Feb 19 1972
From The Space Library
Intelsat-IV F-3 comsat, launched by NASA for Communications Satellite Corp. on behalf of International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium Dec. 19, 1971, began full-time commercial service over Atlantic with acceptance of 700 circuits between 8 earth stations. Satellite had been held in orbital position between Atlantic and Pacific pending successful launch and checkout of Intelsat-IV F-4 (launched Jan. 22). (ComSatCorp Release 72-12; ComSatCorp rio)
NASA launched Aerobee 170 sounding rocket from White Sands Missile Range carrying Univ. of Wisconsin x-ray astronomy experiment. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily, (SR list)
NASA had spent $800 000 on North American Rockwell Corp. Space Div. study and design of system to permit rendezvous and docking of U.S. and Soviet spacecraft in orbit, Associated Press reported. Study envisioned 14-day mission with Apollo command and service module linking special docking module with Salyut orbiting laboratory and Soyuz command spacecraft. NR had received $300 000 for method study and $500 000 for hardware design. No contract had been issued for hardware. (CSM, 2/19/72)
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