Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1967 - NASA's History Office

July 1 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1967
Princeton Univ. astronomers were studying photos of ultraviolet spectra
of Venus and Jupiter taken by a rocket-borne telescope launched from
WSMR May 5 in an effort to provide additional data on Venusian atmos-
phere, New Yorlc Times reported. Photos, taken at 118-mi altitude,
provided “SO times more detail than ever obtained before,” Dr. Donald
C. Morton, diredor of Princeton’s rocket astronomy program, ex-
plained. Princeton astronomers would continue analyzing spectrograms
to determine composition of planets’ gaseous atmospheres, and would
compare findings with data transmitted by U.S.’s Mariner V and
U.S.S.R.’s Yews ZV spacecraft-both expected to reach Venus by late
October. (NYT, 7/2/67, 21)
M/G Vincent G. Huston, former Commander of Air Force Eastern Test
Range {AFETR) and recipient of NASA Leadership Medal, became Com-
mander of AFSC’S National Range Div. He succeeded L/G Leighton I.
Davis, who became Commandant of the Industrial College of the Armed
Forces in Washington, D.C. (AFSC Release 103.67)
July 2: SSTS would solve sonic boom problem by flying at subsonic speeds
where necessary over densely populated areas, Secretary of Transporta-
tion Alan S. Boyd said on ABC TV’s “Issues and Answers.” Since de-
velopment of SST was “very worthwhile” to national prestige, balance
of payments, US. leadership in aviation industry, and advances in
related technology, it should be continued despite rising costs of Viet-
nam war, he said. Citing urban congestion as U.S.’s major transporta-
tion problem, Boyd said DOT was trying to develop a balanced system of
transporting people to and through cities. Even with expanded airport
facilities, relief by aviation would be limited by ground congestion,
he said. (Smith, W Post, 7/3/67, A17)
NASA personnel changes: (1) John S. Brown, Division Director in the
Office of Legislative Affairs, NASA Hq., became Deputy Assistant Admin-
istrator for Legislative Affairs; (2) John P. Jewett, Assistant Chief for
Administration, Nevada Extension of AEC/NASA Space Nuclear Pro-
pulsion Office (SNPO-N) , became Chief of SNPO-N. (NASA Ann, 7/2/67,
7/25/67)
France exploded nuclear device from a balloon over Mururoa Atoll in
the Pacific. Test, originaIIy scheduIed for July 14, was last in summer
1967 series of three designed to perfect a trigger for hydrogen bomb
France planned to explode in 1968. (UPI, W Star, 7/3/67, B4)
ruly 3: Minor fire broke out during an unmanned vacuum chamber test of
Lunar Module (LM) descent stage mockup at WSMR. NASA officials said
vehicle was under a vacuum soak condition when fuel escaped into the
vacuum chamber ; fire apparently developed from spontaneous combus-
tion. It was extinguished immediately by the water deluge system, and
damage was believed to be minor. ( WSMR Release)
* Rep. Emilio Q. Daddario (D-Conn.) , Chairman of House Committee on
Science and Astronautics’ Science, Research, and Development Sub-
committee, emphasized that, “with the immensity of consequences and
the irreversible nature of many technological changes, the propensity
for risk taking must be coupled with a deeper assessment of both deficits
and benefits.” His statement, Technology Assessment, to subcommittee
proposed a seven-step approach which would place technology within
the total societal framework; “identify all impacts in the natural, social,
economic, legal and political sectors;” and examine causes, effects, and
alternatives. A three-phase Subcommittee program would include hear-
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