Aug 27 1969
From The Space Library
NASA's 148-lb drum-shaped Pioneer E failed on 5:29 pm EDT launch from ETR by Thrust-Augmented Improved Thor-Delta (DSV-3L) booster. Satellite had been intended for solar orbit to collect scientific data on electromagnetic and plasma properties of interplanetary medium near earth's orbital path during six or more passages of solar activity centers. Jettison of three strap-on solid-propellant rockets, 1st-stage Thor engine cutoff, and 2nd-stage ignition occurred as Planned but vehicle began gyrating, veered off course, and was destroyed by Range Safety Officer at 8 min 2 secs GET. Pioneer E and TETR C test and training satellite, carried as secondary payload to test Apollo communications network, splashed into Atlantic about 300 mi southeast of Barbados. Preliminary analysis of data indicated loss of hydraulic pressure during 1st-stage burn had permitted engine nozzle to develop uncontrolled gimbaling and vehicle gyrations. Investigation would be conducted to determine exact cause and action to prevent recurrence. Pioneer E was last in series of five spacecraft designed to provide continuing measurements over the solar cycle at widely separated points in interplanetary space. Pioneer VI (launched Dec. 16, 1965), Pioneer VII (launched Aug. 17, 1966), Pioneer VIII (launched Dec. 16, 1967), and Pioneer IX (launched Nov. 8, 1968) had received 25,000 commands from ground and were still producing useful data from widely scattered positions in heliocentric orbits. Most recent Pioneer missions had provided new information on functions of magnetosphere, additional data on finding that diffuse solar plasma regions appeared to have attraction of their own, measurements of cosmic dust populations, data on changes in electrical and magnetic characteristics of solar corona, and targets for precision radar tracking which led to establishment of reliable value for earth-moon-mass ratio and sun-earth mass ratio. Pioneer program was managed by ARC under OSSA direction. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 69-116; SBD, 8/29/69, 213)
Moon was twin planet of earth, formed from same whirling gas cloud, in early view of two LRL scientists studying Apollo 11 samples. Dr. S. Ross Taylor of Astri National Univ." Canberra, Australia, said, "Moon's composition is unlike the earth's. But it is not outside our experience. It is like the material you would expect if the earth and moon were formed as a double planet." He thought moon was younger twin, while Dr. Oliver A. Schaeffer of State Univ. of New York thought it might be equally old. Age of two lunar rocks had been estimated at 3.1 billion yrs, "give or take . . . 200 million years," by measuring proportion of argon 40 to potassium in rocks, Dr. Schaeffer said. Lunar highlands might be 4.5 billion yrs old. Moon, he thought, never grew big enough to melt internally and produce geologic activity to change lunar surface and leave younger rocks. Dr. Taylor's studies had shown unusually high amounts of refractory material and absence or low concentration of volatile materials, implying volatile material had boiled away in melting process. He inferred rock chemistry was different from deep mantle of earth and from cosmic abundances-distribution of elements that would be expected in distant, more primitive planet captured by earth. (Cohn, W Post, 8/28/69, Al)
MSC Deputy Director George S. Trimble announced his resignation, effective Sept. 30, after 21/2 yrs with NASA. He had been Director of Advanced Manned Missions Program in NASA Office of Manned Space Flight before appointment to MSC post Oct. 13, 1967. (MSC Release 69-70; W Post, 8/28/69, A8; NASA Ann, 10/13/67)
NASA announced selection of RCA Service Co. to receive two-year, cost-plus-award-fee contract with one-year option for logistic support to Space Tracking and Data Acquisition Network (STADAN), Manned Space Flight Network (MSFN), and NASA Communications Network (NASCOM). Contract was expected to exceed $17 million. (NASA Release 69-127)
American Airlines began showing NASA color film of Apollo 11 and distributing free copies of CBS News recording "Man on the Moon" and free cut-out lunar modules for children on "Americana" flights between East Coast and California through Sept. 23. (NYT, 8/18/69, 23)
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 31
