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Aviation History
1960
1960 - 0681.PDF
FLIGHT, 20 May 1960 681 Missiles and Spaceflight . . . b that of solar flares, which had been observed to occur about oncei month. Lasting about one day each, the flares produced between ">0 and 1,000 times the galactic intensities. The occurrence ofiares was extremely difficult to predict, and less than 10 per cent of solar disturbances developed into fully-fledged flares. Results from the latest series of space tests, according to DrVan Allen, indicated that the inner radiation belt was quite stable In intensity. Less than 20 per cent variation had been detectedrhus.far. In contrast, the outer belt appeared to vary by a factor of nerhaps 10,000. Spaceflight below 400 n.m. altitude was relativelysafe between the 40 deg latitudes, but it was "unthinkable" that man could orbit within the inner radiation belt. "Sweeping out"the inner belt, as proposed by one of Dr Van Allen's colleagues (Dr Singer), seemed hopeless to the speaker. Shielding against theinner belt's radiation also appeared hopeless. Solar cells, used by many vehicles for a power supply, had a lifetime of only a fewmonths in this belt. The speaker ventured that all planets probably had radiation belts. Contrary to the theme of the meeting, which was "manned"space applications, Dr Nancy G. Roman, chief of the NASA astronomy and astrophysics programmes, cited several reasonswhy she did not want occupants aboard orbiting astronomical observatories. Obviously, a man moving about in a vehicle createddisturbances, but even if there were no perceptible movement, man could still not be tolerated. Breathing, and even the angularmomentum of blood circulating through man's body systems, caused unacceptable effects. Dr Roman made out a case forsatellite stabilization to 0.01 sec of arc, an extraordinary require- ment by today's standards, where satellite stabilization to anaccuracy of l^ss than one degree is considered good. And why should we place an observatory (or telescope) in orbit?There were many reasons. The atmosphere which surrounds the Earth atenuates all but the strongest light and radio waves. Ultra-violet emissions were almost all absorbed by the atmosphere. Furthermore, it was just about physically impossible, due togravitational forces, to construct a mirror larger than 200in in diameter. Ultimately, Dr Roman suggested, there was a use fora 100ft diameter reflector in space. The 12in telescope in the Project Stratoscope (high-altitude balloon) experiment had pro-duced finer pictures of the Sun's surface than had ever been obtained with the largest ground-based telescope. A wealth ofextremely useful information would hence be obtained by the Orbiting Solar Observatory (OSO) later this year, and by theOrbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) programme within the next three years. PIONEER 5 SWITCHES UP The higher-powered (150W) of the two radio transmitters aboardthe US space probe Pioneer 5 was brought into use for the first time at 10.04 a.m. GMT on May 8 at a distance of approximately8.001 million miles. The command signal was sent from Man- chester University's experimental station at Jodrell Bank, using the250ft steerable radio telescope. Since its launch from Cape Canaveral on March 11, Pioneer 5had been telemetering scientific information daily by means of a five-watt transmitter. On May 7 it became apparent that this unithad almost reached its transmission limit, and it was decided to attempt to energize the 150-watt transmitter. This involved a three-step sequence, beginning with a signalfrom Jodrell Bank at 10 a.m. which directed electrical power into valve filaments through a current-limiting resistor, in order towarm up the filaments for about one minute. Six hours later this was repeated and a second command was sent which removed theresistor from the circuit and supplied full filament heating for several minutes. The final command was sent at 10.03 a.m. onMay 8, energizing the 150-watt transmitter and its electrical con- verter. The unit measures 7in X 5in and weighs 51b. Because of the high power-drain imposed by the 150-watttransmitter, it is being operated only for some 2-3min every 6-8hr. Jodrell Bank can receive data at the rate of either eight or 64 itemsper second. Power for the probe comes from 4,800 solar cells, the output from which constantly charges 28 chemical batteries, whichin turn power over 401b of experiments, electronics, a receiver, transmitters and associated logic units. A statement by the National Aeronautics and Space Adminis-tration on May 8 reported: "At this time it is impossible to predict how long the spacecraft will continue to relay information. Inrecent weeks a minor component failure has been noted and compensated for. Also some slight deterioration in the batterieshas been observed, possibly the result of leakage in the vacuum of soace . . . "To date the probe has returned more than 109 hours of data oncosmic radiation, charged-particle energies and magnetic-field phenomena. In two short months, the probe has overturned well-entrenched theories about solar-flare effects and the extent of the Earth's magnetic field." THE THOR RECORD Statistics published by Douglas Aircraft Co, Santa Monica, onMay 6 indicate that, in terms of usable payload weight, Thor boosters have supplied the "initial push" for 88 per cent of thepayload weight placed in orbit by the USA. Thor had "functioned flawlessly," the company stated, in 24 of its 28 assignments as aspace vehicle booster. An analysis of the USA's 22 successful space shots showed that these had used 12 Thors, six Jupiter Csor Junos, three Vanguards and one Atlas as first-stage boosters. "An impressive degree of reliability and versatility," according toDouglas, had been demonstrated in the total of 90 Thor firings, of which 62 were military and 28 were space launches. BLUE STREAK AFTERMATH : In the annual report of the de Havilland Enterprise, Sir AubreyBurke states that the group as a whole spent some £ 16m on Blue Streak in the four years that they worked on it. During the pastyear, he said, the programme had "progressed most satisfactorily." In Canberra on May 11, the Australian Minister for Supply, AlanHulme, said that the total amount spent on the programme in Australia was about £Allm (£8.8m), but he could not say howthis sum had been shared between the two countries. Guidance contractor was Sperry Gyroscope, and even ifdevelopment of the basic vehicle is continued as a booster for spacecraft their excellent inertial system is unlikely to be required.On May 9 Sperry told some 200 employees at the Bracknell, Berks, plant that they would be laid off on June 3. DAVY CROCKETT Basic information on this miniaturized tactical nuclear deliverysystem were contained in our missiles review of November 6 last. The actual launcher has now been exhibited publicly (duringProject MAN, mentioned at the head of page 679). A few years ago the smallest nuclear weapon weighed several hundred poundsand occupied a volume of many cubic feet; in fact the original Hiroshima "bomb" could only just be carried by a B-29. Thealmost incredible progress by the US Atomic Energy Commission in reducing the minimum size and weight of nuclear weapons hasnow enabled tactical devices to be fired from a launcher which can be transported by infantry. The Davy Crockett shell was notshown at Fort Benning, but observers have suggested that it has a calibre of 5in and a length of about 30in, suggesting a weight ofabout 501b. The launcher consists of a mortar-like tube, hinged near itsmuzzle to a folding, triangulated mounting which can be erected on any fairly firm terrain. Tied in with the launching tube is anoptical sight. One-tenth the weight of previous recoilless systems, Davy Crockett fires its shells—atomic or conventional—by meansof a propulsive charge and launching piston, a rearwards-facing nozzle providing the counterbalancing thrust. One would notexpect the range to be greater than three or four miles. Titanium Metals Corporation of America commented that mostof Davy Crockett's structure is fabricated in heat-treated titanium, thereby achieving a weight-saving of 801b. Other advantages ofthis material are that the weapon is immune to corrosion and that it can operate between minus 65° and 125°F with virtually noattention. There are three major thread-jointed parts, and the barrel is heat-treated to a strength of 210,0O01b/sq in. DavyCrockett production is expected to consume 2,000,0001b of titanium over the next five years. Davy Crockett was designed by Frankford (Pennsylvania)Arsenal, and its launching piston and ammunition by Picatinny (NJ) Arsenal. Prototypes are being made by Watervliet Arsenal,who will supervise subsequent production by industry. The Army Ordnance Corps is at present engaged in intensive trials withDavy Crockett at Aberdeen proving ground. An Atlas ICBM fired from Vandenberg AFB on May 6 was destroyed by ground command when it developed a fault at about 5,000ft. During May HMS Girdle Ness is engaged in a series of firing trialsoff Malta of "production" Seaslug ship-to-air missiles. The configuration of this weapon was revealed in our issue of April 29. United Aircraft have reconstituted their Missiles and Space Systems Division as part of Hamilton Standard. The MSS Division has never had manufacturing potential, and the new move is expected to put it on a firmer footing. In recent weeks Polaris has been subjected to some sniping, especiallyfrom the USAF. Defending the fleet ballistic missile system, the US Navy Secretary said on May 6 that the suggestion that Polarissubmarines cannot defend themselves was "a hollow fear"; they had detection equipment and anti-submarine torpedoes. Moerover, theaccuracy of Polaris promised to be "as good as that of any known missile." Further to our photograph of the tethered launching of a Minutemanon May 6 published last week, additional information has come in on this firing. It was the last silo test at Edwards AFB, and was com-pletely successful. The three-stage missile had only a small propellant charge in its first stage. After leaving its silo cleanly the vehicle rose toabout 120ft and the first stage fell about 300ft down-range.
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