Jul 1 1966
From The Space Library
NASA successfully launched EXPLORER XXXIII (Imp-D) Anchored Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (AIMP) from ETR using Thrust-Augmented Delta booster with FW-4s 3rd stage to study interplanetary radiation and magnetic fields, Because tracking data indicated at 3:30 GET spacecraft was in excess-energy orbit, alternate mission plan was put into effect at 4:30 GET: retrorocket was fired, injecting EXPLORER XXXIII into elliptical earth orbit with 278,990-mi. (449,174-km.) apogee; 18,975-mi. (30,550-km.) perigee; 13.5-day period; 28.9ø inclination. Planned parameters: 4,000-mi. (6,4410-km.) apolune; 800-mi. (1,288km.) perilune; 10-hr. period; 175ø inclination. NASA later revealed booster's 2nd stage had produced 70-80 fps over-velocity which would have caused spacecraft to reach moon's vicinity too early to achieve lunar capture. Despite EXPLORER XXXIII's failure to achieve lunar orbit, all active experiments were operative and high scientific yield was expected. Fourth of seven Interplanetary Explorers planned by NASA and first to attempt lunar orbit, 206-lb. EXPLORER XXXIII carried six scientific experiments and one engineering experiment-a solar cell damage study. Primary mission objectives were to study at lunar distances the earth's magnetic tail and magnetosphere in interplanetary space twice a month by means of lunar anchored spacecraft; and to measure interplanetary magnetic fields, solar plasma, and energetic particles in cislunar space. Program was managed by GSFC under overall direction of NASA Office of Space Science and Applications (OSSA). (NASA Proj. Off.; NASA Release 66-162; UPI, NYT, 7/2/66, 5; Strothman, Wash. Post, 7/2/66, A2)
L/Col. Robert A. Rushworth flew X-15 No. 2 to 1,023 mph (mach 1.70) and 44,800-ft. altitude to evaluate handling qualities with full external fuel tanks. (X-15 Proj. Off.)
US. National Academy of Sciences and Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences announced initiation of three-year exchange program in which scientists of each country would visit the other country from one month to one year to lecture, exchange professional views, and conduct research. Similar exchanges with science academies in Yugoslavia, Poland, and Romania had gone into effect this year, NAS reported, and an earlier exchange agreement with Soviet Academy of Sciences remained effective. (NAS Release)
Administrative History of NASA, 1958-63 (SP-4101), by Dr. Robert L. Rosholt and with a foreword by NASA Administrator James E. Webb, was published by NASA. Volume -first in history series covering major programs and other aspects of NASA operations -would be available through Superintendent of Documents, GPO. (NASA Release 66-158)
GEMINI IV Astronaut Edward H. White II, first US. astronaut to walk in space, received the General Thomas D. White Space Trophy from Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Harold Brown at National Geographic Society ceremony in Washington, D.C. Established in 1961 by Dr. Thomas W. McKnew, chairman of the National Geographic's Board of Trustees, trophy was awarded annually to the USAF officer or unit that made the foremost contribution to U.S. progress in aerospace. NASA Administrator James E. Webb said at the ceremony: "I think . . . that no factor has been more important in the advances made in aviation and in space than the continued and dedicated driving leadership of the officers of the Air Force and the personal willingness to take the risks involved of these outstanding test pilots and combat pilots and those who have done the intervening jobs from transportation to helicopter work. We have a great Air Force." (Text, NYT, 7/12/66)
Defense Communications Agency (DCA) said it would begin "immediate negotiations" with ComSatCorp for contract to provide new military message-carrying links to Far East as part of continuing buildup of activity in Vietnam. (Denniston, Wash. Eve. Star, 7/2/66, 2)
“The Latest Report from Surveyor – The True Color of the Moon” article in Life Magazine
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