Jan 31 1967
From The Space Library
Nike-Apache sounding rocket carrying 55% payload to obtain electron density profile was launched from NASA Wallops Station to 121-mi (193-km) altitude. Minutes later, Nike-Cajun grenade experiment was launched over the Atlantic for atmosphere temperature support data at 50- to 56-mi (80- to 90-km) altitudes. Launchings, first two in series of three to study relation of high absorption radio waves in ionosphere to seasonal temperature variations in upper atmosphere, were conducted by NASA for Univ. of Illinois, GCA Corp., and GSFC. Rockets and equipment functioned satisfactorily. (Wallops Release 67-4)
In related experiments, Nike-Apache sounding rocket was launched from Ft. Churchill, Canada, to obtain wind profiles by release of chemical and photograph of chemical cloud at 96-mi (154 km) altitude; another Nike-Apache sounding rocket was launched from Ft. Churchill to study short term variation of density, pressure, and temperature during 12-hr period to 80-mi (127-km) altitude; Nike-Cajun sounding rocket was launched from Point Barrow, Alaska, to determine short term variations in upper atmosphere temperatures with payload of standard grenades. All rockets and payloads performed well. (NASA Proj Off)
XB-70 No. 1 research aircraft was piloted by NASA test pilot Fitzhugh Fulton and Col. Joseph Cotton (WAF) to mach 1.35 and 37,000-ft altitude to conduct stability and control maneuvers. (NASA Proj Off)
Ninth anniversary of first US. satellite, Explorer 1. In defiance of the original predicted life span that should have ended six years ago, the satellite was circling the earth 14 times daily and had completed 43,000 orbits. (MSFC Release 67-17)
President Johnson transmitted his annual Report to the Congress on United States Aeronautics and Space Activities. He wrote in covering letter: "America's space and aeronautics programs made brilliant progress in 1966. We developed our equipment and refined our knowledge to bring travel and exploration beyond earth's atmosphere measurably closer. And we played a major part in preparing for the peaceful use of outer space. . . ." The President cited accomplishments of NASA's Gemini, Lunar Orbiter, and Surveyor programs and noted that during 1966 US. had put into earth orbit or escape missions 100 spacecraft-"a record number of successful launches for the period. We launched weather satellites, communications satellites and orbiting observatories. . . . These accomplishments-and the promise of more to come are the fruits of the greatest concerted effort ever undertaken by any nation to advance human knowledge and activity. Space, so recently a mystery, now affects and benefits the lives of all Americans. . ." In separate chapter, National Aeronautics and Space Council (NASC) said that although US. continued to lead space technology competition in number and variety of successful missions, "USSR maintains its lead in weight of payloads orbited. . . . Certainly the hiatus in Soviet manned space activity during 1966 is no basis for complacency on our part as their preparations for future flights appear to be ambitious and the resources being devoted to space competence and performance are absolutely and relatively impressive." Dept. of State said it was pleased to be able to forward Surveyor I and Lunar Orbiter I photos to missions abroad for appraisal by foreign scientists. It also said foreign reaction to receiving cloud-cover photos from US. satellites in Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) system had been "encouraging." (Text)
Flash fire swept through oxygen-filled pressure chamber at Brooks AFB, Tex., killing Airman 2/C William F. Bartley, Jr., and Airman 3/C Richard G. Harmon in accident similar to the one Jan. 27 which killed three Apollo astronauts at KSC. Fire struck at 9:45 a.m. EST, about 12 min. after airmen had entered the chamber to take blood samples from rabbits under observation to determine effects of pure oxygen on the blood. Cabin pressure was brought down to ground level within 13 sec after fire had ignited, but both men died from burns within several hours. Col. James B. Nuttall, commander of USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, said there were no plans to change research methods because of accident. "As you have seen, it is not safe," but he said one-gas systems were less complicated and more reliable than two-gas systems. (AP, W Star, 2/1/67, A3; O'Toole, W Post, 2/1/67, 1)
Eric Sevareid offered a eulogy on CRS-TY News far three Apollo astronauts who died at KSC Jan. 27: "Grissom and White and Chaffee-mortals who aspired to the moon and eternal space-were returned to the earth today from which they came and to which we all belong. "They had lived life more intensely in a very few years than most of us do in our lifetimes and they shall be remembered far longer. "They were among the men who wield the cutting edge of history and by this sword they died. . . . "We are told they will be replaced. This only means that other such men will take their places. The three cannot be replaced. There never was a replaceable human being." (Text)
Funeral services were held for Apollo astronauts who died in Jan. 27 flash fire at KSC. All three men were buried with full military honors: Virgil I. Grissom (L/Col., USAF) and Roger Chaffee (LCdr., USN) at Arlington National Cemetery, and Edward H. White II (Lt. Col., USAF) at West Point. President Johnson and hundreds of dignitaries attended services at Arlington; Mrs. Johnson and Vice President Humphrey were among the attendees at West Point. (Hines, W Star, 1/31/67, Al, A6; Secrest, W Post, 2/1/67, B1; Casey, W Post, 2/1/67, Al, A4)
Operation of Wilhelm Forster Observatory's tracking station in West Berlin was described by its director, Harro Zimmer, in an AP interview. The station, built on a 250-ft mound of rubble, was in a geographic position enabling it to detect Soviet signals from launching pads in the U.S.S.R. Zimmer said he wired tracking data to Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Cambridge, Mass., on various assignments involving both US. and U.S.S.R. satellite launches, but received no pay ,from either the U.S. or the Observatory. (AP, NYT, 1/31/67)
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