Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1967 - NASA's History Office

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1967 July 18
tion of components for spacecraft support t; (2) $1,308,065 to
Hughes Aircraft Co. to develop prime power ditioning and control
system for ion thrusters; $91,055,757 to Westinghouse Electric Corp. to
develop backup power conditioning and control system; and (4) $290,-
987 to Cutler-Hammer Corp. to develop a radio frequency interference
experiment to measure interference with radio communications generated
by the ion engines. SERT 11 was an orbital mission scheduled for
late 1968 to advance the development of ion engines as propulsion units
for future long-duration space missions. (NASA Release 67-188)
Astronauts on long-duration space flights might have to accept greater radiation
exposure than the amount considered safe for industrial workers
and, in some cases, this additional exposure could heighten the risk of
cancer and shorten life expectancy, NRC’S Space Science Board concluded
in report entitled Radiobiological Factors in Manned Space Flight.
Board recommended that criteria different from those used in industry be
set up to gauge radiation risks in space fiight and to decide what was
acceptable. “Manned space flights are high risk endeavors. They take
place in a hostile environment that cannot be permitted to encroach
beyond the limits of human endurance if the missions are to succeed.”
Report noted, however, that radiation was “only one of many recognized
and accepted potential risks” to space flight and shielding against
it added weight to the spacecraft. Consequently, protection against radiation
had to be balanced against other needs vital to the success of the
mission. (NRC Release; Schmeck, NYT, 7/18/67,38M; Reistrup, W Post,
7/18/67, A3 ; AI’, W Star, 7/18/67, A3)
* AFSC had presented its ninth Craftsmanship Award-highest of three honors
that could be won by a defense contractor under USAF’S Industrial
Zero Defects Program-to RCA’S Aerospace Systems Div. To qualify for
the award, a firm had to show performance records for at least 18 mos
dearly reflecting achievements against predetermined goals. WAF personnel
then validated performance data and determined adequacy and
realism of the goals. (AFSC Release 71.67)
A monument had been erected on the spot where Cosmonaut Vladimir M.
Komarov was killed when his Soyuz I spacecraft crash-landed April 24,
Pravda reported. It was located on the Orenburg Steppe, 1,207 km (750
mi) southeast of Moscow. (Reuters, NYT, 7/19/67; W Post, 7/19/67,
C7)
July 19: First experimental tactical communications by satellite among USN,
USAF, and USA units had been successful, DOD announced. Messages had
been exchanged among airborne aircraft, a submarine, a ship, and fixed
and mobile terminals via Lincoln Experimental Satellite (Les V ) , one of
six satellites launched by USAF July 1. (DOD Release 661-67; AP, NYT,
7/21/67,6)
USAF announced that first unit to be equipped with F-111 variable-sweep-
wing aircraft would be activated at Nellis AFB, Nev., in summer 1967.
( DOD Release 664-67)
Rep. John J. Rhodes (R-Ariz.), speaking in the House on behalf of 3he
Republican Policy Committee, urged that HouseJSenate Conference
Committee on NASA J?Y 1968 authorization bill accept key Republican
amendments adopted by the House. Amendments would reduce NASA’s
FY 1968 budget request by $201.4 million, establish an independent
safety panel in NASA, and require NASA to keep Congress fully and cur-
rently informed of problems. (CR, 7/19/67, H9045)
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