Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1967 - NASA's History Office

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1967 February 24
program, was to study high-power-operation effects on reactor-
including test conditions to be found in 5,000-mw Phoebus 2, slated for
test late this year. Phoebus series would provide advanced technology
for solid-core graphite rocket reactors, eventually providing 200,000-
250,000 Ibs of thrust. (Joint AEC-NASA Release K 4)
NSF awarded over $28 million in grants as part of expanded program
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aimed at accelerating the output of students with advanced degrees in
science, mathematics and engineering.” Made under NSF’S graduate
traineeship program, grants would enable 206 institutions to appoint
5,077 students for full-time graduate study beginning in fall 1967
and 896 graduate teaching assistants for full-time study beginning in
summer 1967. (AF’, NYT, 2/25/67,10)
* “High priests of science”-notably space scientists-were making excessive
demands on Federal budget with possible dangers to remainder of
the scientific community, Ralph Lapp, nuclear science consultant, told
Purdue Univ. audience. He urged “a unified science budget which
reflects a ‘fair share’ for all scientific fields.” (AP, B Sun, 2/25/67)
February 25: Astrobee 1500 sounding rocket was launched from Wallops Island
with radiometer payload to obtain spectral observations in high
frequency within the near-earth (up to 2,500 km) environment. Some
of the hardware would be for eventual use on proposed Pilgrim satellite.
Peak altitude was 1,475 mi (2,380 km). Rocket performance was
satisfactory. Improper antenna deployment probably caused loss of
most scientific data. (NASA Rpt SRL)
* NASA Administrator James E. Webb issued statement based on third interim
report by Deputy Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., on work
of Apollo 204 Review Board. Webb observed: (I) “The risk of fire
that could not be controlled or from which escape could not be made
was considerably greater than was recognized when the procedures for
the conduct of the test were established. Our experience with pure
oxygen atmosphere included not only the successful Mercury and Gemini
flights but a number of instances where a clearly positive source of
ignition did not result in a fire. . . .” (2) Apollo spacecraft had been
equipped with such items as Velcro adhesive pads to hold frequently
used equipment and nylon netting to catch dropped objects. “While most
of these [items] were constructed of low-combustion-potential material,
they were not arranged as to provide barriers to the spread of a fire.
Tests conducted . . . since the accident have shown that an oxygen fire
in the capsule will spread along the surface of Velcro and along the edges
of nylon netting much faster than through the material itself. (3) Soldered
joints in piping carrying both oxygen and fluids were melted away,
with resultant leakage contributing to the spread of the fire. . . .” (4)
Capsule burst in such a way that flames traveled over and around astronauts’
couches toward rupture. “Under these conditions, and with just
a few seconds of time available, the astronauts could not reach the hatch
and open it. (5) This fire indicates that a number of items related to
the design and performance of the environmental control unit will require
the most careful examination and may require redesign. . . :’
Webb announced that Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences
would hold open hearing on Review Board’s preliminary findings
Feb. 27 and that House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Subcommittee
on NASA Oversight would conduct full investigation of accident
after completion of Board’s inquiry, expected by late March.
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