Dec 16 1971
From The Space Library
Cosmos 466 was launched by U.S.S.R. from Baikonur into orbit with 375-km (233-mi) apogee, 175-kin (108.7-mi) perigee, 90-min period, and 64° inclination. Satellite reentered Dec. 27. (csFc SSR, 12/31/71; SBD, 12/17/71, 217)
NASA'S M2-F3 lifting body, piloted by test pilot William H. Dana, reached mach 0.8 and 13 700-m (45 000-ft) altitude during 13th flight, air-launched from B-52 from FRC. Objectives of powered flight were to obtain stability and control data at speeds above mach 1.0, expand flight envelope, and evaluate reaction control system. Evaluation of reaction control system was only objective achieved because engine shut down prematurely. (NASA Proj Off)
Launch of Intelsat-IV F-;B by NASA for ComSatCorp, postponed from Dec. 6 following failure of USAF Atlas-Agena booster, had been rescheduled for Dec. 18, KSC announced. NASA project officials recommended that sensor probe be added to Atlas sustainer system to provide information on engine temperature between gas generator and turbine inlet and that temperature readouts be monitored during Atlas ignition sequence before liftoff. (KSC Release 274-71)
AP quoted NASA Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs John P. Donnelly as saying NASA was not releasing some information on Soviet space program received through official channels. Clampdown was being made at U.S.S.R's request and through "bilateral agreement." AP said Donnelly had forbidden NASA engineers who had returned from NASA-Soviet Academy of Sciences meeting on compatible docking system Nov. 29-Dec. 7 in Moscow to talk to press. Text of message telexed by Soviet scientists to NASA at JPL during exchange of Mars 2 and 3 and Mariner 9 information would be withheld at Soviet request. Soviet scientists had sent three such messages. (NYT, 12/16/71, 27)
Australia's decision to accept delivery of 24 U.S. F-111C aircraft was announced by Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., Secretary of the Air Force, at USAF news briefing. Matter had "been under discussion" for some time, Seamans said. "I am very gratified that the decision has finally been made and we can put the aircraft in shape for them and get them over to Australia." (Transcript)
December 16-18: KSC added new displays to outdoor exhibit of space hard-ware at Visitor Information Center. Spacecraft facility verification vehicle-Apollo spacecraft mockup 25 m (82 ft) tall used to check out assembly and test facilities for early Apollo missions-was placed on temporary display with Juno 2 and Jupiter C rockets, Gemini Titan and Mercury spacecraft, Apollo LM mockup, and three kinds of rocket engines, Full-scale model of Apollo 15 LRV would remain on display for several weeks. Scale model of Mariner 9 spacecraft had been added to indoor exhibits. (KSC Release 273-71)
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