November 16, 1964

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AVIONICS

Microcircuitry Production Growth Outpaces Applications

Microcircuitry is achieving wide acceptance in military and aerospace equipment at a pace that surprises even some of its more optimistic advocates, but not yet at a rate fast enough to absorb the output of the vast microcircuit productive capability now available in the country.

By Barry Miller19 min

SPECIAL REPORT ON GEMINI, APOLLO AND BEYOND—PART 1

Apollo Nears Critical Ground Test Phase

Houston—Project Apollo, almost halfway to its goal of landing men on the moon by 1969, is about to enter a highly critical development phase—an 18month period of rigorous ground-testing to certify flight-readiness of the threeman spacecraft and its systems.

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Carrier Task Force Shows Nuclear Range Capabilities

On Board the USS EnterpriseNavy’s demonstration of its ability to conduct more than two months of unsupported air operations with its nuclear-powered Task Force One during a recent round-the-world cruise may prompt reconsideration of nuclear powerplants for future Navy carriers.

By Donald E. Fink8 min

SPECIAL REPORT ON GEMINI, APOLLO AND BEYOND—PART 1

More Apollo Guidance Flexibility Sought

Washington—Apollo guidance, navigation and control concepts have undergone a number of evolutionary changes intended to improve mission flexibility and reliability and to save weight and space in the spacecraft. Some of these changes have resulted from more detailed studies of alternative solutions, while others stem from technical advances and experience gained since the Apollo program was launched several years ago.

Special Report on Gemini, Apollo and Beyond—Part 1

Future Effort to Stress Apollo Hardware

Houston—Major redirection of U.S. space plans will emphasize use of Apollo hardware, after manned lunar landings, for extensive earth-orbital operations leading to development of a permanent space station. Focus of the decision, probably the most significant in the recent history of National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is exploitation of Apollo’s technological advances with major immediate funding.

SPECIAL REPORT ON GEMINI, APOLLO AND BEYOND—PART 1

Lunar Surface Exploration Gear Analyzed

Houston-Constraints that will be imposed on astronauts following landing on the moon in the Lunar Excursion Module (LEM)—such as checkout, sleep, data transmission and personal mobility—will play a significant role in design of equipment to be utilized on the lunar surface.

AIR TRANSPORT

‘sniffer’ May Detect Bombs on Aircraft

Chicago—There is growing optimism that it will be possible to produce a device which can detect the presence of hidden explosives aboard an aircraft prior to takeoff by means of their faint vapors to frustrate suicide-murder plots aboard airliners.

By Philip J. Klass6 min

SPECIAL REPORT ON GEMINI, APOLLO AND BEYOND—PART 1

Industry Population Mushrooms as Msc Spawns New Markets

Houston—Aerospace industry’s population and facilities here are growing rapidly to exploit new market opportunities opened by National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Manned Spacecraft Center at nearby Clear Lake. Contract services are used wherever possible at the center to keep NASA employe staffing down to the minimum level necessary to handle what it considers its prime functions of managing and providing technical direction to the U. S. manned space flight program.

EDITORIAL

The Mixed Strategic Force

. . . The principal advantages of the missile are its tremendous speed and range. Its accuracy and nuclear yield are very high and, with the Minuteman, reaction capability has become practically instantaneous. Moreover, there is as yet no effective defense against missiles.

November 91964

November 231964

November 16, 1964

November 16, 1964