Nov 20 1971
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 457 from Plesetsk into orbit with 1221-km (758.7-mi) apogee, 1184-km (735.7-mi) perigee, 109.4-min period, and 74° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 11/30/71; SBD, 11/23/71, 111)
Pioneer-F, scheduled for early 1972 launch and Dec. 1973 Jupiter flyby, began its final test in TRW Inc. vacuum chamber. Spacecraft would operate for week on nuclear batteries in cold and almost total darkness to simulate Jupiter approach. Pioneer's voyage would be longest space trip to date-an estimated 660 days-and most hazardous since Pioneer would attempt for first time to fly through asteroid belt. Typical mathematical model of asteroid belt gave Pioneer 1-in-10 chance of penetrating belt without serious mishap. (O'Toole, W Post, 11/21/71, A3)
NASA launched two Aerobee 170 sounding rockets carrying GSFC stellar uv experiments from WSMR. One flight was unsuccessful. (SR list)
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