Apr 9 1964
From The Space Library
EXPLORER IX re-entered the earth's atmosphere and disintegrated after more than three years in space. The lightweight, 12-ft -diameter balloon was NASA's most effective satellite for measuring atmospheric density and temperature. Placed in orbit Feb. 16, 1961, EXPLORER IX traveled more than 340 million mi. during its 14,000 orbits of the earth. It provided a better understanding of upper atmosphere characteristics, determining more precisely the relationships between air density and solar radiations. Measurements of the satellite's atmospheric drag effects were correlated with those of a similar inflated sphere, EXPLORER XIX, orbited Dec. 19,1963. EXPLORER IX was the first satellite orbited by a solid-fuel launch vehicle (Scout) and the first satellite launched at Wallops. (NASA Release 64-81; Wallops Release 64-35)
NASA announced it would negotiate with RCA Data Systems Div. for purchase of 19 additional ground computer systems for checkout, static tests, and launch of Saturn IB and Saturn V launch vehicles. This would complete the required 26 computers for the Saturn/Apollo program; seven systems were ordered last year. Total cost was expected to exceed $47 million. (NASA Release 64-79)
Titan II ICBM Was launched on successful USAF test flight down the Atlantic Missile Range. This was the 33rd and final R&D firing of the Titan II. (, Wash. Post, 4/10/64; Witkin, NYT, 4/12/64,31)
French Foreign Ministry announced France would establish observation station in the Azores under an agreement with Portugal. The installation would give France a clear Atlantic firing range of 1550-mi. for its missiles and rockets launched near Biscarrosse on the coast of southwest France. (Reuters, Wash. Post, 4/10/64)
Dr. Jeanette Piccard, widow of balloonist and atmospheric scientist Dr. Jean Felix Piccard, Was appointed a consultant to NASA. Manned Space-craft Center in formulation of effective program to provide information to U.S. scientific community. (MSC Release 64-66)
Tass reported monument to mark man's first space flight would be erected in Moscow. The monument would consist of bust of Maj. Yuri A. Gagarin and a meteorite of white metal, both the work of Lev Kerbel, attached to metal pylon about 80 ft. high. (Reuters, NYT, 4/10/64)
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