Oct 16 1967
From The Space Library
Cosmos CLXXXII was successfully launched by U.S.S.R. Orbital parameters: apogee, 355 km (221 mi); perigee, 210 km (131 mi); period, 89.9 min; and inclination, 65°. Satellite reentered Oct. 24. (NYT, 10/17/67,12; GSFC SSR, 10/31/67)
FAA issued forecast of aviation activity at 22 large air transportation centers and selected airport facilities required to service increases in air activity. By 1980, takeoffs and landings were expected to increase by 270%; air passengers by 433%; air cargo on scheduled airlines by 1,400%; and general aviation (non-airline) aircraft by 146%. (FAA Release 67-77)
U.S.S.R. had invited U.K. to help track its Venus probe, Venus IV in telegram from Mstislav V. Keldysh, President of U.S.S.R. Academy of Sciences, to Sir Bernard Lovell, Director of Jodrell Bank Observatory, reported Washington Post. U.S.S.R. did not furnish code to signals; Sir Bernard had said that tapes of signals would be sent to Moscow. Keldysh's telegram referred to "this experiment's extraordinary importance and significance for mankind." Sir Bernard speculated that U.S.S.R. might attempt soft-landing on planet Venus. Not since launch of Venus I in 1961 had the Soviets requested British working assistance. (Schmidt, NYT, 10/17/67, 13; W Post, 10/17/67, A17)
Three possible military reasons why U.S.S.R. used one-orbit spacecraft in Cosmos series during period from Sept. 17, 1966, through Aug. 8, 1967, when seven were launched, were suggested by Phillip J. Klass in Aviation Week: launches evaluated (1) missile defense radars and ICBM penetration aids, (2) very-long-range ICBM attacking from south, or (3) orbital weapon. Other reasons had been noted-including test of recovery systems for Soyuz manned spacecraft. In all cases, a principal object reentered after one orbit and other objects after a day or two. Soviets had never mentioned orbital period nor had they explained low perigee of 90 mi-an indication spacecraft would remain in space for only one orbit or less. Orbital weapon theory was also suggested by Evert Clark, in New York Times: "Most analysts . . . now believe the flights are exploring the techniques of bringing down a nuclear warhead from an orbiting platform." [Such tests would not violate space law treaty which became effective Oct. 10, he said, because treaty did not prohibit engineering tests necessary to station weapons in orbit. Nor would it prohibit nuclear armed flights that were less than one full orbit, as these were.] Schedule for series of seven launches had been: two in 1966, Sept. 17 and Nov. 2, both unannounced, and five in 1967. Cosmos CXXXIX Jan. 25, Cosmos CLX May 17, Cosmos CLXIX July 17, Cosmos CLXX July 31, and Cosmos CLXXI Aug. 8. First two in series had exploded into many fragments during day of launch. (Klass, Av Wk, 10/16/67, 26-7; Clark, NYT, 10/17/67,1)
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