Oct 31 1962
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (2MB PDF)
Sudden drop in voltage on MARINER II Venus probe was reported by Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists. JPL turned off the probe's four interplanetary experiments to conserve on-board power for experiments in the vicinity of Venus. Discounting any probability of the solar cells being affected by radiation, experts indicated the problem could have come from faulty voltage regulators.
ANNA IB geodetic satellite launched into orbit by Thor-Able-Star vehicle from Cape Canaveral (apogee, 727 mi.; perigee, 670 mi.; inclination 50° to the equator). -Mounted on the 350-lb., 36-in. spherical satellite were four high-intensity lights that would flash on and off; by comparing simultaneous observations of the satellite from various points on earth, scientists could measure earth's size, shape, and surface features with accuracy never before possible. The light beacons were to be activated by ground command within three days, after orbital data were precisely analysed. ANNA (Army-Navy-NASA-Air Force) was developed and launched by military services, with Johns Hopkins' Applied Physics Laboratory as prime contractor; NASA cooperated in tracking and in dissemination of orbital data to the international scientific community for worldwide use of the man-made star for geodetic purposes.
Dr. Thomas L. K. Smull, NASA director of grants and research contracts, told press conference in Chicago that by 1970 one out of every four technically trained persons in U.S. will be engaged in some phase of the Space program. Press conference preceded first national conference between NASA and representatives of 300 universities, colleges, and technical schools, Nov. 1-3.
EXPLORER XIV had transmitted 589 hours of data to NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, which had released about 240 hours of data to the various experimenters.
Soviet scientist N. Varvarov was reported to have stated U.S.S.R. program to orbit one-man spacecraft had been completed with flights of VOSTOK III and VOSTOK IV.
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