Sep 18 1969
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXCIX from Baikonur into orbit with 219-km (136.1-mi) apogee, 207-km (128.6-mi) perigee, 89.2- min period, and 64.9° inclination. Satellite reentered Sept 22. (GSFC SSR, 9/30/69; SBD, 9/19/69, 81)
NASA'S HL-10 lifting-body vehicle, piloted by NASA test pilot John A. Manke, reached 79,000-ft altitude and mach 1.39 after air-launch from B-52 aircraft west of Rosamond, Calif. Purpose of flight, 25th in series and 12th using engine, was to obtain stability and control data at various angles of attack in speed range around mach 1.2. (NASA Proj Off)
NASA and AEC announced successful completion of NERVA nuclear experimental rocket engine (XE) testing in Jackass Flats, Nev. Tests, from March through August, had included 28 successful engine startups and 3 hrs 48 min cumulative operating time, with 3.5 min at full power (55,000-lb thrust). XE program had explored wide variety of operating modes and pressure and temperature conditions, demonstrated automatic startups using bootstrap techniques, demonstrated stability of nuclear rocket engine performance, and validated design and operation of engine test stand No. 1. XE engine runs concluded series of successful technology tests over several years. Design and development of flight-rated 75,000 lb-thrust NERVA rocket was being initiated on basis of information produced. Nuclear rocket program was managed by AEC -NASA Space Nuclear Propulsion Office. (NASA Release 69-134; AEC -NASA Release M-216)
President Nixon addressed 24th session of U.N. General Assembly: "Of all man's great enterprises, none lends itself more logically or more compellingly to international cooperation than the venture into space. Here, truly, mankind is one: as fellow creatures from the planet Earth, exploring the heavens that all of us enjoy. The journey of Apollo 11 to the moon and back was not an end, but the beginning. "There will be new journeys of discovery. Beyond this, we are just beginning to comprehend the benefits that space technology can yield here on earth. And the potential is enormous. For example, we are now developing earth resource survey satellites, with the first experimental satellite to be launched sometime early in the decade of the seventies. Present indications are that these satellites should be capable of yielding data which could assist in as widely varied tasks as these: the location of schools of fish in the oceans, the location of mineral deposits on land, the health of agricultural crops. feel it is only right that we should share both the adventures and the benefits of space. As an example of our plans, we have determined to take actions with regard to earth resources satellites. . . . The purpose . . . is that this program will be dedicated to produce information not only for the United States, but also for the world community. We shall be putting several proposals in this respect before the United Nations. These are among the positive, concrete steps we intend to take toward internationalizing man's epic venture into space-an adventure that belongs not to one nation but to all mankind." (PD, 9/22/69, 1275-81)
September 18: Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai (left), Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organization, and Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, signed an agreement at NASA Headquarters for a cooperative experiment to broadcast educational TV programs from NASA'S planned ATS-F satellite direct to 5,000 small Indian villages.
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, and Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization, on behalf of India and U.S. signed agreement at NASA Hq. to provide direct TV broadcasts from satellite to some 5,000 small Indian villages. Broadcasts would be first from satellite to small receivers without ground relay. Experiment would utilize ATS-F, sixth in NASA series of Applications Technology Satellites, scheduled for mid-1972 launch. India would use experimental ground station at Ahmedabad and others to transmit TV programs to satellite, which would relay them to village receivers. Increased onboard power and deployable satellite antenna with high pointing accuracy made direct broadcast possible. (NASA Release 69-135)
Senate began consideration of H.R. 11271, FY 1970 NASA authorization bill passed by House June 10 and reported with amendment in form of substitute bill by Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences June 24. Sen. William Proxmire (D-Wis.) introduced new Section 7: "Of the funds authorized . . . $300,000,000 . . . earmarked for operation of the Apollo missions shall not be obligated or expended until the Administrator, in consultation with the State Department, has fully explored the possibilities of international cooperation and cost-sharing in space exploration, and has reported to Congress on the results of these efforts." Efforts should include possibility of establishing international consortium with NASA as manager of operations or possibility of bringing space exclusively within U.N. jurisdiction and control, establishing "United Nations Space Council modeled after the World Health Organization." (CR, 9/18/69, S10895-907)
List of U.S. attempts during 1969 to effect cooperative space agreement with U.S.S.R. was entered in Congressional Record: April 30, NASA Administrator, Dr. Thomas O. Paine, forwarded copy of Opportunities for Participation in Space Flight Investigations to Academician Dr. Anatoly A. Blagonravov and assured him that proposals by Soviet scientists of experiments to fly on NASA spacecraft would be welcomed. Supplements to NASA document were to be sent routinely to Soviet Academy. May 29, Dr. Paine invited Academician Blagonravov to attend Apollo 11 launch and to discuss, informally, mutual interests in cooperative space projects. Dr. Blagonravov had declined. August 21, Dr. Paine invited Academician Prof. Mstislav V. Keldysh to send Soviet scientists to Sept. 11-21 briefing at NASA Hq. for investigators who might wish to propose experiments for 1973 Viking missions to Mars. Dr. Paine suggested meeting serve as opportunity for discussion of planetary exploration plans contributing to coordinated efforts beneficial to both countries. Prof. Keldysh had declined, but asked for copies of meeting materials so Soviet scientists might develop proposals. He had suggested possibility of later discussions. (CR, 9/18/69, S1095-6)
Post Office Dept. announced delay in delivery of moon landing stamp first day covers because of "unprecedented number of requests. , Processing crew of 100-more than twice number normally employed-were working longer shifts with more special canceling equipment than ever before to handle "response from people all over the world." (PO Dept. Philatelic Release 50)
Senate swore in Sen. Ralph T. Smith (R-Ill.) to serve unexpired term of late Sen. Everett M. Dirksen (R-Ill.) and adopted resolution assigning him to Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences to replace Sen. Charles McC. Mathias (R-Md.), reassigned to Government Operations Committee. (CR, 9/18/69, S10763)
Senate passed by voice vote S. 1857, FY 1970 NSF authorization of $487,150,000. (CR, 9/18/69, S10764-70)
Senate passed by record vote of 81 to 5, S. 2546, FY 1970 military procurement authorization which included amendment requiring study and review by Comptroller General of profits on Government contracts for which there had been no advertised competitive bidding [see Sept. 17]. (CR, 9/18/69, S10888-91)
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
