Fourteen staged combustion tests have been accomplished to date in this test program. The performance improvement over the testing conducted in 1967 during Phase I of the XLR129 program is shown in figure 21. PHASE B TEST DATA EXCEEDS 550,000 POUND SPACE SHUTTLE MAIN ENGINE REQUIREMENTS These data (figure 22) confirm that the high pressure staged-combustion rocket engine will more than meet the specific impulse performance required by the Space Shuttle booster and orbiter. SUMMARY Since 1959, NASA, Air Force, and United Aircraft programs valued at $78 million have demonstrated all the significant component technology required for the Space Shuttle Main Engine. High pressure liquid hydrogen and oxygen pumping capability has been proved in three generations of turbomachinery design. Injector designs and cooling techniques for high pressure, high performance combustion systems have been demonstrated in 5,000, 10,000, 50,000, and 250,000 pounds thrust sizes. Powerhead assemblies of combustion components and turbomachinery have demonstrated performance and durability of flightweight high temperature hardware in the Space Shuttle Main Engine environment. A full-scale 250,000 pound thrust size staged combustion system with all combustion system components, including a two-position exhaust nozzle, confirmed the performance levels upon which the Space Shuttle Main Engine specification is based. In parallel programs, high pressure cryogenic valves, seals and turbopump bearings have been developed which have demonstrated Space Shuttle Main Engine durability characteristics. This comprehensive technology background makes us confident that the Space Shuttle Main Engine requirements can be met, both technically and within NASA's schedule, shown in figure 23. The scheduled accomplishment of the major development milestones, relative to the availability of the NASA supplied test facilities, is consistent with our experience. Although unique in its requirements, the Space Shuttle Main Engine enters the development phase with a broader base of technology experience than any rocket propulsion system which has preceded it. PHASE B TEST DATA BETTER THAN 550,000-LB THRUST APPENDIX B QUESTIONS FOR THE RECORD; REPLIES SUBMITTED BY MR. DALE D. MYERS, ASSOCIATE ADMINISTRATOR, OFFICE OF MANNED SPACE FLIGHT, NASA NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION, Hon. OLIN E. TEAGUE, Chairman, Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight, Committee on Science and Astronautics, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: Enclosed are the responses to the questions which you submitted to Mr. Myers in your letter of March 2, 1971. If I can provide any additional information, please let me know. Sincerely yours, H. DALE GRUBB, Assistant Administrator for Legislative Affairs. QUESTIONS SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD AT THE REQUEST OF HON. OLIN E. TEAGUE, SUBCOMMITTEE ON MANNED SPACE FLIGHT, NASA 1972 AUTHORIZATION Question 1. 1972 budget allocations by major programs with consistent comparable budgets for fiscal years 1969, 1970, and 1971. Question 2. Analysis of fiscal year 1970-71 budget realignments by program. Answer 2. There have been no budget realignments between major programs within Manned Space Flight in the past year. Question 3. Actual versus planned obligations by program (planned, actual, and carryover for fiscal years 1969, 1970, and 1971 (to date)). Question 4. Budget requested by center for fiscal year 1972, amount reduced, and final budget? Answer 4. FISCAL YEAR 1972 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT HISTORY OF OMSF BUDGET REQUEST Note: Budget plan for shuttle and orbital science and experiments formulated at OMSF Headquarters level. Amounts allocated to centers. FISCAL YEAR 1972 RESEARCH AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT HISTORY OF OMSF BUDGET REQUEST FISCAL YEAR 1972 CONSTRUCTION OF FACILITIES HISTORY OF OMSF BUDGET REQUEST PROGRAM: MANNED SPACE FLIGHT, RESEARCH AND PROGRAM MANAGEMENT Question 5. Changes in organization chart from 1971 with identification of mission relationship of each major subarea. Answer 5. In the Office of Manned Space Flight, a major review was undertaken of its mission, organization, and resources which took into consideration the maturation of Apollo and Skylab and the emerging future manned space flight programs. Also taken into consideration was a civil service manpower reduction of 19% in OMSF. The main changes were: Abolishment of: Space Medicine Office Missions Operations Office Field Center Development Office Institutional Operations Office Establishment of: Engineering and Operations Office Reliability, Quality and Safety Office Administration Office Budget & Program Analysis Office NASA Life Sciences Office Conversion of: The Space Shuttle effort from a Task Force to a formal Program Office. These realignments should provide management with greater flexibility to employ its limited manpower among the various programs; provide a more uniform approach in accomplishing our technical tasks. with increasing emphasis on economics: centralize management for development of our systems engineering capability; place all budget activity into a single organization; orient administration toward management of the Centers resources; and, bring together the NASA Life Sciences Research Program, now performed by the various NASA program offices, into a single organization. Enclosed for information purposes is a copy of last year's MSF organization chart in addition to this year's chart (as approved 12-23–70). |