May 20 1968
From The Space Library
NASA Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried GSFC experiment to 102.6-mi (165.1-km) altitude to obtain monochromatic picture of sun using spectroheliograph and to measure solar spectral irradiance using photoelectric radiometers. Rocket and instrumentation performance was satisfactory. (NASA Rpt SRL)
ESRO successfully launched Centaure rocket from Kiruna Range in Sweden to collect micrometeoroid data. (SBD, 5/23/68, 118)
In "remote sensing" experiment by NASA and U.S. Geological Survey, pilots and scientists began two-week air-ground sweep of Southern California in search of solutions to environmental problems. Area had been selected because of variety of geographic features. Aircraft would test sensors for later use in satellite surveys of land, water, mineral, human, and energy resources. (Copley News Service, San Diego Union, 5/20/68)
Australian Air Force was sending technical team to U.S. to investigate airworthiness of F-111 aircraft. Australian government had ordered 24 F-111s in 1963 for estimated $112 million. Cost had already increased to $266 million, and additional increases were expected. Delivery would be refused until Australia was satisfied mechanical faults had been eliminated. (NY Post, 5/20/68, 21)
NASA and British Ministry of Technology began month-long tests of devices for predicting performance of aircraft brakes at NASA Wallops Station on runway modified to include varied surface conditions. Under direction of Walter B. Horne, LaRc, tests in which FAA and USAF also were participating, would enable engineers to establish system for runway length requirements to bring landing aircraft to safe stop. (NASA Release 68-89)
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