Aug 22 1968
From The Space Library
Cone-shaped RAM C-H spacecraft was successfully launched from NASA Wallops Station by four-stage Scout booster at 11:16 am EDT. After reentering earth's atmosphere at 17,000 mph, 264-lb spacecraft completed its eight-minute ballistic flight by impacting 725 mi downrange 150 mi northeast of Bermuda. No recovery was attempted. Primary mission objective of RAM 26-in-dia spacecraft with 12-in-dia hemisphere nose-was to measure electron concentrations in flow field at discrete locations along spacecraft during reentry at medium velocity. Secondary objectives were to measure ion concentrations in flow field as function of distance from spacecraft, measure antenna performance and signal attenuation during reentry under specified conditions, and measure spacecraft environmental parameters, including accelerations, pressures and temperatures. Launch was second in NASA's Project RAM (Radio Attenuation Measurement) to study methods for preventing loss of radio signals from reentering spacecraft. RAM C-I, launched Oct. 19, 1967, had successfully demonstrated effectiveness of water addition to flow field and use of X-band telemetry signals in maintaining communications through ionized plasma sheath. RAM program was managed by LaRC under OART direction. RAM C-it spacecraft was designed, fabricated, and tested by LaRC. (NASA Proj Off; LaRC Proj Off; NASA Release 68-146; WS Release 68-17)
JPL researchers Dr. Arvydas J. Kliore and Dan L. Cain in Journal of Atmospheric Sciences reported findings similar to July 15 findings of Martin Marietta's Allan R. Barger that surface air pressure on Venus might be 75 or 100 times greater than that on earth, or four to five times greater than that reported by U.S.S.R. scientists from data supplied by Venus IV spacecraft. Kliore and Cain concluded that Venus IV either had landed on 15-mi-high Venusian peak undetected by earth radar or had stopped transmitting before it reached planet's solid surface. Precise radio tracking of Mariner V-U.S. spacecraft which had completed flyby mission by crossing Venus orbit Oct. 19, 1967, 24 hr after U.S.S.R. had reported parachute landing on Venus-had enabled Kliore and Cain to calculate position of spacecraft's radio beam, relative to Venus' center. Resulting profiles indicated Soviet probe had penetrated to radial distance of 3,774 mi from Venus' center, which point Soviets had taken to be Venus' surface. U.S. radar studies had shown Venus radius of only 3,759 mi. If radar data were accurate, Venus IV measurements were made at 15-mi altitude and reported conditions far less extreme than on surface. U.S. measurement of Venus surface temperature greater than 890°-900° F was consistent with estimates from passive radio astronomy and with results of radiometer experiment conducted by Mariner II in 1962, when surface temperature was found to be 800° F. (NASA Release 68-147; Pasadena Independent, 8/22/68; Parker, Denver Post, 8/22/68)
NASA Administrator for Manned Space Flight, Dr. George E. Mueller, accepting 1968 Veterans of Foreign Wars Space Award in Detroit, Mich., said: "The long-term outlook for space is good. I have just returned from the first UN Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Space. There has been a world-wide increase in awareness of the values and practicality of space flight. The nations of the world have become more conscious of the economic benefits of the space program, and the public is becoming increasingly aware of the values derived from space technology. With the increase in public awareness of the importance of space technology to the future well-being of the Nation, I believe that the new Congress and the new President will and must reaffirm support for a dynamic U.S. Space Program. . . . Man will prevail in space. On that there can be no serious question. The only question is whether this Nation will prevail in space." (Text)
Wall Street Journal commented on DOT plan for easing air traffic congestion: "Many people are flying 100 or 200 miles, or even shorter distances, only because reasonably rapid and reliable rail service simply is no longer available. Before building airports still farther from where people want to go-and further jamming the highways leading to them -someone should start looking at the broader picture. While the Government's new air traffic plan may represent necessary movement on a problem that demands action, it scarcely qualifies as transportation progress." (WSJ, 8/22/68, 14)
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