306-307 

forecasting, 85, 102, 257-258, 295, 

hailstone research, 247 

satellite. See Meteorological satellite. 

sounding rocket experiments, 10, 168 

U.S.S.R., 2, 61 

World Weather Watch, 19, 127, 155, 

306-307 

Metric system, 197 

Mexico. 39. 59. 29.5 

NASA-ESSA, 111, 262, 335 

U.S.-U.S.S.R., 65-66 

334-335 

I - 7--- 

Mexico7 City, Mexico, 295 

Mi-6 (U.S.S.R. helicopter), 126 

Mi-10, 126 

Miami Beach, Fla., 178-179 

Miami, Univ. of, 91-92 

Michel, F. Curtis, 92 

Michener, Gov. Gen. Roland, 327 

Michigan, Univ. of, 39, 64-65, 85, 115, 

Space Physics Research Laboratory, 

Michoud Assembly Facility (MSFC) , 3, 

168, 182-183, 183-184, 256, 287 

328-329 

404. 
91,171, 173,227,296 

Micrometeoroid, 61, 118, 129-130, 130, 

Middle East, 205 

MiG15 (U.S.S.R. fighter aircraft). 70 

177, 177-178,185-186, 197,310-311, 

MiG23 (Foxbat) TU.S.S.R. fighter air- 

“The Military Balance” (report), 210 

Militarv technolom. 29. 43. 102. 334 

craft), 171-172, 195 

“. , 

Milky . Way (galaxy), ’ 114-1 

Miller, Frederic H., 150 

Miller, Rep. George P., 15-16, 32, 235 

Miller, Dr. Rene H., 224, 316 

Minashin, Vladimir, 189-190 

Mineola, N. Y., 11 

Miniaturization. 186. 237. 267-268 

208-209, 224, 247 

15, 

Minnesota, Uni;. of, 88, 177 

Minott, Peter O., 183 

Minuteman (ICBM), 3, 148, 237, 312-313 

Minuteman I, 193 

Minuteman 11, 18-19, 193 

Minuteman 111, 159, 193, 195 MJRV. See Multiple Independently TargetMissile, 126, 130, 272, 276, 284 

able Reentry Vehicle. 

air-to-air. 98. 160 

antimissile, 72, 88, 133, 138, 143, 159, 

ballistic intercontinental (ICBM). 3. 18, 

180, 242 

29, 42, 138, 191, 195,210, 289,312 

contract, 61 

detection, 208 

foreien 

Communist China, 29 

France, 153 

U.S.S.R., 29, 42, 55, 159, 210, 272, 

289 

medium-range, 29 

nuclear, 29, 228 

orbital. 55. 93. 94. 178. 255. 329 I,, 

underwater-to-surface, ‘ 19, 61, 153, 159, 

limitation of, 149-150, 159, 166, 188, 

193, 195 

191. 195.209 

Mississippi, 73-74 

Mississippi Test Facility (MTF) , 73-74 

contr&, 173 

test, 30, 36, 73-74, 122, 186 

noloev. 

MIT. See Massachusetts Institute of TechASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

405 

Mojave Desert ’ Ground Station, Calif., 

MOL. See Manned Orbiting Laboratorv. 

78-79, 146, 155,291 

Molniya (U.S.S.R. communications satellite), 10 

Molniya 1-8, 88, 110, 335-336 

Molnira I-9. 155. 335-336 

MolnGa I-IO, 244,335-336 

&Iondale, Sex. Walter F., 25 

Mondane, France, 134 

Moneolia. 189-190 

MonYkey experiment, 47, 95, 151, 181, 273, 

Montreal, Canada, 157, 163,295 

Moon, 120-121, 136, 142, 153-154, 158, 

crater, 50, 78, 250, 254-255, 298, 

eclipse, 250 

exploration of, 22-24, 34, 41, 5152, 54, 

232, 242, 245, 248-249, 259, 267, 

283-284 

167, 177,190, 221,294, 330-331 

319 

66, 68, 72-73, 79, 211-212, 222, 

277, 278, 281, 285, 287-288, 289, 

308, 311,327, 329-330,336 

equipment, 51-52, 105, 106 

laboratorv. 79 

landing, ’33-34, 35-36, 213, 215, 218, 

220,222,233 

manned. 19. 33. 46. 63. 79. 80-81. 

81-82; 87,‘ 97,’ 105, 112, f41, 178; 

186, 191, 194, 215, 222, 237, 242, 

245. 246. 248-249. 250. 254. 

255-256, i59, 265, 267, 27’7, 282; 

287-288, 289, 295, 312, 314, 325, 

328,332 

simulated, 105, 292 

soft, 3, 6, 35-36,335 

unmanned, 112-113,289 

landine simulator. 257 

landin; site, 35-36, 51-52, 66, 265, 

Lunar Science Institute. 53. 267 

266, 319 

,I 

nomenclature, 28 

photographs, 6, 23, 35-36, 54, 61, 78, 

215,266,298,326 

probe, 3, 6-7, 42, 81, 83, 278, 282-283 

surface, 3, 6-7, 37, 50, 52, 61, 68, 78, 

181-182, 188, 193-194, 250, 254-255, 

316-317. 319. 330. 33&335..336 

Moore, Wendell F., 107 

Moorer, Adm. Thomas H. (USN), 14, 314 

Moree. Australia. 120 

Morris, Mildred V., 283 

Morton, Dr. Louis, 1 

MOSCOW (USSR.), 10, 211-212, 222, 

316 

accident, 70 

airline service, 163, 194 

airport, 332 

anniversary ceremony, 45-46 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty signing, 

mess conference. 119. 272 

149 

heather data exchange, 306-307 

Moscow Univ., 268 

Mt. Hamilton, Calif., 119 

Mount Hopkins, Ariz., 262 

Mount Locke, Tex., 294 

Mt. Palomar Observatory, 82, 300 

Mt. Wilson Observatory, 82, 300 

Mrazek, Dr. William A., 122-123 RISC. See Manned Spacecraft Center. 

MSFC. See Marshall Space Flight Center. 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

MSFN. See Manned Space Flight Network MTF. See Mississippi Test Facility. 

Mueller, Dr. George E., 4-5 

Apollo, 157, 191, 265-266,289 

Apollo Applications, 41 

award, 199 

launch vehicle, 185 

space program, 37, 51,103, 157,210 

systems engineering, 157, 2% 

technology utilization, 246, 293-294 

U.S.S.R. space program, 186-187 

Mulholland, Dr. J. Derral, 120-121 

Muller, Paul M., 193-194 

Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV), 188, 191, 193, 195, 

205 

Mundt, Sen. Karl E., 71 

Murder on Pad 34,161 

Murphy, Charles, 41) 

Murphy, James T., 121 

Murray, Dr. Bruce C., 43,248-249 

Murray, Grover, 115 

Mururoa Atoll. 153. 156.207-208 

Myers, Boyd C., II,’163,’283 

hlyskowski, Edwin T., 152 

N NAA. See National Aeronautics Assn. 

Nabrit, Dr. Samuel M., 143 NACA. See National Advisory Committee 

NAE. See National Academy of EngineerNAR. See North American Rockwell Corp. NAS. See National Academy of Sciences. NASA-AEC Space Nuclear Propulsion 

NASA Apollo Applications Program 

NASA Apollo Site Selection Board, 35-36 NASA Board of Contract Appeals, 83 PASA Contract Adjustment Board, 83 NASA Committee on Extra-Vehicular AcNASA Communications Network (NASNASA Historical Advisory Committee, 1 NASA Lunar and Planetary Missions AdNASA Management Advisory Panel, 91-92 NASA Manned Space Flight Safety Office, 

51,63, 315 NASA Office of Advanced Research and 

Technology (OART), 34, 44, 57, 67-68, 

97, 121, 163,203, 262 NASA Office of Aerospace Safety Research 

Programs, 121 NASA Office of Facilities, 120 NASA Office of Manned Space Flight 

(OMSF), 2, 32, 35, 78, 84, 112, 122, 

253, 293, 322 NASA Office of Space Science and Applications (OSSA) 2, 24, 34, 50, 55, 

NASA Office of .Technology Utilization, 82, 

for Aeronautics. 

ing. 

Office, 65, 75, 94 

O5ce, 79 

tivities, 316-317 

COM), 5,61,246 

visory Board, 2P.30 

56-57, 152-153,182,185,304, 334 

310 

NASA Office of Tracking and Data Acquisition (OTDA), 17, 78, 253, 262, 

321-322 

NASA Pasadena (Calif.) Office. 243 NASA Post Apollo Advisory Group, 17 NASA Scientific and Technical InformaNASC. See National Aeronautics and 

R‘ASCOM. See NASA Communications Nettion Facility, 154, 169 

Space Council. 

work. 

Natal, Brazil, 68, 130-131 

Nathan, Dr. Robert, 154 

National Academy of Engineering (NAE) , 31. 75,175. 177 

Aeronautics ‘ and Space Engineering 

Founders Medal. 43 

Board, 187 

National Academy of Sciences (NAS) , 255, 312 

annual meeting, 93 

applications satellite study, 27, 36, 73, 

Committee on SST-SOniC Boom, 56 

Subcommittee on Human Response, 

Subcommittee on Research, 8 

Computer Science and Engineering 

Board, 134 

contract, 317 

cooperation, 31, 177, 216-217 

Lunar Science Institute, 53, 267 

reuort. 7.36. 152. 291-292.293 

76-77, 117, 124-125,219,241-242 

134 

spHce program, 3k,90 ’ 

Space Science Board, 188, 219, 275, 

276 

symposia, 46, 216, 217 UFO study review, 99 

National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), 102, 134-135, 175, 281 

National Aeronautics and Space Act, 237, 

248,306,334 

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) (see also NASA cen- ters, programs, satellites, and related 

headings, such as Ames Research 

Center, Apollo program, Essa VI[), 

12, 38, 103, 109, 115, 127, 128, 133, 

134. 143. 144, 145, 146, 198, 218, 225, 

247; 275, 280, 287, 291, 294, 295, 301, 

325 

accomplishments, 10-11, 22-24, 36, 48, 

66, 162-163, 215, 232, 235-238, 239, 

248, 249, 253 

87, 122 

Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, 32, 

agreement. See Agreement. 

Airborne Auroral Expedition, 10-11, 

anniversary, 63, 80, 149, 235, 237, 239, 

Apollo 204 Review Board. See Apollo 

17, 72 

253, 334 

204 Review Board. 

406 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

astronaut. See Astronaut. 

awards and honors, 2, 39, 70-71, 89, 

91, 194, 199, 235, 260, 276, 281, 

286,300,303,306, 316 

Distinguished Service MedaI, 263, 

269,283,332 

Exceptional Scientific Achievement 

Medal, 263,283 

Exceptional Service Medal, 194, 269, 

283 

Group Achievement Award, 164, 283 

budget, FY 1969, 7, 18-20, 24, 56, 59, 

75, 99, 119, 126, 129, 135-136, 

188, 190, 213, 233, 250, 262, 272, 

276,287,288,334,336 

139-140, 168, 170, 175-176, 182, 

bills signed, 152, 243 

House consideration 

appropriations, 32, 108, 140, 218, 

243 

authorization, 15-16, 32, 33-35, 

41, 43, 44, 47, 48, 50, 53, 99, 

101, 102, 127, 135-136, 152, 170 

interim operating plan, 182, 24Q-242 

press comment, 85, 90, 129, 133, 139, 

Senate consideration 

141, 182, 194, 215, 229, 255-256, 

324 

appropriations, 140, 165-166, 227, 

240-242.243 

authorization, 30, 48-50, 57, 

90-91, 93, 94, 98, 110, 129, 170 

Vietnam war, effect of, 15, 56, 99, 

131, 146, 215,245,336 

budget, FY 1970,255, 274,294 

conference, 109, 247, 286 

contract, 86, 187, 317, 331 

aircraft, 149 

balloon. 68 

computer services, 3, 75, 79, 82, 123, 

data management, 262 

engine, 9, 26, 35, 113, 149, 207, 227, 

facilities, 59, 78-80, 97-98, 122, 146, 

fuel, 79, 266 

fuel cell, 294 

guidance and navigation, 8, 14, 77. 

82, 328 

instrumentation, 80 

launch services, 8,39,59,75 

launch vehicle, 8, 35, 39, 84, 99, 104, 

nuclear propulsion, 59,75 

sounding rocket, 143 

space equipment, 22, 85-86, 87, 130, 

space station, 62, 86-87, 202, 

spacecraft, 6041, 86-87, 120, 146, 

study, 61, 87, 275 

144, 145,239 

248,257,262,264, 275 

169, 214,226,245,326,331 

123, 127, 144,149,226,275 

202,295 

242-243 

151,163,172,209,281-282 

support services, 9, 12, 59, 61, 75, 

79-80, 104, 110, 120, 123, 172, 173, 

239.289.308 

telescope, 184, 202,241) 

tracking, 12,97-98, 143, 146 

Agriculture, Dept. of, 299 

Commerce, Dept. of, 299 

ComSatCorp, 335 

DOD, 20, 33, 69-70, 84, 156, 238, 310 

Geological Survey, 118 

Interior, Dept. of, 101, 299 

Naval Research Laboratory, 56-57 

USAF, 38, 42, 63, 83, 156, 168, 261, 

cooperation, international. See International cooperation, space ; and 

Sounding rocket, international programs. 

Awllo AS-204 accident. 25. 223 

cooperation, 235-236 

AEC, 65,82, 156, 170, 335 

ESSA, 110,262, 335 

FAA, 168 

335 

USN, 101,299 

criticism, 86, 133 

Apollo 8 flight, 289,328 ' 

' 

employment, 24, 35, 73-74, 85, 115-116, 

141. 149. 168. 182. 213, 237, 250. 

256, 272, 276, 328, 336 

facilities, 33-35, 164,242,256, 296 

Historical Advisorv Committee. 1 

launch, 1 

Apollo 5 (AS-204),13,334 

ApoZZo 6 (AS-502),77,334 

Apollo 7 (AS-205),250-253,334-335 

Apollo 8 (AS-503), 318-322,335 

balloon (Esplorer XXXIX), 182 

cost, 37 

failure, 116, 184-185, 216, 225, 243, 

261 

postponed, 13 

probe, 1 

Pioneer IX (Pioneer D), 273-274 

South Atlantic Anomaly Probe, 

130-131 

Surveyor VI1 (Surveyor GI, 1, 3, 

335 

reentry test 

reentry F experiment, 97, 193 

satellite, 335-336 

Ats IV (ATS-D), 184-185 

Aurorae (Esro I), 240 

Esro II-B, 113 

RAM C-II,198-199,258, 335 

Essa VU. (TOS-E), Vlll (TOS-F), 

Explorer XXXVI, XXXVII, 

56-57,153-154,182 

Heos-A, 300-301 

Intelsat-Ill F-2. 314-315 

191-193,311 

XXXVIII, XXXIX, XL, 7-8, 

OW II (OAO-A$ ,304 

Ogo V (060-E) ,54155 

sounding rocket, 1,62-63 

407 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Aerobee 150, 17, 30, 36, 40, 65, 67, 

104, 115, 128, 175, 206, 211, 214, 

221, 224 

Aerobee 150A. 141.289-290.291 

Arcas. 86.214 

Arcas’I, 60, 175 

Astrobee 1500, 88 

Black Brandt IV, 106, 130-131 

Boosted Arcas 11.219. 262 

Javelin, 54,82, 113, 308 

Nike-Apache, 45, 46-47, 64-65, 70, 

76, 90, 126-127, 129-130, 133, 

168. 181. 182-183. 185-186. 197. I, 

198; 273,’287, 300,’310-311 

Nike-Cajun, 9, 29, 32-33, 68, 168, 

213-214, 216, 255, 256, 287, 288, 

Nike-Tomahawk, 13, 14, 31-32, 

64-65, 67, 90, 94, 98, 173, 183, 

291, 309-310 

43-44, 45, 49, 53-54, 60, 62-63, 

198, 219-220, 221,223, 256 

Pacemaker, 144 

management. 24. 115. 157. 218-219. 

22$223,284 ’ 

206 

Management Advisory Panel, 91-92, 

mamower. See Emdovment. 

organization, 33, 29,’ 84, 95-96, 104, 

116, 120, 121, 303, 316-317 

patents, 145, 187 

personnel, 2, 8-9, 15, 26, 29, 32, 45, 51, 

53, 65, 68, 75, 83, 87, 89, 91-92, 101, 

104, 109, 121, 128, 152-153, 156, 160, 

163. 207. 212-213. 215. 218. 221-222. 

224, 225, 230, 233,239; 245; 246-247; 

268,272-273, 298, 315, 328 

amointment. 5-6. 17. 26. 29. 32. 48. 

51, 87-88; 92,’117, 118, 122-1231 

150, 160, 206, 209,233,264, 318 

death. 152. 173. 293. 298. 315. 

resignation, 13, ‘17, 117, 118, 122-123, 

retirement, 112, 243, 266, 272-273, 

298 

128, 150, 172, 230, 244,336 

~. 

procurement, 35,41 

programs, 1, 14, 22-24, 162, 182, 215, 

241-242 

aeronautics, 19, 25, 33, 34, 47, 48, 57, 

179. 187. 197. 225, 237. 238. 247. 

104, 109-110, 118, 125, 162, 166, 

248; 256,‘270, 288, 313, 317 

astronomy, 18, 19, 24, 30, 33, 34, 41, 

43, 44, 51, 56, 148, 162, 188, 194, 

201, 243,280, 281, 301, 312 

earth resources, 7, 19, 50, 73, 85, 

125,257, 334 

international, 2, 20-21, 177, 202, 210, 

254, 336 

manned space flight, 4, 19, 25, 34, 

35, 51, 53, 55, 63, 73, 86, 92, 97, 

103, 108-109, 112-113, 140, 141, 

180, 188-189, 191, 194, 196, 223, 

243, 245, 265, 276, 278, 282, 311, 

314,. 327-328 

meteoralom. 11. 34. 49. 102. 137. 145 

nuclear propulsion, ’18, ’19, 33, 34, 44, 

53, 57, 65, 93, 94, 98, 170, 288-289 

sounding rocket. 1. 10.336 

space medicine; 151,’ 165, 181, 211, 

mace science, 19, 47, 52, 165,334 

218,273, 313 

technology utilization, 20, 36, 41, 48 

tracking and data acquisition, 34-35, 

Research and Technology Advisory 

50,65, 137 

council, 5 

Semiannual Report, 249 

supersonic transport, 26, 47, 131, 233, 

237 

test, 37, 135, 210, 247 

aircraft, 166, 168, 276 

collision-avoidance system, 179 

ion engine. 303 

IaunchY vehicle, 21-22, 36, 91, 101, 

166, 206 

liftingbody vehicle, 42, 63, 65, 67-68, 

131, 139, 224-225, 237, 240, 261, 

279, 306, 335 

materials, 144 

nuclear, 131, 143, 156 

parachute, 8, 158,261, 309 

spacecraft, 13, 17, 42-43, 61-62, 

63-64, 78-79, 136, 144, 158, 172, 

173, 181, 193, 197, 201, 206, 208, 

227 

tracking, 144 

VTOL aircraft, 276 

translations, 233 

universities, 35, 39, 48, 90-91, 109-110, 

115, 139-140, 151, 161, 249-250, 275, 

280-281 

grants, 129,151 

National Aeronautics and Space Council 

(NASC), 7, 31, 79, 105-106, 112, 141, 

202, 274-275, 292, 308 

National Aeronautics Assn. (NU), 40, 

National Air and Space Museum, 106, 

National Airport Plan, 278 

National Airport System Plan, 137-138, 

National Airspace System, 82 

National Armed Forces Museum (proX-15. See X-15. 

84,209, 314 

113 

278 

posed), 160 

Fiscal Year 1969 (Office of Science 

National Atmospheric Sciences Programand Technology report), 101-102 

National Bureau of Standards, 5, 197 

National Center for Atmospheric Research and Information, 52, 206, 240, 

257-258 

National Conference of United Press In408 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

ternational Editors and Publishers, 246 

National Conference on Industrial Research, 15 

National Council for Social Studies, 294 

National Council on Marine Resources 

and Development, 138, 300 

National Environmental Satellite Center, 

233-234 

(NGSP) . 7-8 

National Geodetic Satellite Program 

National Geographic Society, 5, 122 

National Institute of Social Sciences, 290 

National Institutes of Health (NIH), 38, 

National Medal of Science, 38 

National Park Service, 156155 

National Pilots Awn., 203 

National Press Club, 22-23 

National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 

325 

161.200. 208-209. 238. 272 

National Research Council (NRC), 8, 31, 

Committee on Polar Research, 73 

Space Science Board, 188, 190, 194, 

117, 175, 190, 275 

201. 275 

Nation2 Research Council of Canada, 72 

Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) , 184 

National Science Board, 115, 255 

National Science Foundation (NSF) , 36, 

89, 190, 196195,255, 312, 325 

Employment of Scientists and Engi- neers in the United States, 1950-1966, 

234 

Federal Funds for Research, Employment, and Other Scientific Activities: Fiscal Years 1967, 1968, and 

1969, 333 

funds for, 101-102, 127,227 

grants, 44-45 

National Register survey, 329 

Research and Development in Industry, 

1966,290 

Reviews of Data on Science Resources, 

99-100 

National Sea Grant College Program Act, 

44-45 

National security, 55-56, 57-58, 99, 162, 

147-148, 194-195,207,210, 235-236 

National Space Club, 55-56, 86, 112-113, 

235,293-294 

Astronautics Engineer Award, 194 

Goddard Memorial Trophy, 57 

National Sporting Aviation Council, 111 

National Zoo, 273 

NATO. See North Atlantic Treaty OrNatural Environment Panel, 154-155 

Kaugle, Dr. John E., 34, 41, 44, 49, 50, 

Naval Air Facility, Calif., 144, 158 

Naval Air Missile Test Center, 42 

Naval Missile Center, 59 

Naval Ordnance Test Station, China 

ganization. 

89,225,243,280 

Lake, Calif., 214 

Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), 56, 

Naval Ship Systems Command, 310 

Navigation satellite, 53, 187, 215, 217, 

Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., 41-42 

Needles, Calif., 209-210 

Nellis AFB, Nev., 224,258,316,336 

Nelson, Sen. Gaylord, 68 

Nepal, 299 

Neptune (planet), 79, 148 

Nerry, D. P., 66 NERVA. See Nuclear Engine for Rocket 

Vehicle Application. 

NET. See Nuclear Emereencv Team. 

87, 99, 128,247-248,335 

Rocketsonde Branch, 131 

255 

Netherlands, 5, 55, li3, i55, 165, 233, 

Neubert, E.W.. 121 

292,298 

Neumann. Gerhard. 296 

Nevada, 25-26, 196 

Nevada Test Site, 317 

New Hampshire, Univ. of, 31-32, 90, 98, 

103 

New Jersey, 137,224 

New Mexico, 249 

New Mexico State Univ., 201 

New Orleans, La., 31, 55, 272 

New Tanay, Philippines, 103 

New York Academy of Sciences, 

New York, N.Y., 88, 107, 117, 163, 179, 

meetings, 14, 66-67, 128, 247, 258, 290, 

139-140,325 

187-188, 200, 203, 217, 224, 300, 302 

315 

New York Univ., 38, 71 

Newark Airport, 206 

Newark, N.J., 194 

Newby, Dave, 303 

Newell, Dr. Homer E., 14, 28,85, 294 

Newfoundland, 40 

Newport News (Va.) Ship Building Co., 

News conference. See Press conference. 

Ney, E. P., 177 NGSP. See National Geodetic Satellite 

167 

Program. 

Nichols, Mark R., 283 

Nicks, Oran W., 301-302 NIH. See National Institutes of Health. 

Niini, Prof. Arrno, 329 

Nike-Apache (sounding rocket), 30, 

4.3-44 

electron measurement, 45, 46-47, 181, 

instrumentation test, 70 

ionosphere experiments, 64-65, 130, 198, 

magnetic field measurement, 181 

198,287 

273 

micrometeoroid sampling, 129-130, 130, 

parachute test, 126-127 

upper atmosphere data, 45,46-47,63-64, 

133, 185-186, 197,198, 310-311 

76, 89, 128-129, 168, 182-183, 
183-184,287,300 

Nike-Cajun (sounding rocket) 

electron measurement, 9 

parachute test, 32-33,213-214 

upper atmosphere data, 29, 32-33, 68, 

168, 214, 216, 255, 256, 287, 288, 291, 

309-310 

Nike-Tomahawk (sounding rocket), 43-44 

electron measurement, 31-32, 60, 

62-63, 67, 90, 94, 98, 103, 173, 198, 

256 ~. 

instrumentation test, 31-32 

ionosphere experiments, 14, 31-32, 

upper atmosphere data, 13, 45, 49, 

Nike-X (antiballistic missile system), 43 

Nikolayeva-Tereshkova, Maj. Valentina 

Nimbus I (meteorological satellite), 145 

Nimbus II, 145 

Nimbus B, 1, 49, 116, 145, 225, 241-242 

Nimbus, B2, 145, 241-242 

Nimbus D, 33,49,6061 

Nimbus E, 49 

Nimbus F, 49 

Nitric acid. 168 

62-63, 64-65, 90, 94,98, 102 

53-54, 64-65, 183, 219-220, 221, 223 

(U.S.S.R.) , 148 

Nitrogen, 45, 61 

Nitze, Paul H., 159, 259 

Nixon, President-elect Richard M., 309, 

332-333 

election, 271-272 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty, 210, 

oceanography, 300 

research and development, 244, 314, 

science and technology, 244, 299, 305, 

space program, 207, 235, 249, 311, 312, 

2 16 

324 

310, 314, 323,331 

331 

Nobel Prize, 267,271 

Noise, aircraft (see also Sonic boom), 

36-37, 38, 104, 142, 197-198, 271, 

290-291 

Abatement, 117 

International Conference for Noise 

NASA program, 34, 47, 57, 104, 

109-110, 197, 225-226, 236-237, 238, 

247,248 

regulation, 116, 135 

Man (report), 290-291 

271 

Noise and the Sonic Boom in Relation to 

Noise-Sound Without Value (report), 

North American Rockwell Corp. (NAR), 

151-152.163 

accident, 157 

aircraft, 149, 167, 187, 317, 333 

Apollo spacecraft, 4-5, 167 

contract; 59, 149, 167, 187, 188, 333 

rocket engine test, 101 

Rocketdyne Div., 10, 126, 207, 227-228, 

257.275 ~ 

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

410 

Space Div., 11 

North Atlantic Treaty Organization 

(NATO), 99,137,139,243 

Nuclear Planning Group, 88 

North Korea, 247 

North Pole, 72, 168, 318-319 

Northrop Corp., 11,281 

Northrop Systems Laboratories, 151 

Northwestern Univ., 172, 254 

Norton Research Corp., 172 

Norway, 89, 177-178,240 

Notre Dame Univ., 112 

Noyes, Robert W., 243-244 NRC. See National Research Council. NRL. See Naval Research Laboratory. 

NSF. See National Science Foundation. 

Nuclear accelerator, 139 

Nuclear clock, 170-171 

Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA), 44, 94, 143, 289 

funds for, 18, 57, 98, 110, 135-136, 

Norair Div., 63, 67-68, 87, 135, 1% 

140, 167, 170, 182, 241-242, 289, 336 NERVA I, 33 NERVA 11, 33 NERVA XE-l,156 

Nuclear fallout, 110 

Nuclear fission, 220, 265, 298 

Nuclear Materials Equipment Corp. 

(NUMEC), 2 

Nuclear nonproliferation treaty, 228 

Geneva Disarmament Conference conratification, 295 

Senate hearings, 158, 159, 165, 210, 

signing, 149 

U.N. consideration, 11, 59, 62, 130, 132, 

U.S. draft proposal and consideration, 

U.S.S.R. draft proposal and considerasideration, 11, 32, 59, 62 

215-216,236,249 

133, 138, 158 

11, 32, 92 

tion, 11,32,92, 145 

Nuclear aower, 92, 171, 205 

Nuclear propulsion, 72-73, 75, 93, 94, 97, 

Nuclear reactor, 131, 143, 156, 221, 298, 

98, 132, 274 

335 

Nuclear Rocket Development Station, 

25-26 

211, 224,261,302-303 

Nuclear submarine, 42, 153, 160, 169, 

Nuclear test, 108, 110, 180, 200, 208, 228, 

317 

tems Div., 3253 

Nuclear weapons (see also Disarmament 

and Nuclear nonproliferation treaty), 

285, 330 

Communist China, 200 

France, 153, 156, 180, 200, 266,294 

Japan, 166 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

NATO consideration, 88 

US., 160, 191, 211, 224 

USSR., 29,42,45-4,210,255 

Nuclear Week. 117 NC’MEC. See ‘Nuclear Materials Equip 

0 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 28, 

Oakland, Calif., 221 

OAO. See Orbiting Astronomical Observatory. 

Oao I (Orbiting Astronomical Observatory), 304 oao 11 (oAo-A~), 3@4, 310, 335 OART. See NASA Office of Advanaed Research and Technology. 

Oberbeck, Verne R., 78 

Objectives and Goals in Space Science 

and Applications, 1968 (NASA Report), 

334 

O’Bryant, Capt. William T. (USN, Ret.), 

2 

Observatory satellite. See Orbiting Astronomical Observatory; Orbiting Geophysical Observatory ; Orbiting Solar 

Observatory. 

Ocean of Gagarin (proposed name for 

Ocean of Storms), 190 

Ocean of Storms (moon), 35-36, 190 

Ocean Science and Engineering, Inc., 152 

Oceanography 

ment Corp. 

331 

grants, 44-45 

international aspects, 56, 117-118, 138, 

177, 317 

research, 101, 152, 227, 262, 295, 310, 

311 

satellite use in, 73, 85, 117, 262 

US. program, 27, 105, 167, 284, 300, 

325 

O’Connor, B/G Edmund F. (USAF), 20, 

4s. 30.1 -7 --- 

Oettinger, Dr. Anthony G., 134 

Office National $Etudes et de Recherches 

A6rospatiales (ONERA), 9, 134 

Office of Naval Research (ONR) , 312 

Office of Science and Technology (President’s), 101-102, 325 OGO. See Orbiting Geophysical Observatory. 

Ogo I (Orbiting Geophysical Observatory), 55 

Om 11. 54 

0:; Ill, 55 

Ogo IV, 55, 72 

Ogo v (OGO-E), 1, 54-55, 132-133, 335 

OGO-F, 1, 19 

O’Hagan, Michael, 278 

O’Hair, Mrs. Madalyn Murray, 328 

O’Hare International Airport, 206 

Ohio, 227 

Ohio State Univ., 257-258 

Okinawa, 137 

Oklahoma, 249 

Oklahoma, Univ. of, 325 

O’Leary, Dr. Brian T., 92, 200 

Omega Position Location Equipment 

(OPLE), 144 OMSF. see NASA office of Manned Space 

Flight. 

ONERA. See Office National d’Etudes et 

de Recherche A6rospatiales. 

ONR. See Office of Naval Research. 

Onsager, Prof. Lars, 266 

Operation Tektite, 101 

OPLE. See Omega Position Location 

Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) , 

Orbiting Geophysical Observatory (OGO) , 

01 biting Primate Experiment, 151 

Orbiting Solar Observatory (oso), 1, 243 

Orbiting Vehicle (research satellite) .I 335 

Equipment. 

1, 8, 99, 243 

19, 44 

Ordahl,-Douglas D., 3-4 

Ornithopter, 282 

Ortona, Ambassador Egidio (Italy), 276 oso. See Orbiting Solar Observatory. 

Os0 I1 (Orbiting Solar Observatory), 177 

Os0 Ill (Orbiting Solar Observatory), 93 

OSO IV, 243-244 

oso-e, 244 

OSSA. See NASA Office of Space Science and Applications. 

Oster, Dr. Irwin, 325-326 OTDA. See NASA Office of Tracking and 

Data Acquisition. 

Otolith experiment, 86 

O’Toole, Thomas, 225,303, 312-313 

Outstanding Young Men of America, 129 

OV 1-15 (orbiting - vehicle research satellite), 159 

OV 1-16,159 

ov 114,228 

OV V-2. See Ers XXVIII. 

Olr V-4. See Ers XXI. 

Ovshinsky, Stanford R., 276 

Owens-Illinois Co., 184 

Fecker Div.. 184 

Oxygen, 61-62, 318 

P-1127 (U.K. VTOL aircraft), 276-277 

Pacemaker (booster), 144 

Pacemaker, cardiac, 26 

Pacific I (communications satellite). See 

Intelsat-I1 F-2. 

Pacific I1 (communications satellite). 

See Intelsat-11 FA. 

Pacific Missile Range (PMR) , 42 

Aero-Mechanical Branch, 67 

Pacific Ocean, 254, 258,268 

P 

Apollo 6, 77-78 

Apollo 8, 320, 323 

Ats 111, 37 

communications satellite, 69, 103 

French nuclear test, 153, 156, 180 

missile launch, 3, 121-122 

Sealab I11 experiment, 295 

411 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

U.S.S.R. rocket test, 116, 121-122 

Pacific Science Center. 217-218 

Packard, David, 331 

Packard, Robert F., 2-3 

Pue Communications Eneineers. Inc.. 88 ,, 

Paie, William A., 283 - 

Paine Field, Wash., 201 

Paine. Dr. Thomas 0.. ,.. 257.318.366 

aeronautics, 225 

Apollo 8 Bight, 266,278 

awards by, 283 

budget, 24&242,255,286, 288,294 

nomination as Deputy Administrator, 

space program, 223,288 

Research Committee, 18 

26, 32,68,212 

Pakistan, 138, 198 

Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere 

Palestine, Tex., 116, 257 

Pan American World Airways, 107-108, 

163,232 

Parachute 

Apollo, 8, la, 158 

funds for, 126 

steerable, 57, 112 

test, 8, 32-33, 57, 126, la, 158. 213, 

227.261. 309 

Voyager, 227 

Parafoil (steerable parachute), 112 

Paraglider, 187 

Parawing (steerable parachute), 57 

Pardoe, K. C. C., 278 

Parin, Vasili, 105 

Parker, Dr. John A., 265,283 

Parker, P. J., 234 

Parker, Robert A. R., 113 

Parkinson, William H., 243 

Parsons, John F., 263,298 

Particles, charged, 31, 53, 65, 68, 182, 

Patent, 43, 107, 131, 143, 145. 151-152, 

Paternotte de la Va 

216-217 

156, 172, 187 

PCA. See Polar Cap Absorption. 

Pecora, W. T., i91 

Peddie, Norman W., 89 

Pegasus I (meteoroid detection satellite), 

20.3 

Pegasus 11,203 

Pegasus 111,203 

Pell, Sen. Claiborne, 56, 105 

Pennsylvania, Univ. of, 160 

Perception of Space and Time in the 

Percy, Sen. Charles H., 25, 210 

Perdasdefogu, Sardinia, 108 

Perkinson, William J., 205 

Perrin AFB, Tex., 158 

Perry, Robert L., 1 

Perseid meteor shower, 185-186 

Peru, 160 

Petrov, Prof. Boris, 327-332 

Cosmos, 81 

Petrov, Prof. Georgy I., 287-288 

Petrovich, Prof. Georgy V., 36 

Pewee 1 (nuclear reactor), 335 

Pezdirtz, Dr. George F., 39 

Philadelphia, Pa., 189, 231,247 

Philco-Ford Corp., 61, 194 

231,244 

Philiooines. 137 

Space and Re-Entry Systems Div., 9, 

Phil& Ronald J., 230 

“Phillips Report,” 25 

Phillips, L/C Samuel C. (WAF). 92-93, 

97, igi, 196,266,278,322-323 ‘ 

Phobos (Mars moon), 281-282 

Phoebus 2A (nuclear reactor), 25-26, 

Phoenix, Ariz., 288 

Phoenix (missile), 14, 98-99, 160 

Photography zenith tube (PZT) , 134 

Photography. See Advanced Vidicon 

Camera System; Automatic Picture 

Transmission; Earth, photographs ; 

Moon, photographs. 

Photometer. 67. 82. 121 

131, 143, 156, 335 

Physical Research Laboratory, AhmedaPhysics, 93, 102, 154, 275, 325 

Physics of the Earth in Soace-A Probad, India, 273 

gram of’liesearch: 1968-1’975,275 

79.89.260 

Piekering, Dr. William H., 15, 22-23, 29, 

PineGap, Australia, 329 

Pinkel, I. Irving, 96 

Pioneer (urogram). 26. 44.273-274 

Pioneer VI -(interplaneta& probe), 209, 

Pioneer VII, 138,274 

Pioneer VIII, 112, 138-139,274 

Pioneer IX (Pioneer D) , 1,273, 335 

Piper Aztec (light aircraft), 207 

Piper Twin Comanche (light aircraft), 

Pippard, Alfred J. S., 91 

Pittsburgh Des Moines Steel Co., 

274 

179 

214-215 ~- ~__ Pittsburgh, Pa., 210 

Pittsburgh, Univ. of, 36 

Phnetary Exploration. 196&75 (re. 

port) ,- i8ti.489 

Planets, life on. See Extraterrestrial life. 

Plant experiments, space, 43 

Plastics, 39, 265 

Plesetsk Cosmodrome, U.S.S.R., 126, 132, 

165,279,289,295 

Plohr, H. Warren, 104 

Plotkin, Dr. Henry H., 71, 183 

Plowshare, Project, 110 

Pluto (planet), 326 PMR. See Pacific Missile Range. 

Podgorny, President Nikolay V. 

Point Barrow, Alaska, 29, 216, 255, 256, 

Pokrovsky, Prof. Georgi, 95, 119 

(U.S.S.R.), 72 

287, 288,291,310 

412 
Poland, 189 

Polar Cap Absorption (PCA) , 129 

Polar wind, 216 

Polaris (missile), 9,148, 193 

Polaroid Corp., 38 

Pollack, Martin A., 39 

Pollution control, 10, 66,323 

Pcnnamperuma, Dr. Cyril A., 16,22 

Port of New York Authority, 5, 26, 188 

Porter, Dr. Richard W., 136-137 

Portland, Ore., 119 

Poseidon (missile), 18-19, 61, 159, 193, 

195.312 

Presidential Task Force on CommunicaPresident’s Advisory Committee on Sutions Policy, 27 

personic Transpoa, 207,270 i 

President’s Commission and Council on Marine Sciences, 27 

President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory 

Board, 45 

President’s Science Advisory Committee, 

Press comment 

air tr&c congestion, 188, 196, 199-200 

airports, 302 

antiballistic missile (ABM) system, 143 

Apollo AS-204, accident, 161, 222-223, 

40, 76-77,270 

-I 

3fid * 

Apollo 6 flight, 80-81, 81-82 

Apollo 7 flight, 253, 261-262, 264, 265 

Apollo 8 flight, 323-32, 324-325, 327- 

C-5A cargo aircraft, 150, 155 

disarmament, 149-150, 161 

European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO), 233 

328, 329-331 

F-111,270 

F-IllA, 75 

fractional orbital bombardment system, 

102,255 

International Biological Program, 126 

lunar landing, 261, 271 

mathematics, 293 

moon, exploration of, 255, 281 

Multiple Independently Targetable ReNational Academy of Sciences, 152 

NASA, 223, 284 

NRC Space Science Board, 194, 201 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty, 128, 133 

oceanography, 117 

Paine, Dr. Thomas O., 215 

research and development, 152 

science and technology, 271, 301 

sonic boom, 115, 135,152 

space program, national, 15, 90, 101, 

185, 194, 229, 234, 253, 255, 256, 271, 

284, 293,332 

budget, 85, 90, 129, 133, 139, 141, 

entry Vehicle, 188, 191, 195, 205 

182, 194, 215, 229,255,256,325 

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

413 

space race, 102,266,271,325 

supersonic transport, 220, 263, 270, 332 

U.S.S.R. space program, 87, 255, 267, 

Webb, James E., 215, 218,221,229 

Zond V mission, 222, 223, 226 

Press conference, 40 

airports, 194 

Apollo 5 flight, 63 

Apollo 6 flight, 63,92 

Apollo 7 flight, 220,277 

ApoUo 8 flight, 196, 278, 285, 304, 

ARMS (Application of Remote Manipuastronaut, 164 

balance of payments deficit, 1 

electronics, 276 

hydrogen bomb, 200 

manned space flight, 63, 286 

science and technology, 314 

sonic boom, 11, 1% 

Soyuz Ill, 272 

space program, national, 15, 212-213, 

254,314, 328 

space suit, 176177 

Surveyor VU, 50 

U.S.S.R. space program, 15, 226, 254, 

Webb, James E., 212-213 

Zond V, 222, 226-227,, 267 

Princess Ragnhild Coast, 89 

Princeton Univ., 90, 93, 116, 221, 298 

Princeton Univ. Observatory, 104,282 

Pritchard, Capt. J. Laurence (RAF) , 91 

Probe (see also individual probes, such as Mariner V, Pioneer Vlll, Pioneer 

IX, Venus IV) 

interplanetary, 1, 18, 19, 41, 44, 84, 

140, 148, 178, 188-189, 201, 241, 

273-274,280-281, 336 

lunar. See Luna XIV, Lunar Orbiter V, 

Zond V, Zond VI. 

Mars, 118, 188-189, 248-249, 301-302 

Venus, 17, 163, 188-189, 248-249, 

271 

322,326,330 

lators in Space), 186 

267-268,286287,329-330 

275-276 

The Promise of Space, 147 

Propeller Club, 119 

“Prospects in Aeronautics Research and 

Development” (Wright Brothers Lecture), 38-39 

Proton IV (U.S.S.R. space station), 

28P-285, 335 

Proton accelerator, 316 

Prugh, Peter H., 272 

Puckett, Dr. Allan E., 5 

Puerto Rico, 37, 54, 64-65, 230, 238, 

Pulsar, 114, 119, 128, 161, 171, 231, 

253, 272,284,292 

Puppis (constellation), 67 

Purdue Univ., 103,281 PZT. See Photographic zenith tube. 

, 323 

238, 

Q 

Quaide, Dr. William L., 78 
Quark (theoretical elementary particle of 

matter), 316 

Quasar (quasi-stellar object), 239,309 

Oueen Maud Land. 89 

Quiet Research Engine Program, 47, 197, 

Quito, Ecuador, I46 

248 

R 

Radar, 7-8, 49, 80, 129, 136, 145, 179, 

Radiation, 277 

181, 238, 248,272,291 

cosmic, 46. 87.115,200.228. 272 ,, 

effects, 46; 62; 168 

gamma, 52, 55, 181-182,281, 

measurement, 115, 131, 168,257,282 

nuclear, 110 

sensor, 257 

solar, 56, 121, 168,269, 296,300 

75.86. 239. 293 

Radio Astronomy Explorer-A, 1 

Radio Corporation of America (RCA) , 43, 

Radio signal; 54, 136, 153, 184, 199, 210, 

Radioactivity. 56 

229,238,249, 262, 319 

Radioastronomy, 54, 189, 200, 231, 238, 

Radiotelescope, 65, 219, 238 

Raffensperger, M. J., 84 

Raisting, W. Germany, 329 RAM (Radio Attenuation Measurement) 

RAM C-I (spacecraft), 199 

Ramey, James E., 143 RAND Corp., 1,104, 166, 248-249 

Rat experiment, 286-287, 289-290. 291 

Raymond Loewy/William Snaith, Inc, 

Razdow, Dr. Adolph, 121 KCA. See Radio Corporation of America. RCA Communications, Inc., 154,307 RCA Laboratories, 43 RCA Services Co., 120, 143 

Reconnaissance satellite 

272, 312 

Project, 198 

RAM C-11, 198-199, 258, 335 

86-87 

US., 22-24, 109, 185-186, 206-207, 

U.S.S.R., 22-24, 178, 180, 202, 262-263 

208,228, 255, 262-263,278 

Record 

aircraft, 11-12, 207, 299, 317-318 

balloon. 209-210. 240 

spacecraft, 334-335 

Redstone Arsenal, Ala., 72 

Reed, Robert D., 65 

Reed, Sylvanus Albert, Award, 15, 263, 

Reentry, 17 

316 

Apollo 7, 251 

control, 277-278 

heating, 97, 163, 181, 193, 226-227, 230 

radio attenuation, 193, 198-199, 258, 

3.15 

spacecraft debris, 164 

test, 193, 198-199 

vehicle 163, 194, 292 

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

414 

Reentry Heating Project, 97, 193 

Rees, Dr. Eberhard F. M., 32, 122-123 

Reese AFB, Tex., 200 

Reeves, Edmond M., 243-244 

Reid, Dr. Henry J., 173 

Reining, Dr. Henry, Jr., 32 

Relativity theory, 49, 238-239 

Rembaum, Dr. Alan, 283 

Rendezvous, 145, 186, 191,295 

U.S., 22-24, 136, 190, 220, 223, 

236-237, 250 

U.S.S.R., 40, 263,264-265, 335-336 

Renzetti, Dr. N. A., 209 

Report to Congress from President of 

United States, United States Aeronautics and Space Activities, 1967, 20-21, 

148 

Republican Coordinating Committee, 99, 

1 --- os 

Republican National Convention, 178-179 

Research and development (R&D), 46, 105, 

150 

aeronautics, 38-39, 187, 225-226, 248, 

benefits, 127, 244, 271,275, 294 

emdovment. 234. 289. 290 

296 

Federal suppo& 27, 101-102, 127, 

131-132, 139-140, 14C-141, 152, 

156-157. 180, 208, 244, 258, 271, 

291-292, 294, 301, 323 

funds for, 27, 101-102, 127, 131-132, 

DOD. 20. 131-132. 239-240, 290. 299 

136-137, 139-140, 141, 258-259 

296, 333 

NASA, 19, 165-166, 290,299 

U.S.S.R., 309 

Research and Development in Industry, 

I966 (NSF report), 290 

Research and Technology Advisory Council (NASA), 5 

Resler, Prof. Edwin L., 146 

Resolute Bav. Canada. 175 

Retriever (NASA motor vessel), 59 

Retromotor, 6, 17 

Reuss, Rep. Henry S., 70 

Revenue and Expenditure Control Act of 

Reynolds Electrical and Engineering Co., 

Rhode Island, Univ. of, 131 

Riccitiello. Salvatore. 265 

1968, 140, 145-146,336 

122-123 

Rice Univ, 52, 53, 92, 181 

Richey, B. J., 135 

Rickover. V/A H~man G. (uSN), 83-84. 

160. 169. 261 . 

Riegel, Dr: Kurt, 247 

Risk, Don C., 41-42 

Robb, Mrs. Lvnda, 292 

Roberts, Chades S., 26-27 

Rochester, Univ. of, 292 

Rockefeller, Gov. Nelson B., 180, 333 

Rockefeller Public Service Award, 281, 

Rockefeller Univ., 76-77 

Rogallo, Francis M., 187 

300 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Rogallo, Gertrude, 187 

Rogallo wing (paraglider), 187 

Rogers, Rep. Paul G., 247 

Rogers, William P., 309 

Rolls-Royce, Ltd., 72 

Bristol Engine Div., 316 

Romania, 32, 156, 189-190,292, 317 

Romanian National Council of Scientific 

Research, 140 

Roosa, Capt. Stuart A. (USAF), 59 

Rooster experiment, 218 

Rosamond Dry Lake, 261 

Rosen, Dr. Harold A., 77 

Rosman, N.C., 119, 143 

Roush, Rep. J. Edward, 99 

Rover (program), 19,94, 123, 156, 170 

Rowan, Carl T., 263-264 

Royal Aeronautical Society, 70-71 

Royal Greenwich Observatory (U.K.) , 134 

Royal Norwegian Council for Scientific 

and Industrial Research, 177-178 

Rubey, Prof. William W., 267 

Rudolph, Dr. Arthur, 112, 283 

Rudolph, Capt. Gerald T. (WAF), 297 

Rumford, Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count, 

309 

Rumford Premium, 309 

Rusk, Secretary of State Dean, 159, 247 

Russell, Sen. Richard B., 138 

Rutgers Univ., 12, 224 ' 

Ryan Aeronautical Co., 166, 177, 276-277 

Ryan, Rep. William F., 25 

S 

SAAP. See South Atlantic Anomaly Probe. 

Sacramento Peak Observatory, 296 

Sadeh, Dror, 184 

Sanger, Dr. Eugen, 300 

Safety, 32, 95-96, 122-123, 157, 163, 

Sagan, Dr. Carl, 172 

Sage (Semi-Automatic Ground Environment) svstem. 238 

220, 237, 251-253, 264, 273 

Saigon, S.-Vietnam, 104 

St. Clair, Wade, 117 

St. Helena island, 257 

St. Louis, Mo., 108, 207 

5%. Thomas Univ., Tex., 325-326 

Sakharov, Prof. Andrey D., 159, 195-196 

Salam, Abdus, 198 

Salisbury, Dr. John W., 170,250 

Samfield. Edwin. 145 

San Antonio, Tex, 141 

Sar. Clemente Island, Calif., 143, 295 

San Dieso, Calif.. 104, 207 

San Francisco, Calif., 42 

Sail Jose, Calif., 285-286 

San Miguel Island, 116, 242 

Sanders Associates, Inc., 75 

Sanders, Newel1 D., 104 

Sandia Corp., 32 

Sandpiper (missile), 3-4 

Senta Cruz, Calif., 5152 

Santa Monica, Calif., 166-167 

Santa Susana, Calif., 113 

Santiago, Chile, 146 

Satellite Tracking and Data Acquisition 

Sato, Prime Minister Eisaku, 327 

Saturn (planet), 79, 148, 275 

Saturn I (booster), 21-22, 149 

Saturn I Workshop (spacecraft), 162, 

Network (STADAN), 5, 12, 104,109 

218-219 

contract, 62 

design review meeting, 22, 66 

funds for, 102-103, 182 

plans for, 33, 108-109, 186, 202, 241, 

275 

Satum-lJ3 (booster), 140, 148, 149, 210, 

contract, 9, 61, 75, 77, 175-176, 207, 

239 

engine 

218-219,275 

H-1,9,207 

J-2.119-120 

launch 

AS-204. 13 

AS-2051 173,250-253 

program, 11,20, 24,33, 92-93, 175-176, 

212-213. 241. 336 

stage, S-IVB test, 10, 13 

test, 13, 21-22, 91, 136, 144, 173, 186, 

Saturn V (booster), 44, 78, 93, 148, 149, 

242 

190, 191, 274 

capability, 52, 80-81, 81-82, 98, 186, 

contract, 35, 75, 77, 104, 127, 163, 

236,255-256 

175-176,226, 264, 275 

engine 

F-1, 30,257, 275 

5-2, 77, 92,119-120, 135,220, 252 

AS-502, 63,77-78, 166, 328 

launch 

AS-503, 144, 173, 318-322 

AS-504 (preparations for), 197 

program, 11, 18, 24, 33-34, 42, 63, 

92-93, 97, 98, 140, 144, 162, 

321-322, 336 

1st (SIC), 166, 173 

test, 77 

2nd (S-111, 30, 36, 4748, 53, 173, 

197 

175-176, 181, 212-213, 232, 242, 

stage 

tesi; 77, 122 

3rd (S-IVB), 10,63, 173, 186 test. 77 

Saturn V' Workshop (spacecraft), 10, 

Schafer, Col. George E. (USAF) , 11 

Scherer, Capt. Lee R. (USN, Ret.), 2 

Srhindlar, William R., 283 

Schina, Capt. Walter M., Jr., (usN), 

preparations for, 97, 158, 173, 220, 

honors, 269,286,303, 314 

20, 33, 35, 109, 142, 182 

261-262, 305 

Apollo 7 flight, 250-251, 252 

227 

415 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

press conference, 220,276 

White House visit, 306 

Schmidt, Edward J., 264 

Schmidt, Dr. Maarten, 309 

Schneider, William C., 223, 315 

Schriever and McKee Associates, 233 

Schriever, Gen. Bernard A. (USAF, Ret.), 

Schwartz, I. R., 109-110 

Schweickart, Russell L., 97, 167, 196 

Science (see also National Academy of 

award, 38,217-218,266267,271 

benefits, 110, 195-196,301 

Government support of, 90-91, 93, 110, 

human needs, 16, 110,301 

national policy and goals, 10, 38-39, 

55-56, 99 

Sciences), 188-189 

131-132, 139-140, 270, 271, 301, 314, 

323 

90-91. 98. 135. 178-179. 180-181. 

207, $a, 299, 301-302, 305, 314, 33i 

President’s Science Advisory Committee, 

40, 76-77,270 

U.S.S.R., 63. 93. 195-196. 244 

Science, Dept. of (proposed), 325,331 

Science Advisory Committee (President’s). See President’s Science Advisory Committee. 

Science and Public Policy Studies 

Group, 284 

Scientific Balloon Flight Station, 116 

Scientist-astronaut, 36, 51-52, 200 

Scientists, 99-100, 152, 156-157, 234, 

247, 254-255, 257, 289,290, 301, 323, 

329 

women, 99-100 

Scorpius (constellation), 247-248, 273 

Scott, L/C David R. (USAF), 97, 167, 211 

Scout (booster), 53, 56, 97, 113, 123, 182, 

Scout (sounding rocket), 160-161, 308 

Scrag (U.S.S.R. weapon), 255 

Scrimp, Project, 171 

Sea of Tranquility (moon), 35-36 

Seaborg, Dr. Glenn T., 117, 143, 205, 211, 

Seal Beach, Calif., 30 

Sealab I (underwater laboratory), 295 

Sealab 11, 143, 295 

Sealab III, 41-42, 143, 295 

Seamans, Dr. Robert C., Jr., 3, 5-6, 26, 

53,57,156,268 

Seattle, Wash., 217-218 

Seckbach, Dr. Joseph, 302 SECOR (geodetic satellite), 7-8 

The Security of Japan and Prospects for 

Security Research Council, 166 

Sedov, Prof. Leonid I., 212, 254, 267-268, 

Seifert, Dr. William W., 99 

Seismometer, 282-283 

Seitz, Dr. Frederick, 7, 76-77, 90, 255, 

Selenographica, 27-28 

193, 198, 240, 255-256 

217-218, 228 

1970. (study), 166 

329-330 

267 

Sensor, 2, 39, 50, 11 

Sentinel (antiballistic missile system), 

18-19, 72, 88, 122, 133, 138, 159, 171, 

175,242 

Sentinel System Command, 72 

Serpukhov, U.S.S.R., 154,316 SCRT 11 (Space Electric Rocket Test), 26 

Service module (SM), 13, 14, 63, 136, 

Service propulsion system (SPS) , 77-78, 

144, 186, 197,201 

136 

Service Technology Corp. (LTV) , 123 

Seryogin, Col. Vladimir S. (U.S.S.R.), 

Sewage sludge, 281 

Shafer, Edward M., 83 SHAPE (Supersonic High Altitude Parachute Experiment) Project, 261, 309 

Shapiro, Dr. Irwin I., 49 

Sheldon, Dr. Charles S., 11, 202 

Shenton, Samuel, 331 

Sherman, Harvey, 26 

Shillito, Thomas B., 26 

Shipley, Rep. George E., 284 

Siding Spring Mountain Observatory, 290 

Siebel, Dr. Mathias P., 272-273 

Sikorsky Aircraft Div., United Aircraft 

70, 72 

COrD.. 38 

Sikorsiy, Igor I., 38 

Silver, Brent W., 148 

Silverstein, Dr. Abe, 41,281, 283. 300 

Simpson, Ernest C., 15. 

Simpson, Dr. John A., 90-91 

Simpson, Robert W., 224 

Siple, Dr. Paul Allman, 293 

Sjogren, William L., 193-194 

Skolnikoff, Prof. Eugene B., 284 

Skylark (U.K. sounding rocket), 70, 123 

Skynet (U.K. communications satellite), 

SLAC. See Standford Linear Accelerator. 

Sloan Foundation, 284 

Sloan School of Management, 53 SIW See Service module. 

Smart, Gen. Jacob E. (USAF, Ret.), 237, 

Smelt, Dr. Ronald, 5 

Smith, Dr. Arthur H., 218 

Smith, Secretary of Commerce C. R., 40, 

Smith, Francis B., 249-250 

Smith, Prof. Frederick E., 115 

Smith, Dr. Graham, 253-254 

Smith, Dr. Harlan J., 294 

Smith, Dr. Henry J., 89 

Smith, Sen. Margaret C., 30, 86 

Sniithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 

(Cambridge, Mass.), 201,262, 304 

Smithsonian Institution, 106, 120, 160 

Smyth, Henry DeWolf, 198 

SNAP-8 (nuclear reactor), 25-26, 57, 59 

SNAP-19 (radioisotope generator), 242 

Snyder, Conway W., 283 

Society for the History of Technology, 

1,60, 121, 137 

299 

127 

416 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

325 

Technology Conference, 108-109 

Society of Automotive Engineers Space 

Solar corona, 97 

Solar flare, 56-57, 110, 121, 128, 

Solar Particle Alert Network (SPAN), 121 

Solar Pointing Aerobee Rocket Control 

Solar wind, 68, 91, 282-283 

Solar Wind Composition Experiment, 68 

Solid propellant, 3-4, 43, 68-69,274 

Sonic boom 

damage, 56, 117, 142-143, 154-155, 

regulation of, 115, 116, 130, 271 

research 8, 11, 109-110, 142-143, 146, 

National Academy of Sciences report, 

supersonic transport, 8, 11, 56, 66-67, 

157-158, 168, 198, 210-211, 243-244, 

266,296 

System (SPARCS), 65 

227, 290-291 

158, 313 

8,56,142-143, 152 

109-110, 115, 117, 125, 135, 142-143, 

146,290-291,332-333 

Sonnett, Dr. Charles P., 316 

Sorokin, Dr. Peter P., 169 

Sounding rocket (see also individual 

sounding rockets: Aerobee 150A, 

Aerobee 150 MI, Arcas, Astrobee 

1500, Boosted Arcas, Boosted Dart, 

Javelin, Nike-Apache, Nike-Cajun, 

Nike-Tomahawk, Skylark) 

foreign 

Uk, 123 

123,336 

international programs, 29, 30, 69, 75, 

ESRO. i08. 118 

NASA-Brazil, 68, 130, 177 

-Canada, 11, 14, 29, 36, 43, 49, 53, 

54. 67. 90. 94. ,. 98, 103. , , 106. 113. . 12& 175. 329 

-Germany,’West, 75, 130, 133 

-India, 30, 60, 75, 273 

-Norwav. 177-178 

herti Rico, 64-65 

-Spain, 177-178 

-Sweden, 29,130, 177-178 

South America. 184-185. 318-319 

South Atlantic Anomaiy Probe (SAAP) , 130-131,173 

South Georgia, 37 

South Pole, 89 

Southeast Asia, 195 

Southern California, Univ. of, 82 

Southwest Astronomical Conference, 201 

Soviet Academy of Sciences, 63, 272, 298 

Council for International Cooperation 

in Investigation and Utilization of 

Outer Space, 327 

Soviet corps of Cosmonauts, 70 

Soviet Women’s Committee, 148 

Sowers, L/C Robert G. (USAF), 8 

soyuz (U.S.S.R. spacecraft), 40, 222, 268 

Soyuz I, 70 

Soyuz 11,263,264-265,335-336 

Soyuz Ill, 266265, 269, 272, 277, 

SP-5B (Martin Marlin) (flying boat), 

Spaatz, Gen. Carl A. (USAF, Ret.), 

Space Age Law Conference, 62 

Space Applications Summer Study, 1967, 

Interim Report, 36 

Space biology, 232,241-242 

animal experiments, 46, 47, 86, 95, 105, 

atmosphere, artificial, 61, 173, 251, 283, 

contract, 86, 151 

drugs, use of 211 

environment, effects, 44, 47, 88, 101, 

life support system, 44, 86, 14, 

medical benefits, 2, 57, 165, 186, 2&. 

335-336 

160 

104-105 . 

151, 181, 218, 272,273 

287,289-290,291 

143, 158, 165, 324 

176-177,236,283 

302 

psychology, 287 

radiation, effects, 46, 62, 121, 168, “00, 

257. 272. 277 

symposium; 141-142, 200, 291 

weightlessness, 86, 190, 286 

effects 81,46, 200-201,268,273 

prolonged, 151, 181,218 

Space Disturbance Forecast Center, 

157-1 -_ ___ SR 

Space law treaty, 12, 127, 258, 281 

Space, military use of (see also Manned 

Orbiting Laboratory), 329 

communications, 190-191,217,228 

reconnaissance, 178, 179, 202, 206-207, 

space station, 69-70,208 

208, 262-263 

US., 69-70, 105, 178, 190-191, 206- 

207,208, 262-263 

U.S.S.R., 93, 102, 178, 202, 205, 229, 

Space, peaceful use of, 178-179, 245, 249, 

257,263-264, 309,334-335 

Space program, national (see also individual programs, such as Apollo program), 94, 112-113,178 

achievements, 33, 37, 48, 53, 66, 79, 

255,262-263 

212-213, 215, 218, 221-222, 232, 

235-238, 248, 249, 253, 306, 

324-328,334-335 

international, 336 

management, 66, 109,157,296-297 

manned space flight, 22-24, 66, 165, 

190, 215, 236-237, 253, 269, 

334-335 

benefits. See Space results. 

budget, 33, 34-35, 36, 44, 48, 50, 51, 57, 

65, 66, 85, 90, 94, 98, 99, 102, 129, 

229, 239, 240-242, 255, 276, 287, 288, 

299, 332 

131-132, 138, 140, 161-162, 165-166, 

173, 178, 182, 202, 209, 212-213, 218, 

cost, 37, 62, 72-73, 85, 109, 237, 253, 

417 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

255-256, 276 

265,289,325 

criticism, 25, 51, 86, 101, 103, 133, 257, 

education,. benefits to, 20, 124-125, 235, 

249-250 

employment, 73-74, 85, 115, 168, 182, 

213, 229-230, 256, 272, 289 

House staff study, 51 

Humphrey, Vice President Hubert H., 

106-107, 235, 254 

international aspects (see also International cooperation), 2-3, 20-21, 99, 

126125,127, 141,204, 232,254 

Johnson, President Lyndon B., 18-19, 

20-21, 53, 178-179, 202, 208, 212 

lunar landing. See Moon, landing. 

manned space flight. See Manned 

military, 55-56, 85, 102, 105, 122, 

Nixon, President-elect Richard M., 207, 

objectives, 86, 106, 140, 147-148, 

policy, 41, 44, 48, 55, 57-58, 62, 92, 97, 

263-264, 293, 299, 308, 314, 325, 331 

79, 85, 124-125, 162, 180, 182, 218, 

222, 243, 257, 259, 274-275, 

budget, 101, 182, 188-189, 212-213, 

suggested programs, 51-52, 94, 148, 

significance, 43, 90-91, 98, 103, 

235-236,248,267,292 

space flight. 

147-148, 179, 190-191, 205, 208, 255, 

262-263 

235, 249,293,311,331 

235-237 

98, 99, 105, 112-113, 124-125, 

188-189, 212-213, 215, 245, 253, 

post-Apollo, 29-30, 41, 44, 47, 51, 66, 

301-302,303, 311 

233,281-282,325 

188-189, 194, 201, 275, 280-281, 

334 

106-107, 115, 141, 161-162, 199, 

international, 20-21, 199, 210 

U.S. vs. U.S.S.R. See Space race. Vietnam War, effect of, 15, 56, 99, 

Space race, 15-16, 41, 90-91, 147-148, 

235-237,249,275 

131-132,146, 215,245,336 

180, 212-213, 249, 253, 326 

booster, 33, 34, 186-187,209, 213 

criticism, 257, 325 

funds, 37, 174,213,229-230 

manned space flight, 22-24, 34, 40, 41, 

51, 180, 222, 226-227, 253, 269, 326 

military, 42, 87, 93-94, 102, 174, 180, 

188.223. 255 

moon; 22i24, 41, 87, 112-113, 119, 

173-174, 186-187, 222, 229-230, 249, 

261,266, 308,311 

payload, 36,93, 112,209 

planetary fiights, 23-24, 34, 36, 41, 43, 

press comment, 102, 266, 324-325 

Space rescue treaty, 89-90, 127, 161, 215, 

225,246,258,299 

Space results (see also Earth: Moon; 

112-113,188-189, 222 

Mars; Venus; individual probes, satellites, and rockets), 2, 24, 31-32, 

106-107, 119, 124-125, 141, 190, 232, 

255-256,333,334 

agriculture, 62, 106, 117, 125,257 

aircraft, 20, 57 

astronomy, 180, 231, 276 

communications, 20, 27, 33, 34, 36, 

82-83, 106, 233-234, 235, 246, 254, 

257.267.334 

34, 53, 56, 66, 72-73, 79, 90, 94, 

earth’sciences, 20, 180, 191, 215, 254, 

economic benefits, 33, 36, 49, 58, 

257, 275,276, 334 

73-74, 103, 109, 117, 202, 234, 235, 

257 

earth’sciences, 20, 180, 191, 215, 254, 

257, 275,276, 334 

economic benefits, 33, 36, 49, 58, 

73-74, 103, 109, 117, 202, 234, 235, 

257 

education, 20,235, 249-250 

engineering, 66, 106, 234, 246, 294, 310 

geology, 117,231,235, 257 

medicine, 20, 57, 82-83, 165, 234, 235, 

meteorology, 20, 27, 32-33, 36, 49, 106, 

military, 2-3, 20, 22-23, 57, 185, 208, 

navigation, 20, 37, 106, 217, 257 

oceanography, 27,60, 106,231 

photography, 106, 185,231 

political, 2-3, 202, 204, 232, 254 

social science, 58, 202 

technology, 20, 91, 103, 124-125, 190, 

246,285-286, 302 

117, 232, 236-237, 254, 257-258, 334 

217,237-238, 275 

204, 234, 235-238, 249-250, 267-268, 

276275,297 

Suace station (see also Manned Orbiting 

Laboratory: Saturn I Workshop; Saturn V Workshop), 73, 141-142, 163, 

185, 259, 275, 293-294, 303 

contract, 62,86-87,202, 242-243 

U.S.S.R., 54, 119, 211-212, 222, 226, 

230,68, 277-278, 283 

Spacecraft (see also individual spacecraft, such as Apollo, Lunar Orbiter, 

Luna, Mariner, Surveyor) 

braking, 17, 277 

communications, 319 

control, 24, 185, 218-219, 226-227, 

design, 10, 48, 66, 86, 111, 202-203, 

development testing, 3 

electrical systems, 4-5, 251 

environment control system, 47, 61-62, 

equipment, 8, 153, 167, 179, 191-192, 

escape system, 4-5, 78, 210, 252 

exhibit, 190 

extravehicular equipment, 316-317 

heating, 193, 212 

264-265 

2ia219,252,3ii 

134, 173, 186 

218-219,282-283,303 

instn&entation, 55, 78, 83, 172, 

landing system, 3, 59, 78-79, 116, 144, 

210-211 

158 

launch system, 88, 251-252 

418 
life support system, 4-5, 13-14, 61-62, 

144, 173, 176-177, 212, 236-237, 

propulsion. See Engine and individual 

launch vehicles, such as Saturn. 

recovery, 65, 268 

reentry control system (see also reen- try), 198-199,230,277 

reusable, 72-73, 259 

242-243, 273 

Spacecraft debris, 42, 164, 205-206 

Spacecraft, model, 65 

Spacesuit, 176-177, 283-284 

Spain, 5, 35,69, 111, 177-178 SPAN. See solar Particule Alert Network. 

SPARCS. See Solar Pointing Aerobee 

Rocket Control System. 

Sparkman, Sen. John J., 248 

Sparrow, J. G., 177 

Spartan (missile), 72 

Spaulding, Dr. Roland H., 71 

Special Report on Underground Testing, 

SPACO, InC., 79-80 

303-304 

Spectrograph, 67 

Spectroheliograph, 118, 128, 240 

Suectrometer, 60, 62-63. 80. 130-131. ,, 

257-258, 273, 328-329 

Spence, Roderick W., 123 

Spencer, N. W., 328-329 

Sperry Rand Corp., 59,123 

Spirit of St. Louis (aircraft), 104 

Sport aviation, 40 

Springfield, Va., 233 SPS. See Service propulsion system. 

Sputnik I (U.S.S.R. satellite), 139-140 

Sputnik IV, 17 

SR-71 (reconnaissance aircraft), 8 

Sri Racha, Southeast Asia, 108 

SRN4 (hovercraft), 175 SST. See Suuersonic transoort. STADAN. See Satellite Tracking and Data 

Stafford, Mai. Thomas P. (WAF), 73, 

Acquisition Network. 

279-280 

Standard Telephone & Cables, Ltd., 278 

Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC) , 93, 

154 

Stiiiord, Neal, 237 

Stanford Univ., 5, 38, 91, 93, 154, 

Sloan Fellow, 151, 194 

Stanley, Hubert Ray, 283 

Star, 272 

formation, 247 

neutron, 238, 284 

photographs, 310,335 

radiation, 30 

radio signals from, 54, 208-209, 231, 

275-276 

238 

of, 128-129, 208-209, 231, 238, 

247,272,284, 304, 310 

Star Tracking Rocket Attitude Positioning S STRAP^ system, 30 

Stan; Dr. Chauncey V., 5 

State, Dept. of, 2-3, 89-90, 109, 18!9-190, 

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

419 

247, 255, 281 

Status of Actions Taken on the Apollo 

204 (NASA report) 4-5 

Stein, Jerome, 281 

Stennis, Sen. John C., 246-247 

Stevens, Col. Robert L. (USAF) ,207 

Stever, Dr. H. Guyford, 299 

Stewart, I. A., 295 

Stockholm, Sweden, 266-267, 285 

STOL (short takeoff and landing) aircraft, 

139,179, 217,219,224, 225-226,231 

STOLpOrt, 179,278 

Stoltenberg Science Minister, Dr. Gerhard (W. Germany), 136-137, 201 

Stoney, William E., Jr., 224 

Stranraer, Scotland, 111 STRAP. .%e Star Tracking Rocket Attitude Positioning. 

Strass, H. Kurt, 121 

Stratoscope I1 (balloon-borne telescope), 

116 

Strughold, Dr. Hubertus, 233 

A Study of NASA University Programs, 

Stuhlinger, Dr. Ernst, 303 

Sturmthal, L/C Emil (USAF), 38, 50, 145, 

24%250 

269 

Strughold, Dr. Hubertus, 233 

A Study of NASA University Programs, 

Stu 

74k350 

Sturtevant, Prof. Alfred H., 38 

Styles, Paul L., 92 

Submarine, nuclear, 42, 152, 160, 169, 

Sud-Aviation (France), 198 

Suitland, Md., 155 

Sullivan, Leo J., 146-147 

Sullivan, Thomas E., 39 

Sullivan, Walter, 231, 277,292 

Sun (see also Solar corona; Solar flare, 

Radiation, solar; etc.), 56-57, 65, 68, 

102, 109, 118, 128, 153-154, 180, 203, 

243-244 

Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co., 156 

Sunblazer (probe), 19,35 

Sunspot, N. Mex., 296 

Sunspots, 154,277 

Suojanen, Dr. Waino W., 91-92 

Sttomi, Verner E., 229 

Super Jolly (helicopter), 146 

Super Loki Dart (sounding rocket), 143 

Superior Engineering Co., 29 

Supersonic High Altitude Parachute ExSupersonic transport (SST) (see also 

211,224,261, 302-303 

periment. See SHAPE Project. 

benefits, 66-67 

criticism, 115, 135, 263, 270, 332-333 

design and development, 45, 67, 158, 

217, 220-221, 226, 259, 263, 285, 335 

flight plans, 45, 198, 217 

foreign, 49,115, 126, 194, 198, 217, 25% 

260, 294, 332, 336 

funds for, 19,43, 115, 144,285 

hazards, 121, 164-165 NASA participation in research, 26, 47, 

Concorde and Tu-144),104 

cost, 150, 202-203 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

131,233,237 

personic Transport, 207,270 

President’s Advisory Committee on Supress comment, 115, 220-221, 263, 270, 

reservations, 285 

sonic boom, 8, 11, 56, 67, 109410, 112, 

Srarvey of Yiews of Leading Industrial 

Executives on the National Space Program (House report), 99 

Survey Satellite (SURSAT) , 156 

Surveyor (program), 1, 3, 41, 51-52, 85, 

106, 151,281,301,314,335 

Surveyor I (lunar probe), 7 

Surveyor II, 7 

Swveyor III, 7 

Surveyor IV, 7 

Surveyor V, 7 

Surveror VI. 7.232 

332-333 

115, 117, 125, 135, 142-143, 146, 271, 

290-291,332433 

Surveyor VI1 ’ (Surveyor G), 1, 3, 6-7, 

Svestaka, Dr. Zdanek, 254 

Sweden, 5, 32, 46, 118, 177-178, 198, 240, 

42, 50, 335 

262.292 

Swedish Space Research Committee, 178 

Sweeney, Dr. Stephen B., 160 

Swihart, John M., 259-260 

Swiss National Committee for Space Research, 68 

Switzerland, 5 

Swords Into Plowshares Award, 117 

Sydney, Univ. of, 171 

Symington, Sen. Stuart, 239-240, 245-246 

Symposium on Remote Sensing of EnviSyracuse University Research Corp., 82, 

Systems engineering, 66,157,238, 297 

T-38 (jet aircraft), 128 

Ta Khli AFB, Thailand, 69, 80 

Table Mountain, Calif., 6 

Taccomsat 1 (communications satellite), 

189 

Tactical photographic image transmission 

(TAPIT) system, 77 

Tahiti, 180 

Tallahassee, Fla., 128 

Talkeetna, Alaska, 290 

Tananarive, Malagasy Republic, 146 TAPIT. See Tactical photographic image 

transmission system. 

Taschek, R. F., 91 

Taurus (constellation), 273 

Taylor, Hal, 197 

Taylor, Dr. J. H., 161 

Taylor, Gen. Maxwell D. (USA, Ret.) 45 

TD-1 (ESRO solar astronomy satellite), 

ronment, 85 

308 

T 

9s 

TDL2,95 

Teague, Rep. Olin E., 51, 99,103,222 

Technical Information Services Co., 245 

Technological lnnovatwn in Civilian 

Technology, 16, 63, 90-91, 103-104, 

benefits, 27, 98, 195-196, 27k275, 301 

Federal support, 58-59, 126, 139, 

gap, 105,244 

misuse of, 16, 119 

US. policy, 135,330-331 

Technology utilization, space (see also 

Space results), 36, 48,89, 91,94 

benefits, 2-3, 20-21, 62, 103-104, 141, 

274-275,297 

Public Areas (study), 27 

139-140, 178-179, 210, 235-236, 237, 

246,249-250,271,273,299 

237-238,294,314 

178-179, 232, 237-238, 246, 249, 

Teledyne Systems Co., 82, 144 

Telemetry, 51-52,83,164-165 

Teleoperators and Human Augmentation 

(NASA SP-5047), 82 

Telescope (see also Apollo Telescope 

Mount), 12-13, 119, 128-129, 219, 

284, 290,294, 334 

astrometric, 151 

balloon-borne, 116 

gamma-ray, 52 

infrared, 184, 219 

spectrographic, 241) 

vacuum, 296 

company), 80 

Apollo 7, 250-252, 312,334-335 

Apollo 8,318-319,323-324,336335 

educational, 196-197 

Soyuz 3,264-265 

space probe, use of, 3, 6, 24, 29, 84, 

153 

via satellite, 10, 80, 103, 111-112, 154, 

155, 196-197, 204, 216, 227, 244, 

military use, 190-191 

Teller, Dr. Edward, 165 

Temperature, 17,230, 243-244 

Tennessee, Univ. of, Space Institute, 267 TERLS. See Thumba Equatorial Rocket 

Launching Station. 

Terzian, Dr. Yervent, 171 

Tether. inflatable. 145 

Telespazio (Italian space communications 

Television, 249, 276, 308 

251-252,257,315,323 

Tetr I‘ (Tts I) (Test and Training SatelTetr II (TETR B) ,274,335 

Texas. 249. 255 

lite), 112,274 

Texas Instruments, Inc., 87 

Texas Tech, 115 

Texas, Univ. of, 1, 82-83, 115, 188, 206, 

TF-39 (jet engine), 15, 146 TFX. See F-111. 

Thailand, 69, 72, 80, 84, 87, 102, 108, 

109, 119, 137 

Thant, U, U.N. Secretary General, 72, 

189-190. 327 

294 

Thiokol Chemical Corp., 259 

Elkton, Md. Div., 308 

420 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Thomas, David D., 175, 194 

Thomas, Paul G., 174 

Thompson, Dr. Floyd L., 15, 17, 51, 65, 

Thor (booster). 59 

101,204 

Thor-Agena (booster), 101, 138, 181,216, 

Thor-Burner I1 (booster), 120, 261 

Thor-Delta (booster), 9,95 

Thorad-Agena D (booster), 116, 138, 

244,271, 309 

216.243 

Thrug-Augmented Delta (booster), 7, 

42-43.153 

Thrust-Augmented Improved Thor-Delta 

Thrust-Augmented Long-Tank Delta 

(DSV-3E) (booster), 273 

(booster), 316315 - Thrust-Augmented LongTank Thor-Delta 

(booster), 191, 311 

Thrust-Augmented Thor-Agena D, 9-10 

Thrust-Augmented Thor-Delta (booster) , 244,300 

Thule AFB, Greenland, 154 

Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching 

Station (TERLS), India, 30-31, 60, 

TIFS. See Total In-Flight Simulator. 

Tillinghast, Charles C., Jr., 187-188 

Tiros Operational Satellite (TOS) system, 

Tiros I, 193, 311 

Tiros Ill. 193. 311 

75-76,273 

1,50,149, 191-193,311 

Tiros, M, 49’ -- 

Titan (booster), 148 

Titan In, 162 

Titan 111-B, 127,208, 272,300 

Titan 111-B-Agena D, 10, 61, 86, 127, 

Titan III-C, 25, 132, 148,189, 228 

Titan 111-D/Centaur. 302 

179-180, 272 

Titan 111-M, 20, 335 ’ 

Todd Shipyards Corp., 310 

Tokyo Astronomical Observatory, 155 

Tokyo, Japan, 82-83,200-201, 

Tolansky, Samuel, 158 

Tomahawk (sounding rocket), 31 

Tompkins, ChargB d’Affaire-s Edward K. 

Tornado observation, 62, 229 

Torreon, Mexico, 295 TOS. See Tiros Ouerational Satellite. 

(U.K.), 295 

TOS-E (Tiros Operational Satellite). See 

Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS), 81 

Tculouse-Blagnac, France, 198 

Townes. Dr. Charles H.. 299.312 

Essa VU. 

Townsend, Dr. John W.; Jr.,’131 

Tracking, 17, 30, 34-35, 50, 65, 112, 113, 

144.178.256 

aircrait, li 

deep space, 5, 6, 10, 12-13, 118, 203, 

209.237 

laser, 6,259, 335 

MSFN, 5, 12, 97-98, 258, 274, 312, 335 

radar, 7,lZ-13, 14,64-65,133,199,214, 

248, 291 

ship, 12,258 

STADAN, 5,7, 12,143,146 

station, 205-206 

Alaska, 35 

Europe, 137 

Pakistan, 18 

Spain, 312 

US., 114, 133, 171, 291, 312 

Trade Expansion Act of 1968,134 

Trans World Airlines, 72,172, 187-188 

Transportation, 185, 187,235,323 

TraFsportation, Dept. of (DOT) 

air traffic control, 189, 194, 196, 

199-200, 206 

airports, 137-138 

budget, 19,168 

noise abatement, 156155,271 

R&D, 187 

Transradio, 293 

Treasury, Dept., 144 

Treatv 

nudear nonproliferation, 11, 32, 62, 92, 

128, 130, 132, 138, 149, 158, 159, 165, 

210,215-216,228,230,249,295 

nuclear test-ban. 228 

“ocean space” (proposed), 56 

space law, 12,127,258,281 

space rescue, 84h90, 127, 161, 215, 225, 

246,258,299 

Triethylhorane (TEB), 45 

Trimethylaluminum (TIA) , 45 TRIPLTEE. See True temperature tunnel. 

Trippe, Juan T., 107-108 

Tristan de Cunha 37 

Trowbridge, A. B:, 40 

True temperature tunnel (TRIPLTEE) , 

Truman, President Harry S., 250 

Truszynski, Gerald M., 17, 34, 50,65 

39-40 

THW, Inc., 94 

Tts I. See Tetr I. 

Systems Group, 146,217 

Tu-144 (u.s.s.R. supersonic aircraft), 

Tucker, Dr. Gardiner L., 137 

Tuke, John B., 111 

Tulane Univ., 209 

Tunisia 118 

126,194,259-260,332-333,335-336 

Turcat,’AndrB, 198 

Turin, Italy, 126 

Turtle experiment, 283 

Tycho (lunar crater), 6,50 

U UCLA. See California, Univ. of, at Lob 

Udall, Secretary of the Interior Stewart 

UFO. See Unidentified flying object. 

Uganda, 69 

U.K. See United Kingdom. 

Ulybshev, Boris N., 324 

P.N. See United Nations. 

Angeles. 

L., 7,290-291 

421 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Underground nuclear test, 303-304, 317 

Unidentified flying object (UFO), 99, 151, 

169-170, 172, 227, 254 

Unidentified satellite, 9-10, 16, 61, 101, 

120, 127, 138, 179-180, 181, 208, 244, 

261, 271, 272, 309 

United Air Lines, 164 

United Aircraft Corp., 2, 38, 316 

Pratt & Whitney Div., 123, 130, 197, 

201.248 

United kingdom (U.K.) , 46,91 

aircraft, 9, 32, 165,256 

Concorde, 49, 115, 198, 217, 260, 294 

cooueration. defense, 9. 165 

cooperation- space, 5, 95, 113, 137, 214, 

House of Commons, 9 

240, 279 

launch 

missile, 55 

sounding rocket, 70, 123 

256,286 

132, 138,295 

Ministry of Technology, 49, 118, 121, 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty, 102, 

satellite, 1, 9, 60, 105, 121, 137 

science and technology, 46, 54, 83, 134, 

139, 170-171, 200, 211-212, 253, 285, 

290,298 

space program, 60, 73 

space rescue treaty, 89, 299 

United Nations (U.N.), 12, 117-118, 133, 

172, 189, 199, 204,281,306,323 

Committee on the Peaceful Uses of 

Outer Space, Legal Subcommittee, 

127 

Conference on Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, 189, 204, 

211 

Disarmament Conference, 11, 32, 59, 62 

Economic and Social Council, 72 

General Assemblv. 11. 62. 89. 102. 132. I, 

138, 158, 161;’317 

Political Committee, 130 

Secretary General, 72, 189, 327 

Securitv Council. 59.138. 159 

United Nations Educational, Scientific 

and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), 

27 

United States (US.) (see also approaward, 38, 49, 198, 217, 221, 266, 271, 

budget, 15-16, 18-19,233 

communications, 27, 76, 307 

defense, 9, 18-19, 20, 29, 137, 242, 278, 

308 

disarmament, 11, 59, 132, 149, 164, 166, 

171,188,191,210,301 

education, 16, 331 

election results, 271-272 

health, 2, 301, 312-313 

international cooperation, 2-3, 9, 59, 

70, 73, 99, 117-118, 127, 128, 138, 

141, 156, 157, 159, 177, 189, 196-197, 

247,257,306-307 

priate agencies) 

281,290,298, 309 

medical research, 2,165, 186,325 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty. See 

Nuclear nonproliferation treaty. 

nuclear tests, 108, 110, 303-304, 317 

oceanography, 27, 56, 105, 117, 177, 

284,300, 325 

uollution abatement. 10. 62. 301. 331 

research and development; 10,’ 16, 20, 

152. 156-157. 202. 208. 244, 271, 290, 

101-102, 127, 131-132, 139-140, 141, 

2911292. 314 333 

space rescue treaty. See Space rescue 

space program. See Space program, natransportation (see also Supersonic 

Vietnam War. See Vietnam War. 

United Technolorn Center. 2-4. 36-37 

treaty. 

tional 

transport), 168, 187, 207, 235, 323 

,, 

Universe, 87, 184‘197 

Universities (see also individual universiand space effort, 55, 68, 85, 235, 267, 

ties), 11, 102, 271, 301, 329 

269 

Federal support, 110, 291-292, 301, 314 

grants to, 4445, 129, 151 NASA program, 35, 39, 48, 115, 

Uppsala (Sweden) Ionospheric ObservaUpson, Ralph Hazlett, 188 

Uranium, 166, 298 

Uranus (planet), 79,148 

Urban Coalition, 117 USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, 11 USAF Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO), 111, 121, 173, 194, 264 

U.S. Air Force,@SAF) (see also individual bases, centers, and commands, 

such as Air Force Systems Command, Arnold Engineering Development Center, Edwards AFB), 39, 40, 

55-56, 110, 112, 135, 146, 164, 

170-171, 207, 209, 211,232-233, 283, 

Aero Propulsion Laboratory, 15, 135 

aircraft (see also individual aircraft, 

such as C5A, C-130, F-lllA, 

139-140, 151, 162, 249-250, 275, 

286281 

tory, 262 

298-299 

X-15, XB-70), 75, 112, 130, 146 

171-172, 239-240, 245-246, 259, 

286, 313 

108, 109, 117, 119,134,195,224 

accident, 2, 8, 72, 80, 84, 87, 97, 102, 

sonic boom, 154-155,227, 313 

anniversary, 11 

astronaut, 11-12 

award, 15, 104-105,259, 299,300 

booster, 9-10, 20, 61, 86, 111, 127, 132 

148,162, 189, 228,302,335 

422 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

budget, 201 

communications satellite, 79, 111, 229 

contract, 2, 9, 11, 45, 59, 61, 123, 173, 

194, 201, 231, 232-233, 264, 272, 298, 

334 

cooperation, 42, 63, 70, 83, 118, 233, 

237-238, 247, 276-277, 299, 317-318, 

335 

launch, 189,208 

failure, 193 

missile. 3. 193 

reenti vkhicle, 292 

satellite, 9-10, 16, 53, 61, 80, 86, 

101, 120. 127. 132. 138. 159. 

179-180, '181, 208, 216, 228-229; 

244, 261, 271, 272, 300, 309 

missile program, 34, 18, 61, 148, 159, 

193.195.209.262-263. 312413 

MOL, 20 69-70,' 103, 122; 126, 166, 171, 

208,255, 293,308-309, 335 

Nimbus B Review Board report, 243 

nuclear propulsion. 156 

organizaiion, 9, 150 

parachute test, 112 

personnel, 102, 152, 172, 207,233 

research, 70, 150, 163, 170, 181, 302, 

312-313 

test, 34, 77, 156, 181 

training, 158 

UFO, 99. 151. 169-170. 172 

Vietnam War, 71, 72,'84, 104, 109, 155, 

US. Arms Control and Disarmament 

Agency, 27,166,295,334 

US. Armv (USA). 293 

195,224 

Advanckd Ballktic Defense Agency, 43 

Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, 36 

missile, 43, 72 

nuclear clock, 170-171 

Sentinel System Command, 72 

fare Force, 29 

U.S. Atlantic Fleet Anti-Submarine WarUS. Bureau of Mines, 95 

U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (cas), 

US. Geological Survey, 118, 181-182, 

US. Information Agency (USIA) ,239 

U.S. Navy (USN), 8, 29, 30, 41-42, 

aircraft, 187,201, 245-246, 314 

167 

contract, 167, 187, 201, 227, 302-303, 

310,314 

cooperation, 50, 101, 300 

Deep Submergence Search Vehicle, 227 

missile, 191 

nuclear submarine, 160, 169, 261, 

oceanographic ship, 310 

Operation Tektite, 101 

Sealab I11 experiment, 41-42, 143, 295 

spacecraft recovery, 77-78,251, 320 

37, 89 

191,254-255, 325 

83-84, 146,170-171 

F-lllB, 14, 71, 75, 98-99, 123, 130, 

302-303 

USNS Huntsville, 258 USNS Point Barrow, 30 USNS Watertown, 258 

U.S. Public Health Service, 82-83 

U.S.S. Discoverer (Coast and Geodetic 

Survey ship), 144 

U.S.S. Essex, 251 

U.S.S. New Jersey, 146 

U.S.S. Okinawa, 77-78 

U.S.S. Pueblo. 109 

U.S.S. Yorktown, 320 

U.S.S.R. (Union of Soviet Socialist 

Reoublics) (see also Soviet Academv 

of -Sciences, etc.) , 15-16, 42, 89-90, 

92, 141, 145, 148, 210, 215-216, 233 

agreement, 127, 149-150, 157, 159, 161, 

164, 166 

aircraft, 40, 70, 112, 126, 130, 156, 157, 

163, 171-172, 194, 195, 231, 

239-240, 259-260, 282, 297, 

332-333 

accident, 70 

airlines, 127, 157,163 

anniversary, 14, 4546,273, 336-337 

antimissile defense, 88, 185 

Aviation Day, 195 

booster, 34, 36,186487,209,289 

budget, 309 

communication satellite, 10, 88, 110, 

cooperation, 127, 128, 138, 154, 159, 

cooperation, space, 2, 10, 31, 52, 66, 99, 

Cosmonaut. See Cosmonaut. 

disarmament, 32, 59, 127, 145, 149, 159, 

exhibit, 190 

launch, 23-24,334,335-336 

155, 189-190, 244 

202,254,281 

127, 202 

161, 164, 166, 188, 191, 195, 210 

probe 

Luna XIV, 81 

Zond IV, 54 

Zond V, 211-212,230 

Zond VI, 277-278 

satellite 

Cosmos, 9, 11, 32, 42, 57, 61, 63, 

95. 106. 120. 123. 126. 128-129. 

67, 76, 82, 84, 87, 88, 92, 93-94, 

130,- 132, 135, i39, '143, 154 

158-159, 163-164, 165, 172, 178, 

180, 183, 201, 206, 211, 213, 219, 

223. 239. 240. 245. 248. 259.267. 

2691 279; 289; 295; 296; 298; 308; 

310,313,317,335-336 

Molnira 1-8, 88 

Molniia I-9; 155 

Molniya I-10,244 

Proton IV, 284-285 

Soyuz II, 263 

Soruz III. 264-265 

lunar expliration, 46, 54, 112-113, 

116-117, 178, 186-187, 222, 223, 

226-227. 254,329-330 

meteorological satellite, 2 

missile and rocket program, 29, 42, 

423 
45-46, 55-56, 93-94, 102, 178, 188, 

191, 210, 272,273, 289 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty, 11, 32, 

59, 92, 102, 123-124, 128, 132, 133, 

138, 149,210, 215-216 

science and technology, 46, 63, 93, 97, 

254, 272, 275-276,285,292, 295, 298, 

309, 316,317,324 

space, biology, 200-201, 211, 283, 

space rescue treaty, 89-90, 127, 215, 

space program, 15, 17, 22-24, 34, 36, 

173-174, 178, 180, 190, 200-201, 202, 

209, 211, 218, 222, 223, 226, 229-230, 

103-104, 159, 163, 195-196, 244, 247, 

286-287,295,324 

225,299 

37, 40, 42, 46, 83, 85, 87, 93-94, 95, 

102, 105, 112-113, 116-117, 119, 

248-249. 254. 262-263. 264-265. 266. 

267-268; 269; 272, 275-276, 27i-278; 

283, 286-287, 289, 295, 298, 310, 327, 

329-330. 332. 336-337 

space station, 54, 119, 211-212, 222, 

spacecraft. See U.S.S.R., satellite; and 

individual spacecraft, such as Luna 

IV, Molniya 1-10, Soyuz Ill. 

226,230, 277-278,283 

submarine, 160,224,239-240 

supersonic transport, 332-333 

test, 116, 121-122 

nuclear, 108 

weapons, 29, 42, 45-46, 55-56, 59, 

93-94, 102, 128, 178, 180, 185, 200, 

205, 208, 210, 239-240, 255, 273. 309 

U.S. Tactical Air Power Program (reUV: ultraviolet. 

port), 305 

V 

Vaccaro, Michael J., 283 

Vaeth, J. Gordon, 233-234 

Valparaiso, Chile, 119 

Van Allen, Dr. James A., 22, 26-27, 51 

Van Allen radiation belt, 26-27, 29-30, 

Vandenberg AFB. Calif. (see also Western 

131, 203,228 

Test Range), 116 

Advanced Ballistic Reentry System, 

contract, 11 

launch 

292 

fai%e, 193 

missile, 3 

satellite launch vehicle 

Atlas-Agena D, 179 

Atlas-Burner 11, 193 

Atlas-F, 80,159 

LongTank Thrust-Augmented Thor 

scout, 53 

Thor-Agena, 181 

Thor-Agena D, 101, 138, 216, 244, 

Thor-Burner 11, 120,261 

(LTTATI-A~~~~ D, 16, 61 

271,309 

Thrust-Augmented Thor-Agena D, 

Titan 111-B, 127,208,272,300 

Titan 111-B-Agena D, 10, 61, 86, 

9-10 

127,179-180 

MOL launch complex, 335 

Vanderbilt Univ., 326 

Vanguard (program), 152 

Vanguard I (satellite), 63-64 

Vavilov, Nikolay I., 298 

Vavilov, Sergei I., 298 

Vega (star), 310 

Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, 64455,329 

Vela (constellation), 67 VELA (nuclear test detection satellite), 

Veli, India, 31 

Venezuela, 160 

Venus (planet), 49, 184 

19,25 

atmosphere, 17,199,302, 329 

exploration of, 24, 30, 66, 188-189, 

gravity, 120-121 

landing, soft, 85 

life on, 17, 302 

magnetic field, 328-329 

map, 37,171 

probe, 163, 188-189,212 

rotation. 37 

215,248-249, 287-288,327, 334 

surface, 17, 37, 171, 188-189, 199, 

temperature, 17, 163 

Penus IV (U.S.S.R. probe), 17, 36, 85, 

199.275-276 

275-276 

Vereinigte Flugtechnische Werke, 151 

Veronique (sounding rocket), 172 

Verschuur, Dr. Gemtt L., 208-209 

Vestine, Dr. Ernest Harry, 166-167 

Veterans of Foreign Wars Space Award, 

VFX (USN supersonic fighter), 187, 201 

VFX-1. See F-14A. 

VFX-2, 171-172 

Victorialand, 89 

Vienna, Austria, 190-191, 204, 211, 228 

Vietnam, North, 71, 84, 146 

Vietnam, South, 88, 132,137, 146 

Vietnam War, 62, 133,149-150,245 

199 

aircraft, 69, 71 

budget for, 309 

effects on R&D, 296 

effects on space budget, 14-15, 56, 99, 

146,215,245, 336 

Viking, Project, 302 

Vincent, Robert K., 250 

Virgin Islands, 101 

Virginia, Univ. of, 38, 151 

Volpe, Gov. John A., 309 von Braun, Dr. Wernher, 28, 112,303 

Volcano, 191 

electric power system, space use, 275 

space program, 24, 57-58, 66, 94-95, 

9a von Eshleman, R., 275-276 von Kdrmdn, Dr. Theodore, 267 

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

424 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Voskhod I (U.S.S.R. spacecraft), 286 

Voskhod II. 81 

Vostok (U.S.S.R. spacecraft), 17 

Vostok I, 70, 309 

Vostok VI, 148 

Voyager (program), 18-19,34,41 

V/STOL aircraft, 33, 166, 177 

landing tests for, 168 

research, for, 34, 47, 134, 238, 288-289 

wind tunnel for testing, 219, 224 

vsx (antisubmarine aircraft), 187 

VTOL aircraft, 16, 33, 47, 116, 224, 231, 

276-277 

foreign, 105, 231 

landing pads for, test, 135 

wind tunnel for testing, 39-40,219 

Vucinich, Alexander, 63 

Vungtau, South Vietnam, 88 

W 

Wakstein, Dr. Charles, 117 

Talker, Dr, J. C. G., 328 

Wallace, Gov. George C., 271-272 

Wallops Station (NASA), 30-31, 192 

award, 283 

hailstone model tests, 247 

launch 

Explorer XXXVII, 56-57 

Reentry F experiment, 97 

sounding rocket, 1, 64-65, 160, 216, 

Aerobee 150 A, 141, 289-290, 291 

Arcas, 86,214 

Astrobee 1500,88 

Black Brandt IV, 106 

Javelin. 82 

RAM C-11, 198-199 

288, 308, 328-329 

Nike-Apache, 45, 64-65, 70, 168, 

Nike-Cajun, 9, 29, 168, 213-214, 

181, 182-183, 273, 287 

287 

64-65, 183,198,256 

Nike-Tomahawk, 13, 31, 60, 62-63, 

Pacemaker, 144 

runway test, 118, 125, 286 

Warnke, Paul C., 138 

Warsaw, Poland, 161 

Warsham, James E., 15 

Washington Airlines, 224 

Washington, D.C., 26, 82-83, 103, 122, 

awards presented at, 49, 235-236, 300 

meetings, 22-23, 38-39, 46, 55-56, 79, 

137, 145,200,217,279, 306, 327 

86, 91, 94-95, 108-109, 111-112, 

112-113, 187-188, 216-217, 239 

274-275, 280-281, 284, 293-294, 

301-302,315-316 

nuclear nonproliferation treaty signed 

space rescue treaty signed at, 89-90 

at, 149, 295 

Washington National Airport, 179, 189, 

203,224 

air traffic, 194, 199-200, 206,300 

lights, 122 

modernization, 231 

runway test, 324 

113 

Watson, Postmaster General W. Marvin, ' 

Weakley, V/A Charles E. (USN, Ret), 29 

Weapon systems, 55, 59, 191, 195, 239, 

2.55 

Weather modification, 101-102, 195 

K'ebb, James E., 26, 101, 118-'?9, 215. 

244-245, 

appointments by, 5-6, 17, 91-92, 160, 

206,209,233 

award to, 306 

budget, 19-20, 33-34, 48, 93, 140, 

lectures by 

115 

161-162 

Diebold, John, 232 

McKinsey Foundation, 103-104, 109, 

resignation, 212-213, 218, 221-222, 

229, 244-245, 336 

space cooperation, 201 

space program, 97, 209,212-213 

tribute to, 66, 215, 218, 221-222, 229, 

U.S.S.R. space program, 222 

visit to MSC, 53 

WEFAX (Weather Facsimile Experiment), 

155 

Weidner, Hermann K., 303 

Weightlessness, effects of, 200-201 

animals, 46,86,151, 218,286-287 

bacteria and viruses, 46, 325-326 

chromosomes, 46,325-326 

human beings, 81, 190, 218, 268, 

olants. 46 

2%-247,306 

286-287 

Weinberg, Dr, Alvin M., 28, 331 

Wells, Edward C., 5 

Welsh, Dr. Edward C., 32. 105-106. 

112-113, 141, 202, 254, 274, 307-308' 

Wenk, Edward, Jr., 284 

Rrest Virginia, 219, 230 

Western Co., 95 

Western Electric Co., 72 

Western New York Nuclear Research 

Center, 31 

Western Telegraph (U.K.), 293 

Western Test Range (WTR) (see also 

Vandenberg AFB, Calif.) 

contract, 59,289 

failure, 116, 224, 242 

satellite 

launch vehicle 

launch, 1, 179 

Scout, 113, 182, 240 

Thorad-Agena D, 116, 244 

Thrust-Augmented Delta, 7, 42- 

43, 153, 210-211 

Thrust-Augmented LongTank 

Thor-Delta, 191-192, 311 

X-15 experiment, 164, 198, 211, 

Western Union International, Inc., l%, 

262 

307-308 

425 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

Westinghouse Defense and Space Center, 

145 

Westinghouse Electric Corp., 26, 272 

Weston, Ill., 93, 154 

Wetzel, Col. Albert J. (USAF, Ret.), 209 

Wheeler, Gen. Earle G. (USA), 159 

Wheeler, Dr. John Archibald, 221,298 

White, L/C Edward H., I1 (USAF), 306 

White House, 7, 51, 57, 150, 212, 235-236, 

298, 299, 306, 326, 332 

White, Col. Maynard E. (USAF, Ret.), 9 

White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), N. 

Mex. 296 

Aerobee 150 

launch 

radiation, 121 

solar astronomy, 40-41, 62, 128, 

224 

stellar data, 30,67,104, 115 

ultraviolet astronomy, 115 

x-ray astronomy, 30, 40-41, 62, 

atmospheric data, 238 

infrared data, 49-50, 316 

solar astronomy, 97, 118, 232, 290 

stellar data, 90, 282 

x-ray astronomy, 169, 170, 303 

87, 104 

Aerobee 150 MI 

balloon, 209-210 

Nike-Apache, 126-127,300 

Nike-Cajun, 32-33 

instrumentation, 17, 128, 238 

parachute, 32-33, 126-127, 227, 261, 

rail launch, 211, 214 

Solar Pointing Aerobee Rocket Control System, 65 

varibooster, 211,214 

White, Gen. Thomas D., Award, 10k-105 

White, Gen. Thomas D., Space Trophy, 

White, William S., 149-150 

Whittaker, Philip N., 172 

Whittle, Sir Frmk, 260-261 

micrometeoroid sampling, 129, 

185-186, 197,310 

test 

309 

122 

WIIO. See World Health Organization. 

Wible, M. Keith, 92 

Wiesner, Dr. Jerome B., 139-140, 159, 

Wilford, John N., 85, 186-187, 265 

Williams AFB, Ariz., 92 

Williams, Maj. Clifton C., Jr. (USMC), 

Williams, Don, 77 

Wilson, Andrew, 189 

Wilson, George C., 7, 180, 261, 284, 316 

Wilson, Prime Minister Harold (U.K.), 9 

Wilson, T. A., 217 

Wilson, Dr. William J., 200 

Wind tunnel, 39-40,42,219,281 

Wing, aircraft 

303-304 

128 

delta, 332-333 

fixed, 19, 158, 206, 217, 220-221, 270, 

fixed delta. 259.270. 285 

285,335 

swept, 14,167,259-260 

swing, 75, 207, 220-221, 259-260, 263, 

270 

test, 75, 155 

tilt, 276 

variable, 206,220-221 

Wings Club, 66-67, 315 

Wisconsin Regional Space Center, 68 

Wisconsin, Univ. of, 38, 93, 115, 219, 229, 

304 

Withbroe, George L., 243-244 

Withington, H. W., 259-260 

Witkin, Richard, 259 

Woeller, Fritz H., 16-17 

Wolfe, Dr. John H., 138-139 

Women’s National Democratic Club, 

Wonsan, North Korea, 109 

Woods, George D., 16 

Woods Hole, Maw., 275 

Woomera Rocket Range, Australia, 296 

World Affairs Council, 210 

World Bank, 51, 53 

World Health Organization (WHO), 291 

World Meteorological Organization, 306- 

94-95 

9n7 

306-307 

Wrench, Edwin H., 131 

Wright Brothers Day, 313-314 

Wrights Brothers Lecture, 38-39 

Wright Brothers Memorial Dinner, 209, 

Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy, 209, 

Fright, Orville, 313-314 

Wright, Wilbur, 313-314 

Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, 112, 181 WSMR. See White Sands Missile Range. WTR. See Western Test Range. 

Wykes, Raymond P., 151-152 

Wyld, James H., Propulsion Award, 133 

X 

X-3 (supersonic aircraft), 293 

X-15 (rocket research aircraft), 299, 

286,314 

314 

300, 317-318, 335 

accident, 12, 164-165 

flight 

No. 1, 53, 78, 95, 132, 164, 198, 211, 

212,262 

No. 2, 259 

funding, 19 

Hypersonic Research Engine, 47 

pilots, 11-12, 12,299,300 

record, 11-12,317-318 

altitude, 317-318 

speed, 317-318 

426 
ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1968 

test 

alpha cone, 198,211 

electrical system, 53 

fluidic probe, 198,211 

horizon measurement, 132 

horizon scanner, 198,211 

insulation, 78,95 

Saturn components, 95 

X-24 (lifting-body vehicle), 42 

XB-5A (V/STOL aircraft), 276-277 

XB-70 (supersonic aircraft), 19, 158, 

313 

contract, 149 

flight, 8, 38, 50, 67,131,269, 335 

instrumentation, pilot, 186 

298-299 

XB-70A, flight, 145, 167, 208, 258, 

XC-142 (VTOL aircraft), 276-277 

XE (nuclear rocket engine), 25-26 

XLR-11 (rocket engine), 279 

X-ray, 62, 104, 256-257, 280-281 

XV-5A (V/STOL aircraft), 177 

XV-5A (V/STOL aircraft), 166, 177, 276- 

XV4B (Hummingbird 11) (VTOL resource, 30,273,303 

277 

search aircraft), 230-231 

Y 

Yale Univ., 38, 328-329 

Yardney Electric Corp., 121 

Yavne:, Aleksandr, 119 

Yegorov, Dr, Boris B., 286 

Yellowstone National Park, 154-155 

Yelyan, Eudard V., 332-333 

Yeshiva Univ., Graduate School of Sci- ence. 119 

YF-lZA-jjet interceptor), 207 

York, Dr. Herbert F., Jr., 40 

Yusemite National Park, 154-L5 

Young, Cdr. John w. (USN), 

Young, Pearl L, 134-135 

279-280 

173, 

Z 

Zeta (star), 67 

Zeuschner, Robert B., 44 

ZF-15A (fighter aircraft), 130, 

Zohar, Dr. Shalhav, 171 

Zond I (U.S.S.R. space probe), 

Zond II, 54, 212 

Zond Ill, 54, 212 

Zond IV, 54, 151, 212 

Zond v. 

272,334 

232-233, 

212 

~. 1 

Iaunc&, 211-212 

press comment, 222-224,226,230 

reentrv. 230.277 

- 

resul&,’24&249,~3 

Zwick, Charles J., 255, 286 

Zwicky, Prof. Fritz, 287 

Zworykin, Dr. Vladimir K., 43 

Zond VI, 277-278, 287-288, 298, 332 

NASA HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS 

HISTORIES 

* Robert L. Rosholt, An Administrative History of NASA, 1958-1963, NASA SPLoyd S. Swenson, James M. Grimwood, and Charles C. Alexander, This New 

* Constance McL. Green and Milton Lomask, Vanguard: A History, NASA SPAlfred Rosenthal, Venture Into Space: EarZy Years of Goddard Space Flight 

* Edwin P. Hartman, Adventures in Research: A History of the Ames Research 

4101, 1966, $4.00.' 

Ocean: A History of Project Mercury, NASA SP-4201, 1966, $5.50. 

4202 (1970). 

Center, NASA SP-4301, 1968, $2.50. 

Center, 1940-1965, NASA SP-4302 (1970). 

HISTORICAL STUDIES 

Eugene M. Emme (ed.), History of Rocket Technology (Detroit: Wayne State 

Universitv. 1964). 

Mae Mills Link, Space Medicine in Project Mercury, NASA SP-4003, 1965, &QO. * Historical Sketch of NASA, NASA EP-29, 1965 and 1966. 

Katherine M. Dickson (Library of Congress), History of Aeronautics and Astronautics: A Preliminary Bibliography, NASA HHR-29, for sale by Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information, Springfield, Va. 22150, 

$3.00. 

CHRONOLOGIES 

Aeronautics and Astronautics: An American Chronology of Science and Technology in the Exploration of Space, 1915-1960, compiled by E. M. Emme, 

Washington: NASA, 1961. * Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1961, published by the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, 1962. 

Aeronautical and Astronautical Events of 1962, published by the House Committee on Science and Astronautics, 1963. 

Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1963, NASA SP-4004, 1964, $1.75. 

Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1964, NASA SP-4005, 1965, $1.75. 

Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1965, NASA SP-4006, 1966. * Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1966, NASA SP-4007, 1967, $1.50. * Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1967, NASA SP-4008, 1969, $2.25. * Project Mercury: A Chronology, by James M. Grimwood, NASA SP-4001, 1963. * Project Gemini Technology and Operations: A Chronology, by James M. Grimwood and Barton C. Hacker, with Peter J. Vorzimmer, NASA SP-4002, 1969, 

$2.75. * The Apollo Spacecraft: A Chronology, Vol. I, Through November 7, 1962, by 

Ivan D. Ertel and Mary Lou Morse, NASA SP-4009, 1969, $2.50. 

*All titles with prices can be ordered from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. 

* U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1970 0362-275 

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