Aug 22 1969
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXCV into orbit with 473-km (293.9-mi) apogee, 270-km (167.8-mi) perigee, 91.9-min period, and 71.0° inclination. Satellite reentered Dec. 1 (GSFC SSR, 8/31/69; 12/15/69)
Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR carried GSFC and Dudley Observatory payload to 98.2-mi (158.0-km) altitude to provide background particle collection for comparison with data from Nike-Apache launched Aug. 13 during Perseid meteor shower. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily. Data were expected from all experiments. (NASA Rpt SRL)
NASA named Rocco A. Petrone, Director of Launch Operations at KSC since 1966, to succeed L/G Samuel C. Phillips (USAF) as Director of Apollo Program, effective Sept 1. He would be succeeded by Deputy Director of Launch Operations Walter J. Kapryan. Petrone had been Saturn Project Officer and Apollo Program Manager. His awards included NASA Exceptional Service Award for direction of Apollo 7 checkout and launch and NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA's highest award, for direction of Apollo 8 checkout and launch. (NASA Release 69-124)
IAA announced selection of Dr. Charles A. Berry, Director of Medical Research and Operations at MSC, to receive Daniel and Florence Guggenheim International Astronautics Award for 1969. Award and $1,000 prize would be presented during 20th International Astronautical Congress in Argentina in October . (UPI, IV Post, 8/23/69, B3)
NASA's alleged neglect of pure science research goals in favor of engineering pursuits and "glamor" had caused undercurrent of dissatisfaction among scientists, Science noted. When interviewed by Science Dr. F. Curtis Michel, Dr. Donald U. Wise, and Dr. Elbert A. King, who had resigned from NASA recently, declined to attribute their resignations directly to major dissatisfactions with NASA and denied that they had resigned to protest emphasis on engineering rather than scientific research. They did, however, express some dissatisfaction with role of basic science in space exploration and impatience with NASA'S management of scientific projects and admitted they were lured from NASA by prospects of new positions that offered more time for scientific re search. (Science, 8/22/69, 776-8)
AIAA announced election of Honorary Fellows: Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr.; German rocket pioneer Hermann Oberth; and Northrop Corp. founder John K. Northrop. Dr. Seamans, former NASA Deputy Administrator, was honored for "organizing the research, development and operational base which produced the Apollo Program." Honors would be presented at Oct. 23 banquet in Anaheim, Calif. (AIAA Release)
In letter advocating postponement of decision on manned Mars landing [see Aug. 20] former Secretary of State Dean Rusk had "gone to the heart of what is bound to become a critical national decision," Richard Wilson said in Washington Evening Star. "Now that we know we can and will do this thing does it make any difference in the eons of time yet to come when we do it? Fifty years from now might we not have developed far cheaper and more efficient' ways to do it? Mars will still be there. . . . The space men have shown us not only the moon, but what a beautiful planet we have in 'what may otherwise be a wholly desolate solar system-a beautiful planet that needs loving care to preserve it." (W Star, 8/22/69, A15)
In telephone interview, UCLA astronomer Dr. Samuel Herrick, Jr." said planetoid Geographos, due to pass earth at 5.6-million-mi distance Aug. 27, would be best site of all asteroids for eventual space station beyond moon and good spot for manned or unmanned spacecraft landing. Its farthest point from sun in given orbit was least distant from sun and from earth of all minor planets. But astronauts landing on it would have to "dig in and tie themselves down" since its estimated g was so slight "even a sneeze directed at the surface would propel a man off into space." (AP, B Sun, 8/23/69, A3)
In Science, MIT Lincoln Laboratory scientists Alan E. E. Rogers and Richard P. Ingalls reported mapping Venus surface reflectivity by radar interferometry at 3.8-cm wavelength for region from -80° to 0° longitude and from -50° to +40° latitude. Map was free from twofold range-Doppler ambiguity, presented new features, and clearly delineated features previously observed. It showed large circular regions of significantly lower reflectivity than their surroundings, with size and appearance of lunar maria. (Science, 8/22/69, 797-9)
At National Amateur Astronomers convention in Denver, Colo., six- member panel including Northwestern Univ. astronomer Dr. J. Allen Hynek and Univ. of Arizona physicist Dr. James E. McDonald suggested UFO investigation be taken from USAF and placed with scientific body. Panelists said since UFOs apparently presented no danger to national defense, they were unimportant to USAF. Panel disagreed with 1968 Condon Report on UFOs [see Jan. 9]. Hynek said UFO research should continue. (AP, W Star, 8/24/69, A17)
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