Apr 16 1965
From The Space Library
Saturn V launch vehicle (S-IC stage) was static-fired for the first time, at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. The five F-1 engines were ignited in a test which lasted 6½ sec. during which they generated a thrust of 7.5 million lbs. (160,000.000 hp.). This was the first full cluster test and was made on a recently completed 400-ft,-tall test stand. The SAC was the first stage of 364-ft.-tall Saturn V-Apollo combination that would ultimately take astronauts and equipment to the moon. Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight Dr. George E. Mueller congratulated MSFC personnel on the successful test: "... As this was one of the key milestones in the whole lunar landing program, its successful performance, 12 weeks ahead of schedule, has a great bearing on our program." (MSFC Release 65-92; Marshall Star, 5/5/65, 5)
NASA had signed a $9.6-million contract with Ball Brothers Research Corp, to build, integrate, and test two Orbiting Solar Observatories. The spacecraft, designated OSO-D and OSO-E, would contain experiments designed to advance understanding of the sun's structure and behavior and the physical processes by which the sun influenced the near-earth environment and interplanetary space. The amount included $800,000 obligated by letter contract signed Feb. 17, 1964. (NASA Release 65129)
Following a six-hour visit to Cape Kennedy and the Merritt Island spaceport, Mayor Willie Brandt of West Berlin said: "The space challenge is not only the responsibility of young Americans and Russians, but also that of young Europeans." Mayor Brandt said the European space effort should be a combined effort and that Germany would welcome any cooperation. (AP, Orlando Star, 4/17/65; AP, Miami Her, 4/17/ 65)
FAA approved the British-built BAC 111, a new short-haul jet airliner, for passenger-carrying operations in the U.S. FAA'S airworthiness certificate was awarded after a 31/2-yr. evaluation program. (UPI, NYT, 4/18/65, 49)
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