Oct 15 1969
From The Space Library
Astrobee 1500 sounding rocket launched by NASA from Wallops Station carried 102-lb GSFC payload to 1,600.0-mi (2,575-km) altitude and transmitted 35 min of data. Primary objectives were to measure cosmic radio noise intensities over 600-khz to 3-mhz frequency band, continue evaluation of Astrobee performance, and verify new Alcor 1B 2nd stage. Secondary objective was to test receiver system for Explorer XXXVIII Radio Astronomy Explorer (launched July 4, 1968) . Solid-fueled Astrobee 1500 weighed 11,600 lbs and was being developed to provide research rocket to carry heavy scientific payloads to high altitudes with relatively easy handling. (WS Release 69-17; NASA Rpt gm)
NASA acknowledged it was reviewing proposed orbital flight of monkey with transplanted heart. Project was one of two based on work of Dr. Christiaan Barnard, South African surgeon and heart transplant pioneer. Second Barnard-based study would deal with effects of space flight on mechanism of rejection of foreign tissues in living organisms. Both proposals had been submitted by General Electric Co. Reentry Systems Div. (W Post, 10/16/69)
Washington Post reported interview with L/G Samuel C. Phillips, Commander of USAF Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO) and former NASA Apollo Program Director. Space shuttle was SAMSO's top priority program. New family of spaceships was being roughed out on drawing boards. "From a military standpoint, we need to be aggressive advocates of the capability to take a look at and deal as necessary with space vehicles of another country." USAF and NASA were dividing labor on space shuttle program, which would cost estimated $1 billion. Pace of program would depend on progress toward development of reusable rocket engine which would not burn itself out as it hurtled into space, LeRoy E. Day, Chief of NASA Space Shuttle Task Group, said. (Wilson, W Post, 10/15/69, A3)
USAF Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO) had awarded $14,303,150 contract to General Dynamics, Convair Div. for manufacture of six Atlas (SLV-3C) launch vehicles for NASA and for conversion of one USAF launch vehicle (SLV-3) to later configuration, Convair announced. (Convair Div Release 1481)
USAF dedicated 365-ft-long, $3.3-million telescope on 9,200-ft elevation in Sacramento Mountains in southeast New Mexico. Described as most important new solar observing facility constructed in U.S. in decade, telescope would expand solar research capability of USAF's Sacramento Peak Observatory and provide unequaled image stability. Telescope would be used for research on solar centers of activity-sunspots, magnetic fields, solar flares, and plage areas. Sacramento Peak solar research was endeavoring to identify causal relationships to predict solar energy variations and environmental disturbances affecting USAF operations. Observatory would participate in Global Flare Patrol Network support of NASA's Apollo 12 mission, scheduled for Nov. 14 launch. Operated by ESSA's Space Disturbance Center in Boulder, Colo, network would give warning of any solar flares dangerous to mission. (USAF Release 10-69-42; AP, NYT, 10/19/69, 62; ESSA PIO)
Eastern Airlines became first U.S. carrier to employ anti-hijacking system developed by FAA. System combined knowledge of certain behavioral traits of hijackers with weapon screening device. Program was joint effort of FAA, Air Transport Assn." and Eastern, with assistance from U.S. Marshal's Office. (FAA Release 69-119)
Washington Post editorial said: "It is a pity that the Soviet Union continues to wrap its space program in secrecy. The flights of Soyuz 6, 7 and 8 were launched in secret and on a mission also kept secret from the people whose labor supports the government that is paying for it. The contrast with the openness of the American space program could not be sharper and it is our lack of knowledge of what the Russians are doing that makes difficult any assessment of the meaning of these flights." As long as U.S.S.R. preferred to operate in secret, "there is little that Americans can do other than congratulate them on their successes." (W Post, 10/15/69, A18)
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