Nov 2 1966
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched spacecraft, possibly from Cosmos series, which exploded into 32 pieces detectable by radar. GSFC Satellite Situation Report would later reveal that 12 pieces of debris remained in orbit Nov. 15; 20 had reentered. Spacecraft was second Soviet satellite to explode in six weeks [see Sept. 17]. (GSFC SSR, 11/15/66)
NASA had extended operational lifetimes of its three PEGASUS meteoroid detection satellites 12 additional months because of their successful operation. Satellites would continue to provide meteoroid data, but researchers would concentrate on studying durability of spacecraft systems and components. PEGASUS I was launched Feb. 16, 1965: PEGASUS II, May 27, 1965; and PEGASUS III, July 30, 1965. All had been scheduled to operate 18 mos. (MSFC Release 66-264)
USAF launched two unidentified satellites from Vandenberg AFB with Atlas-Agena D booster. (Tech. Wk., 11/7/66, 10; U.S. Aeron. & Space Act., 1966, 157)
JPL selected Litton Industries, Inc., Guidance and Control Systems Div., for negotiation of a $3-million contract to design, fabricate, and check out data automatic subsystem (Das) for 1969 Mariner (unmanned) flights to Mars. JPL had management responsibility to NASA for Mariner/ Mars project. (NASA Release 66-289)
General Precision Equipment Corp. received $8.6-million NASA contract to provide three sets of equipment to modify Apollo simulators at KSC. (WSJ, 11/2/66, 3)
Man must learn to operate effectively and efficiently in space before he can reap the full benefits of space exploration, Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, told the Wisconsin State Chamber of Commerce in Milwaukee: "To employ Apollo flight hardware and capabilities beyond the manned lunar landing, and to extend the capability of the Apollo spacecraft would make efficient use of our national investment. Missions are available to make use of the equipment for flights in earth orbit, in lunar orbit, and to the moon's surface. Experiments are being defined to determine the value of such missions. Users have expressed interest in the results of such experiments. But first we must develop the ability to operate in space. . . ." (Text)
Leningrad Institute of Cytology scientists had designed special device to permit biologists to study effects on microorganisms of "pure" solar radiation. Device, called "Photostate I," consisted primarily of 18-liter chamber in which wide temperature range could be created and observations made under any intensity of solar radiation in the field of visible and ultraviolet light. (Tass, 11/2/66)
November 2: BCA received $2,500,000 fixed-price USN contract for fabrication, testing, and delivery of six navigation satellites. (DOD Release)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
