Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1985

568 Pages·2007·8.4 MB·English

NASA SP-4025
ASTRONAUTICS
AND
AERONAUTICS,
1985
A Chronology
THE NASA HISTORY SERIES
Iw\sA Scientific and Technical Information Division 1988
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Washington, DC
NASA maintains an internal history program for two principal reasons: (1) Sponsorship
of research in NASA-related history is one way in which NASA responds to the provision
of the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 that requires NASA to “provide for
the widest practicable and appropriate dissemination of information concerning its a<:-
tivities and the results thereof.” (2) Thoughtful stidy of NASA history can help agency
managers accomplish the missions assigned to the agency. Understanding NASA’s past
aids in understanding its present situation and illuminates possible future directions.
The opinions and conclusions set forth in this book are those of the author; no official
of the agency necessarily endorses those opinions or conclusions.
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, US. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.
20402 (paper cover) Library of Congress Catalog Number 65-60308.
Astronautics and Aeronautics for 1985 continues the series of annual chro-
nologies of events in aeronautics, aviation, and space science and explora-
tion prepared by the History Office of the National Aeronautics and Space
Administration. A compendium chronology covering the events between
1979 (the date of the most recently published Astronautics and Aeronautics
chronology) and 1984 is in preparation.
The present volume introduces a new format designed to make the series
more useful as an historical reference work. Events are arranged by major
subject categories and subcategories, and chronologically thereunder. It was
written by Bette R. Janson under the editorial supervision of the Director of
the NASA History Office. Items for inclusion in this volume were collected by
Eleanor H. Ritchie and Lee D. Saegesser of the NASA History Office.
As with any work of this nature, its extensive scope has made the use of
primary sources prohibitive. Thus entries are based largely on normally reli-
able secondary sources. All entries are followed by their sources to provide
serious researchers points of access for further investigation.
A chronology of this size necessarily involves considerable seiection; read-
ers are invited to notify the NASA History Office of any serious omissions, as
well as errors, for possible correction in subsequent volumes.
Sylvia D. Fries
Director, NASA History Office
Washington, D.C.
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111

CONTENTS
...
Preface ............................................... 111
Aerospace Industry ...................................... 1
.......................
Aerospace Research and Development 3
Aeronautics ......................................... 4
............................................
Balloons 16
Large Space Systems ................................... 17
......................................
LaunchVehicles 18
Military Applications .................................. 22
Simulation Technology ................................. 26
Transatmospheric Vehicle ............................... 28
Astronauts ............................................. 31
............................................
Astronomy 37
..................................
Planetary Exploration 61
Atmospheric Research ................................... 71
............................
Upper Atmospheric Research 77
..............................................
Aviation 81
........................................
Civil Aviation 82
Human Powered Aircraft ............................... 96
..................................
Su personi c Transport 96
...............................................
Awards 99
Colombia ............................................. 105
Comsat ............................................... 107
Conferences ........................................... 109
...................................
Department of Defense 111
Antisatellite System .................................... 111
.............................................
Budget 116
............................................
Missiles 117
.....................
NASA and the Department of Defense 120
Procurement ......................................... 120
Satellites ............................................ 121
..............................
Strategic Defense Initiative 125
..................................
European Space Agency 135
............................
Federal Aviation Administration 141
France ............................................... 145
.....................................
Hermes Program 145
............................................
Geophysics 147
...............................................
History 151
.................................................
India 155
.............................................
INTELSAT 157
............................................
Satellites 159
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Japan ................................................ 163
Launch Vehicles ...................................... 163
Materials Processing ..................................... 165
National Aeronautics and Space Administration ................ 167
Budget ............................................. 168
Data Tracking and Relay Systems ......................... 171
Management and Personnel ............................. 173
NASA Installations .................................... 186
Ames Research Center ............................... 186
Goddard Space Flight Center .......................... 189
Johnson Space Center ............................... 190
Kennedy Space Center ............................... 191
Langley Research Center ............................. 194
Lewis Research Center ............................... 196
Marshall Space Flight Center .......................... 198
Wallops Flight Facility ............................... 199
Office of Inspector General ............................. 200
Procurement ......................................... 201
Public Affairs ......................................... 203
.......................................
Review Boards 204
Technology Transfers ................................... 206
Peoples Republic of China ................................ 213
Satellites .............................................. 217
Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) ................... 235
Smithsonian Institution ................................... 237
Space Science and Applications ............................ 243
Space Station Program ................................... 255
...........................
Space Transportation System (STS) 271
Civilian in Space Program .............................. 271
Crews .............................................. 277
External Tank ........................................ 285
............................
Launch and Landing Facilities 286
.....................................
Launch Schedules 294
........................................
Main Engines 306
........................................
Management 310
..................................
Mi Ii tary Applications 314
............................................
Missions 322
...........................................
Revenues 343
....................................
Scientific Research 348
.......................................
Shuttle Orbiter 358
Solid-fuel Rocket Boosters .............................. 366
Student Involvement Program ............................ 369
Spacelab .............................................. 373
vi
..........................
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 385
............................................
Missiles 385
............................................
Satel lites 386
.......................................
Space Program 388
...........................................
Spacecraft 396
........................................
United Kingdom 401
............................................
Satellites 401
..........................................
United States 403
...........................................
Congress 403
........................................
U.S.AirForce 404
...........................................
Aircraft 404
............................
NASA and the U.S. Air Force 409
. ............................
US Science and Technology 411
............................................
Policy 413
.........................................
Resources 414
.....................................
U.S. Space Policy 417
...................................
Civilian Programs 420
..................................
Commercialization 425
.......................................
International 432
...................................
Military Programs 436
..........................
National Space Commission 440
..........................................
Miscellaneous 443
...........................................
Appendixes 447
A . Satellites, Space Probes, and Manned Space Flights, 1985 .... 447
B . NASA Launches, 1985 ............................... 499
C . Manned Space Flights, 1985 .......................... 507
. ...........................
D Abbreviations of References 513
................................................
Index 519
vii
AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
March 78: In its aerospace forecast and inventory issue, Aviation Week re-
ported that aerospace sales would continue to expand in 1985 as a result of
business that was already on the books, with reviving commercial transport
orders expanding on earlier rebounds in the military and space segments of
the industry. However, as strong as the expansion was, sales were not as
robust in some markets as had been predicted the previous year.
Among the factors affecting the sales picture was Congressional trimming
of military funding in the FY 85 budget. But Aviation Week predicted that to
trim outlays the Pentagon would go after operating funds rather than hard-
ware money that was spent over periods longer than a year. Thus the aero-
space industry experienced moderately slower but still firm growth. Also
international and domestic competition was intensifying, particularly be-
cause the Pentagon sought to use competition as a primary tool to hold down
weapons costs.
The magazine forecasted that total aerospace sales in 1985 would reach
$99 billion and over $100 billion in 1986. Military aircraft would produce
$32 billion in sales, compared with $27.5 billion in 1984; missile sales
would rise to $15.7 billion from $13.8 billion in 1984; space technology,
rebounding from weak sales in the 1970s, would reach $14.8 billion com-
pared with $12.5 billion in 1984; commercial transport orders would revive
from the $6-billion level in 1984 to $9.2 billion in 1985; and business flying
sales would remain flat at about $1.8 billion.
Both transport and corporate aircraft had a common problem: the high cost
of relatively small increments of new technology and the drop in fuel prices
that had placed a premium on modest improvement in fuel efficiency. How-
ever, all-composite turboprop aircraft for the business market were flying and
might begin to change that situation in 1986 and 87. Also, new ultra-high-
bypass engines (in some situations a euphemism for propellers) were under
test and might hit the commercial transport market in the early 199Os, as
would increased use of composites, lighter and simpler subsystems, and
more flexible cabins in terms of seating, galley, and lavatory layouts.
Military sales levels depended on what happened to President Reagan’s
defense budget in Congress. Although orders on the books would carry
industry sales for 1985 to forecasted levels, a stalemate in Congress would
affect the longer term outlook. (AvWk, Mar 18/85, 10)
August 8: The Washington Post reported that Fairchild Industries would sell
its 50% interest in American Satellite Co. and Space Communications Co. for
$105 million to Continental Telecom Inc., which owned the other half of the
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Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1985
two joint ventures. Observers considered the two satellite communications
subsidiaries Fairchild’s leading growth opportunities.
American Satellite of Rockville (Amsat) provided private and general satel-
lite communications services. It transmitted regional editions of The Wall
Street Journal, The New York Times, and other newspapers and had won a
large number of government contracts.
Space Communications of Gaithersburg (Spacecom) owned and operated
the tracking and data relay satellite system for NASA, provided communica-
tions to the Space Shuttle, and was building a $122.8 million communica-
tions network for the Air Force.
Fairchild president Emanuel Fthenakis said the company decided to sell its
interests in Amsat and Spacecom to consolidate its other businesses. “We are
addressing the same market with more than one company,” he said. “The
main reason is to consolidate our activities and address these markets with
our wholly owned subsidiaries.”
Analysts said the move showed Fairchild was unwilling or unable because
of troubles in its other operations to invest the large amounts of capital
required to continue to expand the two companies. (WPost, Aug 9/85, B1)
August 79: Martin Marietta Corp. completed an agreement giving it a 25%
stake in Equatorial Communication Co., a provider of satellite-based data
communications networks, the Washington Post reported. Under the agree-
ment, Marietta acquired about 3.6 million shares of Equatorial’s common
stock for $13.87% a share and warrants to purchase an additional 1.8 million
shares for $17.50 each. Marietta would assume two seats on Equatorial’s
board, which would expand to seven members.
Equatorial, which provided small, low-cost microearth stations, satellite
transmission capacity, and other services that let companies construct and
control their own private data communications networks, said it planned to
use the funds to reduce debt and provide working capital.
Marietta and Equatorial said they planned to pursue joint ventures in the
information systems market. ( W Post, Aug 20/85, E4)
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