Jun 11 1968
From The Space Library
Cosmos CCXXV was launched from Kapustin Yar by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 519-km (322.3-mi) apogee, 248-km (154.1-mi) perigee, 92.1-min period, and 48.4° inclination. Instruments functioned normally and satellite reentered Nov. 2. (SBD, 6/13/68, 215; GSFC SSR, 6/15/68; 11/15/68)
NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from Kiruna, Sweden, carried Max Planck Institute (Germany) experiment to 114.2-mi (183.5-km) altitude to measure micrometeoroids by sensitive microphone detectors and electron emission and to measure electrical fields in ionosphere by static voltmeter. Good data were received. Rocket and instrumentation performance was satisfactory. (NASA Rpt SRL)
Canadian Black Brandt IV sounding rocket was launched by NASA from Barreria. do Inferno Range near Natal, Brazil. It carried MSC Space Physics Div. 80-lb South Atlantic Anomaly Probe (SAAP) experiment package containing spectrometer, magnetometers, ion chambers, and heavy ion detector to 502-mi (806-km) altitude to provide fast response capability for measuring radiation dose and dose rate at orbital altitude over South Atlantic. Project, cooperative effort of NASA and Brazilian Comissao Nacional de Atividades Espaciais (CNAE) in support of Apollo program, would use data to study dynamics of inner Van Allen belt and possible radiation hazard to astronauts on low-altitude missions. (NASA Releases 68-94, 68-97K; NASA Rpt SRL; SBD, 6/13/68, 213)
XB-70 No. 1, flown by NASA test pilots Donald L. Mallick and Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., reached 9,500-ft altitude and 316.5 mph to obtain in-flight data for SST program. Flight ended prematurely after 71 min because of hydraulic system malfunction. (XB-70 Proj Off; NASA Release 68-105; SBD, 6/17/68, 229)
NASA's HL-10 lifting-body vehicle, flown by NASA test pilot John A. Manke, successfully accomplished eighth flight after being air-launched from B-52 aircraft. During four-minute pilot-checkout flight Manke tested limit cycle characteristics and performed stability and control maneuvers. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 68-105; SBD, 6/17/68, 229)
NASA and AEC successfully completed intermediate power run of Phoebus 2A nuclear reactor at Jackass Flats, Nev. Level of approximately 2,000 mw, highest achieved in program to date, was held about 30 sec to verify satisfactory operation of all equipment. In future test, reactor was expected to be operated at power level of 4,000-5,000 mw. (AEC/NASA Release L-131)
U.S. patent No. 3,380,687 was granted to Edwin H. Wrench, staff scientist at Convair Div., General Dynamics Corp., and five associates for satellite dispenser designed to release cluster of satellites into orbit. Launched by rocket-powered booster and propelled by its own engine after separation, dispenser would release satellites one at a time upon radio commands from ground. (Patent Off Pm; Jones, NYT, 5/4/68, 53)
President Johnson submitted to Senate nomination of GSFC Deputy Director, Dr. John W. Townsend, Jr., as Deputy Administrator of Environmental Science Services Administration. He would succeed Dr. Werner A. Baum, who had accepted presidency of Univ. of Rhode Island. Dr. Townsend, scientific administrator and ionospheric physicist, had been head of Naval Research Laboratory's Rocketsonde Branch and Deputy Science Coordinator of Project Vanguard before he joined NASA in 1958 as Chief of Space Sciences Div. (PD, 6/17/68, 960; ESSA Release ES 68-38; W Star, 6/11/68; W Post, 6/11/68)
Joseph E. Karth (D-Minn.) criticized general public's "let it wait" attitude toward science and technology in Dandridge M. Cole Memorial Lecture before AIAA Greater Philadelphia Section: Poll after poll showed "strong inclination to slow down or cut back R&D-particularly the space program. . . . Indeed, sentiment has grown that drastic cuts should be made in R&D to finance a variety of requirements-Vietnam to urban renewal. . . . In April Senate turned down "by only two votes" move to reduce DOD R&D budget half million dollars on top of committee cut of $240 million. In House, space budget was cut to $4- billion level, $1.25 billion less than 16 mo before. Technology seemed major factor in economic and social progress and was essential to maintaining international position, but it needed to be more responsive to urgent social problems. "A strong case can be made to continue supporting vigorous R&D efforts in the U.S., although directions and priorities must change to suit our needs from time to time." (A&A, 7/68, 4-5)
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