Nov 24 1970
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched two Cosmos satellites. Cosmos CCCLXXIX, from Baikonur, entered orbit with 14 026-km (8715.4mi) apogee, 176-km (109.4-mi) perigee, 259.5-min period, and 51.6° inclination. Cosmos CCCLXXX, launched from Plesetsk, entered orbit with 1491-km (926.5-mi) apogee, 198-km (123.0-mi) perigee, 101.7-min period, and 81.9° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 11/30/70; SBD, 11/25/70, 106;11/30/70, 114)
NASA launched two rockets from Wallops Station. Four-stage Trailblazer II launched at 6:56 Pin EST carried 34-kg (75-;b) AFCRL payload to 321.9-km (200-mi) altitude to measure plasma effects upon microwave systems during reentry. Launch supported USAF program to study techniques for improving transmission of radio signals from aerospace vehicles during reentry. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily and payload reentered at 5.5 km per sec (18 000 fps). Three-stage,. solid-propellant rocket, launched at 10:17 pin EST, carried 103:4-kg (228-lb) NRL payload to 1600-km (1000-mi) altitude before it impacted in Atlantic 25 min after launch. Primary objective was to measure, over wide range of wavelengths, the intensity, spatial distribution, and altitude variation of the diffuse far-UV radiation of the night sky and thereby determine its source. Secondary objective was to measure, over a wide range of wavelengths, the far-UV radiation from stars and other discrete sources. (WS Releases 70-21, 70-22)
Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR carried American Science and Engineering, Inc., experiment to conduct solar x-ray studies. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (SR list)
NASA's thick supercritical test wing, mounted on USN T2-C Buckeye aircraft, was flight-tested for first time on flight from NR plant at Columbus, Ohio. New airfoil was test version of model that might permit structural weight savings on moderate-speed aircraft. Thin version of airfoil, aimed at maximum-speed performance objectives, was being fitted to modified F-8 jet for spring 1971 tests at FRC [see Nov. 3]. (NASA Release 70-204)
House passed, by vote of 375 to 10, H.R. 19830, $17.7-billion Independent Offices and HUD FY 1971 appropriations bill that contained $3.269 billion NASA appropriation. NASA appropriation was $64.3 million below Administration's request of $3.333 billion. (CR, 11/24/ 70, H10711-24)
Senate Committee on Appropriations approved H.R. 17755, $2.7-bitlion DOT FY 1971 appropriation bill after incorporating into bill $290 million for further construction of two SST prototypes. (CR, 12/24/ 70, D1189; NYT, 11/24/70, 65; Text)
SAMSO had proposed development of USAF System 6211, navigation system employing several clusters of satellites and system of ground stations, ASFC announced. System would provide three-dimensional position and velocity information for users, reduce equipment weight problem, and solve military logistics problem through uniformity. SAMSO had awarded eight contracts totaling more than $1.5 million for additional verification of system design concepts and for mathematical model of ionosphere. (AFSC Release 263.70)
LeRC and Northern Ohio section of American Nuclear Society held combined meeting at LeRC. Dr. Abe Silverstein, Director of Environmental Planning for Republic Steel Corp. and of Lake Erie Inter national Jetport Project, discussed technology and society. Dr. Silverstein had retired as LeRC Director in 1969. (LeRC Release 70-69)
Washington Evening Star editorial commented on Nov. 12 confirmation by JPL radioastronomers of Einstein theory of relativity: "NASA scientists who have confirmed the general relativity theory as well as the critical scientists who have thought it to be in error, have alike based their calculations on the most sophisticated and expensive pieces of modern equipment, from computers to the Mariner vehicles themselves. And they were operating in the light of the theory itself. Einstein, drastically revising received thought, created the theory with a blackboard and a piece of chalk and a mind able to talk to Isaac Newton and correct him." (W Star, 11/24/70)
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