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Mathews, C. W.

Publications and source records attributed to Mathews, C. W..

At least 19 records

The suitability of various spacecraft for future space applications missions

The Space Applications Advisory Committee (SAAC) of NASA's Advisory Council was asked by the Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications to consider the most suitable future means for accomplishing space application missions. To comply with this request, SAAC formed a Task Force whose report is contained in this document. In their considerations, the Task Force looked into the suitability of likely future spacecraft options for supporting various types of application mission payloads. These options encompass a permanent manned space station, the Space Shuttle operating in a sortie mode, unmanned platforms that integrate a wide variety of instruments or other devices, and smaller free fliers that accommodate at most a few functions. The Task Force also recognized that the various elements could be combined to form a larger space infrastructure. This report summarizes the results obtained by the Task Force. It describes the approach utilized, the findings and their analysis, and the conclusions.

Mathews, C. W.

Gathering and using information on a global scale

The importance of information gathered, integrated and analyzed over broad regions of the world is discussed. Means of acquiring information on critical areas are outlined, and the particular role that remote sensing can play is described in each case. The possible implementation of a global information system and some of the current difficulties in initiation of such a system on an operational basis are explored. In this way, issues will be surfaced for consideration. Topics include: the importance of innovative leadership, and some actions that the government might take, both in Congress and in the Executive Branch; the relationship of U.S. government activities to international interests and to industry; and the need to stimulate more private sector initiative and to transfer responsibilities from government to commercial interests.

Mathews, C. W.

Applications payloads

The future purposes to which the Space Shuttle will or can be put are examined. In addition to the use of the Space Shuttle as a launch/deployment system, the low-gravity environment of the Space Shuttle will be used to conduct important experiments in material processing and cloud microphysics studies. Other purposes include the development of pollution and hydrologic sensors, and of sets of earth-viewing instruments with which to cross correlate data and speed up information extraction. Much attention is given to the flight hardware.

Mathews, C. W.

NASA requirements and programs

Conference recommendations for NASA consideration were: (1) continued operation of ERTS-1 for DCS purposes, even after the imaging sensors have ceased to function; and (2) Interagency Coordination Committee on Earth Resources Survey Program undertake study of the potential for further development of DCS that will lead to the initiation of an operational system to meet national and international requirements.

Mathews, C. W.

American space station activities.

The concept of a research and applications facility permanently operating in earth orbit is described. A brief outline of the Skylab missions is given. The kinds of investigation presently envisioned are discussed; they include activities in the physical and life sciences, applications, technology, and operations. In addition, the specialized capabilities within the space station are described.

Mathews, C. W.

The space shuttle and its uses.

The development of reusable space-shuttle vehicles has been made practical by the availability of improved staged-combustion engines and durable thermal protection systems. A two-state launch configuration with fully reusable booster and orbiter elements is considered to be the best design solution, and size specifications for such a vehicle are examined as a function of launch costs. Significant vehicle characteristics are explained in terms of cargo bay dimensions, cross-range maneuvering capability, mission duration requirements, engine characteristics, and acceleration constraints. Shuttle flight activities include satellite deployment and repair, sortie missions for short-duration research purposes, and space station support operations. Phases of the development program are outlined, and structural details of several candidate space shuttle concepts are illustrated.

Mathews, C. W.

A space station overview

Nasa orbital space stations, shuttle, bases, and tugs as Apollo applications program

Mathews, C. W.

Systems engineering, manned space flight.

Systems engineering activities in manned space flight involving design, development, manufacture, test and operation of Mercury, Gemini and Apollo flight systems

Mathews, C. W.

The gemini program.

Gemini program including system and component description, orbital and rendezvous problems, extravehicular operations and controlled reentry

SPACE PROGRAM