Jan 22 1976
From The Space Library
The Aerosat Space Segment Board, representing the European Space Agency, Comsat General Corp., and the government of Canada, decided to issue requests for proposals for a supply of Aerosat spacecraft beginning 1 Mar., with target date for award of contract 15 Nov. The Aerosat program, to be carried out by ESA, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, and the government of Canada, would set up an experimental satellite-communications system between transoceanic aircraft and the ground to test functions and timing of an operational system for the International Civil Aviation Organization. Two satellites designed for 7-yr lifetime would be launched into geostationary orbit over the Atlantic Ocean, probably in 1979-80. (ESA release 23 Jan 76; Comsat General Release 76-103)
Commenting on the first 3 mo of operation of the USSR Venus orbiters, Tass reported that optical instruments had yielded new data on the planet's cloud layer, much more transparent than earth clouds, and on luminescence of the dark side of Venus, formed in a relatively narrow layer at high altitudes. The orbiters were measuring magnetic fields connected with the solar wind in the vicinity of Venus, but had not registered a magnetic field of the planet itself, the report said. (FBIS, Tass in English, 22 Jan 76)
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