Jan 17 1968
From The Space Library
USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by Thrust-Augmented Thor-Agena D booster into orbit with 335-mi (539.1-km) apogee, 285-mi (458.6-km) perigee, 94.5-min period, and 75.1° inclination. (Aero Tech, 1/29/68, 11; Pres Rpt 68)
Primary objectives of Mariner V mission (launched June 14, 1967) had been fulfilled and mission had been adjudged a success by NASA. Communications with spacecraft had been terminated Dec. 1, 1967, when signal level had been lowered because of antenna pointing angle; spacecraft systems had operated normally during telemetry reception, Nov. 21, 1967. Spacecraft was expected to survive solar heat and return within range of DSN antennas in August or September 1968. Total lifetime would be three to six years. (NASA Proj Off)
A 21.5-ft-dia, 40-ft-long mockup of Saturn V 3rd (S-IVB) stage was flown to MSFC for crew station design review; it would be launched as 2nd stage of Saturn IB and as flight orbital workshop, with aluminum-grid partitions rearranged to create separate rooms. Modification provided two-story arrangement with separate rooms for sleeping, food preparation, and control center and large open laboratory area for experiments. ( Release 68-111)
In Moscow, U.S.S.R. and France agreed to place French instruments on board Soviet lunar orbiter satellite at undetermined future date, in third joint Soviet-French space project, Evert Clark reported in New York Times. Projects, most significant cooperative effort U.S.S.R. had undertaken with any country, included launch of French satellite on interplanetary physics mission in 1972 and use of Soviet Molniya comsats to exchange experimental color TV broadcasts. (NYT, 1/18,/68, 52)
AFCRL geodesists hit Explorer XXII satellite with multipulse ruby laser beam in daylight for second time. First success in using satellite as target for reflection in daylight was on Dec. 19, 1967, by AFCRL. Explorer XXII, launched by NASA Oct. 9, 1964, carried special reflectors for laser beams. Experiment was designed to improve measurements of distance between widely separated points on earth's surface and improve knowledge of earth's size and shape. (OAR Research Review, 5/68, 13; Instruments and Spacecraft, NASA SP-3028)
January 17-19: Rep. Emilio Q. Daddario (D-Conn.), Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Science, Research, and Development Subcommittee, at hearings on environmental pollution, stressed crucial role for science and technology in pollution abatement. He said hearings would focus on research programs of Federal agencies which "must produce an expanded basis of facts and technical options to make our pollution laws work." Testimony would show "that it is shortsighted indeed to consider goals for restoring and maintaining the quality of the environment apart from the supporting research and development." (Transcript)
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