May 16 1974
From The Space Library
A new method using tiny electronic body sensors, developed by Ames Research Center for remotely recording physical responses during space flight training and research programs, was being used to measure the precise walking patterns of children with cerebral palsy, NASA announced. Patients could be free of cumbersome equipment that had hindered obtaining accurate gait measurements. (NASA Release 74-131) 17-24)
Sms 1 (SMS-A Synchronous Meteorological Satellite)-first meteorological satellite in synchronous orbit-was launched by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from Eastern Test Range at 5:31 am EDT. The 1st-stage propulsion of the three-stage Thor-Delta launch vehicle was less than normal. The 2nd stage burned to near propellant completion, compensating for the deficiency but leaving insufficient propellant to complete the planned second burn. The spacecraft entered a lower-than-planned transfer orbit with a 32 895-km apogee, 180-km perigee, 9-hr 37-min period, and 24.5° inclination. The apogee boost motor boosted the spacecraft into a near-geostationary orbit with a 32 828.3-km apogee, 30 747-km perigee, 20-hr 39-min period, and 2.0° inclination, with an eastward drift of approximately 56° per day.
The auxiliary propulsion system was fired at 3:00 am EDT 19 May to place the spacecraft in operational attitude. A planned series of APS firings between 19 and 24 May increased the orbit to geosynchronous altitude, eliminated orbital drift, and stopped the satellite at 45° west longitude. An early post-launch review of flight data revealed no space-craft anomalies, and the first photos were transmitted 24 May.
NASA objectives-to launch the spacecraft into a geosynchronous orbit of sufficient accuracy to accomplish operational mission requirements and evaluate and check out the spacecraft-were met and the mission was adjudged successful 17 Dec. Operational control was turned over to NOAA 10 Dec. after checkout.
The 272-kg satellite (628 kg at launch) would, for the first time, provide continuous day and night images of cloud cover over the U.S. and Atlantic Ocean. Its data-collection systems would be key elements in the Global Atmospheric Research Program's Atlantic Tropical Experiment to be conducted during the summer, collecting meteorological, hydrological, oceanographic, seismic, and tsunami data. In addition, Sms 1 would monitor solar flare activity for future manned spacecraft and supersonic aircraft flights.
Sms 1 was the first in a series which would include two operational prototypes and one operational spacecraft (SMS-C, to become Goes 1 on launch) , developed and funded by NASA to meet the requirements of the Dept. of Commerce for its Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) system. The SMS project was managed by Goddard Space Flight Center under the direction of the Office of Applications. GSFC also had responsibility for the Thor-Delta launch vehicle. (NASA MORS, 10 May, 20 May, 18 Dec. 74; NASA, Mgr Small Launch Vehicles & Intl Prog, interview, 31 Jan. 75; GSFC, SMS Proj Mgr, interview, 4 Feb 75)
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