Nov 10 1967
From The Space Library
NASA successfully launched ESSA VI (TOS-D) . sixth meteorological satellite in ESSA's TIROS Operational Satellite (TOS) system, from WTR using three-stage Thrust-Augmented Thor-Delta booster. Primary mission objective was to provide global cloud coverage on a regular, daily basis with six-month-nominal and three-month-minimum spacecraft lifetime. Satellite achieved near-polar, sun-synchronous orbit with 920-mi (1,482-km) apogee, 872-mi (1402-km) perigee, 114.8-min period, and 102.1° inclination. Wheel orientation maneuver was scheduled for completion during 18th orbit at which time first photos would be programmed and NASA would check out spacecraft before turning its operation over to ESSA. An advanced version of the cartwheel configuration, 286-113 ESSA VI carried two Automatic Picture Transmission (APT) camera systems modified with improved magnetic shielding to prevent slight banding visible in previous ESSA APT photos. Cameras would photograph earth's cloud cover and immediately transmit pictures to local APT stations. ESSA VI would supplement ESSA II and ESSA IV, replacing them when they became inoperable. ESSA financed, managed, and operated TOS system; GSFC was responsible for procurement, launch, and initial checkout of spacecraft in orbit. ESSA I was launched Feb. 3, 1966; ESSA II , Feb. 28, 1966; ESSA III, Oct. 2, 1966; ESSA IV Jan. 26, 1967; and ESSA V, April 20, 1967. All five satellites were still operating. (NASA Proj Off; ESSA Release 67-82)
Letter to President Johnson from Rep. William F. Ryan (D-N.Y.), member of House Committee on Science and Astronautics, assessed US. space program after Apollo/Saturn flight of Nov. 9: US. had captured lead in space race with the U.S.S.R. Rep. Ryan urged the President to renounce the space race, and `to make a serious request for the beginning of far-ranging international cooperation to reduce the costs and increase the benefits of space exploration-to remove the wasteful duplication of two great nations." (Text)
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