March 20, 1961

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SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Industry Outlines Proposals for Large Booster Gains

Washington—Kennedy Administration is reaching its decisions on the future of the national space program against the background of a variety of industry proposals that indicate it would be possible to make a long jump in U. S. booster performance within five years, if there were strong White House support and more extensive use of the nation’s technical talent.

By Edward H. Kolcum13 min

AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING

Turbofans Reduce 720b’s Takeoff Roll

Seattle, Wash.—Better takeoff performance, lower fuel consumption and higher payload-carrying capability are the most notable features of the Boeing 720B which enters American Airlines service this month. Thrust increase of 40% supplied by the four turbofan engines enable the 720B to cruise at 630 mph. at 25,000 ft., take off from one-third less runway than the 720 at comparable weight, use 20% less fuel at comparable speeds and operate at a gross weight 20,000 lb. in excess of its predecessor 720.

By William S. Reed9 min

AIR TRANSPORT

Panam Divestiture Portends Wide Effects

New York—Possible far-reaching effects of a Mar. 8 court decision that Pan American World Airways should divest itself of Panagra stock include a thorny future question for the Civil Aeronautics Board as to whether W. R. Grace & Co. should control Panagra.

By Glenn Garrison6 min

AVIONICS

Kc-135 Tests Ionospheric Scatter Vhf

Feasibility of using ionospheric scatter for two-way ground-air communications at VHF frequencies over distances up to 1,500 mi. has been demonstrated by a series of recent tests conducted by Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories.

By Philip J. Klass6 min

110

Letters

Your editorial of Feb. 20, “The Stern Chase in Space,” gives an astute perspective of the importance booster power will be in this decade. It is clear that larger boost propulsion systems are required to put adequate tonnage into orbit and also at great distances from the earth.

March 131961

March 271961

March 20, 1961

March 20, 1961