Aug 1 1969
From The Space Library
Univ. of California's Lick Observatory successfully recorded first hits on laser reflector left on moon by Apollo 11 astronauts. Hits, which came after 2,000-3,000 unsuccessful attempts by Lick and Univ. of Texas's McDonald Observatory, were made by Lick's 120-in telescope -world's second largest. Scientists fired 500 pulses with pure red beam of ruby laser. Each pulse lasted 15-20 billionths of a second, reached moon in 1.3 secs, and bounced back in same time. Target 18-in-square panel of 100 three-faced prisms of fused silica-was hit about three-fourths of time. (GSFC Historian)
JPL engineers reported Mariner VII, en route to Mars, had suffered sudden change in velocity-possibly because of gas leak from pressure can in infrared spectrometer-that could throw off its approach to Mars. Also, 20 of 92 telemetry channels, including one that aimed TV camera platform toward Mars, had not operated properly after controllers lost contact with spacecraft July 30. When engineers turned on TV cameras, however, they began taking pictures that appeared to be of Mars. (Auerbach, W Post, 8/2/69, A4; NASA News Release, 9/11/69)
Dr. Wilmot N. Hess, Director of Science and Applications at MSC, announced he would leave NASA in September to become Director of Research Laboratories for ESSA in Boulder, Colo. His successor had not yet been selected. Dr. Hess said he was taking new position because job was challenging one in growing organization with important mission. "We have passed a milestone in the manned space flight program by the recent lunar landing. We have put the Lunar Receiving Laboratory into operation and it is performing its mission well. We have placed instruments on the moon successfully and have the scientific program for the next several lunar missions well organized." Before going to MSC, Dr. Hess served as Chief of Laboratory for Theoretical Studies at GSFC, 1961-1967. (MSC Release 69-54)
Intelsat-III F-2 comsat (launched Dec. 18, 1968), which had stopped operating June 29 when mechanically despun antenna malfunctioned, was restored to service. Intelsat I (Early Bird ), reactivated June 30, had worked with Intelsat-II F-3 to provide service during interruption. (ComSatCorp Release 69-49)
President Nixon arrived at Lahore, Pakistan, during round-the-world journey. Pakistan President Yahya Khan said at airport, "The City of Lahore is happy to receive you on its historic soil and to share your joy at the most recent and the most memorable triumph of human courage, determination, and scientific skill which was achieved by your astronauts when they were first to land on the moon." (PD, 8/4/69, 1060)
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, outlined possible 1981-1982 manned mission to Mars in speech before Commonwealth Club in San Francisco. With "window opening" on Nov. 12, 1981, expedition "would set forth from earth orbit [where spacecraft were assembled] in two six-man vehicles, each propelled by three nuclear rockets." At end of Mars injection burn by two outer rockets, rockets would be disengaged and return to earth orbit for later reuse. Third rocket would remain unfired as spacecraft coasted to Mars. On nine-month journey spacecraft could be joined and spun to provide artificial gravity. "On August 9, 1982, the craft would arrive at Mars, and the unused rocket fired to brake each ship into Mars orbit. About three months would be spent orbiting Mars while two surface landers . . . took astronauts down to surface for a month-long stay. These landers would also be three-man laboratories in which men could live and work productively on the surface of Mars. At the end of their surface research the astronauts would rendezvous again with the spacecraft overhead, and then begin the return voyage by firing the nuclear engine again on October 28, 1982." Spacecraft would swing by Venus Feb. 28, 1983, using Venus, orbital motion around sun to retard it and sling it toward earth. "Returning to earth on August 14, 1983, the nuclear rocket would fire for the third time to put each space ship into earth orbit. The crews would return to earth via the shuttle. After refurbishing, the space ships would be available for the next voyage." To hold option open for Mars voyages in 1980s, U.S. should in 1970s develop reusable shuttle for flight between earth and low earth orbit, permanent orbiting space station, and nuclear rocket propulsion. (Text)
LRL technicians Ronald J. Buffum and George E. Williams, accidentally exposed to lunar samples when glove used to examine samples cracked, were placed in quarantine with Apollo 11 astronauts, 2 doctors, and 12 technicians, cooks, and other employees. (W Post, 8/2/69, A4)
James L. Stamy, Deputy Manager of Michoud Assembly Facility since 1962, became Acting Manager, replacing Dr. George N. Constan, who retired July 31. (MSFC Release 69-169)
U.S. Army Collateral Investigation Board appointed to investigate March 12 crash of AH-56A Cheyenne helicopter, in which civilian pilot David A. Beil lost his life, issued report. It found accident was caused by divergent, low-frequency, main-rotor oscillation and pilot had been killed by rotor blades. Manufacturer, Lockheed-California Co." had "failed to exercise due care and judgment in the planning and execution of flight 288 and in so doing failed to adhere to an acceptable level of sound industrial practice." (Text)
M/G James T. Stewart, former Vice Director of USAF's Manned Orbiting Laboratory (L) program, had been named AFSC Deputy Chief of Staff for Systems, Gen. James Ferguson, AFSC Commander, announced. Gen. Stewart would replace M/G John L. Zoeckler, who retired from USAF July 31. (AFSC Release 130.69)
USN announced award of $461-million contract to Lockheed Aircraft Corp. for development of S-3A carrier-based antisubmarine-warfare aircraft, formerly designated VSX. Contract, to be funded over five years, was for 6 R&D aircraft with option to procure 193 production models, contingent upon successful development phase. (DOD Release 647-69)
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
