Jan 3 1966
From The Space Library
NASA awarded two nine-month study contracts to determine the impact of a proposed improved J-2 rocket engine on the S-II and S-IVB stages of the Saturn V launch vehicle: (1) $148,000 contract to North American Aviation, Inc., developer of S-II stage; and (2) $225,000 modification to an existing contract with Douglas Aircraft Co. MSFC Propulsion and Vehicle Engineering Laboratory was seeking to simplify the J-2 and give it, and the stages it powered, more flexibility. ‘‘(MSFC Release 66-1)’’
COSMOS LXXX, LXXXI, LXXXII, LXXXIII, and LXXXIV, launched Sept. 3, 1965, by U.S.S.R., would orbit the earth for more than 1,000 yrs., reported Pravda. COSMOS C, launched Dec. 17, 1965, would orbit for 10 yrs. and ELECTRON I, launched Jan. 30,1964, and ELECTRON II, launched July 11, 1964, would orbit for at least 200 yrs. Report said Soviet space tracking stations were receiving data from more than 20 sputniks. ‘‘(AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 1/3/66)’’
GSFC Nimbus Project Manager Harry Press told Aviation Week that Nimbus B would move NASA’s weather satellite program into a second generation research and development effort by starting the measurement of fundamental quantities in the atmosphere necessary in new analytical weather-forecasting formulas. Nimbus B, third and largest in NASA’s meteorological satellite series, would carry seven major experiments : infrared interferometer spectrometer; satellite infrared spectrometer; image dissector camera system; high-resolution infrared radiometer; monitor for ultraviolet solar energy; medium-resolution infrared radiometer; and interrogation, recording, locating system. In addition, Nimbus B would carry Snap-19 radioisotope thermal generators capable of producing 60w of power to supplement solar panels and determine feasibility of radioisotope generators for ultimate operational weather satellite system. Scheduled for launch in 1967 with Extended Thrust Augmented Thor-Agena]] D launch vehicle, Nimbus B would use basic Nimbus spacecraft configuration, but would require strengthened structural elements because of its additional weight. Press said the two major control difficulties which had shortened the August 1964 NIMBUS I mission had been analyzed and corrected on Nimbus C, scheduled for launch in 1966. A larger solar array drive motor, equipped with heat-conducting strap that would lower operating temperature of motor almost 100°C and with improved grease, would be substituted on Nimbus C for smaller motor whose failure had left NIMBUS I solar panels locked in near-vertical position when it apparently overheated and its grease failed to lubricate. Also, attempts would be made during Nimbus C mission to rely on the flywheels to dampen spacecraft oscillations and to use the gas thruster system as little as possible, Press said. NIMBUS I had spun about its roll axis when its depreciating power supply had caused its batteries to feed lower voltages to the attitude control electronics system and the thrusters had fired excessive amounts of cold freon gas. ‘‘(Av. Wk., 1/3/66, 52, 53)’’
Report of the White House Committee on Meteorology concluded that global weather experiment using meteorological satellite and network of sensors on constant-altitude balloons, remote land stations, and ocean buoys could be deployed in four years for $50 million. Assignment of overall management responsibility given to single agency to begin design study was discussed in Aviation Week. Designated Ghost (global horizontal sounding technique), project would attempt to extend atmospheric measurements to that 90% of the earth’s surface not yet adequately covered, using meteorological satellite in 600-mi.altitude polar orbit to obtain pair of readings from all global points every 12 hrs. In addition, 1,000 to 3,000 super-pressure balloons would be floated at six different atmospheric levels to measure wind, pressure, temperature, humidity, and overpressure. NASA Nimbus B meteorological satellite, scheduled for launch in 1967, would carry interrogation, recording, and locating system experiment (Iris) designed to perform ranging and data collection function on which Ghost was based. However, NASA would attempt only limited experiments with Iris involving a check of the system’s ability to locate fixed sensor packages, and track them on slow-moving and fast-moving platforms, Dr. Morris Tepper, Director, Meteorological Programs Div., NASA Office of Space Science and Applications, told Aviation Week. Tepper said any agency providing its own transponders and funding its own equipment could participate in the Iris tests. ‘‘(Av. Wk., 1/3/66,55)’’
Missiles and Rockets reported prediction of Japanese rocket engineer Dr. Hideo Itokawa that Japan might launch 60-lb. probes to Mars and Venus after orbiting its first satellite in 1968. Itokawa said the Mu series launch vehicle, under development by Univ. of Tokyo Institute of Space and Aeronautical Science, would produce enough thrust 400,000 1bs.-to launch interplanetary probes. ‘‘(M&R, 1/3/66, 7)’’
T-38 aircraft of M/G Irving H. Branch (USAF), Commander of Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, crashed over Puget Sound when attempting an instrumented approach to Boeing Field, Seattle, during rainy weather. Branch was en route from Edwards AFB; his body was later recovered from Puget Sound by divers. ‘‘(Seattle Times, 1/6/66, 31)’’
During week of January 3: Representatives of US. Dept. of Agriculture’s Plant Quarantine Div. met with NASA’s Planetary Quarantine Committee to discuss handling and disposal of soil and rock samples brought to earth from the moon or other planets. A Dept. of Agriculture spokesman warned that without precautions, insects and microorganisms from outer space could conceivably be brought to earth on returning spacecraft and multiply unchecked in an environment that would not control them. ‘‘(NYT, 1/9/66, 58)
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