Jun 25 1965
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (2MB PDF)
Soviet Union launched COSMOS LXIX artificial earth satellite containing scientific equipment for the study of outer space. Orbital parameters: apogee, 332 km. (206 mi.) ; perigee, 211 km. (131 mi,) ; period, 89.7 min,; inclination to the equator, 65°. All instruments were operating normally. (Izvestia, 6/26/65, 1, ATSS-T Trans,; Prauvda, 6/26/65, 1, ATSS-T Trans.)
USAF launched two unidentified satellites from Vandenberg AFB using a single Atlas-Agena D booster. (UPI, Chic. Trib, 6/26/65; U.S. Aeron. & Space Act, 1965, 146)
First Phoebus 1A nuclear reactor test was conducted at NRDS, the reactor operating successfully at full power for 10½ min. The reactor was damaged during shutdown when the facility liquid hydrogen supply was unexpectedly exhausted. Test was part of NASA-AEC Phoebus program to extend graphite reactor technology developed under the Kiwi series to higher power and temperature, ultimately leading to. high-thrust nuclear engine system for space exploration. (Rouer Chron,; Atomic Energy Programs, 1965, 145)
NASA Lewis Research Center announced successful test of a large-scale facility to investigate the boiling of liquid sodium. Test was just one milestone in the complex and extensive research being conducted on the properties and engineering performance of liquid metals, Liquid alkali metals, having excellent heat-transfer capabilities and large liquid range, were being considered as working fluids in future advance electric power systems in spacecraft. (LRC Release 65-46)
NASA announced it would negotiate with Douglas Aircraft Co. for nine additional S-IVB flight stages to be used as the third stage of the Saturn V launch vehicle being developed at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Work would also include related spares and launch support services, Value of the S-IVB contract presently totaled some $312 million. The new work was expected to exceed $150 million. (NASA Release 65-209; MSFC Release 65-162; Marshall Star, 6/30/65, 1)
Thiokol Chemical Corp. received from USAF a $3,195,500 fixed-price contract for design, development, and firing of a 156-in, solid rocket motor, USAF also awarded United Technology Center a $10,500,000 increment to a previously issued contract for design, development, fabrication, delivery, and flight testing of large segmented solid propellant motors. (DOD Release 426-65)
Ives, Whitehead & Co, Inc, a Washington, D.C, management and trade consultant company, proposed that the Nation's program to develop a supersonic airliner be financed by a special Government corporation similar to ComSatCorp. The plan would eliminate the necessity of asking Congress to appropriate the minimum $1 billion needed for development of the aircraft. The proposed company would be known as the SST Development Corp. and would be authorized to raise capital funds through private investment channels, by issuing and selling bonds or notes or both. The corporation would then enter into contracts with airframe and engine manufacturers whose designs had been selected by FAA. The corporation's obligations would be repaid by a predetermined percentage of the profits earned by industry by selling the planes to private airlines and by royalty payments added to the sale price of the plane by the airlines. (UPI, NYT, 6/26/65, 42)
NASA announced the appointment of Robert F. Thompson as Mission Director for the future Gemini missions and Col. C. H. Bolender (USAF) as Mission Director for the first and second Apollo/Saturn IB flights. Thompson and Bolender were assigned to the Mission Operations Organization in the Office of Manned Space Flight, NASA Hq., and would have overall responsibility for directing assigned missions, Christopher C. Kraft would continue in his regular assignment as Flight Director for Gemini missions. Thompson was Chief, Landing and Recovery Div, NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, before receiving this assignment. Col. Bolender had directed a studies group in the office of the USAF Chief of Staff and had engaged in extensive guided missiles and aeronautical systems work. ( NASA Release 65-211)
Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) authorized Pan American Airways and Trans World Airlines to subsidize New York Airways' helicopter service temporarily. CAB also announced that two stockholders in New York Airways, Robert G. Goelet and John Hay Whitney, had lent a total of $165,000 to the company. (AP, NYT, 6/26/65, 42)
South African Prime Minister Hendrik F. Verwoerd said his government would not admit American Negroes if they were assigned to work in satellite tracking stations operating in South Africa. The Johannesburg Sunday Times commented: "The United States will have to decide whether it can afford morally to overlook Dr. Verwoerd's remarks." (Lelyveld, NYT, 6/27/65)
A centennial meeting in Moscow paying homage to the work of Gregor Mendel marked the end of a 20-yr, period during which his work was discredited and Soviet biological science was based on the work of geneticist Trofim D. Lysenko. (NYT, 6/27/65, 2)
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