UNITED STATES AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ACTIVITIES 

1967 

I 
NOTE TO READERS: ALL PRINTED PAGES ARE INCLUDED, 

UNNUMBERED BLANK PAGES DURING SCANNING AND QUALITY 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE COUNCIL 

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20SO2 
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE OF TRANSMITTAL 

TO THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES: 

This report details a year -- and climaxes a decade -- of American 

progress in space. 

On January 31, 1958, a 31-pound EXPLORER I was fired from a 

JUPITER C rocket with 150,000 pounds of thrust. 

November 9, 1967, a 280,000-pound APOLLO payload was launched into 

orbit by a SATURN V rocket with 7. 5 million pounds of thrust. 

In the time spanning those two events, the United States has placed 514 

spacecraft in earth orbit. 

to the moon or distant planets. 

The technology amassed through those expeditions has justified this 

nation's commitment to conquer the challenge of space. It has encouraged us to lift our eyes beyond our initial goals and plan for the decade 

ahead. 

The fruits of that technology have not been limited to space exploration 

alone. 

earthbound lives. It has: 

Ten years later, on 

Twenty-eight others have been sent on flights 

The knowledge built through our space program has benefited our 

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; 

strengthened both the security of this nation and our 

leadership in the search for a peaceful and secure 

world. 

We can look with confidence to an expansion of these benefits as our 

space program moves into its second decade. 
Our accomplishments thus far point to the path of progress ahead: 

fuller observations of the earth, increasingly productive manned flights, 

and planetary exploration. 

The year 1967 itself began with a major tragedy. 

astronauts died in a fire while testing the APOLLO capsule on the launching pad. Even as we saluted these men for the contributions they had 

made, we moved to improve the spacecraft as well as the safety procedures surrounding its use. 

Three of our gallant 

But though the year was shadowed by that disaster, its accomplishments 

significantly advanced our progress. 

November was the greatest launch triumph to date. As the result of our 

success in photographing lunar landing sites, we have for the first time 

a complete mapping of the moon. 

The SATURN-APOLLO flight in 

It is most heartening to me that our space program moved forward in a 

spirit of international cooperation, giving new hope that the conquest of 

space can contribute to the establishment of peace. Eighty-four nations 

participated in cooperative space activities with us. The Outer Space 

Treaty went into effect, after Senate approval. The United Nations 

unanimously recommended a procedure for the emergency rescue and 

return of astronauts and space equipment. 

that treaty to the Senate, 

I shall shortly be sending 

It is with pleasure that I transmit this record of achievement to the Members of Congress, whose judgment and support have been essential to our 

aerospace progress. 

THE WHITE HOUSE 

January 1968 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Chapter I 

Chapter 

Chapter 

Chapter 

Chapter 

Chapter 

Chapter 

Chapter 

Chapter 

I1 

111 

IV 

V 

VI 

VU 

VLII 

IX 

Chapter X 

C hapte r XI 

Chapter XLI 

Chapter XLII 

Chapter XIV 

Appendix A- 1 

Appendix A-2 

Appendix A-3 

Appendix B 

Appendix C 

Appendix D 

Appendix E 

Appendix F- 1 

Appendix F-2 

Appendix F- 3 

Index 

U . S . Aeronautics and Space Activities.. 

1967 Summary .................. National Aeronautics and Space Council ....... National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Department of Defense ................. Atomic Energy Commission .............. Department of State .................. National Science Foundation .............. Department of Commerce ............... National Academy of Sciences . National Academy 

of Engineering . National Research Council ... Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory ........ Department of Transportation ............. Federal Communications Commission ......... United States Information Agency ........... Arms Control and Disarmament Agency 

... 

...... 

U . S . Spacecraft Record (Chart) ........... U . S . Spacecraft Record (Table) ........... Soviet Spacecraft Successfully Launched ....... Successful U . S . Launches . 1967 ........... 

....... Ten-Year Listing of Major Space "Firsts" 

Historical Summary . U . S . Unmanned Lunar 

Achieved by the U . S . and the USSR 

and Planetary Probes ............... U . S . Space Launch Vehicles ............. Radioisotopic Power Systems for Space Applications . Historical Summary and FY 1969 Budget 

Recommendations (New Obligational Authority) . Historical Summary and FY 1969 Budget 

Re commendations (Expenditure s) ......... Space Activities Budget; Aeronautics Activities 

Budget ....................... ............................. 

1 

6 

10 

44 

63 

69 

72 

77 

91 

99 

104 

112 

115 

121 

123 

124 

124 

125 

132 

134 

136 

137 

138 

139 

140 

141 
CHAPTER 

I 

U. S. AERONAUTICS AND 

SPACE ACTIVITIES 1967 

SUMMARY 

In the tenth year of the Space Age, the national space program of the United States 

experienced its first major tragedy- -and achieved its greatest launch triumph to 

date. The Nation advanced its technology to new heights, making vital progress in 

the drive to land men on the Moon in this decade and also to applying spacegenerated competence toward improving the lot of mankind, 

As the year moved along the national space program faced increasingly serious 

funding competition from other high-priority programs. There continues, however, 

strong support for the program's objectives and policy. 

A tragic fire on January 27 in an APOLLO spacecraft at Cape Kennedy took the lives 

of three astronauts. 

changes in the spacecraft itself, in operating procedures, and in organization. 

Schedule delays and cost increases have resulted but risks have been decreased 

and equipment improved. 

After an intensive investigation, NASA undertook to make 

On November 9, a SATURN V vehicle was launched for the first time, carrying an 

unmanned APOLLO spacecraft into orbit. 

altitude of 11,252 miles, from which it successfully re-entered the Earth's atmosphere at a velocity equivalent to that of a re-entry on return from lunar flight. 

SATURN V vehicle performed magnificently, using the unprecedented 7, 500, 000 

pounds of thrust in its first stage to boost a record 278,699-pound payload into 

orbit. This was a heartening demonstration of the ever-growing capabilities of the 

U. S. program. Six more SATURN-APOLLO flights are planned for 1968, and five 

in 1969. One of the latter may be our first manned Moon landing mission. 

The spacecraft was carried to an 

The 

Largely in preparation for our manned lunar landings, NASA carried its LUNAR 

ORBITER series to successful completion during the year, concluding photographic 

surveys of eight proposed lunar manned landing sites. The program, with five 

successes in five attempts during 1966 and 1967, furnished photographs of the 

entire surface of the Moon in detail 100 times greater than could be provided by 

Earth-bound telescopes. 

from lunar orbit. 

It also sent back the first photographs of Earth taken 

Three soft-landing SURVEYOR spacecraft supplied more than 50, 000 close-up 

photographs of the Moon. In addition, they dug out a small trench, made chemical 

analyses of the lunar soil, and one even fired its vernier engines to lift the spacecraft 10 feet above the surface and re-land it 8 feet away. Results of the program 
indicate that the Moon's surface will adequately support manned landing craft. 

SURVEYORS were still operating as the year ended, and the seventh and last in the 

series is scheduled for launch in early 1968. 

Two 

Far beyond the Moon, the year saw a major interplanetary success when the 

MARINER V spacecraft, launched June 14, flew-by within 2,600 miles of Venus on 

October 19. The Soviet Union's VENERA 4 Spacecraft, launched on June 12, had 

soft-landed on the planet on October 18. 

measurements of the environment, vastly increasing our understanding of this 

neighboring planet. 

The two spacecraft made complementary 

Within the Earth's atmosphere, there were major developments during the year in 

aeronautics. Here, too, tragedy struck, as an X-15 pilot was killed when his aircraft disintegrated in flight over the Mojave Desert on November 15. This was the 

first flight fatality in the history of the eight-year-old program. 

the program investigated manned maneuverable travel at hypersonic speeds, and on 

one flight a new speed record of 4,534 miles per hour was set. 

During the year 

Elsewhere in the field of aeronautics, the Supersonic Transport (SST) program 

moved into its prototype development phase. On May 1, two days after the . 

President announced the decision to proceed with the program, the Federal Aviation 

Administration signed contracts with the two industry companies which had won 

design competitions for the SST airframe and engines, respectively. The first 

prototype SST is scheduled to fly in 1970, and production planes are expected to go 

into commercial service by about 1974. 

On the military side of aviation, the manufacture and assembly of the world's 

largest aircraft, the C5A transport, continued on schedule. Roll-out of the first 

craft i.s scheduled for February, 1968, and first flight is expected in June, 1968. 

The first F-111A with operational capability was delivered on October 16. 

An advance with significance for both aeronautics and astronautics was a successful 

series of Air Force test flights of lifting body re-entry vehicles. 

flights of the wingless aircraft, it was demonstrated that the lifting body could be 

maneuvered well away from its plotted re-entry path and then maneuvered back into 

that trajectory. This was a step toward the goal of developing technology for 

reusable spacecraft that will be capable of taking off like aircraft, carrying out 

space missions, and returning to land under pilot control. 

In three unmanned 

The MANNED ORBITING LABORATORY (MOL) program of the Department of 

Defense moved into engineering development early in 1967. All principal components of the system progressed on schedule, a static test firing of the first-stage 

engine of the system's TITAN IIIM launch vehicle was carried out successfully, and 

construction of the MOL launch complex at Vandenberg AFB was begun. 

craft is intended to contribute to our national security. It has, however, no 

missions as a weapons system. 

This spaceIn furtherance of the desire of the United States and other nations for peace, the 

Treaty on Outer Space was approved without dissent by the Senate on April 25 and 

went into formal effect on October 10, when ceremonies were conducted in 

Washington, London, and Moscow. Also, the United Nations General Assembly 

unanimously passed an agreement on December 19, providing for assistance in the 

2 
rescue and return of astronauts as well as of their space equipment. 

is now subject to approval by member governments. 

The agreement 

Numerically, the U. S. space activity showed fewer spacecraft launched during 1967 

than in either of the two preceding years. 

variety of missions in near-Earth orbit as well as in lunar and planetary exploration. 

It was a year of high reliability in both launch vehicles and spacecraft, reaching a 

peak with the APOLLO flight on the mighty SATURN V, the world's most powerful 

rocket in operation. 

Yet, the 87 successes accomplished a 

The Soviets' over-all space effort was stepped up during the year, with 67 payloads 

successfully launched, compared with 51 for the preceding year. On April 24, the 

USSR suffered the first fatal accident in space when a SOYUZ spacecraft crashed on 

re-entry during its 18th orbit, killing its pilot. 

tion and a resultant delay of undetermined duration in the Soviet manned program. 

Among the USSR's notable successes of the year were the soft-landing of VENERA 4 

on that planet on October 18 and the automatic docking of two unmanned spacecraft 

on October 30. 

This accident prompted an investigaIn the U. S. space program, 1967 was a year of milestones in applying space 

technology to the solution of man's problems. 

of applications satellites, with mounting attention being given to Earth observation 

capabilities. 

Progress was made in every category 

Three U. S. weather satellites were launched to maintain the efficient operation of 

our weather satellite system. 

were acquired daily and used by the Weather Bureau and the military services, 

Broad international acceptance of the Automatic Picture Transmission feature of the 

system was shown by the establishment of 150 new APT ground stations throughout 

the world during the year, bringing the total such stations to 300. 

Routine, reliable pictures of the Earth's cloud cover 

On January 11, NASA launched the first successful INTELSAT I1 satellite for the 

Communications Satellite Corporation, providing a commercial communications 

link between the U. S. mainland, Hawaii, and Japan and other parts of the Far East. 

The transatlantic link was supplemented by an INTELSAT I1 spacecraft on March 22, 

and still another was put into orbit over the Pacific on September 28. 

made in television and satellite communications on June 25, when a live telecast 

contributed to by 14 countries was carried to viewers in 26 countries via satellites. 

History was 

On July 29, the TRANSIT navigation satellite system was declared available for 

commercial and other civilian use. 

As significant as any 1967 development in the national space program has been the 

growing attention by government and private industry to the benefits flowing from the 

useful applications of space -influenced management techniques, hardware, and 

technology to the solution of social and economic problems. 

been a gradually accelerating effort to apprise the general public of the manner and 

the extent of how the taxpayer gains from a vigorous and continuing space investment. 

Moreover, there has 

A summary list of aerospace accomplishments by the United States in 1967 inchdes 

the following: 

3 
1. In its first flight test, SATURN V, the world's largest operational rocket 

with 7,500, 000 pounds of thrust, placed an APOLLO spacecraft into orbit. 

2. The LUNAR ORBITER .program was completed, having obtained photographic coverage of the front and hidden faces of the Moon, including eight prospective landing sites for astronauts. 

3. SURVEYOR soft-landed on the lunar surface and transmitted the information that its composition is a type of material which is strong enough to hold a 

manned spacecraft for lunar exploration. 

4. MARINER V flew-by within 2,600 miles of Venus and transmitted 

valuable data on the planet's environment. 

5. Three TITAN IIIC boosters successfully placed 19 payloads into high 

orbits, some beyond synchronous distances. 

6. Actual construction was begun on the first two prototypes of the Supersonic 

Transport, which will enter commercial operations in the 1970's. 

7. Work on the C5A, the world's largest aircraft, progressed so that the 

aircraft is expected to be ready for roll-out in February, 1968,and make its initial 

flight in June of that year. 

8. 

rocket plane. 

A new world speed record of 4,534 miles per hour was set in an X-15 

9. The first APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE successfully 

completed a year of complex experiments in communications, meteorology, and 

environmental physics. A second spin-stabilized ATS was put into synchronous 

orbit over the Atlantic and obtained impressive color pictures of the Earth. 

10. NASA launched three communications spacecraft for the Communications 

Satellite Corporation to expand commercial satellite communications over the 

Atlantic and Pacific. 

11. The geodetic satellite PAGEOS provided measurements for the accurate 

location of geographic points around the world. 

12. Two EXPLORER and three OBSERVATORY satellites continued measure - 

ments of the Earth's environment, while another PIONEER probe was launched to 

measure interplanetary phenomena. 

13. BIOSATELLITE 11, which was safely recovered from orbit, carried a 

variety of life forms around the Earth for nearly two days, yielding information 

which will assist in planning for prolonged flights of astronauts. 

14. The MANNED ORBITING LABORATORY program advanced through its 

engineering development phase. 

15. The Outer Space Treaty entered into force; and the UN General Assembly 

unanimously approved an agreement on the emergency rescue and return of 

4 
astronauts and spacecraft, which agreement is subject to endorsement by individual 

governments. 

16. The NERVA nuclear reactor was successfully tested in full-power 

operation for more than 60 minutes, about twice as long as in previous trials, 

adding to the evidence that rocket reactors will be useful in future space flights. 

The PHOEBUS-1B experimental reactor was operated for 30 minutes at nearly 

1, 500 megawatts. 

17. Major components of the SNAP-8 nuclear auxiliary power system for 

space underwent over 2,500 hours of endurance tests. 

18. Fueling of the first SNAP-27 space electric generator heat source was 

completed, as was component acceptance testing of the first flight generator 

(unfueled). Plans call for SNAP-27 to be placed on the Moon by an astronaut to 

provide pomer for lunar experiments. 

19. Lasers were used to track near-Earth satellites with an accuracy within 

5 feet; also tests proved the feasibility of using lasers to transmit video pictures 

from points as distant as Mars. 

20. Two VELA nuclear-test detection satellites were placed into orbit to 

continue test -ban treaty monitoring. 

21. Three ESSA weather satellites were launched to continue an operational 

system established in 1966, providing daily cloud-cover photographs to ground 

stations throughout the world. 

22. The TRANSIT navigation satellite system was declassified and made 

available for commercial and other civilian use. 

23. The 260-inch-diameter solid rocket motor, largest single rocket motor 

ever tested, was successfully static-fired. 

pounds of thrust in a firing of 80 seconds duration. 

The motor generated a peak 5. 8 million 

24. Through 1967, 84 countries were participating in cooperative space 

activities with the United States. 

five foreign nations and eight other satellites were under development for future 

launch. In addition, 124 scientists from 26 countries were taking part in space 

research at NASA centers; 19 countries were involved in cooperative sounding rocket programs; and 43 countries had Automatic Picture Transmission facilities to 

obtain cloud-cover pictures directly from U. S. satellites. 

Nine satellites had been successfully launched for 

25. The U. S. launched a total of 87 spacecraft into Earth orbit and on 

es cape trajectories . 

5 
CHAPTER 

I1 

INTRODUCTION 

The National Aeronautics and Space Council, established by the National Aeronautics 

and Space Act of 1958, has a statutory responsibility for advising and assisting the 

President with respect to the entire field of aeronautics and space policy programming and performance. 

aeronautical and space activities, develops comprehensive programs for such activities , and provides coordination between the various agencies involved in these 

programs. 

The Council surveys and evaluates all significant U. s. 

During 1967, the Council carried out its responsibilities in a variety of fields whose 

scope was national in dimension, and international in extension. 

passed both civilian and military aerospace projects. 

Its work encomTHE VICE PRESIDENT 

The Vice President, by statute, is the Chairman of the National Aeronautics and 

Space Council. 

the year, the Vice President visited numerous aerospace facilities, and acquainted 

himself at first hand with the complex ramifications of this vital growth in technological and management competence. 

President on the utilization of space technology to increase the well-being of the 

people in this nation and on the extension of such benefits to the world, to improve 

our international relations and strengthen world peace. 

In addition to presiding over all meetings of the Council held during 

Special emphasis was placed by the Vice 

Continuing interest was expressed by the Vice President in the pace and scope of 

advances in aeronautics, particularly in new aircraft, air safety, and the reduction 

of aircraft noise and sonic boom. 

BENEFITS 

One of the major goals of the national space program is to apply the technology required for space conquest to better living here on Earth. By its stimulus to invention and demand for technological excellence, the space program has provided this 

nation with a broad range of skills unequalled anywhere else in the world. 

skills are the hallmark of national leadership in this century, which is based more 

than ever before on managerial, scientific, and engineering excellence. In such 

development, constructive cooperation between the Federal Government and private 

enterprise has been and is characteristic and basic. 

Such 

6 
The United States, in return for its investment in space amounting over the past ten 

years to less than one percent of our Gross National Product, has received an inflow 

of positive contributions to the national security, broadened technological skills, 

new products, markets and services, economies resulting from improved weather 

prediction, new and more economical modes of worldwide communications, enrichment of the quality of education, and buttressing of world peace through furtherance 

of international amity and cooperation. 

Through our aerospace activities, the people of the world have been presented a 

positive image of a vigorous, progressive nation, dedicated to and succeeding in the 

attainment of excellence. Such performance reinforces the thesis that the individual 

nation which can offer freedom, encourage and reward enterprise, and provide 

a government responsive to the needs of all the people is the most successful. 

SPACE PLANNING OBJECTIVES 

In evaluating the natiorial space program in terms of both present accomplishments 

and future goals, the Council has been guided by certain broad mission objectives. 

These include: 

a. 

b. 

C. 

d. 

e. 

f. 

g. 

h. 

Applying the results of space research, technology, and discovery 

to achieve a variety of economic and social benefits. 

Actively pursuing research and development to increase our 

knowledge of the, space environment and fundamental facts of 

nature, and to make practical application of such knowledge. 

Mastering the technology of advanced unmanned and manned flight 

to attain the capacity for ultra-high-speed, safe, and economical 

flight in outer space. 

Conducting unmanned and manned exploration of the solar system, 

including the Moon and other celestial bodies. 

Developing and applying space competence so that exploration and 

discoveries in space will enhance our capability to keep the peace 

and deter aggression on Earth. 

Accelerating the development and operational use of space systems 

in meteorology, communications, navigation, geodesy, Earth resources inventory, and other Earth-oriented fields. 

Seeking increased international cooperation in, and mutually 

advantageous agreements for, the use of outer space for peaceful 

purposes, development of a regime of law for outer space, joint 

and coordinated space endeavors, and orderly and open conduct of 

space, space-related, and aeronautical activities. 

Striving for elimination of waste, minimization of duplication, and 

increase of cooperation in carrying out the national space effort. 

7 
AERONAUTICS 

The research program for aircraft noise abatement has been extended by all competent agencies to embrace airframe and engine design for new airplanes, as well as 

the retrofitting of current equipment and pilot retraining where that can be productive. 

NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Transportation are expediting coordinated research into every aspect of equipment and control to improve 

air safety, particularly in the vicinity of large centers of concentrated air traffic. 

Progress continues in constructing two SST prototypes to be ready for flight tests in 

1970. 

creasing the noise level and sonic boom. 

Continuing attention is being given to increasing the safety features and deCOMPARISON OF U. S. AND SOVIET SPACE PROGRAMS 

The United States put 77 payloads into Earth orbit and 10 payloads on escape missions during 1967. USSR figures for the same period were 66 and 1 respectively. 

Over the past 10 years, since the first successful launch into space, U. S. total payloads have been 542 and the number for the USSR 284. 

has placed the largest weight into orbit on a single launch with the world's most 

powerful rocket, the SATURN V, the Soviets are estimated to have orbited greater 

total weight over the years than the United States. 

activity by both nations, with considerable indication that the Soviets give it higher 

priority than the United States in terms of relative investment of gross national 

product. The Soviets have begun to show considerable interest in the space application fields in which the United States has had so much success, particularly in 

meteorology, communications, and navigation. The vigor, competence, and broad 

approach of the USSR aerospace program demonstrate that the United States has no 

grounds for complacency regarding its technological or performance leadership. 

Although the United States 

High priority is given to space 

COUNCIL ACTIVITIES 

During Calendar Year 1967 the Council and its staff dealt with a variety of aerospace 

problems. 

and evaluate views regarding FY 1968 and FY 1969 budget plans. Special consideration was given to post-APOLLO space goals, the APOLLO capsule fire, foreignaffairs aspects of U. S. space programs and opportunities for expanded international 

cooperation in outer space, coordination of the U. S. presence in major international 

scientific and cultural events having an aerospace content, plans and prospects for 

natural resources satellites, policy aspects of communications satellite development, 

planning and safety aspects of nuclear rocket and space nuclear-power projects, 

aeronautical research funding, aeronautical safety, and reduction of airport noise. 

A number of meetings were held to exchange inter-agency information 

In brief, the Council directly and through its staff engaged in a broad range of policy, 

coordinating and informational activities. Among these were: 

a. Supervised and edited the President's Annual Report to the Congress 

on Aeronautics and Space Activities for 1967. 

b. Submitted regular reports to the President and the Council Chairman 

on significant space activities and plans. 

8 
C. 

d. 

e. 

f. 

h. 

i. 

k. 

1. 

m. 

n. 

0. 

P* 

Maintained a mutually informative relationship with members and 

staff of appropriate committees of the Congress on aeronautics and 

space developments here and abroad. 

Increased public understanding of the national space program through 

speeches, articles, correspondence, and other public contacts. 

Participated in analysis of and made recommendations concerning 

budgets for space and aeronautics. 

Coordinated for the President the decisions involved in launching 

nuclear power units in spacecraft. 

Helped to develop policy recommendations on the growth of communication satellite systems. 

Examined the status and potential of Earth resources satellites. 

Surveyed the relative capability and state of development of onboard space power supply alternatives. 

Furnished briefing materials, including space photographs , for use 

in connection with visits to Washington of high-ranking officials of 

other nations. 

Participated in the planning for aeronautical and space exhibits abroad. 

Examined the need for legislative changes affecting space and aeronautics. 

Maintained liaison with the technological and aerospace communities. 

Reviewed the status of meteorological, navigation, communication 

and applications technology satellite projects. 

Visited space installations, examined facilities, and engaged in 

inter-agency as well as Government-industry meetings and briefings 

on new developments in aeronautics, space technology, and space 

benefits. 

Maintained a current record of U. S. and Soviet space launches, 

developed comparisons between U. S. and USSR space activities, 

and reviewed the space accomplishments and potentials of other 

nations . 

9 
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND CHAPTER 

I11 SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

INTRODUCTION 

During 1967, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration made worthwhile 

progress in its wide-ranging scientific and technological programs in space and 

aeronautics. 

surface and environment of the Moon. 

Of special interest was the collecting of vital information about the 

Although the APOLLO fire of January was a serious blow to NASA's manned space 

flight program, knowledge gained from it brought about changes in procedures, improvements in engineering, and a strengthening of safety precautions. 

ments, along with the great success of the SATURN V on November 9, furnished a 

basis for optimism and encouragement. 

Such developIn the space science and applications program , automated spacecraft photographed 

the entire front and hidden faces of the Moon to point out possible landing sites for 

astronauts. Other unmanned spacecraft landed on the lunar surface and found that 

its earthlike soft stone was strong enough to support manned landings, and that its 

environment was not too hostile for men to explore it. 

Extending scientific investigations millions of miles away, still another spacecraft 

flew within 2, 600 miles of Venus to send back invaluable data about the planet and 

interplanetary space. 

Three more weather satellites were added to the operational meteorological network, experiments with communications satellites were carried out successfully, 

and a geodetic satellite supplied measurements for precise location of geographic 

points around the world. An ORBITING GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY and two 

ORBITING SOLAR OBSERVATORIES were launched. The second BIOSATELLITE 

(an orbiting biological laboratory) studied the effects of almost two days in space 

on various life forms to prepare for extended manned flights. 

Advanced research and technology efforts concentrated on seeking out answers to 

current aeronautics and space problems and anticipating those of the future. Although tragedy struck the l9lst flight of an X-15, these airplanes were used extensively for hypersonic speed and high-altitude experiments; the XB-70 made a number of flights to collect data on the sonic boom and other subjects related to the 

SUPERSONIC TRANSPORT; and studies of V/STOL aircraft included wind tunnel 

and laboratory investigations and re search on propulsion concepts. The aircraft 

noise alleviation program began inquiries on engine nacelle modifications as a 

means of minimizing noise and on the technology for a quiet engine. 

10 
A 260-inch-diameter solid motor developed over 5.8 million pounds of thrust in an 

impressive te st firing. 

Nuclear research also advanced. The joint NASA/AEC nuclear rocket program ran 

tests in which three separate reactors were operated for up to 30 minutes at powers 

above 1,000 megawatts, one approaching 1,500 megawatts, and the NRX-A6 reactor 

was successfully tested at full power of about 1, 100 megawatts for more than 60 

minutes. 

years combined--2,500 hours or better for all major components, except boiler and 

turbine. 

The SNAP-8 program accumulated more test hours than in all previous 

MANNED SPACE FLIGHT 

Attention on manned space flight was concentrated on the APOLLO Program, with 

particular emphasis on the technical and engineering improvements identified as 

necessary following the APOLLO 204 accident. 

the follow-on APOLLO Applications Program. 

In addition, planning continued for 

APOLLO Program 

At year's end, the APOLLO Program was again proceeding soundly toward the 

attainment of its lunar objective following the success of the APOLLO 4 flight-test 

mission in November. 

ering from a major blow -- the accident in January in which an APOLLO crew was 

lost. 

made. 

For months prior to this, however, the program was recovAs a result of that event, substantial technical and operating changes were 

First SATURN V Flight Test (APOLLO 4) -- A milestone of the first magnitude was 

reached on November 9, with the successful first unmanned Earth-orbital flighttest of the APOLLO-SATURN V space vehicle. 

This mission marked the achievement of several key "firsts": The first launch from 

the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39; first flight of the integrated APOLLOSATURN V space vehicle; first flight of the first stage (S-IC) and second stage (S-TI) 

of the SATURN V launch vehicle; first engine restart in orbit of the upper stage 

(S-IVB) of the SATURN vehicle; and first demonstration of an APOLLO spacecraft 

re-entering the Earth's atmosphere at the speed of a spacecraft returning from a 

mission tothe Moon. 

The principal objectives of the mission were to obtain flight information on launch 

vehicle and spacecraft structural integrity and compatibility, flight loads, stage 

separation, subsystem operation, and emergency detection subsystem operation; 

and to evaluate the APOLLO COMMAND MODULE heat shield under conditions encountered on return from a lunai- mission. The APOLLO 4 mission also tested the 

thermal seals to be used in the new, outward-opening, quick-release hatch for the 

manned COMMAND MODULES. 

The APOLLO 4 lifted off at 7:OO:Ol a.m., one second after the planned time. 

three stages of the SATURN V launch vehicle fired properly, and the APOLLO spacecraft and the launch-vehicle third stage (S-IVB) were placed into a 115-statute-mile 

circular orbit. After completing two orbits, the third stage was ignited a second 

All 

11 
time to place the spacecraft into an orbit with an apogee of about 10,800 statute 

miles. 

After separating from the third stage, the spacecraft raised its apogee to more than 

11,000 statute miles by firing its service propulsion system (SPS) engine. A second 

SPS burn during descent from the apogee boosted the re-entry velocity to 25,000 

statute miles-per-hour for the spacecraft COMMAND MODULE (CM). The SERVICE 

MODULE (SM) was separated from the CM before re-entry. 

The CM, protected by its heat shield, re-entered the atmosphere and was recovered 

about 600 statute miles northwest of Hawaii. 

liftoff to landing, was eight hours, 37 minutes, and eight seconds. 

Elapsed time of the mission, from 

The APOLLO-SATURN V, 363 feet tall, is the most powerful space vehicle ever 

known to have been launched. 

thrust at liftoff. 

Total weight put into orbit was 278, 699 pounds. 

Its first-stage engines produced 7,500,000 pounds of 

The fully fueled vehicle weighed 6, 220,025 pounds at launch. 

APOLLO 204 FireL- On January 27, a tragedy occurred at Kennedy Space Center 

when fire erupted inside the APOLLO 204 spacecraft during ground testing. 

fire resulted in the deaths of astronauts Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White, 111, 

and Roger B. Chaffee. 

The 

After two and one-half months of investigation, the APOLLO 204 Review Board of 

Inquiry determined that the most likely cause of fire was electrical arcing from 

certain spacecraft wiring. 

As a result of the accident, extensive redesign 

MODULE were required. Knowledge gained as 

testing led to alteration both in the selection of 

placement within the vehicle. 

and modification of the COMMAND 

a result of the fire and in subsequent 

spacecraft materials and in their 

Other major areas of change involved the quick-release hatch, the Earth landing 

system, crew equipment and couches, and protective coverings for exposed 

plumbing and electrical harnesses. 

MODULE were not as extensive as those on the COMMAND MODULE and primarily involved material changes. 

delayed to accomplish additional testing, retesting, and re-qualification of the 

modified hardware. 

Redesign and modification of the LUNAR 

Scheduled deliveries of both spacecraft we-re 

APOLLO Flight Program-- Because of the 204 accident, the APOLLO Program 

underwent extensive replanning to accommodate the changes to the Block I1 

COMMAND-SERVICE MODULES and LUNAR MODULES necessary for manned 

flight. 

originally scheduled for 1967 were deferred. 

There was substantial rephasing in the program, and some APOLLO launches 

A schedule of major flight phases was established in 1966 for APOLLO. 

phase--that of unmanned flights of the APOLLO- Uprated SATURN I vehicle--was 

successfully completed in 1966, on schedule. The next phase--unmanned APOLLOSATURN V flight tests--was begun in 1967 as planned, with the APOLLO 4 mission. 

The first 

12 
The unmanned flight testing of the LUNAR MODULE with the Uprated SATURN I, 

originally scheduled for 1967, was deferred and is now scheduled for early 1968. 

Manned operations with the APOLLO-Uprated SATURN I, previously planned for 

1967, have been deferred to the third quarter of 1968. 

Manned APOLLO-SATURN V flights are scheduled to start in late 1968. 

lunar mission simulations with the APOLLO-SATURN V are scheduled in 1969, 

leading to a planned lunar landing mission prior to the end of 1969. 

Manned 

Forthcoming Launches-- APOLLO 5: 

mission is to verify the operation of the LUNAR MODULE ascent and descent 

The objective of the unmanned APOLLO 5 

propulsion systems, and the LUNAR MODULE structure. 

The Uprated SATURN I launch vehicle for the APOLLO 5 mission is designated 

SA-204, and the payload will be LUNAR MODULE LM-1 and a nosecone; This 

major test flight is scheduled for early 1968. 

APOLLO 6: The mission objective of the unmanned APOLLO 6 is to qualify the 

SATURN V launch vehicle facilities and procedures and the Block I1 COMMAND 

MODULE heat shield. 

SATURN V launch vehicle for the APOLLO 6 mission will be SA-502, while the 

COMMAND MODULE is CSM 020. The launch is scheduled for the first half of 

1968. 

The flight will also test the new Block 11 hatch design. The 

First manned APOLLO flight: 

will use an Uprated SATURN I launch vehicle and the fir st Block I1 COMMAND AND 

SERVICE MODULE (CSM 101). 

The first manned flight in the APOLLO Program 

This mission is scheduled for late summer of 1968. 

First manned APOLLO-SATURN V flight: 

scheduled for late 1968. 

The first manned SATURN V mission is 

Uprated SATURN I -- The delivery of stages for the Uprated SATURN I launch 

vehicle was nearing completion at year's end. The program encountered no significant technical problems. 

The SA-204 launch vehicle, for the APOLLO 5 flight, was "stacked" at KSC's 

Launch Complex 37B, and, at year's end, was in final preparation for the unmanned LUNAR MODULE development flight early in 1968. 

SATURN V Launch Vehicle -- The dynamic testing of the total SATURN V vehicle 

at Marshall Space Flight Center was completed during the year. 

Two lines in Launch Complex 39 (LC 39) at KSC have been completed. 

cludes, for each line, the High Bay in the Vehicle Assembly Building, the Firing 

Room in the Launch Control Center, and the Mobile Launch Umbilical Tower. 

This inMajor technical and production problems in the second stage (S-11), reported last 

year, including surface imperfections in the structure and in the welds, have been 

satisfactorily re solved. 

An S-II Confidence Program was completed in April, 1967. 

five firings of the S-I1 "battleship" stage and two firings on each of the first two 

This program included 

13 
flight stages. 

during 1967. 

The first two S-I1 flight stages were delivered to KSC and erected 

The SA 502 launch vehicle., to be used on the APOLLO 6 mission, was assembled in 

the Vehicle Assembly Building at KSC, and is being readied to launch the unmanned 

Block I CSM 020 in 1968. 

COMMAND AND SERVICE MODULE - - All of the change s resulting from the 

APOLLO 204 accident are being incorporated in the Block I1 spacecraft. Major 

changes were made in the materials, wiring, plumbing, hatch, crew equipment, 

crew couches, and emergency oxygen and fire suppression equipment. 

changes required a realignment in the ground-test program and the addition of new 

tests including flammability propagation tests. 

These 

Review and selection of materials to conform with established flammability criteria has been a major effort. Weight growth stemming directly from the changes 

made as a result of the accident has required redesign of the parachutes in the 

Earth-landing system and a re-evaluation of the emergency-recovery mode of land 

impact. 

In summary, the changes in the Block 11 spacecraft were extensive, and constant 

effort was required to re-establish the program momentum that had been attained 

prior to the accident. 

LUNAR MODULE -- The first LUNAR MODULE (LM) flight article was delivered 

to KSC on June 23, 1967. 

As in the case of the SERVICE MODULE, changes in design and materials were 

made in the LM as a result of the accident. This has taken time. 

A major problem was a combustion instability in the LM ascent engine. 

with this, design changes were made in the engine injector and a back-up program 

with an alternate design was instituted. 

test before it is qualified for manned flight. 

To cope 

The ascent engine will require further 

Another problem involved leaks in the fittings of the propellant lines in LM-1. 

Changes were made in the connections and seals, and tests were successfully run, 

indicating that the problems were resolved. The spacecraft was moved to the 

launch pad and mated with the launch vehicle on November 15. 

APOL LO Applications Program 

Work proceeded in support of the basic objectives of the APOLLO Applications 

Program: to conduct long-duration space flights of men and systems; to perform 

scientific investigations in Earth orbit; to conduct Earth-orbital missions, such as 

meteorology, communications, and Earth re sources surveys; and to conduct extended lunar exploration. 

During the year, significant effort was carried out in a number of areas in preparation for the approved AAP missions. By the end of the year, hardware development was well under way for the early Earth-orbital missions, as well as experiment development and operations planning. 

missions were approved by year's end. 

Eighty- seven experiments for AAP 

14 
In particular, work was accomplished on two major experiments in APOLLO 

Applications- -the Orbital Workshop and the APOLLO Telescope Mount. 

The Orbital Workshop is the empty upper stage of a SATURN launch vehicle, converted into a habitable space structure for long-duration missions. 

be able to enter and leave the Workshop through an airlock, after rendezvous and 

docking with an APOLLO spacecraft. 

Astronauts kill 

The APOLLO Telescope Mount is a set of observational equipment, consisting of a 

group of telescopes and other instruments, mounted on a rack attached to a LUNAR 

MODULE. 

LUNARANDPLANETARYPROGRAMS 

SURVEYOR 

Exploring the Moon's surface and photographing the potential landing areas, the 

SURVEYOR I, 111, V and VI soft-lander spacecraft transmitted vital and heretofore 

unobtained data. Among the findings were that: 

-- A lunar bearing strength of 3 to 8 pounds per square inch in 

certain areas could support the APOLLO manned spacecraft. 

-- This manned spacecraft could then adapt to the topography and 

surface conditions after landing in one of these areas. 

-- Dust on the lunar surface probably would not bother astronauts. 

-- The surface--a soft stone composed of oxygen, carbon, silicon, 

sodium, magnesium, aluminum, sulfur, and an iron-cobaltnickel combination--is similar to the basalt found commonly on 

Earth. 

SURVEYOR 111, launched from Cape Kennedy on April 17, soft-landed in a crater in 

the Sea of Storms two days later. 

weeks) the spacecraft had responded to over 30,000 commands and sent back 6,315 

pictures, some of itself and its immediate vicinity, and the first color photo of an 

eclipse of the Sun by the Earth. 

the largest 2 inches wide, 10 inches long, and 7-1/2 inches deep. 

By the end of the first lunar day (two Earth 

Sampling the lunar soil, it dug four trenches -- 

SURVEYOR IV was launched on July 14. Its flight was flawless until approximately 

3 minutes prior to landing, at which time contact was suddenly lost with the spacecraft. 

chance of the failure recurring was considered to be slight, the next mission was 

not delayed and no significant hardware changes were made. 

An investigation failed to determine the cause of the failure. Since the 

SURVEYOR V was launched on September 8 and landed on the lunar surface in the 

Sea of Tranquility three days later. During the first lunar day the spacecraft returned a total of 18,006 high-resolution pictures of the surrounding area--more 

than the combined totals of SURVEYORS I and III. In addition, the spacecraft's 

alpha- scattering instrument transmitted 83 hours of high-quality data on the 

relative abundance of chemical elements in the lunar surface, the first on-site 

compositional analysis of an extraterrestrial body. 

15 
A small magnet carried by this SURVEYOR showed that magnetic material was 

present in about the same amount as found in the basalt in the Earth's crust. 

SURVEYOR V survived the deep freeze of the two-week lunar night and was reactivated for limited operation during the second lunar day. 

SURVEYOR VI was launched on November 7, and landed on November 9 in the rugged 

terrain of Sinus Medii (Central Bay). During its operation over the first lunar day 

it transmitted more than 30,000 photographs, conducted a chemical analysis of the 

lunar surface material, and under Earth command lifted off and moved about 10 feet 

to a new location. This was the first time such a maneuver had been carried out on 

the Moon. 

LUNAR ORBITER 

All five LUNAR ORBITERS were successful. The final three of the five LUNAR 

ORBITER photographic missions were carried out successfully during the year as 

scheduled. 

LUNAR ORBITERS I, 11, and I11 spacecraft provided sufficient photographic cover - 

age of potential landing sites on the front side of the Moon to make possible the selection of eight candidate sites for the first APOLLO landings. 

IV, in turn, supplied complete detailed coverage of the front side, and the last 

spacecraft in the series augmented the total data obtained from this highly successful program. 

LUNAR ORBITER 

Additional data on micrometeoroid flux and radiation dose levels near the Moon were 

also obtained from each mission. 

used as a basis for an improved understanding of the lunar gravitational field. The 

series also helped to train and qualify tracking and data specialists of the Manned 

Space Flight Network to be used during the APOLLO missions. 

Radio tracking data from all five spacecraft were 

MARINER 

The MARINER V mission was planned to help determine the origin and nature of 

Venus and its environment, complementing data supplied during the MARINER 11 

flyby in 1962. 

spacecraft designed for a flight to Mars into one flown to Venus, and then operating 

the new version. 

ment during a period of increasing solar activity. 

This MARINER also afforded engineers experience in converting a 

Further, it transmitted information on the interplanetary environMARINER V was launched on June 14 and flew within 2,600 miles of the Venusian 

surface on October 19. 

flawle s sly during the entire mission to supply invaluable data. 

were: 

It measured interplanetary fields and particles and operated 

Some highlights 

-- Definite evidence of the interaction of the solar wind with Venus, 

the size of the interaction region being much smaller than for 

Earth and larger than for the Moon. 

-- No detection of energetic particles or radiation belts around the 

planet, indicating that the magnetic moment of Venus is less than 

1 percent of Earth's. 

16 
-- Indications that the planet's atmosphere could be seven to eight 

times as dense as Earth's and possibly composed of 72 to 87 

percent carbon dioxide, the remaining gas being nitrogen. 

-- Evidence that the ionosphere of the planet's dark side is low in 

the atmosphere, less than 100 miles, and is thin. Preliminary 

information on the ionosphere of the lighted side of the planet 

indicates that it is at about the same height as the dark side. 

-- No detection of oxygen in the vicinity of Venus. 

MARINER IV -- Although it passed within 6, 120 miles of Mars in July, 1965, 

MARINER IV continued to orbit the Sun, its solar panels still furnishing power. It 

came within range of the 210-foot antenna at Goldstone, California, early this year, 

and tracking and telemetry were resumed. The spacecraft appeared to be operating 

about as it had late in 1965. In August and September, when the two spacecraft were 

similarly aligned with the Earth and Sun, MARINER IV operated with MARINER V 

to study solar energy propagation. 

MARINER IV came closest to Earth on September 8 (29. 2 million miles). 

September 16, it survived a micrometeorite shower with no apparent permanent 

damage. 

On 

On October 26, its pictures of Mars obtained in 1965 were played back from the 

spacecraft's tape recorder to evaluate the performance of equipment which had been 

in interplanetary space for almost three years. 

Two MARINER spacecraft are to be launched around March, 1969, and encounter 

the planet early in August. 

remote sensing instruments during fly-by. 

signed and in various phases of test--will provide data on the planet's physical, chemical, and thermal properties, as well as take pictures. 

Each will make a variety of scientific observations with 

These instruments- -which are now de - 

The spacecraft itself will act as an instrument, since its path will be influenced by 

the gravity pull of Mars, enabling scientists to better determine the Earth-Mars 

geometry. Also, as the spacecraft passes behind Mars its radio signals will provide data on the pressure and temperature of the atmosphere. 

With a much increased data return rate and a reprogrammable computer, the new 

spacecraft will afford a choice of mission options. 

two or three days before encountering the planet, and thus obtain photographic coverage of the entire Martian surface. 

One would be to start TV cameras 

VOYAGER 

Preliminary design of the VOYAGER spacecraft, which was to perform experiments 

on the surface of Mars in 1973, was completed in November. This spacecraft would 

also orbit Mars to obtain data to help determine whether life is present and to supply 

information on the Martian atmosphere, surface, and environment. 

The three prime contractors studying the spacecraft system continued to develop 

detailed preliminary designs for launching two VOYAGERS aboard one SATURN V. 

17 
Two other prime contractors performed detailed preliminary designs of the capsule 

system for soft-landing on Mars, leading to detailed designs for the capsule bus and 

surface laboratory systems. 

Because of budgetary arrangements, further effort on the VOYAGER program will 

be deferred. 

APOLLO Lunar Surface Science Program 

Tests of the engineering model of the APOLLO Lunar Surface Experiments Package 

(ALSEP) and its eight experiments were completed during 1967. 

the basic designs of this geophysical station's electronics were sound. ALSEP will 

be placed on the Moon by APOLLO astronauts, and it will transmit data to Earth 

for a year on the magnetic fields of the Moon; the lunar interior, thickness, and 

density; the charged-particle environment of the Moon; and the pressure and composition of ions in its atmosphere. 

They proved that 

A miniaturized seismic station (the ALSEP Passive Seismic Experim2nt) was developed to record lunar "earthquakes. I' Weighing less than 25 pounds and able to stand 

the rigors of the lunar environment, the seismic station is one-tenth as heavy as a 

typical Earth-based station to record earthquakes. 

In addition, the development of Lunar Geological Equipment (LGE) --tools, cameras, 

and lunar sample return containers--continued on schedule. 

SPACE SCIENCE AND APPLICATIONS 

An APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE completed a year of complex experiments in communications, meteorology, and environmental physics, and the third 

ATS transmitted color pictures of the full Earth's disc. Three more weather spacecraft joined the national operational meteorological network to provide more comprehensive data on global cloud cover. A large geodetic satellite supplied measurements 

for the accurate location of geographic points around the world. 

Two ORBITING SOLAR OBSERVATORIES and an ORBITING GEOPHYSICAL 

OBSERVATORY were launched. 

LITE--investigated the effects of space on various life forms to prepare for prolonged manned flights. 

And an orbiting biological laboratory--BIOSATELOrbiting Observatories 

ORBITING SOLAR OBSERVATORIES (OSO) 111 and IV were launched on March 8 and 

October 18. OS0 111 experiments were examining X-rays, ultraviolet light, and 

infrared radiation coming from the Sun. 

rays and extreme ultraviolet radiation from the Sun. 

IV concentrate on solar radiation of shorter wavelengths than those being measured 

by OS0 111. 

The satellite was also measuring cosmic 

Experiments carried by OS0 

In addition, OS0 IV can scan the Sun to locate radiation sources. 

The fourth ORBITING GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY (OGO IV) was launched on 

July 28 into an orbit ranging between 256 and 564 miles. The 1,240-pound satellite is stabilized to provide a platform from which its instruments can look toward 

the Earth, space, and Sun. A nearly-polar orbit permits its instruments to view 

18 
the entire surface of the Earth once every 24 hours and make comprehensive measurements of the near -Earth environment during the present period of ,,increasing 

solar activity. 

Thirty-five of the 61 experiments of OGO I, II, and 111 (orbited in 1964, 1965, and 

1966) were still supplying data on the behavior and transmission of phenomena in 

interplanetary space. 

The second ORBITING ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY (OAO IC) was being prepared for a 1968 launch. OAO I--launched in April, 1966--was orbited as planned - 

and carried out its first pointing operation. 

faulty operation of a battery circuit deprived the spacecraft of power and it became 

useless. 

But, during its second day in orbit, 

EXPLORER Satellites 

EXPLORERS XXXIV and XXXV, of the INTERPLANETARY MONITORING PLATFORM 

class, were measuring cosmic rays, solar plasmas, and magnetic fields in interplanetary space to further scientists' knowledge of Sun-Moon-Earth relationships. 

In May, the 163-pound EXPLORER XXXIV was placed into a highly elliptical orbit 

that reached 133,000 miles from the Earth (about half-way to the Moon). Its orbit 

allows for studies of the magnetosphere during this period of increasing solar 

activity. EXPLORER XXXV, a 230-pound spacecraft, was inserted into a loose 

lunar orbit in July. This spacecraft was investigating the characteristics of the 

interplanetary magnetic field, solar plasma flux, interplanetary dust distributions, 

and solar and galactic cosmic rays in the vicinity of the Moon, 

PIONEER 

PIONEERS VI and VII, launched in 1965 and 1966, continued to provide interplanetary data from widely separated points in space. 

PIONEER VI were re-established after it passed behind the Sun and re-appeared. 

PIONEER VI11 was launched on December 13, 1967, to supplement the data being 

received from its predecessors. 

Communications with 

Sounding Rockets and Balloons 

Sounding rockets were launched as experiments to study atmospheric composition, 

planetary and inter stellar dust, micrometeorite flux, magnetic fields, aurora, 

cosmic radiation, stellar X-ray sources, ionospheric structure, and solar composition and radiation. 

Five rocket flights tested: (1) instruments being developed for a West German 

research satellite to investigate the Van Allen radiation belts in 1969, and, (2) 

instruments for the OGO-E spacecraft to study energetic particle flux, very-lowfrequency phenomena and neutron flux. 

Fourteen flights were launched to carry out experiments to investigate atmospheric 

ozone, solar ultraviolet radiation, ionospheric structure and atmospheric nitric 

oxide, complementing experiments on OGO IV, OS0 111, ISIS, and ALOUETTE 11 

and being coordinated with flybys of these satellites. 

experiments were used to study hydrogen and ultraviolet radiation from Venus, 

their launching coordinated with the MARINER V flyby of the planet in October. 

Also, two rocket-borne 

19 
Scientific balloons conducted experiments in energetic particle flux, magnetic 

fields, cosmic radiation, micrometeorite flux, interplanetary and circumsolar dust, 

and X- and gamma ray-astronomy. 

instruments being developed for the OGO, OSO, IMP, and PIONEER satellites. One 

balloon-borne experiment reported concentric shells of dust around the Sun. 

Some flights carried out experiments using 

BIOSATELLITES 

BIOSATELLITE 11 was launched on September 7 into a circular orbit about 195 miles 

above the Earth and recovered 45 hours later by an airplane in mid-air over the 

Pacific. 

and of weightlessness combined with an onboard radiation source. Among these 

biological experiments were wheat seeds whose roots showed disorientation while 

germinating in space and pepper plants whose leaves bent downward rapidly and 

stems curved. 

It carried 13 experiments to study the biological effects of weightlessness 

Experiments on radiation combined with weightlessness showed increased radiobiological effects. For example, there were 50 percent more mutants (wing abnormalities in adults developing from eggs laid in space) than in irradiated ground controls at 1 g. Drosophila larval chromosomes showed abnormal pairing and aberrations never before observed. 

were protected against radiation damage. 

and radiation were observed, to make this space flight a major scientific accomplishment. 

Also, wasp eggs were delayed in development and 

Other biological effects of weightlessness 

APP LIGATIONS TECHNO LOGY SATELLITES 

The fir st APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE (ATS-I), launched in 

December, 1966, continued to operate successfully throughout 1967. Its experiments have demonstrated the feasibility of two-way voice communications with aircraft, multiple-access communications technique s, trans-Pacific color TV transmissions, nearly continuous daylight observation of Earth cloud cover, and transmissions of weather data to simple inexpensive ground readout stations. 

On April 5, NASA orbited ATS-11--the first three-axes gravity-gradient-stabilized 

spacecraft. This satellite failed to achieve its planned 6,000-mile circular orbit 

due to a launch vehicle malfunction. No data on gravity-gradient stabilization 

performance were obtained, but useful information was provided by four of the 

scientific experiments. 

The second spin- stabilized ATS (ATS-111) was launched into geostationary orbit 

over the Atlantic Ocean on November 5. 

and instruments to conduct experiments in communications, navigation, data 

collection and relay, meteorology, and environmental physics. 

The spacecraft carries advanced sensors 

Two more satellites in the series (ATS-D and -E) were being developed. These 

will be gravity-gradient- stabilized and include a day-night camera and a number 

of experiments for surveying environmental conditions at geostationary altitude. 

20 
Communications Satellite s 

NASA launched three INTELSAT-I1 satellites for the Communications Satellite 

Corporation during the year. 

Asia and Australia with North America; the third was orbited over the Atlantic to 

link Europe and North America. 

and will also support the APOLLO lunar landing program. 

tional application of space technology. 

Two of these were placed over the Pacific to link 

The satellites are providing commercial service 

This is a major operaMeteorological Satellites 

ESSA and TIROS -- To continue the nation's operational meteorological satellite 

system, NASA launched three TIROS Operational Satellites for the Environmental 

Science Services Administration (ESSA). 

cloud pictures to Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) users around the world. 

The other, ESSA 5, carries two Advanced Vidicon Camera Systems to supply daily 

global daytime cloud cover pictures to national users. 

Two of them, ESSA 4 and 6, provide local 

NASA, in conjunction with ESSA, began to develop the next generation of operational 

weather satellites (TIROS M). 

vide both direct readout and stored cloud-picture data during the daytime and at 

night. 

This satellite will incorporate sensors able to proThese sensors were developed and flight-tested on the NIMBUS satellites. 

NIMBUS - - The NIMBUS 11 satellite, still operating satisfactorily, completed 19- 1 /2 

months in orbit on December 31. 

axes, and the remaining lifetime of its control gas supply was estimated at about 

5 years. 

worldwide ground stations. 

The satellite was stabilized within - t 1' in three 

The APT system was operating and transmitting good-quality pictures to 

The third NIMBUS (NIMBUS B), scheduled for an early 1968 laufich, was assembled 

and undergoing final integration and testing. 

measuring radiation reflected and emitted by the Earth and its atmosphere, it will 

carry a worldwide meteorological data collection system. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator (SNAP-19) will be tested on this spacecraft to determine the 

feasibility of using such a power source for meteorological satellites. 

In addition to remote sensors for 

NIMBUS D continued on schedule for a 1970 launch. 

spacecraft subsystems and flight experiments. 

Work progressed on all major 

The meteorological satellite program is one of the most beneficial of all space 

activities. 

Sounding Rockets -- NASA launched 56 research sounding rockets to obtain meteorological measurements between 20 and 60 miles above the Earth. Acoustic grenades, 

Pitot-static tubes, and light-reflecting or luminous-vapor experiments were used to 

gather data for studying the dynamics and structure of the upper atmosphere, 

Geodetic Satellites 

GEOS -- Launched in November, 1965, GEOS-I became essentially inactive as a 

geodetic instrument this year and is providing a limited amount of observational 

data. However, the satellite has supplied a significant amount of information from 

21 
the five geodetic instrumentation systems on-board to help define Earth's gravitational field. 

GEOS-B -- the next active geodetic satellite, scheduled for launch early in 1968 -- 

will carry the five geodetic instrumentation systems carried by GEOS-I and a C-band 

radar transponder to extend the range of its measurements. 

PAGEOS -- A highly reflective 100-foot-diameter balloon of the ECHO type, PAGEOS 

completed over 1-1/2 years in orbit and was observed by more than 40 ground stations around the world. 

point source of light assisted in determining the position of geographic points for a 

global control reference system. 

Ground-based observers using the balloon as an orbiting 

Data provided by geodetic satellites have helped to determine: the relative position 

of 12 of 75 control points needed to establish a unified worldwide geodetic reference 

system; about 50 percent of the latitude- and longitude- dependent coefficients to 

define worldwide variations of Earth's gravitational field; and the intercomparison of 

the geodetic satellite observational systems currently used by NASA and the Defense 

Department. 

Earth Resources Survey Program 

NASA, with the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Interior and Navy, continued to study the feasibility of using space-acquired data for surveying the world's 

natural and cultural resources. 

(special cameras, infrared imagers, microwave radiometers, and radar) collected 

Earth re sources data from an expanded network of ground test sites. 

government agencies used these data and information provided by the Project 

GEMINI and NIMBUS space-flight missions to develop analytical techniques for 

interpreting such information in terms of Earth resources phenomena. 

Aircraft flying various types of remote sensors 

Various 

NASA was also developing prototype instruments to gather remote sensor data 

defining meaningful experiments and determining space missions to collect and 

transmit a wide variety of Earth resources data. 

cant applications benefits. 

This program promises signifiLIGHT AND MEDIUM LAUNCH VEHICLES 

During 1967 CENTAUR launched four SURVEYOR spacecraft to soft-land on the 

Moon. 

ascent trajectory flown by the vehicle; SURVEYOR IV (July 14); SURVEYOR V 

(September 8); and SURVEYOR VI (November 7). 

These were SURVEYOR I11 on April 17 -- the first dual-burn restart 

THOR-DELTA launched three meteorological satellites for ESSA, three communications satellites for the ComSat Corporation, and six scientific satellites for 

NASA's Space Science and Applications Program. 

two of the EXPLORER class, two ORBITING SOLAR OBSERVATORIES, 

BIOSATELLITE 11, and, PIONEER VIII. 

The scientific satellites included 

The SCOUT was used in nine launch attempts, of which two were failures. 

the successes was the orbiting of the SAN MARC0 B satellite on a SCOUT by the 

Italian Space Commission from its launch range off the coast of Kenya, Africa, concluding this phase of a joint program of NASA and this Commission. 

Among 

22 
AGENA continued to support automated space missions, completing five ATLASAGENA launchings and a THOR -AGENA launching. 

was concluded with three successful ATLAS-AGENA launches, marking five successes 

in five launch attempts in this program. 

fly-by trajectory of Venus by an ATLAS-AGENA. 

The LUNAR ORBITER program 

MARINER V was successfully placed in a 

ATLAS-AGENA experienced its first failure in three years when an APPLICATIONS 

TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE failed to achieve its desired circular orbit due to a malfunction of the second stage. 

with the launching of an ORBITING GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY. 

THOR-AGENA maintained its record of no failures 

The first IMPROVED ATLAS for CENTAUR (the SLV-3C) was successfully flown on 

the SURVEYOR V launch in September. 

for AGENA was in its final stages of preparation for an early 1968 launch. 

The first SLV-3A or IMPROVED ATLAS 

BASIC AND APPLIED RESEARCH 

Fluid Dvnamic s 

A coordinated research program was initiated to study the basic mechanisms which 

cause, and the parameters which influence, propagation of the sonic boom by supersonic aircraft. 

with the objective of minimizing this disturbance. 

Specific problem areas were defined, and work was begun in each 

Laboratory simulation of clear air turbulence (CAT) showed that natural events can 

amplify, by a factor of 10, the low turbulence level produced by a emall disturbance 

in the atmosphere, and that the result is a severe turbulence level in the clear air 

far from the small disturbance. It was also found that a temperature inversion in 

the atmosphere--warm air above cool air--tends to suppress the turbulence. 

Fluid dynamic analysis techniques were applied to experimental data on blood flow 

through organs by injecting radioactive tracers into animals. 

agreed with experimental results and gave useful information on flow rate, blood 

volume, and mean transit time. 

tests on the human circulatory system which can be interpreted to give an early 

indication of an impending stroke, heart disease, or other malfunction. 

The resultant theory 

This method will be useful for analyzing results of 

Electrophysic s 

Research on methods of raising the temperature at which a metal loses all electrical 

resistance indicated that the electron pairs responsible for superconductivity can be 

formed not only of electrons in the body of the metal (as is usual) but also of electrons 

initially separated from one another by a thin insulating barrier. Structurally, this 

new type of electron pairing was accomplished by interleaving thin-film layers of 

metal and insulator in a sandwich assembly. With layers of aluminum separated by 

silicon monoxide, the superconducting temperature increased to more than double 

its value in bulk aluminum. 

effort to increase the superconducting temperature still further. 

Other metals and alloys were being studied in an 

Materials 

A tungsten alloy with greatly improved strength and ductility was developed by adding 

small percentages of hafnium and carbon to improve strength and rhenium to improve 

23 
ductility. 

at 3, 500°F, the highest strength ever reported for any metallic material at this high 

temperature. A tungsten alloy with such properties, in addition to tungsten's high 

melting point, could be used as a structural material for space power plants and 

rocket engines. 

The resulting alloy had a strength of over 75,000 pounds per square inch 

NASA made stress corrosion tests of titanium alloys desired for new supersonic 

aircraft under simulated supersonic flight conditions. The results indicated that 

corrosion found in the still air and normal pressure of the laboratory would not 

occur under the expected flight conditions, but that when future aircraft fly much 

faster than about Mach 3 there may be corrosion trouble. 

The Lewis Research Center developed an ultra-long chain plastic which has chains 

four times the length of those of commercial plastics. Since the mechanical properties of plastics improve as the length of the chain is increased, the newly developed 

material should have better very-low-temperature properties and be suitable for 

such space uses as liners and bladders in liquid-hydrogen propulsion systems. 

AERONAUTICS 

Aircraft Aerodynamics 

Langley Research Center conducted analytical and wind-tunnel tests on a supercritical airfoil wing concept for use on subsonic aircraft to delay the drag rise and 

extend range and speed, and contracted for a study of the feasibility of applying this 

concept to a test aircraft for full-scale flight evaluation. 

Aircraft Structures 

Tests of a polymer reinforced with glass fibers, which could reduce structural 

weight for supersonic aircraft, showed that strength tended to decrease as temperature, exposure time, and atmospheric pressure increased. The material was 

subjected to varying temperatures and pressures for up to 30,000 hours. 

Air - B re athine ProDul sion 

A liquid hydrogen-fueled hypersonic ramjet re search engine capable of operating 

under Mach 8 flight conditions is under contract. The engine will be suitable for 

flight tests on the X-15 research airplane and should enable investigators to make a 

realistic assessment of future ground and flight re search requirements for hypersonic air-breathing propulsion systems. 

program, F-106.and F-111 aircraft were obtained on loan from the Department of 

Defense for use in the flight phase of research into problems associated with aircraftengine integration and compatibility. 

In the advanced engine component research 

Aircraft Operating Problems 

Limited operational and research studies of ways to improve tire-runway traction 

and control capability on wet surfaces indicated that transverse grooves on the 

runway surface can prevent loss of traction. Laboratory tests were under way at 

year's end to determine optimum groove configuration and spacing for use in fullscale tests, and the Wallops Station (Va.) runway was being prepared for full-scale 

24 
tests with a wide range of aircraft to evaluate the effectiveness of the grooved-runway 

concept. 

The Federal Aviation Administration and airport operators at selected locations 

about the country, in cooperation with NASA, grooved runways and taxiways with a 

variety of configurations to provide information on the effects of routine traffic, 

snow-removal equipment, and other factors on the grooving and on the aircraft. 

Results of this research will give aircraft users and airport operators a basis for 

cost-benefit analysis of grooves. 

Laboratory experiments for modifying warm fog showed that visibility can be increased significantly by seeding with small amounts of salt crystals of carefully 

controlled size (about .0003 inches in diameter). 

NASA sponsored studies of ignition of aviation fuels in a hazardous environment. 

Static electricity and lightning-induced arcing were investigated. The latter complements work sponsored by the FAA on lightning strikes to aircraft fuel vent outlets, but the NASA effort carries the research on potential ignition causes further 

into the fuel system. 

In other work on lightning hazards to aircraft, flame propagation in foam layers of 

various fuels was measured, data were collected on the mechanisms of ignition by 

static sparks generated in sloshing fuel foams, and information was obtained on the 

effects of lightning strikes (hole burning) on various aircraft metals. 

Aircraft Flight Dynamics 

In noise-abatement studies, flight tests of five multi-engine jet transport aircraft in 

steepened approach profiles indicated that such an approach technique is technically 

feasible for noise reduction, but that considerably more study is required before 

steepened approache s can be considered operational. 

The research showed that major obstacles are in the information provided the pilot, 

in the method of flight path control, and in providing steepened-approach profile 

guidance. 

control were investigated in ground-based simulators and in flight tests, with the 

newer control systems producing increased control accuracy. 

Potential improvements in flight path control by means of direct lift 

Aircraft Noise Alleviation 

Contracts were made with two firms to study turbofan nacelle modifications for minimizing fan-compre ssor noise radiation. Operational four-engine jet transports will 

be modified to explore performance penalties and noise reduction by flight tests of 

flight - rated hardware. 

A long-range aircraft noise-reduction research effort to develop the technology for 

a Quiet Engine was initiated with new engine cycle studies and analysis of the possibilities of fitting such an engine on current and planned jet transport aircraft. In 

this program, the engine is in the 20,000-25,000-lb. -thrust class, with a bypass 

ratio between 3 and 8 and a potential noise reduction of about 20 PNdB. 

25 
General-Aviation Aircraft 

In its program to obtain baseline aerodynamic data necessary to define problem areas 

of general-aviation-class aircraft requiring further study, NASA purchased a light 

twin-engine aircraft representative of this class. Full-scale wind-tunnel tests of 

the aircraft were completed in the Langley 30' x 60' wind tunnel in order to obtain 

basic aerodynamic and stability data. Flight tests were scheduled to validate and 

correlate with the wind-tunnel data, and subsequent tests of dynamically scaled 

models of the aircraft in other tunnels will investigate more hazardous flight 

regimes. 

V/STOL Aircraft 

Construction of the Langley Research Center V/STOL transition research tunnel was 

started in the fall. 

Unique features include an endless-belt moving-ground plane for ground-effect tests 

and special test-section walls designed to minimize wall-effects for various types of 

V/STOL aircraft. 

The tunnel is expected to be operational in the summer of 1969. 

Wind-tunnel studies of lift-fan and other VTOL models potentially applicable to civil 

and military requirements were continued at Ames and Langley, and the Lewis 

Research Center initiated an extensive program to improve V/STOL propulsion 

system concepts--especially the lift fan. 

Supersonic Transport 

NASA continued to give technical support to the national supersonic transport program in the form of consultation and wind-tunnel tests for the FAA and for the SST 

contractor s. Wind-tunnel studies were initiated for an advanced second-generation 

domestic SST, and the general-purpose airborne simulator (GPAS) modified commercial airplane was used to simulate XB-70 characteristics for comparisons with 

actual XB-70 flight-test results to assure its usefulness in SST simulation. After 

the simulation is validated, the GPAS will be programmed to simulate SST characteristics to define handling qualities and piloting problems that may need further 

re search. 

NASA-USAF XB-70 Flight Research Program 

On January 17, the XB-70 Number 1 completed the last of nine sonic-boom flights 

(3 in 1967) to obtain high-priority research data in support of the national supersonic transport program. 

handling qualities data and to evaluate a new fuel -- were also made in January. 

Two additional flights -- to obtain stability, control, and 

On January 31 it was decided to transfer XB-70 program management, operational 

control, and funding responsibility from the Air Force to NASA, and to scale down 

the contractual effort to a $10 -million-per-year level, primarily by reducing flight 

frequency. Formal transfer of the aircraft to NASA took place on March 28. 

The first flight of the joint NASA-USAF program under NASA management was made 

on April 25. 

3967 flights were to obtain additional data concerning dynamic loads; stability, 

control, and handling qualities; engine-inlet matching; and general aircraft performance 

The high-priority test objectives for this flight and the subsequent 

26 
X-15 Research Aircraft 

The X-15 airplanes continued to provide basic research data on manned maneuverable flight at hypersonic speeds and to serve as test-beds to carry several advanced 

technology experiments to the required high-altitude or'high-velocity environment. 

A total of 191 flights had been made by these aircraft before the fatal accident in 

November. One X-15 and its pilot were lost. 

The X-15-2 made one flight with the external tanks and the hypersonic research engine (HRE) installed. 

shape, was coated with ablative material for this flight, the second on which the external propellants were used. 

chieved--the highest velocity attained to date in the x-15 program. 

erated by the HRE shape interacted with the boundary layer on the ventral fin on this 

flight, resulting in damage to the ventral. 

The entire airplane, including the external tanks and HRE 

A maximum velocity of 4, 534 miles per hour was aShock waves genThe X-15-3 crashed on November 15, following re-entry into the atmosphere after a 

flight to between 260,000 and 265,000 feet. 

killed in the accident. The flight was Maj. Adams' seventh in an X- 15 aircraft, and 

the sixty-fifth for the X-15-3. A NASA-USAF Accident Investigation Board was appointed immediately after the accident, to analyze all available data and, if possible, 

determine the probable cause. 

Maj. Michael J. Adams, USAF, was 

CHEMICAL PROPULSION 

Liquid Propulsion Systems 

Spacecraft propulsion research efforts emphasized engine components for use with 

high-energy space- storable propellants, such as the oxygen difluoride-diborane 

combination. 

carbide s, such as hafnium carbide, and thus forming structures whose properties 

may be controlled. The identification of azides as sensitive chemical intermediates 

formed by residual propellant from a previous run indicated the need for techniques 

to prevent explosive engine starts in space. 

Technology was developed for depositing pyrolytic graphite and 

Tank expulsion bladders and diaphragms were improved to provide the capability 

for reliable operation after hundreds of days in space; tests were begun to establish 

the magnitude and effects of stresses caused by folding; and analytical methods were 

developed for calculating diffusion leakage through minute breaks in a sandwiched 

permeability barrier. 

Experimental testing of space - storable propellants was continued, and improved 

thrust-chamber performance demonstrated with the FLOX-liquified petroleum gas 

(LPG) and oxygen difluoride -diborane propellant combinations in the low chamber - 

pressure operating range. For the LPG fuels, work was started to investigate and 

demonstrate the limits of regenerative cooling at high chamber pressures over a 

range of thrust levels. 

Solid Motor Program 

The third firing of the 260-inch-diameter motor, which was carried out at the contractor's plant in June, generated a peak thrust of over 5.8 million pounds. A motor 

27 
case, nozzle, and insulation components from previous firings were u~ed, but the 

motor had a larger nozzle (89-inch throat) and a faster-burning propellant to allow 

the 50-percent increase in thrust over previous tests. 

attained. 

All primary objectives were 

Performance was generally as predicted except for indications of erratic propellant 

burning at about 60 seconds of the planned 70 seconds burning time. Minor propellant 

breakup occurred, some of it passing through the nozzle and causing shocks which 

damaged the nozzle exit cone. 

unbonding of the very viscous fuel when it was poured into the motor. 

of vehicles utilizing the 260-inch solid motor indicate that it can be combined with 

the top stage of SATURN V to orbit 95,000 pounds; with the middle stage - 160,000 

pounds; and strapped onto the entire SATURN V -- over 700,000 pounds. Uprated 

SATURN I launch pads can also be adapted to use a single 260-inch booster vehicle. 

The breakup was attributed to localized layering and 

Design studies 

Studies of small, high-energy solid motors for space propulsion applications showed 

that the addition of high-energy beryllium to the SURVEYOR decelerator motor fuel 

could have increased useful payload by 45 percent. 

Two firings of such a motor were carried out to prove achievement of the predicted 

performance level. 

Solid Propulsion Technology 

Through research at Langley Re search Center and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 

including studies of new polymers for propellant binders applicable to solid motors 

of specific characteristics, advances were made in understanding and controlling 

solid motor combustion instability. 

tive testing technique applicable to a large block of solid propellant within a metal 

case. 

and other viscoelastic materials, such as aircraft tires, for voids, cracks, fissures, 

or bond separations. 

Tests were started on a microwave non-de strucWhen perfected, this method will permit the inspection of large solid motors 

BIOTECHNOLOGY AND HUMAN RESEARCH 

Cardiovascular Re search 

NASA initiated a comprehensive study of cardiovascular physiology using a systems 

analysis approach. 

the subsystems, independent cardiovascular re search data can be coordinated, primary control variables can be identified, system response to unusual environments 

can be predicted, and gaps in knowledge of cardiovascular system functioning can 

be recognized. 

By using engineering techniques to study the interactions between 

Ames Re search Center developed an implantable pressure sensor which measures 

actual pressures within the chambers of the heart. The unit uses a magnetic latch 

switch which permits turning the power on and off, thus extending the lifetime of 

the battery. 

speed of a pressure pulse wave as it was propagated through the blood stream. 

Ames also studies the elasticity of blood vessels by measuring the 

The present technique requires surgery, but apparently it will be possible to make 

this measurement on the surface. The ability to thus measure elasticity could be 

28 
used to obtain an index to the state of deconditioning from weightlessness. 

nique may also be useful for diagnosing atherosclerosis. 

The techRespiratory Research 

Studies of the mechanisms of oxygen toxicity at Ames Research Center revealed 

various types of physiological damage in dogs. 

kidney sensitivity were observed after exposures to 450-mm pressure of pure oxygen 

for as long as 33 days. 

cular obstructions in the lung from the toxic reaction to oxygen and resulting hypertension, and various histological and ultrastructural changes were caused by oxygen 

toxicity in rats, rabbits, and dogs at various pressures. 

Eye damage and extreme lung and 

Enlargement of the pulmonary arteries was caused by vasLife Support Systems 

A new zero-g capability water electrolysis system to recover oxygen from metabolically produced water in space flight was developed, It incorporated a non-metallic 

housing to prevent corrosion, improved techniques to separate the liquid and gas, and 

better sealing and control, and should eliminate electrochemical problems experienced by the first full-scale zero-g capability electrolysis units. Also, biological 

and chemical standards were drafted for air and for water potability in regenerative 

systems to be used on long space flights. 

Protective Svstems 

The Ames Research Center developed a new hard space suit with a constant volume 

joint. 

of a soft suit (such as the APOLLO suit) to improve astronaut mobility. 

new suit, kneeling became easier and step height capability was increased from 

20 inches to 30 inches. 

The Manned Spacecraft Center used the new joint in combination with features 

With the 

Handling Qualities 

To evaluate manls ability to control and utilize a rocket-propelled maneuvering unit 

under lunar gravity, tethered flight experiments were conducted on a one-man lunar 

flying vehicle at the Langley Lunar Landing Research Facility, where the Moon's 

one -sixth gravity condition was simulated. 

flights in shirtsleeves, in a pressurized APOLLO soft suit, and in the experimental 

Manned Spacecraft Center hard suit. 

Test pilots simulated lunar exploration 

Effe-cts of Reduced Gravity on Human Performance 

The energy costs for performing physical tasks in the lunar-gravity environment 

were studied in the one -sixth-gravity simulator and the metabolic expenditure rate 

was found to be related to the traction reduction which occurs in one-sixth Earth 

gravity. 

In a study of human performance in zero gravity, it was determined that man's 

capability to perform maintenance and assembly tasks in space is enhanced by 

properly designed tools, restraint device 8, and locomotion aids, and that job tasks 

must be designed with allowance for the limitations imposed by the reduced gravity 

environment. 

29 
Flight Experiments 

The Aerosol Particle Analyzer, which measures dust particles in the cabin atmosphere , and the Orbital Otolith Experiment, which will provide basic physiological 

information on how the balance mechanism reacts to the zero-g environment, were 

rescheduled for the first APOLLO Applications experiment mission. 

Investigators completed de sign studies of the life-support and experimentation hardware for an experiment into the effects on a total body system of long-term exposure 

to zero-g in primates. 

While breadboard test models were being assembled, scientists from NASA centers, 

Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, and universities carried out 

research on the problems of diet, confinement, and training, and worked to establish 

baseline data for the experiment. 

determine the requirements for a man-carrying centrifuge which could be included 

in APOLLO Applications or a later orbital research program and which would permit flight re search with varying levels of acceleration following weightlessness. 

A new centrifuge experiment study was started to 

SPACE VEHICLE SYSTEMS 

Aerothermodvnamic s 

A flight program to determine the deployment, performance, and stability characteristics of parachutes suitable for decelerating a probe into the Martian atmosphere 

was successfully completed. 

85 feet in diameter were launched by large balloons and rockets to high altitudes, 

where test conditions simalated flight in the Martian atmosphere. 

Vehicles incorporating parachutes ranging from 30 to 

Progress also continued in re search on high-performance steerable gliding parachutes for land recovery of manned spacecraft; a drop-test program was initiated 

which will include large parachute systems at flight conditions representative of a 

full-sized returning manned spacecraft. 

The NASA M-2/F-2 lifting-body research vehicle, which made 15 successful flights 

between July 12, 1966, and May 2, 1967, incurred extensive damage in a landing 

accident on May 10. 

control in its initial flight in December, 1966, underwent additional wind-tunnel 

tests and analyses and was modified for resumption of flight testing. 

heating re search continued with preparation of a SCOUT -launched flight re search 

experiment to determine heating to a body with a turbulent boundary layer and to 

study boundary layer transition from laminar to turbulent flow at hypersonic speeds. 

The HL- 10 vehicle, which exhibited some deficience s in roll 

Re-entry 

Structures 

A new type of construction for pressure vessels, developed as part of a Lewis 

Research Center program, consists of a metal tank overwrapped with glass filaments; an optimum level of compression is induced in the metal by appropriate 

tension in the glass fibers. 

reliability and substantial weight savings for high-pressure systems over temperatures ranging from 75OF down to -423OF. 

The experimental models demonstrated increased 

30 
Environmental Factors 

The three PEGASUS spacecraft, launched in 1965 to count meteoroid penetrations in 

metallic skins, successfully completed their primary mission, and their operation 

was extended to provide information on the reliability of the spacecraft electronic 

systems. All systems continued to operate satisfactorily during a year of the extended lifetime. 

An artificial meteor which was sent back into the Earth's atmosphere at a meteoritic velocity of 56,000 feet per second gave data for use in analyzing natural meteor 

observations. From re search on laboratory meteoroid simulation, a device was 

developed that accelerated a meteoroid-like particle to 42,000 feet per second. 

When fully developed, this device will make it possible to improve research on space 

craft structures to withstand meteoroid penetrations. 

ELECTRONICS AND CONTROL 

Stabilized Inertial Test Platform 

Electronics Re search Center re search on laboratory evaluation equipment for inertial navigation sensors, celestial trackers, and fine-pointing sensors being developed for aeronautics and space applications resulted in fabrication and testing of 

a single-axis test base which can be isolated from small motions of the laboratory 

floor. 

The base uses precision-level sensors for tilt isolation, and an inertial guidancequality gyroscope combined with conventional device s for vibration isolation. Experimental testing proved the feasibility of the technique, and it will be incorporated 

into the design of a full-scale prototype platform for further evaluation. 

Star Tracker Calibration 

Goddard Space Flight Center developed a calibration methodology and associated 

hardware for star trackers. 

source at the National Bureau of Standards as a reference and a computer program 

developed at the Center, The accuracy of this new calibration technique, approximately 10 to 15 percent, was verified with flight data from the AEROBEE Sounding 

Rocket program, and the method was put into use as a standard procedure for star 

trackers. 

The procedure is based on the use of a "standard star" 

Control Systems 

Spacecraft and aircraft flight-control systems re search activities included operation 

of a control-moment gyro test stand for supplementary testing of the APOLLO 

Telescope Mount project and other advanced systems; operation of the satellite 

attitude-control facility at the Ames Research Center for Advanced ORBITING 

ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY project development; demonstration of an advanced TV display with a 75 percent improvement in character recognition 

accuracy without increased bandwidth; successful completion of flight tests of an 

indirect viewing optical device for improved pilot visibility on lifting body re -entry 

vehicles; and development of a low-inertia, low-noise variable field tachometer and 

motor, which may have industrial applications. 

31 
Supersonic Aircraft Integrated Avionics 

A program was initiated to develop the technology for an integrated avionics system 

(communications, navigation, data processing, flight control, and instrumentation 

functions) for commercial supersonic aircraft of the late 1970's. The Electronics 

Re search Center, with support from other NASA centers, began systems re search, 

component research, and subsystem development. 

for making the documented technology available to industry. 

A target date of 1972 was set 

Project RAM 

This is a research program of ballistic flights to investigate techniques which will 

minimize or eliminate the loss of communication and tracking signals during atmospheric entry. 

fully flown in the medium-re-entry velocity regime (15,833 - 18,020 mph) to supplement previous tests at re-entry velocities of 18,000 feet per second. 

In October, RAM (Radio Attenuation Measurements) C-A was successResults indicated that injection of water into the plasma sheath and use of higher 

frequencies (X-band in this test) for decreasing the re-entry blackout period are 

still effective at these higher speeds. 

Lasers 

Equipment was developed which uses pulsed laser beams in a manner similar to that 

of conventional radar to measure the range of near-Earth satellites more accurately. 

A pulsed ruby laser with a repetition rate of two per second and power output of 

three joules was used as the transmitter and retro reflectors were installed in the 

satellites to augment the returned signal. Accuracies of plus/minus 1.5 meters 

were routinely obtained. 

Tests proved the feasibility of the concept of using lasers to provide real-time video 

pictures from Mars distances with antennas of reasonable size. 

acquiring narrow laser beams and for pointing receiving telescopes with an accuracy 

of one tenth of an arc-second were demonstrated using helium-neon lasers. 

Techniques for 

Coding Techniaue s 

A technique was developed for coding communication signals so that they can be more 

accurately detected in the presence of noise at maximum ranges. The new development- -convolutional coding with sequential decoding- -which give s the encoded signal 

a known character or rhythm making it more easily separated from the noise background, may double the range capability of a given system, permit the use of half 

the spacecraft power, or enable twice as much information to be sent in a given time. 

It will be installed in PIONEER spacecraft to confirm in space the ground-test 

results. 

Associative Memories 

Studies at the Electronics Research Center showed that new computer memories 

based on associative search concepts can reduce the data-transmission load of 

spacecraft transmitters by simultaneously monitoring the output of many different 

instruments and selecting data only from those which exhibit the "most significant" 

32 
activity. Such "associative" memories, which process and select data according 

to content rather than storage location, as do current digital computers, reduce the 

number of operations required to locate a specific element of data by a factor of 

600 or more, thus using the available bandwidth more efficiently. 

Ablation Measuring 

Langley Re search Center developed an improved method for continuous measurement 

of the ablation of materials used to absorb energy produced when spacecraft enter 

planetary atmospheres at high speeds. 

ablation material, and the change in radiation was measured during the ablation 

process. 

ments to within .04 inch when ablators of one-inch original thickness were heated 

by acetylene oxygen torch. 

Radioisotopes were embedded throughout the 

Laboratory test results agreed with actual specimen thickness measureMass Measurement at Zero G 

A method of weighing biological experiments under zero-g was developed by the 

Ame s Re search Center. The technique substituted an oscillating spring-mass system for conventional spring scales or balances which depend on the effect of a constant gravitational force. Since the oscillatory frequency of a spring-mass system 

depends on the total mass, any variation of the mass will result in a detectable 

change in frequency. A device based on this principle was built to measure specimens from 20 mg up to 50 g within an accuracy of 1 percent. 

Hypersonic Force Measurements 

An electrical null balance system was developed to measure aerodynamic forces on 

the models in hypersonic wind tunnels in three directions. The system measures 

the currents in field coils required to maintain model balance under applied loads 

and is calibrated to translate these currents into the effective aerodynamic forces. 

SPACE POWER AND ELECTRIC PROPULSION 

Nuclear power generation, solar and chemical power re search, and electric 

thrusters continued to receive major R&D emphasis, with significant results. 

Nuclear Power Gene ration 

In the 35-KWe SNAP-8 development project, progress was accelerated, with more 

test hours on major components being accumulated during 1967 than'in all previous 

years combined. 

subjected to 2, 500 hours or more of endurance testing, with the lubricant/coolant 

pump passing the 10,000-hour mark. 

All major components except the boiler and turbine have been 

Testing was initiated on a new turbine and new boiler, each modified to correct previously identified life-limiting deficiencies. The fir st power-conversion system, 

which is in a breadboarded configuration, was continuing to supply system technology 

data. 

a. Work on the SNAP-19 isotope generator for the NIMBUS B spacecraft 

entered the final stages. 

33 
b. 

C. 

d. 

e. 

f. 

The SNAP-27 generator reached the qualification test stage as a power 

source for the APOLLO Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP). 

In the advanced nuclear electric power program emphasis continued 

on three energy-conversion concepts: the potassium Rankine and 

Brayton turbogenerator systems, and the thermionic direct-conver sion 

system. 

Experiments with uranium oxide, being conducted under contract, are 

leading to fuel design techniques for venting fission gas without loss 

of fuel. A thermionic reactor analog was developed at the Jet 

Propulsion Laboratory for rapid analysis of reactor stability and 

control. 

Experiments on electrical arcing through cracked insulators in the 

presence of cesium vapor showed the importance of preventing 

exposure of the insulators to cesium vapor. 

The Brayton-cycle turbogenerator program continued to develop 

high-performance component technology for the 2- 10 KWe power 

range. 

rotating unit in which the turbine, compressor, and alternator are 

arranged on a single shaft supported on gas bearings. 

cold-flow test components for this unit were fabricated. 

approximately 20 hours of performance mapping were completed on a 

re search turbo-compre ssor ope rating with a 1 , 500°F turbine inlet 

temperature. 

During the year emphasis was placed on a 5.5-KW compact 

Individual 

In addition, 

Solar and Chemical Power 

Step one of a planned three-step program to achieve technology readiness of lightweight folding photovoltaic solar cell arrays up to 50-KW capacity was completed 

in November, and step two was initiated. For interplanetary spacecraft, which are 

in the sunlight almost continuously, a 5,000-square-foot solar cell array would be 

needed to generate 50 KW of electric power at 1 A. U. (the Earth's mean distance 

from the Sun). 

A 50-square-foot model of a new rollup packaging concept for compact stowage of 

large solar cell arrays during launch was completed in March. Thousands of small, 

individual solar cells would be attached to a flexible plastic substrate such as epoxy 

fiber glass. 

collapsible booms. The plastic substrate and booms would be deployed in space to 

provide the necessary array area. The collapsible booms form a relatively rigid 

shape when deployed and give the needed stiffness for holding the plastic substrate 

and solar cells in a flat plane broadside to the Sun. 

The cells and substrate would be rolled up on a spool together with 

Research on electrical circuits, components, and techniques for conditioning, distributing, and controlling electric power continued to be directed toward greater 

reliability and higher power levels. 

operation of multiple low-input voltage converters and for electrical isolation of 

individual converters should an in-flight failure occur. 

Techniques were developed for parallel 

34 
Conditioning several kilowatts of electrical power in single converter modules, at 

efficiencies of about 95 percent, was demonstrated. However, further research is 

required to verify that present laboratory circuits are adequate for spacecraft applications and to explore the possibility of scaling to higher power levels (possibly 

40 KW in a single module). 

An important advancement was the laboratory-demonstrated single -control module 

which can be used with a wide variety of pulse-modulated power-conditioning circuits. 

In addition to providing reliability and cost advantages if standardized, the new circuit has demonstrated an accuracy and stability substantially exceeding the’ capabilities of existing voltage reference components. 

Until recently the lightweight silver -zinc battery has been limited to approximately 

room-temperature operation. In addition, such a battery can withstand relatively 

few recharges. A new type of inorganic separator material--to keep the electrodes 

from short-circuiting--now permits hundreds of charge-discharge cycles at boiling 

water temperature and over 2, 500 cycles at room temperature. 

material should also make these batteries more useful for civilian applications. 

The same separator 

Electric Thruster Svstems 

During the year, the major emphasis in electric propulsion was on preparing the 

second flight in the Space Electric Rocket Test (SERT) program, on continuing the 

evaluation of solar-powered electric propulsion systems for advanced space probe 

applications, and on developing small thruster systems intended for auxiliary 

propulsion. 

The SERT flight, scheduled for launch in 1969, has the major objective of verifying 

in space the long-duration ion thruster performance previously demonstrated in 

ground tests. During the past year the configuration was defined, major contracts 

were let, and the basis of the experiment package was developed. 

Progress was also made in the systems technology required for using such engines 

as the prime propulsion of spacecraft on deep-space missions. This work has thus 

far continued to indicate that such systems using power from solar arrays appear 

feasible and have merit. 

THE NUCLEAR ROCKET PROGRAM 

The joint NASA/AEC nuclear rocket program continued to stress the development of 

graphite reactor and engine system technology. Through previous efforts, reactors 

have been developed and operated at conditions which would produce a specific impulse of 800 seconds in a flight engine. 

through startup, full power and shutdown. 

ated for test durations of 30 minutes at powers above 1,000 megawatts. 

these, the PHOEBUS-lB, was operated in February of this year for 30 minutes at 

power levels approaching 1, 500 megawatts). 

Reactors have been cycled and recycled 

(One of 

Three separate reactors have been operThe NRX-A6 nuclear rocket reactor was successfully tested at full power of about 

1,100 megawatts for approximately 60 minutes--twice as long as any previous rocket 

reactor had been operated at its rated power. 

35 
Ground Experimental Engine Inve stigations 

The nuclear rocket program moved well into the final phase of work aimed at the 

development of engine system technology. 

achieved through ground experimental engine (XE) investigations in Engine Test 

Stand No. 1 (ETS-1). 

components of a nuclear rocket engine in a flight configuration for testing under 

simulated altitude conditions. 

The remaining objectives are to be 

These investigations will for the first time combine all of the 

At the Nuclear Rocket Development Station (NRDS) in Jackass Flats, Nevada, the 

NERVA development team was in the final stages of preparation for conducting 

cold-flow experiments on an XE engine (XECF) in ETS-1. 

These tests should verify that ETS-1 is ready for hot-engine testing, investigate the 

startup of the XE engine in ETS-1 under simulated altitude conditions, check engine/ 

test stand operating procedures not previously demonstrated, and investigate engine 

malfunctions under simulated conditions. 

followed in 1968 by the first tests on a tIhot'' XE engine. 

was nearing completion at the close of the year. 

The XECF engine experiments will be 

Assembly of this engine 

Non-Nuclear ComDonent DeveloDment Activitie s 

Since the joint NAsA/AEC nuclear rocket program was reoriented in 1963 to a ground 

experimental engine development activity, ten successive, successful tests of reactors have been conducted. 

development activities. 

state of the technology and to prepare the way for the next series of experiments. 

Each was the culmination of many concerted component 

Each test also served as a building block to advance the 

The Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory began conducting experiments on a scaled up 

version of the 1,000 to 1,500-megawatt KIWI-sized PHOEBUS 1/NRX reactor called 

the PHOEBUS 2. 

undertaken to provide a large-diameter nozzle to accommodate the higher PHOEBUS 2 

operating temperatures and stresses. Also a new facility feed system was designed, 

developed, and installed at Test Cell C to provide the increased flow of liquia hydrogen required. 

Before these experiments could be initiated, a major eff0r.t was 

During 1967, three PHOEBUS 2 nozzles were fabricated. 

test firing, the contractor showed that the nozzle could withstand the heat fluxes 

and thermal cycling of a full-power PHOEBUS 2 reactor test. 

In a 75-second chemical 

The facility feed system selected for use in Test Cell C was a twin turbopump assembly called the NFS-3b. The basic unit of the NFS-3b is the Mk 25 turbopump. 

Two of these units are connected in a parallel system to provide the liquid-hydrogen 

flow rate required (285 lbs/sec.). A unique feature of the system, however, is that 

it can be operated in what is called the "single-mode" (one turbopump operating) to 

provide the lower flow-rates required to conduct the PHOEBUS 1/NRX KIWI-sized 

reactor-experiment 8. 

Tests run this year on the NFS-3b confirmed the design analyses. 

ance was measured to 34,000 rpm in both the single and dual modes. In addition, a 

single turbopump which had been operated for approximately 30 minutes at 34,000 rpm 

was run again at 36,000 rpm to demonstrate its ability to operate at overspeed conditions. The performance of the system was smooth and stable at this speed. 

System perform36 
TRACKING AND DATA ACQUISITION 

Support of NASA missions, as well as missions of other agencies and governments, 

through the facilities and re sources under Tracking and Data Acquisition Program 

management, continued successfully. While the operational service continued, the 

facilities and equipment were being modified and implemented to support future programs and missions. 

Manned Space Flight Network 

During 1967, a program was essentially completed for augmenting the Manned Space 

Flight Network for support of APOLLO. 

facilities, which had successfully supported both MERCURY and GEMINI, and the 

addition of APOLLO instrumentation ships, APOLLO /Range Instrumentation Air craft 

(A/RIA), and new land stations. 

This consisted of the upgrading of existing 

The total network for support of APOLLO lunar missions consists of 14 land stations, 

5 instrumentation ships, and 8 instrumentation aircraft. 

now fully operational. 

come operational during the first half of calendar year 1968. 

All of the land stations are 

The ships and aircraft are in various test phases but will beDespite the delay in the APOLLO schedule, during most of the year the network continued to play an active role in support of other NASA flight missions. Selected network stations, such as Bermuda and Carnarvon, Australia, provided support to many 

unmanned missions, including SURVEYOR, LUNAR ORBITER, and the ORBITING 

GEOPHYSICAL OBSERVATORY. In addition, the network supported the TITAN IIIC 

vehicle development flights and other Department of Defense programs. 

The LUNAR ORBITER was used successfully in simulating APOLLO lunar mission 

tracking operations as a means of qualifying the stations and verifying APOLLO navigational techniques. 

spacecraft after completion of their primary lunar surface photograph missions. 

This important operation was performed with LUNAR ORBITER 

On November 9, the network participated in the highly successful APOLLO 4 mission. 

Satellite Network 

The Satellite Network continued to carry a very heavy workload in terms of total 

satellites supported, with an average of 38 to 40 satellites being supported by the 

network on a daily basis. 

NASA's support of international programs is carried out largely through the activities of this network. The SAN MARCO, ESRO, ARIEL and WRESAT projects were 

all supported by the Space Tracking and Data Acquisition Network (STADAN) with 

the data from experiments being processed in a form that can be given to thk individual experimenters for reduction and analysis of scientific results. 

Deep Space Network 

The lunar and planetary programs, which included a number of successful longlife 

missions over the past few years, placed a heavy workload on the Deep Space 

Network facilities. Continuous support of MARINER, LUNAR ORBITER, and 

37 
PIONEER missions, as well as the shorter SURVEYOR missions, kept the network 

operating on an exceptionally busy schedule. 

graphs, transmitted from the LUNAR ORBITER and SURVEYOR spacecraft through 

the network facilities, also continued to highlight the successful support. 

The clarity and definition of photoThe 210-foot-diameter advanced antenna system, which became operational in 1966 

at Goldstone, California, has performed in an excellent manner and fulfilled all 

planned design objectives of the system. 

Network Communications 

The NASA Communications Network (NASCOM) is the interconnecting link between 

the network stations and control centers. 

its successful record in meeting the operational communications requirements of 

NASA and other agencie s. 

The NASCOM continued during the period 

With the launch of three successful commercial communications satellites (INTELSAT) 

this year, an important link was added to the communications system. 

lites over the Pacific Ocean and over the Atlantic Ocean are required to provide the 

necessary communications reliability between the APOLLO mission control center, 

the instrumentation ships at sea, and the land stations at Canary Island; Ascension 

Island; and Carnarvon, Australia. 

These s.atelUNIVERSITY PROGRAMS 

NASA's university program looks to universities to supply expertise and competence 

essential to the space effort. 

from space exploration into space and other applications to help the United States 

maintain its leadership in aeronautics and astronautics. 

In turn, the program feeds back knowledge gained 

During this year, about 1, 400 grants and contracts--valued at almost $110 million-- 

were in effect at 200 U. S. colleges and universities. Most of this university support, about $80 million dollars, was financed and directed by project offices and 

research centers with immediate requirements for the development and application 

of new knowledge. 

the project research in addition to supporting university training activities and the 

construction of re search facilities. 

NASA's Sustaining University Program supplements and balances 

Under the predoctoral training program, 797 new students began their graduate 

training at 152 colleges and universities, including at least one institution in each 

state, in September, 1967. Of the 900 doctorates awarded since the program began, 

nearly 60 percent of the recipients remained in the universities, 30 percent took 

positions with industrial firms, and 10 percent entered Government service either 

as civilians or as members of one of the military services. In another part of the 

sustaining university program, about 250 university faculty members participated 

in nine summer fellowship programs in research or systems engineering design. 

Also, multidisciplinary re search grants were continued at 50 universities, and the 

940 investigators working under these grants published about 750 scientific papers. 

Seven re search laboratories on university campuses were dedicated, bringing the 

total completed to 25 since the program began. 

nearly 900, 000 square feet and accommodate some 3,000 engineers, scientists 

and graduate students working on aeronautical and space -related problems. 

grant was awarded for a new facility. 

These laboratories comprise 

One 

38 
INTER NATIONAL AFFAIRS 

International cooperation in joint projects and operations support activities continued 

to expand in 1967. 

Agreements were concluded with the space commissions of Brazil and Mexico to 

undertake joint re search in the technique s of remote sensing for Earth re sources 

surveys. 

possible capabilities for the eventual survey of resources by spacecraft. 

Both ground-based and airborne instrumentation will be tested to develop 

NASA and the Indian Committee for Space Research agreed to undertake a joint study 

of the possible use of an experimental communications satellite for instructional 

television purposes in India. 

During the year, 29 scientists from the United Kingdom, West Germany, Japan, 

Canada, Switzerland, and Finland were selected to participate as principal inve stigators in the lunar surface sample program. These scientists will join their U. S. 

colleagues in studying and analyzing the lunar surface material to be brought back 

to Earth by the APOLLO astronauts. 

Two cooperative satellites, the Italian SAN MARCO I1 and the British ARIEL 111, 

were successfully launched on April 20 and May 5, respectively. 

The SAN MARCO 11 involved the first use of a unique ocean platform launch complex 

built and equipped by the Italians. 

east coast of Africa. 

by earlier SAN MARCO spacecraft, using the Italian-developed drag-balance technique for the first direct measurements of local density. 

The launching occurred on the equator off the 

The satellite continued the air density measurements made 

ARIEL I11 continued the work of British scientists in charged particle studies and 

measurements of low-frequency radiation in space. 

The attempted launching on May 29 of the ESRO I1 satellite built by the European 

Space Research Organization was not successful because the SCOUT booster failed. 

This was the first of nine international satellites to fail to achieve orbit. A backup 

spacecraft is to be launched in early 1968. 

Cooperative sounding rocket programs continued with ten foreign countries. These 

programs concern astronomical investigations and studies of the upper atmosphere 

and ionosphere, using sodium-vapor and barium-cloud techniques, grenades, X-ray 

telescopes, magnetometers and charged-particle detectors. The fir st comparative 

sounding rocket system te sts to use foreign-developed vehicles (Japane se MT- 135 

rocket) were conducted from Wallops Island, Virginia. 

Cooperative work with Brazil was expanded to provide a capability to launch the 

large JAVELIN sounding rocket from the range at Natal, Brazil. In June, two 

JAVELIN launchings were successfully undertaken in a tripartite program ( U. S., 

Germany and Brazil). 

tation for a projected West German research satellite to be launched by NASA. 

The rockets carried experiments designed to test instrumenThe successful Inter -American Experimental Meteorological Rocket Network 

(EXAMETNET) program with Argentina and Brazil continued at an active pace. 

39 
Small meteorological rockets launched in those two countries were coordinated with 

NASA launchings at Wallops Island. 

Cooperation in aeronautical research continued through an agreement with the U. K. 

Ministry of Technology providing for a joint research program on the British-developed Hunting 127 jet flap aircraft. 

The telemetry/command station constructed by the European Space Research 

Organization near Fairbanks, Alaska, achieved operational capability in the fall. 

Argentina, Australia, Chad, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, 

Senegal, South Africa, Surinam, and the United Kingdom agreed to the stationing of 

temporary geodetic satellite observation camera teams on their territories as part 

of the National Geodetic Satellite Program. 

INDUSTRY AFFAIRS 

NASA's industry affairs stressed incentive contracting, cost reduction, improved 

labor relations, reliability and quality assurance, and increased use of DOD contract administration. 

Incentive Contracting 

NASA's procurement management research programs are designed to develop the 

most effective incentive contracting procedures. 

contractual influences and profit motivating factors are expected to have a significant 

effect on future incentive policies. 

The agency's studies of extraThe volume of incentives under administration increased more than twenty-five percent during the last year. 

tracts amounting to $6.7 billion. While the agency encouraged the continuing growth 

of incentive contracting, it emphasized that this is only one aspect of the overall 

procurement program. Along this line, certain incentive contracts were converted 

to Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee when the limits of contract definition under changed conditions showed such conversion to be most appropriate. 

NASA entered Fiscal Year 1968 with 266 incentive conNASA coordinated its efforts with other Government Agencies in developing CostPlus-Award-Fee (CPAF) policies and procedures. The CPAF contract fits in the 

spectrum of available contracts between the Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee and the formula 

incentive types, with the potential fee based on subjective evaluations of actual performance. This relatively new contract type provides benefits for both the Government and the contractor. 

Cost Reduction 

The NASA internal cost reduction program resulted in measurable savings of 

$180,000,000. 

tractor program, achieved savings of $220,000,000. 

gram has been in operation, NASA has reported total savings of more than 

$1,400,000,000. 

The Agency's major contractors, voluntarily participating in the conFor the four years the Pro40 
Labor Relations 

The labor relations program emphasized pre-planning actions to prevent ,labor problems during the procurement process. 

page at all NASA Centers decreased by about 85 percent during 1967. 

man-days were lost in 1967 as compared to a loss of 39,088 man-days in 1966. 

Total man-days lost because of work stopOnly 3,317 

The Kennedy Space Center experienced a significant improvement in labor stability 

during 1967, with 216 man-days lost from work stoppage as compared to 13,487 lost 

during 1966. This was accomplished even though there was an increase in the total 

man-days worked at that Center. 

Reliability and Quality Assurance 

In another area of effort, the Reliability and Quality Assurance Office expanded its 

evaluations of field installations to include - all reliability and quality assurance activities, not only those associated with procurement. Five field installations were 

evaluated by the end of 1967. 

and test sites associated with manned space flight. 

Included in these evaluations were several plant offices 

Increased Use of DOD Contract Administration 

NASA increased its use of DOD contract administration activities and continued 

working closely with DOD management to make sure that agency programs received, 

appropriate attention. 

NASA expanded its participation with DOD in the Contractor Performance Evaluation 

Program, with 18 major NASA contracts under evaluation. 

working with DOD in refining and applying contractor evaluation systems. 

The agency was also 

Property Management 

Property administration was emphasized during the past year under the President's 

Program for Improved Supply and Property Management. 

the GEMINI program, $342 million worth of property was reassigned to NASA installations or to other Government agencies for reuse. 

Following completion of 

TE CHNO LOGY UTILIZATION 

NASA continued increasing its activities to make the technical results of its research 

and development program available to potential users in non-aerospace fields. 

Two new experimental Regional Dissemination Centers (RDC) were opened in 1967, 

one in New England and the other in Southern California. 

rolled 46 industrial firms as clients during their first 10 months. 

These two Centers epThree Biomedical Application Teams form a direct link between aerospace scientists and technicians and biomedical researchers at more than a dozen medical 

schools and research institutes around the country. In addition, the Social and 

Rehabilitation Service of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare are 

gaining direct and helpful access to aerospace technology via the NASA biomedical 

application program. 

41 
NASA and the Small Business Administration cooperated in special programs to encourage industrial development in the small-busine ss community by capitalizing on 

available aerospace technology. 

the accessibility of technical information to this sector of the economy. 

Energy Commission, the -Department of Commerce Office of State Technical Services, 

and the Smithsonian Science Information Exchange contributed to the presentations. 

The two agencies conducted three conferences on 

The Atomic 

The NASA Office of Technology Utilization and the SBA also pursued a one-year experimental program to introduce small businesses to services offered by the NASAsupported Regional Dissemination Centers. Under this program, a number of firms 

were selected by the SBA to be assisted by the Centers in seeking out and using exte rnally gene rated knowledge. 

The NASA-established Computer Software Management and Information Center in 

Georgia identifies technological advances in computer programs developed by and 

for NASA and makes them available for use by private industry. 

Center NASA contributes directly to the national industrial effort by offering private 

industry the opportunity both to avoid duplication and to accelerate the lengthy and 

costly task of developing computer programs. The Center is designed to be selfsupporting on the basis of fees received for programs distributed. 

Through this 

Under a cooperative program with NASA, the Atomic Energy Commission's Sandia 

Laboratories began reporting innovations derived from their research endeavors. 

These reports will be published and disseminated as AEC-NASA Tech Briefs. The 

AEC's Argonne National Laboratory embarked on a similar program in 1966 which 

has resulted in 100 Tech Briefs. 

program since it began in 1964 reached a total of approximately 2,000 during 1967. 

The number of Tech Briefs stemming from NASA's 

The Bureau of Reclamation Office of Atmospheric Water Resources entered into an 

interagency agreement with NASA to apply aerospace technology to its weather modification program. 

Scientific and technical information compiled, stored, retrieved, and disseminated 

by the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Program for the benefit of Government, university, an.d industrial users increased substantially in all categories. 

NASA continued initial testing of RECON--a remote-console, direct-access method 

for retrieval of information from large computerized storage banks. RECON could 

be extremely valuable to working scientists and engineers who need scientific reference s immediately. 

During the latter part of 1967, the Thesaurus project was completed. 

years, NASA scientists have developed a special vocabulary of the words and terms 

applicable to aerospace interests. 

Thesaurus- -a carefully structured set of definitions and relationships. It will serve 

as a master indexing authority. 

Over the 

NASA put that vocabulary into the form of a 

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHER AGENCIES 

NASA continued to work closely with other Government agencies having research, 

development, and application interests in space and aeronautics. 

the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, Atomic Energy 

Among these are 

42 
Commission, Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, and Department of the Interior. 

The program for the exchange of personnel between NASA and the DOD continued 

during 1967. 

Of these, 189 were from the Air Force, 99 from the Army, 32 from the Navy, and 

3 from the Marine Cor'ps. 

organizations of the DOD. 

As of December 31, 323 military personnel were on detail to NASA. 

At that time, 13 NASA employees were assigned to 

Aside from the over-all coordinating role of the National Aeronautics and Space 

Council, the principal formal mechanism for coordination between NASA and DOD 

was the Aeronautics and Astronautics Coordinating Board (AACB) and its six specialized panels. Through the AACB activities, the two agencies began a comprehensive review of existing aerospace test facilities and anticipated future needs; 

coordinated their respective space science programs; coordinated their proposed 

FY 1968 facilities budgets to eliminate unwarranted duplication; and completed a 

joint study concerning the economic aspects of reusable launch vehicles. 

The Board also helped establish procedures and guidelines for both agencies to follow in using secondary payload space on space launch missions. 

ects were introduced for coordination under these procedures. 

Five flight projNASA and DOD agreed to transfer management responsibility for the XB-70 Flight 

Research Program from the Air Force to NASA; on procedures for transferring Air 

Force Flight and Engine data on the F-12/SR-71 supersonic aircraft to NASA for 

use in the supersonic transport supporting re search program; and on arrangements 

for DOD to support and eventually to operate the NASA satellite tracking facilities 

on Grand Bahama Island. 

NASA and DOD continued to provide logistical support for each other's programs. 

In addition to the normal exchange services, the following were noteworthy: DOD 

tracking and recovery support for NASA's BIOSATELLITE I; DOD flight training of 

NASA astronauts and research pilots; NASA support of the MOL program; and NASA 

support of the DOD wind-tunnel testing program. 

Joint NASA-DOD reviews and studies were conducted on the following: R&D programs 

related to cryogenic rocket engines; satellite systems combining communication, 

air traffic control, surveillance, and navigation; space flight emergency and rescue 

systems; and reduction of external aircraft noise. 

NASA and the Smithsonian Institution developed procedures concerning the custody 

and display of NASA historical artifacts. 

NASA and the Department of Transportation reached an agreement concerning 

principles for NASA's participation in the research, development, and testing work 

associated with high- speed ground transportation. 

43 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

INTRODUCTION 

CHAPTER 

IV 

In 1967 the Department of Defense space and aeronautical activity was highlighted by 

two actions: 

high orbits, some beyond synchronous. (2) The manufacture and assembly of the 

world's largest aircraft, the C5A, continued on schedule. 

(1) Three TITAN IIIC boosters successfully placed 19 payloads into 

SPACE DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES 

MANNED ORBITING LABORATORY 

The MANNED ORBITING LABORATORY (MOL) progressed into the Engineering 

Development Phase early in 1967 and a program plan was developed to provide for 

the launch of a two-man crew aboard the spacecraft at the earliest possible date. 

MOL crews will remain in orbit for 30 days conducting defense-oriented experiments 

involving very complex equipment. Manned space flight experience in the MERCURY 

and GEMINI programs indicates that both the development and usefulness of this 

equipment will be enhanced by putting a human operator/experimenter in space along 

with it. This approach will realize the program objectives of advancing both manned 

and unmanned space technology and ascertaining the full extent of man's utility in 

space. 

The MOL crews will be launched into orbit inside a GEMINI B spacecraft by an 

uprated TITAN I11 booster, designated TITAN IIIM. 

into the laboratory, which is designed to allow them to work in a "shirt-sleeve" 

environment, unencumbered by space suits. 

into the GEMINI By detach it from the laboratory, and re-enter the atmosphere for 

an ocean landing and recovery. 

In orbit the pilots will transfer 

For return to Earth, they will go back 

Development of all of the major components of the MOL system was initiated and 

progressed on schedule during the past year. 

TITAN IIIM, employing a new nozzle, was successfully static-tested. 

structural test assemblies of the laboratory and experiment modules were completed 

and the procurement of system components was begun. 

plex at Vandenberg AFB, Calif. , was completed and construction initiated. 

The first-stage engine of the 

Mockup and 

Design of the launch comFour more Aerospace Research Pilots were assigned to the MOL flight crew, 

increasing the total number in training to sixteen. 

training and engineering and test operations duties, crew members completed 

courses in jungle and water survival. 

In addition to their flight 

44 
Advance development and fabrication of space suits for the MOL flight crew began 

during this period. 

suits will include an extravehicular capability for emergencies , more mobile joints, 

a self-sealing zipper for unassisted donning and removal, and a bubble helmet for 

unr e s tr icted visibility. 

Special design features of the'modified GEMINI-style pressure 

NASA and DOD continued close coordination and cooperation to insure the exchange 

of technology, hardware and experience throughout the life of both the APOLLO and 

MOL programs. 

TITAN 111 SPace Booster 

The TITAN 111 Research and Development Program continued in the flight-test 

phase, with three launches carrying important military payloads into orbit throughout the year. 

Initial Defense Communication Satellites were placed in a near -synchronous orbit 

of 18,200 nautical miles. 

into orbit by the TITAN IIIC to fifteen. 

lites were successfully boosted into an orbit of approximately 60,000 miles. 

third flight of the TITAN IIIC took place in July and carried an assortment of six 

experimental payloads , including three additional Defense Communication Satellites . 

The first of these occurred last January, when eight additional 

This brought the total of communication satellites put 

In April, a pair of nuclear detection satelThe 

Because of its demonstrated reliability and capability, the TITAN IIIC was ordered 

into production this summer to provide the space boosters for high-priority payloads 

over the next three years. 

Development work continued on the TITAN IIIM, which will be used to launch the 

MANNED ORBITING LABORATORY (MOL). 

occurred during the year and development was initiated on a TITAN IIID configuration to provide a polar -orbit capability for heavier unmanned payloads. 

Launches of the TITAN IIIB also 

DOD Communication Satellite Program 

The DOD Satellite Communication Programs are divided into two broad categories 

(Long Distance Point-to-Point and Tactical Systems) supplemented by Supporting 

Research and Technology. 

Long Distance Point-to-Point Svstem 

This system is to satisfy those unique and vital national security satellite communications needs which cannot be met by commercial means. Efforts to satisfy this 

mission can be classified into four areas: SYNCOM, Initial Defense Communications 

Satellite Project (IDCSP) , Operational Defense Satellite Communications System 

(DSCS) , and International Cooperative Efforts. 

SYNCOM--The SYNCOM 11 and I11 satellites, developed and orbited by NASA, are 

used with DOD terminals in the Pacific area for passing operational traffic. The 

SYNCOM system was converted from R&D to an operational system in July, 1966, 

and is currently being employed in Southeast Asia to provide circuits between 

ground terminals there and in Hawaii and the Philippines. 

installed on the USS ANNAPOLIS is also being used in this system. 

A shipboard terminal 

45 
Initial Defense Communications Satellite Project (IDCSP) - -The IDCSP provides the 

initial operational satellite communications capability to satisfy critical require - 

ments of the DOD and other Government agencies. In 1967, the space subsystem 

was expanded to a total of 17 operational satellites with successful launches in 

January and July, utilizing TITAN LIIC R&D boosters. 

The ground environment of the IDCSP has progressed with equal success. 

former system of ground terminals on the east and west coasts of the United States 

and in Germany, Hawaii and the Philippines was expanded with additional terminals 

deployed to South Vietnam, Guam, Okinawa, Ethiopia and Hawaii. Recently 

developed air -transportable and highly mobile , lightweight terminals were deployed 

to Guam and Australia, and in Colorado and Alaska. 

which can be set up for operation with a six-man crew within an hour, provides a 

satellite communications facility making possible reliable and flexible communica - 

tions for command and control for special military missions and for use in under - 

developed areas of the world. 

the USS PROVIDENCE, flagship of the Seventh Fleet; USS OKLAHOMA CITY , flagship of the First Fleet; USS WRIGHT; and USS ARLINGTON. 

terminals will also be installed in attack aircraft carriers. 

The 

Each of these terminals, 

The Navy now has shipboard terminals installed in 

In the near future, 

Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) - -During 1967, the DOD continued 

planning and preparation for the development and acquisition of an advanced system 

which will take full advantage of our experience with the SYNCOM and IDSCP 

systems and current technology. 

International Cooperative Efforts - -A Memorandum of Understanding was concluded 

this year with the United Kingdom whereby the space segment of the IDCSP will be 

augmented with two synchronous satellites to provide operational defense communi - 

cations. This program, which is entirely financed by the United Kingdom, will 

provide a first launch in 1968. To demonstrate the interoperability between British 

and U. S. satellite communications equipment, a Navy shipboard terminal in 

San Diego successfully communicated with a British shipboard terminal located in 

Portsdown, England. 

1966; in late August of this year, NATO indicated its desire to procure two UK-type 

satellites. 

A similar program was proposed to NATO in September, 

These will be procured and launched in the U. S. by the Air Force. 

Tactical Satellite Communications Program 

The Tactical Satellite Communications Program made significant progress during 

1967. The program consists of early experiments with two Massachusetts Institute 

of Technology Lincoln Laboratory satellites, followed by more extensive tests with 

a larger, more complicated satellite. 

exploring the technical, operational, and economic feasibility of using fepeaters in 

space to satisfy certain critical tactical communication needs. 

These satellites will provide a means of 

The first of the Lincoln Laboratory satellites was successfully orbited on July 1, 

1967, and is providing valuable data. 

tional vehicle s (airplanes , ships , and trucks) are communicating through the 

satellite and many new communication techniques are being tested. 

terminals established voice communication with various types of experimental 

terminals, some of which were at distances of over 4,000 nautical miles. 

has successfully communicated through the satellite with terminals installed in a 

Experimental terminals installed in operaArmy vehicular 

The Navy 

46 
surface ship, submarine, and aircraft. In a related development, an Air Force 

helicopter in the USA successfully established two-way voice contact with a NASA 

station in Australia, utilizing NASA's ATS- 1 VHF communications satellite repeater. 

The U.S. and selected NATO countries are now conducting joint tests using the 

Lincoln satellite. 

construction and will be launched in 1968. 

A second Lincoln satellite for the TacSatCom program is under 

Spaceborne Nuclear Detection (VELA) 

The objective of the VELA Satellite Program is to develop a satellite capability to 

detect nuclear explosions which may occur from the Earth's surface to deep space. 

It is a joint research and development program of the DOD (USAF) and the Atomic 

Ener gy Commi s s ion. 

Two new VELA satellites were successfully launched in April, 1967, by a research 

and development TITAN IIIC into 60,000-n.m. circular orbits. 

other VELA satellites launched in pairs in 1963, 1964 and 1965. The new satellites 

are stabilized with a gas-jet attitude-control system to keep their spin axes pointed 

at the center of the Earth. 

are optical and electromagnetic pulse detectors for observing the fireball and radio 

pulses from nuclear weapons tested in the atmosphere. 

They joined six 

The most important new techniques being investigated 

All of the satellites are providing valuable information on the natural radiation 

background in space and the operation of nuclear radiation detectors in a space 

environment. 

agencies for warnings during manned orbital flights and development of solar -storm 

for e casting techniques . 

The radiation background data are supplied to NASA, ESSA and DOD 

Space Obiect Identification 

During 1967 the Air Force and the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) 

continued to cooperate in a research program to determine the most feasible methods 

of identifying the physical characteristics of non-cooperating objects in Earth orbit 

through observations by ground-based radar and photo-optical devices. Techniques 

developed will not only be used to obtain diagnostic information on our own satellites 

in orbit, but also will serve as a prime source of technology for improvement of the 

Space Surveillance and Detection Tracking System (SPADATS). 

in this area has been transferred to Air Force management. 

Most ARPA research 

Geodetic Satellites 

The DOD contined to participate in the geodetic satellite program during 1967. 

Satellites observed by DOD include: GEOS A, PAGEOS, NAVY NAVIGATION 

SATELLITES, SECOR and others. GEOS B (which carries an Army SECOR transponder, a NASA Range-Range Rate transponder, an Air Force Optical Beacon, and 

a Navy Doppler transponder in addition to laser reflectors and C-Band beacons) is 

to be launched shortly. The geodetic efforts will continue to provide more precise 

information about the Earth's size, shape, mass and variations in gravity and 

precise determinations of locations to support mapping, charting, and geodesy. 

47 
The Army Corps of Engineers began operations on a 30-station globe-circling 

network designed to provide a new determination of the Earth's equatorial radius, 

position critical range tracking stations , and provide scale to the PAGEOS network. 

The network advanced eastward from Hawaii traversing the U.S. and Canada to the 

continent of Africa. One SECOR satellite, EGRS IX, was successfully orbited in 

1967 into a 2,000-nautical mile polar orbit. 

Doppler information using primarily the NAVY NAVIGATION SATELLITES, GEOS -A 

and France's ALOUETTE was collected by the 13 permanent stations and four mobile 

vans. 

vated by the National Science Foundation. 

Doppler observations the positions of 18 stations to an accuracy of -t 25 meters with 

respect to the Earth's center -of -mass from Doppler observations. Additionally, 

the Doppler data was used to better define the model of the Earth's gravity field. 

Harmonic coefficients of the gravity potential have been extended to the twelfth order 

and degree. 

be delivered shortly to replace the breadboard model which became operational 

during 1967. 

package. 

one man. 

In addition, the tracking station at McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, was reactiDuring 1967 the Navy determined from 

- 

A lightweight, portable tracking station, called the GEOCEIVER, will 

The GEOCEIVER will consist of a new receiver, antenna, and data 

It weighs approximately 80 lbs. and is designed to be transported by 

The PAGEOS satellite launched in June, 1966, is being observed by DOD and the 

Coast and Geodetic Survey for establishing a worldwide Geometric net of 43 stations. 

PAGEOS is a reflective 100-ft. inflatable sphere which is observed in relation to 

the star background. 

43 stations. 

Observations have been accomplished from a total of 24 of the 

With the development of a chopping shutter, Air Force PC-1000 cameras are able 

to observe passive satellites. 

support mapping and charting efforts, to supply data for radar calibration, and to 

position strategic locations such as Air Defense Tracking stations. The PC-1000 

teams have completed radar calibration and ADT site positioning efforts and are now 

deployed for densification. 

The objectives now are to provide densification to 

NAVY NAVIGATION SATELLITE System 

A constellation composed of three NAVY NAVIGATION SATELLITES was maintained 

in operation during most of 1967. 

electronic components and power systems and an expected longer lifetime, were 

interjected into the constellation in the course of the year. 

Three replacement satellites, with improved 

NAVIGATION SATELLITE System receivers are installed in all Fleet Ballistic 

Missile submarines and all attack carriers deployed to Southeast Asia, both to 

update the ship's interial navigation system and to provide data for the aircraft 

navigation systems prior to launch from the carriers. 

On July 29, 1967, the Vice President of the United States announced that the NAVY 

NAVIGATION SATELLITE System had been released for use by civilian ships and 

that the shipboard receivers could be manufactured commercially. on an unclassified 

basis. 

48 
Also during 1967, four small navigation satellite re.ceivers, suitable for a man-toback pack, were delivered to the Navy. These, along with the two sets delivered in 

1966, were tested under simulated field conditions to determine how accurately they 

could locate themselves in relation to one another. 

accuraxies equivalent to those achieved by surveying. 

They have now demonstrated 

A satellite navigation receiver designed and manufactured for aircraft employment 

was delivered to the Navy in October and will be extensively tested in flight in 

cooperation with the Air Force during 1968. 

SPACE GROUND SUPPORT 

DOD National Ranges 

The Air Force is realigning the management structure for its operation of the DOD 

ranges. This action will streamline and simplify the management chain, provide a 

more responsive, faster -reacting system, and save manpower. The realignment in 

,the Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) replaces the National Range Division (NRD) 

by establishing as the range focal point the AFSC Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. 

Within Headquarters USAF, the range monitoring functions have been placed under 

the Director of Space. 

Range instrumentation continues to be improved through modernization of existing 

trajectory measuring systems and conversion of telemetry systems to operation in 

the Ultra High-Frequency (UHF) band. 

Eastern Test Range--Dur'ing much of this year, acceptance testing continued on the 

eight C-135 APOLLO/Range Instrumented Aircraft. 

support to DOD missile programs as well as the APOLLO program in areas not 

covered by land and ship stations. 

1968. 

improved to provide increased support to re -entry systems development and evaluation and space missions. 

These aircraft will provide 

All eight aircraft will be operational by January, 

Data-acquisition capability of Advanced Range Instrumentation Ships is being 

Western Test Range--The five APOLLO ships are undergoing operational testing and 

the entire fleet will be operational by March, 1968. Terminal-area scoring and 

recovery capabilities have been improved by the addition of a new bottom-mounted 

acoustical hydrophone and the acceptance of a new two-man submarine. 

continued on the TITAN IIIM launch complex in the Sudden Ranch area. 

Work 

Satellite Control Facility--A substantial effort has been made to upgrade the overall 

capabilities of the Satellite Control Facility to support more numerous and complex 

satellite programs in the FY 1970-1975 era. 

provide all tracking stations in the network with the Space Ground Link Subsystem 

(SGLS). 

S -band and significantly improve tracking and command capabilities . has been approved for the Satellite Test Center to provide modern Mission Control 

Complexes, from which the on-orbit satellites are controlled on a round-the-clock 

basis. 

Communications Electronics System (EXCELS). 

Contracts have been negotiated to 

This equipment will accomplish the conversion of all telemetry to the 

A large addition 

The new building will house an Advanced Data System (ADS) and the Expanded 

49 
Space Detection and Tracking 

SPACETRACK and the Navy SPASUR fence form the North American Air Defense 

Command's Space Detection and Tracking System, which detects , tracks, identifies 

and catalogues all man-made orbiting objects , both foreign and friendly. 

satellite information and specific system support are provided for NASA manned 

space flight operations and all Department of Defense satellite programs. 

Specialized 

Continuing improvements are required to the SPACETRACK System to cover the 

increasing number of objects in space. To meet these ever-expanding needs, an 

evolutionary program of system expansion has been established. A new phasedarray radar, designated the AN/FPS-85, it will be located at Eglin AFB, Florida, 

during 1968. This radar will significantly improve U. S. capability to maintain the 

surveillance necessary to support national space programs and national defense. 

Also, the Navy SPASUR has completed the frequency conversion of all transmitters 

and increased its main transmitter power. 

AERONAUTICS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY 

C-5A Heavy Logistics Transport Aircraft 

The manufacture and assembly of the world's largest aircraft is on schedule. 

out is scheduled to occur in February, 1968. First flight is planned in June, 1968. 

RollA B-52E is serving as a flying test bed for the TF-39 turbofan engine that will power 

the C-5A. First flight was made on June 9, 1967. All engine test objectives have 

been met and the program is proceeding on schedule. 

A new hangar is under construction at Edwards AFB, California, to support the 

flight-test phase of the C-5A. 

modified to enable cold-weather testing of the entire aircraft. 

The climatic hangar at Eglin AFB, Florida, is being 

F-111 Aircraft 

The F-111A program has made very satisfactory progress during 1967. The 

contractors' Category I testing is continuing at Ft. Worth, Texas; Eglin AFB, 

Florida; and Peconic River , Long Island, New York. The Air Force F-l11A 

Category I1 test program is being conducted at Edwards AFB. 

An accelerated service test program was initiated in June, 1967, at Nellis AFB, 

Nevada, by Tactical Air Command's Combat Crew Training Wing. 

is training the personnel for the first operational F-111 squadron, which is now 

being activated. This operation has been highly successful in every respect and 

subsystem operations have been extremely reliable. 

This program 

Tactical Air Command's first production aircraft was delivered from Ft. Worth, 

Texas, to Nellis AFB on October 16, 1967. 

miles the aircraft used the automatic terrain-following feature for the entire trip 

and flew at a constant 1,000 feet above the ground at speeds slightly less than the 

speed of sound. 

On this flight of more than a thousand 

50 
Development of the FB-111A, a strategic-bomber version of the F-111, is progressing on schedule. The first prototype FB-111 flew in July, 1967. Advanced avionics 

development for this aircraft continues to indicate on-schedule deliveries. 

The F-111C, being developed for the Australians, and the F-111K, being developed 

for the British, are also proceeding on schedule. 

The first prototype RF-111, a reconnaissance version of the F-lllA, was testflown on December 17. 

reconnaissance sensor pallet, totally contained in the weapons bay of the aircraft, 

will be flown on the prototype RF- 11 1. 

This aircraft includes advanced avionics components. The 

Preliminary carrier trials of the Navy's F-111B are scheduled for March, 1968, 

followed by November, 1968, delivery of the first airplane incorporating the carrier 

suitability changes. 

Advanced Tactical Fi ehte r 

The Air Force has completed a Concept Formulation Package and recommended 

development and production of a new tactical fighter , the F-X, which will provide 

advances in performance necessary to maintain U. S. air superiority. It will be 

designed to replace the F-4, and will emphasize air supremacy but still retain a 

substantial air -to -ground capability. 

The Navy has submitted its Technical Development plan for a new two-place, twinengine, variable -sweep-wing, multi-mission fighter /attack aircraft, the VFAX. 

This aircraft is designed to replace the Navy's multi-mission F-4 and, while primary 

emphasis has been placed upon its air -to-air capability, it will also have all-weather 

air -to-ground capability. 

insure that the new fighter will be light-weight and compact enough for efficient use 

aboard the attack carriers. 

The Navy has completed a careful trade-off analysis to 

The services are continuing to study the feasibility of meeting their joint requirements with a common aircraft. 

A-7 Light Attack Aircraft 

The Navy A-7A is a TF-30-P6 turbo-fan-powered, single-place, visual light attack 

aircraft to replace the A-4. 

it can deliver weapons more accurately and at increased range. 

tional squadron was deployed in the fall of 1967. 

It can carry a more versatile mixture of ordnance, and 

The first operaDeliveries of the Navy A-7B , equipped with the higher -thrust-rating TF-30 -P8 

engine, will begin in early 1968. 

The joint programs for the Air Force A-7D version of the Navy A-7E are progressing on schedule. 

the TF-30. 

accuracy of navigation and weapons delivery. 

will commence in 1968. 

The A-7D will use the TF-41 engine. The A-7E continues with 

Both versions incorporate improved avionics to provide greatly increased 

Production of these latter two versions 

51 
XB-70 

Two XB-70 aircraft were built. 

1964, and the first flight of Number 2 occurred on July 17, 1965. 

airplane was lost in an accident on June 8, 1966. 

The Number 1 airplane was first flown in September, 

The Number 2 

Both airplanes were used in a flight-test program from the first flight of the first 

airplane until the Number 2 airplane was lost. 

establish airworthiness of the vehicles , investigate design feasibility, determine 

handling qualities and demonstrate Mach 3 flight for 30 minutes sustained. 

objectives were met. 

Objectives of that program were to 

Those 

The remaining XB-70 is being used in the joint USAF/NASA XB-70 flight research 

program. 

and handling qualities, dynamic structural loads, engine -inlet matching and general 

performance. 

Transport (SST) Program. 

FY 1968, but NASA has the option of continuing the program beyond FY 1968. 

Primary objectives of that program are to improve stability and control 

Some of the objectives are in support of the National Supersonic 

Present plans call for conducting the program through 

Coin Air craft 

The OV-1OA is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft with short takeoff and landing performance on unimproved fields, roads and aircraft carriers without using arresting 

gear. In addition to aerial reconnaissance, artillery and naval fire spotting, aerial 

photography, helicopter escort, forward air control, and close suppression fire, 

the OV-1OA can also perform light logistic and utility missions. 

First flight of the prototype OV-1OA took place on June 16, 1965. The Navy 

conducted an early evaluation of the prototype airplane. Phase I of the Navy Preliminary Evaluation (NPE) program was completed on March 21, 1966, and several 

deficiencies were noted. 

the major difficulties. 

wing span and up-rating of the turboprop engines. A contract was released for 223 

aircraft, 109 for the Air Force and 114 for the Marine Corps on October 15, 1966. 

Modification to the original contract for an additional 48 Air Force airplanes was 

executed on October 10, 1967. 

A concerted effort by the Navy and the contractor solved 

The principal changes to the aircraft were an increase in 

Helicopter Development 

AH-56A (CHEYENNE)--The army began develgpment of the AH-56A in March, 1966. 

The first of ten prototypes was rolled out in April, 1967, three weeks ahead of 

schedule. First flight was successfully completed on September 21, 1967, one day 

ahead of schedule. 

that performance requirements will be met, and the development program continues 

to meet all major milestones. 

for use during the 1970'~~ and is designed to replace the armed UH-1C utility 

helicopter. 

Initial flight tests results are highly satisfactory and indicate 

The CHEYENNE is an optimized armed helicopter 

AH- IC (HUEY COBRA) --Pending availability of the optimized AH-56A, and in 

response to an urgent operational requirement for an interim improved helicopter 

in Vietnam, the Army has developed and is procuring the AH-lG (HUEYCOBRA). 

This is a product improvement of the armed UH-1 now employed in Vietnam. Its 

52 
armament includes machine guns , rockets and grenade launchers. Production 

deliveries of the AH-1G began in May, 1967, and the first AH-1C's were deployed 

in Vietnam in August, 1967. 

CH-53A--This Marine Corps assault transport helicopter was deployed to Southeast 

Asia in December , 1966, within two months after completing operational testing. It 

has demonstrated exceptional operational ability, maintainability and reliability. In 

addition to its normal transport activities, it has been used to retrieve 265 downed 

aircraft. 

other instances carried 75 combat-equipped troops. 

On occasion the aircraft has lifted 20,000-lb. loads externally and in 

V/STOL DeveloDment 

CL-84--The twin-engine tilt-wing V/STOL CL-84 aircraft was subjected to a 

limited 20-hour Tri-Service test to evaluate it for possible military potential. 

Following the completion of Tri-Service tests, the only CL-84 flying prototype 

was destroyed in a September 12, 1967, crash. The Canadian Government is 

purchasing three of the aircraft for military operational suitability testing. 

nature and extent of future U. S. interest in the CL-84 will be determined after 

a complete analysis of the Tri-Service test report. 

The 

X-22--The X-22 ducted propeller research aircraft is undergoing regular flight 

testing in all operational modes, with an excess of 100 flights accumulated on the 

single test vehicle. 

Following these tests a variable stability system will be incorporated, allowing 

the aircraft to simulate the control characteristics of other V/STOL types. 

- 

Military Pilot Evaluation is scheduled to start January, 1968. 

US/FRG V/STOL Fighter Program 

The United States and the Federal Republic of Germany are participating jointly in a 

program which if carried to completion will result in the development and evaluation 

of 12 prototype V/STOL fighter type aircraft. 

December, 1964, and its cost is shared between the countries. Bilateral agreement 

is required prior to proceeding with each major phase of the program, and either 

country may withdraw at the end of any phase. 

The program was initiated in 

The first phase, System Definition, was completed in November, 1967. The data 

from the System Definition analyses were still undergoing evaluation at the end of 

the year. 

X-15 Research Aircraft Program 

The three X-15 airplanes were designed to achieve speeds of up to Mach 6. 

ing an accident in November, 1962, X-15 Number 2 was rebuilt and modified to 

expand its performance envelope from Mach 6 to Mach 8. 

achieved so far is 6.7 and the highest altitude is 67 miles. 

FollowThe highest Macd number 

The X-15's are being used primarily as carriers of instrumentation packages to 

collect data at the high speeds and altitudes for various studies, including environmental, improving components for future aerospace vehicles, and basic aerother - 

modynami c re sear ch . 

53 
X-15 Number 3 crashed on November 15, killing the Air Force pilot. 

the first fatality in this nine-year-old program, and the first time one of the three 

vehicles was damaged beyond repair. 

mined. 

This was 

Cause of the accident remains to be deterPresently approved Air Force-sponsored X-15 experiments are expected to be 

completed near the middle of Calendar 1968. 

Aeromedical Evacuation Modernization Pr oer am 

The program was initiated on December 31, 1966, as the result of a decision to 

procure eight off-the-shelf jet transports to meet domestic aeromedical evacuation 

requirements. 

selected and would be designated the Air Force C-9. These aircraft will be specifically configured for the aeromedical evacuation role and will enter the inventory 

beginning August, 1968. Options for 17 additional aircraft have been obtained. These 

aircraft, if procured, would be used to complete the domestic aeromedical evacuation system modernization and to modernize the overseas aeromedical systems. 

On August 31, 1967, it was announced that the DC-9 had been 

F-12 

The Air Force is continuing R&D effort on the F-12. 

been oriented toward improvement of the fire control system, packaging that system 

for installation in the YF-12 airframe, and changing the design of the forward airframe to accommodate this installation. 

YF-12A is being modified to more closely approximate the production configuration. 

This continuing engineering development program is intended to provide a modern 

design and reduce the lead time to an operational capability. 

During 1967, this effort has 

To provide for early flight test data, a 

Advanced Manned Strategic Air craft (AMSA) 

The Air Force has a continuing program which has defined the design and characteristics of an advanced bomber. 

reduce the uncertainties that will arise if a decision is made for full-scale development of an advanced bomber. 

penetration analyses and the impact upon bomber design and penetration capability 

of a variety of penetrations aids. 

Critical development efforts are being pursued to 

The 1967 study has consisted primarily of defense 

In addition to the 1967 study, the Air Force has been conducting advanced development in avionics and propulsion. This includes the flight-testing of various advanced 

equipments to provide more accurate weapon delivery and better warning and location 

of enemy defenses. 

are designed to operate efficiently over a wide range of speeds and altitudes. 

The propulsion effort is providing demonstration engines which 

National Clear Air Turbulence Program 

The Department of Defense has been assigned responsibility for that portion of the 

National Clear Air Turbulence Program concerned with observations, measurements , special reconnaissance, and development of devices to detect turbulence ahead of an 

aircraft in flight. 

54 
The Department of the Air Force, as representative of the DOD, is actively participating in the preparation of a detailed national plan to attack the problems created 

for aircraft in flight by clear air turbulence. 

lished at Headquarters Air Force Systems Command to manage the DOD actions and 

to coordinate such actions with those of NASA, ESSA and FAA. 

During 1967, an office will be estabAircraft Survivabilitv 

This program deals with the numerous modifications which enhance aircraft survivability in a hostile environment. 

void filler foam, self-sealing fuel cells and lines , fire extinguisher systems, backup flight controls, revised fuel system plumbing and selective use of steel and 

ceramic armors. Modification of F-105, F-4 and RF-101 aircraft now in progress 

is expected to reduce their vulnerability 40 - 600/0. 

A-7 are in final stages of study. 

These include internal fuel cell foam, external 

Modifications to the F-111 and 

SUPPORTING RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY 

Over -the -Horizon Detection 

The Department of Defense -developed OHD radars , utilizing ionospheric refraction 

of radar energy, have demonstrated a capability to detect missiles and aircraft 

beyond the radar or line-of-sight horizon. In contrast with earlier systems, which 

were limited to detection ranges of several hundreds of miles, the OHD technique 

provides ranges of several thousands of miles. 

continuing, in order to improve our missile early-warning capabilities and operational aircraft movement observations. 

traffic control operations. 

significantly to our missile early-warning capabilities. 

Laboratory and field evaluations are 

The technique may also be applied to air 

An operational system is under development to add 

Spacecraft Technology and Advanced Re -Entry Tests (START) 

The Air Force is continuing to develop technology for maneuverable -entry spacecraft. 

spacecraft. 

this program. 

Data acquired is vital to the design of future manned and unmanned recovery 

Two projects , designated PRIME and PILOT, have been supported under 

The PRIME (Precision Recovery Including Maneuvering Entry) successfully demonstrated that an unmanned lifting-body spacecraft can be maneuvered from orbital 

flight environment to a precise recovery point. In the three flights made, aerodynamic control was tested from entry speeds through the hypersonic regime down to 

Mach 2.0. 

The Project PILOT (PIloted LOW-speed Tests) vehicle (designated X-24A) is a 

manned, low-speed test aircraft version of the Project PRIME vehicle. 

is to complement the flight regime of the PRIME vehicle, flying below Mach 2. 0. It 

will be launched from a B-52 aircraft, providing stability and control data from 

Mach 2.0 to horizontal landing. 

pr o gr am. 

Applications studies have been under way to determine specific configuration and 

related technologies required for the next generation of military spacecraft. 

Its purpose 

The flight tests will be conducted as a joint AF/NASA 

A 

55 
multipurpose reusable spacecraft (MRS) appears the most promising concept. 

Expandable structures for space crew air -locks and space rescue (escape) application are also being considered. 

SDace Power Eauipment 

The DOD continued to develop various concepts for meeting anticipated electrical 

power requirements of future satellites. 

further development of fuel cells for manned and unmanned satellites and fabrication 

of experimental flexible solar -cell arrays. 

The accomplishments of 1967 include 

The fuel cell is an electrochemical device which converts hydrogen and oxygen to 

useful electricity, heat, and water. 

primary batteries. 

life over current missions, decrease payload weight through power supply weight 

reduction and, in general, allow missions which are presently impossible. 

Present unmanned short-life vehicles use 

Successful completion of this program will increase power and 

Rigid solar -cell panels, in conjunction with rechargeable batteries, have been used 

to provide electricity for the majority of long-duration space flights. 

solar -cell arrays presently under development are rolled up like window shades, 

and may be reliably deployed and retracted in space. These flexible arrays will 

provide much more electrical power at less weight and volume than is now possible. 

The deployment and retraction feature will also reduce vulnerability to radiation 

and improve maneuverability. 

Flexible 

Rocket Propulsion Te chnologv 

The Air Force exploratory development effort in rocket propulsion is intended to 

expand the technological base from which new ballistic delivery, space maneuver 

and tactical air systems can be developed. During 1967 there was an increase in 

emphasis on work applicable to airborne tactical systems. 

In the delivery and space systems area, the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory 

(AFRPL) under a Space System Division program has completed three static firings 

of 156-inch-diameter motors configured as the first, second, and third stages of a 

multipurpose space or ballistic vehicle. 

large submerged ablative nozzles, high burn-rate propellants and omniaxial liquid 

injection thrust vector control for large solid motors. 

developed will provide the base for the next generation of large boosters. 

These tests illustrated the potential of 

The technology being 

In line with providing the necessary facilities to simulate space environments and 

support our technology programs, a new space simulation test chamber was installed 

at AFRPL. 

of actual propellant and component performance in space. 

100 miles, the cold blackness of outer space, and solar radiation. 

This facility provides a unique capability for exploratory development 

It simulates altitudes to 

General work on air augmentation continues in the airborne systems area. 

in conjunction with the Air Force Armament Laboratory, is developing a target 

missile called the Sandpiper. 

target missile which can simulate the flight characteristics of the best high-performance aircraft a potential enemy might produce in the next decade. 

applications for the hybrid rocket engine include air -to-air missiles having a 

AFRPL, 

Its primary purpose is to provide a hybrid propulsion 

Other potential 

56 
capability for a midcourse and terminal maneuvers, reconnaissance and surveillance 

missiles, and decoy missiles. 

Gravitv Gradient Stabilization for Satellites 

The Department of Defense Gravity Gradient Equipment (DODGE) was launched on 

July 1 , 1967. This variable-geometry satellite uses extendable booms and magnetic 

damping techniques to achieve three -axis stabilization at near -synchronous altitude. 

It is equipped with two slow-scan television cameras pointing Earthward. 

measure the degree to which stabilization has been achieved, this system provided 

the first color pictures of the Earth from near-synchronous altitude. 

amount of test data is currently being analyzed. 

zation has been used by all NAVY NAVIGATION SATELLITES launched since 1962, 

employing a single top-mounted boom. 

To 

A substantial 

Two-axis gravity-gradient stabiliDespun Antenna Test Satellite (DATS) 

An electronically despun antenna test satellite was successfully orbited as a secondary payload on the July, 1967, communication satellite launch. 

has a communication package which receives and transmits through a high-gain 

antenna, which is always directed towards the Earth. 

essentially as predicted and significant communications experiments have been 

conducted and will continue. 

This satellite 

This satellite is,performing 

Solar Radiation Monitoring Program 

The Naval Research Laboratory continued its studies of solar radiation, which 

began in 1960. 

disk and corona were obtained by soundings in May and October. 

was made during a partial solar eclipse that provided an opportunity to record 

valuable data on the corona of the Sun, and the October flight occurred early in 

the beginning solar maximum period. It is anticipated that continuing flights to 

obtain rocket coronagraphs, at the rate of one or two per year, will provide 

continuity in the observation of the far -out corona extending through the solar cycle. 

Rocket coronagraphs of white-light corona and extreme ultraviolet 

The May flight 

Turbine Engine 

Technology advancements in turbojet and turbofan engines have been very gratifying. 

They are incorporated in four new types of aircraft engines now under investigation. 

One of these has progressed into the full development and production phase, while 

the other three are in the initial, engine demonstrator, phase of development. 

The TF-41 is an advanced turbofan engine which is being developed and produced 

for the Air Force A-7D attack aircraft. 

A direct-lift engine and a vectored-thrust, lift-cruise engine are being demonstrated 

prior to initiation of full development under the vertical or short takeoff and landing 

(V/STOL) program. The direct-lift engine, which would operate only during takeoff , 

landing and hover of an aircraft, is a very high thrust-to-weight ratio engine. It is 

being developed under a joint United States -United Kingdom cooperative research 

and development program. The vectored-thrust lift-cruise engine offers deflected 

thrust to assist in takeoffs and landings and to provide forward thrust for all other 

57 
maneuvers. 

ratio, as well as reduced fuel consumption for cruise and maneuvering. Both of 

these engines may see first application in a V/STOL Tactical Fighter being considered for prototype development by ourselves and the Federal Republic of Germany. 

This engine also has significant improvements in thrust-to-weight 

For our advanced strategic aircraft the Air Force will complete the demonstration 

of a sophisticated turbofan engine with afterburner during the next year. 

incorporates technological advancements which will permit it to operate efficiently 

over a broad range of altitudes and velocities. 

This engine 

Advanced Turbine Engine Gas Generator (ATEGG) 

This program is providing the means to demonstrate functionally advanced turbine 

engine technology through the development of demonstrator engines. It will provide 

sufficient testing of advanced turbine engine design cond'epts to give confidence that 

these concepts can be used in future propulsion systems. The ATEGG Program is 

a continuing effort in which four contractors are presently participating. 

The contractors are working on turbine engine hardware and testing engines at very 

high temperatures with advanced compressors. 

high subsonic/supersonic flight capabilities with better fuel consumption. 

The goal is to provide improved 

Turboshaft Engine Project 

The Army has initiated a two-year development program in which each of two contractors will build and test a 1,500 shaft horse power (shp) demonstrator engine to 

demonstrate advanced gas turbine engine technology. The goal is to produce engines 

with 40% less weight and 25% lower specific fuel consumption than current production 

engines of comparable power rating. 

VTOL Integrated Flight Control (VIFC) 

The basic program objective is to provide control design criteria and equipment 

technology to assure safe and effective control systems design for possible future 

operational VTOL fighter and transport systems with emphasis on low-visibility 

landing capability. 

for implementing design and development of optimized control systems. Current 

knowledge is inadequate for providing control systems that are satisfactory for 

operational-type vehicles being flown by operational pilots under adverse weather 

conditions. 

The basic problem is that there is a lack of adequate technology 

This program will utilize a modified XV-4A aircraft as a test bed. 

Load Alleviation and Mode Stabilization (LAMS) 

The LAMS Program will demonstrate the capability of advanced flight control 

techniques to alleviate gust and maneuvering loads and control structural oscillations of large aircraft through the use of conventional control surfaces and 

appropriate feedback information. 

the structural life of current and future aircraft. 

This program is aimed at more *an doubling 

This technology will be demonstrated on a highly instrumented B-52 in January, 1968. 

58 
Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFSI 

This program will develop an aircraft capable of duplicating, in flight, the flight path, 

motions , attitudes, control system characteristics, and cockpit environment of large 

aircraft such as the C-5A, SST, and AMSA. 

development of handling qualities, cockpit displays , instrumentation, and control 

systems of such aircraft. 

It will be used for the investigation and 

TIFS will utilize a C-131 aircraft as the basic airframe. 

the pilot's control inputs to operate the throttles and special control surfaces in such 

a manner as to make TIFS fly like the aircraft being simulated. 

environment will be provided by interchangeable nose sections which represent the 

particular air craft being investigated. 

A computer will process 

A realistic cockpit 

Preliminary visibility tests of the proposed SST configuration will begin in March, 

1969. 

Airborne Warning and Control Svstem (AWACS) 

The Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) will be developed for use by the 

Tactical Air Command and the Air Defense Command. 

control and communications for quick-reaction global deployment with the Composite 

Air Strike Force (CASF) to any limited-war area. 

Command with a survivable warning and control environment for air -defense inter - 

ceptors, both in the United States and worldwide. 

It will provide command, 

It will also provide the Air Defense 

The AWACS will be self-contained in a subsonic jet aircraft and will include a 

surveillance radar, a beacon tracker , a mixture of long- and short-range communications, data processing and displays. The aircraft will carry a crew of about 35 

operators. The surveillance radar is being developed to have the added capability 

of detecting and tracking low-flying aircraft against a background of clutter signals 

reflected from the ground. 

SHED LIGHT 

SHED LIGHT is the USAF program to provide increased night operational capability 

to our tactical forces as rapidly as possible. 

Developmental systems are being tailored to satisfy a variety of operational require - 

ments. 

aircraft specifically configured for defense of airfields , forts, hamlets, and troop 

concentrations; hunter aircraft for near -real time reconnaissance to work with 

conventional strike aircraft; and aircraft to give forward air controllers an effective 

around-the -clock capability. 

These involve self -contained night attack systems for interdiction operations; 

In addition to these efforts, approximately 70 supporting development projects 

involving Low Light Level Television (LLLTV), Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) , Downward Looking Infrared (DLIR), lasers, radar , optical sensors, displays/processing/data transmission methods, illumination, target marking improved navigation, and weapon delivery are under way at the present time to further enhance our 

ability to operate at night. 

59 
Tests of developmental efforts to date have been satisfactory, and plans are being 

formulated to modify selected aircraft for operational use. 

COOPERATION WITH OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES 

The Department continues to emphasize cooperation with other agencies , particularly 

with NASA. Coordination and cooperation occurs at all levels, varying from informal 

discussions to formally scheduled meetings with various boards and committees. 

Aeronautics and Astronautics Coordinating Board 

Four meetings were held during 1967. Coordination was accomplished in such areas 

as proposed NASA/DOD facilities, reusable launch vehicles, satellite communication 

systems , control-guidance and navigation, ground environmental support, advanced 

cryogenic rocket engines, and space science programs. 

Manned Space Flight Policv Committee 

This Committee, established last year , facilitates the exchange at top-management 

level of viewpoints and information of importance in planning of the manned space 

flight programs of NASA and the DOD. During 1967 the Committee met three times. 

DOD Support of NASA 

The DOD support of NASA totals about $400 million. 

activities are involved. Among the major items of support are the operation of the 

ranges for manned and unmanned spacecraft launches and host-base support by the 

Air Force, major construction by the Army, and operation of the recovery fleet by 

the Navy. In addition there are many other activities of lesser magnitude. 

examples follow: 

Over 400 separately identifiable 

Selected 

ARMY 

Construction Support--The Corps of Engineers continued to support NASA by providing real estate acquisition services, and design and construction of facilities at the 

John F. Kennedy Space Center, the Mississippi Test Facility, and the Electronics 

Research Center. 

Manned Spacecraft Center was completed. 

$90 million on a reimbursable basis. 

The construction of facilities by the Corps of Engineers at the 

The magnitude of this support exceeded 

Lunar Activities --The Army Map Service assisted NASA by producing large-scale 

topographic maps and photomaps of potential APOLLO lunar landing sites, using 

LUNAR ORBITER photomaps. 

SURVEYOR I landing was prepared from SURVEYOR photographs to assist geologists and engineers in interpreting lunar surface characteristics. 

begun to improve the lunar control network through the application of information 

obtained from the LUNAR ORBITER series. 

mobilky tests on two simulated lunar vehicles equipped with wheeled systems. The 

Corps of Engineers designed and fabricated field-test support equipment and is providing other technical assistance in development and evaluation of lunar core drills. 

An extremely detailed map of the vicinity of the 

Studies were 

The Army Material Command conducted 

60 
Range Support--White Sands Missile Range continued to provide support to a number 

of NASA projects utilizing this Army-managed National Facility. Quality assurance 

and orbital range instrumentation support was provided on a reimbursable basis. 

Non-reimbursable range services (e. g. , operation of range instrumentation, data 

collection and reduction, photographic services, missile recovery services, meteor - 

ological services, range communications) were furnished in support of numerous 

active NASA programs. 

NAVY 

APOLLO--The Navy will, as during the GEMINI and MERCURY programs, provide 

the recovery fleet for APOLLO flights as required to assist in that program. 

Medical Projects --The Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, Pensacola, Florida, 

provides facilities and key personnel to assist NASA in the study of space-related 

medical phenomena. 

very strong magnetic fields on man and animals, ground investigation of flight 

experiments involving primates in long-duration zero -gravity condition, vestibular 

function and visual orientation tests and the biological effects of proton radiation. 

Some of the studies being performed include: the effect of 

Construction Projects --Work performed for NASA includes design, construction, 

inspection, and contract administration of facilities for space vehicles, space 

tracking and data acquisition. 

AIR FORCE 

Test Range Support- -The Air Force Systems Command provides extensive range 

support to NASA manned and unmanned space programs. 

operations plans and support, range instrumentation, data acquisitjon, transmission, 

processing and reduction, precision-measurement equipment calibraLion and repair, 

industrial support, launch complex control and support operations and facilities 

engineering on the Eastern and Western Test Ranges. 

operation and maintenance of facilities at Cape Kennedy Air Force Station is in 

direct support of NASA. 

This includes range 

A significant portion of the 

Launch Vehicle--The long-standing Air Force provision of launch vehicle support to 

NASA has been continued. 

System Organization provided management, technical and procurement assistance 

in the acquisition of ATLAS-AGENA and THOR-AGENA launch vehicles. 

support includes development, engineering , production, configuration management 

and launch of the vehicles. 

The Deputy for Launch Vehicles, Space and Missile 

This 

APOLLO - -The Arnold Engineering Development Center provided the following 

APOLLO support: 

a. Environmental verification tests for the J-2 engine were conducted 

from January to July. 

b. The static and fluctuating pressure environment for the SATURN V 

launch vehicle were conducted in the 16-foot Supersonic Tunnel. 

61 
c. Testing was continued in the Hypersonic Tunnel to measure the flow 

field around the base of a SATURN rocket cluster model. 

d. Environmental tests and mission duty cycle simulation of the lunar 

module Descent Engine were conducted to evaluate system performance. 

e. Qualification testing of the APOLLO SERVICE MODULE rocket propulsion system was continued to assure that the system provides the high 

reliability standards required by the lunar mission. 

Mapping and Charting- -The Aeronautical Chart and Information Center has compiled 

and reproduced lunar charts for APOLLO mission planning. 

62 
ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION 

IN TRODU C TION 

CHAPTER 

V 

In 1967 substantial progress was made in the joint AEC/NASA nuclear rocket program. 

power levels approaching 1,500 megawatts for 30 minutes; (b) cold-flow testing of the 

first in the series of large-diameter reactors called the PHOEBUS-2CF to verify the 

structural integrity of a high power-density, 5,000-megawatt reactor called the 

PHOEBUS-2A tested during the third quarter; (c) successful test of the NRX-A6 reactor at full power of about 1,100 megawatts for approximately 60 minutes; (d) assembly and checkout of the first ground-experimental engine, the XECF (a cold-flow test 

article); and (e) completion of Engine Test Stand No. 1, the facility which will be used 

to test the XECF, and later, the XE-1. All these activities were directed toward 

establishing a firm base of technology to advance space propulsion performance for 

missions beyond APOLLO. 

Highlights were: (a) successful operation of the PHOEBUS-1B reactor at 

During the year, the AEC continued its program for developing and testing nuclear 

radioisotope electric power units for space use, and for producing technology needed 

for a family of long-lived reactor systems which will supply power from the 100-watt 

to the megawatt range. 

developing the technology required for space missions of the more distant future -- 

technology that will make possible the higher temperature capability and more efficient power conversions demanded by safe, reliable, and more economic systems 

performance while at the same time satisfying the expanding needs for space electric 

power. 

By the year's end, substantial progress had been made in 

NUCLEAR ROCKET PROPULSION 

In the joint AEC/NASA nuclear rocket program, the most significant achievements 

during the year evolved from developmental work on the graphite reactor and engine 

system technology -- the mainstream effort in the program. 

effort was an extensive program of supporting research and technology to enhance the 

performance capabilities of nozzles, turbopumps and control systems employed in 

reactor and engine system tests; to gain a better understanding of component behavior 

in these systems; and to provide basic data on the effects of radiation on materials. 

Complementing this 

Reactor and Engine System Technology Development 

The PHOEBUS-1B reactor tests were conducted by the Los Alamos Scientific 

Laboratory (LASL) as a part of its overall technical program to increase the temperature, power level, power density and endurance capabilities of graphite reactors. 

63 
The full-power test of the PHOEBUS-1B was conducted on February 23. During this 

test, the reactor was operated at power levels approaching the 1, 500-megawatt design 

rating. Total operating time for the run was approximately 46 minutes, of which 

about 30 minutes were above 1,250 megawatts. 

operation had been accumulated two weeks earlier during a reactor and instrumentation calibration test. 

Approximately 10 minutes of power 

Data from the LASL PHOEBUS-1B experiments indicated the reactor test profiles 

were as planned during startup and shutdown. 

actor power to decrease gradually during the full-power run. The run was successful 

in meeting the major objectives of the full-power test. 

sistance was demonstrated to be greatly improved due to a new processing technique 

developed by LASL. 

Thermocouple drifts caused the reFuel-element corrosion reConcurrently with the PHOEBUS-1 reactor work, LASL began to design and fabricate 

the high-power test reactors required to carry out Phase 2 of the technical plan. 

first of these reactors, a cold-flow assembly called the PHOEBUS-ZCF, was moved 

to the cell on June 16 and tested under cold-flow conditions during July and August. 

The objectives of the tests were to: 

The 

a. 

b. 

C. 

d. 

Verify the structural and mechanical integrity of the reactor design 

under hydrogen flow conditions; 

Evaluate the facility and reactor behavior during various reactor 

startup ramp flow program profiles such as those planned for the 

PHOEBUS-2A hot reactor; 

Verify instrumentation and control drum performance at the lowtemperature cold-flow conditions; and 

Confirm design analyses through detailed measurement of reactor 

flow rates, temperatures, and pressures. 

More than a dozen runs were made over a five-week period. 

leaks in the pressure vessel which surrounds the reactor and auxiliary coolant lines 

were located and repaired. An auxiliary coolant flow line, found to be undersize, was 

modified to obtain the additional coolant flow needed. 

was mapped, and a number of changes were made to obtain more stable reproduceable 

start profiles. 

systems were also made as a result of knowledge of the facility system behavior 

gained during these tests. 

A number of minor 

Reactor and facility behavior 

Substantial improvements to the facility emergency flow shutdown 

Reactor instrumentation and control drum performance were excellent, and reactor 

pressure drops and flow rates measured were generally in excellent agreement with 

predictions. 

Hardware for the second test reactor, called the PHOEBUS-2A, is now being assembled in the Reactor Maintenance, Assembly and Disassembly building (R-MAD) at 

the Nuclear Rocket Development Station in Nevada. This reactor is a scale-up of the 

1,000 to 1, 500-megawatt KIWI/NRX/PHOEBUS-1 reactor design. 

PHOEBUS-2A is scheduled for the first quarter of 1968. 

Hot-testing of the 

64 
Assembly of the major components of the first XE engine, a cold-flow assembly (no 

uranium fuel in the reactor core), was completed in the second quarter of this year. 

This engine, called the XECF, is to be used to verify that Engine Test Stand No. 1 

(ETS-1) is ready for hot engine testing and to investigate engine startup in the test 

stand under simulated altitude conditions. 

In addition to the work on the XE Cold-Flow engine, assembly of the first I1hotl' engine was be gun. 

SPACE ELECTRIC POWER 

Space Radioisotope Power Systems 

Two Pu-238-fueled SNAP-19 flight units (2 generator modules per unit), designed to 

provide a total of approximately 50 watts of electrical power for experiments on 

board NASA's NIMBUS B weather satellite, completed flight-acceptance testing, and 

were prepared for shipment to NASA for a launch scheduled in early 1968. Several 

electrically heated prototype generators have accumulated a combined total time of 

operation in excess of 40,000 hours. 

Development continued on the SNAP-27, a Pu-238-fueled radioisotope thermoelectric 

generator to power NASA's APOLLO Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP) 

program. The SNAP-27 is designed to produce 50 watts per generator. Such generators have successfully completed dynamic and environmental qualification testing; 

electrically heated prototype generators currently under test have operated for over 

10,000 hours. Training units were shipped to NASA early in the summer of 1967, 

and the first flight generator (non-fueled) completed component acceptance testing in 

late fall. The LUNAR MODULE fuel cask was redesigned from beryllium to graphite. 

The fueled SNAP-27 generator weighs only 40 pounds. 

Development of the SNAP-29 Pu-210 radioisotope thermoelectric generator was re - 

directed from a specific 50O-watt, 500-lb. flight-oriented system to a modular system 

using discrete building blocks to produce multihundred-watt electrical systems. 

heat-rejection mode was also changed from a sodium-potassium (NaK) system to a 

heat pipe system. 

to 2 kilowatts of electrical power for applications lasting approximately three months. 

An effort is now being made to develop a ground demonstration of the system technology. 

The 

It is anticipated that the SNAP-29 will be capable of supplying up 

Part of the so-called lllightweightl' thermoelectric development program was directed 

towards the design of a 2-watt-lb. , 30-watt isotope-fueled generator to fulfill navigation and communication satellite requirements for the 1968 -197 1 period. Accelerated tests indicated that a lifetime of greater than two years can be achieved. The 

lightweight thermoelectric generator concept uses radiant thermal coupling between 

the heat source and thermoelectric panel; its performance is relatively insensitive to 

configuration or to type of fuel. 

Space Reactor Power Systems 

SNAP-1OA Ground Test. 

test unit was completed in 1967, and revealed no life-limiting problems or unexpected 

The post-operation examination of the SNAP-1OA ground 

conditions. The ground-test unit was identical to the flight system, which was 

65 
launched in 1965 and was successfully operated in space for 43 days before being shut 

down as a result of failure of the spacecraft electrical circuitry. 

SNAP-8 

The SNAP-8 reactor is a scaled-up version of the SNAP-1OA reactor, and is being 

developed to provide a 10 - to 30-electrical kilowatt capability with thermoelectrics 

(mid-to-late -'701s) or a 30 -to 50 -Kw capability with the NASA-developed SNAP-8 

mercury turbogenerator. Work proceeded on all phases of the SNAP-8 demonstration reactor (S8DR), which is scheduled for power testing in 1968. 

SPACE-DIRECTED ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT 

Advanced Radioisotope Power Concepts 

Preliminary design studies of two 100 -watt thermionic power generator modules 

using curium-244 and polonium-210 as isotopic heat sources, were completed in .the 

first half of 1967. The modules are to be used as building blocks for space electric 

power systems in the 500-watt(e) to 2-kilowatt(e) power range. It is planned to continue towards a ground-test demonstration of the thermionic module in the 1970-1971 

period. 

Advanced Space Reactor Concepts 

The AEC during 1967 continued development of three basic advanced reactor concepts: 

a. The liquid metal-cooled reactor. 

b. The in-core thermionic reactor. 

c. The high-temperature advanced gas -cooled reactor. 

These reactors are being developed to meet future space power needs for longendurance systems having electrical outputs in the hundreds -to-thousands of kilowatts 

range. 

widest potential application, work on the advanced high-temperature gas -cooled 

reactor will be terminated in 1968. 

However, because available resources must be applied to the concepts of 

In 1967 the liquid metal-cooled reactor program concentrated mainly on materials 

research and development investigations, supported by some basic-reference reactor 

design studies at several power levels of interest. 

research program was directed towards the demonstration of thermionic fuel elements 

capable of long endurance operation times of 10,000 hours. 

The in-core thermionic reactor 

The gas -cooled reactor program concentrated on fuel element development; specimens 

of the fuel for the system were successfully tested under operating conditions. 

Space Power Conversion Technology 

AEC development of the organic Rankine-cycle thermal electric system will be continued during 1968. 

properties and component design methods. 

The major 1967 effort in this area sought to establish fluid 

66 
SPACE NU CLEAR SAFETY ACTIVITIES 

The SNAP-19 radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG) to be used on NIMBUS-B 

was subjected to an extensive safety evaluation, which is continuing, bringing to - 

gether representatives of the various disciplines of the scientific and technical community. 

Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP) power supply. 

A similar evaluation is in progress for SNAP-27, to be used as the APOLLO 

Studies of fuel and capsule responses to their operational environments were continued. 

plutonium fuel candidates for future systems, intact re-entry heat sources, and 

methods for locating and recovering space nuclear systems following random or controlled atmospheric re -entry. 

Primary advanced technology programs include investigations of various 

SPACE ISOTOPIC FUEL DEVELOPMENT 

Polonium-2 10 

Polonium-210 is being developed for radioisotopic power applications which demand 

high Ifspecific power" (thermal power per unit volume or weight) and a minimum of 

shielding, and are of limited duration. There were studies, which are continuing, of 

polonium-rare earth compounds that remain chemically and physically stable at high 

temperatures under vacuum or inert atmosphere environments. 

During the year, AEC continued a program begun in 1966 to develop and provide a 

polonium-210 fuel form for the SNAP-29. Methods were instituted to increase the 

separation and purification capacity for polonium-metal, the starting material for 

fuel form compounds. Processes must be improved so that the estimated costs of 

producing heat sources of this isotope can be reduced by decreasing the time lapse 

between discharge from the production reactors and delivery of the heat sources. 

During 1967, efforts were initiated to determine the characteristics of curium-244 

fuel forms -- including a study of the compatibility with encapsulating materials up 

to 2, OOOo C. Fuel forms have been prepared and partially characterized as to 

chemical, physic a1 , 

methods and design 

fuel forms are also 

Plutonium -2 38 

radiation, and other properties; and capsule -closure sealing 

are under investigation. 

being developed. 

Methods for the processing of curium 

During 1967 there was continued development of the metal, alloy, and oxide fuel forms 

of plutonium-238, for use in radioisotopic power units. 

plutonium dioxide microspheres was one of the items of research. 

ties of this material include an inherently favorable half-life (87. 5 years) and a fuel 

form (Pu02 microspheres) which is relatively inert chemically and biologically, has 

a high melting point, exhibits thermal, chemical, and radiation stability, and is 

relatively easy to handle. 

the SNAP-19 and SNAP-27 programs. 

Process development of 

Desirable properHeat sources were fabricated of the oxide fuel form for 

Also during the year, the DART microthruster, an isotopic propulsion device for 

positioning a spacecraft in space, was designed, fueled and demonstrated success - 

fully in a simulated space environment. 

67 
An alternate method to improve the economics and efficiency of processing the 

plutonium-238 oxide fuel was developed. 

reducing the neutron radiation. 

scheduled for the near future. 

Incorporated in the process is a method of 

A pilot-plant demonstration of the new processes is 

SATELLITE-BASED DETECTION OF NUCLEAR EXPLOSIONS IN 

SPACE AND IN THE ATMOSPHERE 

Eight AEC-instrumented VELA nuclear test detection satellites are now in orbit performing their limited test-ban treaty monitoring functions. 

placed in orbit on April 28, 1967, using a TITAN IIIC booster, and, following 

"station keeping" maneuvers, the two satellites settled down in 180° spaced positions 

on a near-circular orbit of about 60,000 nautical miles radius. 

The latest pair were 

The new satellites are in orbits comparable to the previous six, but a redesign of the 

spacecraft makes it possible to maintain one axis oriented toward Earth at all times. 

This allows instrumentation for the detection of optical radiations emanating from 

nuclear weapons or devices tested in the atmosphere. Improved versions of neutron, 

gamma ray, and X-ray detection systems for high-altitude and space surveillance 

were incorporated into the Launch IV payloads, as was new instrumentation to make 

sophisticated measurements on background radiation present at 17 Earth-radii dis - 

tances. 

The three pairs of earlier satellites were placed in orbit using ATLAS-AGENA 

boosters in October, 1963; July, 1964; and July, 1965. In addition to accomplishing 

their treaty monitoring functions, these satellites have revealed a wealth of new 

scientific data on the solar wind and its interaction with Earth's magnetosphere. 

A fifth launch of twin Earth-oriented satellites is scheduled for late 1968, using a 

TITAN IIIC booster. 

nuclear tests. 

The new satellites will have increased capacity for detecting 

68 
DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

INTRODUCTION 

On January.27, in a ceremony presided over by the President, the Secretary of State 

and the Ambassador to the United Nations signed the "Treaty on Principles Governing 

the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, Including the Moon 

and Other Celestial Bodies. 

On October 10, the President presided over a further ceremony marking the entry 

into force of this Treaty. 

international cooperation that has achieved this agreement is a beacon of hope for the 

future. 

said: "I want to renew, today, America's offer to cooperate fully with any nation that 

may wish to join forces in this last -- and greatest -- j ourney of human exploration. 

Space is a frontier comm,on to all mankind and it should be explored and conquered by 

humanity acting in concert. " The President also said: "The next decade should increasingly become a partnership -- not only between the Soviet Union and America, 

but among all nations under the sun and stars. I' 

On this occasion the President noted that: "The spirit of 

It is a credit to all peoples. In the course of his remarks, the President 

The General Assembly on December 19 unanimously adopted a re.solution approving 

an Agreement on the Rescue of Astronauts, the Return of Astronauts, and the Return 

of Objects Launched into Outer Space. The Agreement elaborates rights and obligations of the Outer Space Treaty, among them the duty of signatories to take all 

possible steps immediately to rescue astronauts in distress and to render them all 

necessary assistance. Negotiations on this agreement were conducted between the 

United States and the Soviet Union in close consultation with other members of the 

UN Outer Space Committee. 

Eighty-four countries had signed the Outer Space Treaty and 13 had ratified it as of 

October 10. 

On February 6, at the request of the Soviet Union, the United Nations Conferen,ce on 

Outer Space, which had previously been scheduled for September, 1967, was postponed until August 14-27, 1968. 

phasize the practical applications and benefits of space programs , with special 

reference to the needs of developing countries, and opportunities for international 

cooperation in space activities. 

The conference, to be held in Vienna, will emAs part of its contribution to the national space program, the State Department continued its efforts to foster international cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer 

space and foreign support for various aspects of the program, including negotiation 

69 
of station agreements. It assisted in plans for contingency arrangements for astronaut recovery and continued to take an active part in encouraging broad participation 

in the development of a commercial global satellite communications system. It also 

maintained close consultation with other appropriate U. S. agencies regarding possibilities for developing future international cooperative efforts in space science and 

applications, such as the surveying of Earth resources from satellites. 

ACTIVITIES WITHIN THE UNITED NATIONS 

As indicated, the Outer Space Treaty has entered into force and the plans for the 

conference in Vienna in 1968 are under development. 

The United Nations Outer Space Committee's Legal Subcommittee laid the groundwork 

for the agreement on assistance to and return of astronauts and space objects and 

continues its work on a convention on damages caused by the launching of objects into 

outer space. The Subcommittee also began a study of problems relating to a possible 

definition of outer space, and discussed questions relating to various uses of space. 

The Technical Subcommittee of the U. N. Outer Space Committee considered matters 

relating to exchange of information, encouragement of international programs, international sounding rocket facilities, education and training, and definition of outer 

space. 

Subcommittee), it concluded that it was impossible at present to formulate a useful 

definition of outer space on the basis of scientific or technical criteria. 

On the question of definition (which had been referred to it by the Legal 

Outer space was again discussed by the First Committee of the General Assembly 

between October 17 and October 20. 

resolutions, the first requesting the Outer Space Committee to continue its present 

activities and the second urging the widest possible participation in the U. N. Space 

Conference. One new activity which the first resolution requested the Outer Space 

Committee to undertake was a study of the technical feasibility of direct broadcast 

communications from satellites, as well as the current and foreseeable developments 

in the field. On November 3 the two First Committee resolutions were adopted without dissent by the General Assembly meeting in plenary session. 

The Committee adopted by acclamation two 

TRACKING NETWORKS 

Agreements are in existence with the following countries covering the foreign portion 

of NASA's global tracking network: Australia, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Malagasy 

Republic, Mexico, Peru, South Africa, Spain and the United Kingdom. These facilities consist of stations supporting the manned space flight program, a tracking and 

telemetry network for scientific satellites, and deep- space antennae at four locations 

around the world. 

Project APOLLO was concluded in January, 1967. After a NASA review of its tracking requirements determined that the facilities at Canton Island would no longer be 

required, the United Kingdom was notified of the intention to terminate use of that 

station at the end of 1967. 

An agreement for a tracking station on Antigua in connection with 

The ESRO (European Space Research Organization) satellite telemetry and command 

station near Fairbanks, Alaska, was undergoing testing in late 1967 and will be available when ESRO satellites are launched under the terms of a cooperative agreement 

between ESRO and NASA. This station, manned largely by U. S. contractor 

70 
personnel, is the first foreign space-tracking station on U. S. soil. 

COOPERATION WITH DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

During 1967, the Department of State continued to work closely with the Department 

of Defense on international aspects of the Initial Defense Communications Satellite 

Program (IDCSP) and the MANNED ORBITING LABORATORY (MOL) Project. 

COMMUNICATIONS VIA SATELLITE 

Development of the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium 

(INTELSAT) global communications satellite system continued at an encouraging pace 

during the year. 

operational service, providing much-needed telecommunications capacity between 

North America, Europe and the Far East. 

pected to be placed into service beginning mid-1968. 

By the close of 1967 there were four communications satellites in 

A third generation of satellites is exMembership in INTELSAT increased from 55 to 60 countries. 

tries are to join by the end of this year, and several more are expected to join in 

1968. 

of the world by the end of 1967, and authorizations for or actual construction had begun on 15 additional stations. It is predicted that there could be as many as 50 to 60 

Earth stations in operation by the end of 1970. 

Six additional counA total of 16 Earth stations were in operational service in various countries 

The 1964 agreements which established INTELSAT provide that in 1969 an international conference will be convened to formulate "definitive arrangements" for the 

organization. In October, Communications Satellite Corp. , the U. S. entity in 

INTELSAT, submitted a paper to the governing body, the Interim Communications 

Satellite Committee, proposing organizational structures for this purpose. The 

basic U. S. proposals were enunciated by the President in his August 14 message to 

Congress on global communications. 

The United States continued active participation in the work of the technical organizations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU); the International 

Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT); and the International 

Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR). 

sidered by these groups was the vital matter of sharing the available radio frequency 

spectrum between satellite and terrestrial facilities. 

Among important technical problems con71 
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION CHAPTER 

VI1 

INTRODUCTION 

This year as in the past, the contributions made by the National Science Foundation 

to the Nation's space effort consisted for the most part of support given to basic research projects at colleges, universities, national programs, and national research 

centers throughout the country. 

balloons are also provided by NSF for scientific research related to outer space. 

Facilities such as radio telescopes and scientific 

National Radio Astronomv Observatorv (West Virginia) 

The major facilities of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory at Green Bank, 

West Virginia, were in heavy demand by visiting astronomers during the past year. 

Spectral line work on the Hydroxyl radical (OH) and neutral Hydrogen in galactic 

regions continued to be very active areas of research. The 300-ft. -dia. transit 

telescope was fully scheduled during the year as was also the 140-ft. -dia. fully 

steerable precision telescope. The latter instruments served to confirm the existence of recombination lines arising from galactic helium and another element which 

is believed to be carbon. 

The interferometer has been augmented by the addition of a third 85-ft. -dia. paraboloid. High-resolution maps of radio sources have been obtained by this instrument. 

completed and operational and research programs using it are about to commence 

upon the conclusion of the calibration procedures. 

The 36-ft. -dia. millimeter-wave radio telescope located on Kitt Peak is 

The Kitt Peak National Observatory (Arizona) 

The following reflecting telescopes were in full operation for research in astronomy 

by visitors and staff members: two 16-inch photometric telescopes, two 36-inch 

photometric and spectroscopic instruments, a 50-inch remotely controlled telescope 

which is programmed for photometric work, and an 84-inch general-purpose reflector; also, a long-focus solar telescope of 63-inch aperture, the world's largest. In 

addition, a program of rocket astronomy is conducted for staff and visitors. During 

the twelve months ending July 1, more than 80 investigators from 42 U. S. institutions visited the Observatory to use its facilities, as did seven others from six 

institutions outside this country. 

Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (Chile) 

Two important events in the development of the Observatory took place during the 

year. On April 13, in a joint statement at the Punta del Este conference, the 

72 
Presidents of the United States and Chile announced plans for a 150-inch generalpurpose reflecting telescope for Cerro Tololo. The design of this telescope copies 

closely the one for Kitt Peak, and significant savings have resulted from combining 

orders for the mountings and domes for the two instruments. The Ford Foundation 

will support half the cost of this telescope up to a maximum of $5,000,000. 

In November the Observatory was formally dedicated. 

ranging from 16 inches to 60 inches in aperture, which have been added to the original 16-inch instrument, came into operation during the year. 

joined with other U. S. and Chilean government and university representatives and 

astronomers from both continents in a ceremony of dedication of the Observatory 

offices at LaSerena and the telescopes and support buildings on Cerro Tololo. An 

international astrophysical symposium was held at the University of Chile preceding 

the dedication. 

Four reflecting telescopes 

The President of Chile 

The E. 0. Hulburt Center for Space Research at the Naval Research Laboratory 

(Washington, D. C.) 

The NSF continued the support of several university staff members, who proposed 

astronomical research programs using rockets and satellites, to work with the fine 

staff and facilities of the Center. 

National Center for Atmospheric Research (Colorado) 

A number of studies of the Sun and of interplanetary space were conducted at the 

National Center for Atmsspheric Research during FY 1967. For the most part these 

studies were undertaken at the High Altitude Observatory of NCAR and were designed 

to increase our understanding of the solar chromosphere, the solar corona, solar 

activity and the interaction of the solar wind with planetary atmospheres. Outstanding during the year were: 

a. Successful observation of the polarization of a coronal emission line 

throughout the lower corona at the eclipse of November 12, 1966; 

b. Combined use of measurements of the white-light corona made photoelectrically (at a field station in Hawaii), from balloons launched from 

Palestine, Texas, and at natural eclipses to deduce the three-dimensional 

structure of coronal streamers; 

c. Design and initial construction of a satellite-borne coronagraph; 

d. Successful mapping of the magnetic fields in a wide variety of solar 

prominences. 

Aeronomv 

The Aeronomy Program of the National Science Foundation is involved in a broad 

spectrum of the space-related sciences. 

science effort has been the program's role in the support of both theoretical and 

experimental work through approximately 45 active basic research grants during 

the FY 1967. 

tributions made at Harvard to the understanding of the airglow phenomenon in both 

Of significance to the national space 

An example of the type of research activities in the program are con73 
the Earth's atmosphere and the planet Venus. 

program, there has been developed the only instrument able to measure the 6300 a 

line in the dayglow on a routine basis. These experiments are being carried out at 

the Blue Hill Observatory and relate themselves to the determination of the physical 

and chemical processes occurring in planetary atmospheres. 

search needs the FY 1967 Aeronomy Program contributed to the establishment of 

airglow facilities at the Unihrsities of Illinois, Pittsburgh, and Michigan. 

In conjunction with this research 

In support of these reSolar - Terrestrial Program 

The Solar-Terrestrial program supports over 60 research programs, including the 

continuing data analysis of the IQSY. Although individual programs are often an intensive study of a single part of the solar-terrestrial process, such as the development of a solar flare or the electron precipitation in the auroral zones when taken 

as a whole, these studies indicate many advances in our understanding about how the 

Sun interacts with our Earth. 

into interplanetary space, the objectives of the study--to understand the solarterrestrial interaction process--are of interest in understanding our own environment on Earth. 

Thus, although our measurements must extend out 

November 12, 1966, Total Solar Eclipse 

The scientific results of this eclipse are now available. 

terrestrial program coordinated more than 300 American scientists who observed 

this eclipse in South America. 

streamers of exceptional clarity. 

been used to develop a model for production of these streamers based on magnetic 

field observations at the solar surface. 

tained routinely and may greatly simplify the understanding of the solar corona and 

solar wind formation. 

The NSF through the solarNCAR produced a photograph of the white light 

The well-resolved coronal streamer picture has 

The magnetic field observations are obInfrared observations have suggested that no dust particles can exist closer than 3 

solar radii to the Sun. Discovery of this dust-free zone required sensitive detectors 

at the eclipse. In two separate experiments two experts have reached the conclusion 

that the dust-free zone extends to 3 solar radii from the Sun. 

X-ray observations from thin slices of the solar corona a few hundred kilometers in 

thickness have been made at Los Alamos. 

X-ray "light" of one atomic species that have been made with high spatial resolution. 

The striking results are that the emission during totality is very low, indicating 

that this emission comes from a very thin shell of the solar corona. 

These are the first observations in the 

Observations of the magnetic field produced by the flow of electrons in the upper atmosphere has indicated a strong response to the solar eclipse. This eclipse was 

favorable in that the path crossed the equatorial electrojet, as this upper-atmosphere 

current flow is called. 

the Earth's atmosphere to this turning off of the energy source for a brief time. 

Ionospheric studies have shown how the electron density changes as the electrons get 

captured by ions to form a more neutral atmosphere. 

remain a valuable occurrence for these upper-atmospheric studies. 

Many other measurements were made to relate changes in 

A natural solar eclipse will 

74 
IQSY Program 

The 73 member nations of this International Years of the Quiet Sun Program 

planned a final meeting for July, 1967, to summarize the advance in our understanding of the solar-terrestrial processes obtained from the 1964-65 observations. 

The collisionless shock front or bow shock standing between the Earth and the solar 

wind, and behind it the magnetosheath of locally turbulent magnetic field, is typical 

of the new description of Earth's environment that was developed through the IQSY 

program. The IQSY also included many meteorological observations. Studies of 

gross circulation of the Earth's atmosphere have been aided by investigations of 

ozone distribution and high-altitude water vapor concentration made under the IQSY 

Program. 

resulted from studies initiated during the IQSY. 

The identification of a helium zone about 500 miles above the Earth has 

Engineering 

The Engineering Division supports a number of research programs related to aeronautics and space activities. An example of some engineering research is the work 

being carried on at University of California. With the assistance of NSF research 

grants a group at the University of California, Berkeley, has developed a rarefied 

gas facility of extraordinary flexibility and capacity. 

several objectives in view. It is designed to extend the range of current rarefied 

gas dynamics investigations to lower-density ranges while preserving previous mass 

flow capability at test-section pressures of 70 to 80 microns. New investigations 

will be implemented in areas of nearly-free-molecule flows, dilute plasmas, and 

collision processes. Additionally, it is designed to provide a suitable environment 

for free molecule testing and for the study of molecular interactions at the surface 

of the gas phase. Numerous studies are under way on supersonic flow, turbulence, 

flow of ionized gases and wave dynamics. 

This facility was planned with 

Another study on low-density flows is under way at Princeton University. 

new testing facility was designed, built and put into operation with an NSF Engineering Division grant. This facility for low-density, hypersonic, gas dynamic research 

uses a graphite heater and nitrogen as a test gas. 

conical nozzle and a test section 12 inches in diameter, Mach numbers of 15 to 22 

can be developed with uniform test cores 1 to 4 inches in diameter and 6 to 10 inches 

long. 

350 psi at stagnation temperatures from 1,500 to 2, 300° K. Studies have been made 

on flows around flat plates and cones with leading-edge dimensions of less than 0. 001 

inches. Detailed pressure distributions and flow-field studies were measured using 

special probes developed during the studies. 

A unique 

Using a liquid nitrogen cooled 

Satisfactory operation has been obtained for stagnation pressures from 30 to 

U. S. Antarctic Research Program 

The U. S. space effort has several ties with Antarctica. 

magnetosphere obtainable only in the high latitudes owing to the configuration of the 

Earth's magnetic field, result from investigations using a 21-mile-long antenna, 

satellite readout stations, and cosmic rays apparatus. Satellites are also monitored 

for the space programs of several agencies to help determine the shape of the geoid, 

refine orbital paths, acquire gravity data, and establish geodetic ties. 

Data on the ionosphere and 

75 
Antarctic environmental factors provide useful parallels to those hypothesized for 

extraterrestrial bodies. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with 

the cooperation of Foundation grantees performing research in the ice-free areas, 

tests hardware and techniques being developed for space exploration, such as lifedetecting samplers and lunar drills. 

program in a remote and hostile environment have led to a close study of the U. S. 

programs in Antarctica by several NASA groups. 

Logistical aspects of the conduct of a research 

76 
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

IN TR ODU C T ION 

Four major organizational components of the Department of Commerce contribute 

to the Nation's space program. 

tribute directly are the National Bureau of Standards, the Environmental Science 

Services Administration, and the Office of State Technical Services. 

the United States Patent Office, contributes indirectly through its issuance of patents 

on inventions with space applications. 

The three science and technology bureaus which conA fourth bureau, 

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE SERVICES ADMINISTRATION 

The Environmental Science Services Administration fulfills the Department's responsibility to describe, understand, and predict the state of the atmosphere, the oceans 

and the space environment, and the size and shape of the Earth. 

sub-units which contribute either directly or indirectly to space technology; the 

National Environmental Satellite Center, the Weather Bureau, the Coast and Geodetic 

Survey, the Institutes for Environmental Research, and the Environmental Data 

Service. 

ESSA has five major 

Highlights of 1967 -- 

were launched during 1967 to maintain the operational weather satellite system esThe Environmental Survey Satellites -- ESSA 4, 5, and 6 -- 

tablished in February, 1966. 

necessary the initially scheduled launch of a fourth satellite. 

Careful monitoring and control procedures made unThe Weather Facsimile (WEFAX) experiment aboard NASA's ATS- 1 satellite was 

used to relay processed data from the United States to Pacific area stations. 

also used to receive river stage and rainfall measurements from unmanned remotely 

loeated hydrologic stations and to relay these data to the Weather Bureau in 

Washington, D. C. 

It was 

Computer- rectified (digitized) mosaics of cloud pictures from meteorological satellites were adopted for daily operational use by the Weather Bureau during 1967. 

Digitized mosaics of the tropics were sent via the WEFAX experiment from the 

National Meteorological Center to the Weather Bureau Hurricane Forecast Centers 

in order to furnish the latest hurricane information with minimum delay. 

Satellite tropical storm surveillance was extremely effective during the 1967 season. 

Eight hurricanes, 29 tropical storms and typhoons in the western Pacific, eight 

tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean, and 16 tropical storms and hurricanes in the 

eastern Pacific were photographed and tracked by ESSA satellites. 

the meteorological services of other countries have elicited replies testifying to the 

timeliness and usefulness of the information. 

Warnings sent to 

77 
The operational availability of photographs directly from the ESSA satellites has 

contributed to international good will, and has resulted in routine use of the photographs for the information of pilots, particularly for flights over long-distance 

oceanic routes. 

Meteorological Satellites 

The National Operational Meteorological Satellite System (NOMSS) was maintained 

during 1967 by the launch of three Environmental Survey Satellites, ESSA 4, 5, and 

6. These satellites are furnishing worldwide pictorial coverage of the Earth and its 

cloud systems daily, except in the areas of polar night. One satellite takes photographs providing global coverage each 24 hours and stores the pictures on board for 

readout at either of two Command and Data Acquisition stations, one in Alaska and 

one in Virginia. 

the Washington, D. C. , area for immediate use in weather map analysis. 

satellite, through its Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) system, takes and transmits photographs to relatively simple ground stations within radio range of the spacecraft. 

These data are transferred to the National Meteorological Center in 

The other 

Although the ESSA series of satellites fulfills one of the main objectives of the 

NOMSS, daily observation of global weather conditions, they do not permit nighttime 

observation of cloud systems or temperature patterns. A new satellite, known in the 

research and development phase as TlROS M, is under development. The sensors on 

TIROS M will include a scanning radiometer which will operate in the visible range of 

the spectrum by day and in the infrared range on the night side of the orbit. This 

spacecraft also will combine the functions now performed separately by two ESSA 

satellites, with a consequent saving in costs because fewer launches will be required 

each year. The launch of the TIROS M R&D 

Calendar Year 1969. 

ODerations of the ESSA Satellites 

spacecraft is planned for the middle of 

All of the ESSA satellites were launched into 

of 760 nautical miles. The average time for 

minut e s . 

near-polar orbits at average altitudes 

these satellites to orbit the Earth is 114 

ESSA 3 and 5 are each equipped with two Advanced Vidicon Camera System (AVCS) 

units; each camera is capable of maintaining global cloud-cover surveillance. The 

second camera on each spacecraft is held in reserve, thus materially increasing the 

useful lifetime of the satellites. 

transmitted to ground stations in Alaska and Virginia; relayed to a central processing 

unit at Suitland, Maryland; processed; and made available to the world meteorological 

community. 

The pictures from AVCS-equipped satellites are 

Equipment for ESSA 2 and 4, and now for ESSA 6, is a redundant system consisting 

of two Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) cameras that take and immediately 

transmit pictures of the area beneath the satellite to simply equipped ground 

stations within a 2,000-mile range of the spacecraft. 

local forecasters with a fresh (3-1/2-minute-old) view of the cloud patterns over or 

adjacent to the local area. 

major emphasis on dependable routine receipt of the APT pictures for operational 

forecasting. 

The APT pictures furnish 

Meteorologists in many countries have begun to place 

Thus the APT-equipped satellites have become an integral part of the 

78 
World Weather Watch, an international meteorological observation system now under 

development. In addition, mosaics covering the United States and adjacent areas are 

prepared daily from APT pictures received at Suitland. Copies are distributed to the 

local press and the national news wire services, and are used daily by many newspapers and television stations in the United States. 

TIROS VII-X 

At the beginning of 1967, TIROS VII-X, the last four satellites of the TIROS series, 

each had one usable camera. TIROS VI1 and IX are still being used experimentally 

after four and one-half and three years, respectively. 

vated on July 1 and 3, respectively. 

during 1967. 

TIROS VI1 and X were deactiNone of these satellites was used operationally 

NIMBUS I1 

The APT system of the NIMBUS II R&D satellite, launched by NASA on May 15, 1966, 

was the only sensor still in operation at the beginning of 1967. This system was used 

operationally during the periods of minimum usefulness of ESSA 2 and 4, and was especially useful for supplemental observations during the hurricane season of 1967. 

The data obtained by the other sensor systems of NIMBUS I1 have been used extensively for meteorological research. 

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE -- ATS-1 

ATS-1 was launched by NASA on December 6, 1966. The two experimental systems 

on board this NASA R&D satellite in which ESSA participates have met and exceeded 

expectations. The Spin-Scan Cloud Camera can take pictures every 23 minutes. 

Each of these circular pictures covers almost the entire Pacific Ocean area from 

Australia to the central United States and views between 60°N and 6OoS over the 

central Pacific. 

Digitized Cloud Mosaics 

The experimental program to rectify and prepare cloud mosaics by computer, which 

was started in 1966, has been very successful. Since the beginning of the year, digital mosaics of the entire globe are prepared daily. Sections of these uniquely prepared cloud charts are sent regularly via facsimile to all U. s. stations, and special 

mosaics of the tropics are sent to the National Hurricane and the Tropical Analysis 

Centers in Miami. The mosaics are also printed as part of the catalogues of cloud 

photography to make information more readily accessible to research scientists. 

ODerational ADDlications of Satellite Data 

During 1967, satellite data were firmly established as an integral part of the daily 

operations of the Weather Bureau's National Meteorological Center. 

erating locations of the civil and military weather services of the United States are 

also coming to depend on reliable routine receipt of satellite data as a significant 

source of supplemental information. In outpost areas the pictures from the Automatic Picture Transmission system of the ESSA satellites have become a prime 

source of data. 

overseas flights depend heavily upon the pictures for detailed cloud information. 

Numerous opAirport stations responsible for providing weather information for 

79 
A number of methods for making operational application of meteorological satellite 

data are in various stages of development and testing. 

in the use of satellite data have been developed and distributed to weather installations which receive either APT photographs or facsimile cloud charts. 

Air Force and Navy have described the applications methods developed by ESSA as 

the basis for training manuals for their own personnel. 

Manuals to train forecasters 

The U. S. 

The Study of the Geophysical Environment from Space 

An interdisciplinary task force composed of ESSA scientists prepared a report during 

1967 in which are considered the possible uses of both manned and unmanned space 

space platforms for obtaining measurements of the physical environment of the Earth. 

The report emphasizes that single-sensor systems can be used to obtain measurements which satisfy multiple requirements, serving the needs of both the environmental sciences and the Earth resources programs. 

desirability of a national program for remote sensing in order to avoid costly duplication of development activities and operating space systems. 

The report stresses the 

A committee comprised of individuals representing every scientific discipline within 

ESSA was formed in May, 1967, to study the utilization of ESSA spacecraft to obtain 

data useful in meeting ESSA's oceanographic responsibilities. A draft plan for the 

period FY 1969- 1973, proposing the development of capabilities using both orbiting 

and geostationary satellites was prepared and is under review. Existing or programmed sensors will provide television and infrared data suitable for determining 

ocean surface temperatures, ocean currents, and the location of sea ice. The use 

of satellite-interrogated buoys would provide measurements of surface apd subsurface parameters such as sea state, salinity, and surface and underwater temperature. New sensors with much higher resolution will have to be developed to 

provide data usable for such purposes as coastal morphology studies, geomagnetism 

and geoid investigations, and remote sensing of sea state. 

Research and DeveloDment Programs of the National Environmental Satellite Center 

During 1967 work continued on a number of long-term projects and work on new 

studies was initiated. Progress in various phases of the work is increasing the 

understanding of the atmosphere, and improving weather analysis and forecasting. 

Of particular interest among the more than 50 investigations under way are the 

following: 

a. The Satellite Infrared Spectrometer (SIRS) flight model, developed 

by ESSA and funded by NASA, will be tested on the NIMBUS B, 

scheduled for launch by the middle of 1968. 

measure the vertical temperature structure of the atmosphere from 

satellite altitude. 

This instrument will 

b. A new instrument, the Infrared Temperature Profile Radiometer, is 

being developed for test on NIMBUS D. This instrument, an adaptation 

of the SIRS, has a spatial scan capability designed to provide temperature and humidity profiles when the atmosphere below the satellite 

is partly cloudy. 

80 
c. The Cloud-top Altitude Radiometer, an instrument to measure the 

height of the clouds below the spacecraft, is under development for 

use on the first APOLLO flight. 

deducing winds from cloud motion, and for refining the data from the 

Satellite Infrared Spectrometer and the Infrared Temperature 

Radiometer. 

These data will be valuable for 

These instruments will provide the sensory equipment necessary to 

improve global observation of weather parameters. 

ments will contribute significantly to the World Weather Watch, a 

World Meteorological Organization program for which the United 

States is providing most of the technical leadership. 

The improved. Techniques to measure cloud motions, and hence to obtain good estimates of winds over ocean areas, are being developed through the 

use of cloud photographs from the ATS-1 satellite. 

taken at 23-minute intervals , provide material for time-lapse motion 

pictures of clouds over nearly the entire Pacific Ocean. 

These photographs, 

e. Daily cloud data in digital form are being used to produce timeaveraged five-day and monthly cloud charts. 

used in studies of long-period variations in large-scale weather 

features, particularly those of the tropics. 

These charts are being 

f. The Satellite Input to Numerical Analysis and Prediction (SINAP) 

project is making some progress in devising methods for using 

satellite data as direct input to numerical models. However, most of 

the productive work during 1967 has been in the development of models 

of weather patterns and the statistical relationships between meteorological parameters and satellite data. 

Washington-Moscow Data Exchange 

During 1967, the USSR launched three meteorological satellites: 

and 184, in February, April and October, respectively. 

bilateral agreement between the United States and the USSR, satellite data were 

exchanged over the Washington-Moscow data link established by the agreement. 

data from Moscow included satellite nephanalyses (cloud maps) , satellite photographs, 

and solar and terrestrial radiation maps. 

early June to early August, with a total 1, 362 satellite products coming into 

Washington. By August 20, all data from COSMOS 156 ceased, and it was presumed 

that the satellite had failed. Data from COSMOS 184 started coming into Washington 

early in November; they indicate that this satellite is identical with the earlier Po. 

Cosmos 144, 156, 

In accordance with the 1963 

The 

The peak period of traffic occurred from 

Inter national Cooperation 

The maintenance of the Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) capability of the 

TIROS Operational Satellite System through 1967 has had a marked impact on international recognition of the United States as a sharer of scientific results in the space 

program. At the beginning of 1967 approximately 150 ground stations in 45 countries 

were in operation; by the end of the year over 300 of these stations were in operation 

and reporting reception of pictures. 

81 
The National Environmental Satellite Center provided training and study facilities for 

World Meteorological Organization, NATO, and AID Fellows from Argentina, 

Australia, Belgium, Hungary, India, Israel and Poland for periods ranging for one 

week to six months. 

shorter periods during which they were briefed on satellite activities. 

Scientists from many other countries also visited NESC for 

COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY OPERATIONS 

The Coast and Geodetic Survey uses satellites operationally in its work in geodesy 

and precise navigation, and also is engaged in a number of studies to determine the 

feasibility of using satellite techniques in performing its assigned tasks. 

also supports space facilities and activities indirectly through its seismic and geomagnetic activities. 

The Survey 

Use of Navigational Satellites 

The Coast and Geodetic Survey continues to use the NAVY SATELLITE NAVIGATION 

System operationally to control ocean surveys. 

gational satellites is considered to be an order of magnitude higher than that obtainable from any other position-fixing .system available for deep- sea surveys. Additional equipment has been ordered so that all C&GS Ocean Survey vessels may use 

this technique. 

Accuracy of positioning from naviGeometric Satellite Triangulation 

The Geodetic Research Laboratory of the Institute for Earth Sciences worked closely 

with the Coast and Geodetic Survey to support the worldwide Geometric Satellite 

Triangulation Program being conducted under cooperative agreements between the 

Departments of Commerce and Defense and NASA. 

sive technical and scientific support including the development of long-range and 

high-precision short- range orbit prediction computer programs, a numerical integration orbit program, research in the application of satellite geodesy and potential 

theory, and a training program in satellite geodesy. 

The Laboratory provided extenField work for the program has continued successfully throughout 1967. There are 

13 camera units in the program, including one unit owned by West Germany but operated presently by the German Geodetic Research Institute and the Coast and 

Geodetic Survey. 

Coast and Geodetic Survey, and one by the Military Survey of the United Kingdom and 

the Coast and Geodetic Survey. 

Four units are operated by the Army Map Service, seven by the 

Results of preliminary computations for the stations observed during phase one of the 

worldwide program are better than had been anticipated. 

21 months is on schedule. 

The program at the end of 

Earth Resources Program 

The Institute for Earth Sciences' Geodetic Research Laboratory cooperated with 

NASA in determining the feasibility of applying space technology to the Earth 

Resources program, including problems of the establishment of geodetic control from 

precision metric photography acquired in Earth-orbiting satellites and the compilation 

of small- scale topographic maps from such photography as a fast-response capability 

82 
to meet cartographic requirements in developing areas. 

Time Transmission Tests 

The Coast and Geodetic Survey, in conjunction with the National Bureau of Standards 

and NASA, is testing the ability to transfer time via satellite between two widely 

separated units. 

being used in these tests to relay VHF time signals to isolated island units. 

of preliminary tests show that the procedure is capable of transferring time within 

a four-microsecond uncertainty. This method is now being used to transfer timing 

information to Pitcairn Island in the Pacific. 

NASA's APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE (ATS-2) is 

Results 

Photog ramme t ric Analv s i s of Sat ellit e Photog raphv 

The Coast and Geodetic Survey's Office of Geodesy and Photogrammetry assisted the 

National Environmental Satellite Center with measurement of cloud movements between sequential photographs made with the spin-scan cloud camera carried by the 

ATS- 1 satellite. 

several levels , using stereoscopic photogrammetric techniques to obtain cloud movements in vector form. 

C&GS made precise measurements of cloud displacements at 

Activities in Support of the Tsunami Warning System 

Rapid means of data relay are needed to improve the operation of the Coast and 

Geodetic Survey's Seismic Sea-Wave Warning System. The Survey performed an 

experiment in 1967 in which seismic data similar to those needed for the Warning 

System were transmitted from Newport, Washington, to Mojave, California, using 

NASA's ATS- 1 satellite. 

Seismic Support 

The Coast and Geodetic Survey's Seismology Division made a study in 1967 of potential launch hazards for the Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards AFB, 

California. 

tions of rocket propellants, different container configurations , and different modes 

of launch failure were recorded with seismograph systems to determine an equivalent relationship to a TNT detonation. 

Energy releases from controlled detonations using different combinaGeomagnetism 

The Coast and Geodetic Survey has continued to cooperate with NASA in affordine use 

of the large coil systems at ESSA's Fredericksburg (Va.) Geomagnetic Center for 

testing and calibration of instruments intended for space studies. 

mits artificial simulation of magnetic fields that would be encountered anywhere on 

the globe or in space. 

This facility perAnother program on which C&GS is collaborating with NASA is the digitizing of 

analog records from about 50 worldwide magnetic observatories. 

provide a means for correlation with data from satellites and space probes. 

developed scaling machines were used to expedite this project. 

Data in this form 

Newly 

83 
The Geomagnetism Division of the Coast and Geodetic Survey has also participated 

in several international projects aimed at improving the analytic description of the 

main geomagnetic field, which forms a fundamental datum for many space activities. 

These include instrument calibrations, refinements of analysis techniques , exchange 

of information and views on cartographic procedures , establishment of new format 

standards for magnetic charts , progress toward adoption of an International Geomagnetic Reference field, and other aspects of the current World Magnetic Survey 

Project. 

WEATHER BUREAU OPERATIONS 

Weather Bureau participation in the space program has expanded significantly during 

the past year. Experiments are being conducted in data collection from remote platforms via ATS- 1 satellite. 

operational utilization of satellite data to improve weather services to the users. 

Bureau is also providing greater support to various satellite programs both directly 

and indirectly. 

Specific programs have been established for increased 

The 

ExDeriment with ATS- 1 Satellite 

The Weather Bureau's Office of Hydrology is using NASA's ATS-1 satellite for an experiment in collecting river stage and rainfall measurements from remote locations. 

Unattended stations automatically record the river level and accumulated precipitation every 15 minutes. When interrogated via the satellite, they transmit the most 

recent measurements , together with a station identification code. 

Snow Surveying 

Under contract efforts and in-house research TIROS and ESSA photographs of the 

snow cover in the western states are being used in experimental support of the 

Weather Bureau's River and Flood Forecasting Service. 

cate snow surveys can be made for areas as small as 400 sq. miles. 

Preliminary results indiDigitized Cloud Mosaics 

Early in 1967, the Weather Bureau initiated an experimental facsimile transmission 

of digitized cloud mosaics, obtained from National Environmental Satellite Center, to 

all its forecast offices in the 50 states and Puerto Rico. Due to the very favorable 

reception at these offices, the program became operational late in 1967. 

to their use in the preparation of daily forecasts and warnings, the mosaics are reproduced and added to flight documentation for long over-water flights. 

In addition 

Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) 

In order to achieve greater economy and efficiency of operation, plans are under way 

to convert the existing local readouts of satellite cloud data into a central network. 

Under this plan four stations would supply data to all stations requiring APT data 

within the contiguous United States. 

Meteorological Support 

The Space Operations Support Division of the Weather Bureau continued to furnish 

meteorological services to NASA in support of the manned spaceflight programs. A 

84 
hurricane and thunderstorm watch was maintained, and daily weather forecasts were 

provided in support of local activity at Cape Kennedy. Specialized forecasts for component design, testing and evaluation were provided at the Manned Spacecraft Center. 

Several environmental studies and operational forecasting aids were completed in support of the APOLLO and Post-APOLLO programs. These were used for advance operational and program planning, system design, and facilities development. 

The Weather Bureau continued to provide meteorological support to various NASA 

and DOD facilities supporting the United States space exploration and research effort. 

At the NASA Wallops Station (Va.), the Weather Bureau, in addition to the same type 

of services provided for the DOD facilities, provides meteorological support for aeronautical programs and experiments, such as investigations of sonic boom and noise 

abatement phenomena, and of aircraft approach procedures. 

The Weather Bureau Atmospheric Support Team at NASA's Mississippi Test Facility 

provides observational support and forecasts of atmospheric profiles for the prediction of sound propagation patterns during the test-firing of SATURN rocket engines. 

INSTITUTE FOR TELECOMMUNICATION SCIENCES AND AERONOMY ACTIVITIES 

The Institute for Telecommunication Sciences and Aeronomy conducts basic research 

on the properties of the very high atmosphere, and on the effects of solar activity on 

communications , and manned and unmanned space exploration. Techniques are being 

developed for studying and monitoring upper-atmosphere and space disturbances, and 

the methodology for forecasting the future state of these disturbances is being 

developed. ITSA activities during 1967 are referred to in the following paragraphs. 

Space Environment Monitoring and Forecasting Activities -- Statistical methods , which are expected to improve forecasting reliability, have been developed and are 

now under test for routine operations. In order to provide direct space measurements to the Space Disturbance Center, two additional sensor systems are planned. 

The first of these will monitor the flux of solar protons which are injected into the 

high atmosphere in the polar regions during solar-active periods. A solar proton 

sensor will be included on the improved TOS satellite series beginning in early 1969. 

Plans to incorporate solar X-ray sensors, in addition to the proton monitor, on the 

TOS series have been temporarily deferred in favor of attempting to move more 

rapidly to a program of X-ray monitoring from a geostationary satellite. 

ditional efforts are under way to make maximum use of the data from the Navy 

Research Laboratory Solar Radiation (SOLRAD) satellites. 

Also, adConsideration has been given to the possibility that the space forecasting center can 

provide service to the NASA APOLLO Telescope Mount (ATM) experiment. 

service would provide specialized forecasts of the time and location of each solarflare occurrence. 

resolution instrumentation at the given area to study the synoptic development of a 

flare. 

This 

Such information would enable the astronaut to point highDetails of such a program are being discussed with NASA. 

Ionospheric/Exospheric Studies -- For several years, ITSA has been a major participant in the ISIS (International Satellites for Ionospheric Studies) program. An ionosphere topside sounder was flown on the EXPLORER XX. Data from this satellite 

and the Canadian ALOUETTE I and ALOUETTE I1 satellites are used in studies to 

85 
provide basic understanding of the ionosphere and a number of ionospheric phenomena. 

This Institute will continue its efforts by participation in the ISIS-A program and 

other satellites to be launched in this series. 

Telecommunication Predictions -- Studies are in progress to develop a method for 

obtaining a worldwide synoptic view of the ionosphere with use of satellites. In addition to the new geophysical knowledge to be obtained from this approach] the method 

is designed to yield information that will improve predictions of high-frequency telecommunication circuit performance on a short-term basis. Ionospheric refractive 

effects will be used to determine ionospheric critical frequencies and total electron 

density content. 

measurements by other methods more difficult to use. The improved quality of the 

data obtained by this method should facilitate rapid computer analysis providing 

"pictures" of the global ionosphere for scientific and telecommunication use. This 

technique also would provide the capability for probing the entire ionosphere instead 

of being limited to probing just the top or bottom of the ionosphere. 

Rocket Studies -- A program will probe the high atmosphere in the D-region by means 

of rockets. This will include use of the boosted ARCAS 11 rocket, with a payload consisting of a proton spectrometer and a Faraday rotation receiver. 

will provide the height profile and energy spectrum of incoming energetic protons 

while the Faraday rotation receiver will provide the electron density profile. These 

data will yield the effective and recombination rates with respect to altitude in order 

to test theoretical considerations on the formation of the D-layer. 

This technique will minimize interference and noise which made 

The spectrometer 

Time and Frequency Dissemination -- Since about July, 1967, ITSA engineers, the 

Coast and Geodetic Survey and the National Bureau of Standards have cooperated 

jointly with NASA to determine the feasibility of transmitting time signals by means 

of geostationary satellites. 

vide time signals with an accuracy of about + 4 microseconds. Such signals will be 

of use for satellite triangulation measurem&ts and for studies of large-scale 

geophysical events. 

accurate and sensitive time standards now employed by the Survey will be eliminated 

by the adoption of this time dissemination technique. 

The NASA ATS-1 satellite transponder was used to proThe need for cumbersome and expensive transportation of highly 

INSTITUTE FOR OCEANOGRAPHY 

The space-oriented activities of the Institute for Oceanography centered on determining the ocean characteristics that could be sensed from spacecraft altitudes, and 

what oceanographic parameters could be defined by means of the sensed data. 

types of sensors that would be required and their sensitivity and resolution capabilities were defined. 

The 

The temperature field of the Gulf Stream was measured during a short field project 

by means of radiometers carried aboard ships and aircraft. 

were compared with radiation measurement from the NIMBUS satellites. 

The data so obtained 

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS 

Vital to this Nation's capability for performing advanced and precise technological 

achievements is the national measurement system. This system includes] among 

other things, the basic standards for measurement which are in the custody of the 

National Bureau of Standards, the derived measurement capabilities which stem from 

these standards, the measurement and instrument developments which permit 

86 
the application of measurement to specific problems, and the array of measurements 

of the properties of substances which permit precise and reliable utilization of materials in the design, engineering, and operation of the space effort and other sophisticated technological endeavors. 

system in three broad program areas: 

NBS contributes significantly to all aspects of the 

Basic Measurements and Standards - - Activity centers around the development and 

maintenance of a complete, consistent system of physical measurement. The rapid 

advancement of technology, especially in the field of space, makes it necessary that 

new standards be developed and existing ones be improved on a continuing basis. 

Adequate standards of measurement are vitally needed in the production of highly precise equipment used in various critical applications, and in the determination of the 

performance of components and systems. The measurement of time, for example, 

can now be made with an accuracy of several parts per million million (10l2) -- an 

accuracy far greater than is required for most applications; however, the critical 

nature of deep space tracking, communications, and navigation by computer necessitates that time measurement be far more accurate than is required for normal usage. 

NBS scientists are now working at the forefront of basic physics to develop standards 

which will meet this vital need. 

Materials Measurements and Standards -- These are of particular interest because of 

the severe limitations imposed by existing materials when such are used for highspeed travel, both within the atmosphere and in space. In dealing with the different 

environm.ent of space, new and improved materials, equipment, and systems which 

will perform in an acceptable manner must be developed. Highly pure and wellcharacterized materials are also of great importance in the space effort; Standard 

Reference Materials developed at NBS provide urgently needed measurement technology for creating, manufacturing and distributing a wide variety of products vital to 

the space effort. 

Technological Measurements and Standards -- These are used in the application of 

research. Standards are needed for entire systems, whether they be large computer 

complexes used to navigate and monitor space exploration, electronic devices to 

record and analyze the discoveries of outer space, or the total environment within a 

space capsule, including the human factors which are a real (and difficult to measure) 

part of space travel. Just as important is the need for developing creativity and inventiveness among the U. s. scientific and technical community, and for disseminating 

the results of scientific research to a broad audience in order to stimulate the maximum application of research results. 

Within these broad areas of research NBS has built up measurement expertise among 

its scientific staff over the years, and thus is often called upon to perform a wide 

variety of specialized studies related to aeronautics and space for other agencies of 

the Federal Government. 

get was provided by outside sources (primarily other Federal agencies), a significant 

fraction of which was spent in space- or aeronautics-related research. 

In fiscal year 1967, over 40 percent of the total NBS budThe following list of activities in primary work areas provides insight into the scope 

and breadth of NBS activities conducted in support of the U. S. space and aeronautics 

effort. 

1. The basic measurements and standards responsibilities can be divided into: 

87 
a. 

b. 

C. 

d. 

e. 

f. 

g. 

h. 

i. 

j. 

k. 

1. 

New deadweight force standards. 

Missile guidance system studies. 

Air safety improvement through satellite experiments, 

Review to aid astrophysicists. 

Ion studies for communications research. 

Solar radiation use in analyses of space data. 

Chemicals studies as clues to life in space. 

Time and frequency research. 

Adaptation of lasers to space work. 

High- speed temperature-measuring device. 

High- and low-temperature measurements. 

Thermal radiation properties. 

m. Vacuum measurements. 

The standard reference data activity is a coordinated effort to supply the technical 

community with reliable, carefully evaluated, numerical data which describe accurately the properties and behavior of well-defined substances and materials. 

effort maintains both data collection-evaluation centers and a nationwide network of 

information-data dissemination centers to serve the scientist user. 

The 

Data collection and evaluation centers now in existence gather information relating to 

propulsion, fuel cells, thermodynamic data, chemical kinetics, and materials for use 

in space vehicles (such as capsules, booster nozzles, guidance systems, communications and in-vehicle computers). 

which deal in data relating to the interactions of space vehicles with their surrounding s. 

There are also major collection-evaluation centers 

3. 

examination of meteorites, hydrogen slush density reference system, evaluation of 

rocket use of liquid fluorine, and stress-corrosion cracking of a titanium alloy. 

The scope of materials research includes studies of the properties of oxygen, 

NBS analytical chemists traced the cause of satellite-recorder failures of the NASAEuropean Space Research Organization program. 

vapors in the "presumed" inert atmosphere of the sealed instruments. 

cial supplier has modified its production procedure. 

produced shows marked improvement. 

The failures were due to organic 

The commerAnalysis of the recorders so 

NBS in cooperation with the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center .Laboratory provided 

important data on a number of crystals used in rockets and satellites for measurements of solar X-rays. Goddard personnel were also shown techniques developed 

88 
for checking the quality of such. crystals. 

The feasibility of a new type of thermometer, which may measure temperatures down 

to one one-thousandth of a degree or less above absolute zero, has been predicted 

mathematically by an NBS physicist and verified experimentally by two scientists at 

the Ford Scientific Laboratories. 

increasingly important because of space travel. 

Measurement of extreme temperatures is becoming 

APPLIED TECHNOLOGY 

Tapes for Recording Space Data Studied 

Much of the investment in equipment, design, construction and launching of space vehicles is lost if the tape recorders collecting data fail to function for the duration of 

the experiments. 

used in space experiments cause large static charges to accumulate. 

high stress during continuous operation of recorders and consequent deformation or 

breaking of the tapes. 

NBS has discovered that differences in surface resistivity of tapes 

This causes 

Development of Space Radiation Detectors 

NBS has established facilities and procedures for the fabrication and testing of silicon 

radiation detectors used in space exploration. Special detector devices , not otherwise 

available, have been developed for solar radiation experiments with sounding rockets. 

Clearinghouse Disseminates SDace Data 

The NBS Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical Information is the 

Government focal point for the public dissemination of R&D reports related to space 

sciences and technology. 

Rapid Calibration of Photodetectors 

NBS has developed an instrument which rapidly calibrates photodetectors in the 

visible spectrum. The instrument enables the Bureau to produce photodetector response curves in minutes rather than hours. 

Accelerometer Calibration ImDroved 

A recent NBS development has resulted in an improved device for calibrating accelerometers. 

range of use. 

as aircraft wings and rudders. 

The improved calibrating device called a "shaker" also has a greater 

Accelerometers are widely used in testing mechanical structures such 

Testing of Coded HeliDort Beacons 

In response to a need in the Naval Air Systems Command for some method of studying 

various sequences of flashing lights for use in coded heliport beacons, a demonstration model beacon was designed and constructed at NBS. 

89 
Laser Diode Efficiency and Output Increased 

Lasers share at least one problem with electronic components. 

use for continuous operation. 

a method of applying an aluminum coating that not only reflects light within the diode, 

but also helps cool it for more efficient operation, and also yields over 50 percent 

greater output power. The coating is cheap, easy to apply, and can be tested immediately after application. 

They get too hot in 

Research on tiny laser diodes at NBS has resulted in 

OFFICE OF STATE TECHNICAL SERVICES 

Significant progress was made in 1967 by the Office of State Technical Services 

(OSTS), Department of Commerce, and the Office of Technology Utilization (OTU), 

NASA, in carrying out a working agreement established in August, 1966. The purpose of the agreement is to coordinate the complementary responsibilities and objectives of OSTS and OTU in transferring the results of Federally supported research 

and development to the civilian economy. In this respect, OSTS and OTU exchanged 

information on their respective plans, policies, and study results; jointly participated 

in national conferences on information dissemination; and recommended the possible 

utilization of the NASA Regional Dissemination Centers (RDC's) by the designated 

agencies and participating institutions as additional resources of information for individual State Technical Services Programs. 

90 
NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING 

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL 

INTRODUCTION 

The National Academy of Sciences is a private organization of scientists and engineers that serves upon request as an official advisor to the Federal Government. 

These advisory services are carried out largely by the National Research Council, 

which was established by the Academy to act as an operating agency. 

Within the Research Council, guidance in matters relating to the national space program is provided primarily by the Space Science Board, but the counsel of other units 

is also made available where aeronautical or space activities relate to their fields of 

specialization. Among those called upon during 1967 were the Divisions of Behavioral 

Sciences, Biology and Agriculture , Earth Sciences , and Engineering; the Committee 

on Atmospheric Sciences; and the Office of Scientific Personnel. 

The National Academy of Engineering was established in December, 1964, under the 

authority of the National Academy of Sciences Act of Incorporation. It is independent 

and autonomous in its organization and in the election of its members, and shares in 

the responsibility given the National Academy of Sciences to advise the Federal 

Government, upon request, in all areas of science and engineering. The aeronautics 

and space advisory activities of the National Academy of Engineering are carried out 

by the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board. 

SPACE SCIENCE BOARD 

The Space Science Board is a consultative group which, in addition to its governmental responsibilities, furthers space research generally by encouraging discussion 

of advances and opportunities. 

scientific community on the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) of the 

International Council of Scientific Unions. 

the longer-range aspects of space science, looking ahead 10 to 25 years to weigh objectives, foresee difficulties that may be encountered, and determine the knowledge, 

technology and facilities that will be required. 

Internationally, the Board represents the U. S. 

Much of the Board's attention is given to 

Life Sciences 

Two very different branches of the life sciences are involved in space research. 

relates to fundamental biological questions--the possibility of extraterrestrial life, 

the origin and development of life, and the relation between physical properties of 

our planet (such as gravity) and biological organisms. The other branch concerns 

manned space flight--the effects of the space environment on man, and the biomedical and bioengineering systems required to sustain him in space, particularly 

One 

91 
for long periods. The Board’s Committee on Life Sciences and its ad hoc panels are 

naturally concerned with both branches of the field. 

Manned Space Flight -- Calendar Year 1967 saw the Publication of two studies carried 1 

out by Committee groups. 

NRC Pub. 1487) gives the findings of a two-year evaluation of the potential hazards to 

Radiobiological Factors in Manned Space Flight (NASman of exposure to the natural space radiation environment during flights lasting up 

to three years. 

radiation protection criteria for manned space flight operations. 

It suggests a scientific and philosophical basis for determining 

The report reviews pertinent information on radiobiology and identifies those biological responses in man that affect mission success or failure. 

of dose-response relationships are given where possible, and the factors that may 

modify responses are described. 

Interim estimates 

The second publication, Physiology in the Space Environment: Respiration (NASNRC Pub. 1485B), discusses the probable effects of long-duration space flight on the 

human respiratory system. The influences of space environmental factors such as 

acceleration, vibration, prolonged weightlessness, atmospheric pres sure, breathing 

gas, and heat were studied by a small group of specialists participating in the 1966 

Woods Hole Study on Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiology. Objectives of the 

study were to determine the current state of knowledge of such effects and to identify 

courses of research and technical developments that should be undertaken in preparation for long-duration missions. The report indicates that no striking effects have 

been noted in respiratory function in space flight to date, nor is there expectation 

that the space environment per se will produce debilitating effects during long missions. 

A number of other studies carried on during the past year have focused on manned 

space flight. 

The question of purity standards for air and drinking water is important to prolonged 

flights. 

chemical, physical, and biological standards for reclaimed water intended for human 

consumption on spacecraft. 

Early in 1967 the Board appointed a panel to set air quality standards and 

In its report (September, 1967) the Panel extrapolates the Public Health Service 

purity standards for municipal water supplies to standards suitable for the particular 

conditions of long-duration space flight, the primary difference being that water used 

in prolonged space missions will be recycled through the human system many times 

during the course of the flight, providing occasion for progressive concentration of 

trace materials and biological organisms. Further recommendations relate to the 

need for sterilization during the recycling and monitoring of water quality at various 

stages in the recovery processing. 

The assessment of life-support systems for regenerating space cabin atmospheres 

in a closed cycle has been undertaken by a group composed of life scientists, 

chemists, and engineers. Studies of space nutrition and waste management on longduration manned flights have been completed, and an investigation of microbiological 

problems is getting under way. The potential biological problems of man in a small 

confined environment will be examined; these include, among other-items-, the change 

of non-pathogens to pathogens, alterations of the immunological mechanisms in man, 

92 
cross-infection, alterations in the mechanisms of infection, and the treatment of infection in space. 

An extensive study of the medical, physiological, and behavioral problems related 

to manned space missions of 100 to 700 days' duration has been initiated at the request of NASA. 

encountered to date: the physiological effects of many months of weightlessness and 

the psychological problems associated with sensory deprivation and confinement may 

affect crew performance and mission success. It should be possible to derive guidelines for structuring missions so as to avoid or modify adverse effects, to determine 

those individual characteristics and training most important to mission success, and 

to single out the research and methodology needed to prepare for and carry out longterm flights. 

It is recognized that such missions may involve considerations not 

Phvsical Sciences 

Potential Contamination and Interference from Space Experiments -- From time to 

time, the possibility arises that a proposed space activity will have adverse effects 

on the environment or on work in other fields. The Board's Committee on Potential 

Contamination and Interference from Space Experiments, an interdisciplinary group, 

attempts to foresee such eventualities, evaluate their likely impact, and, where appropriate, make recommendations to responsible agencies or experimenters. 

Studies sponsored by NASA on the concept of large orbiting mirrors to illuminate 

nighttime portions of the Earth aroused critical comment in the latter half of 1966 

and early 1967. At the request of some scientists and also of NASA, the Board 

asked the Committee to assess the problem, 

mittee concludes that there is no overwhelming evidence that scientific damage would 

result from the deployment of a single reflector system. 

such a satellite not be considered in the future unless the ability to destroy it by signal from the ground is an inherent part of the design and unless detailed studies of 

its effects on ecology, biology, and astronomy are previously conducted and made 

public. 

its costs to the public and its nuisance to science. 

In its report (March, 1967) the ComBut it recommends that 

The Committee found no scientific merit for the system commensurate with 

The Academy was informed in May that the Government is not interested in the concept at the present time, but that if interest should develop in the future the Academy 

would be consulted for additional advice. 

In response to a request from NASA, all experiments planned by NASA's Office of 

Space Science and Applications are being reviewed to determine whether they could 

produce adverse effects or interfere with other studies. The majority of the experiments, which relate to electromagnetic radiation, were referred to the NAS 

Committee on Radio Frequency Requirements. The Committee concluded that 

several of the proposed radiations seemed dangerous at first sight but turned out upon 

investigation to be quite innocuous; nothing on the list was found to cause alarm to 

the radio astronomy community. 

The possible harmful effects of an experiment proposed by the Max Planck Institute 

in West Germany were also evaluated during the summer of 1967. 

involving the release of barium at five Earth radii, would have no ill effects, the 

Committee agreed in its report to NASA; on the contrary, since it may trigger an 

This experiment, 

93 
aurora and other scientifically interesting phenomena, scientists should be alerted 

to the launch date to assure broad participation. NASA has expressed the intention, 

upon completion of negotiations with the Federal Republic, to announce the program 

to the scientific community at large and to mount special experiments in the auroral 

zone and elsewhere to take full advantage of the release. 

The possibility of contaminating the Moon or planets with terrestrial organisms adhering to space probes has for some years been a matter of concern to the United 

States and other nations involved in space research, and thus to COSPAR. Out of 

this concern has developed a complex technology for the sterilization of spacecraft 

and their components, and it is a national requirement that all space probes that 

could contaminate a solar-system body be made as biologically clean as technology 

permits. 

Astronomy -- A long-term evaluation is being made of the scientific advantages and 

technological feasibility of operating a large telescope in space with manned maintenance. During the past years, specialists in planetary, galactic, and extragalactic astronomy, invited to participate, have helped to isolate problems that can 

be solved only by such a telescope. After the scientific report is completed at the 

end of the year, it is intended to examine the design features required to carry out 

the scientific program and determine the technical problems involved. 

International Activities 

The Board's international activities are carried out largely within the framework of 

COSPAR, a consultative organization to which the national space committee of 36 

countries adhere and which is advisory to the United Nations. 

The Tenth Plenary Meeting of COSPAR was held in London July 24-29, 1967. 

sions covered such topics as the Moon and planets; polar substorms; ionosphere and 

magnetosphere; collection and detection of interplanetary dust; proton flare projects; 

aeronomy; and life sciences. Actions taken by the Plenary included revision of the 

COSPAR Guide to Rocket and Satellite Information and Data Exchange, and recommendations for cooperation with the Global Atmospheric Research Program. 

SesThe meetings were attended by about 750 scientists from 47 countries. 

cipation was organized by the Space Science Board's Committee on International 

Relations, which also reviewed U. S. contributed papers and prepared the annual 

U. S. parti- 

~~ ~- 

report and bibliography on U. S. space research during 1966: 

Science Program: ReDort to COSPAR. 

United States Space 

Another international function carried out under the aegis of the Board is the World 

Data Center-A subcenter for rockets and satellites. 

tablished in 1957 under the auspices of the International Council of Scientific Unions, 

collect and archive data from many geophysical sources and experiments. 

three World Data Centers: WDC-A in the United States; WDC-B in the U. S. S. R. and 

Czechoslovakia; and WDC-C in Western Europe and Japan. Each Center is divided 

into a number of subcenters representing the major disciplines of geophysics and 

space research. The rocket and satellite subcenter collects and exchanges results 

of research conducted with spacecraft and sounding rockets, and makes it available 

to interested persons on request. 

The World Data Centers, esThere are 

94 
COMMITTEE ON ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES 

The NAS Committee on Atmospheric Sciences examines the current status in the atmospheric sciences in rather broad terms as related to the future needs for research 

and progress in the field. 

development of the scientific and technical bases for the Global Atmospheric Research 

Program (GARP), an international scientific effort designed to achieve by the use of 

a multiplicity of space- and Earth-based tools a definition of the entire lower atmosphere that will lead to a major advancement in knowledge of the large-scale atmospheric dynamics and thermodynamics. 

an advanced physical and mathematical basis for medium- and long-range weather 

prediction. 

A major activity for the past two years has been the 

The ultimate aim of the program is to develop 

OFFICE OF SCIENTIFIC PERSONNEL 

At the request of NASA, the National Academy of Sciences performed the recruiting 

and scientific selection of the second group of scientists to serve as astronauts in the 

NASA manned space flight program. 

The Office of Scientific Personnel was given administrative responsibility for the 

program, working in close collaboration with the Space Science Board and the Office 

of Information. 

Scientific qualifications were set by the Academy. 

Approximately 3,000 inquiries about the Scientist-as-Astronaut program were received; of those persons who applied, 923 met the requirements for eligibility and 

were evaluated by the Board of Selection. A rank-ordered list of 69 recommended 

candidates was transmitted to NASA in March, 1967; from these nominees, NASA 

selected 11 new scientist-astronauts. 

(2), geophysics, chemistry, electrical engineering, physiology (2), and medicine. 

They hold doctorates in astronomy (3), physics 

DIVISION OF BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES 

Committee on Hearing, Bioacoustics, and Biomechanics (CHABA) 

CHABA panels were active during the year in the fields of sonic boom effects and aircraft noise. 

sponse to the sonic boom was evaluated and seven studies recommended to fill the 

gaps in present knowledge. The progress of research contracts on aircraft noise 

negotiated by NASA and FAA on the basis of recommendations by a CHABA subcommittee was-assessed and further recommendations for directions of research during 

1967 were given. 

Current research at the Stanford Research Institute on subjective reA plan to certify aircraft on the basis of noise is under study. 

At the request of NASA, the second edition of the Bioastronautics Data Book was 

evaluated and changes to be incorporated in the third edition were suggested. CHABA 

is assisting NASA in the selection of authors for the new edition and will act as advisory technical editor s. 

A meeting on rotational acceleration, sponsored by CHABA and NASA, was held at 

the U. S. Navy School of Aerospace Medicine in Pensacola, January 24-26, 1967. 

Committee on Vision 

The Committee has assisted NASA in setting the visual specifications of the visor 

95 
for the helmet to be worn by APOLLO astronauts. 

lished for the exchange of information between developers of the helmet and visual 

scientists. 

being carried out by NASA and the Department of Defense. 

A formal link has been estabIn addition, a report was prepared on the "in-house" research on vision 

DIVISION OF BIOLOGY AND AGRICULTURE 

The Committee on Remote Gensing in Agriculture serves in an advisory capacity to 

those universities and other organizations interested in aerial sensing from aircraft 

and orbiting satellites of terrestrial soils, plants, and animals. The principal objective of the year has been the preparation of a treatise on Remote Sensing in 

Agriculture. 

DIVISION OF EARTH SCIENCES 

NAS-NAE Committee Advisorv to ESSA 

The NAS-NAE Committee Advisory to the Environmental Science Services Administration reviews general ESSA programs and plans and prepares recommendations. 

During the past year, panels have been established which include among their topics 

considerations of the role of satellites in environmental measurement and control. 

Weather modification, and data handling for weather and oceanographic needs are 

directly related to ESSA satellite activities. 

Committee on %ace Programs for Earth Observation 

The Committee (COSPEAR/GS) advises the U. S. Geological Survey on remote sensor 

and spacecraft programs in geology and mineral resources, hydrology and water resources, geography, and cartography. A parent committee and a panel in each of the 

discipline areas are concerned with both external and in-house research projects set 

up by the ,U. S. Geological Survey in collaboration with NASA. 

are under way to determine the applications of scientific data acquired by spacecraft 

to the Earth sciences. 

A series of studies 

Committee on Remote Sensing of Environment 

The Committee is concerned with the entire field of remote sensing of environment. 

It has been active in determining the status of sensor technology, in assessing its 

potential value in research of the Earth's environment, and in providing guidance for 

development of a stronger national program in this field. 

close liaison with other NRC Committees on space and remote sensor programs. 

The Committee maintains 

DIVISION OF ENGINEERING 

Space Applications Summer Study 

The 1967 portion of a study designed to continue for two summers (1967-68) was held 

under the auspices of the NRC's Division of Engineering. 

specialists from universities, industry, government and other interested NAS-NAE 

committees, the study treated those aspects of space technology which are likely to 

produce practical benefits to large segments of the American and world economies, 

and to increase the well-being of large groups of peoples. Major recommendations 

Attended by some 90 

96 
relate to research and development, organization and management of space application systems, radio-frequency and data management, use of high-altitude aircraft, 

and manned versus unmanned space applications systems. An interim report, consisting of several volumes, on the 1967 sessions is to be issued early in 1968. 

Materials Advisory Board 

The Materials Advisory Board renders advice to the Government on research and 

development in engineering materials and processes. Although the scope of the 

Board's interest is very broad, a large portion of its activity during the last ten 

years has focused on problems with aerospace materials. 

major concern are: 

rocket nozzles, and reentry surfaces and (2) the weight factor, which places a premium on materials of high structural efficiency (i. e. , highest ratio of strength-todensity and stiffness-to-density). 

Two problem areas of 

(1) the extremely high temperatures encountered in turbines, 

At the request of the Air Force, three successive MAB groups have made a series of 

extensive studies to identify the manufacturing techniques and methods that will have 

to be developed to fabricate structures with the aerospace materials predicted for the 

1975-1985 period. 

In the broad effort to achieve higher structural efficiency, one MAB committee is 

currently studying the problems of design with fibrous composites and will report its 

findings in 1968. At the request of NASA a study is under way on coatings for the 

protection of graphite, refractory metals, and super-alloys. A current study requested by the Office of Naval Research will define the scientific limitations involved 

in the development of glasses or other materials usable in high-temperature applications to transmit infrared radiation in the 8-to-14 micron spectrum. Other subjects 

dealt with in 1967 related to aerospace materials are: ceramic processing for hightemperature use or for such applications as hypersonic flight; beryllium for extremely light but stiff structures; long-range aerospace manufacturing development; 

and non-destructive techniques for insuring quality control and for monitoring 

material behavior (i. e. , crack initiation) in critical aircraft areas. 

COMMITTEE ON SST-SONIC BOOM 

The Committee was established in 1964 at the request of the President to "plan an 

expanded sonic boom program. 'I During the past year sonic boom research and field 

test experiments were observed at NASA Langley Research Center and at Edwards 

Air Force Base; the Committee had previously been instrumental in planning some of 

the experiments. 

Agricultural Research team, tests on the effects of sonic boom on animals are being 

developed and the results of previous experiments with farm animals conducted during the Edwards AFB Sonic Boom Phase I test have been evaluated. 

In cooperation with the Department of Agriculture's Beltsville 

AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ENGINEERING BOARD 

The National Academy of Engineering established the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board in May, 1967. 

Science Board, but its primary purpose is to focus the talents and energies of the engineering community on significant policy and program issues of concern to NASA 

and other Federal agencies as they relate to aeronautics and space engineering. The 

Board will recommend to the Government the priorities that should be assigned to 

The Board is generally patterned after the NAS Space 

97 
engineering objectives, propose ways to bring engineering talents to bear on aerospace problems of national importance, and suggest methods to improve engineering 

education in the aerospace field. 

For its initial task, with the concurrence of NASA and the indorsement of interested 

committees of Congress and the National Aeronautics and Space Council, the Board 

is undertaking a comprehensive study of civil aeronautical research and development. 

The study is national in scope and is based on a systems approach to the entire civil 

air transportation problem. 

national policies, plans, programs , funds and organizational structure for civil 

aeronautical research and development; and (2) recommend steps necessary to insure 

a viable U. S. civil aviation posture for the future. For the purpose of its study, the 

Board defines civil aviation to include both commercial and general-aviation types of 

aircraft. 

Board report planned for mid- 1968. 

The Board intends to (1) critically assess current 

The committee reports will be reviewed and consolidated into an initial 

98 
SMITHSONIAN ASTROPHYSICAL 

0 BSERV ATORY 

INTRODUCTION 

Among the activities of the Observatory this year were the following: 

a. 

b. 

C. 

d. 

e. 

Photography of the apogee firing that inserted INTELSAT 2-F2 into 

synchronous orbit. 

Installation of prototype laser system in new observatory in Arizona. 

Combined satellite determination of the gravity field with other 

gravity measurements. 

Discovery that the "meteoritic complex" is mutually destructive by 

collision and is maintained in equilibrium. 

Confirmed discovery of a new comet. 

The Observatory continues to operate a network of stations for the photographic and 

laser tracking of artificial satellites, several networks for meteor astronomy, laboratories for analysis of meteorites, and other facilities for gathering related data. 

OPTICAL SATELLITE TRACKING 

Fourteen optical instruments are situated in a network in 11 countries. 

127 volunteer Moonwatch teams maintain observing sites in 22 countries, and 29 

teams are available for re-entry patrol. 

In addition, 

The Baker-Nunn and modified K-50 cameras provided launch and tracking support 

for NASA and furnished data for scientific re search. Noteworthy among photographic 

successes was a simultaneous observation by the Baker-Nunn camera at the Tokyo 

Astronomical Observatory and the cooperating U. S. Air Force Baker-Nunn cameras 

at Johnston Island, Hawaii, and Rosamund, California. These cameras successfully 

photographed and confirmed the four-stage apogee motor firing that inserted the 

INTELSAT 2-F2 satellite into synchronous orbit over the Pacific Ocean. 

The Observatory has strengthened its international cooperation in satellite tracking. 

It entered into an agreement with the National Institute of Ceographics of France to 

exchange observations of French and U. S. satellites. Exchange of precise satellite tracking data with the USSR began in 1967 with the interchange of GEOS flash 

observations made by the University of Riga and by the SA0 Baker-Nunn camera in 

Spain. There are plans to expand this cooperation to the GEOS-B mission. Also, 

99 
cooperative observing programs continued with the We stern Europe Satellite Tracking 

network. 

The laser tracking system was in operation at the New Mexico station until the end 

of June. 

laser stations and the laser station of the Goddard Space Flight Center came to an 

end. 

satellites. 

to Maui, Hawaii. In 1967, 931 observations were made with this system. 

At that time the 1967 coordinated observing schedule with the three French 

This was the first time a network of laser instruments had been used to track 

Then the New Mexico laser station was shut down and prepared for a move 

During November an improved laser system was installed in the new observatory on 

Mount Hopkins, Arizona. 

systems to be established at the other astrophysical observing stations. 

Its performance was evaluated as a prototype for laser 

A study of the diurnal variation based on the drag of seven satellites in orbit during 

the years 1958 to 1966 and with perigee heights between 155 and 403 miles confirmed 

the 1960 suggestion of a diurnal bulge migrating in latitude with the seasons and located at the latitude of the subsolar point. 

with solar activity could not be established. 

was discovered that large seasonal variations occur at heights above 310 miles, 

apparently caused by a variation in the amount of helium in the atmosphere. 

A definite correlation of the amplitude 

As a by-product of this analysis, it 

Also completed was an analysis of the semiannual variation based on the drag of six 

satellites during the years 1958 to 1966. 

described in 1964 were confirmed. The variation is global and caused by a variation 

in thermospheric temperature.. 

variation repeat in phase year after year; the amplitude is proportional to the degree 

of solar activity. 

All the principal features of the variation 

The semiannual and the annual components of the 

Theoretical models of the diurnal variation of the upper atmosphere have been constructed with the use of conductivity and diffusion in three dimensions. 

results are already so close to the observed data that great hope is entertained for 

future developments of the analysis. 

Preliminary 

In satellite geodesy the scientific accomplishments of 1967 were built upon the SA0 

Standard Earth. The general outlook has been toward another comprehensive solution in 1968. This plan involves extension of the gravity field from 8th degree and 

order to perhaps 12th or 15th degree and order, with miscellaneous higher terms. 

In addition, the station coordinates should be improved in accuracy, from the 15 

meters now available for 12 stations to perhaps 5 to 10 meters for 30 stations. 

means the use of data from other observing systems. 

of these diverse data types have been progressing. 

This 

The processing and integrating 

Supplementary determination of coordinates has been accomplished for several U. S. 

and European optical stations, and for three stations using the NASA range and 

range -rate system. These station determinations have been possible through tracking of GEOS-A, the satellite launched by NASA specifically for geodesy. 

Satellite determination of the gravity field has been combined with the gravity measurements made by classical methods. 

eling data and the geoidal heights of the SA0 combined geoid hav6 been reduced, 

giving new values for the datum coordinates and the semimajor axis of the Earth. 

In addition, the classical astrogeodetic lev100 
METEORITICS 

It has been found that the "meteoritic complex" is mutually self-destructive by collisions and is maintained in equilibrium. The gas is removed by solar wind and the 

tiny particles both by solar light pressure and by light momentum exchange. An influx rate of some 10 tons per second will maintain the system indefinitely. Comets 

are probably a sufficient source of both this dust and larger particles up to masses 

of 100 grams. This subject is of wide interest, not only because the dust and small 

pieces of solid matter in interplanetary space may present a hazard to space vehicles, but also because the procedure for the determination of their natures measures 

the disintegration rate of the larger comets and asteroids. 

Almost 80% of the meteoritic material that falls to the Earth's surface in pieces 

large enough for mineralogical study contains small, approximately spherical bodies 

called chondrules. Since meteors are believed to be the remnants of the primordial 

cloud of matter from which the planets were formed, chondrules represent a very 

primitive start of the collection of such matter into planets. A solution to the problem of how the first step in the collection occurred was proposed as an effect of heat 

from electrical discharges (lightning) in the primordial dust cloud. SA0 laboratory 

tests of capacitor discharges similar to lightning in an artificial dust cloud produced 

particle s very similar to the chondrules. 

It seems very likely that chondrules of 10 Type I1 carbonaceous chondrites condensed 

from or were melted in the primordial gas nebula that predated and gave rise to the 

planets of the solar system. 

composition of the nebula. On this basis, studies indicate that the nebular composition was not the same as the present solar composition. In particular, oxygen was, 

at least locally, 10 to 20 times more abundant (relative to hydrogen) than it is in the 

Sun. 

grains in the nebula may have been responsible for this. 

Studies of material collected from Greenland ice show that A126 and Be" are present in the amounts expected from cosmicj-ray interactions with the Earth's atmosphere. However, excess amounts of He , Ni, Co, and Ar isotope anomalies indicate that some cosmic dust is present in the ice. 

cates that the cosmic dust was imbedded in fragile chunks of cometary material in 

space. 

If so, the chondrule compositions should reflect the 

Localized concentration and subsequent volatilization of oxygen- rich dust 

This combination of results indiExperimental efforts in the SA0 metallurgical laboratory during 1967 were directed 

primarily toward metallographic examination of samples of iron meteorites; the 

study of the crystallography of iron meteorites by X-ray methods; and experimental 

work to evaluate the effects of very high hydrostatic pressure on the speed of response of a laboratory alloy to heat treatment. 

The Prairie Network has continued the now-routine photographic observation of 

exceptionally bright meteor events. 

sions that the great majority of meteors - even those brighter than full Moon - are 

produced by material of low structural integrity and, very probably, of density 

much less than that of meteoritic stone. An important corollary being investigated 

is that some of the more massive objects do not suffer complete ablation or fragmentation in the atmosphere. It is likely that some terminal masses, in the kilogram range, reach the ground intact. 

New data have confirmed the earlier concluGround search for this new extraterrestrial 

101 
material, which may possibly have its origin in comets, may be successful in those 

cases where the impact point can be determined with reasonable accuracy. 

An analysis of radar echo characteristics from meteor trails was made by the Radio 

Meteor Project. 

observational selection effects. 

uation of the basic meteor data for meteor astronomy and the physics of the meteor 

process, and of the impact hazard to astronauts and space vehicles. 

It established the nature of the radar return and yielded data on 

These effects are of critical importance in the evalCOMETARY STUDIES 

On July 3 the astrophysical observing station in Australia confirmed the discovery 

of the new comet, Mitchell-Jones-Cerber (1967d). The Baker-Nunn network routinely photographs all comets within its optical capabilities and immediately reports 

comet positions to the International Astronomical Union Central Telegraph Bureau. 

The data received are used to update individual comet orbits for continued observations. 

A study has been made of the group of Sun-grazing comets, of which Comet IkeyaSeki, widely observed in the autumn of 1965, is a member. It appears that there 

are two definite subgroups, the members of each having separated from each other 

during their last two or three revolutions about the Sun. The two subgroups themselves represent similar separations some 10 to 20 revolutions (7,500 to 15,000 

years) ago. 

The orbits of many of the short-period comets are also being investigated. 

light has been shed on the nongravitational forces claimed to be acting on these 

comets. 

those acting on comets that appear to have lost the greater part of their dust. 

More 

The forces acting on the diffuse, dusty comets are very much larger than 

GAMMA-RAY ASTRONOMY 

A vidicon spark chamber was flown in a high-altitude balloon to search for cosmic 

gamma radiation with energy greater than 100 million electron volts. 

from specific celestial sources was detected; however, a new upper limit to the flux 

from the Crab Nebula was established. 

the flight, but no gamma radiation was detected. 

No radiation 

A solar flare (type 2) also occurred during 

A large optical reflector, 34 feet in diameter, designed to detect the Cerenkov 

radiation produced in the night sky by cosmic gamma rays in the lo1' to 10l2 

electron volt region, is being built for operation in the spring of 1968. 

ment is located on the 7,600-foot level of Mount Hopkins, Arizona. 

The instruLUNAR AND PLANETARY STUDIES 

Consideration of the deep- space vacuum surrounding the Moon and measurements 

of surface materials by SURVEYOR and LUNA landings, as well as microwave 

thermal observations, are consistent with a lunar surface free from liquid water to 

a considerable depth. Such dry surface material of basalt or other rocks similar to 

those in the Earth's crust should be transparent to radio waves, particularly of 

longer wavelengths. Tests of this 

idea can be made by means of transmitters on Earth and a circumlunar satellite 

containing appropriate receivers. 

The Moon may thus form a spherical radio lens. 

A successful conclusion of such tests will 

102 
determine how to communicate between lunar landing parties; the lunar crust might 

be used as the ionosphere is used on Earth. 

The remarkably clear photographs taken by NASA's five lunar orbiters show features 

that raise the curious possibility that water may once have existed on the surface of 

the Moon. Hundreds of meandering lunar valleys that probably once contained rivers 

that drained into the drying seas were left as the water either evaporated into space 

or sank back into the cooling lunar interior. 

also once have possessed an atmosphere. 

peared into space as rapidly as once thought. 

of 100 million years. 

If it once had water, the Moon must 

It could have persisted for upward 

This atmosphere would not have disapInvestigation of the planet Venus has led to the suggestion that the radio emission 

from that planet may be from its surface. Surface temperatures varying over the 

disc between 400 and 900°K were predicted, along with surface pressures of some 

tens of bars. It was also concluded that the high surface temperatures can be explained by an atmospheric greenhouse effect, provided the atmosphere of Venus 

contains a few tenths of a percent of water vapor. 

must be composed at least in part of ice crystals. 

parently confirmed by the capsule from the Soviet VENUS 4 space vehicle, which 

reported a nightside temperature of about 550°K, a pressure of about 22 bars, and 

a few tenths of a percent of water vapor in the atmosphere. 

In this case, the clouds of Venus 

All these predictions were apThe Martian surface may be composed in significant part of the mineral geothite, a 

hydrated iron oxide similar to rust. 

are larger than those in the bright areas, and the seasonal changes appear to be due 

to changes in the particle size rather than in the composition of the dark areas. A 

theoretical discussion shows that dust storms on Mars may be frequent and that the 

annual exchange of fine -dust particles between highlands and lowlands may account 

for the seasonal and other changes previously attributed to life on Mars. 

analysis in no way excludes life on Mars; it merely underscores the difficulty in 

detecting life on Mars over very great distances. 

The particle sizes in the dark areas of Mars 

Such an 

Another telescopic observation of Mars shows that its atmosphere is composed 

almost entirely of carbon dioxide and that the total atmospheric pressure is about 

6/ 1,000 that on the Earth. 

high spectral resolution. 

This observation was made with an interferometer of 

The radio emission from Mercury may be understood in terms of the orbital geometry of Mercury and a lunar-type surface. 

Theoretical and laboratory investigations of Jupiter suggest that complex organic 

molecules may be being produced there at significant rates by electrical discharges 

and solar ultraviolet radiation. 

103 
Th 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION CHAPTER 

XI 

INTRODUCTION 

rtment of Tran portation was created by the Department of Transportation 

Act of 1966 (approved October 15), and began operations on April 1, 1967. On the 

latter date the Federal Aviation Agency became a major component of the new 

Department as the Federal Aviation Administration. 

the Department appropriate to this report fall within the missions of FAA, and 

center on insuring safe and efficient utilization of the Nation's airspace and otherwise fostering civil aeronautics and air commerce. 

All aeronautics activities of 

During 1967, both airline transport and general aviation continued their remarkable 

growth trend of recent years. 

bilities, the FAA continued to pursue or sponsor a variety of aeronautical research 

and development programs. 

To keep pace with the resultant increase in responsiAVIATION SAFETY RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 

FAA's primary mission is to insure aviation safety. 

special objective during the year aimed at: making the aircraft a safer vehicle, in 

flight and in crash landings; widening the safety margin for operations on or in the 

vicinity of airports; and making better accommodation for human factors involved 

in safety. 

R&D programs having this 

In-Flight Safety 

R&D efforts aimed at improving in-flight safety of aircraft sought better ways of 

dealing with the following causes of accidents: 

a. Engine fire. Tests that had been in progress for the past two years 

on protection of powerplant installation in current four -engine air 

transports were completed, and the final report will be issued .early 

in Calendar 1968. 

b. Lightning strikes. During the years the final report was issued on 

a program that investigated characteristics of natural lightning by 

triggering lightning strikes on a specially equipped research ship 

(17 such strikes were triggered in the summer of 1966). Final 

reports were also issued on fuel-air mixtures in aircraft fuel tanks 

under flight conditions, and lightning hazards to aircraft fuel-system 

vents . 

104 
c. Unexpected stall or spin. In response to the continued large number 

of fatal stall-spin accidents in general-aviation flying, FAA initiated 

a comprehensive study to find the most effective type of indicator to 

warn light-aircraft pilots of airspeed decline toward the point where 

stall-spin will result. 

during Fiscal 1968. 

The project is scheduled to be completed 

d. Light-plane design characteristics. In a cooperative effort with the 

Civil Aeronautics Board, FAA used statistical analysis to investigate 

those features of light-plane design that might have increased the 

probability of pilot error in accidents; the final report on this project 

was issued in Calendar 1967. 

e. Training for general-aviation pilots. Improved training curricula and 

more effective methods of testing applicants for private pilot certification are expected to result from a survey being made to determine 

actual patterns of flights in local and cross-country general aviation 

flying. Another project is developing a curriculum that incorporates 

training for instrument ratings with training for the private pilot's 

certificate, in an effort to encourage qualification for instrument 

ratings at the earliest stage of the pilot's flying career. 

f. Mid-air collisions between aircraft. FAA's R&D efforts on this 

problem during 1967 were marked by: 

industry conferences to develop national standards for components of 

one type of airborne collision-avoidance system that may be operating 

in future civil-military systems of airborne-collision prevention and 

air navigation and traffic control; and (2) conducting of over-ocean flight 

tests of three types of equipment for measuring aircraft-to-aircraft 

distance as part of a separation-assurance system (tests thus far indicate a useful operational potential in such equipment to assist in 

reducing ove r - ocean lateral s eparation standards ). 

(1) participation in Governmentg. Aircraft sabotage. 

safety problem in the operation of civil transport aircraft, FAA has 

had for the past several years a program aimed at developing a 

chemosensing technique for detecting concealed explosives. 

In its continuous effort to find a solution to this 

h. Hazardous weather conditions. 

flected in losses to scheduled air carriers exceeding $20 million 

during the last five years as a result of accidents caused by extreme 

turbulence, hail, or lightning. Turbulence is most often associated 

with thunderstorms and line squalls but may, infrequently, be encountered in clear air. 

with the Environmental Science Services Administration, the development of radar techniques for detecting hazardous storms (one such 

technique already developed is Doppler-radar mapping of gust velocities) 

and preparation of guides to assist air traffic controllers and pilots in 

correctly interpreting the data presented by such techniques on their 

radarscopes; (2) collected reports resulting from completed testing of an 

infrared detector that is undergoing privately financed developm,ent; 

(3) continued to serve on the National Committee on Clear Air Turbulence 

The magnitude of this problem is reDuring 1967, FAA (1) continued, in cooperatiyn 

10 5 
until completion of the committee's final report and the committee's 

dissolution; and (4) began participation in formulating a Federal clean 

air turbulence plan. 

i. Aircraft wake turbulence. 

can be a hazard to smaller aircraft under certain conditions. 

R&D effort in this area is aimed at: 

behind the aircraft, (2) determining effect on encountering aircraft, 

and (3) seeking a practical solution. 

cluded compilation of data on the size and strength of vortexes and 

examination of vortex motion and decay. 

Turbulence in the wake of a large aircraft 

FAA's 

(1) categorizing the vortex flow 

Work accomplished in 1967 inPostcrash Safety 

To increase the safety of aircraft following crash landings, FAA aimed R&D efforts 

at: 

a. Better fuel containment. Improved bladder cells and quick-closing 

valves, designed to resist fuel spillage under survivable crash conditions, were being tested in typical large-aircraft tanks; improved 

integral fuel tanks designed to meet the same conditions were also being 

tested. This program is scheduled to be completed in Fiscal 1969. 

b. Development of standards for aircraft-cabin interior materials. Such 

materials, including those in current use and new materials proposed 

for use in transport aircraft, are continuously being tested to determine their flammability and their smoke and toxic-gas characteristics; 

during 1967, 150 materials were tested and reported on. 

c. Quicker emergency evacuation of aircraft cabins. Following a feasibility study conducted in Calendar 1966, design of an emergency exist 

system using explosive techniques was under way in Calendar 1967, 

with full-scale testing of the concept scheduled for Fiscal 1968. 

d. Prevention of postcrash catastrophic fires through thickened fuels. 

Continuing work under way for several years, FAA in Calendar 1967 

sought to establish a rating system for controlling ,flammable fuels; a 

547 aircraft engine (a jet type) was successfully operated on gelled 

fuels. In over 100 tests, FAA investigated burning characteristics of 

different types of modified fuels under impact conditions; work will begin 

early in Calendar 1968 toward determining the compatibility of thickened 

fuels with the entire fuel system of a typical four-engine jet aircraft. A 

major milestone in this research will be full-scale crash tests of controlled-flammability fuels in Fiscal 1969. 

e. Incorporation of greater crash survivability in aircraft design. During 

Calendar 1967, an analytical computer technique was developed that can 

be used to predict fuselage behavior under stresses of a crash. Scalemodel tests in this area of research are scheduled for Fiscal 1968. 

Air DO r t Safe tv 

Notable problems affecting operational safety of aircraft at or in the vicinity of airports and FAA's efforts in 1967 for better solutions included: 

10 6 
a. 

b. 

C. 

d. 

e. 

f. 

Snow removal. An engineering requirement for airport snow removal 

was developed, and negotiations were begun with the U. S. Air Force 

and the Royal Canadian Air Force for cooperation in carrying this work 

forward. 

Runway slush measurement. 

final report, which concluded that application of these techniques to 

civil airports is not feasible. 

Available techniques were analyzed in a 

Efficacy of airport firefighting equipment and techniques. 

and foams were evaluated and adequate fire protection was defined in 

terms of discharge rates, total quantities, and types of agents. 

Short-of-runway landings. 

pression fence, a safety device to minimize landing in the undershoot area. 

Bird hazards. 

for reducing the hazard of aircraft collision with birds in or near airports. 

Dry chemicals 

Criteria were developed for an airport imA contractor's report was issued with recommendations 

Runway traction under wet and slippery conditions. Previous FAA experimentation having indicated that such traction would be improved by 

grooving of runways, the agency continued experimentation in 1967 to 

determine optimum groove patterns, beginning surface tests of 18 

groove patterns; completion is scheduled for Fiscal 1969. 

runway at Washington National Airport was grooved during Calendar 1967 

The principal 

Aeromedical Research in Aviation Safety 

The above-described efforts were complemented by an approach through aeromedical research to many aviation safety problems, including: 

a. Post-crash smoke and fire. 

hood with aluminum coating to protect individual passengers in a crashed 

aircraft against inhalation of smoke or noxious gases, damage to vision, 

or head burns. 

tested it on typical passengers. 

In 1966 the agency developed a polyamide 

In Calendar 1967 FAA developed a prototype hood and 

b. Emergency escape from large aircraft. Human responses to improved 

emergency equipment (slides, exit design) are being determined in 

relation to seating capacities of jumbo jets and SST's, in a program 

started in 1966 and scheduled for completion in 1969. 

c. Human body tolerances to impact. 

this program during 1967 added information on tolerances at a number 

of points on the human head, chest, abdomen, and limbs. Resulting 

data are to be used by aircraft designers for modifying aircraft instrument panels and seat backs so that they are less dangerous to 

passengers on impact. 

Continuing work begun in 1965, 

d. Cosmic rays at SST altitudes. 

assess the cosmic-ray environment to which SST passengers will be 

exposed. In 1967, special measurements of cosmic-ray parameters 

were made from B-57 aircraft at SST altitudes. 

A program begun in 1966 seeks to 

107 
e. Crop-dusting pilot exposure to pesticides. 

ures, FAA is studying effects of convulsant pesticides on specific parts 

of the nervous system; in 1967, centers of the brain most directly 

affected by certain crop-dusting or crop-spraying chemicals were 

localized. 

To guide preventive meas - 

f. Work-rest scheduling for U.S. Forest Service pilots. Data from physiological assessment of pilots before, during, and after long flights combating actual fires have been turned over to the Forest Service to help 

guide effective use of pilots in emergencies. 

AIRSPACE USE AND CONTROL 

The continuing efforts to modernize the air traffic control subsystem of the National 

Airspace System (NAS) apply in two general areas: en-route and terminal. 

route aircraft flying under instrument flight rules (IFR) are controlled by air route 

traffic-control centers (ARTCC's). Aircraft departing from or preparing to land 

at airports (terminals) are controlled by airport traffic-control towers. For control 

of aircraft in both the en-route and terminal phases of flight, modernization involves 

substantial automation of the processes by which the centers and towers receive 

initially and keep current the information (such as aircraft identity, altitude, and 

flight-plan progress) needed to control air traffic within their jurisdictions. 

EnModernization of Air Traffic Control at Centers 

Modernization of the en-route phase of air-traffic control involved during 1967, as 

it did in 1966, steps to provide interim relief in the congested New York City area, 

and further progress on the first field installation of the NAS En Route Stage A 

advanced-,design equipment at the Jacksonville (Fla. ) ARTCC. 

At the New York ARTCC, a configuration called NYCBAN (New York Center beacon 

alphanumerics) was constructed with the aid of the experience and knowledge gained 

from the SPAN (stored-program alphanumerics) field appraisal, described in earlier 

reports, and the actual hardware and software from the SPAN configuration. NYCBAN is in limited operation. Its functional capabilities, appraised against probably 

the most difficult radar beacon and traffic control environment in the United States, 

have revealed deficiencies that must be corrected before the configuration can be of 

maximum usefulness. 

of 1967. 

Work on the necessary improvements began in the latter part 

At the Jacksonville ARTCC, site preparation for installing the NAS En Route Stage A 

Subsystem was completed, all major hardware items were installed, and initial 

testing was conducted. 

gration, computer program, system shakedown testing, and operational changeover 

was prepared. 

A system integration and checkout plan for hardware inteSystem testing will take place over the next year. 

Elements of the NAS En Route Stage A Subsystem will be thoroughly tested in a 

"tzst" environment at FAA's National Aviation Facilities Experimental Center 

(NAFEC), Atlantic City, N. J., before operational use in the Itlivett field facility 

at Jacksonville. For this purpose, a System Support Facility and a NAS Control 

Office were established at NAFEC. 

was installed and accepted, and hardware integration was virtually completed. 

All hardware for the System Support Facility 

108 
Contract commitments were made for all the major hardware for the entire Stage A 

program following Jacksonville. 

various other ARTCC's (and thus automation of en-route air-traffic control) across 

the contiguous United States is expected to be completed in the early 1970's. 

Installation of the Stage A Subsystem at the 

Modernization of Air Traffic Control at Terminals 

The system description was completed for TRACON M, the - terminal radar approach 

- control system for major metropolitan terminal complexes. 

large part use hardware components of the NAS En Route Stage A Subsystem. 

This system wyll in 

The TRACON M program, however, was placed in abeyance during the year, and 

resources were redeployed to the more general problem of air-traffic control at 

medium-density terminals. Description and specifications were completed for a 

beacon-tracking modular and expandable system that will include functional capability required at medium-density terminals, and a request for proposals from 

industry was issued. For lower-density terminals equipped with beacons, the DAIR 

(direct altitude and identity readout) configuration (described in the 1966 report) has 

been designed; during 1967, a joint civil-military contract was negotiated for development and production of a DAIR prototype. 

Subject to availability of funds, test and evaluation of the basic DAIR prototype is 

scheduled for completion in Calendar 1968. Similarly, the first equipment of the 

beacon-tracking system mentioned above is scheduled for installation at a major 

terminal in 1969, with follow-on installation at 61 field locations by 1972. 

OTHER PROGRAMS FOSTERING CIVIL AERONAUTICS 

The Civil Supersonic Transport Program 

During 1967 the highlight of the Government-industry effort to build a U. S. civil 

supersonic transport aircraft was President Johnson's decision, announced April 

29, to proceed with Phase 111, the prototype development phase. This decision was 

based on the recommendation of the President's Advisory Committee on Supersonic 

Transport. Phase 11, the design competition phase, ended December 31, 1966. 

On May 1 FAA, which has been managing the SST development program on behalf of 

the Government, signed with the winner of the airframe-design competition and the 

winner of the engine-design competition contracts calling for development of two 

identical SST prototypes. 

Under their terms the Government will contribute 90 percent of all normal "allowable" costs, and the manufacturers, 10 percent. The manufacturers' share will 

rise to 25 percent in case of any "allowablett overruns above a specified contract 

amount, with the Government's share shrinking to 75 percent. 

must bear all costs which, though normal in commercial programs, are "nonallowable" under Federal Procurement Regulations. 

contracts, the Government will recover its investment in the program by about the 

sale of the 300th aircraft, plus a share of sales above 300. 

Both contracts were made retroactive to January 1. 

The manufacture>s 

Under a royalty plan in. the 

Other developments in the SST program included: 

a. Announcement, in late April, that 10 U. S. air carriers had agreed to 

financing the prototype program. This was to be done through 

109 
contributions of a million dollars in risk capital for each delivery 

position held on the SST reservation schedule. The resulting investment of $52 million will be used for program expenses in Fiscal 1968 

in lieu of Government funds that otherwise would have had to be appropriated. 

b. Announcement, in June, that the airframe contractor had agreed to 

take over from FAA responsibility for allocating SST delivery positions 

to purchasers. The same announcement stated that the contractor 

will require a deposit of $750,000 in risk capital for each new delivery 

position, these funds to be applied to the program in lieu of Government 

funds. 

recovery by the airlines through the royalty agreement in the prototype 

development contract. 

These deposits will bear no interest but will be subject to 

All-Weather Landing Systems (AWLS) 

 the^ ultimate goal of an all-weather landing system is to make aircraft operations 

independent of visibility conditions caused by weather. R&D work toward that goal 

takes place in three technical areas: 

which emits guidance signals pertaining to an aircraft's angle of descent, deviation 

from alignment with the runway centerline, and distance from runway touchdown; 

(2) the airborne subsystem, which includes guidance displays (from the signals), 

fail-safe monitors to inform the pilot how the subsystem is functioning, automatic 

devices and flight-control systems to relieve the pilot of some of the work of landing, and an override capability for manual operation of automatic flight controls; 

and (3) the airport guidance subsystem, which includes lights or other devices 

capable of providing guidance to aircraft under low -visibility conditions from touchdown to ramp. 

three technical areas. 

guidance system is scheduled for completion by the end of 1969. 

(1) the electronic ground-based subsystem 

A perfected AWLS must integrate equipment developed in these 

Subject to availability of funds, a limited all-weather 

Progress in 1967 included: 

a. In the electronic ground-based subsystem: procurement and 

satisfactory testing of developmental hardware for the first phase 

of this subsystem, including such major components as localizer, 

glide slope, marker beacon, precision distance measuring (DME), 

system test, and monitor indicators and control equipments. 

b. In the airborne subsystem: flight tests and simulation experiments 

that produced conclusive data on the configuration of airborne equipment necessary for the high degree of reliability this type of operation 

requires, though further development and testing is necessary to 

refine some of the elements found inadequate. 

c. In the airport lighting subsystem: performance of fog-chamber tests 

and analyses of airport lighting under low-visibility approach, landing, 

and taxiing conditions; award of a development contract for highintensity flush flashers (i. e. , flashing lights flush with the runway) 

for displaced thresholds. 

110 
Other Proiects 

Progress was also made in Calendar 1967 on the following: 

a. 

b. 

C. 

d. 

e. 

Area navigation. Several types of area navigation, developed to 

overcome the radial-flying limitation, were tested with satisfactory 

results. 

"Self- contained" navigation. 

systems are recognized as a requirement in both subsonic and 

supersonic aircraft. During the year, transoceanic flight tests on 

a worldwide basis were completed. In November, the first domestic 

cross-country jet flight using dual inertial navigators was completed. 

Inertial "self -contained" navigation 

Simulation studies of SST operations. Conclusions were: (1) One-way 

tracks should be provided for quick descent of SST aircraft to lower 

altitudes in non-radar environments, and (2) vectoring or rerouting 

of subsonic aircraft will occasionally be necessary to get them out of 

the way of straight-route unrestricted SST transoceanic acceleration. 

Long-range air-ground radio-frequency systems. 

at improving communications between ground stations and aircraft 

flying ocean routes, a high-gain system consisting of VHF and UHF 

transmitters was installed in Hawaii and achieved communication with 

aircraft at ranges up to 600 nautical miles on VHF and 550 nautical 

miles on UHF. 

further experimentation. 

In a project aimed 

A moderate-gain system was installed at NAFEC for 

Large-screen display of air traffic control data (Eidophor). 

Eidophor is equipment permitting large- screen display of radar 

targets (aircraft) for viewing by controllers and supervisory personnel controlling air traffic in congested areas. In October, the 

Eidophor was installed in a facility for centralizing radar control of 

air traffic in the New York metropolitan airspace. 

The 

111 
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS 

COMMISSION 

INTR 0 DU CTION 

CHAPTER 

XI1 

The global communications satellite system continued to expand dur-ig 1967, as additional countries joined the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium, 

additional satellites were launched, and new Earth terminal stations were in various 

stages of planning and construction in many parts of the world. As of December 31, 

1967, 60 countries had become members of the International Telecommunications 

Satellite Consortium. Two satellites were placed in orbit over the Pacific and an 

additional satellite was placed in orbit over the Atlantic. Additional Earth terminal 

stations are being built in the United States and Europe, and new stations are being 

constructed or planned in Mexico, Central and South America, Africa and Asia. 

REGULATORY ACTIVITIES 

The Commission on June 2, 1967, granted authority to the Communications Satellite 

Corporation ( ComSat) , American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T), ITT 

World Communications Inc. (ITT Worldcorn), RCA Communications, Inc. (RCAC), 

and Western Union International, Inc. (WUI), to construct a communications satellite Earth station near Rowle sburg, We st Virginia, to provide communication services between the U. S. mainland and Europe, South America, Africa, and other 

Atlantic and Caribbean locations. 

same communications companie s to construct a communications satellite Earth station near Jame sburg, California, to supply communication services between the 

U. S. mainland and South America, Hawaii, and other points in the Pacific. 

On June 19, 1967, authority was granted to the 

On July 20, 1967, the Commission authorized ComSat, ITT Cable and Radio Inc. - 

Puerto Rico, ITT Worldcom, RCAC and WUI tb construct a communications satellite Earth station near Cayey, Puerto Rico. 

services between Puerto Rico and the U. S. mainland, South America, Europe, and 

other Atlantic area locations. 

It is intended to provide communication 

The foregoing station facilities were authorized pursuant to an interim joint Earthstation owner ship policy recently established by the Commission under which 

ComSat and common carriers in international service would be jointly licensed for 

U. S. Earth stations. These new stations, together with the existing stations at 

Andover, Maine, Brewster Flat, Washington, and Paumalu, Hawaii, will be operated 

by the joint licensees with the global communications satellite system contemplated 

by the Communications Satellite Act of 1962. Services include multi-channel telephony, telegraph, facsimile, high- speed data, and both color and monochrome 

television. 

112 
The Commission authorized ComSat to participate with its partners in the Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (INTELSAT) in the commercial operation of 

four satellites during 1967. 

The Commission's Notice of Inquiry, instituted March 3, 1966, relating to the possible use of communication satellites for domestic use, was extended, on the application of one of the parties, to permit filing of additional comments by September 18, 

1967. 

reply comments in the Notice of Inquiry. 

A total of 34 companies, associations or individuals have filed comments or 

FREQUENCY -SHARING CRITERIA AND INTERNATIONAL 

COORDINATION OF FREQUENCY USAGE 

In order to permit communication satellite service to share the use of certain microwave bands employed by terre stria1 service s, internationally agreed-upon sharing 

criteria were evolved and adopted domestically in the Commission's rules in the 

form of various technical limitations applicable to the non-government space service 8. 

This interference protection is based on power limitations, permissible angles of 

elevation for Earth- station antennas, geographic separation of stations in the sharing 

service and the coordination of proposed frequency assignments. 

These criteria are being studied continuously with the aim of further refining them. 

Increased attention is being given to the potentially serious problems of off-path 

scatter interference. 

work as members of the preparatory committee on U. S. Study Group IV of the 

International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR). The CCIR is under the aegis 

of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), for which it conducts studies 

and makes recommendations on radio technical matters. 

meeting of Study Group IV is scheduled to convene in Geneva September 18 - 

October 8, 1968. 

Commission staff members are participating in this and other 

The next international 

At the request of INTELSAT, the Commission coordinates with all administrations 

representing parties to the Interim Agreement the proposed frequency usage and 

physical deployment of INTELSAT satellites to be used in the global communication 

satellite system. 

in the space segment of the system, the Commission notifies the International 

Frequency Registration Board (IFRB) of the International Telecommunication Union 

Following general agreement on the frequencies to be employed 

(ITU), on behalf of all concurring administrations, so that the 

information in its Master International Frequency Register. 

AERONAUTICAL DEVELOPMENT 

The Commission, in discharging its statutory responsibilities 

government uses of radio for aviation, prescribes the manner 

ITU can enter the 

with respect to nonand conditions under 

which frequencies may be assigned for aeronautical telecommunications. This include s flight-test telecommunications and telemetry functions used in the development and production of missiles, rockets, and satellites as well as aircraft. In 

addition the Commission assigns frequencies to aircraft radio stations, aeronautical 

enroute, radionavigation, aeronautical advisory, and other stations comprising the 

aviation radio service s. 

113 
Commission staff representatives have continued working nationally with other government agencies and the aviation industry, and internationally with the International 

Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), towards the development of system parameters 

and the application of space radiocommunication techniques to help satisfy the communication requirement s of domestic and international civil aviation. 

The air transport industry, under the authorization of the Commission, continued 

during 1967 tests begun in 1966 to assess the relative merits of AM versus FM 

emission techniques and normal power versus substantially higher power aboard 

aircraft as elements between a communication aeronautical station and aircraft via 

satellite. 

programs and of techniques to be used in aeronautical satellite communications. 

The Commission staff continued study of the results of the continuing test 

The Commission staff representatives have participated in the preparation of material submitted by the United States Delegation to the various International Civil 

Aviation Organization (ICAO) Meetings. 

The Commission authorized Aeronautical Radio, Inc. , and various scheduled airline s to participate in tests using NASA's APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SATELLITE 

(ATS). 

tions were exchanged, relayed via satellite, between ground terminals and aircraft 

in the Pacific. 

An additional test program using a different ATS over the Atlantic was in progress 

at year's end. 

During 1967, tests using the ATS were continued. Satisfactory communicaResults of these tests are being studied by the Commission staff. 

Commission representatives are helping to prepare for the forthcoming ICAO Limited 

European/Mediterranean (EUM) RAC/Com (VHF) Meeting in Paris during the first 

quarter of 1968, which will treat aeronautical satellite systems. It is also participating in the U. S. position and documentation for the Ad Hoc Group on aeronautical 

satellite matters of the Interim Communications Satellite Committee of INTELSAT. 

SPACE TECHNIQUES FOR THE MARITIME MOBILE SERVICE 

The Commission, working with the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) , the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR), ComSat, 

industry and other government agencies, is studying the potential value of adapting 

satellite relay techniques to the communications requirements of the maritime mobile service. 

During early 1967, tests in which VHF communications were relayed via satellite 

(ATS-1) between a U. S. Coast Guard ship and U. S. ground terminals were conducted. These tests, primarily of an operational nature, used equipment aboard 

the ship which was previously used aboard an aircraft for similar tests in the 

Pacific. 

World Administrative Radio Conference ( WARC). 

The success of these tests provided motivation for a proposal to the ITU 

At the WARC of the International Telecommunication Union, held in Geneva 

September-November, 1967, the United States presented proposals for the use of 

space techniques for the maritime mobile service. The conference adopted Recommendation No. GG, developed from the U. S. proposal. The recommendation is to 

encourage the study by administrations, IMCO and the CCIR, of early development 

of a system to improve communication and to enhance the safety of life and property 

at sea, using space communications techniques. 

114 
INTR 0 DU C TION 

It is USIA, through wireless news, movies, television, photos, exhibits, and other 

media, that carries the U. S. space story to the world. Working through 225 posts 

in 104 countries, the staff of the U. S. Information Service reported space operations, 

events and achievements via these media throughout the year. 

Space was the outstanding feature of the U. S. exhibit at Expo 67 at Montreal, prepared by USIA, and visited by 9 million people. Over 500,000 people observed the 

U. S. spacecraft displayed at the Paris Air Show, world showcase of aerospace. 

The same number came to see the GEMINI 10 spacecraft during its three-city tour 

of Japan, while another half-million visited the spacecraft in 25 Australian cities. 

Manned'space was the key to such interest, and while the U. S. flew no manned 

flights, man in space was still big news. The successful test of the SATURN V 

lunar rocket and the APOLLO heat shield at re-entry speed on the APOLLO 4 mission projected as the outstanding achievement of the year. The APOLLO accident, 

the investigating board's report and the changes made in the spacecraft all received 

major attention. So did the Soviet space accident. 

tention to the activation of the space treaty, the SURVEYOR and ORBITER missions, 

and to BIOSAT- 1 and the APPLICATIONS TECHNOLOGY SATELLITES. 

But the Agency gave equal atGUIDELINES 

In treating space news, posts and Agency media sought: 

a. 

b. 

C. 

d. 

To utilize U. S. space achievements so as to underscore world 

scientific leader ship and American strength. 

To make clear that the U. S. seeks not just to land a man on the 

Moon, but to develop all phases of space technology- -space science, 

manned and instrumented exploration, and space applications- -to 

produce benefits for man. 

To establish that the U. S. is dedicated to peace in space through 

measures for the rule of law and arms control in space, and through 

cooperating with other nations in developing space for peaceful uses. 

To establish that the U. S. is committed to cooperate with other 

nations to develop space for peaceful uses--by conducting joint 

space investigations and experiments, by joint activities for 

115 
e. 

f. 

g* 

h. 

i. 

j. 

obtaining global measurements from space, and by providing experience for foreign scientists and agencies in space science and 

te chnolo gy. 

To demonstrate that the U. S. conducts its civilian manned space 

operations openly and makes space findings available to all. 

To make clear that space failures can and will occur in a program 

that is experimental in nature and unprecedented in scope, and 

challenge s the unknown. 

To establish that the U. S. still hopes to land astronauts on the Moon 

by the end of the decade despite the delays resulting from the 

January, 1967, APOLLO mishap at Cape Kennedy--delays during 

which the spacecraft has been redesigned and new inspection procedures installed. As always, safety will take precedence over 

schedule in setting future flight dates. 

To demonstrate the range and innovations of U. S. space technology, 

and its value in the everyday lives of men. 

To show that space technology is being developed to put space to 

work for man - through extending scientific knowledge, advancing 

the industrial arts, and building useful and practical applications. 

To portray the NASA civilian-directed program as non-military in 

nature, developing space for peaceful purposes. At the same time 

Department of Defense military-directed space activitie s--communications and navigation satellite s, MANNED ORBITING LABORATORY 

and missile systems--are described as peaceful programs in that 

they strengthen the free world and afford it peaceful options. 

LEADERSHIP IN SPACE 

Both the U. S. and the Soviet Union suffered a space disaster and registered major 

achievements. While the Cape Kennedy fire set the U. S. manned program back by 

over a year, it did not produce a psychological disaster abroad. 

were mourned by the world as a universal loss, and despite the investigating board's 

frankness in fixing the blame, the U. S. space image was only temporarily damaged. 

The dead astronauts 

The Soviet's VENUS 4 reduced the achievement of MARINER 5 in the public eye, and 

the automatic docking of two Soviet spacecraft reaffirmed that the Soviet program 

was still ambitious and active. The successful APOLLO 4 mission that followed, 

however, more than countered previous psychological gains by the Russians. 

cussing the audacity of holding the first SATURN V test in public, the Sunday 

Telegraph of London remarked, "When the Russians get to that stage with their own 

hitherto secretive program, they can begin to talk about triumphs on Earth as well 

as in outer space. It 

Dis116 
TREATMENT 

APOLLO Program 

Agency media covered the APOLLO 4 mission as a major event. 

America covered the launch live in World-Wide English, while all other language 

desks carried news, analyses, comment and reports from launch to recovery. Posts 

were prepared to capitalize on the event by an APOLLO lecture kit with slides, among 

other materials. 

The Voice of 

Other aspects of manned space received extended attention from the Voice, which 

did 17 individual broadcasts of "U. S. Moon Program Begins, It 42 of "GEMINI 9, I' 

18 of "Newest Astronauts, It 3 of "How to Feed an Astronaut, It 17 of "A Hospital in 

Space, and 19 of "After APOLLO - What?" There were 62 individual broadcasts 

on the APOLLO accident, 39 on the astronaut funerals, 11 clarifying the causes of 

their death, 12 on changes made in the spacecraft, and 9 of a discussion by the 

astronauts of the spacecraft and its future. 

The Agency's wireless service sent to newspapers and U. S. missions abroad 

21 stories, totaling 10,250 words, on the APOLLO program. 

erage a series of five articles, "The Current Status of America's Manned Space 

Flight Program, It was prepared. 

of the U. S. space exhibit, was distributed in 3,289 copies. 

For background covA paper show on Expo 67, showing four pictures 

An Agency film production, '!Behind the Spaceman, 

orders ever for USIS: 641. Shown around the clock at the Paris Air Show, the film 

tells the story of the ordinary men and women whose combined efforts make U. S. 

manned space possible. One post described it as "an excellent film that tells more 

about the space program than most of the previous documentaries on launchings put 

together. 

had one of the largest print 

The film has been distributed in 28 languages. 

SURVEYORS and ORBITERS 

SURVEYORS 3, 5, and 6, and LUNAR ORBITERS 3, 4, and 5 were presented as outstanding, successful space technology projects, having virtually completed their 

principal assignment of scouting astronaut landing sites. 

were widely serviced, posts getting 2,457 prints and 2, 665 plastic plates of 

SURVEYOR pictures, while the wire service carried 22 stories on the Moon landers. 

ORBITER pictures went out in the amount of 4,437 prints, plus 5, 330 plastic plates. 

Photos from both series 

MARINER 5 

This remarkable probe of the environment of Venus, .which occurred almost simdltaneously with the soft landing of the Soviet VENERA 4 on the planet, was treated as 

of equal scientific importance --if somewhat less spectacular. 

that results from the two missions were basically complementary, and that the 

seeming contradictions would ultimately be worked out by scientists from both 

nations. Also, while the Soviet soft landing was a considerable feat, previous U. S. 

accomplishments in interplanetary exploration were equally impressive in their way, 

and the only such successes until VENEIEA 4. 

It was pointed out 

117 
Space Treaty 

The outer space treaty received extensive treatment when, on October 10, it became 

effective. 

by President Johnson; a major measure towards keeping the peace; and the beginning, 

not the end, of a process of meaningful cooperation with the Soviets on space matters. 

The President's remark that the first space decade had witnessed a kind of contest, 

while the next one "should increasingly become a partnership, was the keynote for 

future media comment in this area. 

Agency media pointed out that the treaty was a response to an initiative 

Press and Publications 

U. S. space activities are an integral component of the Agencyls Press Service output. 

80,000 words. On space findings and international space cooperation, for example, 

there were 27 stories. 

The wireless file through the year carried 190 stories on space, totaling 

Fast news pictures airmailed to posts by pouch included, besides APOLLO/SATURN, 

SURVEYORS, and LUNAR ORBITERS, INTELSAT, ESRO, OSO, OGO, BIOSAT, 

MOL, and the U. S. space exhibit at Expo, with the latter group totaling 21 newspictures, two transparencies, and three plastics. (Each black and white picture 

serviced by the Agency goes to 149 posts in 189 prints and 95 copy negatives, each 

color transparency to 50 posts in 74 duplicates, and each plate to 87 posts in 2,665 

plastic plate s. ) 

U. S. space was surveyed in a ten-part feature packet, "American in Space: the 

First Ten Years. It Other background coverage included 18 items in "Monthly Science 

Notes", seven "Science Today" columns, eight special articles, and 12 byliner s by 

leaders in the space field. 

"America Illustrated" carried to Russian and Polish readers in its October issue a 

painting of Astronaut Gordon Cooper on the cover and articles on Cape Kennedy, 

Dr. Robert Goddard, APOLLO, GEMINI, space benefits, and application satellites. 

"Topic" told African readers about Project APOLLO and the Houston Manned Spacecraft Center, and carried two features of pictures taken from space. 

In the pamphlets area, "Destination: The Moon" was updated through the GEMINI 

program, while a pamphlet by Leonard Marks, Director of USIA, entitled "Communications Satellites: 

French, and Portuguese--132,322 copies in all. A four-page leaflet on U. S. 

weather satellites, and another on the U. S. role in space will be distributed early 

in 1968. 

What Role in Education? It, was printed in English, Spanish, 

Radio 

Space is regularly covered in daily news bulletins by all elements of the Voice of 

America. In addition, the News and Current Affairs Division, central source of 

scripts on space that are used by World- Wide English Division and translated and 

broadcast by the 36 foreign language services of the Voice, issued 107 such scripts. 

The language services turned out 982 more for a grand VOA total of 1,089 scripts 

on space. 

118 
These individual scripts, however, can be and are used many times. 

and Current Affairs' 107 scripts on space resulted in 1, 335 individual broadcasts, 

while the language elements' 982 additional scripts produced 2,423 additional broadcasts on space - or a Voice total of 3,758 for the year. 

Thus News 

These programs ranged from full treatment of APOLLO and the lunar exploration 

programs to a report on "Peru Joins Space Consortium'' (four individual broadcasts). 

Motion Pictures and Television 

USIA film productions in space included "The New Explorers, I' a report on the goodwill tour of Latin America by Astronauts Armstrong and Gordon, of which over 164 

prints were distributed to USIS in 19 countries. The Agency also contributed special 

reports to the Japanese MBS Discussion Series (space spin-off benefits, and research 

at NASA's Langley Center), KRO/TV of Holland (APOLLO inquiry, and new developments in space), and other television systems. 

"Science Report, a bi-monthly television report on U. S. science, distributed in 

English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and a music-and-effects track (for language 

insertion) in 77 countries, carried a review on the GEMINI program, a space review 

of 1966, and reports on SURVEYOR 3 and space benefits. 

SATURN roll-out, and the space treaty were prepared in 10 languages for telecast 

abroad. At least 30 other film clips for local newsreel or television use covered 

the funeral of the astronauts, BIOSAT, SATURN 5, testing of a one-man flying device, and other topics. 

Clips on Intelsat, the 

A 30-minute color film on APOLLO, for release next year, is in production. 

"Space Benefits, It an animated short. 

So is 

Exhibits 

Space exhibits, from the Paris Air Show and the GEMINI 10 tour of Japan and 

Australia, to such small multi-copy exhibits as "U. S. Progress in Space" drew 

"clocked" audiences of 2, 254, 300 in 17 countries on all the continents. Viewers 

included chiefs of state, village chiefs, and many other opinion moulders. 

In addition, 90 space exhibits on constant tour among over 300 USIA outlets attracted 

between four and five millions. These exhibits included full-scale or lesser-size 

models of GEMINI, SYNCOM, and MERCURY, as well as the small models used by 

lecturer-drivers of the touring Spacemobile s. In Portugal, the U. S. Ambassador 

called the IIU. S. Space Exploration Program" "the most effective public event 

sponsored by USIS in Portugal in the past year. 

Information Centers 

Through its Information Centers, USIA made a variety of materials on space available. Over two dozen books on space published in the U. s. were recommended to 

Posts for acquisition. For Norway's top television commentator, a set of 64 slides 

on the U. S. space program was made available, and used later for a USIS-sponsored 

lecture tour of northern Norway. Fully 24 books on space were published, in USISsponsored series, in 19 languages; a total of a quarter-million copies of these volumes were distributed. Harold L. Goodwin's "All About Rockets and Space Flight, 'I 

119 
for example, was published in Chinese, Punjabi, Telegu, and Urdu, for a total of 

21,000 copies. The Agency also distributed for presentation to libraries 300 copies 

of "Earth Photographs from GEMINI 3, 4, 5, It published by NASA, and, for presentation to univer sitie s, 300 copies of "United States Activities in Spacecraft Oceanography, It a booklet prepared by NASA and the Navy Oceanographic Office on how 

satellites and manned spacecraft can forward oceanographic inve stigation. 

120 
ARMS CONTROL AND 

DISARMAMENT AGENCY 

INTRODUCTION 

The Arms Control and Disarmament Agency's interest in space is reflected in international negotiations and in its research programs. ACDA regards the Outer Space 

Treaty, which prohibits the placing of nuclear weapons or other kinds of weapons of 

mass destruction in outer space as well as the establishment of military installations 

on the Moon and other celestial bodies, as a major milestone in precluding the expansion of the arms race to outer space. Space, rather than becoming a new arena for 

arms deployment, should be a medium for promotion of understanding and cooperation between nations. 

Space programs can serve to enhance national images and divert resources of 

material and technical manpower to peaceful competition. 

programs encourage the growth of international institutions that will be useful in implementation of future arms control agreements, particularly with respect to verification procedures. Part of ACDA's research seeks to determine the best organization and techniques for monitoring such agreements, and space technology and organizations offer many opportunities for the development of effective arrangements. 

Outer space cooperative 

ARMS CONTROL PROGRAMS 

Preventing the Extension of the Arms Race to Space 

The Outer Space Treaty had its genesis in the 1963 U.N. resolution that expressed 

the intention of all parties to refrain from stationing weapons of mass destruction in 

outer space. This agreement, the most important arms control development since 

the Limited Test Ban Treaty of 1963, prohibits the installation of military bases, installations, and fortifications, the testing of weapons, and the conduct of maneuvers 

on the Moon and other celestial bodies. It provides inspection rights to check compliance with the treaty. 

Of more immediate importance, the Outer Space Treaty prohibits placing in orbit 

around the Earth, stationing on celestial bodies, or otherwise stationing in outer 

space weapons of mass destruction. At the ceremony marking the signing of the 

Protocol of Deposit of the Treaty, the President stated, "By adding this treaty to the 

law of nations, we are forging a permanent disarmament agreement for outer space. 

The spirit of international cooperation that has achieved this agreement is a beacon 

of hope for the future. 'I 

ACDA's research program--both internal and contract- -provided useful support 

during negotiations of this treaty and continues to support studies directed toward 

further exploitation of space to promote U. S. arms control and disarmament goals. 

121 
Space Cooperation as an Aid to Arms Control 

There continues to be a close relationship between our space program and our arms 

control objectives. 

greater awareness of a common interest is developing, thus enhancing the atmosphere 

of mutual trust. 

foster an atmosphere of mutual understanding in which negotiations of arms control 

agreements become more probable. 

As additional countries become engaged in space activity, 

Cooperation in all areas of the peaceful uses of outer space helps to 

ACDA has actively supported peaceful space cooperative programs, both those in 

which the U. S. is involved and those involving other nations, such as the European 

Launcher Development Organization (ELDO). 

ing can help to restrain the proliferation of rocket technology applicable to ballistic 

missiles. ACDA has also supported negotiations for furtherance of the rule of law 

in outer space conducted in the Legal Subcommittee of the U.N. Committee on the 

Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. The cooperative experience gained in the return of 

astronauts or space objects, as well as the orderly payment of liability resulting 

from a space activity, will enhance the prospects for orderly administration of 

future arms control agreements. 

Programs of the type ELDO is developUse of Space Vehicles for Inspection and Verification 

The universally recognized benefits of weather satellites, the multi-national development of a global communications system, and the growing worldwide interest in Earth 

resources satellites provide both technical foundation and important precedent for the 

verification of possible future arms control agreements by observation satellites. 

ACDA's research continues to study the opportunities that space technology offers for 

achieving arms control objectives in this verification area. 

been given to remote sensors such as cameras, spectrometers, and radiometers 

which might detect the existence, deployment, characteristics, testing, etc. , of 

various weapon systems along with advanced techniques for data handling and interpretation. 

Particular attention has 

Interaction of Arms Control Measures with Space Program 

ACDA is continuing its studies to establish safeguards and procedures which would 

insure continuation of peaceful space programs under a strategic defensive and offensive weapon systems freeze. 

freeze proposals has been negative, the Agency, in cooperation with NASA, has continued its studies of the problem of restraining military missile development programs 

with adequate verification without restricting peaceful space programs. 

Even though Soviet reaction to date on our various 

122 
Lc 

0 

0 0 0 C Q) 0 h C 

t 

f 

0 

J 

3 

0 

W 

O 

f 

W 

4 

p: 

II 

lo 

3 

0 

0 

w 

m 

UI 

W 

UI 

123 Appendix A-1 
U. S. SPACECRAFT RECORD 

Earth Orbit Earth Escape 

Year Succe s s Failure Success Failure 

1957 

1958 

1959 

1960 

1961 

1962 

1963 

1964 

1965 

1966 

1967 

Total 

0 1 0 0 

5 8 0 4 

9 9 1 2 

16 12 1 2 

35 12 0 2* 

54 12 4 1 

60 11 0 0 

69 8 4 0 

94 8 3 0 

95 12 5 1* 

77 4 10 0 

5 14 97 28 12 

The criterion of success or failure used is the attainment of Earth orbit or Earth 

escape rather than a judgment of mission success. 

This tabulation includes one British, one Canadian, and one French spacecraft 

launched by the U. S. , one Italian spacecraft launched by an Italian crew using a 

U. S. launch vehicle from U. S. territory, one U. S. launch failure carrying an 

ESRO spacecraft, and two U. S. spacecraft carrying British experiments. 

* These Earth escape failures did attain Earth orbit and therefore are included in 

the Earth-orbit success totals. 

USSR SPA CE CR AF T SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED 

Year '57 '58 '59 '60 '61 '62 '63 '64 '65 '66 '67 Total 

Space craft 2 1 3 3 7 21 18 38 73 51 67 284 

USSR tabulation combines successfully launched Earth-orbit and Earth-e scape space - 

craft, In the total of 284 are included 21 spacecraft launched on Earth-escape missions, 12 spacecraft intended for escape missions but attaining only Earth orbit, and 

23 spacecraft used as launching platforms in low parking orbits for higher-orbit 

missions or Earth escape. 

Appendix A - 2 124 
SUCCESSFUL U.S. LAUNCHES - 1967 

Apogee and 

Perigee 

(in statute miles) 

Launch Date (GMT) Period (minutes) 

Spacecraft Name Spacecraft Data Inclination to 

COSPAR Designation Equator (degrees) 

Launch Vehicle * retrograde incl. 

Remarks 

Jan. 11 

INTELSAT 11-B 

IA 

Thor -Delta 

Jan. 14 

DEFENSE 

2A 

Thor-Agena D 

Jan. 18 

IDCSP 8, 9, 10, 

11, 12, 13, 14, 

and 15 

34 B, C, D, E. 

F, G, and H 

Titan 1llC 

Jan. 26 

ESSA IV 

6A 

Thor-Delta 

Feb. 2 

DEFENSE 

7A 

Atlas -Agena D 

Feb. 5 

LUNAR 

8A 

Atlas -Agena 

ORBITER 111 

Feb. 8 

DEFENSE 

10A 

Thor-Burner II 

Feb. 22 

DEFENSE 

15A 

Thor-Agena D 

Feb. 24 

DEFENSE 

16A 

Titan IIIB 

Objective: To place spacecraft into an 

earth synchronous orbit over the Pacific 

Ocean as part of the INTELSAT Global 

Communication system. 

Spacecraft: Cylindrical shape 56" dia. 

by 26.5"; spin stabilized; 85 watt solar cell 

power supply; 240 voice channel (equivalent) 

communication capacity; 15 watts effective 

radiated power. Weight: 192 lbs. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Establish an interim defense 

Spacecraft: Symmetrical 24 face polycommunication satellite system. 

hedron, 36" dia. by 32" high; spin stabilized; 

40 watt solar cell power supply; low Channel 

capacity; X-band. Weight: each spacecraft 

100 lbs. 

Objective: Operate an Automatic Picture 

Transmission (APT) system in a sun-synchronous orbit with a local equator crossing time 

between 9:OO and 9:20 a.m. 

Spacecraft: Cylindrical 18 sided polygon 

42" dia. and 22" high; spin stabilized; solar 

cell power supply. Weight: 290 lbs. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

22,442 

22,235 

1,436 

1.42 

227 

123 

90 

80.08 

(Orbital Range) 

20,993 - 21,261 

20,836 - 20,927 

1,330.0 - 1, 343.2 

0.08 - 0.18 

Objective: Conduct a detailed photographic 

survey of various lunar surface areas of interest 

to APOLM and SURVEYOR as landing sites, 

and improve our knowledge of the moon. 

dia. and 66" high ind 144" across extended solar 

cell arms; gas jet 3-axis stabilization; 375 watt 

solar cell power supply. Weight: 850 lbs. 

Spacecraft: Conical shaped main body 60" 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of Spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

888 

822 

113 

102* 

396 

96 

88.8 

102.4* 

Initial Lunar 

Orbit: 

1,117 

130 

215 

Final Lunar 

Orbit: 

1,149 

33 

209 

20.8 

20.9 

543 

503 

101.4 

98.8* 

228 

107 

90. 1 

80.0 

242 

96 

89.8 

106.9* 

INTELSAT 11-B started commercial 

operations over the Pacific on January 

26, 1967. 

Decayed February 2, 1967. 

Spacecraft are operating in a nearsynchronous constellation along with 

seven earlier apacecraft launched on 

June 16, 1966. 

Spacecraft functioning normally and 

ESSA reported photos are of excellent 

quality. 

Decayed February 12, 1967. 

Photographed 12 APOLLO landing 

sites. but a failure in a photo subsystem prevented readout of low resolution photos of the 6 easterly sites; 

these were, however, covered by high 

resolution photos. Photographed 

soft-landed SURVEYOR 1. With 

LUNAR ORBITER 11, acted as tracking 

target to exercise APOLM network 

on lunar-distance tracking. Was 

intentionally crashed onto the moon on 

October 9, 1967. 

Still in orbit. 

Decayed March 11, 1967. 

Decayed March 6, 1967. 

125 Appendix A -3 
Mar. 8 

os0 III 

2 OA 

Thor -Delta 

Mar. 23 

26A 

Thor -Delta 

INTELSAT II-C 

Mar. 30 

DEFENSE 

2 9A 

Thor-Agena D 

Apr. 6 

ATS II 

3 1A 

Atlas -Agena D 

Apr. 13 

DEFENSE 

34A 

scout 

Apr. 17 

SURVEYOR 111 

35A 

Atlas -Centaur 

Apr. 20 

ESSA V 

36A 

Thor -Delta 

Apr. 28 

Vela Satellite 

40A and B 

Titan IIIC 

Objective: Continue OS0 I and I1 studies of 

sun and its effect on earth's upper atmosphere 

by obtaining high-resolution spectral data from 

two pointed and environmental data from seven 

spinning sun experiments during major portion 

of one solar rotation. 

Spacecraft: Revolving 9-sided polyhedron, 

44" dia. by 15" high, with a sun pointing 22" 

radius semicircular sail; spin stabilized; 26 watt 

solar cell power supply. Weight: 627 Ibs. 

Objective: To place spacecraft into an earth 

synchronous orbit over the Atlantic Ocean as 

part of the INTELSAT Global Communication 

By stem. 

26.5"; spin stabilized; 85 watt solar cell power 

supply; 240 voice channel (equivalent) communication capacity; 15 watts effective radiated 

power. Weight: 192 lbs. 

Spacecraft: Cylindrical shape 56" dia. by 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: From a 6,900 mile orbit obtain 

gravity stabilization evaluation data and conduct 

a series of application, technology, and 

scientific experiments. 

four movable 127' booms, X-configured, plus 

45' damper booms; 185 watt solar cell power 

supply. Weight: 715 Ibs. 

Spacecraft: Cylinder 56" dia. by 72" high; 

Objective: To provide a navigation satellite 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

capability. 

Objective: Soft land on moon east of 

SURVEYOR I landing site within zone of APOLLO 

interest; obtain post-landing TV pictures of lunar 

surface; manipulate lunar surface with surface 

sampler and observe effects with TV camera. 

10' high and 14' between legs; solar cell power 

supply. Landing weight: 625 lbs. 

Spacecraft: Triangular three-legged frame, 

Objective: Operate an Advanced Vidicon 

Camera System in sun-synchronous orbit with a 

local equator crossing time between 3:OO p.m. 

and 320 p.m., providing daily pictures of the 

entire globe. 

42" dia. by 22" high; spin stabilized; solar cell 

power supply. Weight: 320 Ibs. 

Spacecraft: Cylindrical 18 -sided polyhedron 

Objective: Conduct research on nuclear 

Spacecraft: Cylindrical 26-sided polyhedron 

test detection techniques. 

56" dia. and 46" high. Reaction wheel plus gas 

354 

336 

96 

33 

22,250 

22,221 

1,436 

.804 

246 

114 

90.2 

85.0 

6,033 

101 

219.7 

28.3 

673 

665 

106.5 

90.2+ 

Soft-landed 

on moon. 

88 1 

8 40 

113.5 

101.9* 

40A 

69,972 

67,799 

6,655. 1 

All experiments were successful. With 

the exception of one experiment, which 

completed its mission during the first 

six months, the spacecraft is still 

providing useful data. 

INTELSAT 11-C started commercial 

communications operations over the 

Atlantic on April 6, 1967. 

Decayed April 17, 1967. 

Agena engine failed to ignite for 2nd 

burn, did not achieve intended 6,900 

mi. circular orbit. This limited the 

usefulness of gravity-gradient experiment and of most other experiments, 

although all experiments did return 

some data. Still transmitting. 

Still in orbit. 

SURVEYOR 111 soft-landed within 1.7 

miles of intended target in eastern 

part of Oceanus Procellarum after 

bouncing 3 times in landing. 

SURVEYOR 111 took 6,315 TV pictures 

and operated surface sampler, establishing lunar bearing strength of 3 to 

8 psi. Also photographed the earth 

in color and a solar eclipse. Failed 

to respond to commands after first 

lunar night. 

All systems functioned normally; 

photos of excellent quality. 

Both still in orbit. 

jet stabilization; 120 watts solar cell power supply; 32. 1 

Weight: 508 lbs. 

40B: 

71,216 

66,805 

6.671.8 

33.1 

126 
Apr. 28 

EM-18 

40C 

Titan IIIC 

Apr. 28 

ERS-20 

40D 

Titan IIIC 

Apr. 28 

ERS-27 

40E 

Titan IIIC 

May 4 

LUNAR 

ORBITER IV 

41A 

Atlas-Agena D 

May 5 

ARIEL 111 (UKE-3) 

42A 

scout 

May 9 

DEFENSE 

43A 

Thor-Agena D 

May 9 

DEFENSE 

43B 

Thor-Agena D 

May 18 

DEFENSE 

48A 

scout 

May 22 

DEFENSE 

50A 

Atlas -Agena D 

May 22 

DEFENSE 

50B 

Atlas -Agena D 

May 24 

EXPLORER XXXIV 

5 1A 

Thor -Delta 

May 31 

DEFENSE 

53 B, C, D, E, F, 

G, H. and J 

Thor-Agena D 

Objective: Investigate natural radiation 

background in space. 

Spacecraft: Octahedron 11" on a side; 

spin stabilized, random orientation; 5.5 watt 

solar cell power supply. Weight: 20 lbs. 

Objective: Correlate differences of 

friction behavior of material specimens in 

space and in vacuum chambers. 

Spacecraft: Octahedron 11" on a side; 

spin stabilized,random orientation; 5. 5 watt 

solar cell power supply. Weight: 14 lbs. 

Objective: Provide single station readout 

of >'-ray (0.5-14 Ao), electron (.04-33 MEV) 

and proton (1-80 MEV) detectors. 

Spacecraft: Octahedron 11" on a side; 

spin stabilized, random orientation; 5.5 watt solar 

cell power supply. Weight: 20 lbs. 

Objective: Conduct a broad, systematic 

photographic survey of major portion of lunar 

surface to provide basis for selecting sites 

for more detailed,study by subsequent orbital 

and landing missions. 

dia. and 66" high and 144" across extended 

solar cell arms; gas jet 3-axis stabilization; 

375 watt solar cell power supply. Weight: 850 lbs. 

Spacecraft: Conical shaped main body 60" 

Objective: To extend atmospheric and 

ionospheric investigations conducted by ARIEL I 

and 11. 

dia. and 35" high. Spin stabilized; solar cell 

power supply. Weight: 198 lbs. 

Spacecraft: Cylindrical 12 -sided polygon 23" 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: To provide a navigation satellite 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

capability. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: To investigate the space region 

between the magneto-sheath and the shock front 

and obtain data on the cislunar environment out 

to distances of 150,000 miles. 

spin stabilization; 70 watt solar cell power supply; 

Weight: 163 lbs. 

Spacecraft: Octahedron 28" dia. and 8" high; 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

69. 123 

5.338 

2, 831. 3 

32.8 

69, 122 

5,338 

2,831.2 

32.8 

69, 122 

5,338 

2,831.0 

32.8 

Lunar orbit: 

3,797 

1,681 

72 1 

85.5 

37 3 

306 

95.6 

80 

492 

114 

94.3 

85.0 

501 

346 

98.4 

84.9 

678 

667 

106.9 

89.5 

151 

102 

89. 3 

91.5* 

121 

99 

88.3 

91.W 

133,131 

150 

6,360 

67.2 

572-578 

568-576 

103.5 

69.9 

Still in orbit. 

Still in orbit, 

Still in orbit. 

LUNAR ORBITER IV went into 

elliptical lunar orbit, photographed 

99% of earth side of moon, raised to 

80% the total coverage of the hidden 

side of the moon by the four Lunar 

Orbiters. Photo readout was completed June 1. 

crashed onto the moon during OctNov 1967. 

Third U. K. satellite. launched by the 

U. S. All experiments successful and 

returned good data. Still in orbit and 

transmitting. 

Presumed to have 

Decayed July 13, 1967. 

Still in orbit. 

Still in orbit. 

Decayed May 30, 1967. 

Decayed May 27, 1967. 

Ten of eleven experiments successfully returned data in excess of the 

mission objective of three months. 

Still in orbit and transmitting. 

Still in orbit. 

127 
Jun. 4 

DEFENSE 

55A 

Atlas -Agena D 

Jun. 14 

MARINER V 

60A 

Atlas -Agena 

Jun. 16 

DEFENSE 

62A 

Thor -Agena D 

Jun. 16 

DEFENSE 

62B 

Thor-Agena D 

Jun. 20 

DEFENSE 

64A 

Titan IIIB 

Jun. 29 

65A 

Thor-Burner 11 

Jun. 29 

AURORA I 

65B 

Thor -Burner 11 

SECOR (EGRS-9) 

Jul. 1 

IDCSP 16, 17, 

and 18 

66A, B, andC 

Titan IIIC 

Jul. 1 

DATS 

66D 

Titan IIIC 

Jul. 1 

LES-5 

66E 

Titan IIIC 

Jul. 1 

DODGE 

66F 

Titan IIIC 

Jul. 14 

SURVEYOR IV 

68A 

Atlas -Centaur 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Conduct a 2,000 mile flyby of Venus 

and obtain scientific information that complements 

and extends that obtained by MARINER I1 relating 

to the origin and nature of Venus and of its 

environment. 

(with antennae and four solar cell panels overall 

dimension 18' and 9.5' high); active stabilization; 

celestial reference; 355 watt solar cell plus battery 

power supply. Weight: 540 lbs. 

Spacecraft: Octahedron 50" dia. and 20" high 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: To provide an aid to the geodetic 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

survey of the earth sphere. 

Objective: To study the charged particles that 

precipitate in the upper atmosphere to produce 

auroras. 

Spacecraft: Rectangular box structure 

carrying scientific instrumentation; solar cell 

power supply. Weight: 40 lbs. 

Objective: Establish an interim defense 

Spacecraft: Symmetrical 24 face polyhedron, 

communication satellite system. 

36" dia. by 32" high; spin Stabilized; 40 watt 

solar cell power supply; low Channel capacity; 

X-band. Weight: each spacecraft 100 lbs. 

Objective: To test and evaluate a mechanically despun antenna system for a spin stabilized 

spacecraft. 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

Objective: To provide test data on the 

feasibility of a tactical communication satellite 

operating with various types of ground terminals. 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

Objective: To operate and evaluate a passive 

3-axis gravity gradient attitude control experiment at near synchronous altitude. 

Spacecraft: Truncated octahedron; gravity 

gradient and flywheel stabilization; solar cell 

power supply. Weight: 430 lbs. 

Objective: Soft-land on moon in Sinus Medii 

within zone of APOLLO interest and obtain postlanding TV pictures of the lunar surface. 

Spacecraft: Triangular three-legged frame, 

10' high and 14' between legs; solar cell power 

supply; landing weight 625 lbs. 

157 Decayed June 12, 1967. 

148 

89.3 

104.W 

.74 au 

.58 au 2,500-mi. altitude on October 19, 1967. 

MARINER V flew past Venus at about 

194.6 days All experiments returned excellent 

1.39 

175 

105 

90.0 

80.0 

329 

326 

94.9 

80.2 

175 

88 

89.9 

111.5+ 

2,457 

2,318 

172.1 

89.8 

2,451 

2,366 

lt2.1 

89.8 

data. Spacecraft is continuing to 

provide interplanetary environmental 

measurement data in its helbcentric 

orbit. 

Decayed July 20, 1967. 

Still in orbit. 

Decayed June 30, 1967. 

Still in orbit. 

Still in orbit. 

(Orbital Range) Spacecraft are operating as the space 

!Os 833-20,848 

!O, 497-20,555 

1308.8-1311.7 

7. 1-7.2 

segment of the defense communication 

system in near synchronous orbit 

constellation along with fourteen of 

fifteen previously launched IDCSP 

spacecraft. 

20,857 

20,594 

1, 313.6 

7.0 

20,853 

20,609 

1, 315.4 

7.0 

20,925 

20,685 

1, 319. 0 

7.0 

Probably 

crashed. 

Still in orbit. 

Still in orbit. 

Still in orbit. 

SURVEYOR IV had excellent launch 

and flight to moon. At less than 3 min. 

prior to lunar contact, all communication with spacecraft was suddenly 

lost. Spacecraft probably crashed. 

Cause for communications failure 

could not be determined. 

128 
Jul. 19 

EXPLORERXXXV 

7 OA 

Thor -Delta 

Jul. 25 

DEFENSE 

7 1A 

Thor-Agena D 

Jul. 27 

OV 1-86 

72A 

Atlas 

Jul. 27 

ov 1-12 

72D 

Atlas 

Jul. 28 

oco IV 

7 3A 

Thor -Agena 

Aug. 1 

LUNAR 

75A 

Atlas -Agena 

ORBITER V 

Aug. 7 

DEFENSE 

7 6A 

Thor-Agena D 

Aug. 16 

DEFENSE 

79A 

Titan IIIB 

Aug. 23 

DEFENSE 

8 OA 

Thor-Burner I1 

Sep. 7 

BIOSATELLITE 11 

83A 

Thor -Delta 

Objective: To study the solar wind and 

interplanetary magnetic field at lunar distances, 

their interaction with the moon, the dust 

distributions around the moon, the lunar 

gravitational field and the lunar ionosphere 

and radiation environment. 

high; spin stabilized, sun and earth referenced; 

38 watt solar cell power supply. Weight: 230 lbs. 

Spacecraft: Octahedron 28" dia. and 8" 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecrafk Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: To continue the investigation of 

atmospheric and ionospheric phenomena of the 

near-earth environment during a period of 

increasing solar activity, complementing the 

near solar minimum measurements made by 

OGOII. 

Spacecraft: Rectangular box structure 67" 

by 32" by 31"; active stabilization; 250 watt solar 

cell plus battery power supply. Weight: 1,240 Ibs. 

Objective: To obtain, from a lunar polar 

orbit, photography of scientifically interesting 

sites on the moon, to inc'rease the scientific 

knowledge of lunar surface features, their 

nature, origin, and processes, and to serve 

as a basis for selecting sites for more detailed 

scientific study by future missions. 

Conical shaped main body 60" 

dia. and 66" high and 144" across extended 

solar cell arms; gas jet 3-axis stabilization; 

375 watt solar cell power supply; Weight: 

850 Ibs. 

Spacecraft: 

- IXunar ergtal data:-/ 

4,780 

497 

690 

147.38 

378 

243 

94.5 

75.1 

43 1 

346 

95.5 

101.6* 

43 1 

346 

95.5 

101.68 

564 

256 

97.9 

86.0 

Ixunar orbiEXPLORER XXXV was captured in 

lunar orbit and provided aignificant 

scientific data. Still in orbit and 

t ranamitting. 

Still in orbit. 

Still in orbit. 

Still in orbit. 

All experiments provided scientific 

data. Still in orbit and providing data. 

LUNAR ORBITER V photographed 23 - 

tal data during previously unphotographedarea. on 

far side psotography:-/ 

3,734 

12 1 

510 10 meter resolution. 

85 

- Izrbital data 

the moon's far side at about 150 mater 

resolution, the first photo of the "full 

earth, I' and 36 sites of scientific 

interest and 5 AWLM sites at 2 to 

for front side_ 

photography:_/ 

930 

62 

192 

85 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 2 19 Decayed September 1, 1967. 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 89.8 

79.9 

techniques and technology. 117 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

277 Decayed August 28, 1967. 

77 

90. 1 

111.5* 

556 Still in orbit. 

5 17 

102.1 

98.9* 

Objective: To conduct biological experiments 202 All BIOSATELLITE I1 experiments 

on effects of weightlessness and controlled gamma 187 provided useful data. Communications 

radiation aboard an attitude-controlled orbiting 

spacecraft for three days and recover. 

72" high; active stabilization; battery power supply; 

Weight: 940 Ibs. Pacific. 

90.8 

33.5 

difficulties and prospects of recovery 

area bad weather led to decision to 

Spacecraft: Cylindrical cone 56" dia. at base shorten mission to two days. Spacecraft was recovered by aircraft over 

129 
Sep. 8 

SURVEYOR V 

84A 

Atlas -Centaur 

Sep. 15 

DEFENSE 

87A 

Thor-Agena D 

Sep. 19 

DEFENSE 

90A 

Titan IIIB 

Sep. 25 

DEFENSE 

92A 

scout 

Sep. 27 

94A 

Thor-Delta 

INTELSAT 11-D 

Oct. 11 

DEFENSE 

96A 

Thor-Burner 11 

Oct. 18 

os0 IV 

lOOA 

Thor-Delta 

Oct. 25 

DEFENSE 

103A 

Titan IIIB 

Nov. 2 

DEFENSE 

109A 

Thor-Agena D 

Nov. 2 

DEFENSE 

109B 

Thor-Agena D 

Nov. 5 

ATS-111 

lllA 

Atlas -Agena D 

Objective: Soft land on moon in Mare Tranquillitatis; obtain post-landing TV pictures of 

lunar surface; conduct vernier-engine erosion 

experiment. 

10' high and 14' between legs; solar cell power 

supply; landing weight 625 lbs. 

Spacecraft: Triangular three-legged frame, 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

To provide a navigation satellite 

capability. 

Objective: To place spacecraft into an earth 

synchronous orbit over the Pacific Ocean as part 

of the INTELSAT global communication system. 

26.5"; spin stabilized; 85 watt solar cell power 

supply; 240 voice channel (equivalent) communication capacity; 15 watts effective radiated power. 

Weight: 192 lbs. 

'Spacecraft: Cylindrical shape 56" dia. by 

Objective: Development of Spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: To continue OS0 I, 11, and I11 

investigations of the sun, to obtain high resolution 

spectral data (1 to 1,350 Angstrom) from sunpointed experiments and environmental data from 

spinning experiments. 

dia. and 15" high with sun-pointing 22" radius semicircular sail; spin stabilized; 26 watt solar cell 

power supply; Weight: 610 lbs. 

Spacecraft: Revolving 9-sided polyhedron 44" 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology 

Soft- landed 

on moon. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: To flight test and obtain experimental data from a mechanical despun antenna, 

a multicolor spin scan cloud camera, a selfcontained navigation experiment, an image 

dissector camera, a resistojet thruster, and 

several communication experiments. 

Cylindrical 58" dia. and 54" 

long; spin stabilized; 189 watt solar cell power 

supply; weight 798 lbs. 

Spacecraft: 

245 

94 

89.9 

80.1 

214 

16 

89. 1 

106.06 

693 

648 

106.7 

89.2 

22,240 

22,236 

1,436 

0.1 

4 

534 

418 

100.1 

99.16 

359 

337 

95.8 

33.0 

241 

78 

89.5 

lll.4* 

255 

114 

90.4 

81.5 

326 

282 

94.3 

81. 6 

22,185 

21,953 

1,422.4 

.5 

SURVEYOR V landed safely in Mare 

Tranquillitatis; during its 1st lunar 

day it took 18.006 pictures, more 

than SURVEYORS I and 111 combined. 

Survived lunar night, took 1,048 photos 

of poorer quality. Alpha-scattering 

experiment showed chemistry of soil 

to be that of basaltic rock; vernier 

engine firing produced observable but 

insignificant erosion. Spacecraft was 

shut down November 1, 1967. 

Decayed October 4, 1967. 

Decayed September 30, 1961. 

Still in orbit. 

INTELSAT 11-D started commercial 

operations over the Pacific on 

November 4, 1967. 

Still in orbit. 

All experiments functioned normally 

and provided good data. 

Decayed November 5, 1961. 

Decayed December 2, 1967. 

Still in orbit. 

With exception of self-contained 

navigation experiment, useful data is 

being obtained from all experiments. 

Navigation experiment to be exercised 

early 1968. 

130 
Nov. 7 

SURVEYOR VI 

ll2A 

Atlas -Centaur 

Nov. 9 

APOLLO 4 

113A 

Saturn V 

Nov. 10 

ESSA VI 

114A 

Thor -Delta 

Dec. 5 

OV 3-6 

120A 

scout 

Dec. 5 

DEFENSE 

121A 

Titan IIIB 

Dec. 9 

DEFENSE 

l22A 

Thor-Agena D 

Dec. 13 

PIONEER VIII 

123A 

Thor -Delta 

Dec. 13 

TTS 1 

123B 

Tho r -De It a 

Objective: Soft land on moon in Sinus Soft -landed 

Medii; obtain post-landing TV pictures of 

lunar surface; conduct vernier engine erosion 

experiment; operate alpha scattering experiment to determine chemical elements of lunar 

soil. 

10' high and 14' between legs; solar cell power 

supply; landing weight 625 lbs. 

on moon. 

Spacecraft: Triangular three-legged frame, 

Objective: To demonstrate the structural and 119 

thermal integrity and compatibility of the SATURN 114 

V and the APOLLO spacecraft; confirm launch 

loads and dynamic flight and propulsion system 

characteristics; and confirm design adequacy of 

spacecraft design for lunar return velocity re-entry. 

Module, the 120' long S-IVB, the Instrument Unit, 

the APOLLO Adapter, the Service Module, and a 

boiler place Lunar Module were placed in orbit. 

total weight of this orbiting combination was 278. 699 lbs. 

88.2 

32.6 

Spacecraft: In addition to the APOLLO Command 

The 

Objective: To operate an Automati' Picture 

Transmission (APT) system in a sun synchronous 

orbit with local equator crossing time between 9:OO 

and 9: 30 a. m. 

Spacecraft: Cylindrical 18-sided polygon 42" 

dia. and 22" high; spin stabilized; solar cell power 

supply. Weight: 290 lbs. 

Objective: To obtain data on the density, 

temperature, and composition of the upper atmosphere and its variation with latitude. 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced. 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Development of spaceflight 

Spacecraft: Not announced, 

techniques and technology. 

Objective: Obtain scientific data on interplanetary phenomena, including magnetic field, 

plasma, and cosmic rays, in heliocentric orbit 

for a period covering 2 or more passages of solar 

activity centers; investigate continuously the magnetosheath at large distances from the bow shock 

wave. 

stabilized; solar cell plus battery power supply. 

Weight: 145 lbs. 

Spacecraft: Cylindrical 37" dia. by 35"; spin 

Objective: To provide a target for Manned 

Space Flight Network checkout of equipment and 

training of personnel. 

Octahedron 11" on a side; solar 

cell plus battery power supply. Weight: 40 lbs. 

Spacecraft: 

92 1 

872 

114.8 

102.10 

275 

254 

93. 0 

90.60 

266 

87 

90. 1 

109. 50 

142 

104 

88.4 

81.6 

1.0880au 

.9892au 

386.6 days 

. 057 

30 1 

182 

92. 3 

32.9 

SURVEYOR VI landed in Sinus Medii 

and transmitted 30,065 TV pictures 

during first lunar day; successfully 

conducted first lift-off from lunar 

surface and moved 10' to a new location. All experiments highly 

successful. 

APOLLO 4 was launched from Launch 

Complex 39 at ETR, went into earth 

orbit; after 2 revolutions the S-IVB 

was fired again, lifting entire combination to peak altitude of 11, 240 mi. ; 

S-IVB stage then separated and the 

Service Module propulsion system 

accelerated the Command Module to 

lunar re-entry speed of 36,537 fps. 

APOLLO Command Module landed 9 

mi. from aiming point in the Pacific, 

was picked up by U. S. S. BENNINGTON. 

This 1st flight of the SATURN V launch 

vehicle was a complete success; all 

stages performed well, the Command 

Module and its heat shield withstood 

the temperatures of lunar-speed 

re-entry. 

All systems function normally and 

ESSA reported excellent photos. 

Still in orbit. 

Still in orbit. 

Still in orbit. 

All experiments are functioning and 

providing useful data. 

Spacecraft functioning normally. 

131 
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE COUNCIL 

WASH I NGTON 

December 31, 1967 

4JOR U. S. AND SOVIET "FIRSTS" 

One of the indexes used to compare the space programs of the 

United States and the Soviet Union are the "firsts" achieved by 

each nation. Since it measures the quantity but not the quality 

of achievement, such compilation can be misleading. However , 

when broken down into meaningful areas, it can help in judging 

emphasis and even relative progress if coupled with other 

evidence. 

Regardless of whether a "first" gives either country a significant lead in a particular area of space technology, the fact of 

being first is significant in the formation of public opinion. 

In fact, regardless of actual technological competence, the 

relative position of the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. in space is often 

judged by the "firsts" achieved by each. 

A list of all of the "firsts" scored by each side would be long 

and meaningless. 

actions or accomplishments which seemed to be of major 

importance, bearing in mind that because of the closed nature 

of some space activities, the list of major "firsts" may be 

incomplete. 

An effort has been made to select those 

This list of "firsts" is divided into five broad categories of 

space interest. 

but rather a cataloging based upon the timing of events. 

This is not a comparison of space competences 

Appendix E3 

132 
December 31, 1967 

TEN YEAR MAJOR SPACE “FIRSTS” 

UNITED STATES 

Event Satellite Launch Date 

SCIENCE 

Van Allen radiation belts 

Earth shape meaSUFed 

Orbiting solar observatory 

Data from Venus 

Geodetic satellite 

Lunar close-up pictures 

Mars pictures 

Micrometeorite satellite 

Lunar orbit pictures 

Lunar trenching 

Color picture of full 

Lunar soil chemical 

Earth face 

analysis 

APPLICATIONS 

Active communications 

TV pictures from space 

Weat her satel I ite 

Navigation satellite 

Missile detection 

Passive communications 

Nuclear explosion detection 

Explorer I 

Vanguard I 

os0 I 

Mariner II 

Anna IB 

Ranger VI I 

Mariner IV 

Pegasus I 

Orbiter I 

Surveyor I I I 

Dodge 

Surveyor V 

2/1/58 

31 17/58 

3/7/62 

8/27/62 

10/31/62 

7/28/64 

11/28/64 

2/16/65 

8/10/66 

4/17/67 

7/1/67 

9/8/67 

Score 12/18/58 

Explorer VI 8/7/59 

Tiros I 41/60 

Transit I B 4/13/60 

Midas II 5/24/60 

Echo I 8/12/60 

Vela Hotel 10/17/63 

BIO AND MANNED FLIGHT 

Manned orbital maneuver Gemini I I I 3/23/65 

Control led extravehicular 

activity Gemini IV 6/3/65 

Space rendezvous Gemini VI, VI I 12/4/65 

Manned docking of two 

craft Gemini VI I IAgena 31 16/66 

SPACE FLIGHT AND PROPULSION 

Multiple payloads and 

Payload recovery Discoverer XI I I 

Air snatch payload recovery Discoverer XIV 

Synchronous satellite Syncom II 

Hydrogen-fueled rocket 

orbited Centaur II 

Docked spacecraft maneuver Gemini X-Agena 

Lunar lift-off Surveyor VI 

Lunar-return velocity 

orbits TransitlSolrad 

re-entry Apollo I 

6/22/60 

8/10/60 

8/18/60 

7/26/63 

11/27/63 

7/18/66 

11/7/67 

11/9/67 

AUXILIARY POWER SYSTEMS 

Solar cells on craft Vanguard I 3/17/58 

Isotope power on craft Transit IVA 6/29/61 

Nuclear energy powered 

craft Transit VBNl 9/28/63 

Nuclear reactor in orbit Snapshot I 4/3/65 

Fuel cell use in space Gemini V 8/21/65 

UNION OF SOVIET SOCIALIST REPUBLICS 

Event Satellite Launch Date 

SCIENCE 

Orbiting geophysical lab Sputnik I I I 5/15/58 

Farside lunar picture Luna Ill 101459 

Cosmic ray measurements Proton I 7/16/65 

Lunar surface pictures Luna IX 1/31/66 

Lunar surface bearing 

Venus atmospheric entry 

test Luna XI I I 12/21/66 

probe Venera IV 6/12/67 

APPLICATIONS 

BIO AND MANNED FLIGHT 

Recovery of orbited 

Manned flight and 

B iosatel I ite Sputnik I I 11/3/57 

animals Sputnik V 8/19/60 

recovery Vostok I 4/12/61 

Multi-manned spacecraft Voskhod I la12164 

Extravehicular activity Voskhod II 3/18/65 

SPACE FLIGHT AND PROPULSION 

Space flight Sputnik I 

Earth escape spacecraft Luna I 

Lunar impact Luna II 

Orbital platform launch Sputnik V 

Venus flyby Venera I 

Mars flyby Mars I 

Venus impact Venera Ill 

Luna soft landing Luna IX 

Luna Orbiter Luna X 

Venus soft landing Venera IV 

1W57 

1/2/59 

9/12/59 

2/12/61 

2/12/61 

11/1/62 

11/16/65 

1/31/66 

3/31/66 

611 2/67 

AUXILIARY POWER SYSTEMS 

Battery powered spacecraft Sputnik I 10‘457 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE COUNCIL STAFF 

133 
HISTORICAL SUMMARY - 

UNMANNED LUNAR AND PLANETARY PROGRAMS 

The U. S. unmanned lunar and planetary programs have performed a wide range of 

missions, with 32 launches in the first decade of U. S. spaceflight. The unmanned 

lunar program concludes with the launch of Surveyor VI1 in January, 1968. 

planetary program currently has two Mariner flybys of Mars scheduled for launch in 

the spring of 1969. 

The 

Mission and 

Launch Date 

Able I 

Aug. 17, 1958 

Pioneer I 

Oct. 11, 1958 

Pioneer I1 

Nov. 8, 1958 

Pioneer 111 

Dec. 6, 1958 

Pioneer IV 

March 3, 1959 

Atlas-Able IV 

Nov. 26, 1959 

Atlas-Able VA 

Sept. '25, 1960 

Atlas -Able VB 

Dec. 15, 1960 

Ranger I11 

Jan. 26, 1962 

Ranger IV 

April 23, 1962 

Ranger V 

Oct. 18, 1962 

Ranger VI 

Jan. 30, 1964 

Ranger VI1 

July 30, 1964 

Ranger VIII 

Feb. 17, 1965 

Ranger IX 

March 21, 1965 

Launch Vehicle and 

Space craft Weight Highlights 

LUNAR PROGRAM 

Thor -Able 

84 lb. 

Thor -Able 

84 lb. 

Thor -Able 

87 lb. 

Juno I1 

13 lb. 

Juno I1 

13 lb. 

Atlas -Able 

372 lb. 

Atlas-Able 

387 lb. 

Atlas-Able 

388 lb. 

Atlas-Agena B 

727 lb. 

Atlas-Agena B 

730 lb. 

Atlas-Agena B 

755 lb. 

Atlas-Agena B 

804 lb. 

Atlas-Agena D 

806 lb. 

Atlas-Agena B 

809 lb. 

Atlas-Agena B 

809 lb. 

Fir st- stage failure. 

Probe reached apogee of 70,700 miles. 

Final stage had premature shutdown. 

Third- stage failure. 

Probe reached apogee of 63,580 miles. 

Final stage had premature shutdown. 

Passed within 37, 300 miles of Moon. 

Launch vehicle shroud failure. 

Second- stage failure. 

Fir st- stage failure. 

Second- stage failure. Spacecraft passed 

within 22,862 miles of Moon. 

First U. S. lunar impact. Spacecraft 

failure. 

Missed Moon by 450 miles. 

failure. 

Impacted Moon. TV system failure. 

Spacecraft 

Impacted Moon. First U. S. lunar success. Returned 4, 308 photos. 

Impacted Moon. 

photos. 

Impacted Moon. Returned 5,814 photos. 

Returned 7, 137 lunar 

Appendix C 134 
Surveyor I 

May 30, 1966 

Surveyor I1 

Sept. 20, 1966 

Surveyor 111 

April 17, 1967 

Surveyor IV 

July 14, 1967 

Surveyor V 

Sept. 8, 1967 

Surveyor VI 

Nov. 7, 1967 

Surveyor VII r Jan. 7, 1968 

Orbiter I 

Aug. 10, 1966 

Orbiter I1 

Nov. 6, 1966 

Orbiter I11 

Feb. 5, 1967 

Orbiter IV 

May 4, 1967 

Orbiter V 

Aug. 2, 1967 

Mariner I 

July 22, 1962 

Mariner I1 

Aug. 26, 1962 

Mariner 111 

Nov. 5, 1964 

Mariner IV 

Nov. 28, 1964 

Mariner V 

June 14, 1967 

Atlas- Centaur First U. S. soft landing. Returned over 

2, 193 lb. 11, 150 photos.. 

Atlas -Centaur Crashed on Moon southeast of Copernicus 

2,204 lb. crater. Spacecraft failure. 

Atlas - Centaur Soft landing. Performed soil sampling 

2,280 lb. 

Atlas-Centaur 

2,294 lb. Spacecraft failure. 

and returned over 6,300 photos. 

Crashed on Moon in Sinus Medii crater. 

Atlas -Centaur Soft landing. Made surface chemical 

2,216 lb. 

Atlas - Centaur Soft landing. Made surface chemical 

2,219 lb. 

analysis and over 19,000 photos. 

analysis and over 30,000 photos; lifted 

off and returned to lunar surface. 

Soft landing. Soil sampling; chemical 

analysis; over 10,000 photos (1/15/68) 1 Atlas -Centaur 

2,289 lb. 

Atlas-Agena D First U.S. orbiting success; 206 wide853 lb. angle, 11 high-resolution photos. 

Atlas-Agena D 

861 lb. re solution photos. 

Returned 206 wide-angle and 205 highAtlas-Agena D 

850 lb. re solution photos. 

Returned 153 wide-angle and 144 highAtlas-Agena D 

860 lb. resolution photos. 

Returned 125 wide-angle and 145 highAtlas -Agena D 

862 lb. resolution photos. 

Returned 212 wide-angle and 212 highPLANETARY PROGRAM 

Atlas-Agena B 

446 lb. 

Venus probe; launch vehicle failure. 

Atlas -Agena B 

447 lb. Dec. 14, 1962 within 21,600 miles of 

First successful flyby of Venus on 

surface; temperature, and magnetic 

field and charged particle measurements. 

Atlas-Agena D Mars probe. Launch vehicle shroud 

575 lb. failure. 

Atlas-Agena D 

575 lb. 14, 1965; measured atmospheric denPassed 6,120 miles from Mars on July 

sity; returned 21 photos. 

Passed within 2,600 miles of Venus on 

and atmospheric properties. 

Atlas - Agena D 

540 lb. Oct. 19, 1967; measured magnetic field 

135 
UNITED STATES SPACE LAUNCH VEHICLES 

Thrust (in Max. Height less Payload (pounds) 

Thousands Dia. Spacecraft 300 NM First 

Vehicle Stages Propellant of pounds) (feet) (feet) orbit Escape Launch 

scout 1. Aleol IIIB) Solid 100.9 3.3 64.4 320 50 1965 (60)* 

Thor -Delta 

Thrust -augmented 

T h or -Delta 

Thor -Agena 

Thrust-augmented 

Thor -Agena 

Atlas -Agena 

Titan TI (CLV) 

Titan IIIA 

Titan IIIB-Agena 

Titan IIIC 

Atlas -Centaur 

Uprated Saturn I 

Saturn V 

.,.. 2.. Castor 11 

3. Antares I1 

4. Altair III 

Solid 

Solid 

Solid 

1. Thor (DSV-3E-1) LOXlRP 

2. Delta (DSV-3) IRFNAIUDMH 

3. FW-4D Solid 

1. Thor (DSV-3E-1)plus LOXIRP 

three TX33:52 Solid 

2. Delta (DSV-3) IRFNAIUDMH 

3. FW-4D Solid 

1. Thor (DM-21) LOX/RP 

2. Agena IRFNA~UDMH 

1. Thor (DM-21) plus LOX/RP 

three TX 33-52 Solid 

2. Agena IRFNA~UDMH 

1. Atlas booster and LOX/RP 

su s taine r 

2. Agena IRFNA~UDMH 

1. Two LR-87 N204/Aerozine 

2. LR-91 N204/Aerozine 

1. Two LR-87 N204 / Aer ozine 

2. LR-91 N204 I Aer ozine 

3. Transtage N204/Aer ozine 

1. Two LR-87 N204 /Aer ozine 

2. LR-91 N204 1 Aer ozine 

3. Agena w FNA~UDMH 

1. Two 5-segment Solid 

2. Two LR-87 N204 /Aer ozine 

3. LR-91 N204 IAerozine 

4. Transtage N204 /Aer ozine 

1. Atlas booster and LOXIRP 

2. Centaur (Two LOXlLH 

120" diameter 

sustainer 

RL-10) 

1. S-IB (Eight H-1) LOX/RP 

2. S-IVB (One J-2) LOXILH 

2. S-I1 (Five 5-2) LoxlLn 

1. S-IC (Five F-1) LOXIRP 

3. S-IVB (One 5-2) LOXlLH 

60.7 

20.9 

5.9 

172 

7.5 

5.9 

17 0 plus 

54 each 

7.8 

5.9 

170 

16 

170 

54 each 

16 

388 

16 

430 

100 

430 

100 

16 

430 

100 

16 

2,400 

430 

100 

16 

388 

30 

1,600 

200 

7,570 

1,125 

225 

8 

11 

8 

11 

10 

10 

10 

10 

10 x 30 

10 

21.6 

33 

81 

90 

76 

76 

91 

90 

110 

112 

110 

112 

142 

28 1 

950 

1,300 

1,600 

2,200 

6,300 

8,000 @ 

105 NM 

5,000 

7,700 

23,000 

9,900 

40,000 @ 

105 NM 

285,000 @ 

105 NM 

150 

250 

-- 

__ 

1,150 

-- 

-- 

1,700 

5,000 

2,700 

__ 

98,000 

1966 (60) 

1965 (60) 

1962 (59) 

1963 (60) 

1961 (60) 

1964 

1964 

1966 

1965 

1962 

1966 

1967 

NOTES: Definitive data are difficult to compile. 

well as intended orbital altitude. 

in payload and in engine thrust. 

raised their performance, and future modifications may be expected in several cases. 

versions now under development. 

* The date of first launch applies to this latest modification with a date in parentheses for the earlier version. 

Propellant abbreviations used are as follows: 

a single mixture both fuel and oxidizer --Solid; Inhibited Red Fuming Nitric Acid and Unsymmetrical Dimethylhydrazine-- 

IRFNAIUDMH; Nitrogen Tetroxide and Aerozine--N204/Aerozine; Liquid Oxygen and Liquid Hydrogen--LOX/LH. 

Values marked -- are either zero or not pertinent for the vehicle. 

Payload capacity data vary according to the place and direction of launch as 

Modifications of existing vehicles have already 

Vehicles still under development may fall short of or exceed their projected capacities, both 

First stage thrust shown is sea level value. 

In general, these data apply to the latest 

Liquid Oxygen and a modified Kerosene--LOXIRP; Solid propellant combining in 

Appendix D 136 
d 

4 

E; 

E; 

m 

0 

b 

0 

E 

u 

a 

0 

s 

d 

m 

$ 

b 

w 

E 

m 

cz, 

0 

d 

m 

a 

4 

u 

W 

4 

PI 

PI 

5; 

u 

4 

i= 

0 

N 

m 

m 

I 

ii 

3 

cr 

d 

.A $ 

N 

m 

m 

9 

I 

& 

1 

cr 

.a k 

$ 

-4 

h 

1 

m 

5 

e 

d 

m 

e 

N 

In 

VI 

-Io 

N 

0 

Ih 

-TI 

Od h 

a, 

Ki 

k 

N 

In 

m 

0 0 0 

m In 

In 

0 

0 

In 

In 

0 

0 

g 

.A M 

6 

W 

d 

.rl U

13 7 Appendix E 
SPACE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 

Historical Summary and 1969 Budget Recommendations January 29, 1968 

1955 

1956 

1957 

1958 

1959 

1960 

1961 

1962 

1963 

1964 

1965 

1966 

1967 

1969 

NASA 

Total Space I/ 

56.9 56.9 

72. 7 72. 7 

78. 2 78. 2 

117.3 117.3 

305.4 235.4 

523.6 461.5 

964.0 926.0 

1824.9 1796.8 

3673.0 3626.0 

5099.7 5046.3 

5249.7 5167.6 

5 174.9 5094. 5 

4967.6 4862.2 

-- 7- 

Budget 

1968 4588.8 4466-1 

1969 4370.4 4239.0 

NEW OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY 

(In millions of dollars) 

Dept. of Com- Inte- Agri- Total 

Defense -- AEC merce - rior culture - NSF Space 

3.0 -- 

30. 3 7.0 

71.0 21.3 

205.6 21.3 

489.5 34.3 

560.9 43.3 

813.9 67.7 

1298.2 147.8 

1549.9' 213.9 

1599.3 210.0 

1579.4 228.6 

1692.8 186.8 

1664.0 183.6 

1949.5 149.7 

2215.9 153.9 

30.8 2. 1 

30. 3 4.0 

-- 59.9 

7.3 117.3 

8.4 178.9 

3.3 347.5 

-- 759.2 

. 1 1065.8 

.6 1808.2 

1.3 3294.8 

1.5 5434.5 

3.0 6861.4 

3.2 6991.0 

3.2 7007.9 

2.8 6744.9 

0.4 2.4 6601.0 

0.6 2.4 6646. 1 

1/ Excludes amounts for aircraft technology in 1959 and succeeding years. 

Am<unts for NASA-NACA aircraft and space activities not separately identifiable 

prior to 1959. 

Source: Bureau of the Budget 

1 U.S. SPACE BUDGET - NEW OBLIGATIONAL AUTHORITY BILLIONS OF DOLLARS 

8. 0 

W Other 7. 0- 

6.0- OMASA 

Defense 

5.4 

5.0 

4.0 

3. 0 

2.0 

1. 0 

1962 1963 

6. 9 7.0 

1964 1 Ifi5 1966 1967 1968 1969 

REQUEST 

JAN. 29, 1968 

NASC STAFF 

Appendix F-1 138 
SPACE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 

Historical Summary and 1969 Budget Recommendations January 29, 1968 

EXPENDITURES 

(In millions of dollars) 

1955 

1956 

1957 

1958 

1959 

1960 

1961 

1962 

1963 

1964 

1965 

1966 

1967 

1969 

Budget 

1968 

1969 

- 

NASA Dept. of 

Total Space - 1/ Defense 

73.8 

71. 1 

76. 1 

89.2 

145.6 

401.0 

744.3 

1257.0 

2552.3 

4171.0 

5092.9 

5933.0 

5425.7 

73.8 

71. 1 

76. 1 

89.2 

58.8 

329.2 

693.6 

1225.9 

2516.8 

4131.3 

5035.0 

5857.9 

5336.7 

4805.0 4692.0 

4575.0 4455.0 

1.5 

16.5 

47.5 

135.5 

341.0 

518.1 

710.0 

1028.8 

1367.5 

1563.5 

1591.8 

1637.4 

1673.1 

1870. 0 

2180.0 

Total 

AEC merce rior culture NSF Space 

Com- Inte- Agri- 

--- - 

-- -- -- 

6.3 -- -- 

19.2 -- -- 

20.2 -- -- 

32.6 -- -- 

41.1 -- -- 

64.3 -- -- 

130.0 1.0 -- 

181.0 12.2 -- 

220.1 12.3 -- 

232.2 24.1 -- 

188. 3 28. 1 4.0 

183.6 38.6 2.9 

150.8 32.6 2.0 

150.7 33.8 3.8 

75.3 

100.1 

150.1 

248.9 

433.9 

888.4 

1467.9 

2386.6 

4078.6 

5929.8 

6886.1 

7718.5 

7237.3 

0.4 2.0 6749.8 

0.6 2.0 6825.9 

1/ Excludes amounts for aircraft technology in 1959 and succeeding years. Amounts 

Source: Bureau of the Budget 

for-NASA-NACA aircraft and space activities not separately identifiable prior to 1959. 

U.S. SPACE BUDGET - EXPENDITURES BILLIONS OF DOLLARS 

7. 7 8.0 
SPACE ACTIVITIES BUDGET 

1969 Budget Document 

January 29, 1968 

(In millions of dollars) 

New Obligational Authority Expenditure s 

1967 1968 1969 1967 1968 1969 

(Actual) (Estimated) (Actual) (Estimated) 

Federal Space Programs 

NASA l/. ............... 4862.2 4466.1 4239.0 5336.7 4692.0 4455.0 

Department of Defense ... 1664.0 1949.5 2215.9 1673. 1 1870.0 2180.0 

Atomic Energy Commission 183.6 149.7 153.9 183.5 150.8 150.7 

Department of Commerce. . 29. 3 30.8 30. 3 38.6 32.6 33. 8 

Department 'of Interior. ... 3.0 2.1 4.0 2.9 2.0 3. 8 

Department of Agriculture . - 0.4 0.6 - 0.4 0.6 

National Science Foundation 2.8 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.0 2.0 

TOTAL 6744.9 6601.0 6646. 1 7237.2 6749.8 6825.9 

NASA 

Manned space flight.. .. 3393.5 3158.6 2824.8 3648. 7 3166.0 2993.3 

Scientific investigations 564.4 508.7 479.5 673.7 562.5 497.6 

Space technology.. .... 387. 8 398. 9 410. 1 440.4 420..2 425. 3 

Supporting operations. . 346.8 325.6 376.8 452.3 408.4 392.4 

Adjustments to NOA basis t59. 5 -60. 0 - - - - 

Space applications.. ... 110.2 134.3 147.7 127.8 135.4 146.6 

Aircraft technology ... 105.4 122.7 131.4 88.6 112.5 119.8 

Total ............... 4967.6 4588.8 4370.4 5425.7 4805.0 4575.0 

- - 1/ Excludes amounts for aircraft technology. 

Source: Bureau of the Budget 

AERONAUTICS BUDGET 

(In millions of dollars) 

New Obligational Authoritv 

- 1967 - - 1968 (est. ) 1969 (est. ) 

Federal Aeronautics Programs 

NASA I/ .................... 105.4 122.7 131.4 

Department of Transportation - 3/ 

Total 1613.1 1522.3 1406.6 

Department of Defense 2/ .... 1199.2 1230.2 1024.2 

Federal Aviation Agency.. .. 308.5 169.4 251.0 

1/ R&D, A. O., CofF; - 2/ RDT&E Aircraft and related equipment; 

3/ R&D, SST. 

Source: Bureau of the Budget 

- 

- 

Appendix F- 3 140 
INDEX 

A-7 series aircraft 51 

Ablation measuring 33 

Advanced re-entry tests 55 

AEROBEE 31 

Aeronautics 8; development activity 

24-27, 50; safety 104-108, 113 

Aeronautics and Astronautics Coordinating Board (AACB), 43,60 

Aeronautics and Space Engineering 

Board 97-98 

Ae romedic a1 Evacuation Modernization 

Program 54 

Aeronomy 73-74 

Aerospace Research Pilots 44,54 

Ae rot h e rmo dynam i c s 

Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft 

Advanced Turbine Engine Gas Generator 

AGENA 23 

Agency for International Development 

(AID) 82 

Agriculture, Dept. of 22,43 

AH-56A (Cheyenne) 52; AH-1G (Huey 

Airborne Warning and Control System 

Aircraft survivability 55 

Air Force 83,97; range support 61 

Airglow 73-74 

ALOUETTE 48,85 

Ames Research Center 26,28,29, 33 

Antarctica 75 -76 

Antenna (despun) 57 

Antenna (210-ft. -dia. ) 

3 0 

(AMSA) 54 

(ATEGG) 58 

Cobra) 52 

(AWACS) 59 

Alloys 23-24 

17, 38 

APOLLO 1,3,4, 10-14,60-61,70,81,85, 

96, 115-119 

APOLLO Applications 14- 15 

APOLLO Lunar Surface Experiments 

Package (ALSEP) 18, 34,65 

APOLLO-SATURN 1,lO 

APOLLO Telescope Mount 15, 31,85 

Applications Technology Satellites 4, 

ARCAS rocket 86 

18,20,23,77,79,83-84,86, 114-1 15 

Argentina 40,82 

ARIEL 39 

Arms Control and Disarmament Agency 

Army 60 

Army Map Service 60,82 

Asteroids 101 

Astronauts 12; rescue and return 

breaty 2, 4, 69, 70; scientists as 95 

ATLAS 23,68; improved 23 

Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) 35, 

Attack aircraft 57 

Australia 40,82, 102 

Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) 

3, 5,21, 78,81,84 

Aviation, general 26 

12 1 

36,42, 63 

Baker-Nunn Camera 99, 102 

Balloons 19, 30,72, 102 

Belgium 82 

Benefits 3, 6-7 

Bioastronautics 4, 95 

BIOSATELLITE I1 4, 10, 18, 20,22, 115, 

BIue Hill Observatory 74 

Brazil 39 

118-1 19 

C5A 2,4,50 

Canada 39,85 

CENTAUR 22 

Cerenkov radiation 102 

Cerro Tololo Inter -American ObservaCH-53A assault aircraft 53 

Chad 40 

Chemical propulsion 27 -28 

Chemical power 34,35 

Chile 73 

Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) 5, 105 

CL-84 (tiltwing V/STOL) 53 

Clear Air Turbulence (CAT) program 

23,54 

Coast and Geodetic Survey 77,82-84,86 

Coding 32 

C-131A 59 

tory 72-73 

141 
COIN aircraft 52 

Comets 99, 101-102 

Command and Service Module (CSM) 

Commerce, Dept. of 22,43,77,82,90 

Communications, Defense Satellite 

Communications Satellite Act of 1962 

Communications Satellite Corp. 

Communications satellites 4,2 1 

Cosmic rays 75, 101-102 

COSMOS satellites 8 1 

COSPAR 91,94 

Cost reduction 40 

Crab Nebula 102 

11-14 

program 45 

112 

22,112 

3 -4,2 1 - 

DART 67 

Deep Space Network 37-38 

Defense, Dept. of 44-62,82,85 

DELTA 22 

Diurnal variations 100 

Earth resources satellites 3,22,82 

Eastern Test Range 49,61 

Ecuador 40 

Edwards AFB 97 

Electronics and control 31-33 

Electronics Researchcenter 31 -32 

Electrophysics 23 

Environmental Data Service 77 

Environmental Science Services AdminESRO satellite 39 

ESSA satellites 5, 10, 18, 21, 77-78 

European Launcher Development Org. 

European optical station 100 

European Space Research Org. (ESRO) 

EXPLORER 4, 19,22,85 

istration 77,80,83-84, 96, 105 

(ELDO) 40,122 

70,88, 118 

F-12 54 

F-106 24 

F- 11 1 series 2,24,50-51 

Federal Aviation Administration 2, 25-26, 

Federal Communications Commission 

Finland 39 

Fleet Ballistic Missile submarines 48 

Fluid dynamics 23 

104-110 

112-1 14 

Ford Foundation 73 

France 100 

Free molecular flow 75 

Gamma-ray astronomy 102 

Gas dynamics 75 

General -purpose airborne simulator 

(GPAS) 26 

GEOCEIVER 48 

Geodesy 75,99-100 

Geodetic satellites 4,2 1-22,47 

Geological Survey, U. S. 96 

Germany 39,82,93-94 

Global atmosphere research program 95 

Goddard Space Flight Center 31,88,100 

Gravity -gradient stabilization 5 7 

Gravity, reduced 29 

Greenland 10 1 

GEMINI 22,44, 117-120 

GEOS 21-22,47,86,99-100 

Harvard University 73-74 

Hawaii 99-100 

Helicopter development 52 

Helium 75, 100 

HL-10 lifting body 30 

Hungary 82 

Hurlburt, E. 0. Center for Space 

Research 73 

Incentive contracting 40 

India 39, 82 

Infrared (forward -loo king) 

Initial Defense Communications Satellite Project (IDCSP) 46 

Institute for Earth Sciences 82 

Institute for Oceanography 86 

Institute for Telecommunication Sciences 

INTELSAT consortium 70-71, 112, 118 

INTELSAT satellites 3, 10, 99 

International Astronomical Union 102 

Interior, Dept. of 22,43 

International Civil Aviation OrganizaInternational cooperation 5, 39 

International Council of Scientific 

International Year of the Quiet Sun 

Interplanetary Monitoring Platform 

Ionosphere 74-75,85-86, 103 

5 9 

and Aeronomy 85 

tion (ICAO) 114 

Unions (ICSU) 94 

(IQSY) 75 

(IMP) 19 

142 
ISIS 85-86 

Israel 82 

Italy 22, 39 

J-2 engine 61 

Japan 39 

Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) 28, 34 

Johnston Island 99 

Jupiter 103 

K-50 camera 99 

Kennedy Space Center 11, 13 

Kenya 22 

Kitt National Observatory 72 

KIWI (see Nuclear Rocket Programs) 

Labor relations 41 

Langley Research Center 26,28-29, 33, 

Lasers 5, 32,59,99-100 

Launch vehicles 22 -23,6 1 

Lewis Research Center 26, 30 

Life detection 76 

Life sciences 92 

Life support 29 

Lifting body re-entry vehicles 2 

Light attack aircraft 5 1 

Lightning 25 

Load Alleviation and Mode Stabilization 

(LAMS) 58 

Long - Di s tance Point -to -Point System 45 

Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory 63, 74 

Low-temperature research 89 

LUNA 102 

Lunar and planetary programs 15 

LUNAR ORBITER 1,4, 10,23,60, 103, 

Lunar support (Army) 60 

97 

LUNAR MODULE (LM) 12 - 14 

115, 117 

M-2/F-2 lifting body 30 

Magnetosphere 75 

MANNED ORBITING LABORATORY 

Manned Spacecraft Center 29 

Manned Space Flight Network 37 

Manned Space Flight Policy Board 60 

MARINER 2,4, 10, 16-17,23 

Mars 17-18, 103 

Marshall Space Flight Center 13 

Materials research 23-24, 88 

Maui-, Hawaii 100 

(MOL) 2,4,44,70, 116, 118 

Max Planck Institute 93 

MERCURY 61, 103 

Meteoritics 99, 101-102 

Meteorological satellites 2 1, 78, 84 

Meteorology 75 

Mexico 40 

Microwave radiation 102 - 103 

Mississippi Test Facility 85 

Moonwatch 99 

Mount Hopkins, Ariz. 100, 102 

NASA Communications Network 

National Academy of Engineering 9 1, 97 

National Academy of Sciences 91, 93, 95 

National Aeronautics and Space Act 6 

National Aeronautics ,and Space Admin- 

(NASCOM) 38 

istration 10-43, 82-86, 88,90,93-96, 

98, 120, 122 

National Aeronautics and Space Council 

National Bureau of Standards 3 1, 77,83, 

National Center for Atmospheric 

National Environmental Satellite Center 

National Geodetic Satellite Program 40 

National Institutes of Health 29 

National Meteorological Center 77 -79 

National Operational Meteorological 

National Radio Astronomy Observatory 

National Range (DOD) 49 

National Research Council 91 

National Science Foundation 72 -76, 9 1 

NATO 82 

Naval Research Laboratory 73 

Navy, U. S. 22, 61, 82,85, 89 

Navigational satellites 

NERVA 5, 36,63 

New Zealand 40 

Noise alleviation 25 

Nuclear detection 5, 47, 68 

Nuclear Rocket Development Station 36 

Nuclear rocket program 11, 35-36,63 

Nuclear space systems 11, 33-34,63 

6-9,43,98 

86-90 

Research (NCAR) 73-74 

(NESC) 77,82 -84 

Satellite System 78 

72 

3, 5, 48, 57, 82 

NIMBUS 21,65,79-80,86 

OBSERVATORY satellites 4, 10, 18- 19, 

22-23,31, 118 

143 
Office of Naval Research 97 

Office of State Technical Services 

Optical satellite tracking 99- 100 

Orbital Workshop 15 

Over the Horizon Detection (OHD) 55 

OZONE 75 

77, 

90 

PAGEOS 4,22,48 

PEGASUS 31 

Philippines 40 

PIONEER 4, 19,22, 32 

Planetary atmo s phe res 

Planetary studies 102-103 

Plasmas 75 

Plastics 24 

Plutonium 238 67 

Poland 82 

Polonium 210 67 

Power (space) 56,65 

Power conversion 66 

Prairie Network 101 

Princeton University 75 

PRIME/ PILOT 55 

Puerto Rico 84 

PHOEBUS 5, 35-36 

7 3 - 74 

Radars 55, 102 

Radio Attenuation Measurements (RAM), 

Project 32 

Radio telescopes 72 

Radioisotope 66 

Respiratory research 29 

Rocket astronomy 72 

Runways 24-25 

S-I1 SATURN stage 13 

SAN MARC0 22,39 

Satellite Control Facility 49 

Satellite Infrared Spectrometer 80 

Satellite network 37 

SATURN I (Uprated) 12-13,62,85 

SATURN V 1, 3, 4, 10-14, 17,61, 85, 116, 

118-119 

SCOUT 22 

Senegal 40 

SERT 35 

Shed Light, Project 59 

Smithsonian Institution 43 

Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 

SNAP systems 5,21, 33-34,65 

99-103 

Solar cells 55 

Solar flares 102 

Solar power 34 

Solar radiation monitoring program 57 

Solar research 73-74 

Solar wind 73-74, 101 

Solid rockets: 156-in. 56; 260-in. 5, 

Sounding rockets 5, 19,21 

South Africa 40 

SOYUZ 3 

Space nuclear safety 67 

Space planning objectives 7 

Space Science Board 91,95,97 

Space suits 29 

Space vehicle systems 30-31 

Spacecraft oceanography 120 

Spain 99 

SPASUR 50 

Standard Earth (geodetic model) 100 

START 55 

State, Dept. of 69-71 

Sun 18-19 

Supersonic Transport (SST) 2,4, 10,26, 

Surinam 40 

10,27 

52,97, 107, 109, 111 

SURVEYOR 1,2,4, 10, 15-16,22,60, 102, 

115, 117-119 

Switzerland 39 

SYNCOM 45-46,119 

Tech Briefs 42 

Technology utilization 41 

Telecommunications services 85 -86 

Thermionic power generator 66 

Thesaurus 42 

THOR-DELTA 22 

TIROS 21,78-79,84 

TIROS Operational Satellite System 

(TOSS) 81,85 

TITAN IIIC 4, 45, 68 

TITAN IIIM 2,44 

Tokyo Astronomical Observatory 99 

Total In-Flight Simulator (TIFS) 59 

Tracking and data acquisition 37-38,71 

TRANSIT (see navigational satellites) 

Transportation, Dept. of 104- 11 1 

Tsunami warning system 83 

United Kingdom 39-40, 57, 82 

United Nations 2, 69, 121-122 

United Nations Conference on Outer 

Space 69 

144 
United Nations Space Treaty 2, 4, 69, 

118, 121; agreement on astronaut 

rescue and return 4-5, 69 

120 

United States Information Agency 

United States Patent Office 77 

University of California 75 

University of Chile 73 

University of Riga 99 

University programs 38 

USSR 3, 8,.81, 99 

115 - 

Vandenberg AFB 2 

VELA 5,47,68 

VENERA 4 2, 3, 103 

Venus 2,4, 10, 16-17,74, 103 

Vice President 6 

VOYAGER 17 - 18 

V/STOL io, 26,53,57 

VTOL Integrated Flight Control (VIFC) 58 

Wallops Island 85 

Water (lunar) 102-103 

Weather Bureau 3,77,79,84-85 

Western Europe Satellite Tracking 

Western Test Range 49, 61 

World Data Centers 94 

World Magnetic Survey Project 84 

World Meteorological Organization 

World Weather Watch 79 

network 99-100 

(WMO) 82 

X-15 

x-22 53 

X-24A 55 

XB-70 10,26,50, 52 

XV-4A 58 

2, 4, 10, 24, 27, 53 

YF-12A 54 

145 

GSA DC 68-9417