Feb 15 1963
From The Space Library
Unnamed USAF spokesman disclosed usAF had orbited "thermonuclear converter" aboard one of its unidentified satellites launched from PMR. Device was designed to convert sunlight into electricity with efficiency of solar cells but with more resistance to space radiation. usAF received signals from the converter for four days, according to spokesman, and "test was considered a major step in proving this concept." (AP, Balt. Sun, 2/16/63)
U.S. worldwide tracking network was not able to locate SYNCOM I communications satellite; radio contact with the satellite had been lost Feb. 14, seconds after onboard rocket had fired to transfer SYNCOM I from its highly elliptical orbit into near-synchronous orbit. (AP Wash. Eve. Star, 2/15/63)
International Telephone and Telegraph Corp. (IT&T) announced it had filed application with FCC for authority to purchase stock in newly-formed Communications Satellite Corp. (UPI, Wash.. Post, 2/15/63, C6)
Speaking at "ground making" ceremony for Titan III launch facilities, Cape Canaveral, Col. Joseph S. Bleymaier (AFSC Titan III program manager) disclosed that 17 development tests were planned for Titan III launch vehicle, beginning autumn of 1964. Ceremony took place on dredge Pittsburgh anchored in Banana River, west of Cape Canaveral; dredge would move land from nearby swamps to form island in river for Titan III. (AP, Balt. Sun, 2/16/63)
U.S. Army conducted successful test-firing of Nike-Zeus antimissile missile at White Sands Missile Range, the missile climbing to "a high altitude" after launch from underground cell. (DOD Release 222-62)
Titan II ICBM exploded 18,000 ft. over Pacific Ocean after successful launch from silo, Vandenberg AFB. USAF said the missile destroyed itself as a result of automatic signal within its guidance system after 56 seconds of flight. Results of Titans I and II launches through February 16, 1963: Out of 47 Titan I's launched from AMR, 34 were successful, 9 were partially successful, and 4 were failures; out of 8 Titan I's launched from PMR, 7 were successful, and 1 was partially successful; out of 11 Titan II's launched from AMR, 7 were successful, 4 were partially successful; and the Titan II launched from PMR was partially successful. (SID, 4/22/63; AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 2/14/63)
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