Sep 11 1979
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(New page: NASA declared the International Sun-Earth Explorer (ISEE) missions 1, 2, and 3 successful. The international cooperative effort of NASA and ESA, as a joint contribution to an internati...)
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NASA declared the International Sun-Earth Explorer (ISEE) missions 1, 2, and 3 successful. The international cooperative effort of NASA and ESA, as a joint contribution to an international magnetospheric study, had used three spacecraft (two launched in October 1977, the third in August 1978) to measure Earth's magnetosphere and the solar wind from widely separate orbits to better understand processes controlling Earth's near-space environment. Maximum value of ISEE stated in 1977 was simultaneous operation of all three spacecraft for several solar rotations; the mission operations report signed by Harold Glaser, director of the solar terrestrial division, Office of Space Science, on September 5 and by Dr. Thomas A. Mulch, associate administrator for space science, on September 9 declared the mission a success with respect to prelaunch mission objectives. (NASA MOR S-862-77-01/02/03 [postlaunch] Sept 1/79)
MSFC reported that Industrial Research and Development magazine had chosen the power-factor controller invented by aerospace engineer Frank J. Nola [see A&A 75, May 2] as one of the "100 most significant new technical products marketed in 1978." Nola's invention could sense the amount of power required by an electric motor and automatically vary the power to provide only as much as actually needed at a given time. NASA had licensed 26 U.S. firms to produce and market the device; about 30 others had applied for licensing. Results of MSFC tests had indicated that, if all electric typewriters in the United States (for instance) were equipped with the device, the energy saved would equal that generated by 2,000 to 3,000 barrels of oil per day. Nola and other winners would attend an awards banquet September 20 at the Science and Industry Museum in Chicago, which would display the 100 products for a month afterward. (MSFC Release 79-92; Marshall Star, Sept 12/79, 2)
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