Jul 6 1968

From The Space Library

Ninth Molniya I comsat, Molniya 1-9, was launched by U.S.S.R. to "ensure the operation of the long-range system of . . . communication" and TV transmission to far northern and far eastern U.S.S.R., accord­ing to Tass. Orbital parameters: apogee, 39,806 km (24, 734.2 mi) ; perigee, 396 km (246.1 mi) ; period, 11 hr 9 min; and inclination, 65°. Equipment, including instruments for transmission, command, and sat­ellite operation, was functioning normally. (AP, NYT, 7/9/68, 6; SBD, 7/10/68, 26; GSFC SSR, 7/15/68)

Japanese astronomer Minori Honda of Kurashiki Astronomical Observa­tory, Okayama, discovered new comet south of Capella in Auriga con­stellation. Tokyo Astronomical Observatory said July 14 discovery had been confirmed by three American observatories. Comet was named Honda Comet No. 6. (AP, C T rib, 7/15/68)

DOD released April 23-24 testimony before Senate Committee on Armed Services' Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee. Dr. John S. Foster, Jr., Director of Defense Research and Engineering, had said F-111A wings had broken off during Jan. 23 ground test-under load greater than expected in flight but less than stipulated 50%-overload safety margin-before introduction into Vietnam combat, where aircraft had operated under protective restrictions. General Dynamics Corp. President Frank W. Davis later termed ground testing which broke wings off USAF F-111A "normal." Tests, he indicated, were made to determine stress limitations. "We've had no failures . .. at stress simulation to be expected in combat." (Tran­script; Kelly, W Star, 7/7/68, A3; AP, W Post, 7/7/68, A22; 7/8/68, A15; Corddry, B Sun, 7/7/68, 1)

Washington Evening Star editorial praised USAF C-5 Galaxy jet aircraft and its "impressive" civilian potential; "According to Tom [T.R.] May, Lockheed's president, all the experimental evidence indicates there are virtually no engineering limitations to building strikingly larger C-5s than those scheduled," but its commercial use would cause passenger and baggage congestion. "If the Galaxy is to become a com­mercial plane, then, at the most, only a third of its space should be for passengers; the rest should be for cargo. . . . Although [May is] con- fident that bigger and bigger C-5s can be made, he doubts that the world is ready for them. We doubt it, too." (W Star, 7/6/68)

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