Oct 24 1969
From The Space Library
USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by Titan IIIB-Agena booster into orbit with 395.8-mi (636.8-km) apogee, 78.3-mi (125.9-km) perigee, 92.1-min period, and 108.1° inclination. Satellite reentered Nov. 8. (GSFC SSR, 10/31/69; Pres Rpt 70 [69] )
U.S.S.R. launched two Cosmos satellites. Cosmos CCCVI, launched from Baikonur, entered orbit with 307-km (190.8-mi) apogee, 203-km (126.1-mi) perigee, 89.5-min period, and 64.9° inclination and re-entered Nov. 5. Cosmos CCCVII entered orbit with 2,157-km (1,340.3-mi) apogee, 213-km (132.4-mi) perigee, 1091-min period, and 48.4° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 10/31/69; 11/15/69; SBD, 10/27/69, 255)
Apollo 12 spacecraft was lashed by 40-mph winds during second day of countdown demonstration test (CDDT) at KSC. Officials said exercise proceeded without difficulty. (W Post, 10/25/69, A9; UPI, NYT, 10/25/69)
Dr. Gene Simmons, MSC Chief Scientist, told press at MSC reported conflict between scientists and engineers in U.S. space program was "more apparent than it is real." MSC officials were making great efforts to increase scientific return from nine remaining Apollo missions. Dr. Simmons was "not sure there is this rift" (W Post, 10/25/69, A9)
LaRC announced award of $313,620,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee/award-fee contract to Martin Marietta Corp. for construction of lander portions of two Viking spacecraft scheduled to softland on Mars in summer 1973 and for project integration services. (LaRC Release)
Soviet Academy of Sciences President, Prof. Mstislav V. Keldysh, said in Stockholm, "We no longer have any time plan for manned moon trips. Right now we are concentrating on constructing big satellite space stations." He predicted expanded scientific cooperation between U.S. and U.S.S.R. with possibility of cosmonauts and astronauts aboard same spacecraft in future. In Sweden for Swedish Academy of Engineering's 50th anniversary, Prof. Keldysh implied U.S.S.R. planned to assemble spacecraft in orbiting stations and launch them from there. He indicated existence of conflicting views in U.S.S.R. as to space research funding. "My personal view is that, when man has taken his first step into space, you cannot stop further development." (W Post, 10/25/69, A3)
Visiting U.S.S.R. Cosmonauts Georgy T. Beregovoy and Konstantin P. Feoktistov went on "Flight to the Moon" ride at Disneyland, Calif., during U.S. tour. They received Mickey Mouse watches and caps from employees dressed as cartoon characters in spacesuits. Beregovoy said, "Now we are admitted to this particular society." (UPI, NYT, 10/25/69, 3)
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