Aug 18 1965
From The Space Library
USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB, with Thor-Agena D launch vehicle. (UPI, Wash, Daily News, 8/18/65, 19)
The launch of OSO-C was postponed from Aug, 24 to Aug. 25 because NASA's Fort Myers tracking station might be acquiring data from EXPLORER XXVI satellite about the same time it was scheduled to conduct OSO-C's critical first-orbit interrogation. Recent calculations at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center indicated the conflict was expected to last for only two minutes, but project officials decided to avoid jeopardizing OSO-C's first orbital data. (NASA Release 65-227)
The Aug. 19 launch of Gemini V and most of the day's coverage would be televised in color by all three major networks-the American Broadcasting Co., the Columbia Broadcasting System, and the National Broadcasting Co. The only previous color broadcast of a space flight had been NBC's telecast of the GEMINI IV launch. (Adams, NYT, 8/18/65, 55M)
On U.S.S.R.'s Aviation Day, Soviet Defense Minister, Commander-in-Chief of Antiaircraft Units, Air Marshal V. A. Studets said in an interview with Nedelya that Soviet antiaircraft units could destroy any flying object with the first rocket: "We have means that can in good time detect and destroy any flying apparatus of any size, at all altitudes, even the lowest, If the country is threatened by a ballistic missile, it will be met far away by an antimissile," Soviet TV showed a film of a new aircraft reported to fly to nearly 95 km. (59 mi,) altitude at a speed of 6,500 km/h (4,500 mph)-mach 6. This aircraft would be used for cosmonaut training (as with the U.S.'s X-15A or NF-104A), No further details were available. (Nedelya, no, 33, 1965, 4-5; Loory, N.Y , Her, Trib., 8/18/65; Interavia Air Letter, 8/20/65, 5)
Dr. Duane Graveline resigned as one of the nation's six new scientist-astronauts "for personal reasons," NASA Manned Spacecraft Center announced. Dr. Graveline would remain with MSC as a flight surgeon. (AP, NYT, 8/19/65, 3; AP, Chic. Trib., 8/18/65)
General Dynamics/Convair received from USAF a $1,000,000 increment to a $7,385,383 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for the production of Atlas-Agena boosters. (DOD Release 536-65)
USAF awarded General Electric Co, a $1,494,000 increment to a $33,552,224 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for flight testing of the Maneuvering Ballistic Re-entry Vehicle. (DOD Release 536-65)
August 18-20: Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey gave the keynote address at the opening of the AAS meeting on "The Impact of Space Exploration on Society" in San Francisco: "Although the accomplishments of the last seven years are impressive, they will be dwarfed by the events of the coming 20 years: "Before the end of this decade, man will have set foot on the Moon's surface. This will be an event of historical magnitude. "By 1970, manned satellite stations will be circling the Earth for a month or more. A crew of three or four will be on board, performing many kinds of scientific experiments, ranging from astronomy to zoology, Much larger manned space stations could become a reality in future years. "Before the end of the next 5 years, world-wide communication by means of satellites will be a routine accomplished fact, as will detailed observation of weather patterns and collection of meteorological data around the globe. "Radio and TV broadcasting to large areas of the Earth from satellites could become a reality in the next 10 years. "Before 1975 unmanned vehicles from Earth will be circling Mars and Venus and sending exploratory probes to the planets' surfaces. "To look into the future beyond 1975 is much more uncertain, but experts judge that if Man has the desire and will, he can have gone, by 1985, a long way toward the goal of sending a manned expedition to Mars, perhaps with the aid of some kind of nuclear propulsion..." (Text)
Leonard Jaffe, Director of NASA Communication and Navigation Programs, told the Conference that recent announcement that DOD's navigation satellite system was operational demonstrated the great potential of artificial earth satellites for providing position determinations to the maritime industry. He said NASA had under study a number of techniques, different from those employed in the DOD system, by which satellites located in medium or synchronous orbits could provide position fixes to ships and aircraft. Techniques whereby the craft's position would be determined at ground computer stations might make the satellite system attractive to U.S. industry, he said. For the future Jaffe foresaw the combination of a position determination method and a communications system integrated into a single satellite to provide capability of aiding in air traffic control. He said: "Accurate position data and reliable communications readily available to air traffic controllers by use of satellites may provide the answer to the acute problem of safely reducing the present separation standard of aircraft flying across the crowded Atlantic Ocean region, Similar data supplied to a maritime regulatory agency may provide a means for preventing marine collisions." (Text)
August 18-20: Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, AFSC Commander, participating in a panel discussion on the "Social Implications of Space Exploration," said: "... there are two ways of looking at space. The first way is simply as a place-as the vast expanse which is an extension of the earth's atmosphere in every direction, and which can serve as an operational environment. There is much we need to discover about this region, but it is already clear that space adds a new dimension to our thinking about national security. "Space has at least four unique characteristics which offer advantages for military operations. These are: first, extremely high altitudes which offer line of sight to large areas of the earth's surface; second, very high speeds; third, almost infinite flight duration; and fourth, highly predictable flight paths, "These recognized advantages have led to the development of a number of space systems which provide support to military land, sea, and air operations. These include satellite systems for communications, weather, and navigation. The capabilities they provide are either unique or represent a distinct improvement over other means of accomplishing the same task , . "On the other hand, the advantages of space are frequently offset by several disadvantages. The first of these is the cost of launching payloads into space, Presently this amounts to about $1000 a pound in low earth orbit, although it is estimated that the Titan III will reduce this figure to about $500 a pound, and we foresee methods of reducing the cost to the neighborhood of $100 a pound. The second is the requirement for extremely high reliability-the need to build satellites that will operate for long periods without maintenance and repair. Third is the absence of a demonstrated method of returning from space to a controlled landing at a specified point. And fourth is the environment of space itself-the problems associated with hard vacuum, temperature extremes, and intense radiation, "The need to overcome these disadvantages leads to consideration of the second way in which space may be regarded-not merely as a place, but as a primary focus for man's scientific and technological efforts in the years ahead. The success of these efforts will determine the practical use that can be made of space for a variety of purposes, including military purposes." (Text)
Click here to listen to an interview with Edward H. White recorded on this day.
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Click here to listen to an interview with the crew of Gemini 7 recorded on this day.
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