Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1967 - NASA's History Office

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1967 December 19
immediately to turn-on commands during its fourth lunar day Dec. 14
and later transmitted 67 recognizable 200-line pictures. Following un-
successful attempts to reposition the Antenna/Solar Panel Positioner
on Dec. 16, transponder signals were lost, and complete loss of signal
occurred. Surveyor VZ (launched Nov. 7) had also responded to turn-
on commands Dec. 14, but telemetry lock-up was poor, and erratic signals
were lost completely after 2% hrs. Attempts to reactivate both space-
waft for simultaneous communications and additional data would con-
tinue until end of lunar day Dec. 22. (NASA Proj Off; AP, NYT,
12/20/67, 29)
USA-USAF-USN X-22A V/STOL research aircraft designed and built by Bell
Aerosystems Co. under USN contract completed its 100th successful test
flight at Niagara Falls (N.Y.) International Airport. The four-engine,
dual-tandem, ducted-propeller aircraft had made 239 vertical and 100
short takeoffs and 245 vertical and 94 short landings. During 40.9 hrs of
actual flying time 54 vertical/horizontal transitions had heen conducted.
Present aircraft was second of two models in X-22A program; first
model crashed Aug. 8, 1966, after completing 15 flights. Second model
would be tested through 1968 and would then be delivered to a tri-service
group at Patuxent (Md.) Naval Air Test Center for further evaluation.
(Bell Release 92; NYT, 12/25/67,42)
* In its final 1967 session U.N. General Assembly unanimously endorsed new
space rescue treaty.and urged signature by all countries. Primary pro-
visions: (1) immediate notification when astronauts landed in other
countries; (2) assistance to these astronauts, including rescue efforts
on the high seas; (3) safe and prompt return of the astronauts; and
(4) notification and return of objects launched into outer space. Treaty
would be open to all nations and would become effective when ratified
by US., USSR., U.K., and two other countries.
President Johnson, praising the agreement, said: “I hope that this
agreement will help to ensure that nations will assist astronauts in the
event of accidents or emergency. The agreement would carry forward the
purpose of this administration to promote international cooperation in
the peaceful uses of outer space.” (Teltsch, NYT, 12/17/67, 1; Esta-
brook, W Post, 12/20J67, A20; UPI, NYT, 12/21/67, 29; SBD,
12/21/67,263; PD, l/l/fj8,1763)
* NASA announced establishment of Apollo Lunar Exploration Office within
OMSF to increase effectiveness of directing Apollo lunar exploration and
planning for post-Apollo lunar exploration. New office, headed by
former Lunar Orbiter Manager Lee R. Scherer under general direction
of Apollo Program Director M/G Samuel C. Phillips (USAF), would
consist of Flight Systems Development and Lunar Science Divisions. It
would be responsible to OSSA for scientific aspects of Apollo lunar ex-
ploration; OSSA would review operating plans, science SR&T tasks, mis-
sion objectives and plans, and scientific payloads and principal investi-
gators for specific missions. (NASA Ann, 12/19/67)
NASA was negotiating with McDonnell Douglas Corp. on a $lO-million,
fixed-price-incentive contract for 10 improved 2nd stages for the Delta
launch vehicle. Procurement for new stages would include modified ver-
sions, larger in diameter than original Delta, to be mated to new elon-
gated Thor 1st stages which would be incorporated in the Delta con-
figuration beginning in 1968. (NASA Release 67-306)
December 20: France’s first variable-sweepwing jet aircraft, the Mirage G,
383