Jan 31 1966
From The Space Library
LUNA IX was launched by U.S.S.R. on a trajectory toward the moon, Tass announced. All systems were functioning normally. Launch was apparent attempt to soft land on the lurain. ‘‘(Pravda, 2/3/66, USS-T Trans.)’’
Eighth anniversary of first US. satellite, EXPLORER I. Despite predictions of a life span that would not exceed five years, satellite continued to orbit the earth every 103.9 min. Other orbital parameters, as of Jan. 15, were: apogee, 956.9 mi. (15,406 km.); perigee, 211.9 mi. (341 km.). ‘‘(MSFC Release 66-26)’’
President Johnson transmitted his annual Report to the Congress on United States Aeronautics and Space Activities, calling 1965 “the most successful year in our history.” He said in the transmittal letter: “As our space program continues, the impact of its developments on everyday life becomes daily more evident. It continues to stimulate our education, improve our material well being, and broaden the horizons of knowledge. It is also a powerful force for peace.” He cited US. accomplishments in the Gemini, Ranger, Mariner, and Early Bird programs. “Research and development in our space program continued to speed progress in medicine, in weather prediction, in electronics-and, indeed, in virtually every aspect of American science and technology.” Among chief aeronautical developments report cited “design refinement and wind-tunnel testing” of SST and decision to build C-5A jet transport. Among successful US. launches during 1965, DOD had 67 satellites, 34 of which were unidentified. Military space programs were discussed, including Project West Ford; Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL); Initial Defense Communications Satellite Project; and the geodetic Secor satellites. Research was under way on the best means of determining physical characteristics of “uncooperating objects in earth orbit” through observation by ground-based radar. The section on AEC said that a third pair of Vela radiation-detection satellites launched in July 1965 was watching for nuclear explosions in space and measuring x-ray emissions from the sun. In a separate chapter of the report, the NASC said: “This Nation’s space achievements during the year were so distinctive in quality and quantity as to cause people, at home and abroad, to conclude the United States had attained the space leadership of the world.” The Council said that in many respects this conclusion was correct “but it would be incorrect and unwise to minimize the vitality and size of the space program of the U.S.S.R.” ‘‘(Text, CR, 1/31/66, A419; Pres. Doc., 2/7/66, 149)’’
Highlights of AEC’s annual report to Congress for 1965: studies were made on large nuclear-powered water desalting facilities, including study of requirements of New York-New Jersey metropolitan area; Snap-10A, first nuclear power reactor unit to be placed in orbit, functioned in space for 43 days before electronic component failures shut it down; two AEC-instrumented Vela satellites for nuclear test detection were launched, raising the total now in orbit to six; 27 underground nuclear tests were conducted. ‘‘ (Carey, Wash. Post, 2/1/66, A2)’’
NAA’s Rocketdyne Div. at Edwards AFB was struck by AFL-CIO United Auto Workers in a wage dispute. An estimated half of the 227 workers in UAW bargaining unit stayed off their jobs. ‘‘(L.A. Times, Wash. Post, 2/1/66, A9)’’
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