NASA SP-4019 ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1974 A Chronology by Nancy L. Brun The NASA History Series Scientific and Technical Information Ofice 1977 NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION Wmhington, D.C. For sale bjr the Superintendent of Documents, US. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402 Price (paper cover) $4.90 Stock Number 033-000-00661-6 Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 65-60308 Foreword New technology in a rapidly advancing space age remains a challenge, but this chronological collection of aeronautical and space events of 1974 shows that the emphasis in technology has shifted from the problems of how to operate in air and space to the practical use of those environments to meet human needs. Of NASA’s16 payloads launched during the year, 7 were operational satellites, expected to produce profits for their owners. Three of the nine experimental spacecraft were launched to develop technology for applica- tions. Although the immediate use of technology was emphasized in 1974,’ NASA also looked to the future. A little more than a third-six spacecraft- were launched for scientific investigations, an investment in tomorrow. Other nations and commercial interests increasingly joined us in efforts to explore and use space. In NASA’s1974 total, 11 spacecraft were paid for by non-NASA users; 10 were international. In addition, two Italian launches used NASA launch vehicles. Operational satellites-all of whose costs, including launch costs, were paid for by others-included six for comunications, two of them the first US. domestic communications satellites and four for other nations or international groups. And a new operational weather satellite joined the network that reports data from pole to pole. Meanwhile, new technology for improved services was pursued : NASA launched the first Synchronous Meteorological Satellite, for continuous day-and-night weather monitoring, and orbited an experimental communications satellite for France and West Germany. NASA’sAts 6 Applications Technology Satellite demonstrated a new use for powerful communications satellites, transmitting educational courses and health services to small low-cost receivers in remote areas. And remote sensing by satellite and aircraft, though still experimental, found increasing use around the globe for monitoring the earth‘s geology, ecology, resources, and pollution. NASA continued the systematic exdoration of the solar system and the observation of the universe in 1974. Studies of the sun, the planets, and the stars added to knowledge of atmospheric processes, geological formations, energy sources, azd physical laws that affect the earth. The German-American Helws I probed interplanetary space to within 45 million kilometers of the sun, closer than any previous spacecraft had flown. Three planetary probes launched in previous years gave us the first close look at Mercury, new clues to the origin and evolution of Venus, and new information on the weather, atmosphere, and radiation belts of Jupiter. Juoiter was found to be a ball of liquid hydrogen, its great red spot a gigantic cluster of storms at least 400 years old. These Mariner and Pioneer probes were sweeping on toward further planetary investigations even as preparations continued for future probes to softland on Mars and to fly past Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus. Scien- tific satellites of the earth, sounding rockets, balloons, and aircraft were used to study spectra of the stars, celestial x-ray and gammh ray sources, and the iii iv FOREWORD earth’s own atmosphere and magnetic field and interaction with the solar wind. Manned space flight continued to demonstrate man’s capability to live and work in space. Skylab 4, man’s longest mission to date, extended into 1974, gathering data fox 84 days on his ability to work in space, his physiology, the sun, and the earth. The Apollo-Soyuz Test Project neared readiness for its mid-1975 US.-U.S.S.R. flight to test compatible docking systems and conduct joint experiments in space. Development of the first true space transportation system moved nearer its goal of a reusable space shuttle and reusable space laboratory, as the shuttle reached test and fabrication stages and the European Space Research Organization awarded the prime contract for its contribu- tion, Spacelab, to be carried into orbit and back in the shuttle. Aeronautical research was reoriented, with more emphasis placed on re- ducing both the amount of energy required for transportation and the pollu- tion produced by transportation. NASA sought new solutions for the problem of noise, pollution, and safety, while experimenting with alternate fuels and composite materials. Flight tests began on a new general-aviation wing, the GAW-1,and the X-24B lifting body tested maneuverability and landing abili- ties of a vehicle designed for reentry from space. NASA made advances toward low-cost production of solar cells to convert sunlight into electricity and demonstrated the use of solar energy to cool and heat houses. Wind-driven electric generators and ways to reduce fuel con- sumption and pollution by cars were other targets of research during the year. Thus this nation, in cooperation with others, turned capabilities that man has never before possessed toward solution of today’s problems, while invest- ing significant resources to increase our knowledge and technology so that in future decades we will be in a better position to help meet humanity’s cultural and economicneeds. August 1976 John E. Naugle Associate Administrator Contents PAGE Foreword ............................................... 111 John E . Naugle. Associate Administrator Preface ................................................... Vii January ................................................... 1 February .................................................. 19 March .................................................... 51 April ...................................................... 75 May ...................................................... 97 June ...................................................... 111 July ...................................................... 129 August .................................................... 143 September ................................................. 163 October ................................................... 181 November ................................................. 197 December ................................................. 207 1974 in Summary ........................................... 221 Appendix A: Satellites, Space Probes, and Manned Space Flights, 1974 .................................................... 227 Appendix B: Major NASA Launches, 1974 .................... 257 Appendix C: Manned Space Flights, 1974 .................... 261 Appendix D: NASA Sounding Rocket Launches, 1974 ........... 263 Appendix E: X-24B Lifting-Body Flights, 1974 ................ 273 Appendix F: Abbreviations of References ...................... 275 Index and List of Abbreviations and Acronyms ................ 279 Errata in Earlier Volumes ................................... 317 V Preface The 14th volume in the NASA series of day-by-day records of aeronautical and space events has somewhat narrowed its scope and selectivity in its brief accounts from immediately available, open sources. This year the emphasis is even more directly focused on concrete air and space activities. More coverage has, perforce, always been given the national space agency’s own activities, plans, and achievements, and that is true of this volume, but the text continues to reflect some events in other agencies and countries. The 1974 Chronology includes fewer examples of public comment and reaction and less technical detail in more condensed summaries. New tech- nological advances in other fields-such as medicine and ground and sea transportation, except when related to NASA’sprograms-have been dropped, as have most death notices. Air and space highlights of the President’s budget are given in tables in the text. The more routine notices of satellite launches, when little information is available beyond the fact of launch, are now given in Appendix A only, not in the text. Most sounding rocket launches and lifting-body test flights also have been dropped from the text; two new appendixes, Appendixes D and E, present the data in table format. Routine missile and nuclear tests, defense contracts, and disarmament items are no longer covered. Corrections for errors found in previous volumes of this series are carried on Errata pages following the index. This innovation will be continued in later volumes. The sources, identified by abbreviations that are explained in Appendix F, were those immediately available in NASA and other Government agencies, the Congress, and the professional societies, as well as the press. Contradictory accounts have been resolved and doubtful ones verified whenever possible by querying participants. Cross-references are given in the text, and the detailed index will aid in tracing related events through the year. The index also serves as a glossary of acronyms and abbreviations. Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1974 was written by Nancy L. Brun of the NASA History Office, with contributions from other staff members and the History Office Summer Seminar. General editor of the volume was Frank W. Anderson, Jr., Prtblications Manager of the Office, and technical editor was Carrie E. Karegeannes. Archivist Lee D. Saegesser collected and verified documentationand provided research assistance.