Dec 11 1970
From The Space Library
Noaa I (ITOS-A) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration meteorological satellite was successfully launched by NASA from WTR at 3:35 am PST by two-stage, long-tank, thrust-augmented Thor-Delta (DSV-3N-6) booster. Orbital parameters: apogee, 1472.2 km (914.8 mi); perigee, 1422.6 km (884 mi); period, 114.8 min; and inclination, 102°. Primary objective was to place 306-kg (675-lb) spacecraft in sun synchronous orbit with local equator-crossing time between 3:00 and 3:20 pm and conduct in-orbit engineering evaluation so that daytime and nighttime cloud-cover observations could be obtained regularly and dependably by both direct readout and onboard storage. Equipment included two AVCS, two APT camera systems, and two scanning radiometers to measure surface temperature in cloud-free areas and provide cloud-cover data in visible and infrared channels. As secondary objective launch vehicle carried 2.3-kg (5-lb) Cepe Cylindrical Electrostatic Probe Experiment permanently attached to Delta 2nd stage, to provide information on electron density and temperature and on ion current during first two orbits. Cepe entered orbit with 1475.1-km (916.6-mi) apogee, 1425.4-km (885.7-mi) perigee, 114.9-min period, and 101.9° inclination. Noaa I was first Tiros spacecraft funded by NOAH and second spacecraft in ITOS series. First, ITOS I (Tiros-M), had been launched Jan. 23. (NASA Proj Off; GSFC SSR, 12/31/70; NOAH Release 70-6; SBD, 12/14/70, 175)
OFO Orbiting Frog Otolith, launched Nov. 9, was adjudged successful by NASA. All mission objectives-including maintenance of bullfrogs in space and collection of scientific and engineering data were achieved. Mission, originally scheduled to last three to five days, had lasted until Nov. 15, when batteries ran down. (NASA Proj
NASA and Univ. of Rome's Aerospace Research Center dedicated Explorer XLII satellite, scheduled for launch Dec. 12, to Kenya. Dedication was in honor of Kenya's independence day Dec. 12 and in recognition of Kenya's cooperation with Italy in establishing San Marco launch platform off coast of Kenya. If successfully orbited, satellite would be named "Uhuru," Swahili word for freedom. (NASA Release 70-212)
NAS-NRC Space Science Board released Life Sciences in Space, report of study to review NASA life sciences programs. Report recommended functional reorganization along disciplinary lines, central direction of all biological and medical programs, improvements in evaluation of all research and in criteria for selection of flight experiments, and formation of board of extramural scientists to provide continuing advice on overall program. (Text)
U.N. General Assembly Political Committee voted 85 to 8 in favor of proposal urging speedy completion of treaty covering damages caused by objects launched into space. Group of Soviet Bloc states voted against measure on grounds that provisions for compensation clashed with Soviet law. Next round of meetings on treaty was scheduled for June in Geneva. (NYT, 12/12/70, C 15)
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