Jun 10 1966
From The Space Library
USAF's OV3-IV research satellite was launched by NASA from Wallops Station by Scout booster. Orbital parameters: 2,933 mi. (4,720 km.); perigee, 398 mi. (640 km.); period, 142 min.; inclination, 41ø. The 173-lb. satellite carried plastic spheres of simulated human tissue containing linear energy transfer spectrometers to record effects of space radiation and determine how much radiation damage an astronaut's body could undergo in similar manned flight, how long man could stay in space at one time, and how often he could safely return to space environment. Satellite would also give measurements on Van Allen radiation belts and gauge decay of residual radiation in man-made Starfish Belt. Equipment, expected to relay data for one year, was functioning normally. (Wallops Release 66-35; U S . Aeron. & Space Act., 1966, 152)
Twenty of 21 scientific experiments carried by NASA's OGO III, launched June 6 from ETR, had been turned on and were operating well. The remaining experiment-an ESSA radio propagation measuring device would be turned on June 11. (NASA Release 66-149)
Under Secretary of the Air Force Norman Paul told Rep. George H. Mahon (D-Tex.) , chairman of House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, in closed session that USAF officials were unaware that the XB-70 which crashed June 8 was to be used for commercial publicity purposes: "The Air Force definitely does not put its stamp on this sort of business. . . . Had we been aware, I think it is safe to say it would not have happened." Representative Mahon said Committee would "insist that procedures be established which will make impossible a recurrence of such misuse of men and military equipment." (Morris, NYT, 6/11/66, 1; Simons, Wash. Post, 6/24/66, A8)
GEMINI IX-A Astronauts Thomas Stafford and Eugene Cernan were greeted by their families on their arrival in Houston after four days of debriefing at KSC. (UPI, NYT, 6/11/66, 62)
Lockheed Missiles and Space Co.'s first high-reliability Agena was launched from Vandenberg AFB as upper stage on Atlas booster, Aviation Week and Space Technology reported. High-reliability Agena had been under development for USAF Space Systems Div. for over three years in con-. junction with Midas infrared early warning system under Program 461. (Av. Wk., 6/20/66, 31)
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