Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in ... - The Black Vault

Exploring the Unknown 445
known and firsthand experience is needed through use of a broad based
vehicle concept that is flexible in operation. With this in mind Ames
set down some ground rules for thinking about a space flight mission to
work toward, namely – (1) For the time being the planning should be for
a concept that can be achieved within 5 to 10 years, (2) the space flight
concept should be realistic in terms of money and manpower and (3) the
flight concept should be one in which there would be a strong interplay
between laboratory research and vehicle development. This has led to
Ames’ present thinking that the next step NASA manned space flight
vehicle should have the following performance objectives: (1) two man
occupancy, (2) escape speed capability, (3) lunar orbit capability, and (4)
a minimum flight duration of one week. Ames’ preliminary estimate is
that the minimum weight of such a vehicle would be about 6000 pounds.
Saturn could probably boost it. Ablation shielding should be able to
handle the hearing satisfactorily. The vehicle should be capable of
diversified space research on many problems including investigation of
space and atmosphere maneuvering, pilot competence and capabilities,
space science experiments, telescopic observations, lunar observations
and so forth where man would be a vital link in the operation or
experiment. [7]
Mr. Lundin: - Mr. Lundin also had a prepared writeup distributed to the
membership which discussed Lewis’ research in the categories of (1) trajectory
studies, (2) mission analyses, (3) storage of cyrogenics in space, (4) power
production, (5) shielding, (6) electronic propulsion, (7) supersonic parachutes
and stabilizing devices, (8) jet blast and noise at launch site, (9) control, navigation
and guidance, and (10) manned space capsule orientation control. The material
in this write-up is not reiterated in the minutes. Lewis research now leans heavily
toward rockets of various types and high energy propellants. Lewis is working
mostly on applications of the type being considered for the top stages in present
national booster program. There is a significant amount of work going into
pumps and hydrogen-oxygen auxiliary power systems also.
In conclusion Mr. Lundin expressed his views that the Committee should
not concern itself much with flight vehicle concepts well along the way such as
Mercury or Dyna Soar but rather should look to longer range objectives. He
felt strongly that although the Committee must consider interim space flight
programs, we should not set our sights too low for the present long objective. The
ultimate objective is manned interplanetary travel and our present goal should
be for a manned lunar landing and return as with Nova. If we limit our present
objective to manned reconnaissance, we may seriously impair the country’s
ultimate space flight objective. He mentioned that the Air Force already has a
manned lunar landing mission under study under SR-183.
Mr. Beeler: - Mr. Beeler likewise reviewed some prepared circulated
material on HSFS research pertinent to space vehicles in the categories of (1)
reaction controls, (2) terminal guidance and landing problems, (3) exit and
entry research, (4) crew factors, (5) air launch studies, (6) astronomical platform,
and (7) space flight.