Sep 19 1964
From The Space Library
Saturn I SA-7 two-stage rocket was launched from Cape Kennedy, placing in orbit a nearly-37,000-lb. payload consisting of boilerplate Apollo spacecraft command and service modules, instrument unit, and spent S-IV stage. The orbit (145-mi. apogee, 112-mi. perigee, 88.6-min. period) was similar to the interim orbit for three-man Apollo lunar missions. All major test objectives were met: final development testing of Saturn I propulsion, structural, guidance and flight control systems; development testing of Apollo spacecraft structure and design during flight through the atmosphere; and demonstration of physical compatibility of launch vehicle and spacecraft and test-jettisoning of spacecraft launch escape system. Except for minor changes in Saturn I vehicle, test was similar to Saturn I SA-6 (May 28, 1964) . For third time, elaborate system of eight motion picture cameras and one TV camera was mounted in S-I stage to record such flight events as S-IV stage separation and ignition of S-IV engines. The eight motion picture cameras were ejected following S-I powered flight, but Hurricane Gladys was located about 300-mi. from camera impact point, so the recovery ship had to leave the area the previous day and recovery was not attempted. (NASA Release 64-228; UPI, NYT, 9/19/64, 11; Marshall Star, 9/23/64,1; MSC Roundup, 9/30/64, 1)
Static test-firing of NASA-USAF 120-in.-diameter solid-fueled rocket motor was successful at Aerojet-General facility south of Miami, Fla. The motor produced about 600,000 lbs. of thrust, met its major objective of proving the design concepts, materials, and processes to be used in building 260-in.-diameter motor. Initiated by USAF in 1963, program was being directed by joint NASA-USAF team under existing contracts until the end of this fiscal year, with project management responsibility assigned to NASA Lewis Research Center. (LRC Release 64-87; Lewis News, 10/9/64, 1)
September 19-20: About 5,000 persons attended Third Annual Open House at NASA Wallops Station, which featured the base and launch sites as well as special exhibits of rocket models, satellite models, and other space hardware. (NASA Announcement 64-206; Wallops Release 64-66)
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