Sep 16 1972
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 519 from Plesetsk into orbit with 313-km (194.5-mi) apogee, 204-km (126.8-mi) perigee, 89.7-min period, and 71.2° inclination. Satellite reentered Sept. 26. (GSFC SSR, 9/30/72; Sov Aero, 10/2/72, 6)
North American Rockwell Corp. released statement that it was awarding $8 million in subcontracts to Grumman Corp. for engineering work on space shuttle. McDonnell Douglas Corp. would receive subcontracting worth $4 million, and $200 million worth of subcontracts would be parceled to companies throughout U.S. early in 1973. Grumman sub-contracts would preserve jobs of some 300 top engineers and McDonnell Douglas subcontract, 140, New York Times reported. (NR Release; Andelman, NYT, 9/17/72, 23)
Air Force successfully flight-demonstrated powered balloon system (POBAL) that had fly-and-float capability readily adaptable to military use in electronic fields. POBAL-coupling free helium-filled balloon to propulsion system-flew from White Sands Missile Range for three hours after reaching altitude, driven by 11.9-m (39-ft) propeller connected to 9-kw (12-hp) electric motor. Steering rudder, connected to lengthy tail boom, was 2.7 m (9 ft) high and 0.8 m (2.5 ft) wide. System was controlled by radio signals from the ground. POBAL would extend station-keeping capabilities by combining free balloon flight with propulsion and autopilot control system, with planned 12-hr flight under power at speed of 15 knots. It would float powerless remainder of time. (AF Release 129.72)
NASA launched Aerobee 170 sounding rocket from White Sands Missile Range, N. Mex., carrying Massachusetts Institute of Technology astronomy experiment. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. (SR list)
September 16-17: Air Force's 25th anniversary was celebrated at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., with aerial demonstrations of C-130 low-altitude parachute-extraction system (LAPEs), HC-130 aircraft refueling HH-53 helicopter of Military Airlift Command, KC-135 aircraft, refueling B-52 bomber, and fire-suppression drill by H-42 helicopter. Static display included full-scale model for NASA launch rover, F-111 jet fighter aircraft, FB-lll swing-wing bomber, SR-71 photographic reconnaissance aircraft, T-38 supersonic trainer aircraft, and C-5 Galaxy, world's largest aircraft. [See Sept. 18.] (Program)
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