May 15 1966
From The Space Library
NASA NIMBUS II (Nimbus C) meteorological satellite was launched from WTR with Thrust-Augmented Thor-Agena B booster into near-polar orbit with 730-mi. (1,175-km.) apogee, 678-mi. (1,091-km.) perigee, 108-min. period, and 80° inclination. Flight plan had called for 600-mi.altitude orbit. NIMBUS II, three-axis earth-stabilized R&D weather satellite, would flight-test basic technology essential to meteorological satellites and instrumentation necessary to study atmospheric structure. It would also extend meteorological observation to region of electromagnetic spectrum not previously covered. Satellite carried Advanced Vidicon Camera System (Avcs) and Automatic Picture Transmission System (Apt), both of which operate during daylight portion of each orbit; Medium Resolution Infrared Radiometer (Mrir) to store global medium resolution data on earth’s heat balance; and High Resolution Infrared Radiometer (Hrir) to provide high-resolution nighttime cloud-cover photos and cloud-top temperatures. Addition of Hrir data to Apt system was initial demonstration of stored and direct readout day-night cloud coverage capability. 3,000 weather photos would be taken daily by 912-lb. satellite and transmitted to any of 150 Apt stations around the world-eight of which had been modified to obtain nighttime cloud cover. Second in NASA’s Nimbus series of meteorological satellites, NIMBUS II was managed by GSFC under overall direction of NASA OSSA. (NASA Proj. Off.; O’Toole, NYT, 5/16/66, 10)
Boosted Arcas sounding rocket was launched from deck of USNS Range Recoverer near Koroni Beach, Greece, as test for flight series to obtain data on electron and ion density distribution in ionospheric D region during solar eclipse May 20. No data were obtained because 2nd stage failed to ignite, but problem was corrected to ensure successful Rights during eclipse. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
GEMINI IX Astronauts Thomas P. Stafford and Eugene A. Cernan passed their major physical examinations at KSC. Mission review board confirmed May 17 launch date. (Hines, Wash. Eve. Star, 5/15/66, A1)
Manufacturers of rocket components, faced with possible work shortage because of NASA’s delay in formulating plans for post-Apollo missions, were making “frank pitches to the US. Space Agency-and presumably to the Defense Department-for more business,” wrote Alvin B. Webb in the Washington Post. Webb noted that “Chrysler is expected to begin building the last of its Saturn 1-B boosters by the end of this year. The same applies to Douglas production of S-IVB upper stages for the Saturn V. “Boeing, under the present schedule, probably will begin to run out of work on the Saturn first stage in late 1967.” (Webb, Wash. Post, 5/16/66, D9)
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