Dec 7 1966
From The Space Library
US. confusion and concern over U.S.S.R.'s space objectives had increased because of the "long gap" in Soviet manned space flights and three recent Soviet launches "surrounded by unusual secrecy," Evert Clark reported in the New York Times. Two of the spacecraft, secretly launched Sept. 17 and Nov. 2, had exploded in orbit; the third, Nov. 28, had been announced as COSMOS CXXXIII but orbital inclination usually given in Cosmos launch reports was not disclosed. Clark warned that US. experts might be "underestimating the Soviet Union's commitment to space exploration" and suggested U.S.S.R. was either: (1) preparing to secretly launch manned spacecraft with three-to six-man crew in early 1967; (2) conducting tests to precede new missions to Mars and Venus; (3) changing its emphasis from manned lunar exploration to manned earth-orbiting stations; or (4) trying to provide maximum coverage of US. by launching additional reconnaissance satellites. (Clark, NYT, 12/8/66, 1)
FCC ruled that ComSatCorp must share ownership of its ground stations with US.-owned international common carriers. Effective until late 1969, decision-which gave ComSatCorp controlling interest in existing and future ground stations-modified FCC's May 12, 1965, interim ruling awarding ComSatCorp "sole responsibility" for stations at least during "critical early years." (UPI, NYT, 12/8/66, 52; WSJ, 12/8/66, 3)
AFSC awarded $2.3-million, fixed-price-incentive-fee contract to Douglas Aircraft Co., Inc., for design, development, and fabrication of Titan III launch vehicle components. (DOD Release 1029-66)
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