Aug 19 1965
From The Space Library
Gemini V launch counted down to T-10 min, before it was canceled and reset for Aug. 21 Astronauts Leroy Gordon Cooper (L/Col. USAF) and Charles Conrad, Jr. (LCdr. USN) were disappointed, but took the delay in stride, Cooper commented: "You promised a launch today and not a wet mock." Five hours before the scheduled launch, computer studies suggested that the liquid hydrogen in the spacecraft's fuel cells was boiling off too quickly. Engineers' attempts to force additional liquid hydrogen into the fuel cells succeeded only in hastening the escape of hydrogen gas. Finally, a colder liquid hydrogen was used with success. Ten minutes before lift-off, apparent troubles with a telemetry programer caused another hold in the countdown, During a thunderstorm, a lightning-induced power surge affected the electrical instruments. At 5:00 p.m. EDT, as NASA officials were opening a press conference, they were informed that a fire had broken out in a communications cable linking the Gemini V launch complex with mission control center. The officials said that there was a "very good possibility" that Gemini V could be launched on Aug, 21, but that no definite date could be set until a partial countdown was held the next day to determine the damage caused by the power surge and the cable fire. (Clark, NYT, 8/20/65, 1; Simons, Wash, Post, 8/20/65; Al ; WSJ, 8/20/65, 1)
Hughes Aircraft Co, was the only concern to respond to ComSatCorp's request for proposals to build four advanced Early Bird-type satellites with options for additional satellites, ComSatCorp announced. Five companies had bid for construction of four transportable ground stations with options for additional stations: Hughes Aircraft Co,; International Telephone and Telegraph Corp,; Page Communications Engineers; and Radio Corp, of America, Delivery of the first satellite and the first two stations would be within eight months. (ComSatCorp Release)
Two groups of youths were apprehended by a security patrol at Kennedy Space Center, NASA, for trespassing near Gemini V on Launch Complex 37, Unauthorized entry to the site is a Federal offense. (Wash, Post, 8/20/65)
ComSatCorp asked 24 firms to propose earth station construction plans for antenna systems in Brewster, Wash, and Paumalu, Hawaii, by Sept, 17. The RFP specified four 85-ft. parabolic antennas capable of working with satellites at altitudes from 6,000 mi. to 22,300 mi, Requirements were for one operational antenna system at each of the earth stations within a year after the contract award, and the second antenna system at each station two months later. The stations would provide high quality two-way commercial communications, track spacecraft, and send commands and receive data from satellite both during launch and while satellites were in orbit. (ComSatCorp Release; UPI, NYT, 8/20/65, 41)
Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA) asked that NASA temporarily assign Dr. Joachim P. Kuettner, deputy director of the Technical Staff (Saturn/Apollo Systems Office) of the Research and Development Operations, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, as Chief Space Scientist of the National Weather Satellite Center. Dr. Kuettner, expected to leave for Washington, D.C, about Sept. 1, would administer ESSA's space program, specifically, manned and unmanned advanced systems. (MFSC Release 65-207)
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