December 16, 1963

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SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Five-month Test of Gemini Paraglider Paves Way for Operational Development

Los Angeles—An intensive five-month flight test program of full-scale prototype Gemini paraglider recovery system will begin this month at Edwards AFB. The test program, including pilot-controlled vehicles used to evaluate landing techniques, is intended to pave the way for development of an operational paraglider system for eventual use in Project Gemini.

By C. M. Plattner12 min

SPACE TECHNOLOGY

Mol Studies to Include Army, Navy Tasks

Industry studies of the USAF Systems Command manned orbiting laboratory will be oriented toward considerations of Navy and Army mission requirements as well as those of the Air Force. Although Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara declined to discuss specific missions when he announced the space station program (see p. 30), a wide range of potential military uses will be analyzed in the studies.

AIR TRANSPORT

Eldo Third-stage Model Test Scheduled

Bremen, Germany—Entwicklungsring Nord is cutting metal for the vibration test model of the European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO) booster third stage in preparation for a series of trials on the composite AngloFranco-German vehicle.

By Warren C. Wetmore7 min

AVIONICS

Crab-oriented Gyro Produced for Athena

Los Angeles—A compact, low-cost attitude control system, employing a pair of free gyros in an unusual crab configuration to maintain constant earth reference, is expected to aim the Air Force’s solid-propellant Athena rocket to within approximately 1 deg.

By Barry Miller6 min

AIR TRANSPORT

Congress, Cab Eye Riddle Operations

Washington—Riddle Airlines’ reorganization problems under a new management team may force a closer scrutiny of the cargo carrier’s operations by both Congress and the Civil Aeronautics Board, prodded by the continuing complaints of major stockholders.

By Robert H. Cook6 min

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MISSILE ENGINEERING

Pershing Crews ‘graduate’ with Launches

Gallup, N. M.—Army has gained enough confidence in the reliability of the Pershing tactical missile that crews that have completed training have begun “graduation” firings from a site 12 mi. southeast of here, far removed from a missile range.

By Larry Booda5 min

Mid-December1963

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December 16, 1963

December 16, 1963