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TO
__
I M A R C H 31,1960
4
N
(D
(ACCESSION N q M B E R ) (THRU)
-U-wAe/
(CODE)
i
: Tr-r$a7Ts//
( N A S A CR OR TMX OR A D NUMBER) (CATEGORY)
Pursuant to t h e p r o v i s i o n s of t h e National
DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER
The President
The White House
Since rely ,
T. Keith Glennan
Administrator
J
ph, taken by the
Florida penins
CONTENTS
C ~ 1 - ~ ~ ~ u u T I O N o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o 3o o
Of PrQWeSS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
~ j 0 1 . ~ ~ ~ o o o o o o 0o 0o 0 o0 o0 0 0 0 0 0 2
spwatmghto 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Aeronautical 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Internatianal 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 . 0 . 4 0 . 0 0 2
NASA's Long Range P h n 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
Launch V e U c l e Dev@l.opnent 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
-9 %Bd<m8 0 0 0 0 0 . 0 . 0 . 0 0 . 0 4
First Meraury Suborbital. night 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 k
=OZlLandingSmed 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4
PlanetsrgH,sdonso 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
C d t t e e an Lnng Range &udies 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5
c 3- MIssIms 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13
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Space
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OHAP'EZt 4 - NATIONAL
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LAUNCH VEHICLE pEu)[;1RAM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 39
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Delta 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 . 0 lil
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PACBC
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57
Capsule Escape and Retrograde
braehut8 Tests C a r r i e d out . . .. . .. . ... .
Rockets 57
58
mVirOtrtaerrtd. COXktrOl S S g t e Tests
Astronaut Pressure Suit8 Delivered. . . . . . .. .. ..
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 58
58
Attitude Sensing and Reaction Control Sp3tam
Cormmtcations (On-Boamt) and
. . . . . . .
Instrmentsrtion
. . .. .. .. 58
40
Training Progresses . . . . . . . . . . .
E&g Joe Flight Results
Test 60
Astronaut
Mercury
The X-15
Tracking
Research
Network Progress . . .. . ...
Airplane . . . . . . . . . . . . .
0
,
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66
Plane bT0. 1
X-l5
Dar~annstra%%on
Tranaferred t o NASA
100. 2 Reaches 19- Peak Altitude
Flights Corrtlnued
... . .. ..
by Contractor
0 0 0 0 0 0 0
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0 0
0 66
67
67
xLR-sqB@,ne&aundTeSt~,o e 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 67
6 - SPA63E: SC CfZSIESEARCH 0 0 . 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 69
InterrnationciL Science Autivitiea . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 70
first International Space Sgraposium
lhcplorer V I I Telesnert
.............
cod08 R ~ ~ S S O C I . ..... 70
70
. . .. .. .. ..
Scieritif3.c Results t o 70
Esature of Radiation Region S t i l l Conjectural 70
Easthts I%p&ic FidLd Relativdy Stable ?I.
h Z a r d 8 t o uf0 a2ld
sunnzfght Pushes fir ...........
Evalutsd
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CONTENTS
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CONTENTS
MidtrackNetwork . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
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Equipment Improvement 0
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AdmCed T ~ h n i ~ Pr0a;ragls
al 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .
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Projected Locations 0 .
construction
Negotiations
Wallops Station, Va.
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Cooperating Stations . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..
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SpacePropulrslon . . . . . . . . ... .. .. .. .. ..
Tgp.8 of Research F a c i l i t i e s U s e d 0
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F'U6L-OxidiZeffBes~h 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 . 0
TurbopumpSystemslnvsstigations 0 . *
=quid Hydrogen Pressurization Studses . e 0
SOlSd-PrOpallant Rockets 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 . 0
- - iv
Steering...
EILgh-Purfornmce Boeket Mators
bXg8BOBhr8
Thrvst.ation
ktdd.8 md
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Vdocity Control
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IOn&OCk&8 o 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 120
PlaaanarROckatr~ 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 121
ElsctrathsrmslRockQta
Use of
Nuelear
Radiation f o r proguldon
Appucations for Space
......
.... . e
122
122
122
Nuclear H e a t TWSfm Rockats
P~~erGansration ... ... .. ....... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3-23
3-26
c~l2-M.ATERIALsmsTRuc~REs 0 0 0 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 0 0 0 I27
Problans of Brtrsrae Temperatures .........
Alloys f o r High-Temperature Applications.... 3-27
3-27
R e f i ~ t O ~ M W S
Refractory Ceramics
0
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Other Materials Studies ..............
Bearings f o r Use at Cryogenic Tanpewatures
.....
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131
Effects of Nuclear M a t i o n
Studies of Fatigue S t r q g t h
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&Btds
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131
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135
Extreme Con&tions Involved ............
............ 135
Control and Stabilization
Piloted SpaceVehicles .............
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135
Simulated Spaceflight
Ames F%ve-Degree-of-Freed~ .....
.........
Simulator
Langley Fixed Base Simulators
136
136
136
............
Three-Ma Simulator Inveertigations of Signals
..............
Adapttve Conrtrol System
138
138
Guidance and Navigation
..........
..................
Entry Corridor Possibilities
139
139
Trajectories
CaprterUse .................
......
Precise and Sim~MA’3.dcalculations
139
140
140
kZ’S and V-8 TX’ajeCtOIdeS 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 U Q
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Investigation o f Lunar Wof’t” Landing Techniques
Mid-Course Trajectory Corrections
l4.l
142
-v-
C 0 N T E N T'S
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phssics and Chamistry of Gases at High Tempera-
. . . . .. . . . . .
P h o t o c h d s t r y of Upper Atmosphere Gases
IonBsamExperimenta
. . .
CHAPTER~~-~GKTSAFETY. . . . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . 3449
. .i.n.Airplane
operations ami ~ v i i o r m e n t . . . ... . . 3.49
, Operations. . . . . . . . . . . .. .. .. . .. . ..
Studies of Altimetry l?roblens
.Law. . . . . . . . Ratio
Waken Effects of Large
Fbel Sloshing Dampers
Transport
....
Aimraft
. . . . . . . . ... .. . . . .
Pawer-Off Landings f o r
"vehicles
I;tft-to-Drw
. . .Shears .. . . .. . .
Measuring Physiological.Condiktons of Pilots
Measurements of Winds and Mnd
OtherStudiese e e 0 e ,. 0 0
Organizational Dwelopemt
Spceili&t W C t i O n S R m ~ m e d
Launch Vehicle Program Broadend
. . .. .. .. ..
0 0
Established . . . . . .... . . . . . . . . ..
Office f o r t h e United Rations Conference
'.
Office of Associate Adndnistrator Reorgadzed
. . . . . . . . . .. . .. .. .. .. .. ..
George C. Marshdill Space F!Light C e n t e r
Established.
- v i -
x
CONTENTS
~ ~ R
...............
e
Ames Research C e n t e r
.
8 ~ h C
....... 163
~ e ~ . 162
.
162
. . .
. ...............
Map Incations of NASA Installations
Lands Research Cmter 164
mat Research C a t - r sFlight
George ~ . ~ a Space ......
0 0 0
~ Center
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 164
164
Weat .............
A t l a n t i c Mf8de Range (APIR) operations OfMCe
............ 165
erations Offlcse 165
0 0 1&+
MewandCont5.mingWork.. .............
.............
Procureaaamt and Contracting
............
............
Realignmsort i n O r g d a a t i o n
.
Decmtralilcatim Progress
.............
...............
Slaa'llBusinessProgram
Types of Contracts
.......
ShkryBght
Description
PatmtprOgram
.... .......
Cooperative Procurement mecmsnts
...........
Procurement Regulations Pro3miLgatc4d
...............
Research G r a n t s and Contracts
...................
...................
Patent Waiver RegulatLons .............
EstabUsknnent of Patent C a u n s e l for Research C a t e r s
Patent Infringment .
PrOtWtion of NASA
Review of Patent Applications
Reporting of Imentians
EWePltims and Contributions
0 0
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InVerrtiOna
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Contractors
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Waiver P e t i t i o n s Grarrted
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175
Construction and Equipment
Langley Research Center. brpton. Va ........ 175
176
J
C O N T E N T S
.4:
a d , Calif. 0 0 0 176
Ohio (including
,OMo)
plight Research Caster, Edwards, W f . 179 . . .. .. .. ..
0 0 0 0 0 1n
. . .. . .. ...
Jet Propulsion Laboratozy, Pasadena, U f . 179
(loddard Space FUght C e n t e r , clreenbalt, MdO 180
Wallops Station, wallops Sslasrtd, Va. 18l
Marshall SpacsFUght Center, IIurrtsviUe, Ala. 183.
~ , C B p e ~ ~ ~ , m B o o o o . o o o o 1o83o o o o
Traddag and Data AcquiSition Station8
hbl5.0 8Ilid T d ~ d c a Il n f O m t i O I i 0 0
183
lSl,
0 0 0 0 0 0
. .0 0
tees 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 187
APPIBDIX B - Nemb~ar~bAp
cQ?mczlo 0 ..
of the Natiansl AeranSuti~sand S-8
0 ' . 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 180
mE
N DI
xG = ership of e tee an I#ng Range Studies 19
APFBWJIX H - M d e r s h i p of Inventions and ContzLhtAons Bocud . . 20l
AP
m xI
I .- ship of %he NASA-IXlD Space SOisarere tee . 203
Al?FENDIXJ- h Advisorg C ttees O O O , O O O O O O e O 205;
J
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
SUMMARY OF PROGRESS
-
During t h e October 1, 1959 March 31, 1960 p e r i o d covered
by NASA's Third Semiannual Report, t h e agency completed and
set i n motion a Long Range P l a n of space e x p l o r a t i o n spanning
t h e 1960-1970 decade.
A t t h e same t i m e , NASA's r e s e a r c h , space f l i g h t , and
a e r o n a u t i c a l programs moved .ahead and major o r g a n i z a t i o n a l
changes were e f f e c t e d t o accommodate i n c r e a s e d r e s p o n s i b i l i -
t i e s i n t h e f i e l d o f launch v e h i c l e development.
On January 14, 1960, t h e P r e s i d e n t n o t i f i e d t h e Congress
o f h i s i n t e n t i o n t o t r a n s f e r t o NASA t h e Development Opera-
t i o n s D i v i s i o n o f t h e Army B a l l i s t i c Missile Agency a t
Redstone Arsenal, H u n t s v i l l e , Ala., a l o n g w i t h - S a t u r n , t h e
1.5-million-pound-thrust c l u s t e r e d r o c k e t engine under devel-
opment by t h e D i v i s i o n . The t r a n s f e r became e f f e c t i v e 60
days a f t e r n o t i f i c a t i o n and t h e budgetary t r a n s f e r w i l l be
completed by J u l y 1, 1960. On J u l y 1, NASA w i l l assume
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e D i v i s i o n t s f a c i l i t i e s and 1,200 a c r e s
a t t h e Arsenal -- which t h e P r e s i d e n t has renamed t h e George
C. Marshall Space F l i g h t Center.
- 1 -
MAJOR PROGRAMS
Space F l i g h t
S u s t a i n e d by v i g o r o u s research and development i n space
s c i e n c e s and s p a c e technology, NASA?s s p a c e f l i g h t program
was marked by t h r e e p a r t i c u l a r l y s i g n i f i c a n t experiments
t h e E x p l o r e r V I 1 s a t e l l i t e ; t h e sun-orbiting Pioneer V deep
--
space probe; and t h e TIROS I experimental m e t e o r o l o g i c a l
s a t e l l i t e which has t r a n s m i t t e d 22,952 photographs of t h e
earth's cloud cover.
A e r o n a u t i c a l Research
I n t h e realm of a e r o n a u t i c s , r e s e a r c h continued a c r o s s
t h e speed range from hovering f l i g h t t o t h e n e a r - s a t e l l i t e
v e l o c i t i e s of t h e rocket-boosted Dyna-Soar I, under develop-
ment by t h e A i r Force. Between these speed extremes, NASA,
i n c o o p e r a t i o n with t h e A i r Force and Navy, continued t o
p l a c e s t r o n g emphasis upon t h e X-15 rocket-powered r e s e a r c h
a i r p l a n e p r o j e c t . F i n a l c o n t r a c t o r t e s t s f o r t h e f i r s t X-15
were completed and t h e a i r p l a n e was t r a n s f e r r e d t o NASA on
February 9. NASA and USAF p i l o t s have been f l i g h t - t e s t i n g
t h e a i r p l a n e s i n c e t h a t time. I n a d d i t i o n , NASA i s s t u d y i n g
a number o f Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) and Short
Takeoff and Landing (STOL) a i r c r a f t . Supersonic t r a n s p o r t
concepts a r e a l s o being i n v e s t i g a t e d .
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Programs
I n t h e f i e l d of i n t e r n a t i o n a l c o o p e r a t i o n , NASA con-
cluded agreements f o r e s t a b l i s h i n g P r o j e c t Mercury t r a c k i n g
s t a t i o n s i n A u s t r a l i a and i n S p a i n t s Canary I s l a n d s . NASA
a l s o o f f e r e d t h e s e r v i c e s of i t s t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n s -- sub-
j e c t t o t h e consent of t h e h o s t c o u n t r i e s
Union f o r any manned s p a c e f l i g h t program it may develop,
-- t o t h e Soviet
and e s t a b l i s h e d t h e O f f i c e f o r t h e United Nations Conference
t o r e p r e s e n t t h e United S t a t e s i n a conference on t h e Peace-
f u l Uses o f Outer Space.
- 2 -
Launch Vehicle Development
Foundation s t o n e of t h e Long Range Plan is development
of a 'small f a m i l y o f v e r s a t i l s , h i g h l y r e l i a b l e [launch vehi-
space-probing m i s s i o n s .
c l e s t o power s p a c e c r a f t on a wide v a r i e t y of o r b i t a l and
Scout and Delta, which were f l i g h t -
t e s t e d f o r t h e first time s h o r t l y a f t e r t h i s r e p o r t p e r i o d
ended, are t h e smallest v e h i c l e s i n t h e family.
I n t h e medium- t o h i g h - t h r u s t class i s t h e Atlas-Agena
B which t h e Department of Defense w i l l launch t h i s year and
make a v a i l a b l e t o NASA t o r e p l a c e t h e Vega which NASA can-
c e l e d on December 11, 1959. A s t i l l more advanced, higher-
t h r u s t v e h i c l e i s t h e Atlas-based Centaur w i t h i t s l i q u i d -
hydrogen second stage. The first Centaur launching i s
planned f o r 1961. When f u l l y developed, it w i l l be capable
of sending some 8,500lpounds i n t o a n e a r t h o r b i t .
I n t h e h i g h - t h r u s t v e h i c l e range, NASA h a s begun s t a t i c
t e s t i n g ( t h a t i s , r u n n i n g t h e e n g i n e s w i t h t h e v e h i c l e clampe
i n a v e r t i c a l p o s i t i o n , t o i t s launch pad) t h e 1.5-million-
pound-thrust S a t u r n first stage multi-chambered engine .
With S a t u r n , NASA w i l l l a y t h e groundwork f o r EBMed
e x p l o r a t i o n o f t h e moon. S a t u r n w i l l be capable of-circum-
n a v i g a t i n g t h e moon and r e t r n i n g t o e a r t h , and of launching
a 25,000-pound space l a b o r a t o r y i n t o an e a r t h o r b i t . During
t h e n e x t f e w years, NASA w i l l be f l i g h t - t e s t i n g v a r i o u s
S a t u r n stages and i n 1964 t h e f i r s t t h r e e - s t a g e v e h i c l e w i l l
be launched.
Toward t h e end of t h e 19609, NASA e x p e c t s t o have a
launch v e h i c l e i n t h e Nova c l a s s which may c o n s i s t of a
c l u s t e r of F-1 single-chamber e n g i n e s , each producing 1.5-
m i l l i o n pounds o f t h r u s t . By c l u s t e r i n g t h e s e e n g i n e s ,
which are now under development, it would be p o s s i b l e t o
a c h i e v e a t o t a l t h r u s t of s i x - t o 1 2 - m i l l i o n pounds. A l t e r -
n a t i v e l y , t h e v e r y large c a p a c i t y o f t h e system might be
a c h i e v e d through t h e use o f n u c l e a r energy.
Nova w i l l probably be t h e first v e h i c l e w i t h which t h e
U. S. w i l l a t t e m p t t o l a n d men on t h e moon. Now i n t h e con-
c e p t stage, it should be capable of c a r r y i n g 100,000 pounds
t o t h e moon and of p l a c i n g a 290,000-pound space l a b o r a t o r y ,
occupied by s e v e r a l i n d i v i d u a l s , i n a n e a r t h o r b i t .
Nuclear p r o p u l s i o n systems, which a r e now a s u b j e c t of
a c t i v e r e s e a r c h and development i n c o o p e r a t i o n w i t h t h e
Atomic Energy Commission, w i l l be developed o v e r t h i s decade
f o r important r o l e s i n t h e pace program.
- 3 -
d
Long Range Plan Missions
The s u c c e s s f u l o p e r a t i o n o f TIROS I was t h e first e v e n t
on NASATs,list of s p e c i f i c m i s s i o n s i n t h e Long Range Plan.
TIROS I w i l l be f o l l o w e d by o t h e r e x p e r i m e n t a l weather satel-
.
l i t e s o f similar t y p e . These w i l l be followed by t h e more
advanced Nimbus series
Also scheduled f o r 1960 i s t h e first launching i n Pro-
j e c t Echo o f a 100-foot-diameter, i n f l a t a b l e n p a s s i v e
r e f l e c t o r communications s a t e l l i t e The ultimate purpose
of t h e s e o r b i t i n g s p h e r e s , made of micro-thin aluminized
Mylar p l a s t i c , i s t o s e r v e a s g l o b a l t e l e r a d i o - t r a n a m i s s i o n
l i n k s . A s e r i e s of such s a t e l l i t e s may one day r e v o l u t i o n i z e
worldwide communications and make t r a n s o c e a n i c TV a r e a l i t y .
I n A p r i l , NASA a c h i e v e d t h e first completely , s u c c e s s f u l
s u b o r b i t a l t e s t f l i g h t of a n Echo sphere and t r a n s m i t t e d
v o i c e and r a d i o s i g n a l s v i a t h e sphere. (Radio t r a n s m i t t e r s
on t h e ground beam e l e c t r o m a g n e t i c waves a t t h e s a t e l l i t e s
which, i n t u r n , r e f l e c t o r "bounce" them back t o a n o t h e r
ground s t a t i o n . )
F i r s t Mercury S u b o r b i t a l F l i g h t
Near t h e year end (1960), t h e U. S. p l a n s t o send up a n
a s t r o n a u t on t h e first s u b o r b i t a l f l i g h t i n P r o j e c t Mercury.
A Redstone r o c k e t w i l l launch h i t i i n a Mercury c a p s u l e from
Cape Canaveral on a 15-minute f l i g h t down t h e A t l a n t i c Missile
Range a t s p e e d s up . t o 4,000 miles p e r hour. He w i l l e x p e r i -
ence about f i v e minutes of w e i g h t l e s s n e s s , r e a c h a n a l t i t u d e
of 100 miles and a d i s t a n c e of 180 miles, and w i l l l a n d r i n
t h e sea o f f t h e c o a s t o f F l o r i d a .
During t h e next two t o three y e a r s , NASA has scheduled
20-odd t e s t i n g , t r a i n i n g , and o r b i t a l f l i g h t s i n Pro S e c t
Mercury. The first manned o r b i t a l f l i g h t should take p l a c e
i n 1961.
Moon Landings Planned
During t h e LO-year p e r i o d , t h e U. S. w i l l p r e s s forward
w i t h i t s l u n a r e x p l o r a t i o n program, which w i l l c o n s i s t of
step-by-step p r o g r e s s through a s e r i e s of experiments, e a c h
designed t o e x t e n d o u r knowledge and c a p a b i l i t i e s , F i r s t
a t t e m p t s w i l l be l u n a r o r b i t e r s , followed by s o - c a l l e d "hardn
l a n d i n g s of s c i e n t i f i c d a t a - g a t h e r i n g i n s t r u m e n t s . Next w i l l
come '%oftw l a n d i n g s on t h e moon w i t h more f r a g i l e i n s t r u m e n t s . -
NASA may l a n d mobile i n s t r u m e n t s t a t i o n s on t h e l u n e r surface,
powered by s o l a r b a t t e r i e s .
- 4 -
The most rewarding phase of l u n a r e x p l o r a t i o n w i l l come
when men r e a c h t h e moon, probably a f t e r 1970. I n a broad
sense, t h e main d r i v e o f t h e Long Range P l a n c o n s i s t s of
p r e p a r a t i o n f o r manned e x p e d i t i o n s t o t h e moon and nearby
p l a n e t s i n t h e decades t o follow. The U. S. is p l a c i n g
emphasis upon l u n a r experiments f o r s e v e r a l reasons:
F i r s t , i n t h e words of a s c i e n t i s t i n N A S A ' s l u n a r pro-
gram: '?The moon may have t h e answers t o some of t h e most
important q u e s t i o n s i n s c i e n c e . How was t h e s o l a r system
c r e a t e d ? How d i d it develop and change? Where d i d l i f e
come from?"
"The p a r t i c u l a r importance of t h e moon i s t h a t it i s
t h e o n l y a c c e s s i b l e o b j e c t t h a t can g i v e u s these answers.
The r e a s o n f o r t h i s i s t h a t t h e moon has no wind and water
t o erode i t s s u r f a c e , t o wear away t h e r e c o r d of h i s t o r y ,
t o d e s t r o y t h e cosmic d u s t t h a t has f a l l e n t h e r e f o r b i l l i o n s
of years..
Second, s u c c e s s i n t h e l u n a r program w i l l p r o v i d e t h i s
c o u n t r y with t h e e x p e r i e n c e f o r a t t e m p t i n g f l i g h t s t o t h e
nearer planets. I n s h o r t , NASA w i l l b e a b l e t o p e r f e c t i t s
communications, guidance, and p r o p u l s i o n systems o v e r t h e
lunar distance -- about a q u a r t e r o f a m i l l i o n miles
t h u s g e t " p r a c t i c e " f o r t h e l o n g e r voyages t o Venus and Mars.
-- and
P l a n e t a r y Missions
The p l a n e t a r y m i s s i o n s have a s t h e i r s c i e n t i f i c objec-
t i v e s t h e s t u d y of t h e o r i g i n and e v o l u t i o n of t h e s o l a r sys-
tem; t h e s t u d y of t h e n a t u r e o f p l a n e t a r y s u r f a c e s and atmos-
pheres; and t h e s e a r c h f o r l i f e .
PLAN I S S U B J E C T TO CHANGE
Any p l a n p r o j e c t i n g r e s e a r c h and development a c t i v i t i e s
a s f a r a s 10 y e a r s ahead is, of course, s u b j e c t t o c o n t i n u i n g
review and change.
Committee on Long Range S t u d i e s
On a broader, more g e n e r a l s c a l e , t h e agency h a s e s t a b -
l i s h e d a Committee on Long Range S t u d i e s t o c o n s i d e r t h e
i n t e r n a t i o n a l , economic, s o c i a l , p o l i t i c a l , and l e g a l impli-
c a t i o n s of space r e s e a r c h and e x p l o r a t i o n . Toward t h i s end,
NASA has n e g o t i a t e d s e v e r a l c o n t r a c t s w i t h p r i v a t e r e s e a r c h
o r g a n i z a t i o n s t o s t u d y t h e s e i m p l i c a t i o n s . The Committee
has a l s o called upon a l e g a l f o u n d a t i o n f o r an a n a l y s i s of
a l l a v a i l a b l e space law l i t e r a t u r e and p r o p o s a l s f o r t h e
c o n t r o l and a d m i n i s t r a t i o n o f o u t e r space a c t i v i t i e s .
- 5 -
CHAPTER 2
NASA HIGHLIGHTS*
(October 1, 1959 -
March 31, 1960)
,October 4
A L i t t l e J o e launch v e h i c l e c a r r y i n g a b o i l e r p l a t e
Mercury c a p s u l e w i t h a t e s t escape system was launched from
Wallops S t a t i o n . Test o b j e c t i v e s were t o determine whether
t h e vehicle-capsule-escape system was o p e r a t i o n a l and t o
check t h e v e h i c l e ' s " d e s t r u c t " system. Both o b j e c t i v e s were
met.
October 13
Explorer V I 1 was launched i n t o o r b i t by a Juno 11.
Data from t h e s a t e l l i t e have provided new information on
f l u c t u a t i o n s of t h e Van Allen R a d i a t i o n Zones a s much a s
50'0 miles a t a time and r a d i a t i o n i n t e n s i t y v a r i a t i o n s a s
much a s 10 times i n s e v e r a l hours. S u b s t a n t i a l evidence
has been shown o f i n t e r r e l a t i o n s h i p between p e r i o d s of
s o l a r a c t i v i t y , changes i n cosmic r a y i n t e n s i t i e s , ionos-
p h e r i c d i s t u r b a n c e s , and geomagnetic storms above t h e earth.
October 21
The P r e s i d e n t announced p l a n s t o t r a n s f e r t h e Army
B a l l i s t i c Missile Agency's Development Operations D i v i s i o n ,
H u n t s v i l l e , Ala., t o NASA. The P r e s i d e n t v e s t e d r e s p o n s i -
b i l i t y i n NASA f o r t h e s u p e r b o o s t e r program, i n c l u d i n g
P r o j e c t S a t u r n , t h e 1.5-million-pound-thrust c l u s t e r of
e i g h t r o c k e t e n g i n e s of t h e J u p i t e r t y p e .
October 28
NASA launched a 100-foot-diameter i n f l a t a b l e sphere o f
-
m i c r o t h i n , a lumin i ae d po 1yme r p l a st i c from Wallops S t a t i o n
i n a s u b o r b i t a l t e s t . The experiment, a p r e l i m i n a r y t o
- 7 -
c o r n m i c a t i o n s s a t e l l i t e development, tested e j e c t i o n and
i n f l a t i o n of t h e s p h e r e and o p e r a t i o n of t h e X-248 ro
which w i l l be t h e t h i r d stage of the Delta vehicle. The
s p h e r e reached a 265-1nile a l t i t u d e and t r a v e l l e d 500 miles
o v e r t h e A t l a n t i c Ocean.
November t.
A second L i t t l e Joe was launched a t Wallops S t a t i o n t o
t e s t t h e escape system under s e v e r e dynamic p r e s s u r e . The
launch v e h i c l e performed well, b u t t h e escape r o c k e t i g n i t e d
s e v e r a l seconds t o o l a t e and desired dynamic p r e s s u r e s were
not a ~ h i e v e d .
November 18
A memorandun o f understanding f o r o p e r a t i o n of Proj e e t
Saturn, pending formal t r a n s f e r t o NASA, was endorsed by
NASA and DOD. The agreement provided f o r t e c h n i c a l d i r e c t i o n
of S a t u r n by the NASA Administrator, w i t h a d v i c e and assist-
anue of a Conunittee composed o f NASA and DOD r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s .
November 26
An a t t e m p t t o launch a l u n a r s a t e l l i t e f a i l e d when t h e
p l a s t i c shroud p r o t e c t i n g t h e s e n s i t i v e payload of t h e s a t e l -
lit e s s p a r a t ed prematurely.
Dee ember 1,
A t h i r d L i t t l e Joe c a r r i e d a r h e s u s monkey, i n a dual-
purpose mission t o t e s t o p e r a t i o n o f t h e escape system and t o
o b t a i n measurements of b i o l o g i c a l r e s p o n s e s o f a p r i m a t e t o
space f l i g h t . All o b j e c t i v e s of t h e t e s t were met.
December 7
NASA o f f e r e d t h e s e r v i c e s o f i t s t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n s
s u b j e c t t o consent of t h e h o s t c o u n t r i e s -- t o t h e Soviet
--
Union f o r i t s manned space f l i g h t program. NASA a1
o f f e r e d t o p r o v i d e equipment o r u s e equipment f u r n i
by S o v i e t s c i e n t i s t s , if s p e c i a l r e c o r d i n g o r data r
d u c t i o n f a c i l i t i e s should be r e q u i r e d .
December 11
The Vega launch v e h i c l e development program was c
i n f a v o r of an Agena B program, u s i n g Atlas-Agena B
Agena B v e h i c l e s , t o avoid d u p l i c a t i o n and t o i n c r e a
b i l i t y by keeping t h e number of r o c k e t v e h i c l e s i n t h e program
t o a minimum.
December 22
The f i r s t J a v e l i n sounding r o c k e t was launched from
Wallops I s l a n d , i n a j o i n t U. So-Canadian experiment. The
c h i e f objective--to measure t h e i n t e n s i t y of g a l a c t i c r a d i o
noise-was n o t reached because of payload f a i l u r e . However,
t h e ,payload was c a r r i e d t o a n a l t i t u d e of 650 miles by t h e
four-stage Javelin.
-
1960
January 1
NASA Headquarters was reorganized. O f f i c e of Launch
V e h i c l e s was e s t a b l i s h e d ; s e v e r a l o t h e r o f f i c e s were r e d e s i g -
nated.
January 8-16
NASA gave e x t e n s i v e s u p p o r t t o t h e N a t i o n a l Academy o f
Sciences d e l e g a t i o n t o t h e f i r s t I n t e r n a t i o n a l Space Science
Symposium, Nice, France. The symposium was sponsored by t h e
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) .
January 16
As a p r e l i m i n a r y experiment i n P r o j e c t Echo, a communi-
c a t i o n s a t e l l i t e , a 100-foot-diameter i n f l a t a b l e s p h e r e was
launched on a s u b o r b i t a l t r a j e c t o r y . Although it r u p t u r e d
on i n f l a t i o n , v o i c e and r a d i o s i g n a l s were t r a n s m i t t e d t o
t h e sphere and ttbouncedtt o r r e f l e c t e d back t o ground s t a t i o n s .
- 9 -
January 2 1
The P r o j e c t Mercury capsule escape system was t e s t e d a t
high dynamic p r e s s u r e d u r i n g a L i t t l e Joe f l i g h t . (Atmos-
phere e n t r y was n o t i n v o l v e d i n t h i s t e s t .) Sequencing o f
p a r a c h u t e s and t h e r e c o v e r y o p e r a t i o n were s a t i s f a c t o r y . A
r h e s u s monkey rode i n s i d e t h e capsule i n a biopack, s u s t a i n -
i n g stresses a s high a s 20 g without ill e f f e c t s .
January 26
The second j o i n t U, S .-Canadian J a v e l i n sounding r o c k e t
experiment was launched from Wallops I s l a n d . The launch
v e h i c l e performed a s programmed, but t h e payload malfunc-
tioned.
January 29
The O f f i c e f o r United Nations Conference was e s t a b l i s h e d
t o c a r r y o u t NASA's r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r planning, c o o r d i n a t i n g ,
and d i r e c t i n g U. S . p a r t i c i p a t i o n i n t h e F i r s t I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Conference on t h e P e a c e f u l Uses of Outer Space. D r . John P.
Magen was named d i r e c t o r of t h e new O f f i c e ,
February 9
X-15 Research Airplane No. 1 was d e l i v e r e d by t h e con-
t r a c t o r , North American Aviation, Inc., t o NASA f o r f u r t h e r
testing.
February 26
An agreement was reached f o r e s t a b l i s h m e n t of P r o j e c t
.Mercury t r a c k i n g networks i n A u s t r a l i a ,
February 27
A t h i r d 100-foot-diameter i n f l a t a b l e sphere was launched
i n a b a l l i s t i c t r a j e c t o r y from Wallops I s l a n d . The sphere
a g a i n r u p t u r e d , b u t v o i c e t r a n s m i s s i o n s were r e l a y e d from
Bell Telephone L a b o r a t o r i e s , Holmdel, N. J., t o General
E l e c t r i c t s Schenectady l a b o r a t o r i e s and t o M.I.TTs f a c i l i t i e s
a t Round H i l l , Mass.
- 10 -
J
March 1
The Office of Life S c i e n c e s was e s t a b l i s h e d i n NASA
h e a d q u a r t e r s t o p l a n , o r g a n i z e , and o p e r a t e a program of
r e s e a r c h d e a l i n g w i t h 1) s u r v i v a l a n d performance o f man i n
space; 2) t h e e f f e c t of t h e space environment on b i o l o g i c a l
organisms, systems, and p r o c e s s e s ; and 3 ) t h e s e a r c h f o r
e x t r a - t e r r e s t r i a l l i f e forms. D r . C l a r k T. Randt was named
d i r e c t o r of t h e new O f f i c e .
March 10
The O f f i c e of R e l i a b i l i t y and Systems A n a l y s i s was
I e s t a b l i s h e d i n NASA h e a d q u a r t e r s , t o d i r e c t a program
designed t o e v a l u a t e and improve o p e r a t i o n a l r e l i a b i l i t y o f
NASA l a u n c h v e h i c l e s and payloads. Landis S. Gephardt was
appointed director.
March 11
Pioneer V, a 94.8-pound space probe, was launched on a
t r a j e c t o r y which c a r r i e d it i n t o a s o l a r o r b i t . As t h e
r e p o r t p e r i o d ended, t h e probe was t r a n s m i t t i n g s c i e n t i f i c
d a t a from a d i s t a n c e of n e a r l y t h r e e m i l l i o n Itliles from
earth.
March 15
The P r e s i d e n t r e d e s i g n a t e d NASA f a c i l i t i e s a t Redstone
Arsenal, H u n t s v i l l e , Ala., a s t h e nGeorge C. Marshall Space
F l i g h t Center ."
March 19
An agreement was reached f o r a P r o j e c t Mercury t r a c k i n g
s t a t i o n i n t h e Canary I s l a n d s .
March 23
NASA t e s t p i l o t Joseph Walker made t h e f i r s t f a m i l i a r i z a -
t i o n f l i g h t with X-15 No. 1. A l l p r e v i o u s t e s t f l i g h t s had
been performed by t h e c o n t r a c t o r , North American Aviation, I n c .
- 11 -
March 25
NASA announced t h e s e l e c t i o n of Aero j e t - G e n e r a l Corp.,
a s u b s i d i a r y of General T i r e arid Rubber Co., t o b u i l d t h e
power conversion equipment f o r t h e SNAP4 (System f o r Nuclear
-A u x i l i a r y gower ) r e a c t o r , and t o i n t e g r a t e The r e a c t o r - i n t o
a n o p e r a t i o n a l system.
March 28
Two c l u s t e r e d first-stage e n g i n e s f o r t h e S a t u r n v e h i c l e
were s t a t i c t e s t e d . P e r f o r nce was good, and n o i s e l e v e l s
were found t o be somewhat lower t h a n had been a n t i c i p a t e d .
April 1
The f o u r t h s u b o r b i t a l t e s t launch of 100-foot-diameter
i n f l a t a b l e sphere o p e r a t e d a s p r o g r a m e d . Launched by a
two-stage v e h i c l e from Wallops I s l a n d , it reached an a l t i t u d e
of 280 miles, and a 12-sentence t a p e d v o i c e message was
r e l a y e d via t h e sphere from Holmdel, N. J., t o Round H i l l ,
Masse
April 1
April 1
TIROS I, t h e first of a s e r i e s o f experimental meteoro-
l o g i c a l s a t e l l i t e s , was launched i n t o o r b i t , During t h e
first few days a f t e r t h i s r e p o r t p e r i o d ended, i t s perform-
ance f a r exceeded e x p e c t a t i o n s a s i t s narrow- and wide-angle
cameras t r a n s m i t t e d hundreds of c l e a r photographs of t h e
e a r t h ' s cloud cover, p r o v i d i n g s i g n i f i c a n t d a t a on t h e forma-
t i o n and e x t e n t of clouds.
- 12 -
CHAPTER 3
EX
MAJOR EXPERIMENTS
Three major experiments -- t h e Explorer V I 1 and TIROS I
s a t e l l i t e s and t h e Pioneer V deep space probe -- transmitted
s c i e n t i f i c i n f o r m a t i o n of great s i g n i f i c a n c e d u r i n g t h e
report period
Data from Explorer V I 1 h a s i n d i c a t e d p o s s i b l e r e l a t i o n -
s h i p s between s o l a r e v e n t s and geomagnetic storms. Pioneer
V has been s t e a d i l y t r a n s m i t t i n g r a d i a t i o n d a t a and o t h e r
s c i e n t i f i c i n f o r m a t i o n from deep space i n t h e s o l a r system --
m i l l i o n s of m i l e s from e a r t h . And TIROS I, f o r e r u n n e r of
o p e r a t i o n a l weather s a t e l l i t e s t o come, h a s t r a n s m i t t e d
thousands of c l e a r photographs of t h e e a r t h ' s cloud cover.
The three experiments are r e f i n e m e n t s and improvements
o f e a r l i e r experiments and r e p r e s e n t t h e Nation's step-by-
s t e p p r o g r e s s i n t o space.
E x p l o r e r V I I * Measures E a r t h ' s R a d i a t i o n
Expl.orer V I I , a 91 5-pound r a d i a t i o n - p r o b i n g s a t e l l i t e
o r i g i n a l l y planned f o r t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Geophysical Year,
was launched on October 13 a t 11:31 a.mo EDT by a Juno IL**
When launched, t h e s a t e l l i t e was set s p i n n i n g a t 450 rpm t o
.
s t a b i l i z e it Explorer V I 1 a t t a i n e d a n e l l i p t i c a l o r b i t
with a p e r i g e e of 344 miles and a n apogee of 678 miles. Its
l i f e i s e s t i t e d a t about 20 y e a r s .
The s a t e l l i t e , 30 i n c h e s
0-
in di c o n s i s t s of two t r u n c a t e d
cones j o i n e d a t t h e i r bases. P r e l i m i n a r y a n a l y s e s of t h e
d a t a t r a n s m i t t e d from i t s seven experiments have been
encouraging. The experiments are a s follows:
1) R a d i a t i o n Balance Experiment: t o measure t h e t h e r -
m a l r a d i a t i o n balance, o r "heat budget" of t h e e a r t h .
- 13 -
0
It i s known t h a t t h e e a r t h r e c e i v e s more energy from
t h e sun i n t h e e q u a t o r i a l zone t h a n i t r a d i a t e s i n t o space
and t h a t it r a d i a t e s more energy from t h e p o l a r r e g i o n s
t h a n it r e c e i v e s from t h e sun, T h i s means t h a t h e a t energy
must be t r a n s f e r r e d from t h e e q u a t o r i a l t o t h e p o l a r r e g i o n s
by means of ocean c u r r e n t s and t h e atm phere. The t r a n s f e r
of h e a t i s s t u d i e d i n t h i s experiment measuring: 1) t h e
d i r e c t r a d i a t i o n f a l l i n g on t h e ntoptc o f t h e e a r t h ' s atmos-
phere from t h e sun; 2) t h e f r a c t i o n o f t h i s r a d i a t i o n t h a t
i s r e f l e c t e d by t h e e a r t h , clouds, and atmosphere; and 3 )
t h e f r a c t i o n o f r a d i a t i o n t h a t i s absorbed by t h e e a r t h and
e v e n t u a l l y r e r a d i a t e d back t o space
S i x s e n s i n g elements are used t o determine t h e d i f f e r e n t
q u a n t i t i e s needed f o r t h e above measurements The s e n s o r s
are 3.25 cm diameter, hollow, hemispherical s h e l l s of t h i n
s h e e t s i l v e r . Two of t h e hemispheres are coated b l a c k and
are e q u a l l y s e n s i t i v e t o both s o l a r and t e r r e s t r i a l r a d i a -
t i o n s . Another, p a i n t e d white, i s more s e n s i t i v e t o t e r -
r e s t r i a l r a d i a t i o n t h a n t o d i r e c t and r e f l e c t e d s o l a r r a d i a -
t i o n , Another, w i t h a p o l i s h e d g o l d s u r f a c e , i s more s e n s i -
t i v e t o d i r e c t and r e f l e c t e d s o l a r r a d i a t i o n t h s n t o t e r -
r e s t r i a l r a d i a t i o n . A b l a c k s p h e r i c a l s e n s o r mounted on t o p
o f t h e s a t e l l i t e , and a sun-shaded hemispherical sensor on
t h e e q u a t o r of t h e s a t e l l i t e , complete t h e assembly of
s e n s o r s n e c e s s a r y f o r t h e s e measurements.
The temperature of each s e n s o r i s dependent upon t h e
amount of r a d i a t i o n p r e s e n t t o which it i s p a r t i c u l a r l y
sensitive These t e m p e r a t u r e s a r e t e l e m e t e r e d t o data-
r e c e i v i n g s t a t i o n s on e a r t h . The c a l c u l a t i o n o f t h e e a r t h t s
"heat budget" from t h e d a t a i s a long and t e d i o u s p r o c e s s
when done by hand -- t h e r e f o r e , a computer method o f reducing
the d a t a i s being developed.
2 ) Lyman-Alpha and X-ray Experiment: designed t o
measure some o f t he long-wave p o r t i o n s o f t h e spectrum o f
t h e s u n t s r a d i a t i o n s -- s o l a r u l t r a v i o l e t and X-ray i n t e n s i -
t i e s and t h e i r v a r i a t i o n s , e s p e c i a l l y d u r i n g s o l a r f l a r e s .
S o l a r u l t r a v i o l e t (Lyman-Alpha) r a d i a t i o n i s being
measured w i t h two p h o t o s e n s i t i v e i o n i z a t i o n chambers, c y l i n -
d r i c a l i n shape, 3/l.+-inch i n diameter and 1-& i n c h e s long.
A combination o f l i t h i u m f l u o r i d e windows and a f i l L i n g o f
n i t r i c oxide gas s e n s i t i z e s t h e c o u n t e r s t o t h e p o r t i o n o f
t h e u l t r a v i o l e t spectrum i n which Lyman-Alpha r a d i a t i o n i s
t h e main c o n s t i t u e n t The X-ray i o n i z a t i o n chambers, s i m i -
l a r i n s i z e and shape t o t h e Lyman-Alpha chambers, ar e
f i l l e d w i t h a r g o n gas and have b e r y l l i u m windows,
- 15 -
A p h o t o c e l l s e n s o r i s used with t h e s o l a r u l t r a -
v i o l e t and X-ray equipment, t o determine t h e s a t e l l i t e ' s
p o s i t i o n with r e s p e c t t o t h e sun.
3 ) Heavy Primary Cosmic Ray Experiment: designed t o
determine t h e f l u x , o r i n t e n s i t y , of heavy primary cosmic
r a y s . It employes an i o n i z a t i o n chamber f i l l e d with argon
gas .
4 ) Cosmic Ray Experiment: two Geiger-Mueller c o u n t e r s ,
designed t o measure cosmic r a d i a t i o n and t h e l e s s e n e r g e t i c
p a r t i c l e s i n t h e lower f r i n g e s of t h e Van Allen R a d i a t i o n
Zone and t h e r e g i o n s j u s t below t h e zone. One counter i s
u n s h i e l d e d ; t h e o t h e r h a s a l e a d s h i e l d about one millimeter
thick.
5 ) Exposed S o l a r C e l l Experiment: t o determine t h e
performance of a n u n p r o t e c t e d s o l a r c e l l i n t h e space environ-
ment. The e f f e c t of e r o s i o n upon a s i l i c o n c e l l mounted on
t h e s a t e l l i t e i s i n d i c a t e d by t h e v a r i a t i o n o f t h e v o l t a g e
developed by t h e c e l l d u r i n g exposure t o l i g h t .
6 ) Micrometeoroid Experiment: t o measure micrometeoroids
o f more t h a n 10 microns diameter by means of a cadmium s u l p h i t e
photoconductor covered by an o p t i c a l l y opaque f i l m . Micro-
meteoroids s t r i k i n g t h e f i l m w i l l l e t s u n l i g h t into - t h e c e l l ,
t h u s r e g i s t e r i n g impacts, which are t e l e m e t e r e d t o e a r t h .
7 ) Temperature Experiment: t o measure temperature on
the satellite surface; consists of a s o l a r c e l l cluster, a
b a t t e r y pack, and one Geiger-Mueller c o u n t e r .
Data were being r a d i o e d t o e a r t h by two t r a n s m i t t e r s .
One, o p e r a t i n g on 108 m c and powered by nickel-cadmium b a t -
t e r i e s , was used p r i n c i p a l l y f o r t r a c k i n g and micrometeoroid
d a t a . I t s b a t t e r i e s went dead on December 5. A t t h e end of
t h e r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d , t h e o t h e r t r a n s m i t t e r , powered by s o l a r
c e l l s , was s t i l l t r a n s m i t t i n g d a t a on 19.9915 mc. An auto-
m a t i c t i m i n g d e v i c e ' w i l l c u t o f f t h e solar-powered-transmit-
t e r one y e a r a f t e r launchiing t o release t h e r a d i o frequency
f o r o t h e r uses.
P r e l i m i n a r y R e s u l t s -- On December 30, s c i e n t i s t s a s s o -
c i a t e d w i t h t h e Explorer V I 1 experiments r e p o r t e d p r e l i m i n a r y
f i n d i n g s . Here a r e b r i e f e x c e r p t s and condensations of t h e i r
statements:
Verner E. Swmi, P r o f e s s o r of Meteorology and S o i l s ,
U n i v e r s i t y o f Wisconsin, s a i d of t h e r a d i a t i o n balance
experiment :
- 16 -
W h i l e t h e s a t e l l i t e i s not d ned t o l o o k a t d e t a i l s
i n t h e weather below, it does i n d i c a t e c l o u d s o r storm areas
about a thousand miles a c r o s s . T h i s shows up r e a d i l y on t h e
s u n l i t p o r t i o n of t h e e a r t h because o f t h e large amount of
r e f l e c t e d s u n l i g h t (picked up by t h e s e n s o r s ) . However, it
i s .a l s o p o s s i b l e t o r e l a t e t h e changes i n 1or)g-wave r a d i a t i o n
on t h e d a r k s i d e of t h e e a r t h t o p o s i t i o n s where c o l d o r w a r m
air e x i s t s .
"If t h i s comparatively crude experiment can do t h i s ,
more s o p h i s t i c a t e d s a t e l l i t e s now being planned and under
c o n s t r u c t i o n can recognize storm systems even on t h e dark
s i d e of t h e earth."
Noting t h e v a r i a t i o n s i n t h e amount of heat r a d i a t e d by
t h e e a r t h over a small area of t h e United S t a t e s , D r . Suonri
s a i d it i s p o s s i b l e t o r e l a t e them i n t h e s a t e l l i t e r e c o r d
with t h e weather map f o r t h e area but "at t h i s stage I am not
v e r y c o n f i d e n t because t h e key t o it i s t o go i n t h e r e v e r s e
direction -- t o take t h e v a r i a t i o n s measured by t h e s a t e l l i t e
and s a y t h e r e are t h i n g s below. A t t h e p r e s e n t t i m e we are
j u s t f i n d i n g t h e s e r e l a t i o n s h i p s ; we r e a l l y need t o have much
more d a t a and i n c r e a s e t h e confidence i n them...'t
Heavy Primary Cosmic Ray R e s u l t s
M a r t i n A. Pomerantz, D i r e c t o r of t h e Barton Research
.
Foundation o f F r a n k l i n I n s t i t u t e , Swarthmore, Pa , d i s c u s s e d
t h e Heavy Primary Cosmic Ray experiment. He s a i d t h a t heavy
primary cosmic r a y s '*consist of heavy atoms s t r i p p e d of ex-
ternal e l e c t r o n s and endowed w i t h v e r y h i g h e n e r g i e s . They
come from t h e f a r r e a c h e s of our g a l a x y and have t r a v e l e d
v a s t d i s t a n c e s through i n t e r s t e l l a r space b e f o r e r e a c h i n g us.
We can l e a r n much of fundamental i n t e r e s t by s t u d y i n g t h e i r
...
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . The f a c t t h a t t h e y have s u r v i v e d t h e i r long
j o u r n e y y i e l d s information about c o n d i t i o n s i n cosmic space
"The d a t a r e c o r d i s accomplished by monitoring t h e r a t e
o f ( t h e p a r t i c l e s t ) a r r i v a l a t f i x e d l o c a t i o n s over extended
p e r i o d s of time... The d e t e c t o r empldyed i s t h e s o - c a l l e d
'pulse i o n i z a t i o n chamber? and it e n a b l e s u s t o s e l e c t t h e
heavy primary cosmic r a y s , even i n t h e presence of much
larger background of r a d i a t i o n of o t h e r t y p e s .
"This i s t h e f i r s t occasion i n which t h i s s o r t of d e t e c -
t o r has been used i n a s a t e l l i t e experiment. It has proved
' e s p e c i a l l y well adapted t o t h i s a p p l i c a t i o n because it corn-
b i n e s a high s e n s i t i v i t y and a g r e a t c a p a b i l i t y f o r d i s -
criminating against interfering e f f e c t s .
- 17 -
l t F l u c t u a t i o n s i n i n t e n s i t y , probably a s s o c i a t e d w i t h
storms i n t h e sun, have been observed but have n o t y e t been
s t u d i e d i n any d e t a i l . . . I n p a r t i c u l a r , we s h a l l be espe-
c i a l l y i n t e r e s t e d i n s e e k i n g t o d e t e c t any heavy n u c l e i
e m i t t e d d i r e c t l y by t h e sun -- a n occurrence known t o t r a n s -
p i r e i n t h e case o f hydrogen ...a*
Low Energy P a r t i c l e s Experiment
Brian O'Brien, a n a s s o c i a t e of James A. Van Allen of
t h e S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y of Iowa, d i s c u s s e d t h e cosmic r a y and
low enevgy p a r t i c l e s experiment. Speaking of t h e s h o r t - t e r m
e f f e c t s o f r a d i a t i o n b u r s t s upon t h e Van Allen r a d i a t i o n
b e l t , he s a i d :
. .
11 .On s e v e r a l o c c a s i o n s t h e a p p a r a t u s has d e t e c t e d
what a p p e a r s t o be b u r s t s of s p o r a d i c r a d i a t i o n near t h e
i n n e r edge of t h e o u t e r r a d i a t i o n b e l t These b u r s t s may
\
be r e l a t e d t o t h e b u r s t s o f X-rays whi h are observed a t
b a l l o o n a l t i t u d e s , but a t p r e s e n t we can o n l y s a y t h a t t h e
cause i s unknown o r u n c e r t a i n .
"Another t h i n g we have found from a s t u d y of tlhe sequence
of p a s s e s over North America from t h e 16th of October (1959)
through t o t h e 20th was a n e f f e c t which a p p a r e n t l y is r e l a t e d
t o a geomagnetic storm which began on t h e 1 8 t h of October.
which a p p e a r s t o have been g e n e r a t e d ...
On t h e 1 8 t h of OcOober only, t h e counters measured r a d i a t i o n
l.3,OOO miles out
from t h e c e n t e r of t h e e a r t h . . . between t h e two r a d i a t i o n
b e l t s . T h i s phenomenon i s being compared with r e s u l t s from
E x p l o r e r I V , i n which geomagnetic storms d u r i n g 1958 were
being s t u d i e d .
"The t h i r d phenomenon I want t o mention i s a s s o c i a t e d
w i t h what we c a l l t h e Forbusch phenomena. On o c c a s i o n s o v e r
t h e y e a r s , people w i t h cosmic r a y d e t e c t o r s on t h e ground
have observed a sudden d e c r e a s e i n cosmic r a y i n t e n s i t y ,
g e n e r a l l y of a few p e r c e n t ; t h i s c o v e r s a p e r i o d of s e v e r a l
days. Q u i t e o f t e n , t h i s Forbusch d e c r e a s e i s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h
geomagnetic storms..
- 18 -
He p o i n t e d o u t t h a t sea l e v e l d e t e c t o r s r e c o r d o n l y
v e r y h i g h energy cosmic r a y s . Balloon s t u d i e s a t h i g h a l t i -
t u d e s have r e v e a l e d t h a t t h e Forbusch d e c r e a s e i s much s t r o n g e r
f o r lower energy p a r t i c l e s observed a t sea l e v e l .
"Now, w i t h Explorer VII,n s a i d Prof. OtBrien, "we can
s t u d y even lower energy p a r t i c l e s . We s t u d i e d one sequence
u s i n g d a t a provided by D r . Hugh Carmichael i n Canada. He
h a s sea l e v e l measurements and he has found f o r one p a r t i c u -
l a r Forbusch decrease a n i n e p e r c e n t change i n h i s counting
r a t e over a p e r i o d of many days, whereas Explorer VI1 has
found something l i k e a two t o three hundred p e r c e n t change. .."
Prof. OtBrien s a i d t h a t s i n c e t h e s e d e c r e a s e s are asso-
c i a t e d w i t h geomagnetic storms, it i s p o s s i b l e t h a t Explorer
VI1 f i n d i n g s will throw f u r t h e r l i g h t on t h e n a t u r e and mech-
anism of geomagnetic storms and t h e i r effect on r a d i o com-
munications.
Micrometeoroid Experiment
Herman E. La Gow, head of t h e P l a n e t a r y Atmospheres
Branch of N A S A t s Goddard Space F l i g h t Center, r e p o r t e d on
t h e s t a t u s o f t h e micrometeoroid and e r o s i o n experiments.
S a i d Mr. La Gow:
nThis experiment i s conducted t o e v a l u a t e some of t h e
h a z a r d s i n t h e space environment. It c o n s i s t s of t h r e e
e v a p o r a t e d cadmi-un s u l p h i d e conductors which are covered
w i t h t h i n but o p t i c a l l y opaque f i l m s . The e r o s i o n of t h e s e
s u r f a c e s by e i t h e r h i g h v e l o c i t y ' molecules o r impacts from
m i c r o m e t e o r i t e s would produce openings i n t h e covers. The
admitted s u n l i g h t would change t h e e x e c t r i c a l r e s i s t a n c e i n
t h e c e l l i n p r o p o r t i o n t o t h e area of t h e hole.
plete. ..')
"Analyses of t h e t e l e m e t e r e d r e c o r d s t o d a t e a r e incom-
b u t napproximately one h a l f o f one p e r c e n t of t h e
t o t a l area o f one c e l l was a d m i t t i n g s u h l i g h t . T h i s puncture
o c c u r r e d d u r i n g t h e l a u n c h phase and hence i s n o t from a
micrometeorite . No f u r t h e r p e n e t r a t i o n o r e r o s i o n s have been
n o t e d t o d a t e . The t e l e m e t r y equipment i n t h e c e l l and t h e
functioned properly. .
s e n s o r t o measure t h e temperature of one of t h e c e l l s have
.*@
S a t e l l i t e Temperature Experiment
Gerhard Heller of the Research P r o j e c t s Laboratory,
Army B a l l i s t i c Missile Agency (now t h e George C . Marshall
Space F l i g h t C e n t e r ) H u n t s v i l l e , Alabama, r e p o r t e d t h a t t h e
temperature w i t h i n t h e s a t e l l i t e had been s t a y i n g w i t h i n i t s
d e s i g n l i m i t s o f 320 F a h r e n h e i t t o 1400 F a h r e n h e i t . Data
from t h e Lyman-Alpha and X-ray experiment were s t i l l being
a n a l y z e d as t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d ended. The equipment f o r t h i s
experiment h a s been working p r o p e r l y ; however, t h e s a t e l l i t e
i s i n t h e r a d i a t i o n b e l t f o r such l o n g p e r i o d s that t h e
i n s t r u m e n t s are s a t u r a t e d by t h e r a d i a t i o n . As a consequence,
t h e i n s t r u m e n t s are unable t o i n d i c a t e t h e s o l a r r a d i a t i o n s
t h a t t h e y were designed t o observe. I n s t e a d , t h e equipment
g i v e s a good i n d i c a t i o n of t h e s t r u c t u r e of t h e lower edge
of t h e r a d i a t i o n b e l t . This i s provided by t h e change from
s a t u r a t e d c o n d i t i o n t o u n s a t u r a t e d c o n d i t i o n as t h e equip-
ment comes o u t of t h e r a d i a t i o n b e l t and again as it i s
c a r r i e d back i n t o t h e r a d i a t i o n b e l t .
Pioneer V* O r b i t s t h e Sun
Space Probe Launched by Thor-Able --
Pioneer V i s a
94.8-pound probe designed t o g a t h e r s c i e n t i f i c d a t a from
deep space and t o t e s t communications over i n t e r p l a n e t a r y
d i s t a n c e s . On March 11 a t 8 a.m. EST, a Thor-Able f i r e d
t h e probe on a t r a j e c t o r y t h a t c a r r i e d it i n t o B s o l a r o r b i t .
--
U. K. F a c i l i t y T r i g g e r S e p a r a t i o n The Thor-Able
launched Pioneer V a s planned and a t 8:27 a.m. EST. t h e
r a d i o t e l e s c o p e f a c i l i t y a t J o d r e l l Bank, n e a r Mankhester,
England, t r a n s m i t t e d t h e s i g n a l which t r i g g e r e d s e p a r a t i o n
o f t h e probe from t h e t h i r d stage.
T r a n s m i t t e r Sends Data -- Since t h e n , Pioneer V's f i v e -
watt r a d i o t r a n s m i t t e r has been s t e a d i l y sending d a t a on
r a d i a t i o n and o t h e r phenomena from deep space, m i l l i o n s o f
miles from earth.** When t h e probe i s f i v e t o s i x m i l l i o n
miles fronr e a r t h , a f a r r f u l transmitter-receiver
(150 watts) w i l l be t u r n e d on, which should permit r a d i o
c o n t a c t t o 50 m i l l i o n m i l e s from earth.***
Data Being Analyzed -- As t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d ended on
A p r i l 1, d a t a were s t i l l undergoing p r e l i m i n a r y a n a l y s i s ;
a t midnight on that t e , t h e probe was 2,977,515 m i l e s from
e a r t h . The f i v e - w a t t t r a n s m i t t e r - r e c e i v e r was s t i l l working
planetary distances .
s t r o n g l y , demonstrating that we can communicate over i n t e r - '
* I G Y d e s i g n a t i o n , n1960 Alpha
** The probe f a r exceeded t h e p r e v i o u s communications r e c o r d
d i s t a n c e of 407,000 miles s e t by Pioneer I V .
*** After t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d ended, t h e 150-watt t r a n s m i t t e r
wasl a c t i v a t e d a t 5:04 a.m. EDT on May 8 , but two weeks
later, battery deterioration c e s s i t a t e d a s w i t c h back
t o t h e five-tratt t r a n s m i t t e r ,
- 20 -
i
O r b i t a l Cycle: 312 Days -- The probe w i l l c i r c l e t h e
sun i n 12 da y s , r e a c h i n g i t s p e r i h e l i o n ( p o i n t c l o s e s t t o
t h e sun3 o f 74,967,000 miles on August 10, 1960, and a n
a p h e l i o n ( f a r t h e s t d i s t a n c e from t h e s u n ) o f 92,358,000
m i l e s on January 13, 1961. Each c i r c u i t w i l l t o t a l
514,500,000 miles.
Four Experiments Aboard -- Besides t h e two r a d i o t r a n s -
mitters, t h e probe c o n t a i n s :
A high-energy r a d i a t i o n c o u n t e r t o measure
r a d i a t i o n streaming from t h e sun; it c o n s i s t s
of six a r g o n - f i l l e d c y l i n d e r s ranged around
a seventh.
A t o t a l r a d i a t i o n flux c o u n t e r t o masure
s p a t i a l d i s t r i b u t i o n of e n e r g e t i c p a r t $ c l e s
and medium-energy e l e c t r o n s and p r o t o n s ; it
c o n s i s t s of a g a s - f i l l e d i o n chamber and a
Geiger-Mueller t u b e .
A micrometeoroid counter t o r e c o r d t h e number
and t h e d e n s i t y o f m e t e o r i c d u s t p a r t i c l e s
s t r i k i n g t h e probe; it c o n s i s t s o f a diaphragln
mounted on t h e p r o b e t s s u r f a c e and a microphone.
A magnetometer t o measure t h e s t r e n g t h of mag-
n e t i c f i e l d s and t o determine t h e i r o r i e n t a t i o n
i n space.
S o l a r Vanes Recharm Batteries --
Pioneer V c a r r i e d
numerous a s s o c i a t e d experiments and i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n . Four
paddle-shaped, 14- by i 8 - i n c h vanes j u t from t h e globe-
shaped payload. Each vane i s studded with 1,200 s o l a r c e l l s ,
which provide power t o r e c h a r g e t h e p r o b e t s nickel-cadmium
batteries.
Pioneer V S e t s Record -- A t 7:30 p.m. EST on b r c h 13,
P'ioneer V broke t h e long d i s t a n c e communications r e c o r d --
407,000 m i l e s -- e s t a b l i s h e d by Pioneer I V . A t 2 a.m. EST
on March 18, i t s f i v e - w a t t t r a n s m i t t e r s e n t d a t a from one
m i l l i o n m i l e s i n space, on command from t h e t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n
a t Kaena P o i n t , Hawaii. At t h a t r e c e p t i o n , t h e d a t a c o n s i s t e d
of two s e p a r a t e cosmic r a y c o u n t s ; a r e c o r d o f 87 microme-
t e o r o i d impacts; temperature i n s i d e t h e probe (68OF); temper-
a t u r e on t h e probe's s u r f a c e (270F); a n d v a r i o u s magnetometer
I
measurements.
Uunched Counter t o E a r t h R o t a t i o n
launched t o a v e l o c i t y Qf 24,884 mph --
--
Pioneer V was
575 mph faster t h a n
t h e minimum speed r e q u i r e d t o overcome t h e e a r t h t s g r a v i t a -
t i o n a l p u l l . As t h e sphere sped on i t s c o u r s e , e a r t h ' s
- 22 -
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- 23
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g r a v i t y a t f i r s t had a powerful e f f e c t . By mid-afternoon
of t h e f i r s t day's f l i g h t , t h e speed r e l a t i v e t o t h e e a r t h
had slackened t o l e s s t h a n 8,000 rnph.
To a c h i e v e t h e d e s i r e d o r b i t
t h e sun and n e a r t h e o r b i t of Venus
----
perihelion close t o
Pioneer V was launched
i n a d i r e c t i o n opposite t o t h a t of t h e earth's revolution
around t h e sun. With a speed l e s s t h a n earth's --
and hence
w i t h a reduced c e n t r i f u g a l f o r c e t o o f f s e t t h e sun's g r a v i t a -
tional pull
t h e sun.
-- t h e probe would s t a r t f a l l i n g inward toward
( P r e v i o u s probes had been launched so t h a t t h e i r
speed was added t o t h a t o f t h e e a r t h , and t h e y t h u s moved
outward, away from t h e sun.)
I
- 24. -
Thor-Able et, carryin I, i ched from R, C a p e
C a n a v e ral,
I
--
TIROS' cameras are sweeping
e between 50 d e g r e e s n o r t h and
vered e x t e n d s roughly from
r u z , Argentina; from Le Havr
and from Northern Manchuria
New Zealand. One camera can photographihundreds of t
of square miles, t h e a r e a v a r y i n g w i t h t h e a n g l e of t
with r e s p e c t t o t h e e a r t h . The o t h e r i n s t r u m e n t , a "high-
r e s o l u t i o n t t camera capable of t e n times more d e t a i l , can
photograph a n area 80 miles on a s i d e w i t h i n t h e t e r r i t o r y
photographed by t h e wide-angle camera; it reproduces t h e
s t r u c t u r e and texture of c l o u d s w i t h i n t h e o v e r - a l l cloud
mass 0
Since t h e s a t e l l i t e i s s p a c e - o r i e n t e d , t h e l e n s p o i n t s
earthward o n l y p a r t of t h e t i m e . Photographs of t h e e a r t h t s
cloud cover may bb t a k e n o n l y when a s u n l i t p o r t i o n of t h e
e a r t h comes w i t h i n t h e camerats view.
S a t e l l i t e Transmits Hundreds of Photopraphs --During
i t s f i r s t f e w days i n o r b i t . T I ROS r e l a v e d hundreds of Rhoto-
graphs o f a q u a l i t y s u r p a s s i n g a l l e x p e c t a t i o n s . F r a n c i s W.
R e i c h e l d e r f e r , c h i e f of t h e U. S. Weather Bureau, s a i d t h a t
.. . i n i t i a l r e s u l t s from t h i s one experimental s a t e l l i t e
l e a d u s t o b e l i e v e t h a t a new era in' m e t e o r o l o g i c a l .observing
i s about t o open f o r u s o n
On A p r i l 2, t h e s a t e l l i t e t r a n s m i t t e d p i c t u r e s of a
1,500-mile-diameter s t o r m , t h e edge of which was 300 miles
off t h e c o a s t o f I r e l a n d . Within t h e s t o r m t s boundaries
were c i r c u l a r bands o f c l o u d s 20 t o 100 miles a c r o s s . (The
evening of t h e same day, t h e clock-timer commanding t h e d a t a -
s t o r a g e t a p e r e c o r d e r f o r t h e h i g h - r e s o l u t i o n camera malfunc-
t i o n e d . Since t h e n , photographs from t h a t camera have been
r e c e i v e d o n l y by d i r e c t transmission.* During t h e p r e d i c t e d
1,300 r e v o l u t i o n s of i t s u s e f u l o p e r a t i o n a l l i f e (about t h r e e
.
months) TIROS I w i l l p a s s over a major p o r t i o n of t h e e a r t h t s
inhabited land a r e a s
F i r s t Event i n 10-Year Plan --
The launching o f TIROS I
l e d o f f NASA's l i s t of s p e c i f i c m i s s i o n t a r g e t dates f o r 1960
i n i t s 10-Year Plan. S e v e r a l s a t e l l i t e s o f s i m i l a r t y p e w i l l
f o l l o w . These w i l l be succeeded by t h e more advanced, e a r t h -
o r i e n t e d Nimbus series o f s a t e l l i t e s .
Details o f Launch -- The Thor-Able v e h i c l e -- 90 f e e t
f e e t i n diameter --
c o n s i s t e d of t h r e e s t a g e s :
1) Thor 150,000 pounds t h r u s t ) ; 2 ) L i q u i d - p r o p e l l a n t Able
r o c k e t (7,500 pounds t h r u s t ) a d a p t e d from Vanguard, equipped
w i t h a s p e c i a l Bell Telephone L a b o r a t o r i e s ' guidance system
- 26 -
d
t o c o r r e c t by r a d i o command, d e v i a t i o n s from t h e planned
t r a j e c t o r y ; 3 ) Hercules-Allegany B a l l i s t i c s Laboratory
s o l i d - p r o p e l l a n t r o c k e t (3,000 pounds t h r u s t ) equipped with
a s p e c i a l r a d i o beacon designed by t h e Lincoln Laboratory
o f Massachusetts I n s t i t u t e of Technology f o r r a d a r t r a c k i n g .
Following s e p a r a t i o n from t h e second stage, t h e t h i r d
stage c o a s t e d f o r 63 minutes a f t e r engine s h u t - o f f and b e f o r e
i g n i t i o n . During t h i s p e r i o d it was s t a b i l i z e d on i t s course
by s p i n n i n g a t 90 rpm. The s a t e l l i t e payload s e p a r a t e d from
t h e t h i r d stage 25 minutes a f t e r burnout.
TIROS Has 9,200 S o l a r C e l l s -- TIROS I is a drum-shaped
s t r u c t u r e o f aluminum and s t a i n l e s s s t e e l , 42 i n c h e s i n
diameter and 19 i n c h e s t h i c k . Three p a i r s o f s p i n r o c k e t s
e n c i r c l e i t s baseplate ; a r v t u r n s t i l e " transmitting-antenna
e x t e n d s below i t , and a r e c e i v i q g antenna p r o j e c t s above.
Almost t h e e n t i r e o u t e r s u r f a c e of t h e s a t e l l i t e i s studded
w i t h 9,200 s o l a r c e l l s , which convert heat from t h e sun i n t o
e l e c t r i c a l power by charging nickel-cadmium b a t t e r i e s ,
--
Ground S t a t i o n A c t i v i t i e s The s a t e l l i t e t s program i s
prepared a t NASA's Goddard Space F l i g h t Center. I n s t r u c t i o n s
a r e t h e n s e n t t o t h e two ground s t a t i o n s -- F t . Monmouth and
t h e Lockheed M i s s i l e and Space D i v i s i o n t s f a c i l i t y a t Kaena
P o i n t , Hawaii -- which i n s t r u c t t h e s a t e l l i t e . Backup sta-
t i o n s a t Cape Canaveral, F l a . , and P r i n c e t o n , N. J., a l s o
reCeive TIROS' s i g n a l s , but cannot t r a n s m i t commands. Data
r e c e i v e d a t a l l s t a t i o n s i s e v e n t u a l l y f e d back t o Goddard.
Recording Techniques --Connected t o e a c h camera i s a
magnetic r e c o r d e r t h a t can s t o r e a s many a s 32 photographs,
t a k e n a t 10- t o 30-second i n t e r v a l s while t h e s a t e l l i t e i s
o u t of range o f ground s t a t i o n s . The r e c o r d i n g t a p e , mads
of Mylar p l a s t i c , i s on a 400-foot loop, which i s p u l l e d a t
50 i n c h e s p e r second d u r i n g r e c o r d i n g o r playback. P i c t u r e s
s t o r e d on t h e t a p e can be r e l a y e d t o t h e ground r e c e i v e r s i n
a ji-rninute p e r i o d . The t a p e i s t h e n erased and t h e next
s e r i e s of p i c t u r e s i s recorded.
S t o r a g e and Transmittina; -- Upon r a d i o command, t h e
cameras can bypass t h e r e c o r d i n g system and t r a n s m i t p i c t u r e s
d i r e c t l y t o t h e n e a r e s t ground s t a t i o n ; each o f t h e s e s t a t i o n s
i s i n t h e s a t e l l i t e t s range about 1 2 minutes, o r l e s s , p e r
p a s s . Each camera has a one-half-inch V i d i c o n r t t u b e -- a
d e v i c e t h a t stores images r e c e i v e d when t h e s h u t t e r opens,
An e l e c t r o n i c beam c o n v e r t s t h e s t o r e d p i c t u r e i n t o a n e l e c -
t r o n i c s i g n a l t r a n s m i t t e d t o r e c e i v e r s on e a r t h by twin two-
watt FM t r a n s m i t t e r s , o p e r a t i n g a t 235 mc.
- 28 -
I -
J
Transmitted d a t a are d i s p l a y e d immediately on ground-
s t a t i o n t e l e v i s i o n s c r e e n s , by t h e kinescope p r o c e s s , photo-
graphed, and taped. The s a t e l l i t e c o n t a i n s two 30-mw beacon
t r a n s m i t t e r s o p e r a t i n g on 108 mc and one 108.03 mc beacon
f o r t r a c k i n g and r e l a y i n g d a t a on a t t i t u d e ( o r i e n t a t i o n ) ,
equipment o p e r a t i o n , and space environment.
' Spin Rate Is C o n t r o l l e d -- To prevent nprecession,w o r
wobbling, TIROS I must r o t a t e no slower t h a n 9 rpm; f o r clear
photography it must r o t a t e no f a s t e r t h a n 1 2 rpm. When t h e
s a t e l l i t e s e p a r a t e d from t h e t h i r d stage, it was s p i n n i n g a t
a much f a s t e r r a t e -- about 90 rpm. A nde-spinn mechanisa --
weighted wires wrapped around t h e main s t r u c t u r e before l a u n c h
-- unwound on schedule and were thrown o f f i n t o space, slowing
r o t a t i o n t o 10 rpm. An i n f r a r e d "scannern shows how f a s t t h e
s a t e l l i t e i s s p i n n i n g and i n d i c a t e s i t s o r i e n t a t i o n t o t h e
horizon when photographs are being t a k e n .
Lunar S a t e l l i t e Attempt
On November 26 a n a t t e m p t t o launch a 372-pound paddle-
wheel s p h e r o i d i n t o a l u n a r o r b i t , f a i l e d because of pre-
mature s e p a r a t i o n of t h e payload's p r o t e c t i v e p l a s t i c shroud.
The payload contained equipment t h a t was t o have t r a n s m i t t e d
photographs of t h e moon's hidden s i d e , and d e v i c e s t o g a t h e r
d a t a on micrometeoroids, magnetic f i e l d s , cosmic ray@, and
r a d i o waves.
The payload was launched a t 2:26 a.m. EST. F o r t y - f i v e
seconds l a t e r , a burning fragment dropped from t h e launch
v e h i c l e and r a d i o c o n t a c t was l o s t . A t 104 seconds a f t e r
" l i f t o f f , a l l t e l e m e t r y stopped. The premature shroud sepa-
r a t i o n was caused by i n t e r n a l p r e s s u r e s t h a t b u i l t up as a
r e s u l t o f a p p a r e n t l y inadequate v e n t i n g .
R a d i a t i o n S a t e l l i t e Attempt
An a t t e m p t t o launch a 22.8-pound r a d i a t i o n s a t e l l i t e
a t 8:35 a.m. EST on March 23 ended when t h e Juno I1 launch
v e h i c l e was unable t o l i f t t h e payload t o o r b i t a l v e l o c i t y .
A malfunction a p p a r e n t l y o c c u r r e d i n t h e c l u s t e r of s o l i d -
p r o p e l l a n t r o c k e t s forming t h e upper stages; c a u s e s are under
study.
The s a t e l l i t e was equipped t o r e c o r d d e t a i l e d d a t a w i t h i n
t h e Van A l l e n R a d i a t i o n Region f o r a n extended p e r i o d o f t i m e .
Aerobee 1 5 0 - A t s Launched from Wallops
On February ,16, t h e f i r s t Aerobee 150-A sounding r o c k e t
-- a new t y p e i n t h e Aerobee series, stabi1il;ed w i t h f o u r
- 30 -
I
f i n s i n s t e a d of t h e u s u a l t h r e e -- was f i r e d from t h e
r e c e n t l y completed launch tower a t Wallops S t a t i o n . A m a l -
f u n c t i o n i n t h e t h r u s t chamber caused t h e r o c k e t t o f a i l e
a f t e r it r o s e t o a n a l t i t u d e of about t h r e e miles. A se
Aerobee 150-A, launched on March 2 5 , reached a n a l t i t u d e
150 miles and met most of i t s o b j e c t i v e s , which i n c l u d e d
t e s t i n g i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n t o measure r o c k e t performance
resistance t o vibration, etc. -- and t o count micrometeoroid
--
impacts. P
- 31 -
a
and a n Asp second s t a g e , began t o e m i t sodium vapor a t a
50-rnile a l t i t u d e and continued t h e emission u n t i l it reached
150 m i l e s . The glowing orange-yellow cloud was v i s i b l e f o r
about 15 minutes over a l a r g e s e c t i o n of t h e A t l a n t i c se
board., Observation of t h e cloud r e v e a l e d powerful windshear
e f f e c t s ( t h a t i s , s e v e r a l l a y e r s of s t r o n g winds moving a t
d i f f e r e n t v e l o c i t i e s a t a l t i t u d e s of 70 t o 100 m i l e s ) .
Experiment Employs O p t i c a l Tracking --
behavior of t h e sodium vapor cloud were o b t a i n e d by s p e c i a l
Data from t h e
NASA o p t i c a l t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n s t e m p o r a r i l y l o c a t e d a t
Cherry P o i n t , N. C.; Bowling Green, Va.; Andrews A i r Force
Base, Md.; Dover, Del.; and Wallops S t a t i o n .
- 32 -
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8
CHAPTER 4
NATIONAL LAUNCH VEHICLE PROGRAM
-
Scout
Scout i s a f o u r - s t a g e , s o l i d - p r o p e l l a n t launch v e h i c l e
weighing 36,000 pounds, designed f o r a wide range of small-
to-medium payload m i s s i o n s --
including e a r t h satellites i n
3000500 m i l e o r b i t s , space probes, h i g h - v e l o c i t y e n t r y t e s t s ,
and advanced h e a t i n g and a b l a t i o n s t u d i e s .
--
Vehicle
c a l l y advanced s o l i d - p r o p e l l a n t r o c k e t stages .
The Scout v e h i c l e c o n s i s t s o f f o u r t e c h n i -
The guidance
system i n c o r p o r a t e s g y r o s c o p i c s t a b i l i z a t i o n and a b u i l t - i n ,
p r e - s e t program. C o n t r o l s c o n s i s t of j e t vanes and aero-
dynamic surfaces f o r t h e first stage, peroxide r e a c t i o n j e t s
f o r t h e second and t h i r d stages, and s p i n - s t a b i l i z a t i o n f o r
t h e f o u r t h stage.
Status -- The Scout f i r s t stage r o c k e t ( A l g o l ) , under
development by t h e Aero jet-General Corp., Sacramento, Calif.,
weighs 23,600 pounds and has 115,000 pounds o f t h r u s t . Four
s a t i s f a c t o r y ' t e s t - f i r i n g s have been made; f i v e f l i g h t u n i t s
have been shipped t o Wallops I s l a n d .
The second-stage engine ( C a s t o r ) , a 9,300-pouad r o c k e t
w9th 55,000 pounds o f t h r u s t , i s b e i n g developed by t h e
Redstone D i v i s i o n o f t h e Thiokol Chemical Co., H u n t s v i l l e ,
Ala. It i s f u e l e d w i t h a n improved p r o p e l l a n t and has a
l a r g e r n o z z l e cone ( f o r improved h i g h - a l t i t u d e performance)
t h a n t h e Sergeant r o c k e t on which it is based. Twelve test-
f i r i n g s have been completed, and s i x f l i g h t u n i t s have been
shipped t o Wallops Island.
The 13,600-pound-thrust third-stage engine ( A n t a r e s ) ,
a scaled-up v e r s i o n o f t h e e x i s t i n g f o u r t h stage, is b e i n g
developed by t h e Allegany B a l l i s t i c s Laboratory a t Curnberland,
Md. The 2,600-pound r o c k e t has a filament-wound fiberglass
engine casing. Although d i f f i c u l t i e s with i n s u l a t i o n and
p r o p e l l a n t f a b r i c a t i o n caused s e v e r a l e a r l y f a i l u r e s , t h e
l a s t six f i r i n g s have been completely S U C C B S S ~ U ~ , and two
f l i g h t e n g i n e s have been shipped t o Wallops, Two more t e s t
f i r i n g s under a l t i t u d e s i m u l a t i o n c o n d i t i o n s i n A p r i l , 1960,
w i l l complete t h e development.
The f o u r t h - s t a g e engine ( A l t a i r ) , developed by Allsgany,
is a 520-pound r o c k e t w i t h 3,060 pounds of t h r u s t . Because
t h i s stage was adapted from t h e Vanguard upper s t a g e r o c k e t ,
no development t e s t s are r e q u i r e d . L i k e t h e t h i r d stage,
t h i s u n i t u t i l i z e s p l a s t i c c o n s t r u c t i o n throughout,
Guidance Being Developed --
developed by t h e Missile Development Laboratory of t h e
Guidance f o r Scout i s being
Minneapolis-Honeywell R e g u l a t o r Coo, Los Angeles, Calif. The
two hydrogen-peroxide s t a b i l i z a t i o n systems f o r t h e v e h i c l e
are b e i n g b u i l t by Walter Kidde Co., Inc., of B e l l e v i l l e , N. J.
Guidance development i s complete and u n i t s have been shipped
f o r e a r l y f l i g h t s . The third-stage p e r o x i d e c o n t r o l u n i t has
f u n c t i o n e d s a t i s f a c t o r i l y i n t e s t s ; however, t h e second-stage
u n i t has met w i t h v a l v i n g problems and w i l l n o t be completed
u n t i l May, 1960. The guidance package and t h i r d stage per-
o x i d e system were s u c c e s s f u l l y tested a t Langley Research
cent&.
- Airframe C o n t r a c t L e t -- The c o n t r a c t f o r t h e Scout air-
frame c a l l s f o r s t r u c t u r a l l y i n t e g r a t i n g t h e r o c k e t s , guidance
and c o n t r o l systems, and payloads, The t a s k is b e i n g c a r r i e d
o u t by t h e Vought A s t r o n a u t i c s D i v i s i o n of Chance Vought
,
- 40 -
A i r c r a f t Corp., Dallas, Tex. A l l a i r f r a m e components, which
connect t h e r o c k e t engines, house t h e c o n t r o l u n i t s a
ance, and cover t h e t o p stages, have be
tested.
Launcher E r e c t e d -- The Scout Launcher, f
Vought A s t r o n a u t i c s , h a s been e r e c t e d on a pad
S t a t i o n and h a s been s u c c e s s f u l l y checked w i t h
vehicle.
Delta
D e l t a i s a three-@age ( f i r s t two s t a g e s l i q u i d - f u e l ,
t h i r d stage, solid-fuel) v e h i c l e c a p a b l e of l a u n c h i n g a
s a t e l l i t e o f 480 pounds i n t o a 300-mile e a r t h o r b i t o r a
65-pound payload on a space-probe mission. The ,first two
p r o d u c t i o n Deltab w i l l b e used i n a t t e m p t s t o launch 100-
f o o t diameter i n f l a t a b l e s p h e r e s i n P r o j e c t Echo, t h e pas-
s i v e communications s a t e l l i t e program .( gee Chapter 7,
" S a t e l l i t e Applications", pp. 83-88).
The first complete Delta v e h i c l e was d e l i v e r e d t o AMR
f o r l a u n c h i n g i n May, and i t s launch f a c i l i t i e s were com-
pleted.
Vehicle -- D e l t a ' s first s t a g e i s a s t a n d a r d l i q u i d -
f u e l Thor w i t h 150,000 pounds o f t h r u s t ; t h e second s t a g e
i s a modified v e r s i o n of t h e 13quid-fuel second stage r o c k e t
engine employed i n t h e Thor-Able v e h i c l e ; t h e / t h i r d s t a g e
i s a n improved s o l i d - f u e l r o c k e t (X-Z@)., a l s o u s e d i n t h e
Thor-Able and Atlas-Able, and a s t h e l a s t s t a g e of Scout.
The D e l t a second and t h i r d s t a g e s , o r i g i n a l l y developed
f o r t h e Vanguard program, were modified and improved f o r t h e
Thor-Able, and were s t i l l f u r t h e r improved f o r t h e Delta.
Changes f o r Delta i n c l u d e t h e a d d i t i o n o f a n a t t i t u d e -
control unit, t o orient the vehicle i n the right direction
w h i l e c o a s t i n g ; and t h e Bell Telephone L a b o r a t o r i e s r a d i o
command guidance u n i t developed f o r t h e T i t a n program.
Atlas-Agena B, Thor-Agena B
The Agena B, a n e n l a r g e d and improved v e r s i o n o f t h e
Agena A t h a t has demonstrated good r e l i a b i l i t y i n t h e A i r
F o r c e Discoverer program, i s a l i q u i d - f u e l r o c k e t stage
having about 15,000 pounds o f t h r u s t . It w i l l b e used i n
combination w i t h s e v e r a l d i f f e r e n t f i r s t stages, on a wide
v a r i e t y o f missions. Its e n g i n e s can be r e - s t a r t e d i n
flight
- 41 -
THOR-AGENA B ATLAS-AGENA B
STAGES STAGES
IR RA6E-U))(/RP.IITHOR) IST sTIGE-u)IvRpI(ATus)
210 S
T -
M IRFIU/UWH (IIGEW 8)
INITIATED
2ND STM-IRFIUIUOYH
u6M 8) INITIATED
EARLY 1959 IDOD)
MISSION CAPABILITY EARLY 1959 (COD)
4
MISSION CAPABILITY
3@H. MI. ORBIT-l.6a)LBS. M O W . MI. ORBIT-5,WBLBS. t
W IST LAUNCHING -
ESCAPE BMI LBS. IST LAUNCHING
EARLY 1962 INASA) 98'
t MID 1961 (NASA)
4
EMPLOYMENT EMPUWMENT
MEORoLoCICALAND
SCIENTIFIC SAlElLllES LUNAR PmEs
0011UUN!GATTI(WIS SATELLITES
SCIENTIFIC SATELLITES
+ I a
+
SCOUT DELTA
STAGES
INITIATED
UTE 1958
, IST STAGE-LDXIRP-I(THOR)
I D STIIGE- WIFWUDUH
-
SRD STAGE SOUD
INITIATED
EARLY 1959
IST LAUNCHING MISSION CAPABILITY
MID 1960 -
300 N.II. ORBIT 480 LBS t
IST LAUNCHING
ESCAPE - - 65 LBS. 9.24
MID 1960
t
EMPUlYMENT
SATELLITES
SPACE P m E s
3.3'
e-
I
SATURN CENTAUR
STAGES
151STAGE LOXRP &TIAS)
ZND STAGE L0,:ILH
INITIATED INITIATED
MISSION CAPABILITY t LATE 1958
LATE 1458
4 M O W . MI. ORBIT-E,5M)LBS. 105'
185'
Isf LAUNCHING
--
ESCAPE 1.40 LBS. IST LAUNCHING
+ EARLY 1964 (3 STAGES)
t
MID1961 ,
EMPLOYMENT
LUNAR AND PIMETMY EXPLORATION
za HOUR CWUN ICATIONS S A ~ L I T E
-2l.5'-
- 43 -
d
It w i l l use hydrazine and n i t r o g e n - t e t r o x i d e p r o p e l l a n t s
f e d t o t h e t h r u s t chamber by p r e s s u r i z e d gas.
- 4.4 -
J
t h e launch o p e r a t i o n s . Minneapolis-Honeywell and i t s sub-
c o n t r a c t o r , Librascope, a r e developing t h e guidance system
under s u b c o n t r a c t t o Convair, P r a t t & Whitney A i r c r a f t
D i v i s i o n of United A i r c r a f t Corporation i s making t h e l i q u i d
hydrogen second-stage engine,
Work Is On Schedule --
Atlas b o o s t e r s , second-stage
engines, and guidance and second-stage s t r u c t u r e s f o r t h e
f i r s t s i x Atlas-Centaur f l i g h t s a r e now under c o n t r a c t and
a l l work i s on schedule,
Tests of a heavy-walled second-stage t a n k f o r t h e l i q u i d
hydrogen were begun i n November, 1959. A second t a n k planned
f o r ground t e s t i n g t h e second-stage engine was completed. A
f r e e - f l o a t i n g f l i g h t t e s t package was f a b r i c a t e d f o r use i n
zero-g experiments i n a KC-135 a i r p l a n e , Purpose o f t h e s e
t e s t s i s t o s t u d y problems a s s o c i a t e d with s t o r i n g and pump-
i n g l i q u i d hydrogen w h i l e i n " f r e e f a l l " encountered i n
unpowered c o a s t i n g s p a c e f l i g h t .
Completion of t h e Centaur launching complex a t AMR is
planned f o r l a t e 1960; developmental f l i g h t s of t h e Centaur
v e h i c l e a r e scheduled t o begin i n 1961; and o p e r a t i o n a l
f l i g h t s a r e planned f o r 1962,
Saturn
S a t u r n i s t h e l a r g e s t launch v e h i c l e under development
i n t h e F r e e World. The Advanced Research P r o j e c t s Agency
of t h e Department'of Defense s t a r t e d t h e p r o j e c t a t t h e Army
B a l l i s t i c Missile Agency, H u n t s v i l l e , Ala., i n August, 1958.
I n November 1959, t h e P r e s i d e n t decided t o a s s i g n s o l e
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r developing h i g h - t h r u s t launch v e h i c l e s
t o NASA, which immediately became r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t e c h n i c a l
d i r e c t i o n of t h e S a t u r n p r o j e c t . ARPA maintained t h e con-
t i n u i t y o f a d m i n i s t r a t i v e d i r e c t i o r l u n t i l March 1960, when
t h i s a l s o was assumed by NASA. T h i s was i n accordance w i t h
t h e f o r m a l n o t i f i c a t i o n of Congress, i n January, of t h e
proposed t r a n s f e r o f f a c i l i t i e s and personnel.
I n December 1959, a technical-plus-management committee,
comprised of s e n i o r p e r s o n n e l from NASA, ARPA, ABMA, and t h e
Department o f Defense, recommended t h a t t h e S a t u r n upper
s t a g e s u t i l i z e o n l y high-energy p r o p e l l a n t s ( i n t h i s c a s e ,
hydrogen p l u s oxygen). T h i s combination i s known a s t h e
S a t u r n C-1, The committee a l s o recommended t h a t a b u i l d i n g -
block approach t o upper s t a g e development be employed, s o
t h a t t h e s m a l l e r , more e a s i l y developed s t a g e s could be
f i r s t used a t o p t h e l a r g e b o o s t e r , and t h e number of r e -
q u i r e d engine developments could b e minimized, These recom-
mendations were aocepted by t h e Administrator.
- 45 -
--
The S a t u r n pro-
gram e-stage, and four-
stage launch v e h i c l e s capable of p l a c i n g up t o 10 t o n s i n t o
a low earth o r b i t ,
The development program has a twofold pwpose: 1) t o
P
o b t a i n such large a y l o a d c a p a b i l i t y f o r t h i s country a s soon
a s p o s s i b l e , and 2 c o n c u r r e n t l y t o o b t a i n a n e a r l y a c c e p t -
able mission r e l i a b i l i t y through t h e u s e of t h e c l u s t e r e d -
engine technique. The v a r i o u s S a t u r n v e h i c l e s w i l l be u s e f u l
f o r o r b i t a l missions, i n c l u d i n g t h e s p e c i a l c a s e of t h e 24-
hour o r "fixed" o r b i t ; f o r v a r i o u s lunax. missions, i n c l u d i n g
s o f t l a n d i n g and circumnavigation; and for, i n t e r p l a n e t a r y
probes. ! \
C-1 con
Second S t a e
TT---+
-- The second s t a g e (S-IV) o f t h e Saturn
g u r a t on w i l l u t i l i z e t h e l i q u i d hydrogen-liquid
oxygen p r o p e l l a n t and f o u r u p r a t e d Centaur engines of roughly
17,500-pounds t h r u s t each. The two-stage v e r s i o n o f t h e
S a t u r n C-1 ( t h a t i s S-I p l u s S-IV) w i l l be a b l e t o p l a c e
about f i v e t o n s i n t o low o r b i t s .
+--
Third S t a e The third-stage (S-V) of t h e S a t u r n C - 1
i s a en a u r upper stage, modified t o c a r r y h e a v i e r payloads.
Two of t h e same engines which are t o b e u t i l i z e d i n S-IV a r e
t o b e used t o power t h i s stage. Coasting and engine r e s t a r t
c a p a b i l i t i e s w i l l be i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t h i s s t a g e , a s i n Centaur,
t o permit more d i f f i c u l t o r b i t s and deep space t r a j e c t o r i e s
t o be attained.
The t h i r d stage w i l l c a r r y a n a l l - i n e r t i a l guidance
system t o c o n t r o l a l l t h r e e s t a g e s .
Contractors -- The Development Operations D i v i s i o n of
ABMA has been r e s p o n s i b l e from t h e f i r s t f o r t h e o v e r - a l l
t e c h n i c a l d i r e c t i o n o f Saturn.' T h i s r e s p o n s i b i l i t y kill
remain w i t h t h e D i v i s i o n , which -- a f t e r t h e planned t r a n s -
fer -- w i l l form NASA's Marshall Space F l i g h t Center. It
w i l l a l s o be r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e d e t a i l e d "in-house" devel-
opment o f t h e b o o s t e r stage; f o r i n t e g r a t i n g t h e stages and
payload, and f o r conducting launch o p e r a t i o n s ,
--
F i r s t - S t a g e F a b r i c a t i o n Completed
assembly of t h e first b o o s t e r stage, which w i l l be used
F a b r i c a t i o n and
s o l e l y f o r s t a t i c t e s t i n g , h a s been completed. T h i s s t a g e
was mounted i n t h e s t a t i c t e s t s t a n d i n February, a f t e r t h e
s t a n d was p r o o f - t e s t e d and c a l i b r a t e d . Two of t h e e i g h t
e n g i n e s have been s t a t i c t e s t e d . T e s t s o f f o u r , t h e n a l l
e i g h t e n g i n e s w i l l f o l l o w , Procurement, f a b r i c a t i o n , and
assembly of t h e first t h r e e b o o s t e r s f o r f l i g h t use a r e on
schedule .
Within a month a f t e r t h e d e c i s i o n i n December t o use
h i g h energy p r o p e l l a n t s i n t h e upper stages of S a t u r n , a n
S-IV stage s p e c i f i c a t i o n was w r i t t e n and i n d u s t r y was
i n v i t e d t o submit p r o p o s a l s f o r i t s development. Eleven
p r o p o s a l s were r e c e i v e d a t t h e end o f February; e v a l u a t i o n
by picked teams of NASA e x p e r t s was under way on A p r i l 1.
-- A 200,000-pound-thrust, hydro-
gen- eveloped f o r t h e upper s t a g e s o f
the n c o n f i g u r a t i o n ) which w i l l employ
e s s e n t i a l l y t h e same b o o s t e r as t h e C-1.
S p e c i f i c a t i o n s f o r t h e hydrogen-oxygen engine were re-
viewed with seven engine c o n t r a c t o r s on February 2 a t NASA
headquarters. P r o p o s a l s submitted by f i v e c o n t r a c t o r s on
March 14 were s t i l l b e i n g e v a l u a t e d a t t h e end of t h e r e p o r t
period.
-- C o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e
launc Ran l a s t summer and bv
A p r i l was l a r g e l y completed. M o d i f i c a t i o n s o f t h e l a r g e
b o o s t e r s t a t i c t e s t s t a n d a t H u n s t v i l l e were completed, as
were p l a n s f o r t r a n s p o r t i n g t h e b o o s t e r from H u n t s v i l l e t o
AMR by barge. The c o n t r a c t f o r t h e f i r s t b o o s t e r t r a n s p o r t
b a r g e was l e t .
It was decided t h a t t h e guidance system f o r t h e f i r s t
t h r e e S a t u r n launches ( b o o s t e r stage o n l y ) would be a
s l i g h t l y modified v e r s i o n of t h e well-proven J u p i t e r guid-
a n c e system; i n v e s t i g a t i o n s o f guidance systems f o r use w i t h
t h e t h r e e - s t a g e v e r s i o n a r e under way.
-- F u l l - s c a l e
stat of t h e prototype
- 47 -
J
b o o s t e r s t a g e w i l l b e g i n t h i s s p r i n g . So a l s o w i l l S-IV
stage development and a program t o modify t h e Centaur
e n g i n e s f o r use i n t h e upper stages of S a t u r n . C o n s t r u c t i o n
work on t h e launch f a c i l i t y a t AMR w i l l be completed t h i s
summer, and i n s t a l l a t i o n and checkout of s p e c i a l equipment,
such a s p r o p e l l a n t storage t a n k s , i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n networks,
and g a n t r i e s w i l l begin.
F-1 Engine
Development o f t h e F-1, single-chamber, 1.5 m i l l i o n -
pound-thrust r o c k e t engine by t h e Rdcketdyne D i v i s i o n o f
North American Aviation, Inc,, began i n January 1959. The
development phase should be completed i n e a r l y 1963.
rep0
-- The primary e f f o r t d u r i n g t h i s
r a t e d upon developing t h e engine's
l a r g e - s c a l e t h r u s t chamber. S t a t i c t e s t s of up. t o t h r e e
seconds d u r a t i o n have produced t h r u s t s of more t h a n a m i l l i o n
pounds. Although performance has approached a c c e p t a b l e
l i m i t s , it has f r e q u e n t l y been e r r a t i c and work i s continuing.
P r o p e l l a n t Pumps Are On Schedule --
The t u r b i n e - d r i v e n
p r o p e l l a n t pump assembly is on schedule. Tests on a s c a l e
model i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e d e s i r e d performance can b e met,
Designs have been i n c o r p o r a t e d which w i l l f a c i l i t a t e - t h e
f a b r i c a t i o n o f t h e v a r i o u s components of t h e turbopump.
S e v e r a l system changes, p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e p r o p e l l a n t
i n l e t s e c t i o n of t h e engine, have been made. These i n t u r n
have been i n c o r p o r a t e d i n the mockup o f t h e F-1 engine, A
s t u d y of ways t o c o o l t h e large F-1 exhaust n o z z l e i s n e a r i n g
completion; one method i n v o l v e s t h e u s e o f t h e r e l a t i v e l y
c o o l t u r b i n e exhaust g a s e s n e x t t o t h e n o z z l e wall. It is
p o s s i b l e t h a t o n l y t h e upper p o r t i o n o f t h e n o z z l e need b e
cooled by one o f t h e p r o p e l l a n t s .
C o n s t r u c t i o n Under Way on Three Test Stands --
Work i s
c o n t i n u i n g on t h e t h r e e s t a n d s intended f o r F-1 engine t e s t -
i n g a t t h e Missile C a p t i v e Test S i t e , Edwards A i r Force Base,
Calif. These w i l l p e r m i t extending p r e s e n t t e s t l i m i t s of
about a m i l l i o n pounds o f t h r u s t and t h r e e seconds maximum
d u r a t i o n imposed by equipment now i n use, Stand 2A w i l l b e
r e a d y soon and t h e f i r s t f i r i n g of a n F-1 t h r u s t chamber
should t a k e p l a c e i n J u l y , Having s t a n d 2A a v a i l a b l e f o r
t h i s p r o j e c t w i l l expand t h e scope o f work appreciably.
- 4.8 -
t y p e s t o v a r i o u s altitude+s.* Prototype rockets of a pro&*
series $re t h e ttArcon" and n I
r o j e c t s of t h e Naval Research
vy Bureau of Ordnance, Now d i d
e r , Arcon and
contract t o t
___
Arcon
-
Iris
S u b s t a n t i a l l y l a r g e r t h a n Arcon, t h e Iris r o c k e t i s
a l s o being developed by A t l a n t i c Research Corp. Designed
t o p r o p e l a 100-pound payload t o a n a l t i t u d e of.185 miles,
t h e r o c k e t is approximately 13 f e e t long, one f o o t i n d i -
ameter, weighs 1,140 pounds, and u s e s t h e same p r o p e l l a n t
a s Arcon, A s t a b i l i z i n g f i n s e c t i o n and a 100-pound pay-
l o a d are a t t a c h e d , r e s u l t i n g i n a 1,290-pound v e h i c l e , 20
feet long. Launched from a tower, t h e r o c k e t w i l l be g i v e n
extra i n i t i a l t h r u s t by a small c l u s t e r e d b o o s t e r .
S e v e r a l f i r i n g s o f t e s t chambers d u r i n g t h i s r e p o r t
p e r i o d proved t h e i n t e g r a t e d design. Three e n g i n e s were
s t a t i c - f i r e d s u c c e s s f u l l y . Four more rounds w i l l complete
f
CHAPTER 5
MANNED FLIGHT IN SPACE AND NEAR SPACE
PROJECT MERCU
S u b o r b i t a l F l i g h t Planned
For t h e next two o r three y e a m , NASA haa planned about
20 t e s t i n g , t r a i n i n g and o r b i t a l f l i g h t a in P r o j e c t Mercury,
Acording t o p r e s e n t schedules, NASA p l a n s t h e firsat manned
s u b o r b i t a l f l i g h t fer l a t e t h i s year, and t h e first manned
o r b i t a l f l i g h t f o r l a t e r i n 1961.
Bedstoae W i l l Launch Capsule
I n t h e s u b o r b i t a l t e s t , a Redstone r o c k e t will faunch
a manned Mercury c a p s u l e from Cape a v e r a l on a l5-misute
f l i g h t down t h e A t l a n t i c Missile Ra a t speeds up t o 4,000
mph, The a s t r o n a u t w i l l e x p e r i ~ ~ c o u t f i v e minutes of
- 51 -
weightlessnes a c h a n a l t i t u d e o f 120 miles and a d i s -
t a n c e of 180 , l a n d i n g i n t h e sea o f f F l o r i d a .
P l a n s f o r t h e f i r s t manned o r b i t a l f l i g h t c a l l f o r t h e
Mercury capsule t o be boosted i n t o o r b i t by a n Atlas launched
from AMR i n a d i r e c t i o n s l i g h t l y n o r t h o f e a s t . T h i s t r a j e c -
t o r y w i l l send it i n t o o r b i t a t a p o i n t i n space over Bermuda.
The c a p s u l e w i l l t r a v e l a t a speed o f about 18,000 rnph, a t a n
a l t i t u d e of about 100 miles over Africa, Australia, Mexico,
and t h e U. S .
A worldwide system of t r a c k i n g and communication s t a t i o n s
w i l l be i n c o n t a c t w i t h t h e Mercury c a p s u l e almost continu-
ously.
Near t h e C a l i f o r n i a c o a s t , a f t e r three c i r c u i t s of t h e
globe, r e t r o r o c k e t s w i l l be f i r e d , e i t h e r by t h e a s t r o n a u t
o r by r a d i o command from t h e ground, slowing t h e capsule by
350 mph s o t h a t i t w i l l r e t u r n from o r b i t and become sus-
c e p t i b l e t o atmospheric drag. Within one-quarter of a c i r -
c u i t , t h i s drag w i l l reduce t h e c a p s u l e speed below 200 mph
s o that l a n d i n g p a r a c h u t e s can be s a f e l y deployed. Opening
a t a n a l t i t u d e of about 10,000 f e e t , t h e para'chutes w i l l
lower t h e capsule a t t h e r a t e of 30 f e e t p e r second t o a
l a n d i n g i n t h e A t l a n t i c Ocean near t h e Bahama I s l a n d s .
A f t e r t h e c a p s u l e s t r i k e s t h e water, t h e parachute w i l l
be detached a u t o m a t i c a l l y . The c a p s u l e w i l l f l o a t . The
e n t i r e f l i g h t , about 75,000 m i l e s , w i l l have l a s t e d f o u r and
one h a l f h o u r s -- about t h e t i m e it t a k e s a j e t a i r l i n e r t o
f l y from Los Angeles t o New York.
Government a i r c r a f t and s h i p s w i l l be deployed w i t h i n
t h e l a n d i n g area t o r e c o v e r t h e c a p s u l e and i t s a s t r o n a u t
passenger .
During t h i s r e p o r t p e r i o d , t h e f o l l o w i n g major advances
were made i n P r o j e c t Mercury:
...
The escape system was confirmed by f o u r t e s t launch-
ings w i t h ' 1 L i t t l e Joe" r o c k e t s .
...The first space capsule was d e l i v e r e d t o Wallops
S t a t i o n , Va., by t h e c o n t r a c t o r , McDonnell A i r c r a f t Corp. ,
S t . Louis, Mo.
- 53 -
... Various m o d i f i c a t i o n s of t h e c a p s u l e were made,
i n c l u d i n g a window ( 2 1 x 11 i n c h e s ) t o r e p l a c e two small
p o r t h o l e s , a quick-opening emergency escape h a t c h , and a n
i n f l a t a b l e l a n d i n g bag t o reduce shock i n c a s e o f a l a n d
impact
...Prototype Goodrich f u l l - p r e s s u r e
wear were d e l i v e r e d t o NASA i n November.
s u i t s f o r astronaut
x
- 54 -
well, b u t t h e escape r o c k e t i g n i t e d s e v e r a l seconds t o o l a t e ,
By t h a t time, aerodynamic p r e s s u r e had f a l l e n from i t s maxi-
mum of 1,000 pounds p e r s q u a r e f o o t t o 200 pounds p e r s q u a r e
f o o t , The t e s t f a i l e d t o a c h i e v e i t s primary o b j e c t i v e .
Other purposes of t h e f i r i n g were t o t e s t pa
and recovery. Both t h e drogue ( r i b b o n )
c h u t e s f u n c t i o n e d p r o p e r l y , opening a s pro
The main parachute was a u t o m a t i c a l l y detached when
c a p s u l e landed. A f t e r t h i s t e s t , a r e v i s e
designed and s i m u l a t e d a l t i t u d e t e s t s of t
t i o n system were made i n t h e Arnold Engineering Development
C e n t e r F a c i l i t i e s a t Tullahoma, Tennessee .
T h i r d Test-- A t h i r d L i t t l e Joe t e s t took p l a c e on
December 4. The launching, a t 11:15 a.m. EST.from Wallops
S t a t i o n , c a r r i e d t h e c a p s u l e t o a n a l t i t u d e o f 55 m i l e s .
Purpose was t o check o p e r a t i o n of t h e escape system a t high
a l t i t u d e . The escape r o c k e t f i r e d a t a n a l t i t u d e o f 95,000
f e e t , j u s t a f t e r L i t t l e Joe burnout
was 15 g.
.
-
Escape a c c e l e r a t i o n
- 55 -
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McDonnell D e l i v e r s F i r s t Capsule
The first p r o d u c t i o n model of t h e P r o j e c t Mercury space
c a p s u l e was d e l i v e r e d t o Wallops S t a t i o n , Va., on A p r i l 1 by
t h e c o n t r a c t o r , McDonnell A i r c r a f t Corp., S t . Louis, M o ~ The
c a p s u l e , f i r s t of 24 c o n t r a c t e d f o r , i s instrumented f o r
escape system t e s t s t o be conducted by NASAfs Space Task
Group
Capsule Made S a f e r -= A number of changes have been made
i n t h e c a p s u l e t o r e n d e r it safer. F i r s t , a n a i r cushion
h a s been added t o provide a d d i t i o n a l impact p r o t e c t i o n i n
case t h e c a p s u l e l a n d s on t h e ground i n s t e a d of t h e water
pad) .
(which could occur, f o r example, i n a n a b o r t off t h e launch
T h i s cushion c o n s i s t s of an e x t e n d a b l e , four-foot-
long s k i r t of r u b b e r i a e d f i b e r g l a s s connecting t h e h e a t Bhield
with t h e capsule s t r u c t u r e .
After t h e main parachute i s deployed, t h e h e a t s h i e l d
i s released from t h e capsule and t h e bag f i l l s with a i r .
Upon impact, t h e a i r t r a p p e d between t h e h e a t s h i e l d and t h e
c a p s u l e v e n t s through t h e h o l e s i n t h e s k i r t , t h e r e b y pro-
v i d i n g t h e d e s i r e d cushioning e f f e c t .
The impact bag a l s o i n c r e a s e s t h e v e h i c l e f s s t a b i l i t y
i n a water l a n d i n g , s e r v i n g a s a sea anchor, a n d t h u s
p r e v e n t i n g t h e c a p s u l e from p i t c h i n g t o o a c t i v e l y .
Enlarged Window Provided -- An e n l a r g e d window, 2 1 X 11
i n c h e s , has been added t o r e p l a c e two smaller p o r t h o l e s .
T h i s w i l l a l l o w t h e a s t r o n a u t , i n case o t h e r systems f a i l ,
t o observe t h e o r i e n t a t i o n o f t h e v e h i c l e ; it w i l l a l s o pro-
v i d e him w i t h v i s u a l r e f e r e n c e f o r c o n t r o l l i n g h i s p o s i t i o n
during retrorocket f i r i n g .
--I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e t o p hatch,
provi r a quick-opening emergency h a t c h
w i t h i n t h e s i d e door, which i s b o l t e d i n p l a c e . The h a t c h
is opened by means of e x p l o s i v e b o l t s , The p i l o t can t r i g g e r
the! s i d e h a t c h from t h e i n s i d e , much a s a canopy is blown
from a j e t f i g h t e r plane.
- 57 -
a s y e t under f l i evelopment o f both t h e
capsule escap t s i s e s s e n t i a l l y complete
and q u a l i f i c a t i o n of t h e s e u n i t s is underway.
Parachute T e s t s C a r r i e d Out
More t h a n 100 parachute t e s t s have been made t o d a t e
w i t h a i r c r a f t and h e l i c o p t e r s . The parachute q u a l i f i c a t i o n
program i s n e a r i n g completion. I n a t y p i c a l t e s t , t h e one-
t o n t e s t c a p s u l e i s dropped from a t r a n s p o r t a i r c r a f t and
l a n d s a t a r a t e of 30 f e e t p e r second. After water c o n t a c t ,
t h e chute a u t o m a t i c a l l y releases i t s e l f and t h e t e s t c a p s u l e
remains a f l o a t u n t i l recovered.
Environmental C o n t r o l System Tests
The environmental c o n t r o l system must m a i n t a i n a l i v a b l e
atmosphere w i t h i n t h e c a p s u l e under space c o n d i t i o n s . The
first manned developmental system t e s t s were completed i n
November 1959, a t t h e AiResearch Manufacturing D i v i s i o n ,
Garrett Corporation. These t e s t s were conducted i n a n a l t i -
t u d e chamber t o determine t h e proper f u n c t i o n i n g of a l l sys-
tem components. P r e l i m i n a r y data from t h e s e t e s t s i n d i c a t e
t h a t t h e system o p e r a t e d s a t i s f a c t o r i l y .
Astronaut Pressure S u i t s Delivered
Prototype Goodrich f u l l - p r e s s u r e s u i t s f o r a s t r o n a u t
wear d u r i n g Mercury f l i g h t s were d e l i v e r e d t o NASA i n
November . These are modified Navy Mark I V s u i t s
A i r C r e w Equipment Laboratory (NACEL) , P h i l a d e l p h i a , Pa ,
. The Navy
.
f i t t e d t h e s u i t s t o t h e a s t r o n a u t s and i n d o c t r i n a t e d them i n
t h e i r use
T e s t s of t h e s u i t a t s i m u l a t e d high a l t i t u d e s and a t
h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e s have shown t h a t it e f f e c t i v e l y resists
h e a t . NASA, NACEL, and t h e Goodrich Co. are c o n t i n u i n g
developmental work on t h e s u i t .
After r e c e i v i n g t h e i r p r e s s u r e s u i t s , t h e a s t r o n a u t s .
v i s i t e d t h e McDonnell A i r c r a f t Corp., St. Louis, Mo., t o be
i n d i v i d u a l l y f i t t e d w i t h s p e c i a l couches on which t h e y w i l l
l i e d u r i n g t h e mission.
A t t i t u d e Sensing and Reaction C o n t r o l Systems
The a t t i t u d e s e n s i n g and r e a c t i o n c o n t r o l systems must
s t a b i l i z e t h e capsule, i n t h e p r o p e r r o t a t i o n a l p o s i t i o n i n
space. Horizon s c a n n e r s a r e used i n c o n j u n c t i o n with gyro-
scopes and a p p r o p r i a t e e l e c t r o n i c c i r c u i t r y t o sense a t t i -
tude of the capsule.
- 58 -
4
e
OL
W
0
W
- 59 -
3
Simulated mission t e s t s o f t h e complete a t t i t u d e sens-
i n g system were begun i n mid-January, For t h e s e l a b o r a t o r y
t e s t s an a r t i f i c i a l horizon was used, Performance of t h e
completed system was proven s a t i s f a c t o r y i n t e s t s made to-
date.
I n o r d e r t o permit r o t a t i o n a l movement of t h e capsule,
small hydrogen peroxide r o c k e t j e t s , b u i l t by t h e B e l l A i r -
c r a f t C O e , a r e provided. S u c c e s s f u l t e s t s o f t h e s e small
r e a c t i o n j e t s have r e c e n t l y been completed a t t h e L e w i s
Research Center,
Communications ( On-Board) and I n s t r u m e n t a t i o n
During t h e l a s t s i x months, e x t e n s i v e f i e l d t r i a l s of
t h e s e v e r a l communications systems i n t h e c a p s u l e have been
completed.
B i g Joe F l i g h t Test Results
- 60 -
i
is tested at
t r a j e c t o r y , t h e a i r c r a f t can produce w e i g h t l e s s n e s s f o r a s
long a s 60 seconds.
Each a s t r o n a u t made h i s f i r s t two f l i g h t s a s a passen-
ger, f i r s t wearing a r e g u l a r f l y i n g s u i t , t h e n a Mark I V
p r e s s u r e s u i t . On t h e t h i r d f l i g h t , t h e a s t r o n a u t was a t
t h e . c o n t r o l s , and t h e f i n a l f l i g h t was a r e p e t i t i o n of t h e
f i r s t , t o permit comparison i n performances. .The a s t r o n a u t s
and t h e a i r c r a f t were instrumented; p h y s i o l o g i c a l and o t h e r
d a t a were t e l e m e t e r e d t o t h e ground. During w e i g h t l e s s
f l i g h t , t h e a s t r o n a u t s took s o l i d food (ground meat, e t c . )
from t o o t h p a s t e - l i k e t u b e s , and drank water from a squeeze
b o t t l e and a n o t h e r t y p e of e x p e r i m e n t a l b o t t l e . The space
foods and c o n t a i n e r s were developed by t h e Amy Quartermaster
Corps.
I n i t i a l s t u d i e s of c o l l e c t e d data show no unusual
r e a c t i o n s d u r i n g w e i g h t l e s s p e r i o d s . The a s t r o n a u t s r e p o r t e d
no d i f f i c u l t y i n f l y i n g t h e a i r p l a n e o r i n e a t i n g d u r i n g
weightless f l i g h t .
Manned C e n t r i f u g e Experiments -- During t h e f i r s t h a l f
of t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d , each a s t r o n a u t experienced about 10
hours of / s i m u l a t e d f l i g h t i n t h e manned c e n t r i f u g e a t t h e
Navy A v i a t i o n Medical A c c e l e r a t i o n Laboratory, J o h n s v i l l e ,
Pa., a t a c c e l e r a t i o n s a s high a s 18 g. While w h i r l i n g i n
t h e c e n t r i f u g e cab, t h e a s t r o n a u t c o n t r o l l e d t h e v e h i c l e
a t t i t u d e w i t h t h e manual c o n t r o l l e r which f e d s i g n a l s through
a n a n a l o g computer. They developed b r e a t h i n g t e c h n i q u e s t h a t
\prevented\ blackout and p e r m i t t e d them t o c o n t r o l t h e v e h i c l e
actively despite the high acceleration.
S t a t i c F l i g h t Simulator T r a i n i n g --
A t Langley Research
Center, t h e a s t r o n a u t s were t r a i n e d i n a fixed-base s i m u l a t o r
w i t h computer-driven i n s t r u m e n t s which p e r m i t t e d t h e a s t r o n a u t
t o p r a c t i c e capsule o r i e n t a t i o n during o r b i t , r e t r o - f i r e ,
and e n t r y i n t o t h e atmosphere.
Heat and P r e s s u r e Chamber F a m i l i a r i z a t i o n --
Each a s t r o -
naut a l s o s p e n t s e v e r a l hours i n a combination p r e s s u r e and
h e a t chamber which r e a l i s t i c a l l y c r e a t e s t h e c o n d i t i o n s
expected i n t h e Mercury capsule d u r i n g e n t r y . The a s t r o n a u t s
wore p r e s s u r e s u i t s during t h e s e t e s t s , which were conducted
a t t h e Navy Aircrew Equipment Laboratory, P h i l a d e l p h i a , Pa.
Basic S t u d i e s Completed -- By December 31, t h e a s t r o n a u t s
had completed b a s i c and t h e o r e t i c a l s t u d i e s i n t h e i r t r a i n i n g
program and had s t a r t e d p r a c t i c a l e n g i n e e r i n g s t u d i e s . T h i s
involved, f o r example, a t r a n s i t i o n from t h e t h e o r y of pro-
p u l s i o n t o s t u d y o f a c t u a l p r o p u l s i o n systems.
a
Areas i n t h e t r a i n i n g program i n c l u d e such s u b j e c t s a s
a s t r o n a u t i c s , e l e c t r o n i c s , t r a j e c t o r i e s , guidance, r o c k e t s ,
.
and s c i e n t i f i c o b s e r v a t i o n s d u r i n g o r b i t a l f l i g h t As p a r t
of t h e t r a i n i n g , t h e a s t r o n a u t s v i s i t e d i n d u s t r i a l and
.Government f a c i l i t i e s engaged i n r o c k e t r e s e a r c h and develop-
ment and o t h e r space f l i g h t work.
V i s i t Planetarium --The a s t r o n a u t s v i s i t e d Morehead
Planetarium i n Chapel H i l l , N. C., where t h e y took a s h o r t
course i n c e l e s t i a l n a v i g a t i o n and r e c o g n i t i o n o f stars.
T h e i r t r a i n i n g also i n c l u d e d e x p e r i e n c e i n t h e M u l t i p l e
Axis A t t i t u d e C o n t r o l F a c i l i t y a t L e w i s Research Center i n
Cleveland. I n t h e f a c i l i t y , which s i m u l a t e s r o l l , p i t c h and
yaw motions simultaneously, t h e men expdrienced more s e v e r e
tumbling a c c e l e r a t i o n and v e l o c i t i e s t h a n are expected i n
Mercury c a p s u l e f l i g h t .
Capsule egress t r a i n i n g was conducted i n t h e Gulf of
Mexico off Pensacola, F l a . Although 10-foot swells were
experienced, no major problems were encountered. The a s t r o -
n a u t s a l s o t r a i n e d w i t h l i f e r a f t s ‘and o t h e r s u r v i v a l gear.
Mercury Tracking Network P r o g r e s s
The mission of t h e Mercury Tracking and Ground I n s t r u -
mentation Network i s t o provide a l l f u n c t i o n s f o r t h e ground
c o n t r o l and monitoring o f Mercury s u b - o r b i t a l and o r b i t a l
f l i g h t s from launch t o landing. When codlpleted, it w i l l be
capable o f p r o v i d i n g t r a c k i n g , t e l e m e t r y , command c o n t r o l
and communication coverage of t h e Mercury c a p s u l e on a three-
o r b i t mission.
Network R e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s --Mercury network r e s p o n s i b i l -
i t y i s a s f o l l o w s : t h e Space Task Group o f Goddard,Space
F l i g h t Center h a s o v e r - a l l r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r P r o j e c t Mercury;
t h e Instrument R e s e a d h D i v i s i o n o f Langley Research Center
h a s t h e NASA r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r p l a n n i n g and d e s i g n i n g t h e
network; t h e Department o f Defense l e n d s t h e support o f
s e v e r a l of i t s range instrument s t a t i o n s a s does t h e Weapons
Research Establishment of t h e A u s t r a l i a n Government .
F i n a l o p e r a t i o n a l c o n t r o l of t h e network d u r i n g mission
o p e r a t i o n s w i l l be under t h e d i r e c t i o n of a NASA r e p r e s e n t a -
t i v e . The Western E l e c t r Company, Inc., h a s t h e prime
c o n t r a c t f o r t h e implementation of t h e n e t .
The t o t a l c o s t o f t h e network will be 50 t o $53 m i l -
lion. The network should be o p e r a t i o n a l by e a r l y 1961.
J
Planning and Design Completed -- Progress through t h i s
r e p o r t p e r i o d i n c l u d e d completion of network planning and
d e s i g n . All s t a t i o n s i t e surveys have been made and f o r e i g n
s t a t i o n n e g o t i a t i o n h a s progressed s a t i s f a c t o r i l y . The
d e c i s i o n between a s h i p o r l a n d s t a t i o n i n t h e West Mexico
area has been made i n f a v o r o f t h e l a n d i n s t a l l a t i o n a s a
r e s u l t s o f f a v o r a b l e n e g o t i a t i o n s w i t h t h e Government of
Mexico. C o n s t r u c t i o n h a s s t a r t e d a t s e v e r a l s i t e s , i n c l u d i n g
t h e Bermuda s t a t i o n , which has an e a r l y o p e r a t i o n a l r e a d i n e s s
d a t e t o accommodate s u b - o r b i t a l missions.
Ground Communications Readied --Planning and a r r a n g i n g
f o r ground communication l i n k s between s t a t i o n s i s a l s o
p r o g r e s s i n g . L e t t e r s of I n t e n t have been i s s u e d t o s e v e r a l
domestic and f o r e i g n commercial communications a g e n c i e s t o
b e g i n c a r r y i n g out t h i s work.
Production of , e l e c t r o n i c equipment f o r o u t f i t t i n g t h e
s t a t i o n s has be un. Modification of s u r l u s SCR-584 r a d a r s
7 P
t o t h e V e r l o r t Very Long Range Tracking radar c o n f i g u r a t i o n
i s proceeding on schedule. Mock-ups of d i s p l a y and c o n t r o l
c o n s o l e s f o r f i n a l e n g i n e e r i n g a p p r o v a l p r i o r t o production
have been completed.
An agreement was reached on March 19 w i t h Spain concern-
i n g e s t a b l i s h m e n t of a Mercury t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n i n t h e Canary
I s l a n d s and c o n s t r u c t i o n i s scheduled t o begin i n A p r i l 1960.
The a c t i v i t y a t t h i s s t a t i o n w i l l be c a r r i e d o u t i n c o l l a b o r a -
t i o n w i t h t h e I n s t i t u t o de Tgcnica Aeronsutica, of t h e
Spanish A i r M i n i s t r y .
- 66 -
d
X-15 No. 2 Reaches New Peak A l t i t u d e
Meanwhile, on February 11, X-15 No. 2 reached 86,000
f e e t , h i g h e s t a l t i t u d e y e t f o r t h i s a i r p l a n e , also powered
with i n t e r i m engines . Scott Crossfield, the contractor's
t e s t p i l o t , was a t t h e c o n t r o l s . The following week, t h e
p i l o t s u b j e c t e d t h e c r a f t t o r o l l maneuvers a t speeds a t
high a s Mach 1.56, and on March 17, s u b j e c t e d it t o s t i l l
more s e v e r e stresses.
Demonstration F l i g h t s Continued
Two a d d i t i o n a l c o n t r a c t o r demonstration f l i g h t s were
made t o d e t e r m i n e e f f e c t i v e n e s s of t h e s t a b i l i t y augmentation
system. Both f l i g h t s achieved a maximum Mach number of 2.0
and a peak a l t i t u d e of 50,000 f e e t . Launching o f t h e No. 2
a i r p l a n e on March 29, 1960, was preceded by a long c r u i s e a t
35,000 f e e t t o "cold soak" t h e a i r p l a n e ( b r i n g i't g r a d u a l l y
t o a low temperature and s u s t a i n it t h e r e f o r t e s t purposes)
t o s i m u l a t e l a t e r launching from Wendover AFB, Utah. All
systems o p e r a t e d w e l l a E n g i n e - s t a r t a f t e r launching was
s a t i s f a c t o r y . On March 21, 1960, a n o t h e r f l i g h t o f t h e
No. 2 a i r p l a n e gave proof o f good s t a b i l i t y and c o n t r o l
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . Approach and l a n d i n g were a s planned.
XLR-99 Engine Ground T e s t s
Reaction Motors D i v i s i o n of Thiokol Chemical Co., con-
t r a c t o r f o r t h e f i n a l XLR-99 engine f o r t h e X-15, r e p o r t e d
s u c c e s s f u l completion on February 16 o f a s e r i e s of 36 t e s t s
a t t h e Arnold Engineering Development Center, Tullahoma,
Tenn. Tests i n c l u d e d e v a l u a t i o n o f s t a r t i n g c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s ,
i d l i n g , h e a t t r a n s f e r and i g n i t i o n p r o p e r t i e s . Numerous
t y p e s o f m a l f u n c t i o n were s i m u l a t e d t o t e s t t h e engine's
s a f e t y f e a t u r e s . During f l i g h t , t h e XLR-99 engine can be
stopped and r e s t a r t e d , and i t s t h r u s t can be v a r i e d .
- 67 -
CHAPTER 6
SPACE SCIENCES RESEARCH
NATURE OF ACTIVITIES
Among NASA's b e t t e r known r e s e a r c h t o o l s are i t s sound-
i n g r o c k e t s , s a t e l l i t e s , and deep space probes. These are
h i g h l y instrumented d e v i c e s f o r measuring t h e phenomena o f
t h e e a r t h 9 s atmosphere and space environment. Dispatched
on space missions, t h e y s e n s e , r e c o r d , and t r a n s n t i t funda-
mental in'formation on t h e s t r u c t u r e and c o n t e n t s of the
universe.
I n e f f e c t , . t h e sun and p l a n e t s and t h e space i n which
t h e y e x i s t a r e n a t u r a l l a b o r a t o r i e s where experiments on
matter and energy a r e c o n s t a n t l y i n p r o c e s s under extreme
c o n d i t i o n s and on enormous s c a l e s . Information accumulated
from m i s s i o n s i n t o t h e s e g i g a n t i c l a b o r a t o r i e s i s e s s e n t i a l
t o s c i e n t i f i c and t e c h n i c a l p r o g r e s s and t o add t o manvs
s t o r e of knowledge.
T h i s c h a p t e r r e c o u n t s p r o g r e s s i n some of t h e more
important phases of t h i s NASA endeavor.
PROGRESS
During the r e p o r t p e r i o d , t h e r e was s u b s t a n t i a l NASA
a c t i v i t y over a broad range of work r e l a t e d t o t h e space
sciences:
1. The s c i e n t i f i c s a t e l l i t e E x p l o r e r V I 1 and t h e u l t r a -
long-distance s o l a r o r b i t e r Pioneer V succeeded. (For
d e t a i l s , see Chapter 3 , "Ekperimental Missions,1t pp. 1 3 - 3 7 . )
2 . NASA began t o make a v a i l a b l e t o s c i e n t i s t s through-
o u t t h e world a d e s c r i p t i o n of %he t e c h n i q u e s needed t o
r e c o r d t h e t e l e m e t e r i n g codes of Explorer V I I .
3. NASA r e l e a s e d r e s u l t s from p a r t i a l a n a l y s e s o f d a t a
t r a n s m i t t e d by Vanguard I11
and Explorer V I -- -- launched September 18, 1959
launched August 7, 1959.
--
4. S t a f f s c i e n t i s t s of NASA p a r t i c i p a t e d i n t h e F i r s t
I n t e r n a t i o n a l Space Symposium o f t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Committee
on Space Research (COSPAR), Nice, France, January 8-16, 1960.
S c i e n t i f i c h i g h l i g h t s of t h e Conference appear below. (For
o t h e r information see Chapter 9, " I n t e r n a t i o n a l Programs,"
pp. 97 - 100.)
- 70 -
p r o v i d e some u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e i n t e r r e l a t i o n s among t h e s e
phenomena. For i n s t a n c e , it i s now known that t h e e a r t h -
g i r d l i n g Great R a d i a t i o n Region
Van A l l e n -0
-- d i s c o v e r e d by James A.
undergoes d r a s t i c changes i n e x t e n t and i n t e n -
s i t y over p e r i o d s o f months. Moreover, great f l u c t u a t i o n s
have a l s o been r e c o r d e d i n a few hours. Apparently, some of
t h e changes r e s u l t d i r e c t l y from i n c r e a s e s and d e c r e a s e s i n
s o l a r a c t i v i t y . Other v a r i a t i o n s i n t h e e a r t h t s r a d i a t i o n
zones do n o t a p p e a r t o be r e l a t e d t o s o l a r d i s t u r b a n c e s .
Although i n f o r m a t i o n is f l o w i n g i n from e a c h new experiment,
t h e s o u r c e s and n a t u r e o f t h e p a r t i c l e s i n t h e r a d i a t i o n
r e g i o n a r e s t i l l o n l y p a r t l y understood.
Earth98 Magnetic F i e l d R e l a t i v e l y S t a b l e
It seems f a i r l y c e r t a i n t h a t t h e r a d i a t i o n surrounding
t h e e a r t h w i l l be a s e r i o u s hazard f o r manned f l i g h t . Per-
haps r a p i d passage through t h e r a d i a t i o n r e g i o n w i l l prevent
s e r i o u s b i o l o g i c a l damage. A greater danger t o manned space
f l i g h t may l i e i n t h e sudden b u r s t s of e n e r g e t i c p a r t i c l e s
and X-rays h u r l e d o u t from t h e sun at times o f s o l a r erup-
t i o n s . These c o n c e n t r a t e d bombardments cannot be p r e d i c t e d .
They seem t o e r u p t a t random and range i n a l l d i r e c t i o n s
t h r o u g h immense d i s t a n c e s o f space .
So f a r , space e x p l o r a t i o n has shown t h a t meteoroids and
micrometeoroids w i l l produce o n l y n e g l i g i b l e , damage t o satel-
l i t e s and probes. It a l s o a p p e a r 3 t h a t t e m p e r a t u r e s of t h e
s i m p l e r space p r o b e s and s a t e l l i t e s can be maintained w i t h i n
d e s i r e d l i m i t s by e n g i n e e r i n g design. Not y e t h a s it been
p o s s i b l e t o p r e d i c t a c c u r a t e l y a t w h a t rates t h e e f f e c t s o f
t h e r a d i a t i o n b e l t s w i l l s h o r t e n t h e l i f e of s o l a r c e l l s .
I n d i c a t i o n s are, however, that i f p r o t e c t i v e c o v e r i n g s are
used, damage may n o t be f a s t o r e x t e n s i v e enough t o make
s o l a r c e l l s i m p r a c t i c a l f o r s a t e l l i t e s and probes t r a v e l i n g
i n t h e r a d i a t i o n r e g i o n . Vanguard I s o l a r c e l l s are s t i l l
o p e r a t i n g a f t e r having been s u b j e c t e d t o t h i s r a d i a t i o n f o r
more t h a n two y e a r s .
- 71 -
Recent NASA f i n d i n g s from a d e t a i l e d s t u d y of t h e o r b i t
of Vanguard I
mitting -- -- launched March 17, 1958, and s t i l l t r a n s -
show t h a t s u n l i g h t i n space exerts enough p r e s -
sure t o s h i f t t h e course o f t h e s a t e l l i t e by a b o u t one m i l e
per year. The d i s c o v e r y i s a s important a s it i s unexpected.
Although s c i e n c e h a s l o n g known t h a t l i g h t exerts minute h
p r e s s u r e , no one foresaw t h a t t h e f o r c e o f s o l a r r a d i a t i o n
could a f f e c t t h e o r b i t o f a s a t e l l i t e t o such a n e x t e n t i n
such a s h o r t t i m e ,
E a r t h ' s Pear-Shape Confirmed
T h a t t h e e a r t h i s s l i g h t l y pear-shaped was a g a i n shown
by s t u d y of t h e o r b i $ o f Explorer I. T h i s c o n f i r m d r e s u l t s
o b t a i n e d o r i g i n a l l y from t h e Vanguard I o r b i t (see NASA's
" F i r s t Semiannual Report t o Congress," October 1, 1958 --
March 31, 1 9 5 9 ) ,
R a d i a t i o n A f f e c t s Weather
S i g n i f i c a n t c o r r e l a t i o n s seem t o e x i s t between i n c i d e n c e
o f r a d i a t i o n and abnormal h e a t i n g o f t h e atmosphere. T h i s
may account f o r some of t h e c o r r e l a t i o n s of t e r r e s t r i a l
weather w i t h s o l a r s u r f a c e a c i t v i t y . There i s a l s o evidence
o f a r e l a t i o n between t h e r a d i a t i o n r e g i o n and a u r o r a s .
- 72 -
a n c i e n t o b s e r v a t i o n of t h e heav n l y b o d i e s we l e a r n e d t o
measure time, t o n a v i g a t e t h e seas, and t o d e v i s e c a l e n d a r s ,
Atmospheric Veil P i e r c e d --
Since man first began
s t u d y i n g t h e sun, moon, and stars, h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n s have
been hampered by t h e a b s o r b i n g e f f e c t s and the. d i s t o r t i o n s
o f t h e e a r t h t s atmosphere. D i s t o r t i o n of o b j e c t s s e e n
t h r o u g h t h e shimmer of midsummer h e a t i s a familiar example,
Sounding r o c k e t s and s a t e l l i t e s can c a r r y above t h e v e i l of
atmosphere many t y p e s of i n s t r u m e n t s t o s t u d y t h e heavens,
Even though t h e era of a r t i f i c i a l s a t e l l i t e s is less
t h a n t h r e e y e a r s o l d , s p e c t a c u l a r phenomena have a l r e a d y
been d i s c o v e r e d . Because s c i e n t i f i c r e s e a r c h i s t h e inves-
t i g a t i o n o f t h e unknown, it i s impossible t o p r e d i c t e x a c t l y
what w i l l be l e a r n e d i n coming years o r w h a t b e n e f i t s w i l l
be forthcoming, but h i s t o r y has demonstrated r e p h a t e d l y that
no l i n e of r e s e a r c h f a i l s t o add u l t i m a t e l y t o human welfare.
Moreover, t h e space s c i e n c e s may i n time answer p h i l o -
s o p h i c a l q u e s t i o n s t h a t have i n t r i g u e d t h e minds of men f o r
centuries,
Is t h e r e l i f e elsewhere t h a n on e a r t h ?
What i s t h e nature of t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p of t h e e a r t h t o
t h e moon, t h e p l a n e t s , t h e sun, and t h e u n i v e r s e ?
What can be f e a r n e d , a b o u t t h e o r i g i n of t h e u n i v e r s e ?
Scope o f Geophysical I n v e s t i g a t i o n s --
Geophysical
i n v e s t i g a t i o n s by s a t e l l i t e s and sounding r o c k e t s embrace a n
a r r a y of s c i e n c e s and p e n e t r a t e space e x t e n d i n g thousands of
miles from t h e e a r t h . NASAts g e o p h y s i c a l program c o n c e n t r a t e s
l a r g e l y on s t u d y i n g t h e atmosphere, ionosphere, e n e r g e t i c
p a r t i c l e s , and magnetic and e l e c t r i c f i e l d s .
The Atmosphere
NASA i s i n v e s t i g a t i n g t h e p r o p e r t i e s and phenomena of
t h e atmosphere from t h e a l t i t u d e c e i l i n g of b a l l o o n s (about
20 m i l e s ) t o r e g i o n s of space beyond t h e last t r a c e s o f
atmosphere. The o b j e c t i s t o determine t h e composition of
t h e c o n s t i t u e n t ases and t h e s t r u c t u r e ( p r e s s u r e , d e n s i t y ,
7
and t e m p e r a t u r e s o f t h e atmosphere, and t o f i n d how t h e s e
p r o p e r t i e s v a r y from day t o n i g h t and from season t o season
a t d i f f e r e n t a l t i t u d e s and g e o g r a p h i c a l l o c a t i o n s . C l o s e l y
r e l a t e d work is going forward on: 1) u p e r atmospheric
P
winds and t h e i r c i r c u l a t i o n p a t t e r n s ; 2 s t u d i e s of s o l a r
a c t i v i t i e s t o c o r r e l a t e them with g e n e r a l atmospheric
b e h a v i o r ; and 3 ) s t u d i e s t o l e a r n how t h i s complex of i n t e r -
r e l a t i o n s a f f e c t s meteorological processes.
- 73 -
f
Atmospheric S t r u c t u r e S a t e l l i t e --
Instruments f o r t h i s
400-lb s a t e l l i t e have been s e l e c t e d , and design and develop-
ment are under way a t Goddard S p a c e - F l i g h t Center. Taking-
p a r t # under NASA c o n t r a c t s , a r e t h e Consolidated Systems
.
Corp,, Monrovia, Calif ; NRC Equipment Corp,, Newton, Mass ,
a s u b s i d i a r y of N a t i o n a l Research Corp.; and t h e National
.
Research Corp., Cambridge, Mass. The s a t e l l i t e w i l l be
launched by a Delta Vehicle. B
Sounding Rocket A c t i v i t i e s --
Three Nike-Asp sounding
r o c k e t s f o r determining upper atmosphere winds were launched
from Wallops S t a t i o n on November 18, 19. and 20 (see Chapter
3 , "Experimental Missions," pp. 3 1 32). -
NASA p l a n s t o launch about 20 more sounding r o c k e t s
f o r upper atmosphere s t u d i e s . Half of t h e launchings w i l l
be f o r determining t e m p e r a t u r e s and winds a t a l t i t u d e s o f
from 20 t o 50 miles. T h i s w i l l be done by exploding s p e c i a l
g r e n a d e s h i g h i n t h e atmosphere and t h e n measuring t h e speed
o f t h e sound waves t o c a l c u l a t e t h e t e m p e r a t u r e s and winds
through which t h e waves pass. The program i s under Goddard
d i r e c t i o n , w i t h p a r t i c i p a t i o n by t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Michigan,
t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f New Mexico, and t h e S c h e l l i n g e r Research
I n s t i t u t e of Texas Western College.
The remaining r o c k e t s w i l l be launched f o r o t h e r inves-
t i g a t i o n s of t h e upper atmosphere --
f o r i n s t a n c e , determi-
n a t i o n of wind speeds and d i f f u s i o n by employing sodium
vapor r e l e a s e d h i g h i n t h e atmosphere and f o r s t u d i e s by
means o f mass and i o n s p e c t r o m e t e r s and d e n s i t y and p r e s s u r e
gauges. The sodium vapor experiments are conducted by t h e
Geophysics Corporation of America under NASA c o n t r a c t s ;
Goddard w i l l perform t h e o t h e r experiments. Some of t h e
experiments w i l l a l s o t e s t i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n f o r t h b Atmos-
pheric Structure S a t e l l i t e .
T h e o r e t i c a l and experimental a c t i v i t i e s o f NASA a r e
being augmented, under c o n t r a c t s , by work of t h e Geophysics
Corporation of America, t h e U n i v e r s i t y of Michigan, and t h e
Armour Research Foundation.
The Ionosphere
NASA i s i n v e s t i g a t i n g t h e o r i g i n and v a r i a t i o n s of t h e
components of t h e ionosphere, t h e r e a s o n s f o r t h e i r varia-
t i o n s , and t h e i r g r o s s p r o p e r t i e s .
The ionosphere i s a r e g i o n of e l e c t r i c a l l y charged
( i o n i z e d ) gases, beginning about 35 miles above t h e s u r f a c e
o f t h e e a r t h . Maximum i o n i z a t i o n o c c u r s a t about 180 miles.
The r e g i o n i n c l u d e s a number of zones of somewhat d i f f e r e n t
- 74 -
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s ( c a l l e d t h e D, E, F , and F2 l a y e r s ) t h a t
v a r y i n a l t i t u d e and i o n i z a t i o n w i t k t h e time of day and
t h e season.
T h i s i o n i z a t i o n i s b e l i e v e d t o be caused p r i n c i p a l l y
by u l t r a v i o l e t r a y s , X-rays, and charged p a r t i c l e s streaming
from t h e sun. Long-range r a d i o communications are p o s s i b l e
because t h e e l e c t r o n s of t h e ionosphere r e f l e c t r a d i o waves
of low and medium f r e q u e n c y back t o e a r t h .
Among i n s t r u m e n t s used t o determine t h e numbers and
p r o p e r t i e s of t h e gases, i o n s , and e l e c t r o n s are i o n and
mass s p e c t r o m e t e r s , r a d i o frequency impedance probes, and
Langmuir probes .* Ra.dio-frequency propagation experiments
( d e t a i l e d s t u d i e s of t h e way r a d i o waves t r a v e l t h r o u g h t h e
i o n o s p h e r e ) of d i f f e r e n t t y p e s a r e a l s o used. For example,
a v e r y low frequency experiment was c a r r i e d i n Explorer V I .
Other experiments depend on d e t a i l e d a n a l y s i s of how t h e
ionosphere a f f e c t s s i g n a l s from s a t e l l i t e s o r space probes.
D i r e c t I o n o s p h e r i c Measurement by S a t e l l i t e--
s a t e l l i t e s w i l l be launched w i t h t h e major o b j e c t i v e of'
Several
d i r e c t l y s t u d y i n g t h e ionosphere, which i s of tremendous
importance t o r a d i o communications on e a r t h . The program w i l l
be under t h e p r o j e c t management of Goddard. The Marshall
Space F l i g h t Center, H u n t s v i l l e , Ala
assembling and t e s t i n g t h e payload. A
.,
is r e s p o n s i b l e f o r
p r o t o t y p e of t h e
i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n f o r t h e payload h a s been submitted f o r t e s t s
t o t h e Marshall Center by Goddard Center. Two more payloads
f o r f l i g h t - t e s t i n g are being assembled.
Ionosphere Beacon S a t e l l i t e -- Planned t o f o l l o w t h e
i o n o s p h e r i c measurement experiments i s a s a t e l l i t e which w i l l
g a t h e r information about e l e c t r o n d i s t r i b u t i o n and c h a r a e t e r -
i s t i c s of t h e ionosphere by s t u d y i n g i t s e f f e c t s on r a d i o
t r a n s m i s s i o n . The payload w i l l i n c l u d e e l e c t r o n i c equipment
f o r t h e simultaneous t r a n s m i s s i o n of s i x harmonically r e l a t e d
r a d i o s i g n a l s . Depending on t h e i r f r e q u e n c i e s , these s i g n a l s
w i l l be a f f e c t e d t o v a r y i n g d e g r e e s during t h e i r t r a v e l s
through t h e i o n o s p h e r i c r e g i o n . A n a l y s i s of t h e s i g n a l s w i l l
y i e l d i n f o r m a t i o n about t h e s t r u c t u r e and p r o p e r t i e s of t h e
r e g i o n . Goddard i s managing t h e p r o j e c t and Marshall i s
d e s i g n i n g , assembling, and t e s t i n g t h e payload. Other par-
t i c i p a n t s i n c l u d e t h e U n i v e r s i t y of Auckland, New Zealand;
t h e U n i v e r s i t y of I l l i n o i s ; Pennsylvania S t a t e U n i v e r s i t y ;
S t a n f o r d U n i v e r s i t y ; and t h e N a t i o n a l Bureau of S t a n d a r d s.
* Instruments; n o t t o be confused w i t h space probes.
- 75 -
Topside Sounder -- After t h e Ionosphere Beacon s a t e l l i t e
experiments a r e completed, a t h i r d s a t e l l i t e , t h e "Topside
Sounder,1f w i l l be employed t o s t u d y t h e upper ionosphere by
radio-echo sounding -- a t e c h n i q u e , similar t o r a d a r , used
f o r y e a r s t o s t u d y t h e lower p o r t i o n s o f t h e ionosphere.
The n a t u r e o f t h e ionosphere makes it impossible t o o b t a i n
i n f o r m a t i o n about t h e upper r e g i o n from t h e ground because
r a d a r p u l s e s p e n e t r a t e t h e r e g i o n and continue on i n t o space
i n s t e a d o f r e f l e c t i n g back t o e a r t h . The Topside Sotlnder
w i l l be t h e first a t t e m p t t o a p p l y radio-echo sounding of
t h e ionosphere's t o p s u r f a c e from above. I n t h i s j o i n t
Canada-United S t a t e s program, t h e -ad i s being funded
and b u i l t by t h e Canadian Defence Research Telecommunications
Laboratory.
E l e c t r o n Density Probes -- Planned f o r fu,ture launch-
i n g by Sqout v e h i c l e s t h e s e two experiments w i l l . o b t a i n
v e r t i c a l p i c t u r e s of t h e s t r u c t u r e of t h e ionosphere from a
low a l t i t u d e t o one o f 6,000 miles o r more. Probe t r a j e c -
t o r i e s , r a t h e r t h a n s a t e l l i t e o r b i t s , w i l l be used f o r
measuring t h i s a l t i t u d e range i n a s h o r t i n t e r v a l o f time.
P a y l o a d s are being c o n s t r u c t e d by Goddard and t h e v e h i c l e s
a r e p a r t of a developmental s e r i e s o f e i g h t i n t h e Scout
p r o j e c t being d i r e c t e d by Langley Research Center.
As a p r e l i m i n a r y t o t h e s e probes, a n Aerobee-Hi sound-
i n g r o c k e t was s u c c e s s f u l on March 16. It reached a n a l t i -
t u d e of more t h a n 200 miles. Payload i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n worked
w e l l , a s d i d t e l e m e t r y . The d a t a a r e now b e i n g analyzed.
The launching was p a r t of a c t i v i t i e s being c a r r i e d o u t ,
under NASA r e s e a r c h c o n t r a c t s , by t h e U n i v e r s i t y of Michigan
and t h e U. S. Army B a l l i s t i c Research Laboratory. Other
p r e l i m i n a r y a c t i v i t i e s i n c l u d e several sounding r o c k e t s
t h a t w i l l c a r r y experiments designed by Goddard, t h e
U n i v e r s i t y of Michigan, and t h e Geophysics Corporation o f
America. Vehicle procurement and payload work i s on
s c he d u l e
Energetic P a r t i c l e s
R a d i a t i o n S a t e l l i t e Experiments --
The R a d i a t i o n B e l t
S a t e l l i t e scheduled f o r March 23, 1960, was t o be a n impor-
t a n t s t e p i n t h i s f i e l d . However, t h e launching was unsuc-
c e s s f u l (see "Experimental Missions", p. 3 0 ) .
Two such s a t e l l i t e s a r e planned f o r 1961. Launched by
Delta v e h i c l e s , t h e y w i l l have h e a v i e r payloads t h a n d i d
t h e 1960 R a d i a t i o n Belt S a t e l l i t e . I n a d d i t i o n t o e n e r g e t i c
p a r t i c l e d e t e c t o r s of t h e t y p e b u i l t f o r t h e 1960 s a t e l l i t e ,
e a c h of t h e 1961 s a t e l l i t e s w i l l a l s o c a r r y a magnetometer.
Thus i t w i l l be p o s s i b l e simultaneously t o measure and
c o r r e l a t e t h e magnetic f i e l d and t h e r a d i a t i o n i n i t s
- 76 -
J
vicinity
the selectio
. velopment i s w e l l under way, a s i s
f o r t h e o p t i c a l - s e n s o r system
t h a t w i l l be i n s t a l l e d t o keep ground s t a t i o n s informed on
t h e s a t e l l i t e q s o r i e n t a t i o n . The p r o j e c t i s under Goddard
management .
soun
-- Under t h i s program, 10
ed t o i n v e s t i g a t e neutron
i n t e n s i t i e s , cosmic r a y s , and s o l a r p a r t i c l e s .
(Nuclear Emulsion Recovery V e h i c l e ) ,
mana d, i s inclEded i n tlfiis group-of s t u d i e s .
The p r o j e c t i n v o l v e s launching and r e c o v e r i n g small i n s t r u -
mented payloads a f t e r f l i g h t s t o a l t i t u d e s a s high a s 1,300
miles i n t o t h e r a d i a t i o n r e g i o n . NERV w i l l measure t h e
.
r a d i a t i o n r e g i o n more comprehensively t h a n i s p o s s i b l e a t
present
Bell-shaped, t h e payload i s 18 i n c h e s l o n g and 19 i n c h e s
i n diameter and c o n t a i n s s p e c i a l photographic emulsion t h a t
i s h i g h l y s e n s i t i v e t o n u c l e a r r a d i a t i o n . Tracks l e f t i n
t h e emulsion w i l l r e v e a l t h e l e v e l s of e n e r g i e s and t y p e s of
r a d i a t i o n encountered.
Because t h e d a t a c o n t a i n e d i n t h e emulsion t r a c k s can-
n o t be t e l e m e t e r e d , NERV must be recovered. Hence, it i s
b u i l t t o withstand s e v e r e l a n d i n g shocks, and t o f l o a t a f t e r
it l a n d s i n t h
On March 2, NASA completed pre-launch t e s t s o f t h e 75-
pound NERV v e h i c l e . The t e s t s included: 1) l a b o r a t o r y
s i m u l a t i o n s o f e n t r y i n t o - t h e atmosphere, and 2 ) drop-
recovery t e s t s i n the f i e l d .
The h e a t and b u f f e t i n g o f e n t r y were s i m u l a t e d i n t h e
Malta, N. Y., l a b o r a t o r y of t h e c o n t r a c t o r , General E l e c t r i c
Co. I n t h e r e c o v e r y t e s t s , a n F-104. S t a r f i g h t e r a i r c r a f t
dropped t h e v e h i c l e from an a l t i t u d e o f seven miles over t h e
. P a c i f i c Missile Range, near San Nicholas I s l a n d , C a l i f . A l l
e l e m e n t s of t h e NERV r e c o v e r y system o p e r a t e d a s planned,
i n c l u d i n g p a r a c h u t e s , s e a r c h beacon, f l a s h i n g l i g h t , ' r a d a r
c h a f f ( c o n f e t t i - l i k e s t r i p s of aluminum f o i l
t i v e t o r a d a r impulses --
-- highly reflec-
t h a t will be e j e c t e d t o a i d i n
t r a c k i n g t h e v e h i c l e ) , and dye marker t o s t a i n t h e sea, so
t h a t s u r f a c e v e s s e l s may r e a d i l y l o c a t e and r e c o v e r t h e NERV
payload.
Neutron i n t e n s i t y experiments are being c a r r i e d out by
New York U n i v e r s i t y under a NASA r e s e a r c h g r a n t . These
experiments w i l l be flown l a t e r t h i s y e a r i n an Aerobee-Hi
sounding r o c k e t e
- 77 -
n t s ) , another i n the
eries, c o n s i s t s of
vera1 of them
i t y distribu-
t h i s experiment w i l l be both t o o u r
understanding of s o l a r p
J
P h y s i c s i n c l u d i n Gamma Ray Astrono y; R e l a t i v i t y I n v e s t i -
9
g a t i o n s ; and Rad o Astronomy. (For d e t a i l e d d e s c r i p t i o n ,
see NASAts '@SecondSemiannual Report t o Congress?? A p r i l 1 --
September 30, 1959.)
During t h i s r e p o r t p e r i o d , work went forward on f o u r
s a t e l l i t e s , an accompanying sounding r o c k e t program, r e l a t e d
t h e o r e t i c a l and l a b o r a t o r y s t u d i e s , and instrument develop-
ment and design.
Gamma Ray Astronomy S a t e l l i t e
T h i s s a t e l l i t e is being developed t o i n v e s t i g a t e gamma
rays -0 high energy . r a d i a t i o n of extremely s h o r t wavelength
a s s o c i a t e d with t h e i n t e r a c t i o n o f cosmic r a y s o r o t h e r
e n e r g e t i c p a r t i c l e s w i t h matter. The s a t e l l i t e w i l l be
equipped w i t h i n s t r u m e n t s t o d e t e c t and map e x t r a t e r r e s t r i a l
gamma r a y s i n space ( t h a t is, gamma r a d i a t i o n o r i g i n a t i n g
from unknown s o u r c e s i n s p a c e ) , and t o measure gamma r a y
phenomena a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e e a r t h t s atmosphere.
Gamma Ray Telescope
The b a s i c d e s i g n of a " t e l e s c o p e , " s p e c i a l l y designed
t o measure gamma r a y s , and t o determine t h e r e g i o n s of t h e
sky from which t h e r a d i a t i o n comes, was completed by t h e
Massachusetts I n s t i t u t e of Technology. A prototype model
was d e l i v e r e d t o t h e Marshall Space F l i g h t Center f o r
assembly w i t h t h e s a t e l l i t e housing, t e l e m e t r y equipment,
and s o l a r - c e l l power supply. Heat, e l e c t r i c a l , and mechani-
c a l t e s t s of t h e p r o t o t y p e payload are scheduled t o begin
i n June.
The s a t e l l i t e i s under t h e t e c h n i c a l management of
Goddard Space F l i g h t Center. Plans c a l l f o r use of a Juno I1
launch vehicle.
- 80 -
I n February 1960, t h e d e t a i l e d t e c h n i c a l management
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r t h e O r b i t i n g Astronomical Observatory was
a s s i g n e d t o Goddard.
Work is c o n t i n u i n g on t h e s p e c i f i c a t i o n s f o r t h e s t a b i -
l i a e d p l a t f o r m . I n March 1960, s p e c i f i c a t i o n s were reviewed
t h i s project .
and d i s c u s s e d w i t h t h e members o f t h e NASA Working Group f o r
When t h e s p e c i f i c a t i o n s are completed, propos-
a l s f o r e n g i n e e r i n g d e s i g n and f a b r i c a t i o n w i l l be r e q u e s t e d
from i n d u s t r i a l s o u r c e s .
Sounding Rockets W i l l Be Used --
About a dozen sounding
r o c k e t s f o r t h e astronomy program a r e scheduled f o r e x p e r i -
ments between A p r i l and October 1960. Designed and b u i l t
by Goddard, t h e payloads w i l l i n c l u d e experiments f o r s o l a r
s p e c t r o s c o p y and f o r d e t e c t i o n of areas of u l t r a v i o l e t emis-
s i o n i n space.
Supporting and R e l a t e d A c t i v i t i e s
P a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e astronomy p r o j e c t , t h e U n i v e r s i t y
o f Michigan has been s t u d y i n g low-frequency, cosmic back-
ground r a d i o n o i s e . Also c l o s e l y r e l a t e d i s work being done
by t h e Canadian Defence Telecommunications Board i n t h e
p r e v i o u s l y noted c o o p e r a t i v e Topside Sounder program.
Under t h e R e l a t i v i t y I n v e s t i g a t i o n P r o j e c t , NASA con-
t r a c t s are i n e f f e c t w i t h t h e N a t i o n a l Bureau of S t a n d a r d s
and Hughes A i r c r a f t Company f o r t h e development of v e r y
a c c u r a t e atomic c l o c k s o r frequency s t a n d a r d s w i t h v e r y l o n g
s t a b i l i t y o r accuracy. The Massachusetts I n s t i t u t e of Tech-
nology i s developing s p e c i a l i z e d e l e c t r o n i c c i r c u i t s and
r e l a t i v i t y t h r o u g h use of s a t e l l i t e s.
t e c h n i q u e s f o r a n experiment t o t e s t E i n s t e i n ' s t h e o r y of
Detailed planning f o r
such a s a t e l l i t e t e s t by a s t u d y of t h e g r a v i t a t i o n a l r e d
s h i f t e f f e c t must await t h e outcome of t h e ground-based
t e s t s now being conducted by a new technique i n s e v e r a l
l a b o r a t o r i e s . However, a s t h e a c c u r a t e frequency s t a n d a r d s
w i l l have many o t h e r u s e s i n space technology, t h e c l o c k
development phase of t h i s program w i l l be continued..
Supporting t h e o r e t i c a l , e x p e r i m e n t a l , and instrumenta-
t i o n s t u d i e s f o r t h e astronomy program are b e i n g conducted a t
Goddard, and by i n d u s t r i a l o r g a n i z a t i o n s and u n i v e r s i t i e s
under NASA c o n t r a c t s ( l i s t e d i n Appendices L and M ) .
T h e o r e t i c a l Work
Research undertaken by t h e T h e o r e t i c a l D i v i s i o n of
Goddard i n c l u d e s a program i n c e l e s t i a l mechanics. R e s u l t s
under t h e program were touched upon e a r l i e r i n t h i s c h a p t e r .
- 81 -
I n a d d i t i o n , a s p e c i a l method f o r r a p i d d e t e r m i n a t i o n of
s a t e l l i t e o r b i t s from r a d a r d a t a h a s been developed.
S t u d i e s are being pursued and new t h e o r i e s a r e being
developed t o d e s c r i b e l u n a r p r o p e r t i e s and motion. The work
i s a n e c e s s a r y prelude t o space probe and s a t e l l i t e i n v e s t i -
g a t i o n s o f t h e moon. Goddard i s developing a t h e o r e t i c a l
r e s e a r c h program keyed p a r t i c u l a r l y t o t h e d a t a on u l t r a -
.
v i o l e t s p e c t r a expected t o be o b t a i n e d from t h e o r b i t i n g
astronomical observatory
- 82 -
a
CHAPTER 7
SATELLITE APPLICATIONS
- 83 -
f
equipment, e t c . -- along w i t h p r o v i s i o n s f o r i n s t a l l i n g im-
proved o r new instrumentation. Nimbus ill be launched i n t o
p o l a r o r b i t and o r i e n t e d t o f a c e t h e e a r t h cat a l l times; it
can t h u s view t h e e n t i r e g l o b e and provide f a r more weather
information t h a n i s p o s s i b l e w i t h TIROS.
According t o c u r r e n t p l a n s , TIROS I1 w i l l be launched
l a t e i n 1960 and TIROS IIa d u r i n g t h e first h a l f of 1961,
About s i x months l a t e r , Nimbus I w i l l be launched, followed
by Nimbus I1 i n 1962 and+Iirnbus I11 i n 1963. TIROS lamch-
i n g s w i l l use t h e Delta v e h i c l e , and Nimbus the Thor-Agena Bo
Communications S a t e l l i t e
+-
Pro e c t Echo NASA's e f f o r t i n t h e communications f i e l d
has been concen rated l a r g e l y on P r o j e c t Echo, an experimental
communications s a t e l l i t e program, I n P r o j e c t Echo, 100-foot
diameter i n f l a t a b l e spheres composed of micro-thin aluminiaed
polymer p l a s t i c t o r e f l e c t e l e c t r o - a a g n e t i c (radio) waves, w i l l
be f i r e d i n t o 1,000-aile a l t i t u d e o r b i t s . O p e r a t i o n a l com-
munications s a t e l l i t e s w i l l be i n j e c t e d i n t o e q u a t o r i a l o r b i t s
a t an a l t i t u d e of 22,300 miles. P r o j e c t Echo is designed t o :
1) Study t h e e f f e c t s of space c o n d i t i o n s on s a t e l l i t e s
w i t h l a r g e s u r f a c e areas p e r u n i t weight; 2 ) measure reflec-
t i v i t y of t h e spheres and t h e manner i n which radiq waves
t r a v e l through and a r e a f f e c t e d by space; and 3 ) determine
t h e f e a s i b i l i t y of u s i n g such s a t e l l i t e s as radiowave ref'lec-
t o r s i n worldwide communications systems.
: Over-all management of P r o j e c t
e F l i g h t Center, Langley Research
are being c a r r i e d
. The communications experiments
o u t by t h e J e t Propulsion Laboratory at its
Goldstone, Calif., s t a t i o n and by t h e B e l l Telephone Laborato-
r i e s , Holmdel, N. J. The Naval Research Laboratory w i l l par-
t i c i p a t e from i t s Stump Neck, Md., site.
The Army, t h e A i r Force, and seven e d u c a t i o n a l and indus-
t r i a l i n s t i t u t i o n s have volunteered t o perform independent
experiments. Other o r g a n i z a t i o n s have made i n q u i r i e s .
I n England, t h e J o d r e l l Bank f a c i l i t y o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y
of Manchester w i l l attempt t o r e c e i v e t r a n s m i s s i o n from
Holmdel, S c i e n t i s t s from s e v e r a l o t h e r c o u n t r i e s have i n d i -
c a t e d t o NASA t h a t t h e y w i l l make use of P r o j e c t Echo f o r
experiments.
ings --
: Payload t e s t i n g and development f o r Echo launch-
lete i n c l u d i n g s p h e r e d e s i g n and f a b r i c a t i o n ,
r e f l e c t i v i t y measurements, i n f l a t i o n and f o l d i n g techniques,
c o n t a i n e r d e s i g n and payload-vehicle compatability.
t
c,
d.El
I
c,
W
Q)
c,
J
The payload i 005-inch t h i c k alurai-
polymer p l a he s p h e r e is 100 feet i n
t e r and h a s 0,000 c u b i c feet.
The metal c o n t a i n e r f o r t h e f o l d e d sphere c o n s i s t s o f two
t h e rsphere b e f o r e sealing.
IIA8L k l - f o ~ t - d i etsr vaouum c a t Langley, scale
models of t h e sphere ave been t e s t naively t o find t h e
r i a a t i o n rrrethods and techni r aeparatiw the
r and for ejecting and i n f he p l a s t i c sphere.
Two ereparation and i n i t i a l ( p a r t i a l ) i n f l a t i o n t e s t s with a
f u l l - s i a e l o b f o o t s p h e r e were 8 ~ 1 8made
~ i n t h e chamber.
The first E ho launching was
t h e r l a u n c h i n s are planned for t h e
rockets at l i f t o f f -- --
The Echo v e h i c l e , assembled s p e c i f i c a l l y f o r t h e tests,
c o n s i s t s of a Sergeant first-stage assisted by two R e c r u i t
and an X-248 r o c k e t engine as second
s t a g e ( t h e X-248 comprises t h e t h i r d stage o f t h e Delta).
During t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d , there were a l s o f o u r s u b o r b i t a l Echo
lawachings.
In t h e first s u b o r b i t a l t e s t ,
lift ST, October 28, 1959. The v e h i c l e
performed w e l l , b u t t h e s p h e r e r u p t u r e d when it was ejected
from t h e c o n t a i n e r and inflated. S e v e r a l fragments Separated
from t h e main body and continued along t h e b a l l i s t i c trajec--
t o r y , r i s i n g t o an a l t i t u d e o f about 250 miles and e n t e r i n g
* F a i l e d Hay 13.
t h e atmosphere some 500 miles down-range, e a s t of Wallops.
The sphere was v i s i b l e a l o n g t h e E a s t e r n seaboard. Even
though t h e p l a s t i c r u p t u r e d , r e f l e c t e d s i g n a l s from t h e
. DAMP r a d a r o f t h e Radio Corporation of America, a t Moores-
town, N. J., were r e c e i v e d a t Wallops.
Among probable c a u s e s f o r t h e s p h e r e % r u p t u r e are:
1) c o n c e n t r a t e d stresses i n t h e f o l d e d p l a s t i c , o r 2 ) ex-
p l o s i o n of one o f t h e b o t t l e s c o n t a i n i n g water used i n t h i s
experiment t o i n f l a t e t h e s p h e r e . ( S t r e s s e s i n t h e s k i n of
t h e sphere have been r e d i s t r i b u t e d and l e s s e n e d by employing
a new f o l d i n g technique a W a t e r - i n f l a t i o n h a s been d i s c a r d e d
i n f a v o r of benzoic a c i d s u b l i m a t i n g powders, a s e a r l i e r
noted. )
Second S u b o r b i t a l Test: The second t e s t was made from
Wallops on January 16, a t 5:35 p.m. EST. A t a n a l t i t u d e of
250 miles,, a s h o r t c i r c u i t i n t h e launch v e h i c l e second
stage prevented f i r i n g of t h e de-spin r o c k e t s , and of t h e
r e t r o r o c k e t s which slow t h e second stage t o prevent c o l l i s i o n
with t h e i n f l a t e d s p h e r e . The X-248 engine r i p p e d through
t h e p a r t i a l l y i n f l a t e d s p h e r e , r e l e a s i n g t h e benzoic a c i d g a s .
D e s p i t e t h i s a c c i d e n t , a B e l l Telephone Laboratopy
t r a n s m i t t e r a t Holmdel, N, J., r e f l e c t e d a r a d i o s i g n a l o f f
t h e s p h e r e t o r e c e i v e r s a t t h e General E l e c t r i c L a b o r a t o r i e s ,
Schenectady, N, Ye, and t o t h e Massachusetts I n s t i t u t e of
Technology?s Lincoln Laboratory, Round H i l l , Mass. Because
i n f l a t i o n had been incomplete, t h e s i g n a l s were below ex-
pected strength,
Third Test -- Voice Transmitted Via Sphere: The t h i r d
s u b o r b i t a l experiment was launched a t 6 :2U p,m, EST, Febru-
a r y 27, from Wallops StatiQn. The payload was i d e n t i c a l
w i t h t h a t of t h e second t e s t , except t h a t a r e d f l u o r e s c e n t
powder was used a s p a r t o f t h e s u b l i m a t i n g material. Also,
t h e e l e c t r i c a l system of t h e v e h i c l e had been changed t o
p r e v e n t r e p e t i t i o n of t h e p r e v i o u s f a i l u r e , As t h e sphere
proceeded a l o n g i t s t r a j e c t o r y , a r e d glow appeared t o i t s
l e f t . Undoubtedly r e d f l u o r e s c e n t powder blown through a
h o l e i n t h e s k i n accounted f o r t h e glow, What caused t h e
h o l e i s n o t known, b u t measures have been t a k e n t o reduce
i n t e r n a l p r e s s u r e i n t h e f o l d e d s p h e r e t o slow i n i t i a l ex-
pansion.
D e s p i t e t h e i n f l a t i o n f a i l u r e , t h e Bell L a b o r a t o r i e s
t r a n s m i t t e d a t a p e d v o i c e message o f 1 2 s e n t e n c e s v i a t h e
r s p h e r e t o t h e General E l e c t r i c and Lincoln L a b o r a t o r i e s
s t a t i o n s . Volume of t h e message was o n l y s l i g h t l y below
t h e planned l e v e l .
- 87 -
A p r i l Test Succeeds: NASA achieved i t s f i r s t completely
s u c c e s s f u l launching, e j e c t i o n , and i n f l a t i m of a 100-foot-
d i a m e t e r i n f l a t a b l e - s p h e r e i n a s u b o r b i t a l t r a j e c t o r y on
A p r i l 1, E j e c t i o n and i n f l a t i o n t o o k p l a c e a t an a l t i t u d e
of 100 miles, The s p h e r e was f i r e d by a two-stage launch
v e h i c l e , c o n s i s t i n g of a Sergeant r o c k e t and two R e c r u i t
r o c k e t s as f i r s t stage, and a n X-248 engine a s second stage,
The sphere, i n f l a t e d by s u b l i m a t i o n of benzoic a c i d , was
v i s i b l e as a s t a r l i k e o b j e c t a l o n g t h e E a s t e r n seaboard,
from Maine t o South C a r o l i n a , and 500 miles i n l a n d from
Wallops S t a t ion.
Volunteer P a r t i c i p a t i o n : Photographic coverage f o r
t h e s u b o r b i t a l t e s t s . i n a d d i t i o n t o t h a t by NASA f a c i l i t i e s ,
was provided by p a r t i c i p a n t s i n t h e Volunteer S a t e l l i t e
Tracking Program. Radar t r a c k i n g f o r t h e f i r s t two t e s t s
was by t h e Radio Corporation of America, Moorestown, N. J,
The M i l l s t o n e H i l l radar of t h e M,I,T, Lincoln Laboratory
and U. S. Navy r a d a r p i c k e t s h i p s t r a c k e d t h e second and
t h i r d s p h e r e s , and t h e U, S. A i r Force provided a e r i a l ob-
s e r v a t ion,
Echo Ground F a c i l i t i e s --A 10-kw t r a n s m i t t e r and re-
c e i v e r s w i t h extremely s e n s i t i v e , low-noise a m p l i f i e r s have
been i n s t a l l e d f o r use i n communications experiments a t t h e
J P L Goldstone s t a t i o n , For sending, t h e s e experiments w i l l
employ t h e new AZ-El p a r a b o l i c antenna t h a t can be r o t a t e d
e i t h e r up and down o r l e f t and r i g h t , independently, For
r e c e i v i n g , t h e 85-foot e q u a t o r i a l l y mounted antenna w i l l be
used, This antenna i s mounted i n t h e manner of an a s t r o -
nomical t e l e s c o p e s o t h a t it can e a s i l y b e t u r n e d t o c o r r e c t
f o r the earth's rotation.
A t Holmdel, N. J., t h e B e l l Telephone L a b o r a t q r i e s a r e
assembling f o r NASA, under c o n t r a c t , ground equipment devel-
oped a t t h e i r own expense, O f n o t e a r e a new t y p e of r e c e i v -
i n g antenna with a 20 x 20-foot r e c e i v i n g a r e a , e s p e c i a l l y
b u i l t t o r e d u c e n o i s e ; low-noise r e c e i v e r s employing d u a l
masers ( v e r y s e n s i t i v e a m p l i f i e r s ) ; and a 10-kw t r a n s m i t t e r ,
The t r a n s m i t t i n g antenna has a diameter o f 60 f e e t .
I n t e s t i n g t h e equipment, one-way, moon-bounce exper-
iments were made from Holmdel t o Goldstone, The Holmdel
equipment was a l s o used f o r t h e s u b o r b i t a l tests,
For t h e o r b i t a l Echo experiment, Goldstone w i l l t r a n s -
m i t t o Holmdel a t a frequency of 2390 mc and w i l l r e c e i v e
t h e Holmdel t r a n s m i s s i o n a t 960 mc.
- 88 -
d
TE
LUNAR, PLANETA A
THE PROSPECT
For t h e corning f i v e t o seven y e a r s , HASA has s e l e c t e d
goals t h a t appear e n t i r e l y p r a c t i c a b l e and has assigned them
SGIEEJTIFIC GOALS
Fro n t of s c i e n c e , t h e m i s s i o n s p r o j e c t e d
are as B, 11 be t h e drama of t h e f l i g h t s them-
selves. i c o b j e c t i v e 8 are:
- 89 -
J
To a c q u i r e fundamental p h y s i c a l and chemical
i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e moon and p l a n e t s ; t o i n -
v e s t i g a t e space phenomena and t h e i r v a r i a -
t i o n s over t h e range o f l u n a r and p l a n e t a r y
d i s t a n c e s ; t o e x p l o r e t h e surface and nearby
environment of t h e moon and t o measure and
describe i n d e t a i l its characteristics, f o r
example, t h e s u r f a c e composition, r a d i o -
a c t i v i t y and s t r u c t u r a l f e a t u r e s , and t h e
magnetic and g r a v i t a t i o n a l f i e l d s ; t o i n -
v e s t i g a t e t h e c o n s t i t u e n t s , p r o c e s s e s , and
-
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e i n t e r p l a n e t a r y r e
g i o n s s o as t o u n d e r s t a n d how and why t h e y
v a r y w i t h time and l o c a t i o n w i t h i n t h e s o l a r
system; t o e x t e n d t h e s e i n v e s t i g a t i o n s t o
t h e d e t a i l e d s t u d y and e x p l o r a t i o n of t h e
p l a n e t s ; t o develop improved means and t e c h -
n i q u e s f o r t h e conduct o f l u n a r , i n t e r p l a n e -
t a r y and p l a n e t a r y i n v e s t i g a t i o n s and ex-
plorations.
The n e a r e s t and most f a m i l i a r body t o u s i n t h e s o l a r
system i s t h e moon. Clear, -dry, and a p p a r e n t l y changeless,
t h e moon h a s been a n o b j e c t of s p e c u l a t i o n f o r thousands of
y e a r s . Devoid of atmosphere i n t h e t e r r e s t r i a l s e n s e , t h e
moon h a s had no winds, no r a i n s , no chemical i n t e r a c t i o n s f o r
b i l l i o n s of y e a r s t o a l t e r i t s s u r f a c e . It o f f e r s a chance
t o s t u d y t h e v e r y e a r l y matter of t h e s o l a r system i n p r a c t i -
c a l l y unchanged form.
U n t i l r e c e n t l y , l u n a r s c i e n c e had t o ' r e l y e n t i r e l y on
t e l e s c o p i c o b s e r v a t i o n s and i n d i r e c t measurements. Space
c r a f t now being developed w i l l overcome many of t h e s e l i m i -
t a t i o n s . By p r o v i d i n g means f o r o r b i t i n g o r l a n d i n g on t h e
moon i n s t r u m e n t s capable of d i r e c t l y g a t h e r i n g and t r a n s -
m i t t i n g i n f o r m a t i o n back t o e a r t h , l u n a r m i s s i o n s w i l l g r e a t l y
i n c r e a s e u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e u n i v e r s e . It i s c e r t a i n t h a t
t h e y w i l l answer many i n s i s t e n t s c i e n t i f i c q u e s t i o n s .
P l a n e t a r y i n v e s t i g a t i o n s w i l l s t u d y s t i l l more i n t e r -
e s t i n g problems . A s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e Lunar, P l a n e t a r y , and
I n t e r p l a n e t a r y Programs i s t h e s e a r c h f o r e x t r a t e r r e s t r i a l
l i f e forms. Since t h e e x i s t e n c e { o r non-existence) of such
l i f e forms i s unknown a t t h i s time it i s v i t a l l y important
t h a t t h e b i o l o g i c a l balance, such a s it may e x i s t , of celes- -
d t i a l b o d i e s n o t be d i s t u r b e d by contamination w i t h t e r r e s t r i a l
micro-organisms . S i m i l a r l y , g r e a t c a r e must be e x e r c i s e d n o t
t o d i s r u p t t h e ecology on e a r t h when i n f u t u r e y e a r s , extra-
t e r r e s t r i a l samples are r e t u r n e d . I n r e c o g n i t i o n of t h i s
problem, NASA i s c u r r e n t l y embarking on a program which w i l l
l e a d t o a method, procedures, and t e c h n i q u e s f o r t h e decon-
' t a m i n a t i o n and s t e r i l i z a t i o n of space probes and payloads.
- 90 -
J u s t a s t h e l u n a r missions c o n s t i t u t e an orderly
sequence of t e c h n o l o g i c a l and s c i e n t i f i c development , SO do
t h e y l a y t h e groundwork f o r more d i s t a n t and complex m i s -
s i o n s of t h e 1965-70 period.
Schedula C r i t e r i a
Mission s c h e d u l e s have been developed t o :
1) S e l e c t t h e most important g o a l s and pursue
them with determination.
2) E s t a b l i s h a n e v o l u t i o n a r y sequence of m i s -
s i o n s i n which each s t e p paves t h e way f o r
t h e more d i f f i c u l t phase t o f o l l o w and makes
f u l l use o f i n c r e a s e d t e c h n o l o g i c a l capa-
bility.
LUNAR MISSIONS
NASA p l a n s c a l l f o r e v e n t u a l l y making c o n t r o l l e d land-
i n g s on t h e moon -- f i r s t , by s c i e n t i f i c d e v i c e s t o sample
r a d i a t i o n and o t h e r phenomena and, l a t e r , by manned sgace-
craft .
F i r s t Step: Instrumented Lunar , O r b i t e r s
NASA w i l l make a t l e a s t two a t t e m p t s t o p l a c e a n i n s t r u -
mented payload i n o r b i t about t h e moon. An Atlas-Able launch-
i n g v e h i c l e w i l l be employed.
The l u n a r o r b i t e r s w i l l u t i l i z e a s p i n - s t a b i l i z e d pay-
l o a d having rudimentary, but e f f e c t i v e , midcourse guidance =-
without which t h e m i s s i o n could n o t be accomplished. The
payloads w i l l c o n t a i n s e v e r a l r a d i a t i o n d e t e c t i o n experiments
t o t a k e measurements i n t h e l u n a r environment. A s t"anchoredn
space s t a t i o n s , u n a f f e c t e d by t e r r e s t r i a l i n f l u e n c e s , t h e
payloads should y i e l d q u a n t i t i e s of important s c i e n t i f i c i n -
f o r m a t i o n when t h e long-term measurements t h e y make are com-
p a r e d w i t h r e l a t e d measurements t a k e n i n t h e v i c i n i t y of t h e
earth.
Second Step: C o n t r o l l e d Landings on t h e Moon
I n 1961, NASA w i l l begin t h e next phase of t h e l u n a r
program. S p a c e c r a f t designed f o r c o n t r o l l e d l a n d i n g s w i l l
be launched by Agena B v e h i c l e s . The payloads w i l l b e a r
s p e c i a l sampling and t r a n s m i t t i n g equipment rugged enough
t o s u r v i v e t h e l a n d i n g s i n working o r d e r . The two payloads
launched i n t h e f i r s t h a l f of 1961 w i l l be d i r e c t e d , not
- 91 -
toward t h e moon, but i n t o h i g h l y e c c e n t r i c e a r t h o r b i t s t h a t
w i l l r e a c h f a r o u t toward t h e sun, They w i l l be employed t o
t e s t v i t a l components of t h e s p a c e c r a f t and t o make s c i e n -
t i f i c experiments.
A n s p a c e c r a f t , " a s meant here, i s an advanced v e h i c l e
t h a t w i l l n o t o n l y c a r r y a payload of s c i e n t i f i c i n s t r u m e n t s
b u t w i l l be capable of maneuvering t o m a i n t a i n t h e c o r r e c t
course and o r i e n t a t i o n , through b u i l t - i n programming equip-
.
ment and by means of remote command-control from e a r t h
stations
I n e a r l y space-mission experiments, t h e payload and
t e l e m e t r y equipment were packaged i n what were l i t t l e more
t h a n cans, s p i n - s t a b i l i z e d i n f l i g h t o r allowed t o tumble
a t random, S o f t - l a n d i n g l u n a r s p a c e c r a f t of coming y e a r s
w i l l be f a r more complex. They must descend t o t h e s u r f a c e
of t h e moon without t h e cushioning, o r ?'brakingtt e f f e c t s of
a n atmosphere. They w i l l have t o l a n d by means of r o c k e t -
.
braking and w i l l be guided and c o n t r o l l e d by on-board e l e c -
t r o n i c s e n s i n g equipment
Lunar- Impact Miss i o n s
E a r l y i n 1962 t h e first of t h r e e a t t e m p t s a t complete
l u n a r m i s s i o n s w i l l be r e a d y f o r launching. The s p a c e c r a f t
w i l l be i n two s e c t i o n s , t h e s p a c e c r a f t "bus" and t h e l a n d i n g
capsule. The bus w i l l c o n t a i n guidance and c o n t r o l , t e l e -
metry, and p r o p u l s i o n equipment t o m a i n t a i n v e h i c l e a t t i t u d e
d u r i n g t h e e n t i r e t r a j e c t o r y and t o make it p o s s i b l e t o
s t r i k e t h e moon i n a predetermined area. The payload capsule
w i l l be s e p a r a t e d from t h e bus and slowed by a r e t r o - r o c k e t
from about 8,000 f e e t p e r second t o an impact v e l o c i t y of
less t h a n 500 f e e t p e r second.
I n a d d i t i o n t o s c i e n t i f i c i n s t r u m e n t s f o r measurements
o f space between t h e e a r t h and t h e moon, t h e s p a c e c r a f t w i l l
be equipped w i t h a t e l e v i s i o n camera t h a t , d u r i n g t h e f i n a l
moments of f l i g h t , t r a n s m i t s p i c t u r e s of t h e impact area.
The camera w i l l be capable o f r e c o g n i z a b l photographing
o b j e c t s a s small a s 10 f e e t a c r o s s .
S o f t Landings
I n 1963 t h e powerful Centaur should be o p e r a t i o n a l ,
making p o s s i b l e t h e first t r u e l u n a r r l s o f t " l a n d i n g of a
s p a c e c r a f t equipped w i t h t e l e v i s i o n , a seismograph, a spec-
+.rometer, and r a d i a t i o n d e t e c t i o n d e v i c e s among o t h e r rela-
t i v e l y f r a g i l e s c i e n t i f i c i n s t r u m e n t s t o observe and analyze
t h e s u r f a c e and s u b s u r f a c e p r o p e r t i e s of t h e moon. Tele-
metry and a n e l e c t r i c power supply w i l l make up p a r t of t h e
600-pound package e
- 92 -
T e l e v i s i o n i n s p e c t i o n of t h e t e r r a i n o b t a i n e d i n t h e
preceding Agena s e r i e s w i l l a i d i n d e s i g n i n g t h e l a n d i n g
s t r u c t u r e of t h e Centaur s p a c e c r a f t . It i s l i k e l y t h a t t h e
Centaur t y p e w i l l be used f o r y e a r s i n l u n a r e x p l o r a t i o n .
S t i l l l a r g e r , s o f t - l a n d i n g s p a c e c r a f t , boosted by t h e
S a t u r n 1.~-million-pound-thrust launch v e h i c l e , w i l l be
r e q u i r e d f o r a r e a s of t h e moon t h a t are t o be i n v e s t i g a t e d
i n great d e t a i l , e i t h e r f o r p u r e l y s c i e n t i f i c r e a s o n s o r i n
p r e p a r a t i o n f o r manned landifigs. Planned f o r 1966, w i t h a
t h r e e - t o - f o u r - y e a r l e a d time f o r development, t h e Saturn-
launched, unmanned s p a c e c r a f t w i l l c o n t a i n a u n i t t h a t can
move a l o n g t h e moonts surface -- perhaps on c a t e r p i l l a r
t r e a d s o r b a l l o o n t i r e s . T e l e v i s i o n w i l l p l a y a key r o l e
i n t h i s kind of remotely c o n t r o l l e d e x p l o r a t i o n .
P l a n e t a r y and I n t e r p l a n e t a r y Missions
During 1960, a Delta w i l l be employed t o launch a probe
deep i n t o i n t e r p l a n e t a r y space t o measure ma n e t i c , p a r t i c l e ,
'%
and e l e c t r o m a g n e t i c r a d i a t i o n f i e l d s . I n 19 2, NASA should
be capable of p l a c i n g probes i n t h e v i c i n i t y o f Venus. For
such a mission, NASA w i l l employ t h e Centaur launch v e h i c l e ,
a n d a v a r i a t i o n of t h e s p a c e c r a f t scheduled f o r t h e Atlas-
Agena l u n a r m i s s i o n s . These probes w i l l p a s s c l o s e enough
t o t h e p l a n e t t o permit c r i t i c a l S c i e n t i f i c measurements t o
be made and t r a n s m i t t e d back t o e a r t h . T e l e v i s i o n and/or
s p e c t r o g r a p h i c o b s e r v a t i o n s a r e being considered. These
"near m i s s " f l i g h t s a r e d i f f i c u l t t o a c h i e v e , however,
because of t h e extreme a c c u r a c i e s r e q u i r e d i n t h e guidance
system a s w e l l a s p r e s e n t u n c e r t a i n t i e s i n t h e p o s i t i o n of
the planets.
The r e l a t i v e p o s i t i o n of E a r t h and Venus r e q u i r e d f o r
n e a r optimum payload weights w i l l occur i n 1964.. During
t h a t y e a r , NASA w i l l probably a t t e m p t a Venus probe t o t e s t
s t e l l a r - n a v i g a t i o n equipment f o r use aboard t h e Venus o r b i t -
i n g s p a c e c r a f t scheduled f o r launching by t h e S a t u r n i n 1965.
These s p a c e c r a f t w i l l weigh s e v e r a l thousand pounds and will
e j e c t instrumented c a p s u l e s t o p e n e t r a t e t h e atmosphere of
t h e two p l a n e t s and g a t h e r s c i e n t i f i c d a t a .
- 93 -
f
CHAPTER 9
UNTERNATUONAL PROGRAMS
- - 95
s a t e l l i t e , was disseminated t o t h e world s c i e n t i f i c commun-
i t y . T h i s gave s c i e n t i s t s everywhere a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o pre-
p a r e t h e n e c e s s a r y equipment and a r r a n g e f o r such ground-
based experiments a s appeared feasible. S i m i l a r l y , NASA
n o t i f i e d t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l s c i e n t i f i c community t h a t t e l e -
metry c a l i b r a t i o n s f o r Explorer V I 1 would be a v a i l a b l e t o
them for d i r e c t r e d u c t i o n of t h e data r e c e i v e d from t h e
satellite,
Cooperative Space Programs
P o s s i b i l i t i e s of c o o p e r a t i v e s p a c e programs were d i s -
cussed w i t h s e v e r a l c o u n t r i e s d u r i n g t h e r e p o r t period.
Australia -- The A u s t r a l i a n Academy of Science proposed
t h e p r e p a r a t i o n of i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n t o s t u d y very-low-
frequency emissions a l o n g l i n e s of magnetic f o r c e above t h e
ionosphere, The i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n would be p a r t of some f u t u r e
U. S. r o c k e t and/or s a t e l l i t e experiments. Informal d i s c u s -
s i o n s r e g a r d i n g a p o s s i b l e j o i n t sounding r o c k e t program
were a l s o h e l d .
United Kingdom and Canada --Cooperative programs w i t h
t h e United Kingdom and Canada progressed d u r i n g t h e r e p o r t
period. The experiments t o be conducted by means of t h e
f i r s t U. K, s a t e l l i t e t o be launched by NASA were agreed
upon. J o i n t working groups were e s t a b l i s h e d f o r b o t h U. K.
and Canadian s a t e l l i t e p r o j e c t s . A s a r e s u l t of a n o t h e r ar-
rangement w i t h t h e Canadians, a p r o j e c t t o study s i g n a l s
r e c e i v e d from e a r t h s a t e l l i t e s i s being conducted a t Bqker
Lake i n Northwest T e r r i t o r y , Canada. Funded by NASA, t h e
p r o j e c t i s conducted by t h e U n i v e r s i t y of I l l i n o i s .
J
G r a n t s t o Foreign S c i e n t i s t s
S e v e r a l g r a n t s were made t o f o r e i g n s c i e n t i s t s under a
NASA-sponsored p o s t - d o c t o r a l r e s i d e n t r e s e a r c h a s s o c i a t e -
s h i p program, a d m i n i s t e r e d by t h e N a t i o n a l Academy of
Sciences, These a r e f o r b a s i c space-connected r e s e a r c h i n
t h e United S t a t e s and a f f o r d r e c i p i e n t s a n o p p o r t u n i t y t o
t a k e p a r t i n and c o n t r i b u t e t o NASA's s c i e n t i f i c programs,
- 97 -
a
(1) A s s i s t a n c e f o r t h e c o n t i n u a t i o n on
a permanent b a s i s of t h e r e s e a r c h on
o u t e r space c a r r i e d on w i t h i n t h e
framework o f t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Geo-
p h y s i c a l Year ;
(2) O r g a n i z a t i o n of t h e mutual exchange
and d i s s e m i n s t i o n of i n f o r m a t i o n on
o u t e r space r e s e a r c h ;
( 3 ) Encouragement of n a t i o n a l programs
f o r study o f o u t e r space, and t h e
r e n d e r i n g of a l l p o s s i b l e a s s i s t a n c e
and h e l p i n t h e i r r e a l i z a t i o n ; and
b, To s t u d y t h e n a t u r e of l e g a l problems
which may a r i s e from t h e e x p l o r a t i o n of
o u t e r space.
3) Re u e s t e d t h e committee t o submit r e p o r t s of
h i t i e s t o subsequent s e s s i o n s of t h e
General Assembly o f t h e United Nations.
4) Decided, i n view of t h e g r e a t p r o g r e s s i n and
m n c e of t h i s f i e l d of endeavor, t o con-
vene, i n 1960 o r 1961, under t h e a u s p i c e s of
t h e United Nations, a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l sciemti-
f i c conference of t h e i n t e r e s t e d m e m b w
the D n i t e d Nations and members o f s p e c i a l i z e d
a g e n c i e s , f o r t h e exchange of experience i n
t h e p e a c e f u l u s e s o f o u t e r space,
5) R e u e s t e d t h e Committee on t h e P e a c e f u l Uses
*Space, e s t a b l i s h e d by t h e r e s o l u t i o n ,
t o work o u t p r o p o s a l s i n r e g a r d t o t h e con-
vening of such a conference.
NASA P r e p a r e s f o r Conference P a r t i c i p a t i o n
I n agreement with t h e d e s i r e of t h e Department o f S t a t e ,
NASA undertook t o p r e p a r e f o r t h e United S t a t e s p a r t i c i p a -
t i o n i n t h e Conference, To e f f e c t t h i s , NASA e s t a b l i s h e d
t h e O f f i c e f o r t h e United Nations Conference on January 29,
1960, under t h e O f f i c e of t h e Deputy Administrator. D r .
John P. Hagen was a s s i g n e d a s i t s d i r e c t o r ,
- 98 -
i
CHAPTER 10
TRACKING AND DATA ACQUISITION
MINITRACK NETWORK
D e s c r i p t i o n and Operation
The 1 0 - s t a t i o n M i n i t r a c k network t r a c k s and g a t h e r s
d a t a from e a r t h s a t e l l i t e s . During t h e p e r i o d o f t h i s r e p o r t ,
t h e M i n i t r a c k network a c q u i r e d i n f o r m a t i o n t r a n s m i t t e d by
Vanguard I, Vanguard 111, Explorer V I , and Explorer V I I .
- 99 -
Contact was s t i l l maintained w i t h Vanguard I and Explorer V I 1
a s t h e r e p o r t period closed.
The t e n t h M i n i t r a c k s t a t i o n , l o c a t e d a t F o r t Myers, Fla.,
became f u l l y o p e r a t i o n a l e a r l y i n December . Other s t a t i o n s
a r e a t Blossom P o i n t , Md.; Antigua, West I n d i e s F e d e r a t i o n ;
San Diego, C a l i f . ; Q u i t o , Ecuador; Lima, Peru; Antofagasta
and Santiago, C h i l e ; Woomera, A u s t r a l i a ; and E s s e l e n Park,
Union of South A f r i c a . The s t a t i o n s a r e l i n k e d t o a com-
munications and c o n t r o l c e n t e r a t Goddard Space F l i g h t
Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Network Being Extended
To e x t e n d h i g h - l a t i t u d e coverage, NASA i s planning t o
e s t a b l i s h s t a t i o n s a t Fairbanks, Alaska; East Grand Forks,
Minn.; and w i t h t h e permission and c o o p e r a t i o n of t h e govern-
ment s concerned, a t S t . Johns, Newfoundland, Canada; and
Winkfield, England.
Equipment Improvement
New Receiver -- NASA has l e t a c o n t r a c t t o Bendix
Aviat2on Corp. f o r a n improved t e l e m e t r y r e c e i v e r . It w i l l
engble p r e s e n t e l e c t r o n i c t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n s t o r e c e i v e and
i n t e r p r e t a n augmented v a r i e t y o f r a d i o signals from space-
c r a f t , p a r t i c u l a r l y t h e complex d a t a from f u t u r e meteoro-
l o g i c a l and a s t r o n o m i c a l s a t e l l i t e s .
Automatic Data Read-Out System i n Test --
of a new a u t o m a t i c d a t a read-out system i s being t e s t e d a t
A prototype
NASA's Blossom P o i n t , Md., s t a t i o n . The system, which per-
m i t s t r a n s m i s s i o n of d i g i t a l t r a c k i n g data d i r e c t l y from a
t r a c k i n g s t a t i o n t o t h e C o n t r o l Center, w i l l i n c r e a s e s t a t i o n
c a p a b i l i t i e s f o r t r a c k i n g and data c o l l e c t i o n by 50 p e r c e n t
without a d d i t i o n a l personnel. It w i l l a l s o speed up d a t a
p r o c e s s i n g , s i n c e i t e l i m i n a t e s manual r e a d i n g a t s t a t i o n s .
Self-Tracking T e l e m e t r y Antenna Being Developed --NGSA
h a s awarded a c o n t r a c t t o D. S. Kennedy and Co., Cohasset,
Mass., f o r development of a s e l f - t r a c k i n g t e l e m e t r y antenna.
The new antenna w i l l o p e r a t e a u t o m a t i c a l l y ( a n t e n n a s a t some
s t a t i o n s now r e q u i r e a t t e n d a n t s ) r e d u c i n g personnel r e q u i r e -
ments and i n c r e a s i n g e f f i c i e n c y i n d a t a g a t h e r i n g .
NASA Considering P h o t o e l e c t r i c Equipment --
NASA i s
planning t o n e g o t i a t e a c o n t r a c t f o r development of photo-
e l e c t r i c o p t i c a l t r a c k i n g equipment. The equipment w i l l
t r a c e o b j e c t s i n space by a n e l e c t r o n i c system which detects
o p t i c a l s i g n 9 t o o f a i n t t o D e r e c o r d e d by photographic
emulsions. NASA w i l l f i r s t a p p l y t h e technology involved t o
develop a p h o t o e l e c t r i c t e l e s c o p e t o check t h e a c c u r a c y o f
- 100 -
t e l e s c o p e equipment .
M i n i t r a c k e l e c t r o n i c d e v i c e s more p r e c i s e l y t h a n p r e s e n t
P h o t o e l e c t r i c t r a c k i n g w i l l be s u p e r i o r
t o p r e s e n t photographic systems because it i s more s e n s i t i v e
and can provide d a t a i n s t a n t a n e o u s l y .
Conversion of Tracking Frequencies
The first s e t of a n t e n n a s with t h e newly a s s i g n e d 136-mc
and 137-mc f r e q u e n c i e s have been i n s t a l l e d a t t h e Blossom
P o i n t s t a t i o n . Conversion of t h e M i n i t r a c k network t o t h e s e
f r e q u e n c i e s , which were a l l o c a t e ' d t o t h e United S t a t e s b
I n t e r n a t f o n a l Telecommunications Union Conference, i s s c
u l e d f o r completion i n December 1960. They w i l l r e p l a c e t h e
.
108-mc frequency o r i g i n a l l y a s s i g n e d f o r The I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Geophysical Year
OPTICAL TRACKING
Description
Baker-Nunn Network -- The system comprises a worldwide
network of 1 2 s t a t i o n s . The c h i e f equipment a t e a c h s t a t i o n
i s a non-mobile camera capable of photographing a f a i n t
o b j e c t ( 1 3 t h magnitude) a g a i n s t a s t a r background, Baker-
Nunn cameras are p a r t i c u l a r l y v a l u a b l e f o r determining t h e
i n i t i a l t r a j e c t o r i e s of s a t e l l i t e s and space probes and
f o r p r o v i d i n g p r e c i s e information on space v e h i c l e s needed
f o r a i r - d e n s i t y and g e o d e t i c s t u d i e s . I l l u s t r a t i v e of t h e
c a p a b i l i t i e s of t h e Baker-Nunn system are i t s photographs
o f Vanguard I a t a n a l t i t u d e o f 2,500 miles and of Explorer
V I a t 12,000 miles. Vanguard I i s 6.4 i n c h e s i n diameter,
and E x p l o r e r V I i s 39 i n c h e s i n diameter.
--
.
Locations There a r e Baker-Nunn s t a t i o n s a t Hobe
Sound, F l a ; Curacao, Netherland West Indicts; Arequipa, Peru;
V i l l a Dolores, Argentina; O l i f a n t s f o n t e i n , Union of South
A f r i c a ; Cadiz, Spain; S h i r a z , I r a n ; Naini-Tal, I n d i a ; Woomera,
A u s t r a l i a ; Mitaka, Japan; Haleakala, Hawaii; and White Sands,
N. M.
--
Moonwatch S t a t i o n s
teams u s i n g r e l a t i v e l y simple t e l e s c o p i c , equipment They
s e r v e i n numerous c a p a c i t i e s , f o r example, s i g h t i n g s a t e l -
.
Moonwat ch o b s e r v e r s a r e v o l u n t e e r
- 101 -
J
Operations
Help I d e n t i f y wUnknownw S a t e l l i t e -- Moonwatch observa-
t i o n s i n A u s t r a l i a and South A f r i c a and a Baker-Nunn observa-
t i o n i n South A f r i c a were i n s t r u m e n t a l i n determining t h a t
t h e unknown s a t e l l i t e first r e p o r t e d on February 16, 1960
.
was a c t u a l l y t h e d a t a c a p s u l e from Discoverer V, a n A i r
Force s a t e l l i t e
--
I n c r e a s i n g Equipment C a p a b i l i t i e s New equipment,
improved methods, and added p e r s o n n e l have made it p o s s i b l e -
t o i n c r e a s e t h e development and i n t e r p r e t a t i o n of Baker-Nunn
camera o b s e r v a t i o n s from a n average o f 60 t o more t h a n 4.00
greatest v a l u e from p r e c i s i o n photographs .
p e r month. S p l i t - s e c o n d t i m i n g i s necessary t o g a i n t h e
The Smithsonian
A s t r o p h y s i c a l Observatory i s s t u d y i n g t e c h n i q u e s f o r improv-
i n g tirning'techniques.
- 102 -
d
f o r communications s a t e l l i t e s such a s P r o j e c t Echo and f o r
o t h e r advanced communications experiments . The p a s s i v e com-
munications s a t e l l i t e concept has been t e s t e d s u c c e s s f u l l y
by r a d i o v o i c e communication v i a t h e moon between Goldstone
a n d t h e Bell Telephone Laboratory s t a t i o n , Holmdel, M. J.
S c i e n t i s t s a t JPL and Goldstone are developing more s e n s i t i v e
r e c e i v e r s and d e s i g n i n g a n t e n n a s l a r g e r t h a n t h o s e c u r r e n t l y
used. Such equipment i s a p r e r e q u i s i t e f o r f u t u r e l u n a r and
i n t e r p l a n e t a r y e x p l o r a t i o n programs.
MERCURY NETWORK
Objectives
The worldwide Mercury network w i l l provide complete
r a d i o t r a c k i n g , voice communication, and d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n
d u r i n g launching, f l i g h t , and recovery of t h e Mercury cap-
s u l e . The network w i l l be capable o f more d e t a i l e d d a t a
g a t h e r i n g and f a s t e r t r a c k i n g t h a n t h e M i n i t r a c k network.
Emphasis, a s i n t h e e n t i r e Mercury program, i s on a s s u r i n g
t h e a s t r o n a u t s ' s a f e t y (see Chapter 5, "Manned F l i g h t i n
Space and Near-Space," pp. 5 1 - 66.)
Progre ss
P r o j e c t e d Locations -- Mercury s t a t i o n s a r e planned a t
t h e following l o c a t i o n s : Cape Canaveral; an i s l a n d i n t h e
A t l a n t i c Ocean; t h e Canary I s l a n d s ; Southwest and S o u t h e a s t
A f r i c a ; Woomera and Perth, A u s t r a l i a ; a n i s l a n d i n t h e
P a c i f i c ; White Sands, N. M.; Point Arguello, C a l i f . ; Corpus
C h r i s t i , Tex.; V a l p a r a i s o , F l a . ; Guaymas, Mexico; and on two
ships -- one i n t h e I n d i a n Ocean and t h e o t h e r i n t h e mid-
A t l a n t i c Ocean. The Mercury c o n t r o l c e n t e r w i l l be c o n s o l i -
.
d a t e d w i t h t h e M i n i t r a c k c o n t r o l c e n t e r a t Goddard Space
F l i g h t Center
Construction --
C o n s t r u c t i o n of r a d i o equipment and
support s t r u c t u r e s ( b u i l d i n g s , e t c . ) ar e i n p r o g r e s s a t a l l
new s i t e s ; none of t h e new s t a t i o n s had become f u l l y . opera-
t i o n a l by t h e end of t h i s r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d .
Negotiations --
N e g o t i a t i o n s and te'chnical a r r a n g e -
ments f o r Mercury s t a t i o n s i t e s abroad were n e a r l y complete
on March 31 ( s e e Chaper 9, V n t e r n a t i o n a l Programs," p. 9 5 . )
WALLOPS STATION, VA .
Complete Lo,cal Tracking and Telemetry System
Wallops S t a t i o n , comprisrng f a c i l i t i e s on Wallops
I s l a n d and t h e i n a c t i v a t e d Chincoteague Naval A i r S t a t i o n
- 103 -
on t h e mainland, i s a unique launching f a c i l i t y -- one w i t h
a complete t r a c k i n g and d a t a c o l l e c t i o n system. Wallops
i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n e n a b l e s t h e g a t h e r i n g of data f o r r e s e a r c h
i n aerodynamics and f o r t h e development and p r o o f - t e s t i n g of
v a r i o u s components and t e c h n i q u e s t o be used i n launching
space v e h i c l e s from major r a n g e s such a s t h e A t l a n t i c Missile
Range and t h e P a c i f i c Missile Range.
Major P r o j e c t s
P r i n c i p a l experiments conducted d u r i n g t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d
i n c l u d e d launchings o f : 1) " L i t t l e Joet' t o t e s t t h e Mercury
escape system under h i g h dynamic. p r e s s u r e ; 2) t h e 100-foot
, diameter i n f l a t a b l e s p h e r e i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e P r o j e c t
Echo experiment; 3 ) six-stage r o c k e t s f o r e n t r y p h y s i c s
s t u d i e s ; 4) J a v e l i n r o c k e t s t o g a i n i n f o r m a t i o n on t h e per-
formance of t h e Delta launch vehicle t h i r d stage'; 5) t h e
Scout launch v e h i c l e t o t e s t i t &d e s t r u c t system; and 6)
sounding r o c k e t s f o r upper' atmosphere r e s e a r c h (Aerobee
r o c k e t s f o r NASA, Strongarm r o c k e t s f o r t h e Army B a l l i s t i c
Research Laboratory and t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Michigan, and
ARCAS r o c k e t s f o r t h e Army S i g n a l Corps).
A d d i t i o n a l Tracking Equipment I n s t a l l e d
Tracking and data c o l l e c t i o n f a c i l i t i e s i n s t a l l e d d u r i n g
t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d i n c l u d e d command d e s t r u c t equipment; one
mobile and one f i x e d t e l e m e t e r i n g s t a t i o n ; and a b u i l d i n g ,
a tower, and a 60-foot antenna f o r t h e S-Band radar ( f o r
range s a f e t y and p o s i t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n ) on t h e mainland. The
l a t t e r d e v i c e w i l l i n c r e a s e t h e range of t r a c k i n g o f any
Wallops v e h i c l e by s e v e r a l f o l d .
COOPERATING STATIONS
Supplement Current C a p a b i l i t i e s
NASA u t i l i z e s t h e t r a c k i n g f a c i l i t i e s of o t h e r organiza-
t i o n s t o supplement i t s networks. For example, t h e J o d r e l l
Bank r a d i o t e l e s c o p e a t Manchester, England, h a s a key r o l e
i n t h e Pioneer V probe experiment. It will m a i n t a i n c o n t a c t
w i t h t h e s o l a r o r b i t i n g probe l o n g a f t e r it is out o f range
.
of o t h e r s t a t i o n s
Phototrack S t a t i o n s -- Phototrack S t a t i o n s , administered
by t h e S o c i e t y o f Photographic Engineers, have o p t i c a l l y
: t r a c k e d t h e 100-foot i n f l a t a b l e s p h e r e s launched from Wallops
c~ S t a t i o n , Va., i n p r e p a r a t i o n f o r t h e P r o j e c t Echo experiments
i n communications by rel,ay o f ultra-high-frequency signals
.
from a s a t e l l i t e . NASA h a s o b t a i n e d v a l u a b l e d a t a on sphere
i n f l a t i o n from t h e s o c i e t y ' s photographs
Telemetry S t a t i o n s Telemetry st
West Germany. and o f t h e United S t a t e s
t h i s country- have a s s i s t e d i n g a t h e r i n g d a t a from Explorer
VI1 .
OVER-ALL DEVELOPMENTS
C o n s o l i d a t i o n of Ground Communications
Data from t h e v a r i o u s s t a t i o n s are t r a n s m i t t e d t o cen-
t r a l c o n t r o l p o i n t s by a ground communications web c o n s i s t -
i n g of m i l i t a r y and l e a s e d commercial l i n e s . Wherever pos-
s i b l e , l i n e s are used i n common. NASA h a s begun a long-range
s t u d y l o o k i n g toward e v e n t u a l c o n s o l i d a t i o n of ground com-
munications i n t o one worldwide system.
New Frequency Assignments
A number of r a d i o frequency bands f o r space s c i e n c e
u s e s were a l l o c a t e d t h e United S t a t e s a t t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l
Telecommunications Union Conference .
h e l d between August and December 1959 a t Geneva, Switzerland,
The conference was
.
w i t h NASA r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s i n a t t e n d a n c e NASA has a p p l i e d
f o r s e v e r a l of t h e bands t o t h e I n t e r d e p a r t m e n t a l Radio
Advisory Committee, O f f i c e o f C i v i l Defense M o b i l i z a t i o n ,
which i s t h e n a t i o n a l c o o r d i n a t i n g agency f o r f r e q u e n c i e s
used i n space a c t i v i t i e s . NASA h a s been u s i n g f r e q u e n c i e s
loaned by o t h e r United S t a t e s a g e n c i e s . It i s now convert-
i n g t o a new M i n i t r a c k frequency and p l a n s conversion of
t h e Deep Space Network t o h i g h e r frequency bands.
Computation and Data Reduction
C o n s o l i d a t i o n o f Data Reduction and Computation --
Goddard Space F l i g h t Center i s c o n s o l i d a t i n g d a t a r e d u c t i o n
and computation so t h a t i n f o r m a t i o n f r o m s a t e l l i t e s can be
i n t e r p r e t e d r a p i d l y and e f f i c i e n t l y .
--
P r e p a r a t i o n s f o r T r a n s f e r from IBM
p a r i n g programs f o r t h e IBM-709 and IBM-7090 computing
Goddard is pre-
machines t o be i n s t a l l e d a t i t s Greenbelt s i t e . P l a n s have
been made t o e f f e c t a s smooth a t r a n s i t i o n a s p o s s i b l e when
c o n t r o l c e n t e r f u n c t i o n s are t r a n s f e r r e d t o Goddard from t h e
IM Space Computing Center i n Washington, D. C.
B
Research Aids -- Goddard a l s o u t i l i z e d computers t o
s u p p o r t NASA r e s e a r c h a c t i v i t i e s . These are p r i m a r i l y broad
programs of r e s e a r c h i n a l l phases of t h e o r e t i c a l p h y s i c s
and a p p l i e d mathematics r e l e v a n t t o space e x p l o r a t i o n .
Large-scale computer o p e r a t i o n s were c a r r i e d out on a con-
t r a c t u a l b a s i s . I n d u s t r i a l and Governmental machines i n
t h e Washington, D. C., area are employed.
- 105
J
Mercury Network -- Plans were made to modify and develop
procedures which w i l l meet the ultra-high-speed computation
standards needed f o r Project Mercury.
- 106 -
CHAPTER 11
PROPULSION AND NUCLEAR ENERGY APPLICATIOMS FOR SPACE
SPACE PROPULSION
Demand f o r r o c k e t engines with ever-higher t h r u s t has
i n t e n s i f i e d r e s e a r c h on new and improved f u e l s , I n N A S A ' s ,
r e s e a r c h c e n t e r s , t h e q u e s t goes on f o r powerful energy
s o u r c e s t o p r o p e l supersonic a i r c r a f t and coming g e n e r a t i o n s
of s p a c e c r a f t , Chemical. r o c k e t s c o n t i n u e t o r e c e i v e s t r o n g
a t t e n t i o n s i n c e t h e y appear t o o f f e r immediate b e n e f i t s ,
Beyond chemical r o c k e t s
-- -- whose l i m i t a t i o n s a r e p r e d i c t a b l e
a r e o t h e r s o u r c e s of power f o r e x p l o r i n g t h e r e a c h e s of
i n t e r p l a n e t a r y space. Nuclear energy has g r e a t promise, as
does s o l a r h e a t , c o l l e c t e d i n umbrella-like s t r u c t u r e s
p o i n t e d a t our primary source of energy, t h e sun.
Types of Research F a c i l i t i e s Used
F a c i l i t i e s a t N A S A ' s r e s e a r c h c e n t e r s are being used
i n many d i f f e r e n t a s p e c t s of p r o p u l s i o n r e s e a r c h , S t a t i c
t e s t s of r o c k e t engines employ simple s t a n d s on which t h e
engines can be f a s t e n e d down and r u n under t h e atmospheric
p r e s s u r e s and temperatures encountered n e a r s e a l e v e l , For
advanced t e s t s , more e l a b o r a t e t e s t s t a n d s support engines
w i t h as much as 20,OOO pounds of t h r u s t while t h e y a r e run
under o l o s e l y c o n t r o l l e d c o n d i t i o n s i n which p r e s s u r e s and
t e m p e r a t u r e s can be v a r i e d t o s i m u l a t e d i f f e r e n t a l t i t u d e s
o r t h e near-vauuwn and extreme c o l d of space, For example,
a method f o r a l t i t u d e s i m u l a t i o n h a s been p e r f e c t e d a t t h e
L e w i s Research Center t h a t employs t h e exhaust g a s e s of t h e
rocrket engine t o d e p l e t e t h e a i r i n a c a p s u l e surrounding
t h e engine i t s e l f , t h u s reducing p r e s s u r e ' a t t h e nozzle exit,
Work i s i n p r o g r e s s a t Lewis t o d e s i g n and b u i l d an
e l e c t r i c a l l y heated wind t u n n e l t h a t w i l l supply a i r a t a
temperature of l5,OOOoF, f o r s t u d y i n g heat t r a n s f e r i n ve-
h i c l e s e n t e r i n g t h e atmosphere. The t u n n e l w i l l a l s o be
used t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e e f f e c t s of magnetic and e l e c t r i c
f i e l d s on i o n i z e d gases, The c h i e f d i f f i c u l t y l i e s i n t h e
employment of an e l e c t r i c a r c f o r h e a t i n g without contami-
n a t i n g t h e a i r w i t h material from t h e melting e l e c t r o d e s .
A small t u n n e l h a s been operated s u c c e s s f u l l y , and a l a r g e r
oae is being designed.
r
- 107
d
CHEMICAL ROCKETS
I n e v a l u a t i n g performance of a r o c k e t p r o p e l l a n t , one
g e n e r a l l y a c c e p t e d c r i t e r i o n i s w s p e c i f i c impulsew --
that
is, t h e number of seconds one pound of p r o p e l l a n t mass w i l l
produce one pound of t h r u s t . (A simple analogy might be
t h e "miles p e r gallon" of a n automobile.) O f t o d a y t s chern-
i c a l p r o p e l l a n t s , l i q u i d hydrogen i s one o f t h e most promis-
i n g . It h a s high s p e c i f i c impulse,* f a r h i g h e r t h a n t h a t of I
* I n combination w i t h a n o x i d i z e r o r when h e a t e d i n a
nuclear reactor.
Research i s a l s
h a n d l i n g problems f o r r o c k e t use.
- 110 -
is t h e r e l a t i v e n ) of t h e e n d . o f t h e
n o z z l e , o r exi
shape of man ewhat analogous.
t o t h a t of t
F a c t o r s b e i n g consid e f f e c t of exhaust
p r e s s u r e , t h e l o s s e s from ynamic e d d i e s
or c u r r e n t s , f course, i t s
shape, The o b j e c t i s t o keep t h e d e s i g n simple and t h e
l e n g t h s h o r t without s a c r i f i c mance. Short n o z z l e s
s i m p l i f y engine g i m b a l l i n g ( s n a f l e x i b l e mount
t o change t h e d i r e c t i o n of t h r u s l t ) ; t h e y a l s o reduce weight
and make upper s t a g e s more compact.
An i n v e s t i g a t i o n ' o f r o c k e t n o z z l e s of very high area
r a t i o , f o r upper-stage r o c k e t s and space v e h i c l e s , i s being
conducted i n t h e L e w i s 10 x 10-foot s u p e r s o n i c t u n n e l . The
program h a s i n c l u d e d t e s t s of both c o n i c a l and bell-shaped
n o z z l e s j t h e former p r i m a r i l y f o r r e f e r e n c e d a t a . The b e l l
shapes a r e b e l i e v e d t o be more p r a c t i c a l c o n f i u r a t i o n s from
7
t h e viewpoint of o v e r - a l l v e h i c l e performance i n which
t h r u s t g a i n s must be measured a g a i n s t weight i n c r e a s e s ) . The
General E l e c t r i c Company i s p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n t h e program and
supplying t h e bell-shaped n o z z l e s i n a r e a r a t i o s o f 25 t o 1
and 200 t o 1. R e s u l t s show a 15 p e r c e n t i n c r e a s e i n t h r u s t
from a n 8-to-1 c o n i c nozzle t o a 200-to-1 bell-shaped nozzle.
- 111 -
Conventional Rocket Nozzle Plug Nozzle
- 112 -
1
Tests s t a r t e d w i t h r e c t a n g u l a r i n j e c t o r s i n uncooled com-
b u s t o r s . L a t e r , double-walled, cooled, combustors were
used, so t h a t l o n g e r t e s t s could be run, The f i r s t series
of t e s t s provided d a t a f o r d e s i g n i n g a n i n j e c t o r t h a t pro-
duced s t a b l e combustion, The l a t e r t e s t s w i t h cooled oham-
bers i n d i c a t e d a high l e v e l o f r o c k e t performance, w i t h
h e a t i n g r a t e s of m e t a l components h e l d t o l e v e l s comparable
with t h o s e of c o n v e n t i o n a l engines,
Another p o r t i o n of t h e t e s t program was devoted t o
i n v e s t i g a t i n g aerodynamic performance of t h e p l u g noazle.
R e s u l t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t a t r u n c a t e d form o f . t h e plug, making
t h e n o z z l e much s h o r t e r , performed almost as well as t h e
l o n g e r , t h e o r e t i c a l l y more e f f i c i e n t shape, Tests a l s o
showed t h a t t h e p l u g n o m l e is well adapted t o s t e e r i n g : by
t h r o t t l i n g t h e p r e s s u r e of t h e gases i s s u i n g oyer one s i d e
of t h e plug, it i s p o s s i b l e t o change o r d i s p l a c e t h e l i n e
a l o n g which t h e t h r u s t f o r c e a c t s ,
A s t u d y was a l s o completed t h a t f u r n i s h e d i n f o r m a t i o n
f o r d e s i g n i n g f u t u r e p l u g n o z z l e e n g i n e s over a wide range
of c o n d i t i o n s and s i z e s ,
After completing t h e f i r s t phase o f t h i s program,
General E l e c t r i c submitted a p r o p o s a l t o c o n t i n u e work t o
produce a f l i g h t v e r s i o n (50,000-lb. t h r u s t ) of t h e p l u g
n o z z l e engine, NASA h a s agreed t o t h e p r o p o s a l ,
One of t h e s e problems is c a v i t a t i o n , t h e f o r m a t i o n o f
vapor-f i l l e d bubbles i n t h e l i q u i d , C a v i t a t i o n u s u a l l y oc-
c u r s on t h e s u c t i o n s i d e o f pumps, r e d u c i n g t h e i r e f f i c i e n c y
and r e l i a b i l i t y , The t h e o r e t i c a l mechanics of c a v i t a t i o n i s
n o t q u a n t i t a t i v e l y understood even i n common l i q u i d s such
as water, and f o r cryogenic l i q u i d s r e s e a r c h data are
limited,
Work has been s t a r t e d a t L e w i s on a s y s t e m a t i c program
t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e dynamic e f f e c t s o f c a v i t a t i o n , A small
r e t u r n - f l o w cryogenic l i q u i d t u n n e l i s b e i n g assembled, with
which it i s planned t o o b t a i n data u s i n g v a r i o u s cryogenic
l i q u i d s , ( i n c l u d i n g l i q u i d oxygen, n i t r o g e n , and hydrogen)
over a wide range o f p r e s s u r e s and f l o w v e l o c i t i e s .
High speed photographs have shown t h a t t h e r e is a
fundamental change i n t h e n a t u r e of pump c a v i t a t i o n i n
l i q u i d hydrogen, t h e vapor b e i n g rather uniformly d i s p e r s e d
- 113
i
as v e r y f i n he l i q u i d . Tests have
indicated t pumps can be designed so
t h a t mechanical t occur, and good performance
can be maintaine e hydrogen i s b o i l i n g .
S t ill t h a l l liquid propellants is
t l e s s n e s s i n t h e space envi-
h y s i c a l s t a t e t h a t i s very
unsatisfactory f o r rough t h e pumps t o a r o c k e t
engine. Under t h e ns, t h e p r o p e l a a n t may b o i l
(hydrogen b o i l s a t oxygen a t -183 C) , o r become
f i l l e d with bubb r' g a s e s t h a t could vapor-
lock t h e pump. ugs of vapor might b e pumped
i n s t e a d of t h
s t h e pumps i n a r o c k e t system
-energy g a s source, which can be
g burning t h e two p r o p e l l a n t s
generator. The h o t g a s
o s e r v e a second pur-
e system can be used t o
tanks a s the propellants
J
t o l e a r n how
g i n e s could b
bine* t o power
of t h e t y p e u s
R e s u l t s have i
l y higher than
t h e bleed s y s t
b i n e and t h e r e
and t y p e t h a t
vehicles, O f
SOLID-PROPELLANT ROCKETS
High Performance Rocket Motors
During t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d , two c o n t r a c t s f o r h i g h per-
formance r o c k e t motors l e t i n 1959 were completed and
a n o t h e r was extended. New c o n t r a c t s were signed f o r f i v e
more p r o j e c t s . Work a u t h o r i z e d should b e completed i n 1960.
Upper S t a g e Rockets -- Grand C e n t r a l Rocket Company
of Redlands, Calif., i s c o n t i n u i n g work under i t s c o n t r a c t
t o develop an e x p e r i m e n t a l r o c k e t engine with a v e r y high
p r o p o r t i o n of weight of p r o p e l l a n t t o t h a t o f i n e r t p a r t s .
The two 500-pound e n g i n e s t h u s f a r t e s t - f i r e d f a i l e d , s o o n
a f t e r i g n i t i o n ; t h e s e e n g i n e s w i l l b e modified i n a n e f f o r t
t o c o r r e c t d e f i c i e n c e s , t h e n f i r e d i n f u r t h e r t e s t s . Other
phases o f t h e program are b e i n g extended.
N e g o t i a t i o n s are i n p r o g r e s s on a c o n t r a c t t o i n v e s t i -
g a t e t h e p o t e n t i a l weight-saving c a p a b i l i t i e s o f a n o z z l e
cooled by l i q u i d metal. The large heat-absorbing, c a p a c i t y
o f a l i q u i d metal may a l l o w t h e ’ u s e o f v e r y t h i n metal noz-
z l e cones, i f t h e l i q u i d metal can b e k e p t ‘in uniform con-
t a c t w i t h t h e c o n e ” t o absorb t h e heat g e n e r a t e d by t h e
e x h a u s t gases. C a l c u l a t i o n s show t h a t such a nozzle can
l i g h t e r i n weight -- e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e larger s i z e s --
one u s i n g c u r r e n t a b l a t i o n * materials such a s p o l y e t h y l
plastic.
A c o n t r a c t t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e combination of s e v e r a l
modern d e s i g n f e a t u r e s i n a s i n g l e sounding r o c k e t i s being
n e g o t i a t e d . Weighing abouB 200 pounds, such a r o c k e t could
be b u i l t t o go 40 p e r c e n t h i g h t h a n p r e s e n t r o c k e t s with-
o u t t h e need f o r developing a s i n g l e new concept.
The performance p o t e n t i a l of a r o c k e t engine having no
c o n v e n t i o n a l nozzle w i l l be i n v e s t i g a t e d under a c o n t r a c t
now being n e g o t i a t e d . Although n o t a s e f f i c i e n t a s nozzle
u n i t s , t h e low weight, s i m p l i c i t y , reduced c o s t , and i m -
proved r e l i a b i l i t y may make t h i s r a d i c a l l y differerbt design
a t t r a c t i v e f o r some a p p l i c a t i o n s ,
The u t i l i z a t i o n of s e v e r a l c o n c e n t r i c l a y e r s of d i f -
f e r e n t s o l i d p r o p e l l a n t s t o a l l o w a simple i n t e r n a l shape,
r e q u i r i n g almost no chamber i n s u l a t i o n , w i l l be e v a l u a t e d .
The t e s t u n i t w i l l weigh about 600 pounds and i n c l u d e a
p l a s t i c chamber made i n two h a l v e s . C o n t r a c t i n g f o r t h i s
program was i n i t i a t e d i n March 1960.
N e g o t i a t i o n s are a l s o i n p r o c e s s on a c o n t r a c t t o i n -
v e s t i g a t e t h e p o t e n t i a l of-end-burning p r o p e l l a n t charges
i n upper-stage r o c k e t s of low weight. Because end-burning
c h a r g e s have no c e n t r a l p e r f o r a t i o n , a l l t h e chamber volume
i s used, g i v i n g added e f f i c i e n c y . They a l s o a l l o w more
f l e x i b i l i t y of r o c k e t burning time.
Large Boosters
F i n a l r e p o r t s were r e c e i v e d on two 1959 c o n t r a c t s t o
determine p o t e n t i a l advantages of large s o l i d r o c k e t s a s
i n i t i a l stages. The programs, conducted by t h e Lockheed
A i r c r a f t Corporation of Sunnyvale, Calif., and t h e Aero-
n u t r o n i c D i v i s i o n o f t h e Ford Motor Company, showed t h a t --
on t h e b a s i s of; o v e r - a l l v e h i c l e d e s i g n --
a solid fuel
b o o s t e r can be more e f f i c i e n t t h a n a l i q u i d b o o s t e r . S o l i d
u n i t s can r e a d i l y be designed t o d e l i v e r maximum t h r u s t f o r
a g i v e n t o t a l v e h i c l e weight, while l i q u i d r o c k e t s are more
l i m i t e d because of t h e s i z e of t h e f u e l - f e e d i n g machinery
r e q u i r e d . By developing a h i g h e r thrust-to-weight r a t i o ,
- 117 -
t h e s o l i d u n i t a t t a i n s f u l l v e l o c i t y more q u i c k l y , and mini-
mizes v e l o c i t y loss due t o g r a v i t y . For a g i v e n t o t a l vehi-
c l e weight, it h a s a l s o been found more e f f i c i e n t t o use a
s o l i d b o o s t e r , which, being smaller t h a n t h e corresponding
l i q u i d b o o s t e r , p e r m i t s more weight t o - b e c o n c e n t r a t e d i n
t h e upper stages.
J
a t t empt i n g t o
g e n e r a t e c o n t r o l l e d en ren o r whistle
and apply it t o p r o p e l
A series o f t e s t s we de with propellant strands i n
a closed pressur no n o t i c e a b l e r e s u l t s , Later,
small r o c k e t eng d, i n which an induced t h r u s t
l e v e l v a r i a t i o n of about s noted. The s o n i c
s o u r c e used was a h i g h l y i e n t whistle t h a t generates
o v e r 150 d e c i b e l s i n a i r a frequency of about 10,000
c y c l e s p e r second ( c t f i r i n g s w i l l b 8 made
after designs ase t h e effect on burning
rate.
M a t e r i a l s and Manufacturing Techniques
S e v e r a l f a c t o r s could l i m i t t h e use of s o l i d - p r o p e l l a n t
r o c k e t s . For example, nozzle materials must resist temper-
a t u r e s of more t h a n 6000°F. (See Chapter 1 2 , "Materials and
S t r u c t u r e s " , p . 128.) Also, if s o l i d r o c k e t s are t o be u t i -
l i z e d a s multi-hundred-thousand-pound b o o s t e r s , new means of
making them must be developed.
The c o n t r a c t i n i t i a t e d i n 1959 w i t h t h e Arde-Portland
Corp., Newark, N. J., t o s t u d y t h e p r o p e r t i e s of s e v e r a l
materials s u i t a b l e f o r Cobgtructing h i g h temperature nozzles
i s s t i l l i n p r o g r e s s . Me l l i c c a r b i d e s and o t h e r s u b s t a n c e s
t o be e v a l u a t e d have been d i f f i c u l t t o f a b r i G a t e i n t h e s i z e
r e q u i r e d , and o n l y two t e s t r o c k e t f i r i n g s have been c a r r i e d
o u t , one o f which was simply t o prove t h e equipment and
i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n . I n t h e second t e s t , a nozzle t h r o a t s e c t i o n
o f h i g h d e n s i t y m e t a l l i c c a r b i d e withstood exhaust c o n d i t i o n s
c o n s i d e r a b l y more s e v e r e t h a n any produced i n even t h e most
advanced of present-day r o c k e t s . The t h e o r e t i c a l temperature
o f t h e flame was 67000F, and d u r i n g t h e 39-second burning
t i m e , t h e 3/4-inch-diameter t h r o a t i n c r e a s e d o n l y .Ob i n c h .
ELECTRIC ROCKETS
E l e c t r i c r o c k e t - p r o p u l s i o n systems y i e l d extremely
weak t h r u s t but can o b t a i n almost u n l i m i t e d j e t v e l o c i t i e s
without consuming much p r o p e l l a n t . For m i s s i o n s i n space
where g r a v i t y f o r c e s are small, t h e y o f f e r a number of
advantages, s i n c e t h e y are compact and can g e n e r a t e t h r u s t
f o r long p e r i o d s o f time. There are s e v e r a l t y p e s of e l e c -
t r i c r o c k e t s now under s t u d y by NASA. These i n c l u d e i o n
r o c k e t s , plasma r o c k e t s , and e l e c t r o - t h e r m a l r o c k e t s ( d i s -
cussed i n more d e t a i l under i n d i v i d u a l headings below).
Developmen4 of E l e c t r i c a l P r o p u l s i o n Systems
P r o p o s a l s 'have been r e q u e s t e d from i n d u s t r y on competi-
t i v e b i d s t o develop a 30-kw e l e c t r o t h e r m a l a r c j e t f o r s a t e l -
l i t e p r o p u l s i o n , a 1-kw a r c j e t f o r s a t e l l i t e s t a b i l i z a t i o n ,
and a 30-kw i o n r o c k e t f o r p r o p u l s i o n of i n t e r p l a n e t a r y
probes. , P r o p o s a l s f o r t h e s e p r o j e c t s have been r e c e i v e d and
a r e now being t e c h n i c a l l y e v a l u a t e d . C o n t r a c t s w i l l be
awarded i n t h e n e a r f u t u r e .
F u t u r e e l e c t r i c a l p r o p u l s i o n development a c t i v i t i e s
w i l l i n c l u d e f u r t h e r support of t h e s e t h r e e development
p r o j e c t s , t o g e t h e r w i t h s u p p o r t i n g s t u d i e s d i r e c t e d toward
s p e c i a l problem areas such a s power g e n e r a t i o n . (For
d e t a i l s see "SNAP-€? Development," p . 126. )
.. 119 -
E l e c t r i c Rocket Test F a c i l i t i e s -- Since i o n , a n d
plasma r o c k e t s can o p e r a t e o n l y i n a n e a r vacuum. t e s t f a c i l -
i t i e s f o r experimental r e s e a r c h and development k u s t b e
b u i l t so t h a t v i r t u a l l y a l l a i r can b e pumped o u t
t o about one b i l l i o n t h of normal atmospheric p r e s s u r e . The
-- down
problem i s made even more d i f f i c u l t because t h e f a c i l i t i e s
must c o n t i n u e t o m a i n t a i n t h e s e extremely low p r e s s u r e s
even when a n e l e c t r i c r o c k e t engine under t e s t i s exhausting
i t s p r o p e l l a n t c o n t i n u o u s l y i n t o t h e t e s t tank,
Three vacuum f a c i l i t i e s o f t h i s t y p e have become f u l l y
o p e r a t i o n a l a t NASA's Lewis Research Center s i n c e t h e l a s t
p r o g r e s s r e p o r t , b r i n g i n g t h e t o t a l t o f o u r . Experience
with t h e s e d e v i c e s , first of t h e i r kind i n t h e United S t a t e s ,
h a s been used as t h e b a s i s f o r d e s i g n of a much l a r g e r f a c i l -
i t y f o r developing f u l l - s c a l e e l e c t r i c r o c k e t s . Construc-
t i o n of t h e new f a c i l i t y w i l l begin s h o r t l y .
Experimental r e s e a r c h on e l e c t r i c r o c k e t engine con-
c e p t s has been g r e a t l y i n c r e a s e d i n r e c e n t months; a t pres-
e n t f o u r i o n r o c k e t engine d e s i g n s a r e b e i n g i n v e s t i g a t e d , a
plasma r o c k e t engine experiment i s under way, and two e l e c -
t r o t h e r m a l r o c k e t e n g i n e s a r e being developed by t h e o r e t i c a l
a n a l y s i s and s m a l l - s c a l e experiments, Analyses of i n t e r -
p l a n e t a r y v e h i c l e m i s s i o n s p r o p e l l e d by e l e c t r i c r o c k e t s
are also continuing.
Ion Rockets
Ion p r o p u l s i o n employs a p r o p e l l a n t c o n s i s t i n g of a
stream o f p o s i t i v e l y charged i o n s -- t h a t is, atoms which
have been g i v e n a p o s i t i v e e l e c t r i c a l charge by removing
one e l e a t r o n from each. The a l k a l i n e element cesium is
w e l l s u i t e d a s t h e b a s i c p r o p e l l a n t f o r such a system, s i n c e
a cesium atom becomes i o n i g e d when it comes i n c o n t a c t w i t h
a h o t s u r f a c e of t u n g s t e n o r rhenium, Known t o s c i e n c e f o r
almost h a l f a century, t h i s i o n i z a t i o n method i s 99 p e r c e n t
e f f i c i e n t , and i s simple and r e a d i l y a d a p t a b l e t o a l i g h t ,
compact d e s i g n ,
A stream of cesium i o n s can be shaped i n t o a beam and
a c a e l e r a t e d i n much t h e same way t h e cathode r a y ltgun" i n
a t e l e v i s i o n p i c t u r e t u b e s h o o t s a beam o f e l e c t r o n s t o ac-
t i v a t e t h e luminescent screen. I n space p r o p u l s i o n systems
t h e beam of i o n s i s e m i t t e d t o produce t h r u s t ; t h e mass f l o w
i s extremely low, b u t t h e i o n exhaust v e l o c i t y can r e a c h
hundreds of miles p e r second. The f i n a l s t e p , a s t h e i o n s
leave t h e rocket, is t o re-inject e l e c t r o n s t o n e u t r a l i z e
t h e charge, T h i s p r e v e n t s a n e g a t i v e e l e c t r i c a l charge from
b u i l d i n g up on t h e space v e h i c l e . A t t h e same time, it
n e u t r a l i z e s t h e p o s i t i v e charge i n t h e j e t area, which would
o t h e r w i s e i n t e r f e r e .with o t h e r p o s i t i v e i o n s moving o u t of
t h e jet.
.
I 120 -
Experiments i n p r o g r e s s a t Lewis a r e e v a l u a t i n g four
i o n rocke6 engine d e s i g n s based on widely d i f f e r i n g con-
c e p t s , and designed f o r m i s s i o n s r a n g i n g from c o r r e c t i n g
t h e o r b i t s of communications s a t e l l i t e s t o supplying pro-
pulsion f o r interplanetary flight. I n preliminary tests,
f a i r l y good power e n e r g i e s have been o b t a i n e d ( a s high a s
58 p e r c e n t o f t h e power t h e o r e t i c a l l y p o s s i b l e ) , and with
'knowledge g a i n e d t o date, it i s expected t h a t t h i s e f f i c i e n c y
can be g r e a t l y improved.
Many of t h e p r o c e s s e s t h a t t a k e p l a c e i n i o n e n g i n e s
are b e i n g analyzed i n d e t a i l , u s i n g t h e experimental e n g i n e s
and 'auxiliary apparatus. New i n s t r u m e n t s are b e i n g devel-
oped t o p e r m i t a c q u i s i t i o n o f b e t t e r and more complete data
i n t h e near future.
Plasma Rockets
Plasma p r o p u l s i o n makes use o f many o f t h e same p r i n -
c i p l e s and t e c h n i q u e s t h a t are b e i n g s t u d i e d i n t h e s e a r c h
f o r c o n t r o l l e d thermonuclear f u s i o n . A plasma i s a body of
i o n i z e d g a s ( p o s i t i v e i o n s and n e g a t i v e e l e c t r o n s ) a t v e r y
high temperature. A plasma r o c k e t d i f f e r s from a n i o n
t i n t h a t t h e i o n s and e l e c t r o n s are n o t s e p a r a t e d and
e j e c t e d i n two s e p a r a t e beams, b u t are i n t e r m i n g l e d and
e j e c t e d t o g e t h e r i n a common beam. Also, an i o n beam is
a c c e l e r a t e d e l e c t r o s t a t i c a l l y , a plasma beam, electromag-
netically.
Experimental r e s u l t s i n d i c a t e t h a t some plasma d e v i c e s
p r e v i o u s l y proposed have l i t t l e promise f o r p r o p u l s i o n ap-
plications. Consequently, t h e plasma r o c k e t r e s e a r c h pro-
gram has been r e a l i g n e d t o p l a c e more emphasis on a c c e l e r a -
t i o n systems o f demonstrated promise. The program a l s o con-
t i n u e s i n v e s t i g a t i o n s o f a few systems f o r which t h e limita-
t i o n s have n o t as y e t been determined even approximately.
One system o f t h e l a t t e r v a r i e t y i n v o l v e s a c c e l e r a t i n g a
plasma by means o f a magnetic f i e l d o s c i l l a t i n g a t r a d i o
f r e q u e n c i e s (150 t o 4.50 kc.). A c r i t i c a l experiment, us-
i n g a n a c c e l e r a t o r designed f o r continuous o p e r a t i o n , i s
under way i n an e f f o r t t o determine t h e p o t e n t i a l o f t h i s
t y p e of device.
Other t y p e s of plasma a c c e l e r a t o r s are b e i n g evalu-
ated, i n c l u d i n g c a p a c i t o r - d i s c h a r g e d e v i c e s t h a t produce
repeated pulses. I n i t i a l experiments i n d i c a t e t h a t v e l o c i -
t i e s can be a t t a i n e d s u i t a b l e f o r p r o p u l s i o n a p p l i c a t i o n s ,
b u t t h e a c c e l e r a t i o n f o r c e drops r a p i d l y a s t h e plasma
f l o w s away from i t s s t a r t i n g p o i n t . This r e q u i r e s t h a t t h e
system have a s h o r t "time c o n s t a n t " -- i n o t h e r words, t h e
p u l s e s must be r e p e a t e d extremely r a p i d l y , so t h a t t h e
energy s t o r e d i n t h e c a p a c i t o r s w i l l be q u i c k l y r e p l a c e d
and as q u i c k l y a g a i n discharged.
' - 121 -
Work i s a l s o going forward on s e v e r a l plasma genera-
t i o n systems t h a t would, i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h a plasma ac-
c e l e r a t o r , make up a complete engine.
E l e c t r o t h e r m a l Rockets
E l e c t r o t h e r m a l r o c k e t s d i f f e r from i o n and plasma
r o c k e t s i n t h a t a p r o p e l l a n t gas is heated e l e c t r i c a l l y and
p e r m i t t e d t o expand through a n o z z l e t o form a high v e l o c i t y
j e t without b e i n g a c c e l e r a t e d by e x t e r n a l e l e c t r i c o r mag-
netic fields.
Lewis i s i n v e s t i g a t i n g s e v e r a l such d e v i c e s , one of
which u s e s an e l e c t r i c a r c d i s c h a r g e t o produce sudden
h e a t i n g o f t h e p r o p e l l a n t gas,
Use of S o l a r R a d i a t i o n ' f o r P r o p u l s i o n
NASA i s c o n t i n u i n g i t s i n v e s t i g a t i o n o f s o l a r energy
t o heat hydrogen and t h u s produce r o c k e t t h r u s t . The s t u d y
'
- 122 -
Nuclear Heat T r a n s f e r Rockets
The p o t e n t i a l of t h e n u c l e a r r o c k e t l i e s i n its high ape-
c i f i o impulrse. Thiar f a r o u t s t r i p s today's most powerful chensi-
cal rooketa. The n u c l e a r r o c k e t w i l l c o n s i s t of t h e f o l l o w i n g
baaric components: 1) a p r o p e l l a n t tank, c o n t a i n i n g l i q u i d
hydrogen a t approximately -43CPF; 2) a pump and i t s a s s o c i a t e d
d r i v e system, t o f o r c e t h e l i q u i d F u e l t o 3 ) a n u c l e a r r e a c t o r
which heat8 it and t r a n s f o r m s it t o h o t gas; and 4) a nozzle
through which t h e gas is e x p e l l e d t o p r o v i d e t h r u s t . Vehicle
and m i s s i o n s t u d i e s are b e i n g conducted which i n d i c a t e t h a t
comparatively small and simple n u c l e a r r o c k e t s would be desir-
able fer h i g h energy missions.
The n u c l e a r r o c k e t program is a J o i n t e f f o r t of NASA and
t h e Atomic Energy Commission. NASA s u p p o r t s AECVs r e a c t o r
t e s t program by developing t h e non-nuclear components r e q u i r e d ,
and supplying the necessary hydrogen p r o p e l l a n t s . Among these
~ o ~ ~ o n e are n t s t h e hydrogen pump, t u r b i n e , and r o c k e t noszle.
In p r o p e r time phase w i t h A E C t s r e a c t o r t e s t program, a f t e r
completion through a working model engine demonstration, NASA
w i l l have developed a f l y a b l e engine Bystem i n t e g r t e d i n t o a
n u c l e a r r o a k e t v e h i c l e . Most probable first a p p l i c a t i o n would
be aa, a t o p e t a g e of a ahemibal rooket launch v e h i c l e ; t h e
n u c l e a r r o c k e t s would s t a r t t o o p e r a t e after having been
launched by t h e chemical lower stages i n t o an earth orbit.
Mosgle Cooling Problems --
needed f o r an e f f i c i e n t n u c l e a r r o c k e t-
A high&eraperature r e a c t o r is
t h e hinher t h e tem-
p e r a t u r e , t h e more t h r u s t is o b t a i n e d from t h e hzated hydrogen
p r o p e l l a n t p a s s i n g through t h e noszle. However, t h e nozzle
c o o l i n g problem, a l r e a d y d i f f i c u l t i n chemical systems, is in-
t e n s i f ied. S e v e r a l r e s e a r c h programs are a c c o r d i n g l y being
conducted on n o z z l e c o o l i n g a t t h e Lewis Research Center. A
r e c e n t l y completed p r e l i m i n a r y a n a l y s i s i n d i c a t e s t h a t wall
temperatures higher t h a n t h o s e gener 1 l y used i n nozzle desi
w i l l almost undoubtedly have t o be o
Data on heat t r a n s f e r rates from h o t gas t o n o s z l e walls
are being e x p e r i m e n t a l l y determined i n s e v e r a l chemical
r o c k e t s ; c o r r e l a t i o n s of these data should a l s o be a p p l i c a b l e
t o n u c l e a r r o c k e t s . Data on rates o f heat t r a n s f e r from t h e
noosle wall are a l s o being gathered, u s i n g a n e l e c t r i c a l l y
heated t u b e t h r o u g h which t h e hydrogen c o o l a n t f l o w s a t ranges
.
o f pressures and temperatures comparable t o t h o s e encountered
i n nuc lear no z z 1es
Pump and Turbodrive Systems -- Like chemical r o c k e t s ,
large n u c l e a r r o c k e t s w i l l r e q u i r e a pump and t u r b o d r i v e sys-
tem t o move t h e hydrogen f u e l from t h e s t o r a g e t a n k s t o t h e
reactor. C a v i t a t i o n problems are similar t o t h o s e mentioned
f o r chemical r o a k e t engines u t i l i z i n g l i q u i d hydrogen, except
- 123 -
t h a t additional d i f f i c u l t i e s are posed by r a d i a t i o n heating.
Axial (straight-through) flow, multi-stage pumps may be used
t o o b t a i n t h e high p r e s s u r e s r e q u i r e d , and systems of t h i s
t y p e are under study.
Problems a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t u r b i n e d r i v e systems s u i t a b l e
t o n u c l e a r r o c k e t a p p l i c a t i o n s are being i n v e s t i g a t e d experi-
mentally. The first system s t u d i e d is of t h e bleed t y p e in
which a small f r a c t i o n of t h e pump d i s c h a r g e by-passea t h e
t h r u s t chamber a f t e r some h e a t i n g , and a f t e r expanding through
t h e t u r b i n e i s d i s c h a r g e d overbo rd. The t u r b i n e , s i a e d i n
t h e g e n e r a l r a n g e s u i t a b l e f o r n u c l e a r o e k e t s of t h e Rover
t y p e d i s c u s s e d i n p r e v i o u s r e p o r t s , is u n i t w i t h eight f u l l
s t a g e s . The complete t u r b i n e i s now being f a b r i c a t e d and is
t o be tested i n t h e main t u r b i n e t e s t f a c i l i t y a t Plm Brook-,
The first two stages a r e a l r e a d y ~ d e r g o i n gt i n the tur-
b i n e p i l o t f a c i l i t y ( a small--scale f a c i l i t y t i d s the ds-
s i g n and c o n s t r u c t i o n of t h e larger one laenti
Plum Brook u s i n g b o t h -hydrogen and n i t r o g e n
fluids. (An e l a b o r a t i o n of these tesrts i n v a r i o u s a i n g l e -
s t a g e t u r b i n e s has i n d i c a t e d t h a t there i s p r a c t i c a l 1 no d i f -
f e r e n c e i n performance between hydrogen and n i t r o g e n . I
discueeed . i n the Second
Semi
pump f e e d system f o r t h e Rover
supplying t h e hydrogen r e q u i r e d i n a1
n u c l e a r r o c k e t program. Among flow s components involved
is $he l i q u i d hydrogen pump (and a aix-atage t u r b i n e t o d r i v e
it), being developed under c o n t r a c t with t h e Rocketdyne Divi-
s i o n of North American Aviation, Inc. C u r r e n t l y , t e s t pumps
are being tested under v a r i e d pressures and f l o w rates.
NASA is also i n v e s t i g a t i n g ways of c o n t r o l l i n g t h e flow
syatems of n u c l e a r rock 8. Under a c o n t r a o t i t h t h e A e r o j e t
General Corp., Amsa, C if., s t a r t i n g c h a r a e t i s t i c s of s a e h
a system are being s t u d d o Experi e n t a l work as been corn-
p l e t e d ; a n a l y t i c a l work i s continuing.
Arrangements are i n p r o ress t o suppo work a t the
N a t i o n a l Bureau of standard^ Cryogenics E i n e e r i n g Labor
t o r y , Boulder, Colo., on t h e b a s i c p r o p e r t s of hydrogen
reqvired f o r f l o w system d8sign. Work w i l l also i n c l u d e in-
s t r u m e n t a t i o n r e q u i r e d i n hydrogen f l o w aystems.
c a l and experimental work a t
e methods o f e v a l u a t i n g
rid e ~ u i p 5 e n tfrom r e d i -
a t i o n s emitted by n u c l e a r r e a c t o r powerplants and from radia-
t i o n s i n space. Any p e ~ i s ~ i b rleed u c t i o n i n weight of t h e
s h i e l d i n g w i l l reduce the p r o p u l s i o n e f f o r t o f getting a vehi-
c l e i n t o o r b i t ; it i s e s t i m a t e d t h a t each pound of s h i e l d i n g
may i n c r e a s e g r o s s wei h t of t h e v e h i c l e by t e n pounds,
- 124 .
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- 125 -
I
n t a n a l y t i c a l method of determining s h i e l d i n g
based on a n p p l i c a t i o n of t h e "Monte Carlon
t h o d ) is cap l e of a c c u r a t e r e s u l t s b u t re-
f c a l c u l a t i o n s . Work is i n p r o g r e s s
g r e a t l y reduce t h e number of calcu-
u a t e accuracy. Values e s t a b l i s h e d by
b o t h these methods and t h e "Monte Carlo" t e c h n i q u e are b e i n g
checked a g a i n s t experiments conducted i n a %wimming pool"
t e s t r e a c t o r u s i n g gama r a y s o u r c e s and v a r i o u s s h i e l d con-
figurations.
NASA is n e g o t i a t i n g a c o n t r a c t with t h e Technical Re-
search Group, Inc., of Syosset, New Pork, f o r r e s e a r c h and
development of r a d i a t i o n s h i e l d i n g for s p a c e f l i g h t a p p l i -
c a t i o n s which h o l d s promise of b e i n g l i g h t e r t h a n conven-
t i o n a l s h i e l d i n g , An a n a l y s i s w i l l be made o f t h e u s e of a
s e p a r a t e d d i s c which w i l l s c a t t e r r a d i a t i o n away from pay-
l o a d o r crew compartments and o u t i n t o space.
Power Generation
.
II.
SNAP-8 Development - The SNAP-8 (System f o r Nuclear
A u x i l i a r y Power} r e a c t o r h o l d s promise f o r a p p l i c a z i o n t o
coming g e n z r a t i o n s of long-lived s a t e l l i t e s and space probes.
The small atomic r e a c t o r w i l l heat a c l o s e d l o o p of p i p i n g
t h a t c o n t a i n s a l i q u i d sodium-potassium a l l o y and p a s s e s through
a b o i l e r through which a second loop c o n t a i n i n g mercury a l s o
passes. The l i q u i d metals i n t h e two l o o p s are h e r m e t i c a l l y
sealed from each o t h e r , b u t r e a c t o r heat from t h e molten sodium-
potassium p a s s e s i n t o t h e mercury loop. The mercury t h e n va-
p o r i z e s and d r i v e s a m i n i a t u r e t u r b i n e - g e n e r a t o r s e t t h a t gem-
g e n e r a t e s 30,000 watts of e l e c t r i c i t y .
The SNAP-8 r e a c t o r w i l l be t h e first i n t h e SNAP series
powerful enough t o g e n e r a t e e l e c t r i c i t y f o r propulsion, besides
s e r v i n g as t h e s o u r c e of e l e c t r i c i t y for payload instrumenta-
t i o n . On March 25, NASA announced t h e s e l e c t i o n of Aerojet-
General Corp., a s u b s i d i a r y of General T i r e and Rubber Coo,
f o r c o n t r a c t n e g o t i a t i o n s t o b u i l d t h e power conversion equip-
ment and t o i n t e g r a t e t h e r e a c t o r i n t o an o p e r a t i o n a l system,
Atomics I n t e r n a t i o n a l , a d i v i s i o n o f North American Aviation,
Ine., is c o n t r a c t o r f o r t h e SNAP-8 r e a c t o r under c o n t r a c t t o
t h e Atomic Energy Commission. SNAP-8 is P j o i n t NASA-AEC pro-
ject.
- 126 -
f
CHAPTER I2
MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES
Demands a t t h e o t h e r end o f t h e s c a l e a r e f u l l y a s
severe . Hydrogen, t h e most promising of p r e s e n t chemical
f u e l s , boil's at!-l+23°F. Liquid oxygen (LOX) and f l u o r i n e ,
two important o x i d i z e r s , b o i l a t -297OF and -350°F respec-
t i v e l y . And t h e environment i n which t h e s e chemical r o c k e t s
--
w i l l be o p e r a t i n g space i t s e l f --
approaches a b s o l u t e
zero .
With environmental c o n d i t i o n s o f t h e s e two r a d i c a l
extremes t o be met, t h e r e i s no s i n g l e material known t o
s c i e n c e t h a t p o s s e s s e s t h e combination o f complex p r o p e r t i e s
t o meet more t h a n a small f r a c t i o n o f t h e demands.
Ceramics, f o r example, resist h e a t f a i r l y w e l l and are
good i n s u l a t o r s , b u t most break o r c r a c k e a s i l y , and are f a r
t o o b r i t t l e f o r many a p p l i c a t i o n s . Various nickel-based
a l l o s and s t a i n l e s s s t e e l s w i l l withstand t e m p e r a t u r e s up t o
18006F, but i f t h i s i s exceeded t o o f a r , even f o r a r e l a t i v e l y
s h o r t p e r i o d , t h e material b e g i n s t o s o f t e n .
A l l o y s f o r High-Temperature A p p l i c a t i o n s
A t NASA's L e w i s Research Center, a major e f f o r t i s
devoted t o t h e development o f s u p e r a l l o y s t h a t can w i t h s t a n d
h i g h stresses a t high t e m p e r a t u r e s , even i n t h e presence of
- 127 -
J
c o r r o s i v e f l u i d s o r gases. Such materials a r e needed f o r
s p e c i a l a p p l i c a t i o n s such a s t h e turbopwnp systems o f l i q u i d -
p r o p e l l a n t r o c k e t motors which employ f l u o r i n e , a chemical
t h a t w i l l s t r o n g l y a t t a c k most known metals and p l a s t i c s .
Liquid metals a r e o f i n t e r e s t a s heat t r a n s f e r f l u i d s f o r
space powerplants . Since " l i k e d i s s o l v e s l i k e
tainment by o t h e r metals i s a l s o a s e r i o u s r e s
on-
r-
taking.
Exploratory work a t L e w i s i s developing a s e r i e s o f new
n i c k e l - and cobalt-based a l l o y s having e x c e l l e n t s t r e n g t h a t
t e m p e r a t u r e s above 18000F. Future r e s e a r c h w i l l be d i r e c t e d
c h i e f l y toward i n v e s t i g a t i n g t h e m a l l e a b i l i t y , o r "workabil-
i t y " o f t h e s e a l l o y s , while m a i n t a i n i n g t h e s t r e n g t h a l r e a d y
achieved. These are of c o n s i d e r a b l e p o t e n t i a l f o r a u x i l i a r y
turbines i n liquid rockets.
Ref r a c t o r y Me t a 1s
The r e f r a c t o r y ("hard t o melt") metals -- tungsten,
tantalum, molybdenum, and columbium -- are among t h e most
promising m a t e r i a l s f o r many a p p l i c a t i o n s , ( s u c h a s r o c k e t
n o z z l e s , f o r example, ) a t t e m p e r a t u r e s above 20000F. However,
t h e y o x i d i z e v e r y r a p i d l y , which r e s t r i c t s t h e i r u s e f u l n e s s
except i n non-oxidizing environments. F o r t u n a t e l y , t h e near-
vacuum o f space f a l l s i n t h i s category.
A t L e w i s Research Center, work h a s been c e n t e r e d on
t u n g s t e n , t h e r e f r a c t o r y metal with t h e h i g h e s t m e l t i n g p o i n t
-- about 61500~.. A most promising material f o r s o l i d -
p r o p e l l a n t r o c k e t nozzles, t u n g s t e n a l s o o f f e r s p o s s i b i l i t i e s
a s a high-temperature s t r u c t u r a l and s h i e l d i n g material f o r
space-propulsion systems o f t h e f u t u r e
The c h i e f drawback of t u n g s t e n i s i t s b r i t t l e n e s s ; it i s
d i f f i c u l t t o bend o r f a b r i c a t e , a t o r d i n a r y t e m p e r a t u r e s .
Research a t Lewis i s aimed toward understanding and overcom-
i n g t h e f a c t o r s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e b r i t t l e n e s s , Since it
i s b e l i e v e d t h a t v e r y small amounts o f i m p u r i t i e s i n t h e
t u n g s t e n may make i t b r i t t l e , one r e s e a r c h o b j e c t i v e i s t o
produce t u n g s t e n of u l t r a - h i g h p u r i t y , t o f i n d i f it w i l l
be e a s i e r t o bend and "work". To d a t e , v e r y pure tungsten
h a s been prepared by melting i n high vacuum, The material
h a s shown good band d u c t i l i t y a t room temperature; r e s e a r c h
is c o n t i n u i n g t o e s t a b l i s h more d e f i n i t e l y t h e f a c t o r s
involved.
Another s t u d y i n p r o g r e s s a t Lewis i n d i c a t e s that t h e
s t r e n g t h of tungsten i s a f f e c t e d by surface flaws =- even
minute surface s c r a t c h e s . It was found t h a t by e l e c t r o -
p o l i s h i n g t o remove surface roughness, t h e bend d u c t i l i t y
o f t u n g s t e n r o d s a t room temperature could be i n c r e a s e d
- 128 -
sevenfold. These r e s u l t s should be o f immediate i n t e r e s t
t o o r g a n i z a t i o n s t h a t f a b r i c a t e e x p e r i m e n t a l shapes from
tungsten sheet.
R e s e a r c h p i s a l s o b e i n g conducted w i t h t h e g o a l of pro-
ducing a l l o y s , based on t u n g s t e n b u t more d u c t i l e t h a n t h e
pure material a t room t e m p e r a t u r e s and s t r o n g e r a t h i g h
tempera t w e s . Tungste n-t a n t a lum and t u n g s t e n-mo 1ybde num
a l l o y s have been s u c c e s s f u l l y -melted e x p e r i m e n t a l l y , and
a t t e m p t s t o l e a r n more a b o u t t h e g r a i n s t r u c t u r e are under
way.
A t Langley Rese'arch, Center t h e r e f r a c t o r y metal molyb-
denum, i s b e i n g i n v e s t i g a t e d f o r s t r u c t u r a l a p p l i c a t i o n s .
One o f t h e c h i e f shortcomings of t h i s material i s t h a t it
i s d i f f i c u l t t o work and weld i n t o s t r u c t u r a l e n t i t i e s .
The s t r e n g t h o f s p o t welds and f u s i o n w e l d s i n molybdenum
s h e e t were determined; t h e compressive s t r e n g t h of "sand-
wich" s t r u c t u r e s was measured a t t e m p e r a t u r e s a s h i g h a s
3000°F, and s t u d i e s were made of t h e mechanical p r o p e r t i e s
o f s h e e t t h a t had been c o a t e d w i t h a n o t h e r material t o pro-
t e c t it a g a i n s t o x i d a t i o n . F i n d i n g s i n d i c a t e t h a t c o a t e d
molybdenum a l l o y s h e e t can be p r o f i t a b l y employed i n e n t r y
vehicle structures.
Refract o r y Ceramics
S e v e r a l of t h e r e f r a c t o r y ceramics under s t u d y a t L e w i s
have even h i g h e r m e l t i n g p o i n t s t h a n t u n g s t e n , and w i l l un-
doubtedly f i n 7 u s e where t h e v e r y h i g h e s t o p e r a t i n g temper-
a t u r e s a r e r e q u i r e d . Very pure hafnium c a r b i d e ( m e l t i n g
p o i n t , o v e r 7000OF) i s b e i n g prepared, and a d e n s i t y o f
b e t t e r t h a n 96 p e r c e n t o f t h a t t h e o r e t i c a l l y o b t a i n a b l e h a s
been a c h i e v e d -- a h i g h e r d e n s i t y t h a n a n y r e p o r t e d before.*
P r o p e r t i e s o f t h e material a r e ndw b e i n g e v a l u a t e d . The
work may e v e n t u a l l y y i e l d i n f o r m a t i o n much more promising
f o r s t r u c t u r e s t h a t must o p e r a t e a t e x t r e m e l y h i g h tempera-
tures.
The p r o p e r t i e s o f a n o t h e r promising r e f r a c t o r y ceramic --
t a n t a l u m c a r b i d e ( m e l t i n g p o i n t 70000F) are being s t u d i e d t o
determine t h e e f f e c t o f v a r y i n g t h e carbon c o n t e n t . I n f o r -
mation g a i n e d w i l l a i d i n t a i l o r i n g t h e compositi.on of t h e
.
c a r b i d e t o o b t a i n g r e a t l y improved p h y s i c a l and mechanical
properties
Improving Heat-Resistant A l l o y s and R e f r a c t o r y Metals
Aluminum powders can be put t h r o u g h a s e r i e s o f chemical
o p e r a t i o n s ("compacting,tt o r packing v e r y t i g h t l y ; " s i n t e r i n g , "
* C o k e r c i a l l y a v a i l a b l e hafnium c a r b i d e , f o r example, h a s
a d e n s i t y o f a b o u t 80 p e r c e n t .
- 129 -
f
o r t u r n i n g i n t o a s o l i d mass without a c t u a l l y m e l t i n g ; and
n e x t r u d i n g , n o r f o r c i n g through d i e s under p r e s s u r e ) t o form
materials with unusual s t r e n g t h and s t a b i l i t y a t h i g h temper-
a t u r e s , The improved q u a l i t i e s r e s u l t from t h e f a c t t h a t t h e
t h i n f i l m of s t a b l e oxide which forms on t h e surface of
aluminum by natural p r o c e s s becomes d i s t r i b u t e d i n t h e form
o f f i n e p a r t i c l e s a l l through t h e material.
If a n analogous s t r u c t u r e could be produced i n metals
o t h e r t h a n aluminum, s t r e n g t h and use t e m p e r a t u r e s could be
i n c r e a s e d , However, o t h e r materials by n a t u r e do not o x i -
d i z e a t t h e s u r f a c e i n t h e same way o r degree t h a t aluminum B
- 130
f
i n t e n s e h e a t , t o g i v e h i g h e r exhaust gas t e m p e r a t u r e s --
f i r s t , 5600°F, t h e n , more t h a n 60000F.
Bearings f o r Use a t Cryogenic Temperatures
The use o f cryogenic p r o p e l l a n t s (-200'F and below)
such a s l i q u i d hydrogen, l i q u i d oxygen, and f l u o r i n e a s
rocket propellants involves d i f f i c u l t i e s i n lubricating
moving p a r t s of a n a t u r e never b e f o r e encountered. Problem
areas i n c l u d e b e a r i n g s , seals, gears, and many o t h e r mechani- ,
.
c a l components of r o c k e t e n g i n e pumps and t u r b i n e s t h a t make
sliding or rolling contacts
b e a r i n g m a t e r i a l s a r e almost t o t a l l y u n s u i t a b l e .
Conventional l u b r i c a n t s and
For example,
o r d i n a r y g r e a s e w i l l explode i n t h e presence o f l i q u i d oxygen.
I n p r e s e n t d e s i g n concepts, t o keep turbopump systems
a s l i g h t and simple a s p o s s i b l e , t h e f l u i d t h a t i s pumped
does double duty a s a b e a r i n g l u b r i c a n t . Lewis Research
Center h a s conducted experiments w i t h b e a r i n g s o p e r a t i n g i n
l i q u i d fuels and l i q u i d o x i d a n t s a t cryogenic t e m p e r a t u r e s .
B a l l b e a r i n g s have been o p e r a t e d s u c c e s s f u l l y i n l i q u i d
h y d r o g e n Z t shaft speeds of up t o 30,000 r e v o l u t i o n s p e r
minute. S l i d i n g b e a r i n g s w i l l a l s o be t e s t e d f o r p o s s i b l e
application w i t h oxidants.
- 131
b u f f e t s , n o i s e of great i n t e n s i t y , aerodynamic h e a t i n g and
p r e s s u r e , and o t h e r l o a d s and stresses. Cumulative e f f e c t s
ma$ keep b u i l d i n g u n t i & s t r u c t u r e s are weakened, and even-
t u a l l y f a i l . It i s d i f f i c u l t t o p r e d i c t t h i s kind of
"fatigue*' damage by e x p e r i m e n t a l means.
I n p a s t i n v e s t i g a t i o n s , stresses of a p a r t i c u l a r t y p e
have been r e p e a t e d u n t i l t h e t e s t s t r u c t u r e f a i l e d . Recent-
l y , however, t h e Langley Research Center h a s completed a
s e r i e s of t e s t s i n which s t r u c t u r e s were s u b j e c t e d t o much
more complicated stresses t o s i m u l a t e t h e t y p i c a l l o a d s of
transport a i r c r a f t These t e s t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t a simple
h y p o t h e s i s , based on cumulative damage, can be employed t o
make r e a s o n a b l y a c c u r a t e f o r e c a s t s o f how long a s t r u c t u r e
can r e s i s t f a t i g u e .
A b l a t i o n Materials
T h e o r e t i c a l and experimental s t u d i e s of t h e a b l a t i o n
p r o c e s s ( d e s c r i b e d i n NASA's "Second Semiannual Report t o
Congress") are being c a r r i e d out a t Langley Research Center.
I n wind t u n n e l s employing e l e c t r i c a r c s t o h e a t t h e airstream,
v a r i o u s materials a r e s u b j e c t e d t o c o n d i t i o n s of severe h e a t
similar t o t h o s e encountered when a v e h i c l e e n t e r s t h e atmos-
phere. The work i s y i e l d i n g information t h a t i s u s e f u l n o t
o n l y i n determining t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s of a wide v a r i e t y of
a b l a t i o n materials, but a l s o i n p r o v i d i n g i n s i g h t i n t o t h e
n a t u r e of t h e a b l a t i o n process.
Recent a n a l y s e s show t h a t a water-cooling system i n t h e
v e h i c l e s t r u c t u r e on t h e back s u r f a c e o f a n a b l a t i n g h e a t
s h i e l d w i l l g i v e good r e s u l t s and -- more important -- w i l l
permit t h e o v e r - a l l weight of t h e v e h i c l e t o be reduced
significantly .
Materials f o r Winged E n t r y V e h i c l e s -- Another method
of r e d u c i n g aerodynamic h e a t i n g on t h e s u r f a c e s of a v e h i c l e
e n t e r i n g t h e atmosphere i s t o use wings t o r e t a r d t h e descent
and t h u s t o d e c e l e r a t e a t high a l t i t u d e s . The i n t e n s i t y o f
h e a t i n g i s l e s s e n e d , but it l a s t s f o r a l o n g e r time, i n com-
p a r i s o n w i t h a wingless v e h i c l e . Also, t h e l e a d i n g edge --
t h e p a r t of t h e wing t h a t meets t h e a i r f i r s t -- s t i l l under-
g o e s t e m p e r a t u r e s o f 30000 t o 40000F: t o o high f o r most
materials b u t not unreasonable f o r some r e f r a c t o r y materials,
such a s g r a p h i t e .
Langley i s i n v e s t i g a t i n g g r a p h i t e t o determine i f it can
w i t h s t a n d t h e great h e a t encountered by l e a d i n g edges.
Graphite i s unusual i n t h a t o v e r c e r t a i n r a n g e s o f tempera-
t u r e it grows s t r o n g e r a s temperature i n c r e a s e s , and shows
e x c e l l e n t r e s i s t a n c e t o h e a t shock.
- 132 -
Leading edges of v a r i o u s d e s i g n s c o n s t r u c t e d from two
t y p e s o f g r a - p h k e were exposed t o a 9OOOoF airstream f o r
p e r i o d s a s l o n g a s f i v e minutes, t o determine how much t h e
material would o x i d i z e and wear away. Because much of t h e
surface h e a t i s r a d i a t e d t o t h e atmosphere, t h e maximum
temperature t h e l e a d i n g edges a c t u a l l y experienced was
about 3500°F, t y p i c a l of t h e temperature expected d u r i n g
e n t r y . The t e s t s i n d i c a t e t h a t g r a p h i t e can w i t h s t a n d such
t e m p e r a t u r e s s t r u c t u r a l l y , but that i t s r e s i s t a n c e t o oxi-
d a t i o n must be improved.
- 133 -
.!
MECHANICS OF SPACEFLIGHT
t ec
-- Simulation, a u s e f u l r e s e a r c h
i s becoming even more important as
Y
we p r o g r e s s w i t h t h e d e s i g n of s p a c e c r a f t and h y p e r v e l o c i t y
v e h i c l e s t o be flown by human p i l o t s . C l e a r l y , we cannot
simply b u i l d a v e h i c l e from a n u n t r i e d d e s i g n and ask a man
t o a t t e m p t f l i g h t i n i t . Hence, many i n g e n i o u s r e s e a r c h
t o o l s have been developed i n which most of t h e characteristius
o f a c t u a l f l i g h t can be reproduced i n t h e safety of t h e labo-
ratory.
The Langley, s, and F l i g h t Research C e n t e r s have i n
use and a r e b u i l d i n g s e v e r a l advanced s i m u l a t o r s t o t e s t
p i l o t c a p a b i l i t i e s i n v a r i o u s t y p e s of s p a c e c r a f t .
Ames Five-Degree-of-Freedom Simulator --Nearing com-
p l e t i o n i s a s i m u l a t i o n f a c i l i t y more h i g- h l-y developed t h a n
any of i t s p r e d e c e s s o r s i n c r e a t i n g f o r a p i l o t t h e - i l l u s i o n
o f genuine f l i g h t . The s i m u l a t o r c o n s i s t s of a n e n c l o s e d
c o c k p i t o r cab mounted on t r i p l e gimbals. It w i l l be capable
of impressing t h r e e a n g u l a r motions on t h e p i l o t - s u b j e c t .
The cab i s mounted on a n arm 30 feet i n r a d i u s i n such a way
t h a t i t can move v e r t i c a l l y while t h e arm i s r o t a t i n g . I n
t h i s way, f i v e mechanical d e g r e e s o f freedom are provided --
t h r e e a n g u l a r and two l i n e a r .
The p i l o t will be e n c l o s e d i n t h e c o c k p i t and provided
w i t h c o n t r o l s and f l i g h t i n s t r u m e n t s a p p r o p r i a t e t o t h e ve-
h i c l e being s i m u l a t e d . The c o n t r o l s are connected t o a n
a n a l o g computer i n h i c h t h e r e s p o n s e s of t h e v e h i c l e t o t h e
p i l o t ' s a c t i o n s are c a l c u l a t e d . S i g n a l s from t h e computer
a r e t h e n used t o d r i v e t h e c o c k p i t e l e c t r i c a l l y , t h u s t r a n s -
l a t i n g t h e a n a l o g v a l u e s i n t o motions. Cockpit i n s t r u m e n t s
f u r n i s h t h e p i l o t t h e same i n f o r m a t i o n he would r e c e i v e i n
a c t u a l f l i g h t . Thus he can be given t h e motion s t i m u l i and
t h e v i s u a l instrument r e a d i n g p e r t i n e n t t o t h e v e h i c l e
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and t h e f l i g h t c o n d i t i o n s under study.
0 - A t Langley, one ap-
proa n problems employs a simu-
i a t o r c o n s i s t i n g of a fixed c o c k p i t equipped w i t h c o n t r o l s
and i n s t r u m e n t d i s p l a y s i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h a n a n a l o g compu-
t e r . Encouraging p r o g r e s s h a s been made i n s e v e r a l problem
a r e a s , i n c l u d i n g t h a t of c o n t r o l l i n g a s p a c e c r a f t d u r i n g t h e
i - 136 -
s t r o n g d i s t u r b a n c e s caused when r e t a r d i n
are f i r e d t o break o u t o f o r b i t and s t a r t d e s c e n t i n t o t h e
atmosphere . After s e v e r a l c o n t r o l arrangements and i n s t r u -
ment d i s p l a y s were s t u d i e d , a system s devised t h a t p e r m i t s
t h e p i l o t t o control t h e simulated vehicle s a t i s f a c t o r i l y .
S i m i l a r means are being ernplo t o develop t e c h n i q u e s
f o r t h e rendezvous of two v e h i c l e s i n space.
The
-0
atti inclination
of i t s axis t o some frame of r e f e r e n c e . Usually t h e frame
of r e f e r e n c e is c o o r d i n a t e s o f t h e e a r t h , a l t h o u g h c o o r d i n a t e s
of t h e moon, sun, o r a p l a n e t could be used. For most m i s -
s i o n s s p a c e c r a f t a t t i t u d e must be known and c o n t r o l l e d pre-
c i s e l y . Observations for n a v i g a t i o n and guidance depend upon
p r o p e r s e t t i n g and m o n i t o r i n g of a t t i t u d e , F l i g h t p a t h con-
t r o l depends on c o r r e c t a t t i t u d e c o n t r o l s o t h a t r e t r o r o c k e t s
can be f i r e d i n p r e c i s e l y t h e r i g h t d i r e c t i o n and r i g h t dura-
t i o n f o r adjustments.
S o l i d r o c k e t s w i l l n o t be s u i t a b l e f o r c o n t r o l l i n g s a t e l -
l i t e s t h a t demand p r e c i s e and continuous a t t i t u d e t r i m i n
e a r t h o r b i t s , o r f o r s p a c e c r a f t on m i s s i o n s t o f a r - o f f d e s t i -
n a t i o n s . I n both c a s e s , a d j u s t m e n t s may have t o be made a g a i n
and a g a i n , and t h u s schemes t h a t can provide long-term c o n t r o l
a r e required.
Langley i s i n v e s t i g a t i n g a promising a t t i t u d e - c o n t r o l
system. It employs t h e r e a c t i o n from a small a c c e l e r a t i n g
f l y w h e e l t o swivel a v e h i c l e t o t h e d e s i r e d a t t i t u d e , and
u s e s t h e flywheel i n c o n c e r t with permanent b a r magnets t h a t
a l l o w t h e flywheel t o d e s p i n and s o m a i n t a i n a t t i t u d e t r i m
o v e r e x t e n s i v e p e r i o d s . A bench-test model has performed w e l l
i n t e s t s . An a n a l y t i c a l s t u d y of t h e system i n d i c a t e s t h a t
it can be developed t o meet illany of t h e r e q u i r e m e n t s f o r
s a t e l l i t e - b o r n e a s t r o n o m i c a l t e l e s c o p e s and f o r i n t e r m e d i a t e
guidance of s p a c e c r a f t on long voyages .
Based on r e s u l t s from t h i s model, Langley i s completing
a three-axis e l a b o r a t i o n of flywheel-magnet c o n t r o l The
equipment w i l l be employed t o i n v e s t i g a t e many o p e r a t i o n a l
.
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e system.
Vehicle C o n t r o l w i t h i n t h e Atmosphere --
Ultra-swift
h i g h - f l y i n g a i r c r a f t V e r t i c a l Take-Off and Landing a i r -
c r a f t , and-manned s p a c e c r a f t e n t e r i n g t h e atmosphere share
s e v e r a l t y p e s of c o n t r o l problems which NASA i s c o n t i n u i n g
t o investigate .
Because modern c r a f t o p e r a t e a t extreme v e l o c i t i e s and
a l t i t u d e s and are maneuvered under a number of new circwn-
s t a n c e s , mechanically powered c o n t r o l s and s p e c i a l f l i g h t
d a t a i n s t r u m e n t s are r e q u i r e d . I n t e r p l a y o f t h e s e and o t h e r
- 137 -
3
f a c t o r s s t r a n g e t o n a t u r a l human c o n d i t i o n i n g make it i n -
c r e a s i n g l y d i f f i c u l t f o r t h e p i l o t t o i n t e r p r e t cues from
t h e c o n t r o l s and f l i g h t d a t a i n s t r u m e n t s a c c u r a t e l y and t o
a c t upon them s w i f t l y and c o r r e c t l y .
NASA r e s e a r c h c e n t e r s h ve undertaken a number o f
s t u d i e s concerned w i t h t h e t t f e e l f t of manual c o n t r o l s , t h e
e f f e c t s of v e h i c l e dynamics, and t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e of cock-
p i t f l i g h t - c o n t r o l i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n on man's a b i l i t y t o con-
t r o l v a r i o u s c l a s s e s of a i r c r a f t and space v e h i c l e s .
One phase i s n e a r l y complete. T h i s i s a f l i g h t - t e s t
program t o i n v e s t i g a t e t h e e f f e c t s of using v a r y i n g degreecs
of induced feedback t o supply c o n t r o l wfeelg* t o p i l o t s , and
i s a n a l y z i n g t h e r e s u l t s . The a n a l y s i s should provide
guidance f o r d e s i g n i n g d i r e c t - c o n t r o l systems a s well a s
power-operated c o n t r o l systems e
Another NASA i n v e s t i g a t i o n r e l a t e d t o p i l o t c o n t r o l has
found t h a t a i r c r a f t and i n a l l l i k e l i h o o d , manned space-
--
-9
* - 138 -
3
n effective, natural
loyed, may e l i m i n a t e
need f o r r e t r o m s on e n t e r i n g s p a c e c r a f t .
.
This, i n t u r n , would reduce t h e t a k e o f f weight of a space
vehicle
A t kmes Research Cente , a c o n t i n u i n g s t u d y of e n t r y
o r b i t s from l u n a r f l i g h t ha d i s c l o s e d a p a r t i c u l a r segment
o f t h e e a r t h ' s atmosphe t h a t may permit e n t r y without use
of r e t r o r o c k e t s e This ion is called an e n t r y corridor.
Should a r e t u r n i n g c r a f t e n t e r t h e atmosphere t o o
h i g h t o come w i t h i n t h e e d c o r r i d o r , t h e v e h i c l e may
d e p a r t from t h e atmosphe nd t r a v e l over a d i s t a n t o r b i t
before r e t u r n i n g again t e v i c i n i t y of t h e e a r t h . An
e n t r y t o o low t o f i n d t h o r could well s u b j e c t t h e
s p a c e c r a f t and i t s paylo celeration forces intolerable
t o human beings o r damag he s t r u c t u r e . I d e a l l y , a
r e t u r n i n g space c r a f t wo ided i n t o the precise corridor
t h a t would permit t h e drag o r r e t a r d i n g e f f e c t of t h e atmos-
phere t o slow t h e v e h i c l e j u s t enough that it -would remain
i n s i d e t h e atmosphere once i t s d e s c e n t i s begun.
--
Selection of a p r e c i s e return-
ing t e c r i t i c a l if atmospheric braking
i s t o be used f o r d e c e l e r a t i n g a space v e h i c l e . An a n a l y t i -
c a l method f o r c a l c u l a t i n g such t r a j e c t o r i e s has been d e r i v e d
by Ames s c i e n t i s t of mathematical f u n c t i o n s a r e
being compiled f o o n e The t a b l e s w i l l permit
hout drawn-out c a l c u l a t i o n s .
analysis applies t o vehicles
i z e e n t e r i n g t h e atmosphere
of t h e e a r t h o r o p l a n e t t h a t i s b l a n k e t e d with
gases.
-- Studies applying t h e
t h a t the safe entry corri-
t h e e n t e r i n g v e h i c l e i s able
aerodynamic l i f t . I n a t y p i -
i n c r e a s e d from seven m i l e s
l e of a one-to-one l i f t - t o -
rn transport airplanes
c u s t o m a r i l y f l y a% l i f t - t o - d r a g r a t i o s of 1 5 o r more.
that
-- D i g i t a l computer programs
s f o r l u n a r and i n t e r -
p l a n e t a r y m i s s i o n s are i n - p r o g r e s s a t Lewis. I n c l u d e d are
c a l c u l a t i o n s of t r i p s t o Mars and Venus. The s t u d i e s i n c l u d e
b o t h minimum-energy t r i p s , u s i n g l o n g c o a s t i n g t r a j e c t o r i e s ,
and maximum-energy m i s s i o n s i n which f l i g h t times may be
halved by p r o v i d i n g more f u e l f o r l o n g e r engine use.
- 140 -
l a n s t o use an
Atlas- Centa
...
must be n e u t r a l -
s e r i e s of t e s t s i
.
i c l e , and d e s i g n i n g and
Work w i l l culminate i n a
i c h t h e v e h i c l e , weighing about a t o n ,
d brought down t o s o f t
t h e usel o f r e t r o r o c k e t s .
11 be s i m u l a t e d ,
r t h t s surface,
r the vehicle
o d i f i e d , and re-
used.
reas t o be s t u d i e d
ntrol of i t s a t t i -
000-pound t h r u s t ) i s burning
he t a n k s move t h e c e n t e r o f
.
o t a t e 600 i n about
stem r e s t r a i n s it.
e t e s t v e h i c l e to'
ems. For example,
used t o h o l d
- 141 -
d
a t t i t u d e , o r t h e main engine may be b a l l e d t o permit
swiveling. The small j e k s may d i s c e c o l d gas from a
p r e s s u r e b o t t l e , o r h o t gas from ro
I n o t h e r areas, such a s c o n t r o l of t h r u s t and d u r a t i o n
of t h r u s t of t h e r e t r o r o c k e t s , t h e t i t h t h i s vehicle
w i l l be used t o s t u d y t h e a l t e r n a t i v e s , and i f p o s s i b l e , i m -
prove t h e p r e c i s i o n of the one s e l e c t e d . Work on t h e s e and
o t h e r problems r e l a t e d t o l u n a r s o f t l a n d i n g s are under w ~ y
a t the other research centgrs.
Mid-Course T r a j e c t o r y C o r r e c t i o n s -- As p a r t of t h e
long-range o b j e c t i v e t o ,land large payloads on t h e moon and
p l a n e t s . NASA h a s undertaken a number o f s t u d i e s o f guidance
& r i n g mid-course f l i g h t . A t L e w i s a s t u d y o f requirements
f o r c o r r e c t i n g t h e course of s p a c e c r a f t e n r o u t e i s i n pro-
gress. This s t u d y w i l l have two phases: 1) t o s t u d y t h e
amount of c o r r e c t i o n n e c e s s a r y f o r v a r i o u s i n i t i a l e r r o r s
and where t h i s c o r r e c t i o n can b e s t be a p p l i e d ; 2 ) t o supply
some of t h e i n f o r m a t i o n n e c e s s a r y f o r developing t h e r o c k e t
o r o t h e r system needed t o provide t h e c o r r e c t i o n . For t h e
l a t t e r purpose, p r e l i m i n a r y e x p e r i m e n t a l work i n t h e L e w i s
A l t i t u d e Wind Tunnel is under way on small r o c k e t s employing
s t o r a b l e - l i q u i d , h y p e r g o l i c p r o p e l l a n t ( b u r s t i n g i n t o spon-
t a n e o u s combustion when i t s e l e m e n t s are combined)..
- 142 -
CHAPTER 14
AERODYNAMICS, FLUID MECHANICS, A N D ENVIRONMENTAL
- - PHYSICS
AIRCRAFT AERODYNAMICS
The s t u d y of conventiona1:aircraft t h a t f l y w i t h i n t h e
atmosphere c o n t i n u e s t o b e a n important p a r t of t h e work
c a r r i e d on a t NASA's Langley and Ames Research Centers.
It might b e thought t h a t t h e s p a c e e f f o r t h a s tended
t o push work on c o n v e n t i o n a l a i r c r a f t i n t o t h e background,
b u t NASA i s c o n t i n u i n g t h e r e s e a r c h f u n c t i o n t h a t NACA, i t s
p r e d e c e s s o r , performed f o r more t h a n 40 years. Furthermore,
many o f t h e s t u d i e s of problems r e l a t i n g t o a i r c r a f t can b e
c a r r i e d over and a p p l i e d t o s p a c e c r a f t -- particularly those
r e l a t i n g t o s u p e r s o n i c and hypersonic speeds. S p a c e c r a f t
plunging i n t o t h e atmosphere e x p e r i e n c e t h e same kind of
aerodynamic h e a t i n g -- d i f f e r e n t o n l y i n degree
high-speed c o n v e n t i o n a l a i r c r a f t .
-- as do
- 144 -
Research on J e t Exhaust E f f e c t s
The shape of t h e j e t exhaust emitted from high-speed
a i r c r a f t and space v e h i c l e s i s important i n analyzing t h e
t e m p e r a t u r e s and p r e s s u r e s on t h e base and a f t e r b o d y , Using
a mathematical approach9 Lewis s c i e n t i s t s have worked o u t
simple e x p r e s s i o n s f o r e s t i m a t i n g t h e shape o r contour of a
j e t exhausting i n t o a supersonic a i r s t r e a m , and f o r compari-
son, i n t o q u i e t a i r ,
The e f f e c t s of j e t "billowing" of t h e exhaust g a s e s a t
high a l t i t u d e on t h e s t a b i l i t y of two missile-shaped bodies
were i n v e s t i g a t e d experimentally a t Lewis, A t a Mach number
of 3.85 r e s u l t s i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e s t a b i l i t y of t h e bodies,
which had no wings o r t a i l s u r f a c e s , was not a d v e r s e l y af-
f e c t e d by t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e e f f e c t s , On an a i r p l a n e , such
a s t h e X-15 f o r example, t h e i n t e r f e r e n c e was shown t o be
detrimental,
A mathematical formula was a l s o developed t o determine
how much p r e s s u r e t h e j e t and t h e supersonic stream around
it w i l l apply on t a i l and c o n t r o l s u r f a c e s of t h e v e h i c l e ,
The formula was t e s t e d experimentally by measuring t h e
p r e s s u r e i n f l u e n c e of t h e j e t on a f l a t metal p l a t e .
FLUID MECHANICS
Physics and Chemistry of Gases a t High Temperatures
Heat t r a n s f e r experiments a r e being c a r r i e d o u t a t
L e w i s i n a flow t u b e and i n a shock tube. From t h e s e ex-
periments comes information about p r o c e s s e s t h a t occur on
a molecular s c a l e , such as t h e exchange of energy between
molecules, and t h e e f f e c t s of chemical r e a c t i o n on h e a t
transfer.
Recently completed were s t u d i e s of t h e thermal con-
d u c t i v i t y of a r e a c t i n g g a s and measurements of h e a t t r a n s -
f e r where a l a r g e temperature d i f f e r e n c e e x i s t s between a
h o t g a s and an o b j e c t being heated -- such a s a r o c k e t
nozzle. The knowledge gained can be a p p l i e d t o problems of
c o o l i n g o r of e s t i m a t i n g t h e h e a t i n g of r o c k e t engines,
hypersonic v e h i c l e s , and s p a c e c r a f t e n t e r i n g t h e atmosphere,
High-temperature chemical r e a c t i o n s a r e b e i n g s t u d i e d
d i r e c t l y i n a s p e c i a l kind of shock tube, The l a s t s i x
months have been devoted t o improving i t s performance, and
data a r e now being c o l l e c t e d . T h i s d e v i c e i s a b l e t o h e a t
a mixture of g a s e s t o extreme temperatures i n a very s h o r t
- 145
time, h o l d it a t high t e m p e r a t u r e f o r a known time while
r e a c t i o n occurs, and t h e n c o o l t h e m i x t u r e almost as q u i c k l y ,
t h u s s t o p p i n g t h e r e a c t i o n a b r u p t l y . R e a c t i o n s among carbon
d i o x i d e , carbon monoxide, water vapor, and oxygen a r e being
s t u d i e d . These p r o c e s s e s a r e important i n t h e f l o w of gas
from a chemical r o c k e t thrpugh t h e exhaust nozzle.
Another f a c e t o f high-temperature r e a c t i o n s is b e i n g
seudied by means o f n d e t o n a t i o n waves" which c o n s i s t of a
ahemical r e a c t i o n and a shock wave coupled c l o s e l y t o g e t h e r
and t r a v e l i n g a t s u p e r s o n i c speed. The c o n d i t i o n s under
which t h e waves can e x i a t are b e i n g determined, and r e s u l t s
are b e i n g analyzed t h e o r e t i c a l l y .
I n t e r a c t i o n s of I o n i z e d Gases
' A f l u i d t h a t is raised t o v e r y high t e m p e r a t u r e s , o r is
i n t h e presence of s t r o n g e l e c t r i c and magnetic f i e l d s , be-
ctomes i o n i z e d , and a a a r e s u l t conducts e l e c t r i c i t y . Ionized
f l u i d s ' c a n be g r e a t l y i n f l u e n c e d by e x t e r n a l e l e c t r i c and
magnetic f i e l d s a n d , a r e important i n connection with space
p r o p u l s i o n and thermonuclear devices. S e v e r a l r e s e a r c h
problems i n which t h e i n t e r a c t i o n s of i o n i z e d g a s e s w i t h ex-
t e r n a l f i e l d s a r e b e i n g i n v e s t i g a t e d are d e s c r i b e d below,
E l e c t r i c a l l y Conducting F l u i d Flows Around a Body
If an e l e c t r i c a l l y conducting f l u i d f lO W about ~
--
a body, a
magnetic f i e l d s e t up by a p p a r a t u s w i t h i n t h e body can
modify t h e flow, T h i s phenomenon i s o f p a r t i c u l a r i n t e r e s t
because a s p a c e c r a f t e n t e r i n g t h e atmosphere e n c o u n t e r s such
c o n d i t i o n s , t h e a i r p o s s e s s i n g t h e a t t r i b u t e s o f a weakly
conducting f l u i d . A p r a c t i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n of t h i s p r i n c i p l e
could r e s u l t i n changing t h e p r e s s u r e d i s t r i b u t i o n on t h e
s u r f a c e of a n e n t e r i n g v e h i c l e , a l t e r i n g both t h e t o t a l d r a g
and t h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e boundary l a y e r .
L e w i s Research Center is c a r r y i n g o u t a p r o j e c t t o de-
t e r m i n e t h e changes of p r e s s u r e d i s t r i b u t i o n on s e v e r a l
body shapes, c y l i n d e r s and s p h e r e s , i n uniform streams,
when magnetic f i e l d $ are emanated from t h e body. Tests so'
f a r have c o n s i s t e d o f simple c i r c u l a r o r "dipole" magnetic
f i e l d s , and t h e i r e f f e c t s on d r a g c o n t r o l and s u r f a c e cool-
i n g (boundary l a y e r c o n t r o l ) . Work on t h i s p r o j e c t i s con-
tinuing.
Other r e l a t e d s t u d i e s i n c l u d e mathematical a n a l y s e s of
t h e way magnetic-field changes i n t h e boundary layer w i l l
a f f e c t t h e t o t a l drag o f t h e body and t h e amount of h e a t
t r a n s f e r r e d t o t h e body's s u r f a c e . ( P r e v i o u s s t u d i e s have
been concerned o n l y with t h e h o t t e s t p o r t i o n , o r " s t a g n a t i o n
point.'?) These a n a l y s e s w i l l t r a c e ,how t h e boundary l a y e r
develops around t h e body. A large d i g i t a l computer i s b e i n g
employed f o r t h e work.
SPACE ENVIRONMENT PHYSICS
Micrometeoroid Impacts Studied
Many U. S. s a t e l l i t e s and space probes have c a r r i e d
d e v i c e s t o measure micrometeoroid ( o r cosmic d u s t ) impacts.
Impacts of small m i c r o - p a r t i c l e s on t h i n , m u l t i p l e -
s k i n s t r u c t u r e s a r e being i n v e s t i g a t e d a t Ames. The t a r g e t s
c o n s i s t of s h e e t s of metal, spaced a p a r t , and i n some tests,
i n t e r l e a v e d with i n s u l a t i n g m a t e r i a l .
Under s t u d y a r e r e s i s t a n c e t o p e n e t r a t i o n of v a r i o u s
t y p e s of m a t e r i a l , s k i n t h i c k n e s s e s and spacings, and in-
s u l a t i n g material, P r o j e c t i l e s are chosen t o s i m u l a t e
micrometeoroids; g l a s s spheres, one-eighth-inch i n diameter,
a r e used i n many of t h e ' t e s t s .
Some r e s u l t s from f i r i n g t h e s e s p h e r e s i n t o aluminum
a l l o y s h e e t a r e now a v a i l a b l e . The combined t h i c k n e s s of
a l l s h e e t s was h e l d t o one s i x t e e n t h of an inch. Spacing
and number of s h e e t s were varied. I n one t e s t , t h e space
between a two-sheet t a r g e t was f i l l e d w i t h f i b e r g l a s s in-
s u l a t i o n . V e l o c i t i e s of p r o j e c t i l e s were i n c r e a s e d u n t i l
t h e y p e r f o r a t e d t h e t a r g e t . The v e l o c i t y a t t h i s p o i n t i s
called the " b a l l i s t i c l i m i t . " During t e s t s , ' t h e p r o j e c t i l e
i t s e l f always s h a t t e r e d on impact w i t h t h e . f i r s t s h e e t of
the target.
It was found t h a t t h e b a l l i s t i c l i m i t of two sheets,
spaced h a l f an inch a p a r t , was almost double t h a t of a
s i n g l e s h e e t of double t h i c k n e s s -- 4,100 f e e t p e r second
f o r t h e two s h e e t s a s a g a i n s t 2,200 f e e t p e r second f o r
t h e s i n g l e s h e e t , I n c r e a s i n g t h e spacing of two sheets
from one-half i n c h t o one inch i n c r e a s e d t h e b a l l i s t i c
l i m i t by 35 p e r c e n t , t o 5,500 f e e t p e r second. However, f o r
a given spacing, i n c r e a s i n g t h e number of sheets from two
t o f o u r gave only a small i n c r e a s e i n t h e b a l l i s t i c l i m i t .
(from 4,100 t o 4,300 f e e t p e r second a t one-half i n c h spac-
.
ing, and from 5,500 t o 6,000 f e e t per second a t one-.inch
spacing)
A substantial additional increase i n b a l l i s t i c l i m i t s
(10,000 f e e t p e r second) was produced by f i l l i n g t h e space
between t h e sheets of a two-sheet, one-inch space t a r g e t
w i t h two l a y e r s of fiberglass i n s u l a t i o n . The f i b e r g l a s s
i n c r e a s e d t h e t o t a l weight by 20 p e r c e n t , so t h a t it i s n o t
- 147 I.
s t r i c t l y comparable t o t h e o t h e r t a r g e t s employed. However,
it i s r e a s o n a b l e t o a n t i c i p a t e t h a t t h e covering of a
s p a c e c r a f t b u i l t a s a double h u l l , w i t h f i b e r g l a s s i n s u l a -
t i o n f i l l i n g t h e space between t h e h u l l s , w i l l weigh o n l y
about a t h i r d as much a s a s i n g l e s k i n g i v i n g e q u a l protec-
t i o n from micrometeoroid impact.
Photochemistry of Upper Atmosphere Gases
Although t h e d e n s i t y of t h e earth's upper atmosphere
is b e i n g determined from sounding r o c k e t and s a t e l l i t e data,
t h e n a t u r e of i t s composition i s y i e l d i n g t o measurement
much more slowly. The d i f f i c u l t y stems c h i e f l y from lack '
o f knowledge of t h e r a t e a t which oxygen atoms recombine t o
form molecules a f t e r b e i n g s p l i t a p a r t by u l t r a v i o l e t r a y s
from t h e sun.
A m e s Research Center has assembled and o p e r a t e d ap-
p a r a t u s t o measure t h i s r a t e by means of oxygen atoms and
e x c i t e d molecules produced by e l e c t r i c a l d i s c h a r g e s i n a
low-pressure tank.*
Ion Beam Experiments
The n e c e s s i t y f o r understanding t h e environment i n
which s p a c e c r a f t w i l l o p e r a t e have c a l l e d f o r t h new, un-
conventional research t o o l s t o a i d t h e laboratory s c i e n t i s t .
One such d e v i c e a t Ames i s t h e Ion A c c e l e r a t o r . An atom
t h a t l o s e s one o r more of i t s e l e c t r o n s i s known a s an ion.
It p o s s e s s e s a p o s i t i v e e l e c t r i c a l charge. The A m e s Ion
a c c e l e r a t o r , which produces a stream of i o n s a t v e r y low
d e n s i t y and h i g h v e l o c i t y , has y i e l d e d u s e f u l r e s u l t s i n
s t u d y i n g t h e e r o s i o n o f m e t a l s u r f a c e s under bombardment
by a stream o f i o n i z e d ( n i t r o g e n ) gas.
Erosion r a t e s f o r common metals -- f o r example, copper
-- have been determined under "bombardment" by i o n beams
head-on, a t a 4 5 O a n g l e , and a t e n e r g i e s r a n g i n g from 200
t o 8,000 e l e c t r o n v o l t s . The r a n g e w i l l be extended down-
ward t o about 10 e l e c t r o n v o l t s , and oxygen, hydrogen, and
helium w i l l be used i n a d d i t i o n t o nitrogen. Also planned
are i n v e s t i g a t i o n s of e m i s s i v i t y changes, s u r f a c e r e a c t i o n
r a t e s , c r y s t a l s t r u c t u r e e f f e c t s , and a n g u l a r d i s t r i b u t i o n s
o f r e f l e c t e d and emitted p a r t i c l e s .
b
.
-P A d e v i c e t h a t s i m u l a t e s t h e low d e n s i t i e s of t h e upper
atmosphere.
CHAPTER 15
- 149 ..
Altimeter accuracy i s a l s o a c r i t i c a l f a c t o r i n i n s t r u -
a
ment l a n d i n s when v i s i b i l i t y i s poor. The p i l o t g e n e r a l l y
r e l i e s on t e a l t i m e t e r i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h guidance from a
ground-based r a d i o beam known a s t h e Instrument Landing
System (ILS) . Obviously, t h e a c c u r a c y of both t h e altimeter
r e a d i n g s and t h e ILS g l i d e s l o p e determine %he minimum con-
d i t i o n s of v i s i b i l i t y and 99ceiling9tunder which instrument
l a n d i n g s can be made s a f e l y .
Langley i s t e s t i n g t h e a c c u r a c y of altimeters a n d t h e ILS
t o e s t a b l i s h minimum safe v i s i b i l i t y s t a n d a r d s . True h e i g h t
i s being measured f o r d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of a i r p l a n e s i n many
l a n d i n g s f o r which p i l o t ' s r e a d i n g s of altimeter and ILS
i n d i c a t i o n s a r e r e c o r d e d f o r comparison.
Another Langley i n v e s t i g a t i o n i s determining how c l o s e l y
p i l o t s o r a u t o p i l o t s maintain assigned a l t i t u d e l e v e l s --
the so-called " f l i g h t technical errors." Now i n i t s f i r s t
s t a g e s , t h e s t u d y c o n s i s t s of a s t a t i s t i c a l a n a l y s i s of
a l t i t u d e r e c o r d s from NASA f l i g h t r e c o r d e r s i n s t a l l e d i n
commercial t r a n s p o r t and m i l i t a r y a i r p l a n e s . E f f e c t s of
such f a c t o r s a s a i r p l a n e t y p e , c r u i s e a l t i t u d e ( a s h i g h a s
4.0,OOO f e e t ) , and atmospheric t u r b u l e n c e w i l l be a s s e s s e d .
Dswnwash E f f e c t s on VTOL A i r c r a f t
An i n h e r e n t problem of VTOL ( V e r t i c a l Take-Off. and
-Landing) a i r c r a f t i s t h e s t r o n g ftdownwash" They produce. It
i s powerful enough t o h u r l l o o s e m a t e r i a l from t h e ground
i n t o t h e a i r . A c r a f t w i t h large r o t o r s w i l l h u r l sand and
dust . P r o p e l l o r - d r i v e n machines w i l l p i c k up g r a v e l
e n g i n e s w i l l throw even h e a v i e r o b j e c t s . Effe-cts may range
.Jet
from m i l d l y impaired v i s i b i l i t y t o s e r i o u s damage t o t h e
a i r c r a f t o r i t s e n g i n e s . The problem could s e v e r e l y r e s t r i c t
VTOL o p e r a t i o n s , p a r t i c u l a r l y w i t h m i l i t a r y c r a f t whose use-
f u l n e s s w i l l depend t o a large e x t e n t on being a b l e t o take
o f f from o r l a n d on unprepared t e r r a i n .
Langley i s i n v e s t i g a t i n g c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f VTOL down-
wash flows. By t a k i n g p r e s s u r e measurements and u s i n g smoke
o r o t h e r f l o w v i s u a l i z a t i o n t e c h n i q u e s , c h a r a c t e r i s t i c down-
f l o w s are being determined; r e s u l t s should permit p r e d i c t i n g
t h e e f f e c t s of t h e downwash and a i d i n developing o p e r a t i n g
t e c h n i q u e s t o reduce o r c o u n t e r a c t them.
Noise Sources on Supersonic T r a n s p o r t s
Although 2,000-mph s u p e r s o n i c t r a n s p o r t s , capable o f
whisking p a s s e n g e r s from New York t o London i n two hours,
are s t i l l i n t h e concept stage, r e s e a r c h problems con-
n e c t e d w i t h such p l a n e s a r e under i n t e n s i v e study. The
s e r i o u s problem o f n o i s e --
a l r e a d y familiar from o p e r a t i o n
--
supersonic c r a f t .
o f modern j e t a i r c r a f t w i l l become much more s e v e r e w i t h
The shock wave e x t e n d i n g downward from
p l a n e s f l y i n g beyond t h e speed of sound causes n o i s e l i k e
a r t i l l e r y f i r e , i n some cases c r a c k i n g windown panes and
o t h e r w i s e damaging p r o p e r t y .
The main s o u r c e s of n o i s e from t h e s u p e r s o n i c t r a n s p o r t
w i l l be t h r e e f o l d : t h e e n g i n e s , t h e aerodynamic boundary
l a y e r ( t h e extremely t h i n , " s t i c k y t t l a y e r of a i r next t o t h e
s k i n of t h e a i r c r a f t , which behaves l i k e a v i s c o u s , - f r i c t i o n -
c r e a t i n g f l u i d a t t h e speeds and t e m p e r a t u r e s i n v o l v e d ) , and
shock waves, which produce t h e now well-known " s o n i c boom."
Engine noise-of p a r t i c u l a r concern because o f i t s
a d v e r s e e f f e c t s on t h e a i r p l a n e s t r u c t u r e , ground crews, and
surrounding communities -- w i l l pose problems s i m i l a r t o
t h o s e encountered i n p r e s e n t j e t t r a n s p o r t o p e r a t i o n . These
problems must be c o n s i d e r e d i n e a r l y design stages, s i n c e
t h e y w i l l have important b e a r i n g on t h e choice of s t r u c t u r e ,
power p l a n t , aerodynamic c o n f i g u r a t i o n o r shape, and oper-
ating practices .
S e v e r a l thousand pounds of soundproofing material are
needed t o keep n o i s e l e v e l s down i n t h e passenger compart-
ments of p r e s e n t commercial j e t s . Supersonic t r a n s p o r t w i l l
undoubtedly r e q u i r e c o n s i d e r a b l y more i n s u l a z i o n , c h i e f l y ,
because o f t h e g r e a t r i s e i n boundary-layer n o i s e a s speed
i n c r e a s es.
One t y p e of j e t engine, c a l l e d t h e "turbofan," shows
consPderable promise by a combination o f g r e a t e r j e t e f f i -
c i e n c y , lower-pitched, less harmful n o i s e 8 and i n c r e a s e d
power t h a t permits s t e e p e r and f a s t e r climbs t o move up and
away from r e s i d e n t i a l areas,
Research t o d a t e shows t h a t sonic-boom i n t e n s i t i e s can-
n o t be s i g n i f i c a n t l y reduced by changing t h e e x t e r n a l shape
of a n a i r c r a f t f o r a g i v e n weight. The only p r a c t i c a l solu-
t i o n t o t h e problem seems t o l i e i n c o n t r o l l i n g speed and
a l t i t u d e i n r e l a t i o n t o a n g l e of climb. One method.--
d e s c r i b e d i n NASA's "Second Semiannual. Report" -- i n v o l v e s
climbing a t subsonic speeds t o about 35,000 f e e t b e f o r e
a c c e l e r a t i n g t o s u p e r s o n i c c r u i s e speed; t h i s e l i m i n a t e s t h e
danger of shock wave damage on t h e ground and keeps annoy-
a n c e r e l a t i v e l y low. Using a " v a r i a b l e sweep" wing would
g r e a t l y i n c r e a s e f l i g h t e f f i c i e n c y d u r i n g t h e climb.
Another method c o n s i d e r e d promising can be used i f t h e
p l a n e h a s a h i g h enough t h r u s t - t o - w e i g h t r a t i o t o enable i t
t o a c c e l e r a t e whT-le it i s climbing a t s u p e r s o n i c speeds.
Employing a v e r y s t e e p climb-angle can reduce t h e shock
w a v e ' s f o r c e on t h e ground. The procedure, however, can be
a f f e c t e d g r e a t l y by wind changes.
- 151 -
From r e c e n t r e s e a r c h two o t h e r procedures have emerged
t h a t may h e l p c u t down n o i s e on t h e ground. Supersonic
c r a f t should d e c e l e r a t e from c r u i s i n g speeds t o subsonic
speeds while s t i l l a t a v e r y high a l t i t u d e (perhaps 60,000
t o 70,000 f e e t ) , and t h e y should not t u r n o r o t h e r i s e m n e u -
v e r a t s u p e r s o n i c speeds, because t h i s c o n c e n t r a t e s s t r o n g
p r e s s u r e waves from t h e a i r c r a f t on small ground areas.
- 152 -
1 F l i g h t t r i a l s of t h e technique were made with a tilt-
wing t e s t a i r p l a n e . Using two d i f f e r e n t c o n f i g u r a t i o n s ,
both w i t h low l i f t - d r a g r a t i o s (4.0 and 2.8 r e s p e c t i v e l y ) ,
t h e approach p a t t e r n s a s computed from a v a i l a b l e l i f t and
d r a g d a t a f o r t h e t e s t a i r p l a n e prosed completely satisfac-
t o r y . F o r t y - f i v e l a n d i n g s were made.by s i x p i l o t s while
motors were i d l i n g . Touchdown p o i n t s of p l u s o r minus 600
f e e t and a i r s p e e d a c c u r a c i e s of p l u s o r minus 10 miles p e r
hour i n r e l a t i o n t o t h e p r e d i c t e d c o n d i t i o n s were o b t a i n e d .
P i l o t o p i n i o n s of t h e t e c h n i q u e were uniformly f a v o r a b l e .
These s i g n i f i c a n t c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of t h e l a n d i n g t e c h -
nique were demonstrated by o r deduced from t h e f l i g h t tests:
1) I n d i v i d u a l t a s k s are compatible w i t h t h e average
p i l o t ' s f l y i n g experience.
2) The technique r e q u i r e s l i t t l e o r no p r a c t i c e .
3) The technique r e d u c e s t h e number o f v a r i a b l e s
r e q u i r i n g p i l o t judgment, and t h u s l a n d i n g
depends more on aerodynamic l i m i t a t i o n s o f t h e
v e h i c l e and l e s s on p i l o t s k i l l .
4 ) A missed approach is e v i d e n t a s soon a s t h e
p l a n e l e v e l s o f f , a t a speed well above t h a t
f o r touchdown, and t h e p i l o t has time t o
e j e c t himself i f necessary.
5 ) The p a t t e r n , s i n c e it i s composed of s t r a i g h t -
l i n e elements, i s e s p e c i a l l y compatible w i t h
.
p r a c t i c a l schemes f o r e l e c t r o n i c guidance o r
automatic c o n t r o l
6 ) A t t h e h i g h i n i t i a l approach speeds c h a r a c t e r -
i s t i c of t h e t e c h n i q u e , speed b r a k e s (high-drag
s t r u c t u r a l s e c t i o n s , extended i n t o t h e airstream)
are a n e f f e c t i v e speed c o n t r o l , reducing t h e need
f o r a precise i n i t i a l glide angle.
7) The i n i t i a l g l i d e p a t h may be e n t e r e d a t any
a l t i t u d e above t h a t r e q u i r e d t o s t a b i l i z e speed,
t h e r e b y s i m p l i f y i n g t h e problem of n a v i g a t i n g
t o t h e p o i n t a t which t h e d e s c e n t p a t t e r n i s
entered .
Measuring P h y s i o l o g i c a l Conditions of P i l o t s
S c i e n t i s t s of A m e s Research Center, i n c o l l a b o r a t i o n
with a U. S. Navy F l i g h t Surgeon, have developed a small,
simple, instrument package t o r e c o r d c e r t a i n v i t a l physi-
o l o g i c a l f u n c t i o n s of a p i l o t i n a s i m u l a t o r cockpit o r
- 153 -
d
f l y i n g a n a i r c r a f t . I n p r e v i o u s r e s e a r c h on a b i l i t y of a
p i l o t t o c o n t r o l a n a i r c r a f t , p h y s i o l o g i c a l c o n d i t i o n was
of secondary concern. I n s u p e r s o n i c f l i g h t o r s p a c e f l i g h t ,
however, environmental stresses -- such a s h i g h g f o r c e s ,
--
w e i g h t l e s s n e s s , and h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e s cannot %e ignored.
It i s now n e c e s s a r y t o monitor ( f o r s a f e t y ) and s t u d y t h e
p h y s i o l o g i c a l r e a c t i o n s of t h e p i l o t a s ' w e l l a s h i s perform-
ance of a c o n t r o l t a s k .
The A m e s p h y s i o l o g i c a l instrument package c o n t a i n s
t h r e e t y p e s of measuring d e v i c e s . The f i r s t two monitor
blood p r e s s u r e and h e a r t a c t i o n . The t h i r d i n d i c a t e s a
b r e a t h i n g r a t e and t h e amount, of oxygen consumed, g i v i n g a
measure of t h e energy expended by t h e p i l o t .
The instrument package, designed t o cause a s l i t t l e
discomfort a s p o s s i b l e , h a s been demonstrated i n f l i g h t
It w i l l next be a p p l i e d t o :
.
1) A f l i g h t - t e s t s t u d y o f t h e e f f e c t s o f zero
g r a v i t y , o r w e i g h t l e s s n e s s , on a p i l o t ' s
a b i l i t y t o s o l v e a c o n t r o l problem, and
2) S a f e t y monitoring of s u b j e c t s i n t h e Ames
"five-degree-of-freedom" f l i g h t s i m u l a t o r .
Measurements of Winds and Wind Shears
The winds and wind s h e a r s ( h i g h a l t i t u d e a i r c u r r e n t s
moving i n t h e same or d i f f e r e n t d i r e c t i o n s a t v a r y i n g s p e e d s )
encountered by r o c k e t v e h i c l e s can be hazardous t o large,
f l e x i b l e , b o o s t e r combinations. Such c u r r e n t s can s e t iup
s t r u c t u r a l v i b r a t i o n s t h a t can wreck the v e h i c l e o r a l t e r
i t s f l i g h t p a t h . These c o n d i t i o n s become c r i t i c a l a t t h e
upper l i m i t s of t h e t r o p o s p h e r e , where t h e combination of
t h e h i g h dynamic p r e s s u r e s of t h e r o c k e t a s it b u i l d s up
speed and t h e i n t e n s e wind s h e a r s o f t h e j e t stream* l e a d
t o s e v e r e l o a d s and stresses. (Aircraft are a l s o s u b j e c t t o
these effects.)
I n f o r m a t i o n on t h e d e t a i l e d wind s t r u c t u r e a l o n g a c t u a l
r o c k e t f l i g h t p a t h s t o a l t i t u d e s of about 100,000 f e e t i s
being o b t a i n e d by Langley Research Center, through a n a l y z i n g
photographic r e c o r d s of r o c k e t exhaust o r smoke t r a i l s .
S t u d i e s of t r a i l s from r o c k e t s launched a t Wallops S t a t i o n
have i n d i c a t e d t h a t wind s t r u c t u r e a l o n g t h e f l i g h t p a t h is
a random d i s t u r b a n c e , w i t h s h e a r l a y e r s 300 o r 4.00 f e e t
t h i c k moving i n v a r i o u s d i r e c t i o n s through t h e larger p r s -
v a i l i n g wind f i e l d s , which have been measured from b a l l o o n
*A t o r r e n t of a i r t h a t f l o w s from west t o e a s t a t a l t i t u d e s
of between 20,000 and 50,000 f e e t .
J
- 144 -
soundings. Wind, temperature, and a i r d e n s i t y measurements
a t a l t i t u d e s of 100,000 t o 250,000 f e e t are a l s o being
o b t a i n e d by u s i n g r a d a r t r a c k i n g s o f "chaff" ( c o n f e t t i - l i k e
r e f l e c t i n g m a t e r i a l ) o r parachute payloads from s p e c i a l
r o c k e t f i r i n g s a t Wallops. T h i s work i s i n c o o p e r a t i o n with
o t h e r rocket-launching ranges i n t h e United S t a t e s and
Canada
Other S t u d i e s
NASA i s c o n t i n u i n g t o s t u d y s p a c e c r a f t l a n d i n g problems,
i n f l a t e d - s p h e r e s o f t - l a n d i n g t e c h n i q u e s , and p i l o t perform-
ance -- a l l r e p o r t e d i n c o n s i d e r a b l e d e t a i l i n NASA's
'*Second Semiannual Report t o Congress.*'
3
CHAPTER 16
THE NASA O R G A N I Z A T I ~ N
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
During t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d , NASA e n t e r e d upon s e v e r a l
important expanded o r new assignments, These included
r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r developing a l l h i g h - t h r u s t launch vehi-
c l e s f o r t h e Nation's space program; a key r o l e i n t h e pro-
j e c t e d United N a t i o n t s conference on p e a c e f u l uses of space;
and e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f a l i f e - s c i e n c e s program.
S p a c e f l i g h t F u n c t i o n s Reassigned
Launch V e h i c l e Program Broadened -- On October 21, 1959,
t h e P r e s i d e n t announced h i s i n t e n t i o n t o t r a n s f e r t h e Devel-
opment Operat i o n s D i v i s i o n , Army B a l l i s t i c Missile Agency
( A B M A ) , H u n t s v i l l e , Ala,, t o NASA, u n l e s s Congress should
d i s a p p r o v e w i t h i n 60 days as provided i n S e c t i o n 302 ( c ) of
t h e N a t i o n a l Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. The
P r e s i d e n t t s message was d e l i v e r e d t o Congress on January 14,
1960, and took e f f e c t on March 14, w i t h NASA g r a d u a l l y assum-
i n g r e s p o n s i b i l i t y . The a c t u a l o f f i c i a l t r a n s f e r of person-
n e l and p r o p e r t y w i l l t a k e p l a c e on J u l y 1.
NASA was a l s o a s s i g n e d r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r developing ,
a l l h i g h - t h r u s t l a u n c h v e h i c l e s f o r b o t h m i l i t a r y and scien-
t i f i c s p a c e programs. I n c r e a s e d NASA emphasis on launch
v e h i c l e development was r e f l e c t e d on January 1, 1960, when
a new Headquarters O f f i c e was e s t a b l i s h e d t o d i r e c t t h i s
program, and s p a c e f l i g h t r e s p o n s i b i l i t i e s were r e a l i g n e d as
follows:
* -- The new O f f i c e i s
resp s i o n systems; ' 2 ) de-
s i g n i n g and p r o c u r i n g launch v e h i c l e s and a s s o c i a t e d c o n t r o l s ;
and 3 ) NASA l a u n c h i n g o p e r a t i o n s a t t h e A t l a n t i c Missile
Range, Cape Canaveral, Fla., a t t h e P a c i f i c Missile Range,
P o i n t Arguello, Calif,, and o t h e r s i t e s . It d i r e c t s and
c o o r d i n a t e s o p e r a t i o n s o f t h e George C, Marshall Space F l i g h t
Center and t h e NASA-Atlantic Missile Range O p e r a t i o n s O f f i c e ,
The O f f i c e of Launch V e h i c l e Programs i s organized w i t h
a s s i s t a n t d i r e c t o r s f o r p r o p u l s i o n , v e h i c l e s , and launch
operations,
4: D i r e c t o r s o f NASA O f f i c e s are listed i n the O r g a n i z a t i o n
Chart, p . 161.
i
of s
-- Formerly t h e Office
f i c e is responsible for:
1) planning s a t e l l i t e and space probe missions; 2) payload
d e s i g n and develo ment; 3 ) i n - f l i g h t o p e r a t i o n of probes
P
and s a t e l l i t e s ; 4 t r a c k i n g , and s e c u r i n g information from,
s a t e l l i t e s and probes; and 5) launching sounding r o c k e t s
and a c q u i r i n g and i n t e r p r e t i n g data from them. The O f f i c e
d i r e c t s and c o o r d i n a t e s t h e a c t i v i t i e s of t h e Goddard Space
F l i g h t Center, Greenbelt, Md. ; t h e J e t Propulsion Laboratory,
Pasadena, Calif.; and Wallops S t a t i o n , Va. It d i r e c t s
P r o j e c t Mercury, and i s i n charge o f e s t a b l i s h i n g and main-
t a i n i n g t h e worldwide Minitrack, Mercury, and Deep Space
t r a c k i n g and d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n networks. The O f f i c e was
reorganized, w i t h a s s i s t a n t d i r e c t o r s appointed f o r : 1)
A p p l i c a t i o n s and Manned F l i h t Programs; 2 ) S a t e l l i t e and
Sounding Rocket Programs; 3f Lunar and P l a n e t a r y Programs;
4) Space F l i g h t Operations; and 5 ) Program Planning and
Coordination.
Off i c e of A e r o n a u t i c a l and Space Research Reorganized
The O f f i c e of A e r o n a u t i c a l and Space Research, renamed
t h e O f f i c e of Advanced Research Programs on January 1, re-
organized i n t e r n a l l y i n o r d e r t o conduct a more i n t e n s i v e
in-house e f f o r t i n r e s e a r c h and development of m a t e r i a l s
r e q u i r e d f u r aerospace programs. A Materials D i v i s i o n t o
s p e c i a l i z e i n t h i s work was organized under t h e A s s i s t a n t
D i r e c t o r f o r S t r u c t u r e s and Operating Problems. The O f f i c e
of Advanced Research Programs d i r e c t s and c o o r d i n a t e s opera-
t i o n s o f Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.; Ames Re-
s e a r c h Center, M o f f e t t F i e l d , Calif.; L e w i s Research Center,
Cleveland, 0 h i o ; ' a n d F l i g h t Research Center, Edwards, C a l i f .
J
- 158 -
o f men and machines), space i o r a l sciences,
and space b i o l o g y c a r r i e d o h c e n t e r s and
by c o n t r a c t s w i t h o t h e r Gov
i n d u s t r y , and non-profit i n
oping p l a n s f o r a NASA l i f e
These p l a n s w i l l provide i n t e r
S c i e n c e s p a r t i c i p a t i o n and p r o
NASA p h y s i c a l and e n g i n e e r i
a s p e c t s of P r o j e c t Mercury
Task Group of Goddard Space
nce was e s t a b -
gram b a l a n c e , and p r o g r e s
e cut i v e Order,
SA f a c i l i t i e s a t
t i o n . The C e n t e r , w e l l
t i s t s and e n g i n e e r s who
velopment, and launching o
( E x p l o r e r I ) on January 31, 1958, i s developing t h e 1.5-
million-pound-thrust S a t u r n launch
-- Under a
Memo ASA Associate
A d m i n i s t r a t o r and t h e D i r e c t o r of Defense Research and Engi-
n e e r i n g , DOD, NASA began t e c h n i c a l d i r e c t i o n of P r o j e c t
- 159 -
S a t u r n on November 18, 1959. Other p r o v i s i o n s of' t h e agree-
ment, which i s e f f e c t i v e u n t i l t h e formal t r a n s f e r of
M a r s h a l l on J u l y 1, 1960, a r e :
1) A S a t u r n Committee, c o n s i s t i n g of r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s
of NASA, t h e Advanced Research P r o j e c t Agency ( A R P A ) , t h e
Army B a l l i s t i c M i s s i l e Agency, and t h e Department o f t h e
A i r Force, w i l l assist and a d v i s e t h e NASA a d m i n i s t r a t o r .
2 ) The D i r e c t o r of ARPA w i l l c o n t i n u e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n
of t h e p r o j e c t , conducting it through e x i s t i n g ARPA t a s k
orders.
3 ) The D i r e c t o r , Defense Research and Engineering,
w i l l p r o v i d e t h e NASA A d m i n i s t r a t o r a s t a t e m e n t of m i l i t a r y
i n t e r e s t as a g u i d e i n t e c h n i c a l d i r e c t i o n .
4) P u b l i c i n f o r m a t i o n a c t i v i t i e s w i l l b e coordinated.
Marshall F u n c t i o n s a f t e r T r a n s f e r -- When f o r m a l l y
t r a n s f e r r e d t o NASA, Marshall w i l l have major f i e l d r e s p o n s i -
b i l i t y f o r launch v e h i c l e design, development, and f i r i i g .
Thus, i t s t a s k s w i l l i n c l u d e n o t o n l y t h e S a t u r n p r o j e c t ,
but also development of t h e Centaur launch v e h i c l e , adapta-
t i o n o f t h e A i r Force Thor-Agena B and Atlas-Agena.B b o o s t e r s
t o NASA m i s s i o n s , and t e c h n i c a l d i r e c t i o n o f t h e F-1, a 1.5-
m i l l i o n - pound-t h r u s t s i n g l e - chamber engine under de ve 1opme n t
by Rocketdyne D i v i s i o n o f North American Aviation, I n c , I n
a d d i t i o n , t h e Center w i l l engage i n advanced r o c k e t engine
and p r o p u l s i o n s t u d i e s .
- --
3 ) JPL Mission planning and development of payloads
f o r l u n a r and i n t e r p l a n e t a r y e x p l o r a t i o n .
- 160 -
- 161 -
f
o f f i c e s have been d e s c r i b e d i n t h e f o r e g o i n g " O r g a n i z a t i o n a l
Development" and t h o s e of o t h e r s a r e apparent from t h e i r
t i t l e s o r from t h o s e of t h e i r s u b d i v i s i o n s , Memberships of
t h e Research Advisory Committees, which assist t h e Adminis-
t r a t o r i n f o r m u l a t i n g programs of s t u d y i n a e r o n a u t i c a l and
s p a c e f i e l d s , a r e g i v e n i n Appendix J. A c t i v i t i e s of f i e l d
i n s t a l l a t i o n s d u r i n g t h e r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d , summarized below,
serve t o highlight t h e i r functions.
Langley Research Center
The Center engages p r i m a r i l y i n r e s e a r c h i n aerodynamics,
f l u i d mechanics, s t r u c t u r a l and materials a p p l i c a t i o n s , and
l a u n c h i n g problems caused by h e a t i n g and flow of a i r and
r a r i f i e d gases,
During t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d , Langley experimented with
i n f l a t a b l e s p a c e c r a f t ; v e r t i c a l and s h o r t take-off and land-
i n g (V/STOL) a i r c r a f t ; supersonic a i r t r a n s p o r t s ; and simu-
l a t e d o r b i t a l rendezvous of space v e h i c l e s , Langley was
a l s o p a r t i c i p a t i n g i n development o f t h e Scout launch vehi-
c l e s t h e p a s s i v e communications s a t e l l i t e ( P r o j e c t Echo), a
micrometeoroid s a t e l l i t e experiment, and P r o j e c t Mercury,
t h e f i r s t s t e p i n manned space f l i g h t . Langley i s r e s p o n s i -
b l e f o r e s t a b l i s h i n g t h e Mercury t r a c k i n g network, -which
w i l l m a i n t a i n communication with t h e Mercury c a p s u l e , and
f o r s u p p o r t i n g t h e Space Task Group i n t r a i n i n g t h e a s t r o n a u t s
t o c o n t r o l t h e c a p s u l e ; checking r e l i a b i l i t y of t h e c a p s u l e
systems; t e s t i n g - i t s h e a t s h i e l d , n o i s e environment, and
aerodynamic c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s ; and s t u d y i n g methods t o minimize
c a p s u l e l a n d i n g shock.
A m e s Research Center
The Center i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r r e s e a r c h , b o t h b a s i c and
a p p l i e d , p r i m a r i l y i n h y p e r v e l o c i t y dynamics and f l i g h t
mechanics -- i n c l u d i n g heat t r a n s f e r , f l o w phenomena, and
s t a b i l i z a t i o n , c o n t r o l , and o r i e n t a t i o n of s p a c e c r a f t , Ames
a l s o engages i n s e l e c t e d r e s e a r c h s t u d i e s r e l a t i n g t o f l u i d
mechanics, s t a b i l i t y and c o n t r o l , and v i b r a t i o n and f l u t t e r .
Among r e s e a r c h and development p r o j e c t s d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d
were: o r b i t a l a t t i t u d e s t a b i l i z a t i o n o f t h e m e t e o r o l o g i c a l
s a t e l l i t e ( P r o j e c t Nimbus); a t t i t u d e c o n t r o l systems, o p t i c a l
s e n s o r s , and power s u p p l i e s f o r an o r b i t i n g a s t r o n o m i c a l
o b s e r v a t o r y ; d e f i n i n g o f t h e dynamic s t a b i l i t y of t h e Mercury
c a p s u l e ; e n t r y , hypersonic, and s u p e r s o n i c aerodynamics of
s p a c e v e h i c l e s ; V/STOL a i r c r a f t ; missiles and s u p e r s o n i c air-
c r a f t ; and e f f e c t s of micrometeoroid impacts on materials,
I n a d d i t i o n , s t u d i e s were made on human c a p a b i l i t y f o r con-
t r o l , guidance, and n a v i g a t i o n of m u l t i - s t a g e launch vehi-
cles.
- 162 -
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- 163 -
L e w i s Research Center
The C e n t e r r s research is p r i m a r i l y i n p r o p u l s i o n , power
g e n e r a t i o n , materials, and aerodynamics of s p a c e c r a f t f o r
l u n a r and deep s p a c e missions. It u t i l i z e s t h e Plum Brook
i n s t a l l a t i o n a t Sandusky, Ohio, f o r n u c l e a r systems r e s e a r c h
and c e r t a i n r o c k e t system s t u d i e s i n c l u d i n g g a s g e n e r a t o r
systems, turbopumps, f u e l systems, and dynamics of complete
s p a c e c r a f t systems. During t h i s r e p o r t p e r i o d , Lewis oper-
ated s e v e r a l p r o t o t y p e i o n and plasma r o c k e t engines t o
determine problems, t o i n d i c a t e t h e d i r e c t i o n o f r e s e a r c h ,
and t o t e s t a p p l i c a b i l i t y o f r e s e a r c h data. To improve
l i q u i d - f u e l e d r o c k e t s , t h e c e n t e r conducted advanced re-
s e a r c h on nozzles, f u e l s (hydrogen-fluorine, hydrogen-
oxygen), i g n i t i o n and combustion o f p r o p e l l a n t s , and on
complete r o c k e t engine systems.
F l i g h t Research Center
The C e n t e r r s primary mission is research i n high-speed
a i r c r a f t f l i g h t s t a b i l i t y and c o n t r o l , handling q u a l i t i e s ,
performance, loads, p r o p u l s i o n aerodynamics, and aerodynamic
h e a t i n g , The Center i s r e s p o n s i b l e f o r o p e r a t i n g and t e s t i n g
t h e X-15 r e s e a r c h a i r p l a n e s t h a t a r e expected t o r e a c h ve-
l o c i t i e s of G,OOO miles p e r hour and a l t i t u d e s n e a r 50 miles.
One X-15 a i r p l a n e h a s been accepted from t h e c o n t r a c t o r , and
NASA p i l o t s are making f a m i l i a r i z a t i o n f l i g h t s p r i o r t o
u t i l i z i n g it i n i t s d e s i g n m i s s i o n -- r e s e a r c h i n high a l t i -
t u d e , hypersonic, manned f l i g h t , w i t h emphasis on such areas
a s v e h i c l e c o n t r o l , aerodynamic h e a t i n g , and t h e e f f e c t s of
w e i g h t l e s s n e s s on t h e p i l o t s . Two o t h e r c r a f t w i l l be
t r a n s f e r r e d upon s a t i s f a c t o r y completion of t h e c o n t r a c t o r ' s
demonstration f l i g h t s .
The Center w i l l be p r i m a r i l y r e s p o n s i b l e f o r r e s e a r c h
and development of l a r g e launch v e h i c l e systems, i n c l u d i n g
development of guidance systems, t e s t i n g , and m o d i f i c a t i o n
t o a s s u r e t h e i r r e l i a b l e o p e r a t i o n . Marshall w i l l a l s o be
r e s p o n s i b l e f o r l a u n c h i n g NASA s p a c e v e h i c l e s and f o r re-
s e a r c h and development i n such areas a s advanced p r o p u l s i o n
and guidance systems,
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- 168 -
I
t h e r e c r u i t m e n t and s e l e c t i o n of s c i e n t i s t s and e n g i n e e r s
which e v a l u a t e s and s e l e c t s i n d i v i d u a l s c i e n t i s t s and engi-
n e e r s on t h e basis of t h e i r r e s e a r c h s p e c i a l t y e x p e r i e n c e
r a t h e r t h a n t h e academic degrees t h e y h o l d -- t h e usual
method of s e l e c t i o n i n t h e p a s t , T h i s a l l o w s more f l e x i -
b i l i t y i n s e l e c t i o n and a much b e t t e r a p p r a i s a l of t h e
i n d i v i d u a l ' s q u a l i f i c a t i o n ; i n terms of t h e new and d i f f e r e n t
f i e l d s of work he w i l l be expected t o perform,
T r a i n i n g Programs
NASA develops employee a b i l i t i e s through t h r e e f o r m a l
t r a i n i n g programs. It i s p l a n n i n g o t h e r s .
Graduate Study T r a i n i n g Program --Approximately 750
employees a r e e n r o l l e d i n g r a d u a t e c o u r s e s a t 10 c o l l e g e s
and u n i v e r s i t i e s under t h e NASA Graduate Study T r a i n i n g
Program, Employees are t a k i n g c o u r s e s d i r e c t l y a p p l i c a b l e
t o t h e i r work o r t o p o s i t i o n s f o r which t h e y a r e p r e p a r i n g ,
T u i t i o n and f e e s a r e p a i d by t h e Government,
College Cooperative System --Approximately 175 univer-
s i t y s t u d e n t s a l t e r n a t e work and study each year under NASA's
College Cooperative System. When t h e - s t u d e n t s r e c e i v e t h e i r
degrees, u s u a l l y a f t e r f i v e years, t h e y have a l s o worked
approximately two y e a r s f o r NASA. No commitments a r e made,
b u t approximately 80 p e r c e n t o f t h e s t u d e n t s j o i n NASA a f t e r
graduation.
Apprentice Program --
NASA develops h i g h l y - s k i l l e d
craftsmen through an Apprentice T r a i n i n g Program, i n which
367 employees a r e e n r o l l e d . A f t e r a minimum o f f o u r y e a r s
of classwork and on-the-job t r a i n i n g , p e r s o n n e l r e c e i v e
journeymen's c e r t i f i c a t e s approved by t h e United S t a t e s
Department of Labor and a c c r e d i t e d by t h e s t a t e i n which
t h e t r a i n i n g i s given.
H I G H SCHOOL LIAISON
f
i n t h e N a t i o n a l Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 and may
m o t i v a t e p o t e n t i a l u n i v e r s i t y s c i e n c e s t u d e n t s t o f a v o r NASA
employment a f t e r c o l l e g e g r a d u a t i o n ,
EMPLOYEES HONORED
NASA s t a f f members won t h r e e n a t i o n a l awards f o r Govern-
ment s e r v i c e d u r i n g t h e r e p o r t i n g period:
Hugh L, Dryden, A s s o c i a t e Administrator, r e c e i v e d t h e
P r e s i d e n t ' s Award f o r D i s t i n g u i s h e d F e d e r a l C i v i l i a n S e r v i c e ,
t h e h i g h e s t honor bestowed on c a r e e r c i v i l s e r v a n t s . D r ,
Dryden was c i t e d f o r " s c i e n t i f i c and a d m i n i s t r a t i v e l e a d e r -
s h i p i n p l a n n i n g and o r g a n i z i n g American space e x p l o r a t i o n . ))
Maxime A. Faget, Chief, F l i g h t Systems D i v i s i o n , Space
Task Group, r e c e i v e d t h e Arthur S. Flemming Award of t h e
J u n i o r Chamber of Commerce. T h i s award i s p r e s e n t e d a n n u a l l y
t o t e n o u t s t a n d i n g Government p e r s o n n e l 2 1 t o 40 y e a r s of
age.
Eugene S, Love, A s s i s t a n t Chief of t h e Aerophysics
D i v i s i o n , Langley Research Center, was named by t h e N a t i o n a l
C i v i l S e r v i c e League a s one of t h e t e n t o p c a r e e r employees
i n t h e F e d e r a l Government, The League a n n u a l l y g i v e s such
awards on t h e b a s i s of "competence, c h a r a c t e r , and achieve-
ment a s r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e h i g h e s t s t a n d a r d s i n t h e c a r e e r
c i v i l service."
-U 170 -
CHAPTER 18
OTHER ACTIVITIES
- 171 -
Los Angeles Ordnance D i s t r i c t . On March 28, 1940, a procure-
ment o f f i c e was organized a t t h e George C . Marshall Space
F l i g h t Center, H u n t s v i l l e , Ala. It w i l l be r e s p o n s i b l e f o r
procurement and c o n t r a c t i n g f u n c t i o n s i n support of t h e
r e s e a r c h and development e f f o r t of t h e Marshall Center.
Agreement was reached between NASA and t h e Army Ordnance
Missile Command f o r c o n t i n u a t i o n of procurement and supply
support o f Marshall through June 30, 1960.
Small Business Program -- I n f u r t h e r a n c e of t h e NASA
small b u s i n e s s program, s p e c i a l i s t s a t each NASA procure-
ment o f f i c e , working c l o s e l y w i t h r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e
Small Business Administration, s c r e e n proposed procurements
t o determine whether t h e work i s s u i t a b l e f o r small b u s i n e s s
p a r t i c i p a t i o n . Along w i t h NASA c o n t r a c t i n g o f f i c e r s , t h e y
a l s o review t h e l a r g e r r e s e a r c h and development c o n t r a c t s t o
a s c e r t a i n s u b c o n t r a c t i n g o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r small b u s i n e s s
concerns . During c a l e n d a r y e a r 1959, NASA awarded c o n t r a c t s
t o t a l i n g $25,195,000 t o small b u s i n e s s f i r m s , about 18 p e r
c e n t of t h e d o l l a r v a l u e o f Procurement awarded d i r e c t l y t o
b u s i n e s s firms .
Types of C o n t r a c t s --
NASA u s u a l l y c o n t r a c t s f o r s u p p l i e s
and s e r v i c e s , i’ncluding c o n s t r u c t i o n , by a d v e r t i s i n g f o r
c o m p e t i t i v e b i d s and awarding a f i x e d p r i c e c o n t r a c t t o t h e
lowest r e s p o n s i b l e b i d d e r .
Research and development c o n t r a c t s ,
on t h e o t h e r hand, are u s u a l l y awarded by n e g o t i a t i o n , s i n c e
it i s seldom p o s s i b l e t o f o r m u l a t e p r e c i s e s p e c i f i c a t i o n s
upon which p r o s p e c t i v e c o n t r a c t o r s can b i d a g a i n s t one a n o t h e r .
NASA s e e k s and encourages wide competition f o r r e s e a r c h
and development pro S e c t s . It d i s t r i b u t e s r e q u e s t s f o r pro-
p o s a l s on such work t o a l l known competent s o u r c e s . The
d e t a i l e d t e c h n i c a l and c o s t p r o p o s a l s submitted are e v a l u a t e d
by both t e c h n i c a l and procurement s t a f f s t o determine t h e
b e s t over-all proposal . Research and development c o n t r a c t s
awarded d u r i n g t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d are shown i n Appendix N.
Cooperative Procurement Agreements -- NASA and t h e
Department of Defense have a number o f agreements f o r cooper-
a t i v e a d m i n i s t r a t i o n of c o n t r a c t s . The m i l i t a r y department
having j u r i s d i c t i o n over a p l a n t working on a NASA c o n t r a c t
may provide NASA w i t h c o n t r a c t a d m i n i s t r a t i on, a u d i t , and
other services as required.
Procurement R e g u l a t i o n s Promulgated - -- During t h i s
r e p o r t p e r i o d , NASA i s s u e d procurement r e g u l a t i o n s on t h e
f o l l o w i n g s u b j e c t s : p o l i c i e s and procedures r e l a t i n g t o
a d v e r t i s e d and n e g o t i a t e d procurement, s i m p l i f i e d methods
of making small purchases, r e v i s i o n s t o e x i s t i n g procedures
i n t h e s e l e c t i o n o f s o u r c e s f o r r e s e a r c h and development
c o n t r a c t s i n e x c e s s of $1,000,000, and bonds and insurance.
- 172 -
f
P r o g r e s s was made i n d r a f t i n g procurement r e g u l a t i o n s f o r
f o r e i g n purchases, c o n t r a c t c l a u s e s and forms, and F e d e r a l ,
S t a t e and l o c a l taxes. Because NASA and t h e Department of
Defense are b o t h governed by t h e Armed S e r v i c e s Procurement
Act and d e a l l a r g e l y w i t h t h e same segment of i n d u s t r y ,
NASA% p o l i c y i s t o adopt, when p r a c t i c a b l e , procurement
r e g u l a t i o n s c o n s i s t e n t with p o l i c i e s and procedures i n t h e
Armed S e r v i c e s Procurement R e g u l a t i o n s (ASPR) .
Research Grants and C o n t r a c t s
Sixty-Eight Awards -- NASA was c o n s i d e r i n g 297 r e s e a r c h
p r o p o s a l s from u n i v e r s i t i e s , r e s e a r c h i n s t i t u t e s , and indus-
t r i a l l a b o r a t o r i e s on October 1, 1959, and r e c e i v e d 354
a d d i t i o n a l p r o p o s a l s between t h e n and A p r i l 1, 1960. The
agency awarded 68 r e s e a r c h g r a n t s and c o n t r a c t s t o e d u c a t i o n a l
i n s t i t u t i o n s and n o n - p r o f i t s c i e n t i f i c o r g a n i z a t i o n s , t o t a l -
i n g $5,135,163, d u r i n g t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d . O f 298 p r o p o s a l s
d e c l i n e d , s e v e r a l s t i m u l a t e d o r i n f l u e n c e d subse uent competi-
-
2
t i v e c o n t r a c t s . As t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d c l o s e d , 27 r e s e a r c h
p r o p o s a l s were under review.
Description -- Work sponsored under t h i s program r e l a t e s
t o space f l i g h t development o r t o advanced a e r o n a u t i c a l and
space r e s e a r c h . Although p r o p o s a l s are u s u a l l y u n s o l i c i t e d ,
NASA encourages and c a r e f u l l y c o n s i d e r s s u g g e s t i o n s from t h e
s c i e n t i f i c community. The program i s a d m i n i s t e r e d by t h e
O f f i c e of Research Grants and C o n t r a c t s , NASA Headquarters.
NASA s c i e n t i s t s engaged i n r e l e v a n t f i e l d s review t h e pro-
p o s a l s . C o n t r a c t s and g r a n t s awarded o r approved d u r i n g t h e
p e r i o d o f t h i s r e p o r t are l i s t e d by s t a t e i n Appendix L.
PATENT PROGRAM
P a t e n t Waiver R e g u l a t i o n s
NASA P a t e n t Waiver Regulations, f i r s t published i n t h e
F e d e r a l Register, March 5, 1959 ( 2 4 F.R. 1644-1649) and t h e
s u b j e c t of p u b l i c h e a r i n g s on March 18, 1959, were published
October 29, 1959, i n t h e F e d e r a l Register ( 2 4 F.R. 8777-8790).
The Waiver R e g u l a t i o n s s e t f o r t h p o l i c y on g r a n t i n g waivers,
and t h e procedure by which c o n t r a c t o r s may r e q u e s t t h e Admin-
i s t r a t o r t o waive r i g h t s i n i n v e n t i o n s made under NASA con-
tracts.
Establishment of P a t e n t Counsel f o r Research C e n t e r s
A p a t e n t counsel h a s been a s s i g n e d t o NASAts Western
O p e r a t i o n s O f f i c e and w i l l a l s o a d v i s e t h e Ames and F l i g h t
Research Centers. The c o u n s e l p r e p a r e s p a t e n t a p p l i c a t i o n s ,
a d v i s e s on matters p e r t a i n i n g t o p a t e n t s and i n v e n t i o n s , and
a d m i n i s t e r s t h e p a t e n t c l a u s e s i n NASA c o n t r a c t s .
Patent
- 173 -
csunael w$r@ p r e y i Q u a l y wwigned t o t h e Langley and L e w i s
Rclaaarcla CfanG;ara and to NASA Headquarters. While a l l f i e l d
pat~rmt counsel IPQ n a a p s n a i b l e t o t h e GeneraL Counsel, Head-
. under
g u a r t ~ r a ,%orp r o f b a i i o n a l p e r f o r w n c e , t h e y ,-
juriadfcCion a f lTiabd O n s t a l b a t i o n d i r s c t a r l a ,
P r o t e c t i o n of NASA Lrrven.t;ions
During t h i s r e p o r t p e r i o d , NASA employees d i s c l o s e d 60
i n v e n t i o n s t o t h e Office o f Fatsnr; Counaal. T
i n v e n t i o n d i s c l o s u r e s w w ( f recenivsd from NABA
f o r p r e p a r a t i o n of p a t e n t a p p l i c a t i o n s e Fatent applications
were a u t h o r i z e d f a r 39 i n v e n t i o n s ! 28 application8 were3 pre-
parad; and 21, patonto were islsued t o the Bove~nm~nnt.
P a t e n t I nfringqmant
One new a d m i n i s t r a t i v e claim f o r p a t e n t infringement
was r e c e i v e d b u t was denied by NASA a s being based on a n
i n v a l i d p a t e n t . A s u i t f o r p a t e n t infringement was f i l e d
a g a i n s t NASA and o t h e r Government a g e n c i e s i n t h e Court o f
Claims. NASA continutits t o i n v e s t i g a t e one infringement
c l a i m , and s e t t l e m e n t of' a n o t h e r i s pending.
Revtew of P a t e n t Ap&QatiQn$
S e c t i o n 3 0 5 ( c ) of t h e N a t i o n a l Aeronautics and Space
Act p r o v i d e s f o r review by t h e Administrator of p a t e n t a p p l i -
c a t i o n s having s i g n i f i c a n t u t i l i t i n a e r o n a u t i c a l and space
'I
a c t i v i t i e s . Under s e c t i o n s 30>(d and ( e ) , t i h ~Administrator
h a s t h e p r e r o g a t i v e of r e q u e s t i n g t h a t a n y patent having such
s i g n i f i c a n c e be i s s u e d t o him on b e h a l f of t h e United S t a t e s .
I n accordance w i t h t h e s e p r o v i s i o n s , the Commissioner of
P a t e n t s t r a n s m i t t e d t o NASA 39 c o p i e s o f p a t e n t a p p l i c a t i o n s .
T h i s s u b s t a n t i a l decrease from t h e 644 a p p l i c a t i o n s t r a n s m i t t e d
d u r i n g t h e l a s t r e p o r t p e r i o d was due t o a d m i n i s t r a t i v e
arrangements with t h e Commissioner o f P a t e n t s which p e r m i t t e d
a more a p p r o p r i a t e s e l e c t i o n of a p l i c a t i o n s , batssd on NASA
c o n t r a c t a c t i v i t i e s . Review of t ese a p p l i c a t i o n s i n d i c a t e d
t h a t none involved i n v e n t i o n s made under NASA c o n t r a c t s . The
A d m i n i s t r a t o r a d v i s e d t h e Commissioner o f P a t e n t s t h a t he
would n o t r e q u e s t t h a t any o f these p a t e n t s be isetued t o him.
Reporting o f I n v e n t i o n s by C o n t r a c t o r s
I
F u n c t i o n s of t h e I n v e n t i o n s and C o n t r i b u t i o n s Board
The I n v e n t i o n s and C o n t r i b u t i o n s Board c o n s i d e r s p e t i - '
t i o n s from NASA c o n t r a c t o r s r e q u e s t i n g waiver of United
S t a t e s p a t e n t r i g h t s f o r i n v e n t i o n s made under NASA con-
t r a c t s , and recornmends t o t h e A d m i n i s t r a t o r f o r o r a g a i n s t
g r a n t i n g them. The Board a l s o e v a l u a t e s s c i e n t i f i c and
t e c h n i c a l c o n t r i b u t i o n s , and recommends t o t h e A d m i n i s t r a t o r
whether monetary awards should be g r a n t e d . Oral h e a r i n g s are
g r a n t e d by t h e Board t o p e t i t i o n e r s f o r waiver of p a t e n t
r i g h t s , and t o a p p l i c a n t s f o r awards.
The Board o p e r a t e s under t h e a u t h o r i t o f , and i n accord-
]I
ance with, t h e p r o v i s i o n s of S e c t i o n 305(f and S e c t i o n 306
of t h e N a t i o n a l Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958. Its member-
s h i p i s shown i n Appendix H.
C o n t r i b u t i o n s Awards
Permanent Rules and Regulations r e l a t i n g t o Awards f o r
S c i e n t i f i c and Technical C o n t r i b u t i o n s , a s r e q u i r e d by
.
S e c t i o n 306 of t h e Act, were p u b l i s h e d on February 13 i n t h e
F e d e r a l R e g i s t e r ( 2 5 Fed. Reg. 1312, 1313, 1960)
During t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d , t h e Board r e c e i v e d 821 pro-
posed c o n t r i b u t i o n s , determined 624 d i d not have a s i g n i f i -
c a n t v a l u e t o warrant recommendation f o r a n award, and was
s v a l u a t i r i g 197 a s t h e p e r i o d c l o s e d .
Waiver P e t i t i o n s Granted
The It'irst p e t i t i o n f o r waiver o f r i g h t s i n a n i n v e n t i o n
made under a NASA c o n t r a c t was submitted by t h e Pratt &
Whitney D i v i s i o n of United A i r c r a f t Corp, East Hartford, Corn.,
on J u l y 27, 1959. On t h e recommendation of t h e Board, t h e
A d m i n i s t r a t o r g r a n t e d t h e waiver on August 3 , 1959.
Bell A i r c r a f t Corp., Buffalo, N. Y., submitted t h e second
such p e t i t i o n on November 18, 1959. The c o n t r a c t o r e x p l a i n e d
t h e commercial u s e s of t h e i n v e n t i o n a t a n o r a l h e a r i n g before
t h e Board on March 9, 1960. On March 16, t h e Board recom-
mended t o t h e A d m i n i s t r a t o r t h a t waiver of t i t l e be g r a n t e d .
Action on t h e t h i r d p e t i t i o n f o r waiver of r i g h t s , r e c e i v e d
from McDonnell A i r c r a f t Corp., S t . Louis, Mo., on February 5 ,
1960, was pending a s t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d c l o s e d .
CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT
P r o g r e s s i n a e r o n a u t i c a l and space technology h a s c r e a t e d
a demand f o r new and modernized f a c i l i t i e s . To meet t h i s
- 175 -
a
requirement NASA i s c o n t i n u i n g i t s program of c o n s t r u c t i o n ,
l a b o r a t o r y modernization, and equipment a c q u i s i
t u r e s d u r i n g t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d have t o t a l e d abo
e x c l u s i v e of t h e M i n i t r a c k and Mercury t r a c
T h i s i n c l u d e s $1,850,000 f o r t h e Ge
F l i g h t Center, H u n t s v i l l e , Ala
from t h e Army B a l l i s t i c Missile
J u l y 1. D e s c r i p t i o n s of new f a c i l i
c o n s t r u c t i o n , o r planned d u r i n g t h e r e p o r t i n g p e r i o d are
p r e e e n t e d below f o r each f i e l d i n s t a l l a t i o n ,
,Langley Research Center, Hampton, Va.
Taxi S t r i p -- The c e n t e r is w i t h i n t h e grounds of
Langley A i r Force Base. When t h e A i r Force r e c e n t l y com-
p l e t e d a new runway e x t e n s i o n , t h e c e n t e r c o n s t r u c t e d a t a
c o s t of $662,000 a connecting t a x i s t r i p , i n c l u d i n g run-up
and approach aprons, from i t s F l i g h t Research Laboratory i n
o r d e r t o t i e i n t o t h e runway system.
C e n t r a l Heating -- NASA f a c i l i t i e s i n t h e East Area had
been h e a t e d by seven i n d i v i d u a l u n i t s . These were r e p l a c e d
by a c e n t r a l steam g e n e r a t i o n and d i s t r i b u t i o n system. No
b u i l d i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n was r e q u i r e d a s NASA u t i l i z e d space i n
and A i r Force h e a t i n g p l a n t f o r i n s t a l l a t i o n o f b o i l e r s .
Repairs -- Replacements were made f o r cracked s h a f t s i n
t h e f a n - d r i v e system of t h e 16-foot Transonic Wind Tunnel and
f o r component p a r t s of e uipment i n t h e Gas Dynamics Labora-
2
t o r y . The r o t o r - o f t h e 3,333-ho~sepower main d r i v e motor of
the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel was r e p a i r e d .
lowin
-- C o n s t r u c t i o n on t h e f o l -
age where t h e f a c i l i t i e s can
be pe i c a t i o n s and improvements t o
t h e l g - f o o t p r e s s u r e t u n n e l and t o t h e e i g h t - f o o t Transonic
Tunnel; 2) A 20-inch V a r i a b l e Mach Number F a c i l i t y ; 3 ) An
I n c r e a s e d Power Supply fo:. t h e S t r u c t u r e s Research Laboratory;
4 ) A Hypersonic Physics Test Area t o a n a l y z e a b i l i t i e s of
materials t o w i t h s t a n d h i g h t e m p e r a t u r e s and o t h e r environ-
mental f a c t o r s ; and 5) A Data Reduction Center c o n t a i n i n g .
high-speed e l e c t r o n i c computing equipment t o f a c i l i t a t e
a n a l y s i s of r e s e a r c h d a t a .
A m e s Research Center, Mo,ffett F i e l d , C a l i f .
-- A 3.5-foot Hypersonic
Wind which i s $11 m i l l i o n )
i s 93 p e r c e n t complete and instrument c a l i b r a t i o n i s scheduled
f o r June 1, 1960. Designed p r i m a r i l y t o s t u d y p r e s s u r e s and
temperatures in s t e a d y l e v e l f l i g h t a t hypersonic speeds, t h e
tunnel can g e n e r a t e p r e s s u r e s t o 3,000 pounds p e r square
- 176 -
f
i n c h and t e m p e r a t u r e s t o 3,000oF. Experiments with s c a l e d
.
d u p l i c a t i o n s of a i r c r a f t s t r u c t u r a l components w i l l e v a l u a t e
aerodynamic e f f e c t s due t o s t r u c t u r a l d i s t o r t i o n s
Helium Wind Tunnel -- A 12-inch Hypersonic Helium Wind
Tunnel i s 90 p e r c e n t complete, w i t h instrument c a l i b r a t i o n
scheduled f o r June 1 5 , 1960. The t u n n e l i s of t h e blow-down
t y p e (which releases helium under h i g h p r e s s u r e t o a c h i e v e
high v e l o c i t i e s ) w i t h p r o v i s i o n t o r e c o v e r t h e helium a f t e r
e a c h run. It w i l l s i m u l a t e speeds from Mach 1210: t o Mach 20
up t o f o u r minutes, f u r n i s h i n g d e t a i l e d t e s t data o f extended
d u r a t i o n . Aggregate c o s t w i l l be about $1,585,000.
F l i g h t Research Laboratory 0- Extensions t o t h e F l i g h t
Research Laboratory, which w i l l c o s t about $990,000, a r e
approximately 85 p e r c e n t complete . T h i s p r o j e c t also i n c l u d e s
c o n s t r u c t i o n of a t h r e e - d e g r e e - a n d a five-degree-of-motion
s i m u l a t o r f o r study of human and a u t o m a t i c c o n t r o l problems
i n space f l i g h t s and atmospheric f l i g h t s .
Hypervelocity Research Laboratory -- Approximately 80
p e r c e n t of a Hypervelocity Research Laboratory, t o t a l e s t i -
mated c o s t $1,145,000, h a s been c o n s t r u c t e d . Problems of
high-temper3ture gases, magneto-hydrodynamic e f f e c t s of f l o w
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of f l u i d s , i n t e r a c t i o n between h i g h - v e l o c i t y
p a r t i c l e s , and matter i n s o l i d and l i q u i d s t a k e w i l l be
investigated i n t h i s laboratory.
Mass T r a n s f e r Cooling and Aerodynamics F a c i l i t y --
Designs and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s a r e being d r a w n , f o r a Mass-
T r a n s f e r Cooling and Aerodynamics F a c i l i t y , estimated c o s t of
which i s $4 m i l l i o n . C o n s t r u c t i o n i s scheduled t o begin i n
J u l y 1960. T h i s e l e c t r i c - a r c heated wind t u n n e l w i l l s i m u l a t e
h e a t i n g r a t e s (18,000OF) and a i r e n e r g y l e v e l s encountered
d u r i n g e n t r y f o r a s l o n a s 10 minutes, p e r m i t t i n g d e t a i l e d
7
s t u d y of m a s s - t r a n s f e r a b l a t i n g ) c o o l i n g s y s t e m s .
Data Reduction Center -- Engineering and d e s i n of a
Data h e d u c t i o n Center m i l d i n g are 50 p e r c e n t comp e t e . f
T h i s b u i l d i n g t s 43,500 s q u a r e f e e t of f l o o r space w i l l house
a large c a p a c i t y , high-speed d i g i t a l computer system f o r
r e d u c i n g r e s e a r c h d a t a and f o r s o l v i n g complex t h e o r e t i c a l
problems . T o t a l e s t i m a t e d c o s t o f t h i s Center, i n c l u d i n g
equipment, is $2,350,000.
L e w i s Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio ( i n c l u d i n g Plum Brook
F a c i l i t i e s , Sandusky, Ohio)
Nuclear F a c i l i t i e s --
M o d i f i c a t i o n s t o t h e Component
Research F a c i l i t y f o r Nuclear Propulsion are 90 p e r c e n t
t h r e e 5,000-pound t h r u s t c a p a c i t y t e s t s t a n d s f o r horiaon-
tally/ f i r i n g e n g i n e s u t i l i z i n g nontoxic p r o p e l l a n t s . Two,
as fluorine .
a t Plum Brook, are f o r r e s e a r c h w i t h t o x i c p r o p e l l a n t s , such
T o t a l c o s t , i n c l u d i n g equipment, isk&f$5,OQQ.
Contemplated C o n s t r u c t i o n -- -Major p r o j e c t s i n t h e '
d e s i g n s t a g e are: a n Ion and Plasma Jet F a c i l i t y f o r large-
s c a l e r e s e a r c h on e l e c t r i c p r o p u l s i o n systems; a Zero-Power
Reactor (See "Nuclear F a c i T i t i e s , " a b o v e ) , ' t o be i n s t a l l e d
i n t h e Component Research F a c i l i t y f o r Nucleay Propulsion
f o r p r e l i m i n a r y t e s t i n g of materials b e f o r e t h e y a r e r a d i a t e d
i n t h e powerful P l y Brook r e a c t o r ; , a n d a n I n - P i l e Loop f o r
t h e same f a c i l i t y t o observe h e a t t r a n s f e r and f l o w o f h e a t -
r e s i s t a n t materials under r a d i a t i o n .
F l i g h t Research Center, Edwards, C a l i f .
X - 1 5 Research Airplane F a c i l i t i e s -; I n s t a l l a t i o n of
a n a l o g computing equipment t o o p e r a t e t h e X-15 F l i g h t Guid-
ance Simulator i s w e l l under way. The equipment and simu-
l a t o r a r e scheduled t o be d e l i v e r e d by J u l y 1960. Aggregate
e s t i m a t e d cost,of t h e computer equipment i s $350,000. A
t e r m i n a l guidance f a c i l i t y , p r o v i d i n g a microwave data l i n k
t o t r a n s m i t r a d a r d a t a r e q u i r e d d u r i n g X-15 f l i g h t s , i s
b e i n g i n s t a l l e d j o i n t l y by t h e A i r Force and NASA. E x i s t i n g
b u i l d i n g s w i l l be modified t o house t h e s e f a c i l i t i e s .
Test Stand f o r F-1 -- A t e s t s t a n d f o r t h e 1.5-million-
pound-thrust r o c k e t engine, c o n s t r u c t e d f o r NASA by t h e A i r
Force a t a n e s t i m a t e d c o s t of $15 m i l l i o n , i s approximately
60 p e r c e n t complete. The A i r Force i s a l s o c o n s t r u c t i n g a
2000-ton liquid-oxygen s t o r a g e and t r a n s f e r f a c i l i t y f o r t h e
t e s t - s t a n d , and f u n d s i n t h e amount o f $1,340,220 w i l l be
f u r n i s h e d t o t h e A i r Force by NASA.
J e t P r o p u l s i o n Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif .
Goldstone T r a n s m i t t e r Completed -- The Goldstone, C a l i f
t r a n s m i t t e r was c o n s t r u c t e d a t a c o s t of $1,005,000. The
.,
f a c i l i t y c o n s i s t s o f a 10-kw t r a n s m i t t e r , a n 85-foot antenna,
o t h e r e l e c t r o n i c equipment, a l a b o r a t o r y , and a n o f f i c e .
Goldstone p r e v i o u s l y had o n l y a r e c e i v i n g system. The
Goldstone s t a t i o n i s t h e f i r s t of NASA's t h r e e - s t a t i o n Deep
Space Network. (See Chapter 10, "Tracking and Data Acquisi-
t i o n . " pp. 103 - 104.)
Other P r o j e c t s -- C u r r e n t l y under d e s i g n are:
1) A S u b s t a t i o n and Transformer Bank f o r use i n
t h e s o u t h area o f J P L t o provide power f o r
f a c i l i t i e s a u t h o r i z e d i n FY 1959.
- 179 -
2) An a d d i t i o n t o Guidance Laboratory 161 --
46,000 square f e e t of l a b o r a t o r y and con-
.
f e r e n c e space f o r t h e r e s e a r c h and develop-
ment d i v i s i o n s
3) An a d d i t i o n t o A d m i n i s t r a t i v e S e r v i c e s
Building --
15,000 square f e e t f o r Purchas-
i n g , Accounting, B IM and S t o r e s A c t i v i t i e s .
4 ) A P l a n t S e r v i c e s Engineering and Shop
Building --
16,000 square f e e t f o r d r a f t i n g
room, o f f i c e s , mechanical and e l e c t r i c a l
shops.
5 ) A Vehicle Assembly Building and Environmental
( T e s t i n g ) Laboratory --
37,500 square f e e t of
.
open hanger space w i t h l a b o r a t o r y , o f f i c e and
workshop a r e a s
6 ) A Reports and P e r i o d i c a l s Building --
17,000
square f e e t o f a d m i n i s t r a t i v e , workshop and
l a b o r a t o r y space .
7 ) U t i l i t i e s f o r South Area t o accommodate con-
s t r u c t i o n a u t h o r i z e d i n FY 1959.
8) U t i l i t i e s i n New Area (60 a c r e s ) t o accommodate
c o n s t r u c t i o n of f a c i l i t i e s f o r S o l i d and Liquid
P r o p e l l a n t D i v i s i o n s a u t h o r i z e d i n FP 1959.
9) S o l i d - P r o p e l l a n t Hazardous-Material Storage
Magazines, Test Cell and C o n t r o l Building, and
Processing Laboratory -- twenty s t r u c t u r e s ,
r a n g i n g i n s i z e from 936 square f e e t t o 7,450
square f e e t , i n t h e new area (60 a c r e s ) .
10) Liquid P r o p e l l a n t Test Cell and C o n t r o l Build-
i n g -- i n new area (60 a c r e s ) .
Gadda-rd Space F l i g h t Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Personnel of t h e Goddard Space F l i g h t Center are cur-
r e n t l y u t i l i z i n g nborrowed" f a c i l i t i e s i n t h e D i s t r i c t of
Columbia. A permanent i n s t a l l a t i o n f o r t h e Center i s being
c o n s t r u c t e d a t Greenbelt, Md., on l a n d a c q u i r e d from t h e
Government's A g r i c u l t u r a l Experiment S t a t i o n . P r o g r e s s un
and contemplated use of t h e s i x planned Goddard b u i l d i n g s
are d e s c r i b e d below.
Building No. 1 -- T h i s Space P r o j e c t s Building, which
i s 70 p e r c e n t complete, w i l l have computer equipment and t h e
t e c h n i c a l l i b r a r y , and w i l l house a d m i n i s t r a t i v e , s c i e n t i f i c ,
and t e c h n i c a l personnel.
- 180 -
i
which-
B u i l d i n g No. 2 -- T h i s Research P r o j e c t s Laboratory,
e used by a p o r t i o n of t h e Space S c i e n c e s and
S a t e l l i t e A p p l i c a t i o n s Group, i s a l s o 70 p e r c e n t complete.
==xl!Y -- C o n s t r u c t i o n i s 20 p e r c e n t complete
on t h e Centra F i g h t C o n t r o l and Range Operations Building
which w i l l house t h e Mercury and M i n i t r a c k c o n t r o l c e n t e r s .
Building Group No. --
Plans and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s have
been drawn f o r t h e C e n t r h Power P l a n t and S e r v i c e Shops,
.
comprising t h e b o i l e r room, c e n t r a l a i r - c o n d i t i o n i n g and
r e f r i g e r a t i o n , maintenance shops, and s t o r a g e
B u i l d i n g s No. 5 and 6 -- Designs are being drawn f o r
t h e Instrument C o n s t r u c t i o n and I n s t a l l a t i o n Laboratory and
t h e Space S c i e n c e s Laboratory. The former w i l l be used f o r
i n s t r u m e n t assembly and t h e l a t t e r by t h e d i v i s i o n s of t h e
Space S c i e n c e s and S a t e l l i t e A p p l i c a t i o n s Group.
Wallops S t a t i o n , Wallops I s l a n d , Va .
Launch F a c i l i t i e s-- F a c i l i t i e s f o r t h e Scout launch
v e h i c l e includi'ng launch pads, tower, blockhouse, terminal
b u i l d i n g s , a f i r e - f i g h t i n g water deluge system and power and
communication systems a r e 90 percent complete. Aerobee
sounding r o c k e t launch f a c i l i t i e s have been c o n s t r u c t e d and
a l r e a d y u t i l i z e d . Launch i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n h a s been improved.
The Scout system i s being checked o u t with a dummy v e h i c l e .
T o t a l c o s t of t h e s e f a c i l i t i e s i s estimated a t $1,923,000.
Causeway --The causeway and b r i d g e between Wallops
I s l a n d and t h e mainland is 80 p e r c e n t complete and i s i n
use. S u r f a c i n g of t h e roadwaylis i n p r o g r e s s . Cost of t h e
causeway i s e s t i m a t e d a t $1,467,000.
i n g completion.
-- The Erosion C o n t r o l P r o j e c t i s near-
Other Pro e c t s -- Modification of t h e A d m i n i s t r a t i o n
T---aa;L--.
Build ng a n angar,, and t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n of a t e l e m e t r y
b u i l d i n g , a command-destruct b u i l d i n g , and s e v e r a l small
s t r u c t u r e s are 75 p e r c e n t complete. These p r o j e c t s are
e s t i m a t e d t o t o t a l about $1,500,000.
Radar -- A b u i l d i n g , , tower, and 60-foot antenna have
been c o n s t r u c t e d f o r t h e h i g h p r e c i s i o n t r a c k i n g radar on
t h e mainland.
M a r s h a l l Space FliRht C e n t e r , H u n t s v i l l e , Ala .*
A l l c o n s t r u c t i o n a t Marshall was i n support of P r o j e c t
.
S a t u r n , t h e development of a c l u s t e r e d 1 5-million-pound-
* T r a n s f e r t o NASA e f f e c t i v e J u l y 1, 1960
- 181 -
t h r u s t launch v e h i c l e . The East S t a t i c Test Tower was modi-
f i e d a t a t o t a l c o s t of $1,020,000 t o t e s t t h e Saturn.
Various f a b r i c a t i o n and checkout b u i l d i n g s were modified.
Roadways i n t h e C e n t e r ' s I n d u s t r i a l Area were s t r e n g t h e n e d
and o b s t r u c t i o n s removed t o f a c i l i t a t e i n t r a - a r e a t r a n s p o r t
of Saturn,
The d e s i g n s f o r t h e l o a d i n g s i t e on t h e Tennessee River
and f o r road m o d i f i c a t i o n between t h e t e s t tower and t h e
l o a d i n g s i t e were made, and c o n s t r u c t i o n b i d s i n v i t e d . These
f a c i l i t i e s w i l l e n a b l e t h e S a t u r n v e h i c l e t o be t r a n s p o r t e d
by barge between Marshall and Cape Canaveral, Fla., v i a t h e
Tennessee River, M i s s i s s i p p i River, Gulf o f Mexico, and
A t l a n t i c Ocean. Other major p r o j e c t s were a n a d d i t i o n t o
t h e S t r u c t u r e s and Mechanics Laboratory t o house a v i b r a t o r
t o t e s t component p a r t s of launch v e h i c l e s and $he modifica-
t i o n o f t h e Fuel Test Area which .was 30 p e r c e n t complete.
AMR, Cape Canaveral, F l a
The blockhouse f o r t h e S a t u r n t e s t f i r i n g s , e s t i m a t e d
c o s t $1,028,000, i s about 90 p e r c e n t complete; and t h e
launch pad complex, e s t i m a t e d c o s t $4,767,000, about 25 per-
c e n t complete, Under d e s i g n are a l l i e d f a c i l i t i e s c o n s i s t -
i n g of t h e unloading s i t e and t h e a u x i l i a r y support b u i l d i n g .
P r e p a r a t i o n of a s i t e and by-pass r o a d f o r S a t u r n i s i n
process . E s t i m a t e d e x p e n d i t u r e i s $314.,000.
o f Hangar S i n support o f P r o j e c t Mercury t o provide s p e c i a l
Modification
shops and l a b o r a t o r i e s , e s t i m a t e d t o c o s t $123,500, i s about
75 p e r c e n t complete . C o n s t r u c t i o n 0-f t r a c k i n g and equipment
s t o r a g e b u i l d i n g s t o s u p p o r t t h e Delta p r o j e c t are i n
progress .
Tracking and Data A c q u i s i t i o n S t a t i o n s
NASA's worldwide t r a c k i n g and d a t a a c q u i s i t i o n networks
are d e s c r i b e d i n Chapter 10, pp. 99 106. -
Minitrack -- The new F o r t Myers, F l a . , s t a t i o n became
o p e r a t i o n a l d u r i n g t h e r e p o r t p e r i o d . The 136-mc a n t e n n a s ,
which w i l l r e p l a c e t h e 108-mc antenna a s s i g n e d t o M i n i t r a c k
d u r i n g I G Y , have been i n s t a l l e d a t t h e Blossom P o i n t , Md.,
s t a t i o n . Four new s t a t i o n s are being c o n s t r u c t e d a t
F a i r b a n k s , Alaska; Winkfield, England; S t . Johns, Newfoundland;
and East Grand Forks, Minn. A l l are expected t o be o p e r a t i o n a l
by l a t e 1960, Ir
Mercury --
C o n s t r u c t i o n i s i n p r o g r e s s a t Cape Canaveral,*
Grand Canary I s l a n d , and a n o t h e r i s l a n d i n t h e A t l a n t i c . A
-* F a c i l i t i e s f o r t h e S a t u r n launch v e h i c l e are a l s o being
prepared .
- 183 -
x
construction contract i s being negotiated f o r t h e s t a t i o n i n
East Africa. Designs and s p e c i f i c a t i o n s are being drawn f o r
t h e o t h e r f a c i l i t i e s . The Mercury network i s scheduled t o
become o p e r a t i o n a l i n e a r l y 1961.
Deep Space -- The t r a n s m i t t i n g system f o r t h e Goldstone
s t a t i o n h a s been completed. The s i t e s e l e c t e d f o r t h e Deep
Space s t a t i o n i n Australia i s I s l a n d Lagoon, near Woomera.
C o n s t r u c t i o n h a s begun and i s scheduled t o be completed i n
t h e f a l l o f 1960. NASA h a s purchased t h e 85-foot antenna
and t r a c k i n g equipment f o r t h e s t a t i o n from t h e Department
of Defense. As t h e p e r i o d closed, n e g o t i a t i o n s and t e c h n i -
c a l d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h t h e Government of t h e Union of South
A f r i c a f o r a t h i r d Deep Space s t a t i o n were under way.
- 185
i
Announcement I s s u a n c e Now Bi-Weekly -- NASA began b i -
weekly i s s u a n c e , on a l t e r n a t e Thursdays, of "NASA Technical
P u b l i c a t i o n s Announcements," l i s t i n g new NASA p u b l i c a t i o n s
f o r which NASA i s d e p o s i t o r y and d i s t r i b u t o r . The announce-
ments are d i s t r i b u t e d p r i n c i p a l l y t h r o u g h m a i l i n g lists.
P r e v i o u s l y , t h e y were i s s u e d a t i r r e g u l a r i n t e r v a l s
Release of T e c h n i c a l I n f o r m a t i o n -- NASA r e l e a s e d 207
u h c l a s s i f i e d and 153 new s e c u r i t y - c l a s s i f i e d t e c h n i c a l pub1.i-
c a t i o n s f o r d i s t r i b u t i o n t o a u t h o r i z e d addrt3ss8esD I n addi-
t i o n , it f i l l e d 13,815 i n d i v i d u a l r e q u e s t s f o r s p e c i f i c
documents and o t h e r t e c h n i c a l i n f o r m a t i o n .
- 186 -
APPENDIX A
MENBEFSHIPS OF C0NC;RESSIONA.LCOMMITTEES
(October 1, 1959 through March 31, 1960)
- 187 -
APPENDIX B
NMBERSHIP OF THE
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE COUNCIL
(October 1, 1959 through March 31, 1960)
Acting Secretary
*F’ranklyn W. Phillips
++David 2. Beckler
W i l l i a m M. Holaday,* Chairman
NASA MEIMBERS
NASA ALTEEWATES
DOD ALTERNATES
- 193 -
APPENDIX E
Capt. G. D. Smith, S e c r e t a r y
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
MEMBERS
Wright H. Langham
Los Alamos S c i e n t i f i c Laboratory, University of C a l i f o r n i a ,
LOS U ~ ~ NOe S
Me ,
Robert B. U v i n g s t o n
Director of Basic Research i n Mental Health and Neurological
Diseases,’ National I n s t i t u t e s of Health, Bethesda, Md.
O r r Reynolds
Director of Science, Office of t h e A s s i s t a n t S e c r e t a r y of Defense
f o r Research and Engineering, Washington, D. C.
- 195 -
x
APPENDIX F
197 -
J
L
APPENDIX G
MEMBERSHIP OF
NASA COMMITTEE ON LONG RANGE STUDIES
(October 1, 1959 through March 31, 1960)
a
APPENDIX H
MEMBERSHIP OF
NASA INVENTIONS AND CONTRIBUTIONS BOARD
(October 1, 1959 through March 31, 1960)
- 201 -
APPENDIX I
MEMBERSHIP OF THE
NASA-DOD SPACE SCIENCE COMMITTEE
(October 1, 1959 through March 31, 1960)
John T. Holloway
Chief, Physical Sciences
O f f i c e of t h e Director of
Defense, Research ani
Engineering
Washington, D. C.
Geoffrey K e l l e r
Program Director f o r Astronomy
National Science Foundation
Washington, D. C.
Q NK MOT FILMED
- 203 -
APPENDIX J
.
Name Paga
Committee on Fluid
sci.ceM ......................................... 206
Committee on Aircraft
sc.doreA ................................... 207
Committee on Missile and Spacecraft A e r o d ~ c s ..................... 208
Committee on Control. Guidance. and Navigation ....................... 209
Committee on Chemical Ehergy Processes ............................... 210
Committee on Nuclear Energy Processes ................................ 211
Committee on Mechanical Power Plant SYstems .......................... 212
Committee on Electrical Power Plant Systems .......................... 213
Committee on Structural Iloads........................................ 214
Committee on Structural Design....................................... 215
Committee on Structural Dynamics..................................... 216
Committee on .terials ............................................... 217
Committee on Aircraft Operating .oblems ............................. 218
.205 .
Research Advisory Committee-on Fluid Mechanics
Pasadena , Calif .
California I n s t i t u t e of Technology Chief Scientist
A i r Force Office of Scientific
Research, SRR
Washington, D. C.
G. B. Schubauer
Chief, Fluid Mechanics Section
National Bureau of Standards
Washington, Do C.
- 206 -
Research Advisory Committee f o r Aircraft Aerodynamic s
- 207 -
Research Advisory Committee on I&
s s i l e and Spacecraft Aerodynamic s
Ronald Smelt
Seymour M. Bogdonoff Director, Research
Professor of Aeronautical Engineering Missiles and Space Divison
and Head of Gas Dynamics Laboratory
.
Princeton University
Princeton, N. J
Sunnyvale, Calif .
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation
Ernst D. Geissler
K. J. Bossart Director, Aeroballistics Laboratory
Assistant t o the Vice President
Engineering
- Development Operations Division
Army Ballistic Missile Agency,
Convair ORDAEDA
.
Division of General Dynamics Corp&ation
San Diego, Calif
Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
- 208 -
Research Advisors CommPittee on Control, Guidance. and Navigation
- 209 -
a
Research Advisory C o d t t e e on Chemical Eneras Processes
,
Bartlesville Okla .
Phillips Petroleum Compam ESBO RsBeWh and & g i n e e r a GO*
Lhden, N. J.
Richardson, Tex.
.
W. T. Olson, Lewis Research Center
John I Shaf er, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Harold F. Hipsher, Headquarters, Secretary
- 210 -
Research Advisors Committee on Nuclear Fherr?;g Processes
.
Westinghouse Electric Corporation
Pittsburgh, Pa
MSchael F. Valerino
Associate Director
Physics Department
General Nuclear w i n e s r i n g Corp.
Dunedin, Fla.
=,
- 212_-
Research Advisory Committee on Electrical Power Plant Systems
Krafft A. Ehricke, Chairman John S o L U C ~
Program Director Oak Ridge National Laboratory
-
Comrair Astronautics
Division of General Dynamics Cow.
Union Carbide Nuclear Company
Oak Ridge, Tenn.
San Diego, C a l i f .
Paul Rappaport
Bobert H. Boden Physicist, Research Physics
Program Engineer RCA Laboratories, Inc.
Rocketdyne Division Radio Corporation of America
North American Aviation, Inc. Princeton, N. J.
Canoga Park, C a l i f .
W F l l i a m Shockley
W. He Bostick Shockley Trans3 s t o r Corporation
George Wade Bond Professor of Physics Mountain View, C a l i f .
Stevens I n s t i t u t e of Technology
Hoboken, N. J. V. C. Wilson
Physical Electronics Section
Milton U. Clauser Research Laboratory
Vice President and Director, Physical General Electric Company
Research Laboratory Schenectady, N. Y.
Space Technology Laboratories, Inc.
Los Angeles, C a l i f . E r n s t Stuhlinger
Director of Research Projects
A. John Gale Army Ballistic Missile Agency
Vice President and Director, Applied Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
Physics
High Voltage Engineering Corporation Wayne C. Hall .
Burlington, Mass. Associate Director of Research f o r
Nucleonics
Siegfried Hansen Naval Research Laboratory
Technical Director, Space Research Washington, D. C.
Laboratories
Litton Industries, Inc
Beverly H Q l s , Calif.
. Hans J. P. von O h a i n
Aeronautical Research Laboratory
Wright A i r Development Division
John H. HUth Wright-Patterson A i r Force Fkise,
Aeronautics Department Ohio
The RAND Corporation
Santa Monica, Calif.
- 213 -
J
Research Advisory C o d t t e e on Struct&al Loads
- 214 -
Research Advisory Committee on Structural Design
Norris F. Dow
Specialist -
Structural Systems
nology
Cambridge, Mass .
Missile and Space Vehicle Department Robert S. Shorey
General Electric Company -
Structures Group Engineering
Philadelphia , Pa. -
Convair Astronautics
Division of General Dynamics Corp.
Mr. Lester K. Fero San Diego, C a l i f .
Project Manager
Advanced Design Division E. H. Spaulding
The Martin Company Chief Technical Engineer
Baltimore, I4i. California Division
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation
Mr. Christian M. Frey Burbank, Calif.
United Research Corporation
Menlo Park, Calif. Erich E. Goerner
Special Assistant t o Chief,
Mr. David Lee G r i m e s Structures Branch
President, Narmco Industries, Inc. Army Ballistic Missile Agency
San Diego, C a l i f . Redstone Arsenal, Ala.
John W. Miles
Professor of Engineering
University of California
Los Angeles, Calif.
* 216 -
Research Advisory C o a t t e e on Materials
- 217 -
Research Advisory Committee on Aircraft 0perati.w Problems
- 218 9
APPENDIX K
Page
and ndationso ooo ea0 0 0 e 0 e 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 e0 0 0 0 0 0 0 e 221
_.
Ie The Role of Life Sciences in the National
space Effort. e o e e 0 e 0e 0 e e m e 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 eee ee0 eeee 0 eee0 222
IIe Ae Present Status of Life Sciences A c t i ~ i t i e se~ e. m~e e e e e . 225
B e Advisory Committees f o r Space-Oriented Life
Sciences. eoee 0.e
. eee e.
e O.OO.e
0 0 0 0 0.. . e O O e O e e. eee 226
111. Present Weedseo e o ee 0 ee0e 0 e . 00 e eee eeeo e ee eo e o eo. eeo e . 227
I V e R e c o ~ ~ ~ t i foo rn as NASA Program i n t h e L i f e Sciences: 232
b e Orfganizration of the Office of L i f e Sciencesee..e.eeeo.e 232
- 220 -
a
Summary and Recommmdations
- 221 -
3. That the i n t e r n a l o r g d s a t i o n of t h e Office of Life Sciences
include Assistant Directors f o r Basic BLology, Applied Medicine and
R i o l o ~ ,Medical and Behavioral Sciences, and the U f e Sciences EKtra-
I B l l r a l pragram.
1
- 222 -
The reasons wfiich prompted t h e Congress t o create NASA as a
c i v i l i a n space agency and t o give it responsibility f o r achieving the
peaceful purpose of t h e national e f f o r t i n space argue equally strongly
f o r t h e creation i n NASA of a strong division of l i f e sciences. A s
set f o r t h below, two major areas represent the r o l e of t h e biolo@cal
sciences i n t h e national space effort and should form t h e core of t h e
proposed program i n t h e l i f e sciences of NASA. These are t h e finda-
mental biological questions r e l a t i v e t o e x t r a t e r r e s t r i a l environments
and the s c i e n t i f i c and technologic aspects of manned space flight.
.
l a t t e r e f f o r t i s mainly concerned with bioengineerixq and technical
development
3. Radiation
4. Closed Environment
If man is t o explore space, he w i l l need t o l i v e i n t h e
closed and isolated environments of t h e space vehicles and
stations. Even a f t e r t h e first landings on planets, he will
probably have t o be constarkly maintained i n an a r t i f i c i a l
environment compatible with functional effectiveness as w e l l
a s survival. Storage and supply of oxygen, water and nutrients
and t h e disposal of carbon dioxide and wastes are problems t o
which a number of p a r t i a l l y satisfactory solutions have already
been obtained. For long-term missions, biological o r chemical
systems f o r regenerating t h e essential r e N r e m e n t s of human
metabolism from i t s products !are presently i n t h e early stages of
development. Certain psychological concomitants of confinement,
isolation, and diminution of sensory input a r e of far-reaching
consequences and t h e i r investigation i s relatively new.
J
- 231 -
.
4 Neurophysiology-including postural and righting
reflexes, physiology of vision, audition, proprioception,
and orientation; central control of metabolism, temperature,
endocrines, circulation and respiration; circulation and
metabolism of brain.
5 .
Behavioral science--including perception, m o t i v a -
tion, and performance under stress, emotional s t a b i l i t y ,
fatigue, social and sensory isolation, psychological assess-
ment arrl training f o r special missions.
3. Advisory Committees
1. Objectives
The present research effort i n this f i e l d within NASA
appears t o be concentrated upon a single specific .goal, exem-
plified by Project Mercury, a t t h e possible apense of broader,
more remote, but fundamental aims. It i s important t h a t the
biomedical aspects of t h e Project Mercury be placed squarely
under t h e jurisdiction of the Office of Life Sciences and t h a t
it be coordinated with other aspects of t h e Ufe Sciences Pro-
gram. The remainder of t h e national space biomedical effort,
as found i n military, industrial and academic laboratories, i s
sporadic and incidental t o other primary i n t e r e s t s or respon-
s i b i l i t i e s . These efforts are, on t h e whole, of excellent
quality and should be maintained and supported; there i s 'need,
however, i n addition t o these and coordinated with them, f o r a
broad and thoughtfully planned biomedical program of research
extending from t h e most fltndamental aspects t o t h e i r most practi-
c a l applications. The nucleus of such a national undertaking
should be t h e NASA intramural program i n biology, medicine, and
p ~ hOlOgY.y ~
- 237 -
As major physical f a c i l i t i e s u t i l i s e d by the NASA biomedical
program on a cooperative basis and of primary concern t o t h a t
program (i. e. centrifuge and controlled env5ronmental chambers)
become obsolete o r over-utilized, or, a8 completely new designs
become necessary and feasible, these m y be constructed by NASA
within i t s intramural program and maintained a s national and
international f a c i l i t i e s . This should not prevent t h e construc-
1. Grants
NASA should set up a system of research grants f o r individ-
ual s c i e n t i s t s or groups of s c i e n t i s t s working i n universities
or nonprofit research i n s t i t u t e s based on original research
proposals and with appopriate means f o r t h e i r review and approval.
.Such
. grants should be f o r t h e support of basic or applied research
i n areas of i n t e r e s t t o NASA. These areas of i t s i n t e r e s t should
be broadly interpreted. Proposals from well qualified interdisci-
plinary groups should be encouraged.
2. ,Contracts h
D.
.
almost entirely on t h e physical
lems
aspects of flight prob-
.
military capability now available t o NASA i s l i k e l y t o decline i f not
complet ely disappear
E. Training:
- 243 -
4
United States t h a t a c t i v i t i e s i n space should be devoted t o peaceful
purposes f o r t h e benefit of a l l mankind." To this end, t h e Committee
recommends t h a t NASA give serious thought t o those mechanisms and
guarantees which w i l l f a c i l i t a t e f r e e s c i e n t i f i c interchange with
respect t o t h e Life Sciences Program. Among those which t h e Committee
has considered and which it supports are t h e following:
- 245 -
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APPENDIX
-
TABU 4
:
Appropriations t o Natlonal Aeronautics and
Space Administration: Supplemental Appro-
priation Act, 1960; Public Law 86-213.. e. .
................
Transfer from research and developent t o
construction and e ~ ~ e n t
.272 .
"l