Feb 5 1970
From The Space Library
NASA launched Aerobee 170 - new 12.5-m (41-ft)-tall sounding rocket configuration consisting of liquid-fuel Aerobee 150 sustainer and solid-fuel Nike booster-from Wallops Station at 10:51 am EST, carrying 95.7-kg (211-lb) instrumented payload. Primary objectives were to flight-test first Aerobee 170 production vehicle, flight-test new water recovery system and conduct water recovery operation like one to be conducted during solar eclipse March 7, and flight-qualify new telemetry instrumentation. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily; payload and Aerobee sustainer were recovered. (WS Release 70-2)
Apollo 12 Astronauts Charles Conrad, Jr., Richard F. Gordon, Jr., and Alan L. Bean were presented Distinguished Service Medals by Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, Chief of Naval Operations, in Pentagon ceremony. Conrad also received Navy Command Insignia for his role as Apollo 12 commander. Bean, for whom Apollo 12 was first space flight, received USN astronaut wings. (DOD Release 97-70)
Rep. James G. Fulton (R-Pa.) introduced H.R. 15747, $3.333-billion FY 1971 NASA authorization bill. (Text)
"American and British space experts believe that the Soviet Union has built and successfully tested a satellite capable of intercepting and destroying other orbiting spacecraft," Richard D. Lyons reported in New York Times. Tracking data and intelligence reports suggested that U.S.S.R.'s Cosmos CCXLVIII (launched Oct. 19, 1968) had homed in on Cosmos CCXLIX (launched Oct. 20, 1968) and Cosmos CCLH (launched Nov. 1, 1968) and destroyed them. Air Force Aerospace Defense Command radar had monitored launches and orbits and later detected about 25 pieces of the two spacecraft, indicating explosions had occurred while they were near Cosmos CCXLVIII. USAF plans for orbital attack system code-named Saint (satellite inspection and interception satellite) prepared l1 yrs ago had been shelved, but were apparently being revived under new code name, Lyons said. (NYT, 2/6/70, 1)
MSFC announced award of separate $150 000 three-month contracts to three firms to study possible conversion of 12 existing rocket engine test stands for captive firings of propulsion system for new Space Shuttle engine. New engine, not yet under development, would be used in clusters to power reusable. Space Shuttle which could be flown up to 100 times. Four test positions at MSFC would be studied by Aerojet-General Corp.; four at NASA Rocket Engine Test Site at Edwards, Calif., by NAR Rocketdyne Div.; and four at MTF, by United Aircraft Corp.'s Pratt & Whitney Div. (MSFC Release 70-27)
NASA announced delay in selection of contractor to develop, fabricate, test, and operate ATS-F and ATS-G Applications Technology Satellites because of "recent decisions in connection with the NASA Fiscal Year 1971 budget." Fairchild Hiller Corp. and General Electric Co., final competitors, had been asked to revise their proposals. (NASA Release 70-18)
Members of President's Council on Environmental Quality indicated reservations about proceeding with SST development during meeting with press in Washington, D.C. Chairman Russell E. Train said, "The environmental problems posed by the SST are exceedingly serious and have not been solved yet." Dr. Gordon J. F. MacDonald said he shared Train's views and mentioned large quantities of water vapor introduced into atmosphere by SST in flight. Robert Cahn said that, while SST would fly at subsonic speeds over populated areas, "we don't know the effects [of supersonic speeds] on wildlife in non-populated areas." (Kenworth, NYT, 2/6/70, 73)
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