Jan 7 1968
From The Space Library
NASA's Surveyor VII (Surveyor G), last spacecraft in NASA's Surveyor Program to analyze lunar surface, was successfully launched from ETR by Atlas-Centaur (AC-15) booster on 67-hr lunar intercept trajectory. Primary mission for 2,293-lb (at launch) spacecraft was to softland on the moon and obtain postlanding TV pictures of lunar surface. As secondary mission spacecraft would determine relative abundance of chemical elements in lunar soil with alpha-scattering instrument; manipulate lunar material with surface sampler in view of TV camera; and obtain touchdown dynamics, thermal, and radar reflectivity data [see Jan. 9-22]. Surveyor VII-which also carried magnets attached to landing pads, mirrors for viewing beneath spacecraft and for stereo photography, and seven special dust-detection mirrors-was first in Surveyor series to carry both alpha-scattering instrument and surface sampler. Launch sequence for Surveyor VII was flawless, and spacecraft performed nominally. First of two scheduled midcourse maneuvers was so precise that second correction was not necessary; maneuver directed spacecraft toward a point 1.6 mi from center of target area. Surveyor VII was seventh in series of seven spacecraft designed to prove out design, develop technology of lunar softlanding, obtain post-landing TV pictures of lunar surface, and provide basic scientific and engineering data in support of Project Apollo. Surveyor program was directed by OSSA Lunar and Planetary Programs Div.; project management was assigned to JPL; Atlas-Centaur launch vehicle was managed by LeRC; and prime contractor for spacecraft development and design was Hughes Aircraft Co. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 67-316K; AP, NYT, 1/8/68, 14; UPI, W Star, 1/8/68, 1; AP, B Sun, 1/8/68, A3)
USAF and United Technology Center announced that hybrid rocket engine using solid propellant and liquid oxidizer had successfully fired Sandpiper missile from F-4 aircraft in secret test Dec. 12, 1967. Ac-
Surveyor VII, launched Jan. 7 for softlanding on moon Jan. 9, photographed crescent earth from lunar surface Jan. 20 and recorded two laser beams (arrow) aimed toward landing site from earth. Spacecraft was last in NASA'S Surveyor program. cording to UTC manager Douglas D. Ordahl, engine had performed well during five-minute flight over Eglin AFB, Fla., aerial test range and "proved for the first time that hybrids are practical and can fly." (W Post, 1/7/68, A7; Wilford, NYT, 1/8/68, 3)
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