Sep 12 1967
From The Space Library
Two NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rockets, launched from Andoeya, Norway, carried GSFC electric field experiments. Four barium clouds released by the first were photographed from all sites for analysis of electric fields from motions of neutral and ionized barium clouds during aurora condition. The second rocket was launched to correlate electric field measurements with measurements of magnetic fields, flux, and energy spectra of low-energy particles, but failed on loss of radio-frequency signals. (NASA Rpt SRL)
NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket, launched from WSMR to verify launch compatibility of rocket and modified Nike-Ajax military rail launcher, failed on premature staging at 150 ft; launch verification was successful. (NASA Proj Off)
The world's largest aircraft would begin to take shape in October when three sections of the Air Force's C-5A Galaxy would be joined to form a nearly 230-foot-long structure, AFSC announced. The aircraft, scheduled for completion early in 1968, had been under construction by Lockheed-Georgia Co. at Marietta, Ga., under AFSC contract. With engines and operating equipment installed-minus fuel and payload-the C-5A would weigh 323,900 pounds. It would be capable of airlifting all types of combat and support forces anywhere in the world--complete with tanks, equipment, and supplies-within 24 hours. Its total length would be 246 feet, with a wingspan of 223 feet and a tail tip more than 65 feet off the ground. (AFSC Release 149.67)
An Army Pershing ballistic missile fired from Utah by US. troops overshot the White Sands Missile Range and smashed into the Mexican countryside. The Mexican government gave permission for a US. helicopter to cross the Rio Grande to look for it. No injuries or property damage were reported. The test firings had been part of an annual training for West German Air Force personnel and US. troops based in Europe. The Utah-to-New Mexico range had been used because there was no range large enough in Europe. (W Post, 9/13/67)
Cosmos CLXXVI was launched into orbit with 1,581-km (982-mi) apogee, 206-km (128-mi) perigee, 102.5-min period, and 81.9° inclination. Soviet Union had successfully launched its second unmanned satellite in three days, according to Tass. (NYT, 9/14/67; GSFC SSR, 9/15/67)
September 12-15: The Soviet supersonic transport, the Tu-144, designed to fly at 1,559 mph, should be ready for flight tests in the first quarter of 1968, according to AP. It was understood that the Soviets had hoped to get the plane in the air before the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution on Nov. 7. A visiting British aviation delegation saw the incomplete Tu-144 prototype on Sept. 12 and was told by its builders that it would fly in the first quarter of next year at the earliest. Soviet Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation, Leonid Zheludev, said "we need to test it very well, and we cannot say when it will be put into operation on civilian passenger flights." The British-French supersonic Concorde, similar in delta-wing shape and in projected performance to the Tu-144, was scheduled to make its first flight by February 28,1968, and go into passenger service in 1971. (AP, W Star, 9/13/67; AP, W Post, 9/16/67)
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