Jun 29 1966
From The Space Library
First nuclear power generator in space marked fifth anniversary. Developed by AEC to supplement solar power on USN's 175-lb. experimental navigational satellite TRANSIT IV-A, 5-lb. Snap-3 generator had traveled 724,000,000 mi. (over 25,000 times around earth). TRANSIT IV-A, launched June 29, 1961, from Cape Canaveral, became oldest operating US. satellite in May 1964. (AEC Release J-159)
Senate passed and cleared for President's signature H.R. 6125, which would convert National Air Museum to National Air and Space Museum with NASA representation on advisory board. Bill authorized construction of museum building. (CRY 6/29/66, 14041-2)
Senate-House conference committee approved $17.5 billion DOD FY 1967 authorization bill-$377.3 million less than House version and $310.7 million more than Senate version. Approved budget was $553.8 million funds over DOD budget request but House proposal to add $80 million to MOL program was cut to $80-million increase. R&D funds also included $14.4 million for Condor medium-range guided missile; $11.8 million for Amsa (Advanced Manned Strategic Aircraft) follow-on bomber; and $130.5 million for nuclear guided missile frigate authorized in FY 1965. (Av. Wk., 7/4/66, 19; NYT, 6/30/66, 13)
S-IB stage for sixth flight Uprated Saturn I booster (S-IB-6), powered by eight Rocketdyne H-1 engines, was successfully captive-fired at MSFC for 145 sec., producing 1.6 million lbs. thrust. (MSFC Release 66-124)
Hughes Aircraft Corp. received $280-million contract from NATO Air Defense Ground Environment Project to build integrated early-warning and weapon-control system-consisting of radar, data-handling, and , communications equipment-extending from Norway to Turkey. (WSJ, 6/30/66, 4; Hughes)
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