Feb 12 1964
From The Space Library
Continuing the current series of sounding rocket experiments to obtain comparative characteristics of the upper atmosphere at widely separated locations, NASA launched three Nike-Cajun sounding rockets at Wallops Island, Fort Churchill, and Ascension Island. The rocket payloads ejected 12 grenades which detonated at intervals up to 55-mi. altitude. (Wallops Release 64-16)
NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket was launched from Wallops Island, Va., in test of hinged-fin assembly with modified wedge designed to produce about 5 rps at Apache burnout and to obtain temperatures in flight at various points on the fin panel. Rocket reached 90-mi. altitude; performance of rocket and instrumentation was considered good, with exception of temperature probes, which were lost shortly after lift-off. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
Soviet news agency Tass said ELECTRON I and ELECTRON II scientific satellites continued to function successfully. By 6:00 p.m. Moscow time Feb. 11, ELECTRON I had completed 104 orbits and ELECTRON II more than 13 orbits. (Tass, Krasnaya Zvezda, 2/12/64,1, ATSS-T Trans.)
Dr. S. Fred Singer, Director of U.S. Weather Bureau's National Weather Satellite Center, said that the modified Tiros meteorological satellite system, using presently available equipment, would be able to: provide daily global coverage of weather; use vertical cameras for more complete pictures; aid in prediction of time and location of thundershowers; determine if clouds are storm cover; aid in studying hydrology and geology, mapping earth's surface; aid airlines in tracking jet stream, especially on transatlantic flights. (SBD, 2/13/64, 239)
Catalyst for use with monopropellant hydrazine rocket engines has been developed by Shell Oil Co.'s General Chemistry Dept. working with Jet Propulsion Laboratory in NASA-sponsored project, NASA announced. Development of the catalyst permits use of hydrazine for spacecraft guidance and control rockets. NASA scientists reported that hydrazine compounds produced by the catalytic reaction were 50% more energetic than monopropellant hydrogen-peroxide now used. (NASA Release 64-29)
NASA Lewis Research Center issued requests for proposals for initial construction of 500ft. drop tower for producing zero gravity environments. The facility would be largest of its kind in the U.S., Would be able to provide weightlessness for periods up to 10 sec. (LRC Release 64-12)
Army Corps of Engineers awarded $3,207,166 NASA contract to Peter Kiewit Sons Co. and C. H. Leavell Co. for construction of two Saturn test stand substructures at NASA Mississippi Test Facility. (DOD Release 132-64)
Construction workers at Cape Kennedy returned to work after Federal judge temporarily halted picketing by the Railroad Telegraphers Union against the Florida East Coast Railway. (UPI, Wash. Post, 2/12/64)
Dynamite bomb planted along Florida East Coast Railway tracks near Titusville was disarmed by four boys seconds before freight train passed by, the bomb providing authorities with clues to similar bombing incidents involving FEC property. The attempted sabotage occurred only two miles north of Cape Kennedy, where striking unions' picket lines had halted construction for two days. (UPI, N.Y. Her. Trib., 2/14/64)
TransAmerican Aeronautical Corp. of Washington had reserved a delivery position for U.S. supersonic transport aircraft, FAA announced. Trans-American was expected to make the aircraft available to a Latin American flag carrier through leasing arrangement. (FAA Release 64-14)
FAA said during first week of sonic boom tests over Oklahoma City 60 damage claims were reported. Of the 60, only two persons actually signed affidavits, FAA said. (UPI, Wash. Daily News, 2/13/64)
USAF successfully launched Atlas F ICBM from Vandenberg AFB in routine training mission. (M&R, 2/17/64, 13)
USAF successfully launched Minuteman ICBM from Cape Kennedy, first in series of tests of Minuteman's penetration aids. (M&R, 2/17/64, 13)
Fifth Women's Space Symposium was held in Los Angeles, With Dr. Orr E. Reynolds, Director of NASA Bioscience Programs, as principal speaker. (S. Thomas)
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