May 9, 1960

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SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Safety, Simplicity Stressed in Saturn Design

Huntsville, Ala.—Conservatism and simplicity are stressed in the detail design of National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Saturn booster in an effort to counteract the reliability-reducing effects of its great size and the clustered engine concept.

By J. S. Butz16 min

106

AVIONICS

Microminiature Modules Show Potential

Waltham, Mass.—A microminiature module program designed to accommodate contemporary as well as future high-temperature and high-density avionic components will be unveiled this week by Sylvania Electric Products, Inc. With other microcircuit developments elsewhere, this program shares a common objective of efficient and reliable use within restricted volumes of the large numbers of components required in military and space systems.

By Barry Miller9 min

HUMAN FACTORS

Hermes Tests Zero-g Capsule Equipment

Dayton—Seven-day manned test in a sealed capsule has demonstrated that a life-support system capable of operating in the weightlessness of space could be built now, Air Force researchers believe. Project Hermes, completed recently at Air Research and Development Command's Wright Air Development Division here, was the first combined test of a number of life-sustaining subsystems designed and engineered on operating principles that would be valid under zero gravity conditions.

By Evert Clark8 min

MISSILE ENGINEERING

Machining Improvements Cut Man Hours

New York—Improvements in machining over the next decade are expected to cut man-hour requirements in half and enable aerospace manufacturers to work high temperature, high strength materials with speed, precision and low cost not now possible.

By Michael Yaffee8 min

134

Letters

The constant plea of AVIATION WEEK for more defense funds raises certain questions which ought to be answered by the editorial staff. The U.S.A. is indeed involved in a World War III of a new type not previously experienced. It is generally recognized that the initiative lies with the USSR.

Space Technology

Pioneer V Provides New Scientific Data

Washington-Pioneer V is continuing to telemeter data from space as early studies of its broadcasts provide new scientific insight into the magnetic and radiation patterns between the earth and Venus orbits. Coupled with data from Explorer satellites and measurements made on earth and from balloons, Pioneer V data is providing comparisons of radiation effects near the earth and in space during quiet days and during periods of intense solar activity.

By Craig Lewis6 min

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

First Glass Fiber Rotor Blades Tested

First all-glass fiber rotor blades will be flying within a year, most likely on an Umbaugh U-18. Other airframe candidates expected to follow shortly are the Kaman H-43, Vertol H-21 and the Bell 11-40 helicopters. Parsons Corp., source of the Umbaugh, Bell and Vertol rotors, has been working on glass fiber blades for six years and is ready for flight production.

By Michael Yaffee6 min

AIR TRANSPORT

Capital Employe Unit Organizes, Plans Fight to Control Airline

Washington—In a major proxy battle virtually unprecedented in U.S. corporate history, the majority of Capital Airlines’ employes had banded together as of late last week to fight for control of the company by overthrowing the present board of directors and at least part of management within the next 60 days.

By L. L. Doty6 min

118

AVIONICS

Optical Polishing Adds to Tube Reliability

Livingston, N. J.—An optical polishing process of vacuum-sealing electron tubes lowered the number of rejects and significantly extended tube life in tests conducted on a pilot batch by Chatham Electronics Division of TungSol Electric, Inc., under contract from U. S. Army Signal Supply Agency.

By Harry Raven5 min

May 21960

May 161960

May 9, 1960

May 9, 1960