Apr 8 1969
From The Space Library
NASA'S Mariner VII, launched from ETR March 27, successfully executed midcourse maneuver in response to radio commands from Woomera, Australia, tracking station. Spacecraft, more than 2.5-million mi from earth, would fly within 2,000 mi of Mars Aug. 5. (Sehlstedt, B Sun, 4/9/69, A5; Reuters, W Post, 4/9/69, A7)
Saturn V 2nd stage (S-II -8) was successfully captive-fired at Mississippi Test Facility for 385 secs, with only four outboard engines functioning for final 86 secs. Center engine was intentionally cut off early to evaluate early cutoff as suppressor of longitudinal oscillations (pogo effect) which had occurred on Apollo 8 and 9 flights. If test data were satisfactory, center engine might be cut off early during Apollo 10 mission in May. (MSFC Release 69-107)
Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR carried American Science & Engineering, Inc." payload to 109.4-mi (176-km) altitude. Objective was to obtain high-resolution pictures of general x-ray emission from solar corona in quiescent state, using 9-in-dia x-ray mirror and 12-frame rotating camera with variety of filters. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily; x-ray exposures of considerable scientific value were anticipated. (NASA Rpt SRL)
President Nixon announced nomination of NASA Assistant Administrator for Industry Affairs Philip N. Whittaker to be Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations and Logistics. He also announced appointment of former Gov. William W. Scranton of Pennsylvania as U.S. Representative to INTELSAT Conference with rank of Ambassador, replacing Ambassador Leonard H. Marks, who resigned March 21. (PD, 4/14/69, 533-4; W Star, 4/9/69, A8)
MSFC announced $8,391,052 modification to contract with North American Rockwell Corp. Rocketdyne Div. for support services to J-2 rocket-engine program from June 1, 1969, through April 30, 1970. (Release 69-104)
Merger of military and civilian man-in-space programs was major decision facing Nixon Administration, said Howard Benedict of Associated Press. Many observers felt it necessary because, under separate courses being taken by NASA and DOD, costs of competing hardware systems "might explode out of proportion." Congressmen had charged there was costly duplication in NASA'S orbiting workshop and DOD's MOL, both planned for 1971 launch, but with work on both so far advanced there was no turning back. Air Force Secretary, Dr. Robert Seamans, Jr." former NASA Deputy Administrator, had said any attempt to combine two programs "would jeopardize the returns to each agency and would ultimately increase the cost. . . . These activities require different equipment, different orbits and different timing." NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. Mueller, had said classified study to determine MOL's capabilities to accomplish NASA'S long-duration earth orbit objectives had shown extended MOL "too limited to provide a significant, cost-effective step toward achieving NASA'S long duration objective." Many observers believed technology and information for building national space station housing military and civilian personnel might emerge from the two programs. Another possibility was use by both agencies of similar rocket and spacecraft on separate scientific and military missions with equipment standardization providing "considerable saving." (Huntsville Times, 4/8/69)
"Where the Legend Starts," film depicting life of late Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin, was being prepared in U.S.S.R., Tass announced. Gagarin, first man in space on Vostok I April 12, 1961, died in aircraft crash March 27, 1968. (AP, C Trib, 4/9/69)
Federally sponsored TurboTrain passenger demonstration began with one return trip daily from Boston to New York on Penn Central's New Haven Region. Within year service would permit elimination of 45 to 50 min from schedules. Developed by United Aircraft Corp." Turbo-Trains were leased by DOT for two/ear Government experiment. (DOT Release 4769)
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