Aug 29 1966
From The Space Library
Two NASA Boosted Arcas sounding rockets were launched one hour apart from WSMR in GSFC experiment to provide simultaneous measurements of D-region ions and electrons. Flights marked first launches of high-velocity Boosted Arcas rockets from rail launcher. Radar coverage was not provided, but rockets appeared to perform as predicted. Instrumentation functioned normally; however, parachute systems-designed to gather data for Polar Cap Absorption Program were deployed too high and "streamered" entering dense atmosphere. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried GSFC instrumented payload to 128-mi. (206-km.) altitude to obtain dayglow measurements. Rocket and instrumentation performed well. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
Pictures from U.S.S.R.'s LUNA XI spacecraft that apparently entered lunar orbit were received and tape recorded by Jodrell Bank Experimental Station. Although unable to immediately decipher pictures, Station officials said . . they appear to be similar to those of Luna IX and the American Lunar Orbiter transmissions." U.S.S.R. had made no official statement since Aug. 24 launch. (UPI, NYT, 8/29/66, 11; UFJI, Chic. Trib., 8/30/66; UPI, Phil. Eve. Bull., 8/30/66)
Plans for manned solar astronomical mission to orbit earth in Apollo spacecraft during period of maximum solar activity beginning in 1968 were announced by NASA. Mission objectives would be to acquire high resolution measurements and observations of structure and behavior of sun above earth's atmosphere and to test man's capabilities for conducting astronomical observations in space. MSFC would have project and experiment development responsibility. (NASA Release 66-232)
NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., told Space Business Daily that NASA had presented several proposed FY 1968 budgets to BOB, including one for "just over $6 billion" and another for $5.5 billion. He said that in the $5.5-billion budget about $500-$600 million would be for Apollo Applications (AA); the $6-billion budget would include about $1 billion for AA. Emphasizing that major funds for AA must be included in the FY 1968 budget if the billions of dollars spent on Apollo technology were not to be wasted, he indicated that a budget of about $5 billion would end plans for an adequate AA program to follow Project Apollo. He noted that under a $5-billion budget, there would be a greater percentage cut back in contractor operations as opposed to in house NASA efforts, but that with a $5.5-billion budget the current ratio would remain about the same. Seamans confirmed that the first manned Apollo lunar landing could come as early as 1968, but said it is "most likely" to occur in 1969. (SBD, 8/29/66, 317-8)
ComSatCorp confirmed it was developing a plan which would have all commercial users of a domestic satellite communications system telephone and telegraph companies as well as commercial television networks-underwrite educational TV. Funds would come from a portion of anticipated savings to communications users after a domestic satellite system was established. Details of plan would be submitted to Carnegie Commission on Educational Television-a private group making study on needs of educational TV. Carnegie study-to be released in late 1966 or early 1967-was expected to be relied on when Congress considered renewal of Educational Facilities Act-due to expire in 1967-which concerned educational TV. (WSJ, 8/30/66, 10; AP, Wash. Post, 8/30/66, D8)
AT&T would sell its Andover, Me., ground station to ComSatCorp for $4,981,000, pending FCC approval. Station, which transmitted and received signals from EARLY BIRD 1 for transatlantic telephone, television, and data communications, had been leased by ComSatCorp since January 1965. (ComSatCorp Release)
Death of Nick Piantanida, 33-yr.-old parachutist in a coma since oxygen supply failed at 57,000-ft. altitude during May 1 attempt to break world's freefall record. (NYT, 8/30/66, 41; Wash. Post, 8/31/66, A6)
Aerial Coast Patrol of US. Coast Guard established 50 years ago.
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