Apr 12 1964
From The Space Library
Cosmonautics Day in the Soviet Union, commemorating the day when Yuri Gagarin made the first space flight in 1961. USSR announced steerable spacecraft POLET II had been placed in orbit. Purposes of the launching were said to be to "further improve space vehicles capable of maneuvering extensively in all directions, and to work out questions concerning the problem of space rendezvous." After being placed in initial orbit, POLET was maneuvered in various directions by means of special engine system. "As a result of one of these maneuvers in the area of the equator, the space vehicle substantially changed the angle of inclination of its orbital plane." After the programmed space maneuvers, POLET II was in the following orbit: apogee, 500 km. (311 mi.); perigee, 310 km. (193 mi.); period, 92.4 min.; and inclination to the equator, 58.06 degrees. (Tass; Shabad, NYT, 4/13/64, 4)
Gemini spacecraft launched into orbit in unmanned test April 8 (GT-1) re-entered the earth's atmosphere and disintegrated midway between South America and Africa. Attached to the 11-ft.-long spacecraft was 20-ft.-long cylindrical rocket stage. They had been orbiting the earth at altitudes from between 100 and 190 mi. (AP, Wash. Post, 4/14/64; AP, Houston Post, 4/14/64)
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