Dec 16 1970
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCCLXXXVII from Plesetsk into orbit with 538-km (334.3-mi) apogee, 526-km (326.8-mi) perigee, 95.2-min period, and 74° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 12/31/70; SBD, 12/18/70, 200)
Fifth anniversary of NASA's Pioneer VI interplanetary probe. Since launch Dec. 16, 1965, Pioneer VI had orbited sun six times, covering 5.3 billion km (3.3 billion mi); passed behind sun's far side (relative to earth) once, providing new data on solar atmosphere and pioneering solar weather reports from far side; made important contributions to defining exact orbits and mass of moon and planets; and performed experiment to check theory of relativity. Pioneer VI data had filled 11700 km (7300 mi) of analog data tapes, recording 35 billion data bits in 9500 hrs of communications sessions during almost 45 000 hrs of flight. Its maximum distance from earth on sun's far side had been 290 million km (180 million mi). First of four Pioneer probes now in orbit, Pioneer VI was firmly stabilized in plane of earth's orbit by its 60-rpm spin and would need no further orientation maneuvers. Last maneuver had been made in 1966. One of two radio receivers was operating satisfactorily and solar cells, although damaged by massive solar flares, were still providing power. All other experiments except magnetometer were operating satisfactorily and a number of special experiments based on spacecraft's position in space had been conducted. (ARC Release 70-14)
NASA launched Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket- from Wallops Station carrying live leeches in Biosonde experiment for West German Federal Ministry for Education and Science. Rocket reached 246.2 km (153-mi) altitude and good data were obtained. Launch was second in series of two to test new satellite life-support system and obtain information on' leeches' behavior during flight. First launch had been conducted Dec. 10. (WS Release 70-26)
Technology was now available to make SST almost as quiet as subsonic jet, Dr. Leo L. Beranek-world authority on acoustics and head of scientific panel. appointed to advise DOT's Dept. of SST Development on noise-said in interview with New York Times. Engine design for noise level could be perfected by 1973 but whether engineers could cut "sideline" noise to target level of 108 epndb by then was not known. (Witkin, NYT, 12/17/70, 26)
Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird issued statement saying U.S.S.R. might have begun to slowdown S5-9 missile construction. Some U.S. strategic weapon analysts thought SS-9s and SS-lls "are approaching what might be called leveling-off phases." (B Sun, 12/17/70; AI)
French aviation pioneer Andre Laurent-Eynac, France's first air minister, died in Parts at age 84. He had served as Under Secretary of State for Air in French government from 1921-1926 and in 1940. (W Post, 12/17/70, D6)
December 16-17: Progress reports on nuclear shuttle studies were given to MSFC officials by Lockheed Missiles & Space Co., North American Rockwell Corp., and McDonnell Douglas Corp. at MSFC meetings. (MSFC Release 70-260)
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