Dec 23 1969
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched two Cosmos satellites. Cosmos CCCXVI entered orbit with 1,638-km (1,017.8-mi) apogee, 147-km (91.3-mi) perigee, 102.8-min period, and 49.4° inclination. Cosmos CCCXVII entered orbit with 296-km (183.9-mi) apogee, 191-km (118.7-mi) perigee, 89.3-min period, and 65.4° inclination; it reentered Jan. 5, 1970. (GSFC SSR, 12/31/69; 1/15/70)
Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong joined comedian Bob Hope in entertaining 15,000 U.S. troops at field headquarters of 25th Infantry Div. near Saigon, South Vietnam (UPI, W Star, 12/24/69, A5)
Astronauts Alan L. Bean, R. Walter Cunningham, and Joseph P. Kerwin were grounded by NASA for 30 days for minor infractions of aircraft flight rules. Groundings-apparent attempt by NASA to emphasize importance of safety during jet training flights-were first for astronauts; in past, infractions had been discussed at weekly pilot meetings. (O'Toole, W Post, 1/7/70, A3)
House adopted H.R. 765, authorizing Smithsonian Institution to display U.S. flag presented to House by Apollo 11 astronauts. (CR, 12/23/69, H13090)
Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., Secretary of the Air Force, announced selection of McDonnell Douglas Corp. as prime contractor for development and production of F-15 advanced tactical fighter aircraft. Initial award would be $1,146,385,000 fixed-price contract for engineering, design, and fabrication of 20 aircraft. First wing of 107 aircraft would be produced under later contract, not to exceed $936,591,000. (DOD Release 1095-69)
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