Jan 24 1968
From The Space Library
USAF launched two unidentified satellites from Vandenberg AFB by Long-Tank Thrust-Augmented Thor (LTTAT) -Agena D booster. One satellite entered orbit with 269-mi (432.9-km) apogee, 112-mi (180.2-km) perigee, 90.6-min period, and 81.5° inclination and reentered Feb 27. Other satellite entered orbit with 338-mi (543.9-km) apogee, 294-mi (473.1-km) perigee, 94.9-min period, and 81.7° inclination. Flights were fifth and sixth since LTTAT vehicle was activated on May 9, 1967. (SBD, 1/26/68, 137; Pres Rpt 68)
NASA'S Explorer XXXVI (Geos II) satellite, launched Jan. 11, had completed initial checkout tests and was ready for operational use. Supporting ground systems were expected to be ready to operate with satellite in late February. All six geodetic systems had responded to ground commands. Satellite had been stabilized by gravity gradient boom so that it faced earth constantly with ± 5° stability. (NASA Release 68-16)
ARC scientists Dr. Cyril A. Ponnamperuma and Fritz H. Woeller said gigantic red spot on Jupiter's atmosphere might be millions of square miles of red organic dye. Scientists had made large number of electrical energy discharges (lightning) in simulated Jupiter atmosphere of ammonia and methane, atmosphere mix agreed to by most scientists, and had produced quantities of amino acids and other organic materials. Most common product had been organic dyestuff with ruby red translucency. From experiments and spectroscopic and theoretical studies, scientists concluded red spot might result from giant meteor craters in solid hydrogen surface of Jupiter creating vortex in Jupiter's atmosphere. Since atmosphere might be largely red dye, upwelling caused by vortex would create red spot in top of dense surrounding white clouds. Jupiter was like huge dynamo, rotating once every 10 hr; rapid alternation of day and night, hence warm and cold, was believed to produce great atmospheric turbulence and electrical energy transfer. (ARC Release 68-3)
Pravda released description of preparations for launching of Maj. Yuri A. Gagarin in history's first manned space flight April 12, 1961. Songs by 110-member folk music choir-instead of one man's voice-had been selected for radio tests to avoid arousing rumors that U.S.S.R. had put a man into orbit. Pravda reports were excerpts from The First Four Stages, book recognizing leading role in Soviet manned space flight of Sergei P. Korolev. U.S.S.R. acknowledged malfunction had occurred during first unmanned test of Vostok spacecraft launched May 15, 1960, as Sputnik IV. Because of improper alignment, spacecraft was hurled deeper into space when retrorockets fired instead of braking for reentry. (Anderson, NYT, 1/25/68; A&A, 15-60, 123, 147)
JPL announced appointment of RA John E. Clark (USN, Ret.) as JPL Deputy Director, effective Feb. 19. Adm. Clark had retired as Commandant, Twelfth Naval District, in September 1967. (JPL Release)
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