Jul 7 1968
From The Space Library
Melbourne, Ha., engineer Duane Brown had applied for patent on Survey Satellite (SURSAT system of four low-cost satellites which would enable surveyors to plot boundaries, route highways, make maps, and monitor earth's crust to accuracies of a few inches. System included regional center for processing survey data and portable receiv ing and recording units for field use and could be operational by mid-1970's, Brown said. (up:, W Star, 7/7/68, A7)
Successful test-firing of Phoebus 2A, world's most powerful reactor, June 26 might have been catalyst needed to bring DOD into partnership with NASA and AEC in development of nuclear energy for space propulsion, Frank Macomber wrote in San Diego Union. Not only was USAF becoming interested in military applications for nuclear engine, so were scientists and engineers representing aerospace industry. Phoebus firing would be followed in fall by first test of smaller NERVA XE-1 nuclear engine. Both were vital phases of NASA-AEC Rover program. (SD Union, 7/7/68, 12)
Sun Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Co. announced plans for new Guppy, 4,000-1b, low-cost, undersea research vehicle to be tethered to surface ship by electric cable and capable of carrying two men to 2,000-ft depth for up to 48 hr. First vehicle would be completed in March 1969. (NYT, 7/8/68, 66)
France began 1968 nuclear test series with detonation of conventional atomic warhead over Mururoa Atoll in Pacific. Device was fired to test complex measuring instruments installed for tests scheduled to culminate in explosion of France's first hydrogen bomb. (up:, NYT, 7/7/68, 7; W Post, 7/8/68, Al2)
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