Apr 8 1967
From The Space Library
Cosmos CLIV was launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 232-km (144-mi) apogee, 186-km (116-mi) perigee, 88.5-min period, and 51.6° inclination. Equipment functioned normally. Satellite reentered Apr. 10. (Tech Wk, 4/10/67; GSFC SSR, 4/15/67)
Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin, discussing Soviet space plans in Ogonyek, hinted that U.S.S.R. was preparing to launch a large manned space station in the near future. It had been speculated that U.S.S.R.-which had not launched a manned spacecraft since March 18, 1965-would conduct major manned launch in 1967 to commemorate 50th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution. Gagarin said there was little value in repeating feats already accomplished: ". . . it is not sensible in the future to put expensive spacecraft into orbit for several days. . . . It is apparent that they will have to stay in orbit a long time. It will be necessary to supply them and change crews with the use of simplified types of space vehicles. . . . The time is not far off when longer and more distant space flights will be made." In later Novosti press agency report Soviet Academy of Sciences Chairman Anatoli A. Blagonravov supported Gagarin's predictions and said: "Mankind is entering the 7th year of the age of man's space flight, and we do not doubt that in the not very distant future we will witness new space victories which will exert a growing influence on the life of people." (Anderson, NYT, 4/9/67; UPI, W Star, 4/9/67, A13; C Trib, 4/10/67)
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