Jul 30 1968

From The Space Library

U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXXXIV from Baikonur Cosmo­drome into orbit with 295-km (183.3-mi) apogee, 208-km (129.2-mi) perigee, 89.5-min period, and 51.8° inclination. Equipment functioned normally. Satellite reportedly softlanded in its home territory Aug. 5. (GSFC SSR, 7/31/68; 8/15/68; SBD, 7/31/68, 129; AP, NYT, 7/31/68, 3; 8/7/68)

NASA announced addition of $35,048,000 to contract with General Elec­tric Co. for continuation of design, fabrication, and testing for four re­maining Biosatellite spacecraft, associated experiment hardware, and aerospace ground equipment-bringing total value of contract to $136,662,157. (NASA Release 68-136)

Cone-shaped instrumented payload of French Veronique rocket released at 114-mi altitude fell into Atlantic 164 mi off French Guiana and was swept away by currents, French National Space Center announced. (Reuters, W Post, 7/31/68, A14)

Bernhardt L. Dorman had resigned as NASA Assistant Administrator for Industry Affairs to return to Aerojet-General Corp., NASA announced. He would be succeeded Aug. 5 by Philip N. Whittaker, Vice President of IBM Federal Systems Div. (NASA Release 68-137)

U.S. patent No. 3,395,565 was issued to Norton Research Corp. for cali­brator developed for NASA to enable crew of space vehicle, or ground control personnel in unmanned flight, to check accuracy of pressure gauges. Prototype instrument, containing quantity of helium, had been delivered to NASA. (Patent Off NO; NYT, 8/10/68, 33)

USAF Space and Missile Systems Organization issued Lockheed Aircraft Corp. $2-million initial increment to $4,131,785 cost-plus-fixed-fee con­tract for reentry vehicle technology and observables program. (DOD Re­lease 706-68)

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