Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1967 - NASA's History Office

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1967 October 5
been and will never be a major development program that does not
provide grist for the critic% mill, and I say this without questioning
either the sincerity of the critics or the utility of the function they
perform.” He professed confidence in “comprehensive testimony” be-
fore congressional committees and asserted “the F-111 is the aircraft
we want and need.” (CR, 10/9/67, S14445)
* According to National Aeronautic Assn., Soviet authorities had filed
with FGdhration Ahronautique International two new world speed rec-
ords and one new world altitude record for their Mikoyan E-266 twin-
tailed fighter aircraft. Pilot Peter Ostapenko had completed 1,000-km
(621-mi) closed course with 4,410-lb load at average speed of 2,910
km/hr (1,808 mph) . With same load, pilot Mikhail Komarov had com-
pleted 500-km (311-mi) closed course at 2,928 km/hr (1,820 mph) .
Alexandr Fedotov reached an altitude of 98,462 ft. (Av Wky 12/18/67,
54-5; NAA/PIO)
October 5-6: JPL engineers conducted series of exercises with NASA’s Mariner
ZY spacecraft (launched Nov. 28, 1964) to demonstrate techniques for
controlling Mariner Y (launched June 14, 1967) if its startracker were
to fail during Venus flyby Oct. 19. Mariner IVY after traveling more than
1.3-billion mi in solar orbit, successfully responded to commands by
breaking lock on its unidentified guide star and locking instead on
Canopus ; breaking lock on Canopus; maintaining stability by turning
on inertial control gyros for first time since December 1964; and pointing
high-gain antenna toward earth and using it-with a 20-db signal
strength increase at DSN ground stations-for first time since October
1965. Practice of procedures gave JPL engineers confidence in ability to
stabilize Mariner V by gyros and to keep it oriented by ground command.
Spacecraft would remain on inertial control with high-gain
antenna oriented toward earth until completion of planned second midcourse
maneuver motor firing and other engineering tests. (NASA Proj
Off; NASA Release 67-264)
October 6: NASA announced that Ogo ZV Orbiting Geophysical Observatory,
launched from WTR July 28, had passed its primary test objective of collecting
scientific data while remaining stable in all three axes for more
than 50 days and was continuing to radio data from 18 of its 20 experiments.
Unexpected oscillation in 60-ft-long experiment boom, apparently
caused by heat from the sun, had been controlled by manually
operating satellite’s control system and thus expending less controljet
fuel than with automatic control. (NASA Release 67-252)
Senate, in approving (60-5) NASA FY 1968 appropriations bill (H.R.
12474) of $4.7 billion, accepted figures of Senate Committee on Appropriations.
Measure would go to conference to reconcile differences
between House and Senate versions. NASA FY 1968 funding in three
categories tallied : R&D Senate appropriation of $3.955 billion was increase
of $96.0 million over House appropriation, decrease of $152.1
million from authorization, and decrease of $356.5 million from budget.
Construction of Facilities Senate appropriation of $55.4 million was
increase of $19.5 million over House appropriation, decrease of $14.6
million from authorization, and decrease of $21.3 million from budget.
Administrative Operations Senate appropriation of $628.0 million was
decrease of $20.0 million from House appropriation, decrease of $20.2
million from authorization, and decrease of $43.3 million from budget.
Sen. John C. Stennis (D-Miss.), Chairman, Senate Committee on
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