Feb 3 1970
From The Space Library
NASA successfully launched 1500-kg (3300-lb) Sert II (Space Electric Rocket Test) from WTR at 6:49 pm PST by Thorad Agena booster. Spacecraft entered orbit with 1008.9-km (626.9-mi) apogee, 998.4-km (620.4-mi) perigee, 105.2-min period, and 99.1° inclination. Deployment of solar panels, disabling and dumping of Agena attitude control system, and transfer of Agena horizon sensor to spacecraft were accomplished satisfactorily. Spacecraft attitude was being maintained by gravity gradient forces and control moment gyros to well within required limits. Primary mission objective was to operate electric ion thruster system in space satisfactorily for six months. Secondary objectives were to determine variation of thruster power efficiency with mission time, measure RF noise from ion beam in frequency bands associated with interplanetary communications systems; measure extent of coupling between ion beam and space plasma; measure magnitude of ion engine's thrust by electrostatically suspended accelerometer, orbit change, or thruster measurements; measure long-term effects of ion thruster efflux on silicon-cell solar array; and measure change in equilibrium temperature of optically reflective coating in space environment. Sert II system had large solar array, cylindrical spacecraft support unit (SSU), and spacecraft ring housing two ion engines, electric propulsion experiments, power conditioning, power switching and signaling equipment, and reacquisition control system. SSU housed two telemetry transmitters, two command systems, two tape recorders for data storage, power distribution system, battery for reacquisition control, and four control moment gyros. Sert II was second mission in SERT project. SERT I, launched on suborbital mission July 20, 1964, had proved that ion engines could produce thrust in space. SERT project was managed by LeRC under DART direction. Tracking and data acquisition were conducted by GSFC. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 70-8; LeRC Release 70-2)
NASA launched three sounding rockets. Two Nike-Cajuns launched from Point Barrow, Alaska, carried GSFC grenade experiment. Nike-Tomahawk launched from Andoeya, Norway, carried Norwegian payload to conduct auroral studies. (SR list)
NASA announced it had granted Alaska permission to use ATS I (launched Dec. 7, 1966) to transmit educational radio programs to remote areas in Alaska and instructional and public TV from Fairbanks to Kodiak, Nome, and Fort Yukon, Alaska. Experiment intended to help Alaska develop operational experience with which to plan follow-on operational satellite system-would operate seven hours per day through spring 1971. Radio transmissions would begin in March 1970 and TV in October 1970. ComSatCorp would provide at least three ground stations and RCA Global Communications Inc. would provide one. Alaska would finance operation of experiment, provide programming, and evaluate results, reimbursing NASA for any costs over those for normal experimental operations. Potential users of operational satellite systems willing to invest in necessary facilities, provide programming, and cover ground costs were being permitted to present proposals for use of ATS I and ATS III (launched Nov. 6, 1967) for worthwhile experiments as long as satellites continued to operate. (NASA Release 70-16)
President Nixon transmitted to Congress Aeronautics and Space Report of the President for 1969 (dated January 1970). He said; "The year 1969 was truly a turning point in the story of space exploration the most significant of any year in that still brief history." U.S. had achieved "most prominent of our goals in space-one which had long been a focus for our energies. As we enter a new decade, we must now set new goals which make sense for the Seventies. The space budget that I am submitting to Congress reflects my view of a balanced space program, one which will build on the progress we have already made. Our space and aeronautics program has benefited this Nation in many ways. It has contributed to our national security, to our educational, transportation, and commercial strength, to our scientific and medical knowledge, to our international position and to our sense of the dignity and the capacity of man. And the story is only beginning. We have made long strides into the future during the past year; now we must build on those accomplishments in the coming years and decades." (Pres Rpt 70[69]; PD,2/9170; 146)
Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications submitted to House Committee on Science and Astronautics Assessment of Space Communications Technology: NASA program of R&D in comsats and associated equipment during past decade had been "remarkably successful." ComSatCorp also had made "significant strides." As result, U.S. was "undisputed leader in this new technology." State of the art was sufficiently advanced to "make important contributions to the improvement of the American domestic telecommunications system, particularly in Alaska... largest and most remote State of the Union." Committee urged expansion of NASA space applications program. It should be "principle purpose of the U.S. Government... to bring to the American people the best, the most effective, the least expensive communications services. It is the clear responsibility of the Government to develop and implement public policies, and improve the effectiveness of its regulatory functions, so as to promote the improvement of the Nation's telecommunications at a rate which reflects the progress of technology. To the extent that governmental indecision has delayed the efficient integration of innovation and invention, the Government must be considered to have failed in this responsibility." (Text)
Sen. Clinton P. Anderson (D-N. Mex.) introduced S. 3374, $3.333-billion FY 1971 NASA authorization bill. [See Feb. 2.] (Text)
NASA budget cutbacks would not substantially affect JPL, Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, told press following conference with JPL leadership teams in Pasadena, Calif. "Our cutbacks will fall most heavily upon the manned space flight program." Some 16 000 aerospace employees would be cut from Governmental payroll throughout California, Dr. Paine said. (Pottage, Glendale Ledger, 2/5/70)
In paper at AIAA Launch Operations Meeting at Cocoa Beach, Fla., Dr. Adolf H, Knothe, Chief of KSC Range Safety Staff, said teletype received July 17, 1969, from German ship Vegesack reported "numerous pieces of Stage 1 [[[S-IC]] stage of Saturn V] of Apollo 11 were sighted dropping into sea around the vessel." Ship had been 604' km (375 mi) east northeast of Cape Kennedy when Apollo 11 had lifted off toward moon July 16, 1969. (W News, 2/3/70; AIAA PIO)
Photos of central Alabama taken by Apollo 9 astronauts had been of major significance for geological exploration in the state, AP reported. Alabama State Geologist Philip LaMoreaux had said photos were "new aid and approach in locating stable areas for construction, exploration for minerals and studying geologic structures as an aid in oil and gas exploration." (Huntsville Times, 2/3/70)
President Nixon submitted to Senate nomination of Robert H. Cannon, Jr., as Assistant Secretary for Systems Development and Technology. He would succeed Secor D. Browne, appointed to CAB Oct. 6, 1969. (PD, 2/9/70, 125, 147; DOT PIO)
Japan became 94th nation to sign nuclear nonproliferation treaty. (Roberts, W Post, 2/4/70, A14)
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
