Dec 18 1962
From The Space Library
USN TRANSIT V-A navigational satellite launched from Point Arguello, Calif., into near-perfect polar orbit (apogee, 395 nautical mi.; perigee, 375 nautical mi.; period, 99.06 min.; inclination, 90.7° to the equator), but satellite's radio receiver failed to function in first five attempts to transmit data to the satellite. TRANSIT V-A was to have been the first operational satellite in system of four satellites, but now it would be useful as test vehicle rather than operational satellite. This was first time in Transit series that the radio command system had failed to work. The satellite was launched into orbit by four-stage Blue Scout rocket by USAF for USN.
Spontaneous transmission of RELAY I 136-me beacon signal has been observed at minitrack stations, NASA Relay Project Officer J. Russell Burke reported.
NASA Administrator James E. Webb, at press conference and luncheon announcing Chicago and Midwest Space Month, said: I . . I would like to stress one of the most challenging opportunities of the Space Age for American business—and for the consumer. In designing, building, testing, and flying space hardware we are searching for and creating new materials, lubricants, manufacturing processes, and techniques. We are stressing miniaturization, quality control, and foolproof automatic operation over long periods of time. We hope that many of these new products and new techniques can be put to good use on earth as well as in space and that the benefits they yield for business and the American consumer will eventually pay a substantial portion of the cost of the space program. We do not know what new products or uses may develop from space activities of the next few years. But we are hoping that businessmen throughout the country will be watching closely for profitable possibilities. And this is one way in which close contacts between business and the scientific community will pay off. The university can act as a transmission belt to make this accumulation of new technology available to industry.”
USAF launched unidentified Blue Scout space probe from Point Arguello, Calif.
USAF Atlas ICBM exploded shortly after launch by SAC crew at Vandenberg AFB on training mission. USAF spokesman said no one was injured and no facilities were damaged.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
