Dec 3 1966
From The Space Library
ComSatCorp's INTELSAT II-A ("LANI BIRD") comsat, launched by NASA from ETR Oct. 27, began commercial service under temporary FCC authorization which would expire Feb. 2, 1967. Satellite, which had failed to achieve planned synchronous equatorial orbit Oct. 30, had been moved into modified 12-hr. orbit Dec. 1, to provide maximum visibility: eight to nine hours daily between US. mainland and Hawaii; over seven hours between U.S. and Japan; and about four hours between U.S. and Carnarvon, Australia. Authorized communications carriers could use satellite for television and telephone communications about eight hours daily. (ComSatCorp Release; Wash. Post, 12/2/66, F1; WSJ, 12/5/66, 15; Wash. Eve. Star, 12/3/66, A3)
December 3: U.S.S.R. launched COSMOS CXXXV into earth orbit with 319-km. (197-mi.) apogee; 214-km. (133-mi.) perigee; 89.6-min. period; and 65ø inclination. Equipment "for continuation of the exploration of outer space" was functioning normally. (Tass, 12/5/66)
AEG conducted 350-ton nuclear detonation for DOD near Hattiesburg, Miss., in underground cavity formed by previous nuclear explosion. Purpose of test was to determine extent of decoupling-a reduction of ground shock and other seismic signals. (AEC Release 5-273)
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