Feb 14 1967
From The Space Library
February 14: Successful simulation of a meteor was achieved when tiny man-made iron pellet fired by Trailblazer launch vehicle reentered earth's atmosphere at unprecedented speed of 38,180 mph and landed on target. Launched from NASA Wallops Station, six-stage Trailblazer reached 190-mi (306-km) altitude before firing one-gram pellet on downward leg of ballistic trajectory. Artificial meteor was visible for two seconds. Experiment was part of Lam-Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory program to study luminosity and ionization of simulated meteors, thereby increasing scientists' knowledge of natural meteoroids. (LaRC Release)
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CXLII into orbit with 1,362-km (846-mi) apogee, 214-km (113-mi) perigee, 100.3-min period, and 48.4ΓΈ inclination. All equipment functioned normally. Satellite reentered Jul. 6. (Tech Wk, 2/20/67,13; GSFC SSR, 7/15/67)
NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., submitted second interim report to NASA Administrator James E. Webb on Apollo Review Board investigation of Jan. 27 flash fire in which three Apollo 1 astronauts died. Board had established 21 panels to conduct inquiry, and Dr. Seamans said he was satisfied that the procedures they were following were "well worked out. When this work is completed, it will give us as clear a view as can be obtained from the evidence." Source of ignition had not yet been determined, but physical evidence thus far examined indicated fire had had considerable variation and density and might have had more than one phase. "One hypothesis, supported by the cabin pressure history, assumes a small, low-grade fire whose heat was at first largely absorbed by the spacecraft structure and that was burning at the time of the first crew report; that fire may have continued for as long as ten seconds. A more intense fire may have then developed, causing the rapid increase in cabin pressure. This fire was probably then extinguished by the depletion of oxygen." Additional information on accident had been identified and was being analyzed. It was now clear that all three spacesuits had been burned through, Astronaut Grissom's receiving the most exposure and Astronaut Chaffee's, the least. Dr. Seamans said disassembly of spacecraft was proceeding with great care, and spacecraft was expected to be removed to industrial area at KSC by Feb. 17. He concluded: "It is important to note that no single spacecraft element is touched or removed for analysis without full Board approval and evaluation of its possible effect on any of the other on-going studies or analyses." (NASA Release 67-28)
NASA selected Boeing Co. and Douglas Aircraft Co. for negotiations on cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts for 32-to 36-mo coordinated research programs to minimize jet aircraft noise [see Feb. 1]. Boeing would receive about $7.5 million and Douglas $3 million. (NASA Release 67-26)
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