Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Cortright, E. M..
The Apollo program is described from the planning stages through Apollo 17. The organization of the program is discussed along with the development of the spacecraft and related technology. The objectives and accomplishments of each mission are emphasized along with personal accounts of the major figures involved. Other topics discussed include: ground support systems and astronaut selection.
The Viking Mars landers to be launched in 1975 will carry experiments in biology, planetology, and atmospheric physics. A terminal dry-heat sterilization process using an inert gas was chosen to meet planetary quarantine requirements and preclude contamination of the biology experiment by terrestrial organisms. Deep sterilization is performed at the component level and terminal surface sterilization at the system level. Solutions to certain component problems relating to sterilization are discussed, involving the gyroscope, tape recorder, battery, electronic circuitry, and outgassing. Heat treatment placed special requirements on electronic packaging, including fastener preload monitoring and solder joints. Chemical and physical testing of nonmetallic materials was performed to establish data on their behavior in heat-treatment and vacuum environments. A Thermal Effects Test Model and a Proof Test Capsule were used. It is concluded that a space vehicle can be designed and fabricated to withstand heat sterilization requirements.
Noise and congestion present the two main technological constraints on air-transportation growth. Although some of the noise reduction will come with improved flight-path control and steep approaches, the main requirement remains quiet propulsion systems. Higher engine temperatures will compensate for efficiency losses due to noise suppression. Composite structures can reduce structural weight by 20%. New developments in rotorcraft transports are discussed together with advanced subsonic transports of the 1980s and the possibilities for further evolution of the SSTs, leading to a hypersonic aircraft.
Manned lunar exploration, sounding rocket photography and future policy
Voyager project goals, orbital operations, capsule descent, navigational systems, etc
Future automated space mission requirements - evaluation of meteorological, communications, and technology satellites, and planetary, lunar, and interplanetary probes
Voyager project goals, orbital operations, capsule descent, navigational systems, etc
Mission planning and candidate launch vehicles for post-Apollo unmanned space science missions
Question-answer series on general topics involving space exploration program
Spacecraft exploration of earth, atmosphere, moon, and planets
United States automated spacecraft with general survey of history, types and functions
Review of u.s. automated scientific spacecraft which have been developed and orbited, or are currently under nasa development
Unmanned instrumented spacecraft for exploration of solar system - nasa program
Unmanned spacecraft - deep space probes and scientific and applications satellites