Aug 13 1972
From The Space Library
Third in series of very-high-altitude flight tests of parachute decelerator system for NASA's Viking Mars lander, scheduled for 1975 launch, was held over White Sands Missile Range by Martin Marietta Corp. under Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories direction. In repeat of July 11 test, simulated Viking entry vehicle was lifted by helium-filled balloon and then boosted to supersonic speed by rocket to check out parachute system at highest speed and most severe loading conditions expected on Mars landing. [See July 11 and 26, Aug. 19, and Dec. 14.] (AFSC Release 105.72; Martin Marietta Corp Flo; NASA Release 7118)
Recent solar flares had reminded scientists of "undependable" behavior of sun, Walter Sullivan said in New York Times article. Solar cycle was "only an approximation. Its 11-year periodicity is no more than average and some of the biggest eruptions, described as 'Class 4,' occur when the cycle is not at its peak." Largest of recent series [see Aug. 7] had been graded Class 3 "but they were probably the most intense ever recorded close to the period when the sun is 'quietest.' " Sun's undependable behavior could affect safety of astronauts exploring Mars. "They are likely to be sent on such a voyage, lasting more than a year, at a time of sunspot minimum. But if they were outside their craft when a major flare occurred, they might be exposed to a severe dose of radiation." (NYT, 8/13/72, 9)
Data from 10-yr U.S. Supersonic Transport Development Program, terminated March 1971, had been cataloged and would be available for dissemination by National Technical Information Service of Dept. of Commerce, Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe announced. (DoT Release 72-159)
Smithsonian Institution had recommended California Museum of Science and Industry in Los Angeles as National Aerospace Museum of the West, San Diego Union reported. If Congress approved, funds from Federal agencies would be used for public exhibit of aircraft, rockets, spacecraft, and satellites. (Copley News Service, SD Union, 8/13/72)
August 13-28: Explorer 46 Meteoroid Technology Satellite (MTS) was launched by NASA from Wallops Station by four-stage Scout booster at 11:10 am EDT. Spacecraft and booster, which included new Algol III 1st stage, weighed 21 650 kg (23.9 tons) heaviest vehicle ever launched from Wallops. Orbital parameters: 814.5-km (506.1-mi) apogee, 495.8-km (308.1-mi) perigee, 98-min period, and 37.7° inclination. Primary objective was to evaluate effectiveness of bumper- protected multisheet spacecraft structure for protection against meteoroid penetration in first inflight test. Data would be compared with data from single-sheet structures launched previously. Secondary objectives were to obtain data on meteoroid impact velocity and measure impact flux of small mass meteoroids. Satellite had been designed, fabricated, and tested by Langley Research Center. It carried three experiments: bumper penetration experiment with 12 panels, each 48 cm wide and 3 m long (19 in x 101/2 ft), containing 8 pressurized cells; impact flux experiment containing 65 thin-film capacitance penetration sensors arranged in groups of 3 and 5 on various parts of spacecraft; and meteoroid- velocity experiment consisting of 2 plates of sensors and timer to measure time meteoroid traveled distance between plates. By Aug. 22 spacecraft experiments and telemetry systems were operating and good data were being obtained, but half of panels in bumper experiment apparently had not deployed. Spacecraft was spinning at 3 rpm as planned, but because of panel deployment anomaly and resulting spin axis 90° to that planned, spacecraft battery temperature had risen from 299 K (79°F) past 308 K (95°F) design temperature to 337 K (147°F) Aug. 22. Battery was still providing voltage and all experiments were functioning satisfactorily. During spacecraft's second pass Aug. 22, telemeter A, powered by battery, came on as commanded but telemeter B, backup system operated by solar-cell power, went off unexpectedly. Officials decided to discontinue interrogation of telemeter A so that data from telemeter B would not be jeopardized. As a result, no data were being received from secondary experiments and no housekeeping data were received. out 2000 impacts by submicrometer particles had been detected during telemeter A operation, providing sufficient data for impact experiment. No data had been obtained from meteoroid-velocity experiment. By Aug. 28, 3 of 48 pressurized detector cells successfully deployed had been punctured and primary experiment was continuing to provide good data. (NASA proj off)
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