Apr 25 1973
From The Space Library
Cosmos 555 was launched by the U.S.S.R. from Plesetsk into orbit with a 230-km (142.9-mi) apogee, 216-km (134:2-mi) perigee, 88.9-min period, and 81° inclination. The satellite reentered May 7. (GSFC SSR, 4/30/73, 5/31/73; SBD, 4/30/73, 333)
All three Skylab crews were briefed at Johnson Space Center by Robert A. Citron, Director of the Smithsonian Institution's Center for Short Lived Phenomena. The Smithsonian was under contract to NASA to report the major daily earth surface phenomena. During the Skylab missions, scheduled to begin May 14 and 15, the reports would be used to advise the crew on suitable targets for hand-held photography and to plan or modify earth resources experiment passes which required a major reorientation of the spacecraft. During the five months of Skylab activities, the crew might expect to see 10 major volcanic eruptions, 5 major cyclonic storms, and 5 earthquakes and 10 floods large enough to cause visible changes in topography. The Center would attempt to send research teams into areas where the Skylab scientists observed unusual changes. (JSC Release 73-47)
The Air Force approved the use of $38 million for initial production of jet engines for its new F-15 fighter aircraft, despite failure of the prototype engine to satisfy fully key testing requirements called for in the contract with the Pratt & Whitney Div. of United Aircraft Corp. (Getler, W Post, 4/26/73, A2)
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
