Feb 12 1975
From The Space Library
Water vapor was detected for the first time deep in the atmosphere of Jupiter in October 1974 by a group of Univ. of Arizona scientists aboard NASA's C-141 Airborne Infrared Observatory, Ames Research Center announced. The data, combined with data gathered by the Pioneer 10 and 11 flybys of the planet in 1973 and 1974, added to the speculation that organic compounds being formed in Jupiter's atmosphere might account for the red, brown, and orange coloring of the planet's clouds.
The discovery was made with a 91.5-cm infrared telescope, newly installed aboard the C-141, which was flying above virtually all the water vapor in the earth's atmosphere. Scientists would use the new data to predict Jupiter's temperature and pressure, develop a structural model of the planet's atmosphere, and determine Jupiter's character at the time of its formation. (ARC Release 75-3; ARC Airborne Astronomy Prog Mgr, interview, 26 July 76; Larson et al., Astrophysical Journal, 1 May 75, L137-40)
Communications Satellite Corp. released its 1974 annual report: earnings during 1974 had increased to a record $44 918 000, or $4.49 per share, up from $36 299 000 or $3.63 per share in 1973.
In his "Message for the Shareholders," ComSatCorp President Joseph V. Charyk attributed the growth to the continued increase in communications traffic over ComSatCorp's global network. Excluding the U.S. mainland-Hawaii service, the number of half-circuits leased by ComSat to U.S. international carriers increased during the year by about 20%, from 2933 at the end of 1973 to 3510 at the end of 1974.
Responding to the increased demand for service, ComSatCorp and its partners in the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization had continued to improve and expand the system during 1974. A sixth INTELSAT IV satellite, INTELSAT IV F8, had been launched 21 Nov. Three higher capacity INTELSAT IV-As were scheduled for launch during 1975, and three additional INTELSAT IV-As were scheduled for launches beginning in 1977. Even higher capacity INTELSAT V satellites were being planned for use in the 1980s.
The ground network had been expanded to a year-end total of 104 antennas at 84 earth station sites in 60 countries. Construction of additional antennas was begun at ComSatCorp-operated stations in Maine and West Virginia. (ComSat Release 75-7; ComSatCorp 1974 Annual Rpt, 3 March 75)
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