Nov 21 1968

From The Space Library

Cosmos CCLIV was successfully launched by U.S.S.R. from Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Satellite entered orbit with 332-km (206.3-mi) apogee, 210-km (130.5-mi) perigee, 89.8-min period, and 65.4° incli­nation and reentered Nov. 29. (ups, NYT, 11/22/68, 22; GSFC SSR, 11/30/68; SBD, 12/2/68, 129)

NASA Aerobee 150 A sounding rocket successfully launched from NASA Wallops Station carried 300-lb payload containing two white rats to 101-mi (162.5-km) altitude in third of four experiments to study rats' behavior in artificial gravity field and determine minimum level of gravity needed by biological organisms during space flight. During five minutes of free fall, rats selected artificial gravity levels created through centrifugal action by walking along tunnel runway in extended arms of payload. Data on their position and movement were telemetered to ground stations. Payload impacted 69 mi downrange in the Atlantic. (wS Release 68-21)

NASA Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried Univ. of Colorado experiment to 121-mi (193-km) altitude to take high-resolution spectra of carbon-2 resonance doublet at wavelength 1,334 and 1,336 A; to retake, for comparison, high-resolution spectra of oxygen-1 resonance triplet at 1,302, 1,304, and 1,306 A; and to measure total intensities of these lines. Rocket and instrumentation per- formed satisfactorily. Analysis of experiment results awaited recovery and processing of flight film. (NASA Rpt

National Science Foundation released Research and Development in In­dustry, 1966. Total 1966 industrial R&D expenditure was $15.5 billion, with industry accounting for 70% of nation's R&D performance. Fed­eral Government R&D performed in industry reached $8.3 billion, 53% of industrial total. In January 1967, 163,900-30% of total-industrial scientists and engineers were engaged in R&D directly supported by Federal Government. In 1966, NASA and DOD financed work of 89% of R&D scientists and engineers employed by industry on Federal proj­ects, with 54,000 working on NASA projects, an increase of 50% over 1963. DOD-financed scientists and engineers decreased 23% in same period. (Text)

At awards dinner of National Institute of Social Sciences in New York, Charles A. Lindbergh said, "My hope that aviation would cause better relationships between our earth's peoples gave way to realization that the airplane's primary significance lay in its power of destruction.. . . My fascination with the rocket as a space-exploring vehicle has been replaced by my alarm at its ability to wipe out our civilization over­night." Lindbergh and his wife, Anne Morrow, received gold medals for "distinguished service to humanity" for their work in conservation. (UPI, W Star, 11/22/68, A2)

Washington Evening Star said U.K. and Australian governments had drawn up joint plans for largest telescope in Southern Hemisphere, 150-in optical telescope at Siding Spring Mountain Observatory of Aus­tralian National Univ. It would cost $10.5 million. (W Star, 11/21/68, A6)

ComSatCorp announced it had requested proposals for construction of two new earth stations near Talkeetna, Alaska, and Apra Heights, Guam. (ComSatCorp Release 68-63)

Dept. of Interior released Noise and the Sonic Boom in Relation to Man, report of 12-scientist study group appointed by Interior Secretary Stew- art L. Udall. Study found boom effects not harmful to hearing but esti­mated regular commercial overland SST flight would produce possible $80 million worth of damage claims annually from owners of build­ings. Although value of time saved by SST passengers might be $3 bil­lion annually, number of persons "gravely annoyed" probably would be larger than that of SST passengers. Widespread use of, SSTs would introduce large quantities of water vapor into atmosphere, which might affect weather. Group found urgent necessity for prompt decision on SST program and recommended: permitting only controlled experimental SST flights over populated areas while full determination of effects was being made; making immediate large-scale experiments with existing supersonic air­craft simulating intercity SST operations; and establishing Presidential committee to hold public hearings in all regions of U.S. likely to be affected by sonic boom. (Text; Hornig, W Star, 11/22/68, A4; Rich, W Post, 11/22/68, A2; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 11/22/68, A5)

November 21-22 NASA launched two Nike-Cajun sounding rockets from Point Barrow, Alaska, carrying GSFC experiments to obtain vertical profile of temperature, pressure, density, and wind data between 21.8-and 59-mi (35- and 95-km) altitudes by detonating grenades at pre­scribed times and recording sound arrivals on ground. Rockets and in­struments performed satisfactorily; 19 grenades on each rocket ex­ploded as planned. (NASA Rpts SRL)

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