Jan 12 1971
From The Space Library
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Eugene M. Cameron (Univ Wisconsin), David Wones (MIT), Bruce Dole (USGS), Dr George Weatherill (UCLA), Dr Stuart Ross Taylor (Australian National University), Prof Geoffrey Eglinton (University of Bristol)
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 390 from Baikonur into orbit with 270-km (167.8-mi) apogee, 202-km (125.5-mi) perigee, 89.2- min period, and 65.0° inclination, Satellite reentered Jan. 25. (GSFC SSR, 1/31/71; SBD, 1/13/71, 40)
Library of Congress published United States and Soviet Progress in Space: Some New Contrasts, report by Dr. Charles S. Sheldon II, Chief of Congressional Research Service Science Policy Research Div. Report summarized "how far these two major space powers have come in the last 13 years," gave "answers to frequently raised questions about the comparative aspects of the two programs," and looked at possible future developments. Since U.S.S.R. did not disclose information on its space budget and manpower, exact comparison with U.S. could not be made. Dr. Sheldon speculated, however, that Soviet budget was about 2% of GNP-more than twice as much as U.S. percentage-and that Soviet space work force was close to 600 000 persons. Greatest number of successful launches from a single site to earth orbit and beyond between 1957 and 1970 had been 311 from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. U.S.S.R.'s Baikonur was second with 282, followed by rise with 189 and Plesetsk, U.S.S.R., with 147. There seemed to be little difference between U.S. and U.S.S.R. space programs in general purpose and direction. Both were broadly based with elements of scientific exploration, technology development, national image building, practical applications, and military support services. Although military missions made up about two thirds of launches by both countries, number of presumptively specialized U.S. military missions had declined from 34 missions in 1966 to 16 in 1970, while U.S.S.R. total had increased from 28 missions in 1966 to 57 in 1970. Although U.S. and U.S.S.R. were competing in space they were also cooperating. Cooperation already under way included exchange of in-formation at scientific meetings, negotiation of treaties, trading of space-collected weather pictures, joint efforts to write textbook on space biology, coordination of efforts on geomagnetism, and negotiation on possible common designs for docking attachments to facilitate space rescue or joint projects. (Text)
Nike-Cajun sounding rocket launched by NASA from Wallops Station carried GSFC experiment to 132.5-km (82.3-mi) altitude to obtain temperature, pressure, density, and wind data in upper atmosphere by detonating grenades and recording their sound arrivals on ground. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily with 14 of 19 grenades confirmed by sound. Launch was part of series of similar experiments from three sites [see Jan. 7]. (NASA Rpt SRL)
MSFC announced it was checking out extreme uv coronal spectroheliograph, first flight instrument to be delivered for ATM solar observatory. Instrument was one of two designed by Ball Brothers Research Corp. from NRL concepts. Second NRL flight instrument-extreme uv spectrograph-would be shipped to MSFC in March 1971. (MSFC Release 71-7)
AFSC announced plans to launch 1500-w FRUSA (flexible rolled-up solar array) in fall 1971. Two panels would roll into cylinder 25 cm (10 in) in diameter for launch and would unroll in space to overall length of 10 m (32 ft), oriented to sun and held rigid by parallel extension arms. FRUSA would be placed in 740-km (460-mi) polar orbit by Thor-Agena booster for six-month flight to test electrical and dynamic characteristics. (AFSC Release 309.70)
DOD announced award of $148 399 036 to Boeing Co. for full production of SRAM (short-range attack missile). Award brought total obligated to date under fixed-price-incentive-fee USAF contract to $183 599 036. (DOD Release 30-71)
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