Sep 30 1969
From The Space Library
USAF launched two unidentified satellites from Vandenberg AFB by Thorad-Agena D booster. First entered orbit with 303.2-mi (487.9-km) apogee, 299.5-mi (481.9-km) perigee, 93.8-min period, and 69.6° inclination. Second entered orbit with 586.0-mi (942.9-km) apogee, 574.8-mi (924.9-km) perigee, 103.7-min period, and 70.7° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 9/30/69; SBD, 10/7/69, 162; Pres Rpt 70 [69])
NASA's HL-10 lifting-body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Peter Hoag (USAF), reached mach 0.9 after air-launch from B-52 aircraft at 45,000-ft altitude over FRC. Purposes of flight, 26th in series and first powered flight for Maj. Hoag, were to provide pilot training and obtain stability and control data. Winds rose from 5 knots at launch to 20 knots at touchdown, but did not interfere with flight (NASA Proj Off)
In speech before Chicago Executive Club in Chicago, Ill., Vice President Spiro T. Agnew said operation of military systems in space "to enhance the national defense" must be one objective of U.S. future space program to ensure "there will be no blind reliance on good faith." Vice President Agnew was also Chairman of NASC and of President's Space Task Group. Two questions dominated speculation over national space policy, he said: Why space? And Why Mars? "Mars holds the greatest promise of a capability to sustain human life. It is a potential resource and reserve. More important for the present is the fact that the mind of America functions better when it focuses upon a clear target. Manned exploration of the Solar System is too nebulous to capture the public's attention. A manned landing on Mars is as understandable a challenge to the citizen as it is to the scientist. It is a test that can bc put in a time frame and its anticipation can be appreciated by all." (Text)
MSFC announced selection of Bendix Corp. and Boeing Co. for further competitive negotiations on cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for design, development, test, and delivery of four manned lunar roving vehicles for flight to lunar surface aboard descent stage of Apollo LM [see July 11]. First operational vehicle would be delivered in early 1971 for launch late that year. MSFC also had awarded $238,400 contract to Bryson Construction and $224,888 contract to Miller and Berry for construction of two clean rooms for Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) assembly and test and had called for bids for checkout station construction. Bids were due Oct. 21. (MSFC Releases 69-220; 69-221)
Federal Electric Corp., IT&T Corp. subsidiary, announced it had received $21,321,680 NASA contract for continued work as KSC prime contractor. (UPI, W Star, 9/30/69, B7)
Washington Airlines had terminated first and only STOL service between Washington and Baltimore after one year and would liquidate its three Dornier aircraft, Washington Post said. Company had lost nearly $5,000 weekly and carried 25,000 passengers instead of targeted 108,000 since inauguration of service Sept. 23-25, 1968. (Samuelson, W Post, 9/30/69)
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