Dec 29 1971
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Meteor 10 from Plesetsk to "obtain meteorological information necessary for an efficient weather forecasting service." Orbital parameters: apogee, 890 km (553 mi) ; perigee, 876 km (544.3 mi) ; period, 102.6 min; and inclination, 81.2°. (GSFC SSR, 12/31/71; Tass, FBIS- Sov-71-251, 2/30/71, Ll; Sov Aero 1/17/72, 15)
NASA telexed thanks to Soviet scientist Dr. I. A. Zhulin for "very informative transmission" of Mars 2 and 3 data that included description of instruments [see Dec. 21] and forwarded Mariner 9 uv spectrometer results. Message, signed by Mariner 9 Program Manager Dan Schneiderman, continued exchange between JPL and Moscow of in-formation from U.S. and Soviet Mars probes. NASA requested more information on Soviet experiments and spacecraft on "detailed level .. described in our ICARUS publication previously transmitted to you," and said Mariner 9 photo of Mars 3 lander site area was being dispatched by diplomatic pouch. New value for direction of Mars polar axis based on dynamic considerations was included in NASA message to Moscow. NASA noted, "Although this will probably cause a revision of the Mars coordinate system at a later date, we will continue to observe the existing convention in describing the positions of visible surface features." (NASA Release 71-254)
Failure Review Board appointed to study malfunction of Delta 85 and Delta 86 launch vehicles had completed report, NASA announced. Failure of Delta 86, which had failed to orbit ITOS-B Oct. 21, had apparently been caused by leak in oxidizer system's vent valve, which caused 2nd stage to move from correct attitude. To compensate for disturbance, attitude thrusters using stored nitrogen gas fired continuously to keep rocket properly oriented, depleting nitrogen gas and causing rocket to tumble and crashland after reignition. Apparent cause of Delta 85 malfunction while orbiting OSO 7 Sept. 29 had been nitrogen gas leak in 2nd-stage hydraulic reservoir system. Although control of spacecraft had been lost before spacecraft separation, satellite had entered slightly elliptical orbit and had accomplished its mission objectives. (NASA Release 71-253)
In 21 major tests since April 1970, Safeguard ABM system had had 17 successes, two partial successes, and two failures, Washington Daily News reported. USA officials had termed record highly successful for complex weapon system during testing phase. Tests had included intercepts of missiles fired against Safeguard test network and firing of ABMs at predetermined points in space. Most significant test had been firing of long-range Spartan ABM from USA's Meek Island test complex in Pacific. Missile had intercepted incoming enemy warhead after picking it out of group of decoys. Spartan had been designed to knock down incoming warheads outside atmosphere at 322 km (200 mi) from launch site. Superfast Sprint missile was being developed to intercept warheads penetrating atmosphere at 40-km (25-mi) distance. About 35 more major Safeguard tests were planned through mid-1974, including tests of missile's ability to launch and guide large numbers of ABMs simultaneously against clusters of simulated warheads, decoys, electric jamming devices, and other missile penetration aids. (W News, 12/29/71)
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