Aug 2 1968
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (2MB PDF)
NASA launched two boosted Arcas I sounding rockets from Resolute Bay, Canada, carrying GSFC payloads to measure D-region electron density profiles in Polar Cap ionosphere and measure simultaneously solar proton spectra. Rockets and instruments performed satisfactorily. Minimum altitude required (52.8 mi) (85 km) was obtained, allowing excellent data recovery. Peak altitudes were not determined because of lack of radar support. (NASA Rpts SRL)
NASA was stopping work on Saturn IB vehicles 215 and 216 "to the extent possible without involving uneconomical terminations." Contractors had been instructed to terminate work on long-lead-time items being procured for Saturn V vehicles 516 and 517; halt would cause time gap should decision be reached later to resume production. Boosters had been requested in NASA FY 1969 budget for follow-on utilization of Apollo capacity beyond manned lunar landing. Steps were taken after Congressional cuts in budget, in anticipation of final decisions on future production. (NASA Release 68-139; W Post, 8/3/68, A2)
At press showing in Dover, Del., NASA introduced fireproof Apollo space- suits developed after Jan. 27, 1967, Apollo fire to protect astronauts against extreme heat, cold, and flash fires. Beta cloth of glass fiber was nonflammable, with 1,200° F melting point. Former spacesuit fabric would melt at 700° F and would burn if ignited. New 54-lb suits were 22 lb heavier but more flexible, consisting of inner layer of cotton underwear and cover layer of Beta cloth, nylon, and aluminized Kapton to protect against micrometeoroids and temperatures between 310° F and -250° F. Intermediate garment contained ventilation unit which, for astronauts participating in extravehicular activity, would be cooled with continuous flow of water while wearer was outside capsule and with pure oxygen inside capsule. Suits and cloth helmet to be worn after removal of plastic headwear were manufactured by ICL Industries, Inc., and cost $175,000-$200,000 each. NASA had ordered 100. (Lyons, NYT, 8/3/68, 3; Lannan, W Star, 8/3/68, A2)
Ryan XV-5B Vertifan aircraft made first vertical and hovering flights at ARC, piloted by Ryan chief test pilot William Anderson in airworthiness tests. These were first vertical flights since extensive modifications converted aircraft from original XV-5A to new version for NASA research [see July 18]. Aircraft made three vertical lift-offs, reaching 20-ft altitude and remaining stationary in air up to one minute. (ARC Astrogram, 8/15/68, 3)
Data collected for 17 mo by five Lunar Orbiters indicated rate of penetration of 0.025-mm beryllium copper surface of pressurized cells by meteoroids in near-lunar environment was approximately half the rate in near-earth environment as measured by similar detectors aboard Explorer XVI and Explorer XXIII. Each experiment used 20 pressurized-cell detectors with total exposed area of 0.186 sq m, carried aboard spacecraft in both equatorial and polar orbits at altitudes between 18.6 and 3,852.5 mi (30 and 6,200 km). Estimates of hazard near moon had ranged from less to much greater than hazard near earth. Major uncertainty had been contribution by secondary meteoroids created by impacts of primary meteoroids on moon, according to report by NASA LaRC scientists C. A. Gurtler and Gary W. Grew. Data showed no evidence of increase in hazard from such "backsplash." (Science, 8/2/68, 462-4)
Univ. of Minnesota scientists J. G. Sparrow and E. P. Ney reported in Science results of experiment on NASA'S Oso II Orbiting Solar Observatory designed primarily to measure zodiacal light and continuum air-glow. From February to November 1965, Oso II had been able to pick up and distinguish between such earth light sources as lightning, gas flares in Middle East oil fields, and nighttime lights of major U.S. cities. Most significant was recognition of 10 other satellites in low earth orbit. "In principle, each satellite could have been identified." (Science, 8/2/68, 459-60; W Post, 8/2/68, A10; SBD, 8/5/68, 145)
NAS and NAE would collaborate on initial study of scientific and engineering aspects of U.S. participation in International Decade of Ocean Exploration planned for 1970s, Science reported. (Science, 8/2/68, 447)
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