Jul 30 1965
From The Space Library
PEGASUS III meteoroid detection satellite was launched into orbit from Eastern Test Range, with a Saturn I booster-last (SA-10) in a series of ten launch vehicle test flights. Initial orbital data: apogee, 336 mi. (5419 km.) ; perigee, 324 mi. (522.6 km,) ; period, 95.5 min.; inclination, 28.9°, Main assignment of the 3,200-lb. spacecraft with wing-like panels was to add information on the frequency of meteoroids in near-earth environment, for use in the design of future manned and unmanned spacecraft. Eight of its detachable panels carried 352 thermal surface samples collected from the aerospace industry. If NASA should program an astronaut-PEGASUS III rendezvous, the astronaut would detach as many panels as possible and return them to earth for study. Also orbited was Apollo command and service module boilerplate (BP-9), which served as shroud for PEGASUS III. Apollo launch escape system was jettisoned during launch vehicle's ascent, PEGASUS III-expected to return meteoroid data to ground stations for at least one year-was identical to PEGASUS II, in orbit since May 25, 1965, PEGASUS I was sent into orbit Feb, 16, 1965. (NASA Release 65-232; MSFC Release 65-185; MSFC Release 65-190)
NASA's seven-year Saturn I program was concluded with the successful launch of PEGASUS III. It marked the tenth success in as many attempts for the Saturn I booster. A significant development of the program was the clustering of several large rocket engines: the power plant in the first stage of the Saturn I was a cluster of eight H-1 engines each with 188,000 lbs. of thrust to give this stage 1,504,000 lbs, of thrust. The first four flight tests (SA-1 through SA-4) were with dummy upper stages; beginning with SA-5, both stages (S-I and S-IV) were "live"; and the last three Saturn I's each orbited a Pegasus, Other significant developments growing out of the Saturn I program included: "1. First extensive use of multi-engines (six RL-10-A3's) and liquid hydrogen in the upper stages. "2. Advancement of guidance and instrumentation technology. "3. Facility expansion, and development of new transportation modes for large rockets. "4. Orbiting meteoroid technology satellites, the largest instrumented satellites launched to date. "5. Developing the capability of placing into earth orbit payloads of more than 37,000 pounds. "6. Developing guidance and instrumentation technology which could be used in other programs." (NASA Release 65-253)
Third earth landing (twelfth test drop) of steerable parachute-retrorocket landing system for Gemini-type spacecraft was termed "100% successful" by engineers at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center. Dropped from a C-119 aircraft at 10,000-ft, altitude, the vehicle was turned into the wind, downwind, and fully around several times by remote control before it was brought to a landing 40 ft. from the target. (Houston Post, 7/31/65; Maloney, Houston Post, 8/2/65)
NASA Marshall Space Flight Center awarded two parallel one-year contracts to two firms to study feasibility of developing a drill for probing some 100 ft, below the moon's surface: Northrop Space Laboratories received $509,992; Westinghouse Electric Corp. Defense and Space Center, $570,624. Astronauts on post-Apollo lunar missions would use the drill as a geological research tool to bore holes for geophysical measurements. (MSFC Release 65-194)
ComSatCorp announced it would request proposals from several U.S. manufacturers for a new space exploration communications system that would be associated with "certain space exploration activities, particularly the Apollo program," Proposals would be for five synchronous-orbit satellites each capable of being launched with a thrust-augmented Delta booster, with options for additional satellites, First delivery would be within eight months, ComSatCorp also established requirements for four transportable satellite earth stations with options for additional stations-first two stations to be delivered in eight months. (ComSatCorp Release)
Technical Systems Office had been newly established by MSFC to handle launch vehicle technical systems problems, MSFC announced. Dr. J. C. McCall, deputy director of Research and Development Operations, would serve as acting director of the office until Oct. 1, when L. G. Richard, assistant director of the Astrionics Laboratory, would become director. ( MSFC Release 65-193)
A prototype experimental life-support system enclosed in a simulated space cabin was placed on a ship in San Diego for delivery to NASA Langley Research Center, Designed and constructed by the Convair Div, of General Dynamics Corp, the system was intended for use in a research program to enlarge the scope of life-support technology. Within the device were subsystems to: (1) extract oxygen from the carbon dioxide exhaled by the occupants; (2) convert waste liquids and humidity condensates to drinking water; (3) provide control of internal temperature and humidity; (4) allow storage and handling of a freeze-dried food supply for four test subjects for 90 days at a time; (5) remove from the cabin atmosphere all contaminating vapors which might be generated; and (6) provide personal hygiene facilities. (LaRC Release)
Commenting on the success of MARINER IV, a New York Times editorial said: "A whole host of new sciences is being born-extraterrestrial geology most obviously among them, By learning more about Mars-even a lifeless Mars-men will understand better the origin of the solar system. And, by being able to compare the red planet in greater detail with this earth, new understanding will evolve of why there is life here and, apparently, none there. The exploration of the planets has begun and more than one generation will be required to finish that task. But, so long as men stand on this puny globe and gaze wonderingly at the lights in the sky, they will remember that the first successful pioneer was named MARINER IV." (NYT, 7/30/65, 24C)
Robert N. Allnutt was appointed Assistant General Counsel for patent matters in the NASA General Counsel's office, effective Sept. 13. Mr. Allnutt, who had been with the NASA office of General Counsel since 1961, would succeed Gerald D. O'Brien who had been appointed an assistant commissioner of patents by President Johnson. (NASA Release 65-251)
U.S. Justice Dept. opposed "at this time" the enactment of measures involving the Government's rights to inventions discovered by private research and development contractors working with Government funds. The Department set forth its view in a letter from Deputy Attorney General Ramsey Clark to Sen. John L. McClellan (D-Ark.), Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Patents Subcommittee. (Mintz, Wash. Post, 7/30/65, Al2)
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