Feb 2 1966
From The Space Library
NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket with 300-lb. Princeton Univ. payload was launched from WSMR to 108-mi. (175-km.) altitude to measure ultraviolet radiation from the star Alpha Virginis, popularly known as Spica. Although rocket performed satisfactorily and payload was recovered, no stellar spectra were obtained because of arcs in the guidance voltage system which may have prevented acquisition of the star. ‘‘(NASA Rpt. SRL)’’
USAF launched unidentified satellite by Thor-Agena D booster from Vandenberg AFB. ‘‘(M&R, 2/7/66, 11; U S . Aeron. & Space Act., 1966, 147)’’
Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara and U.K. Minister of Defence Denis Healey signed memorandum providing for cooperation in R&D for US. Initial Defense Communications Satellite Project-system of up to 22 comsats in near-synchronous, equatorial orbit. U.K. would provide, operate, and fund several ground terminals for communications tests and experiments using DOD comsats free of charge. ‘‘(DOD Release 87-66)’’
Prototype unfolding tool box containing 16 geological tools for astronauts to examine and obtain samples of lunar rock was delivered to MSC by Martin Co. Box would also provide storage area for rock samples. Tools included battery-powered drill; dust scoop; sample-weighing device; hand-held magnifier designed for use through spacesuit visor; surveying instruments and range finder; and retriever to pick up small specimens of rock which pressure-suited astronaut could not reach. ‘‘(MSC Release 66-9)’’
MSC awarded $70,000 contract to Rodana Research Corp. to develop emergency medical kits that would “satisfy all in flight and training requirements for the Apollo Command Module and the Lunar Excursion Module.” Two training units would be delivered for each flight, in addition to one mock-up and six prototype models; they would contain loaded injectors, tablets, capsules, ointment, inhalers, adhesives, and compressed dressings. ‘‘(MSC Release 66-8)’’
Proposal for an “international research program for the establishment of contact with extraterrestrial civilizations” was sent to International Astronomical Union by unidentified Soviet astronomers, Tass reported. The scientists believed search for extraterrestrial life should concentrate first on radiation from stars within 1,000-light-yr. radius from the three nearest galaxies. Communist, party’s major theoretical journal, said that question of the existence of other civilizations, and the establishment of contact with them was one of three “fundamental problems” confronting astrophysics. ‘‘(Zorza, Wash. Post, 2/5/66, A7; AP, NYT, 2/3/66,9)’’
Parachutist Nick Piantanida, launched in a balloon from Sioux Falls, S.D., reached 123,000-ft. altitude-unofficial manned-balloon-altitude record -but failed to achieve world’s free-fall record when his spacesuit oxygen hose froze and he was ordered to descend in the balloon’s gondola. Piantanida, who had planned to jump from 120,000-ft. altitude, freefall to 7,000 ft., and then parachute to earth, said he had wanted to prove that a trained parachutist could free-fall from 100,000-ft. altitude without stabilizing devices. Experiment was second failure by Spaco, Inc., private firm developing space survival and bail-out equipment. ‘‘(Balt. Sun, 2/3/66)’’
AEC announced plans to develop a radioisotope-powered cardiac pacemaker for treatment of heart block. Proposed instrument, fueled with plutonium-238, would be inserted in the body by surgery and would have a minimum operating life of 10 yrs. Currently available battery-powered cardiac pacemakers had operating lifetimes of three to five years. ‘‘(AEC Release 5-26)’’
European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO) Secretary-General Renzo di Carrobio, addressing members of “Britain in Europe” committee in London, contrasted “present hesitancy” on space programs in Europe with positive US. position. Americans, Carrobio said, were aware of economic benefits from technological applications of space research and were “making great efforts to ensure that the spin-off from their heavy investment in space research is put to good use in the industrial sector.” He noted that US. $5-billion space budget meant $26 per capita annual expenditure, while Europe spent $200 million annually or $1.15 per person. ‘‘(Science, 3/18/66,1372-4)’’
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