Aug 19 1970
From The Space Library
U.K.'s Skynet B military comsat was successfully launched by NASA from ETR for USAF and U.K. by long-tank, thrust-augmented Thor-Delta (DSV-3M) booster. Spacecraft entered transfer orbit with 37426.5-km (23 260.7-m) apogee, 264.9-km (164.6-mi) perigee, and 26.02° inclination. Primary NASA objective was to place spacecraft in transfer orbit accurate enough for apogee motor to place it in satisfactory synchronous equatorial orbit over Kenya. Communications with Skynet B were lost suddenly during apogee motor firing Aug. 22. Search for spacecraft was being conducted by NORAD. Skynet B was second of two U.K. military comsats launched in IDCSP-A program under DOD-U.K. agreement. USAF managed project for DOD and would reimburse NASA for launch services. U.K. would reimburse USAF. Skynet A, launched Nov. 21, 1969, was operating satisfactorily over Indian Ocean. (NASA Proj Off; B Sun, /20/70, A3)
August 19: U.S.S.R.. launched Cosmos CCCLVII into orbit with 466km (289.6-mi) apogee, 271-km (168.4-mi) perigee, 91.9-min period, and 70.9° inclination. Satellite reentered Nov. 24. (GSFC SSR, 8/31/ 70;11/30/70)
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, sent memorandum to NASA officials on NASA's receipt of President's Safety' Award for reduction of injuries to NASA employees for past three years: "NASA has earned this award in the face of the ever present and peculiar hazards that are associated with the pioneer research operations of our aeronautical and space programs.... Safety is reflected in the successes that we... have realized in our ventures in space. It is gratifying to realize that this award was based on achievements during the period of preparation for and completion of our first moon landings." (NASA Hq WB, 8/31/70)
President Nixon accepted resignation of Dr. Lee A. DuBridge as OST Director and Science Adviser with "deep regret": "The skill, the wisdom and the seasoned judgment you have brought to your responsibilities here deserve a special accolade... and I trust that you will take pride in the outstanding contribution you have made to the welfare of all of your fellow citizens." President announced intention to nominate Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., Executive Director of Communications Systems Research at Bell Laboratories, as successor. Dr. David had been with Bell Laboratories since 1950. Previously he had been on MIT research staff. Nomination was submitted to Senate Aug. 20. (PD, 8/24/70, 1083-4, 1097)
Dr. Wernher von Braun, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning, urged strong role for a centralized science and technology agency but also continued strong mission agency roles in support of basic research-in statement to Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Development of House Committee on Science and Astronautics: ". . in the formulation of a national science policy-or perhaps more appropriately... of guidelines in this area - I would recommend a strengthened role for a centralized agency, with larger responsibility for the development of academic science, and, concurrently, a continuation of the role of mission agency support of basic research deemed important to their missions. Increased responsibility must also be borne by the central agency to help coordinate the efforts of the mission agencies in their dealings with the academic community, a coordination which opens up new opportunities for academic science, and the various agencies, rather than inhibits new approaches. The coordination must not become simply another means of attempting to eliminate duplication, but a mechanism to spotlight areas of opportunity and need where new research, new technology, and new applications can be initiated." (NASA Activities, 9/15/70)
U.S.S.R. was spending two percent of GNP on space and U.S. one half of one percent, Dr. Charles S. Sheldon II, Chief of Science Policy Div. of Library of Congress, said in speech before National Space Club in Washington, D.C. U.S.S.R. GNP in 1969 was estimated at $420 billion; U.S. total was $931 billion. Successful Soviet launches had totaled 44 in 1966, 74 in 1968, 70 in 1969, and 40 thus far in 1970. Largest element in Soviet space program had been photo-reconnaissance. U.S.S.R.. had led U.S. in payload launch weight every year since launch of 83.5-kg (184-lb) Sputnik in 1957 except 1969. Total payload weight for U.S.S.R. was 2 million kg (4.5 million lbs); for U.S. total was 1.9 million kg (4.25 million lbs). (B Sun, 8/20/70. A3)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
