Oct 3 1967
From The Space Library
NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station ejected barium vapor at 75-, 115-, and 140-mi altitudes, forming three distinct green and purple clouds visible for hundreds of miles. Experiment was conducted for AFCRL to (1) measure electric fields and wind motion in upper atmosphere by photographing and tracking movement of ionized barium clouds, and (2) measure attenuation on passage of radio signals through ionized barium plasmas. (WS Release 67-32; UPI, W Star, 10/4/67, D2)
NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket was launched from WSMR to 114-mi (184.km) altitude in GSFC experiment to obtain x-ray and EUV photos of the sun and to flight test SCAT solar pointing system. Flight, first for SCAT, proved to hold pointing to within a few arc sec. Rocket and other instrumentation performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL)
Maj. William J. Knight (USAF) set new winged aircraft speed record when he flew X-15 No. 2 to 4,534 mph (mach 6.72) and 99,000-ft altitude in flight at Edwards AFB to: (1) test Martin ablative coating and ramjet local flow; (2) check out stability and control with dummy ramjets and characteristics of external tank separation and wing tip accelerometer; and (3) conduct fluidic temperature probe. Previous speed record of 4,250 mph (mach 6.33) had been set by Major Knight Nov. 18, 1966. (X-15 Proj Off; FRC X-Press, 10/20/67,3)
U.S.S.R. successfully launched Molniya 1.6 comsat to relay television signals from the Soviet Far East to Moscow and on to Paris. Orbital parameters: apogee, 39,870 km (24,774 mi); perigee, 499 km (308 mi); period, 11 hr 55 min; and inclination, 64.96°. Tass said comsat would relay television, radiotelephone, and telegraph messages and form part of new television network scheduled to be in operation by 50th anniversary of Bolshevik Revolution Nov. 7. (GSFC SSR, 10/15/67; W Post, 10/4/67, A17; UPI, NYT, 10/4/67,3)
In accordance with congressional resolution, President Johnson issued Proclamation 3811 designating first week in October for commemoration of LaRC's 50th anniversary. He noted some of LaRC's numerous contributions to astronautics and aeronautics since its establishment in 1917 as the first national laboratory to conduct basic aeronautical research: (1) cowling for radial air-cooled engines in late 1920's; (2) scientific information and technical skills to increase performance and utility of World War II aircraft; (3) research facilities for advancement of SST; (4) investigations into concepts of advanced supersonic and hypersonic vehicles, helicopters, and V/STOL aircraft; (5) research which contributed to development of Scout launch vehicle and to management of Project Mercury, Lunar Orbiter Program, and Project Fire; and (6) support services for Gemini and Apollo programs through use of simulators and special laboratories. Messages of congratulations from President Johnson, Vice President Humphrey, and Director of U.K.'s Royal Aircraft Establishment Sir Robert Cockburn were inserted in Congressional Record by Rep. Thomas N. Downing (D-Va.), who said: ". . . this Nation can be proud today and always of the system that maintains the Langley Research Center." At LaRC the week was marked by a daily inspection, with hundreds of industry, university, and Government visitors. (NASA Release 67-251; CR, 9/29/67, S13885; 10/2/67, H12787-9; 10/3/67, H12913-4; PD, 10/9/67,1387-8)
Senate Appropriations Committee ordered favorably reported, with amendments, NASA FY 1968 appropriation bill (H.R. 12474). Action restored $96 million of $516 million cut by House [see Aug. 22]. Two projects-Voyager Mars and NERVA II-were restored by increased funding in Senate move; as approved, bill totaled $4.7 billion. Bill moved to floor of Senate. (NASA LAR VI/104; O'Toole, W Post, 10/4/67, A2)
Mass meeting in U.S.S.R.'s Palace of Congresses inside the Kremlin Wall heard L/C Aleksei A. Leonov recall heritage of fellow pioneers; he had `been an associate of Col. Komarov who had been killed on Apr. 24 in the first flight of third-generation Soyuz I spacecraft. Cosmonaut Leonov said: "We cannot help recall our friend, test pilot Vladimir Mikhailovic Komarov. Grateful mankind will always preserve the memory of these wonderful people in its heart." The mass meeting was the highlight of Soviet celebration of the 10th anniversary of Sputnik: I's launching [see Oct.4]. In the Soviet press on the same day, scientist Konstantin P. Feoktisov, veteran of three-orbit flight in 1964, listed a manned laboratory in orbit as first among coming space developments, then a moon landing, then a "starting to Venus and Mars." (UPI, AP, NYT, 10/5/67, C20)
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