Jun 16 1966
From The Space Library
USAF Titan III-C booster launched from ETR inserted seven Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP) repeaters and one gravity-gradient satellite into random, near-synchronous, equatorial orbit, creating nucleus of worldwide military communications system. Apogees varied from 15,911 mi. (25,617 km.) to 16,126 mi. (25,963 km.); perigees from 15,811 mi. (25,456 km.) to 15,829 mi. (25,484 km.). Average period was 22 hrs. 10 min. All seven comsats were reported performing nominally. Satellite to explore feasibility of gravity-gradient stabilization at very high altitudes had successfully deployed its 52-ft.long booms and was performing as expected. Powered flight of Titan III-C was close to planned parameters. Transtage and payload were inserted into parking orbit, where first transtage burn made necessary course corrections. Second transtage burn-at 110 min. GET-moved stage and load into transfer orbit. Third transtage burn-at 06:03:12 GET-put satellite dispenser frame and its eight satellites weighing 800 lbs. total into near-synchronous orbit with 15,906-mi. (25,608.6-km.) apogee and 15,801-mi. (25,439.6km.) perigee. At 06:06:52 GET, satellites were ejected one at a time over approximate 3-min. period into their preselected orbits. Within six minutes, telemetry signals were received and surface-station tracking and communications tests begun; within two hours, circuits were established through repeaters. Launch was fourth consecutive success of Titan III-C and first total success of its transtage. Fifteen additional comsats would be launched by late 1966 to ensure against failure of one or more satellites. New ground terminal would be installed in Vietnam by midsummer to provide additional command and control circuits. (UPI, NYT, 6/17/66; 14; UPI, Wash. Post, 6/17/66, A4; Tech. Wk., 6/27/66, 16)
US. gave U.N. proposed treaty on exploration of moon and other celestial bodies and asked that U.N. Outer Space Legal Subcommittee meet July 12 to discuss it. Draft-based on May 7 statement by President Johnson urging treaty to reserve celestial bodies for peaceful purposes declared such bodies open equally to all countries, subject to claim by none, and off limits to nuclear weapons, weapon testing, military maneuvers, and fortifications. Soviet source said U.S.S.R. had submitted similar treaty earlier in day; text of proposal was not made public [see June 17]. (AP, Wash. Post, 6/17/66, A4)
Two Nike-Cajun meteorological sounding rockets carrying exploding grenade payloads were launched from Point Barrow, Alaska, and Churchill Research Range in a coordinated GSFC experiment to study atmospheric parameters of wind, temperature, pressure, and density as summer seasonal maximum of noctilucent cloud sighting approached. Rockets and instrumentation functioned normally. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
Mrs. James A. McDivitt gave birth in Houston to a daughter-first child conceived by an American astronaut's wife after her husband had returned from space. Astronaut McDivitt was command pilot on the June. 4-7, 1965, GEMINI IV mission during which Astronaut Edward H. White II made his 21-min. Eva. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 6/17/66, A2)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
