Feb 17 1969
From The Space Library
Tenth anniversary of Vanguard 11, fifth U.S. IGY satellite, launched by NASA to produce cloud-cover images using two photocells. Wobbling had prevented interpretation of data. Satellite was still in orbit. (A&A 1915-60; GSFC SSR, 2/28/69)
Nike-Apache sounding rocket was launched by NASA from Churchill Research Range carrying Southwest Center for Advanced Studies payload to investigate auroral disturbances. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (NASA Proj Off)
USN suspended Sealab III project when veteran Aquanaut Berry L. Cannon was stricken while he and Aquanaut Robert A. Barth, Jr." were attempting to open habitat's hatch after Cannon's second dive to check gas leaks. He was pronounced dead of "cardiac arrest" in decompression chamber of mother ship U.S.S. Elk River and body was flown to San Diego for autopsy. First finding of autopsy was that Cannon did not die of heart attack. USN on Feb. 18 canceled project. (Stevens, NYT, 2/18/69, 1; 2/20/69, 93; O'Toole, W Post, 2/18-20/69; AP, W Star, 2/18/69, Al)
President Nixon submitted to Senate nomination of former NASA Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology James M. Beggs as Under Secretary of Transportation. (PD, 2/24/69, 293)
In Madrid during European goodwill tour, Apollo 8 Astronaut Frank Borman placed wreath at statue of Columbus and met Cristobal Colon de Carvajal y Maroto, 17th duke of Veragua and hereditary "admiral of the ocean sea," title created in 1537 for explorer's son, Diego Columbus. (AP, C Trib, 2/18/69)
USAF said ground test of F-111A had revealed large crack in test version of aircraft belly section to which movable wings were attached. No F-111A s would be grounded, as test did not indicate safety hazard to aircraft in service. Crack was not related to one detected Aug. 25, 1968. (UPI, W Post, 2/18/69, A4; AP, W Star, 2/18/69, A6)
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