Mar 3 1966
From The Space Library
Breadboard version of NERVA (Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application) successfully ground-tested for first time at full power 1,100 mw, corresponding to 55,000-lb. thrust in space-by NASA and AEC at Nuclear Rocket Development Station, Jackass Flats, Nev. Two and one-half hours after initial ignition, engine was restarted and run for 15 min. at varying power levels, reaching a maximum at slightly less than full power. NERVA engine had operated successfully up to partial power -40 mw -Feb. 3. ‘‘(AEC Release J-54; Atomic Energy Programs, 1966, 186)’’
Seven scientific experiments for the 1967 Mariner mission had been selected by Dr. Homer E. Newell, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, on recommendation of NASA’s Space Science Steering Committee: (1) ultraviolet photometer, (2) S-band occultation, (3) dual-frequency radio occultation, (4) trapped radiation detector, (5) helium vapor magnetometer, (6) plasma probe, and (7) celestial mechanics. ‘‘(NASA Release 66-42)’’
President Johnson submitted ComSatCorp’s third annual report to Congress. In transmittal message he said that many satellite communications facilities would be used by the Government only “to meet its unique and vital national security needs which cannot be met by commercial facilities.” He said the capacity of Government facilities “shall at all times be limited to that essential to meet such unique needs.” Report cited ComSatCorp’s 1965 accomplishments : operation of EARLY BIRD 1 comsat in synchronous orbit above Atlantic; initiation of program to furnish communications service for Apollo manned space program and to expand commercial service; beginning of construction of terminal stations in Washington state and Hawaii; pursuit of expanded research and development programs, including program to establish global commercial satellite system by launching synchronous satellites in 1968; and issuance of requests for proposals to study multipurpose satellites. ‘‘(Text, ComSatCorp Release; Pres. Doc., 3/7/66, 315)’’
Harold B. Finger, Director, NASA Nuclear Systems and Space Power Div. and Manager, AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion Office, discussed NASA and AEC programs to provide nuclear energy systems for space applications before the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences: “A major new program initiated by the AEC at NASA’s request during 1965 is the development of the SNAP-27 isotope-thermoelectric generator to power experiments that will be left on the Moon by the Apollo astronauts. This Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package (ALSEP) is intended to transmit data . . . for at least a year. The SNAP-27 isotope power supply will provide 50 watts to the experiments and will weigh about 40 pounds. It will use a single plutonium loaded fuel capsule which will be inserted into the generator on the lunar surface by the astronauts.” ‘‘(Testimony; NASA Auth. Hearings, 541)’’
Edmond C. Buckley, NASA Associate Administrator for Tracking and Data Acquisition, in testimony before the House Committee on Science and Astronautics’ Subcommittee on Advanced Research and Technology, reviewed NASA’s tracking and data acquisition network program: “During fiscal year 1965, the network, under the management of Goddard Space Flight Center, successfully supported four Gemini missions, two of which were manned. So far in fiscal year 1966, three manned Gemini missions have been supported, including the highly successful Gemini VII/VI rendezvous in December.. . . “During 1965, an average of 32 satellites was supported at any given time. This included satellites launched in prior years which were still transmitting useful data plus new satellites which were launched during. the year. In 1966, the average number of satellites to be supported is expected to increase to more than 35 including flight of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, the Biosatellite, and Applications Technology Satellite. “In 1967, the average number of satellites to be supported is estimated to exceed 40 with the spacecraft, collectively, contacting the network stations more than 650 times daily. Contributing to the extensive workload in 1967 will be the additional flights of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, Biosatellite, Applications Technology Satellite, and Orbiting Geophysical Observatory. . . . “During fiscal year 1965, the [Deep Space] network successfully supported the Ranger VII, VIII, and IX missions and the cruise phase of the MARINER IV mission. The precise operation of the facilities at Goldstone and the control center at Pasadena in support of the Ranger missions was essential to the accuracy achieved in impacting on the surface of the moon, and to the activation of the cameras and transmission of live television pictures of the moon’s surface. In fiscal year 1965,85-foot antenna facilities at both Canberra, Australia, and Madrid, Spain, became operational and participated in MARINER IV support. . . . “The excellent support provided the MARINER IV mission permitted the spacecraft, after a flight of 325 million miles and an elapsed time of 228 days, to pass Mars with a deviation of only 1,000 miles from the projected fly-by distance of 5,000 miles and to take the first close-up pictures of the planet. The Deep Space Network continued to support the MARINER IV spacecraft after encounter and established a new two way communications record of 191 million miles between network stations and the spacecraft. . . . On January 4, 1966, the Goldstone facility received a signal from the MARINER IV spacecraft over a distance of 216 million miles.” ‘‘(Testimony; NASA Auth. Hearings, 608, 727-9)’’
Canine alternates of Soviet space dogs Veterok and Ugolyek orbiting earth aboard COSMOS CX appeared on Moscow TV with physician cosmonaut Dr. Boris Yegorov. Wearing space jackets to which pickups and feeding devices were attached, dogs showed no signs of anxiety when Yegorov placed them in a cabin similar to COSMOS CX and demonstrated a number of instruments and apparatus used onboard COSMOS CX such as pharmacological preparations painlessly introduced into dog’s aorta through tube and cuffs with built-in sensors. ‘‘(Tass, 3/3/66)’’
NASA Aerobee 150A launched from NASA Wallops Station carried AFCRL instrumented payload to 136-mi. (219-km.) altitude in experiment to measure incident solar radiation. Rocket vehicle coning motion made accurate solar pointing and consequent data acquisition possible only 60 per cent of the time. ‘‘(NASA Rpt. SRL)’’
Legislation (H.R. 13266) to provide for building prototype of a commercial supersonic transport (SST) without using Federal funds was introduced in the House by Rep. Frank T. Bow (R-Ohio). Bow proposed that responsibility for development of aircraft be shifted from FAA to a new Supersonic Transport Authority empowered to sell public $1.5 billion in development bonds. Bonds would not be obligations of the Government, but Government would guarantee payment in event of default. Bow said his plan would avoid large appropriations of public funds and provide sound basis for determining industry’s share of development costs when commercial product was realized. ‘‘(CR, 3/3/66, 4640)’’
US. plan for halting spread of nuclear weapons was unacceptable to U.S.S.R. because it did not bar non-nuclear nations from sharing in an international atomic force or ban transfer of atomic arms to army units of non-nuclear nations, Soviet negotiator Semyon K. Tsarapkin told 17 nation disarmament conference in Geneva. Tsarapkin joined US. delegate Adrian S. Fisher in rejection of demand by nonaligned nations that nonproliferation treaty contain pledge by nuclear powers to liquidate their atomic arms. ‘‘(AP, Wash. Post, 3/4/66, Al7)’’
Click here to listen to an interview with General Samuel C. Phillips about the Apollo program, recorded on this day.
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