Aug 7 1966
From The Space Library
New Self-healing solar cell believed at least 50 times more radiation resistant than conventional power supply cells had been developed by RCA for GSFC. Unlike previous cells which were made of silicon and protected by transparent shields of quartz or sapphire, new. cells contained small lithium additive which sealed gaps produced by bombardment of high-energy radioactive particles and reduced weight of shielding by up to 90%. GSFC physicist Milton Schach described the new cell as a "major accomplishment" and predicted its use would permit flights of over 1,000 days through center of Van Allen radiation belts. Applications were also foreseen for communications satellites, high-altitude military reconnaissance spacecraft, and missions to Jupiter, surrounded by high-energy electron radiation belt. (Wilford, NYT, 8/7/66,40)
NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket was launched from Churchill Research Range in GSFC-Univ. of Michigan pitot-static tube experiment to observe the fine atmosphere temperature structure at noctilucent cloud altitude. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
Two series of coordinated NASA Nike-Cajun sounding rockets were launched from NASA Wallops Station, Churchill Research Range, Point Barrow, Alaska, and Natal, Brazil, in GSFC experiment to gather data-by means of exploding grenade technique-on atmospheric wind, temperature, pressure, and density as summer maximum of noctilucent cloud sightings approached. Rockets and instrumentation performed satisfactorily, except one rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station did not achieve predicted altitude. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
First new comet in 1966 was discovered by Stephen Kilston, recent Harvard Univ. graduate, at Lick Observatory, San Jose, Calif., and confirmed Aug. 9 by Central Telegram Bureau, Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory. Named for its discoverer, Comet Kilston had a magnitude of plus 10.6 and could be seen in the constellation Hercules, apparently moving southeast. (AP, NYT, 8/10/66, 5; AP, Wash. Post, 8/10/66, AS; AP, Wash. Eve. Star, &J10/66, B4)
First microscope that could either superimpose or rapidly alternate images was being used at Cal Tech to detect changes in position or size of metal crystals that might cause structural failure. Microscope was assembled by David S. Wood, Thad Vreeland, Jr., and David P. Pope. (Sci. Serv., NYT, 8/7/66, 39)
Proposal for a permanent international program of science cooperation made by 11 leaders of the 1957-58 International Geophysical Year program and 1964-65 International Year of the Quiet Sun program in letter to London Times [see July 27] was praised by the New York Times: "The initiative taken by the eleven scientists represents a promising new attempt to cut through . . . [political] limits on cooperation and thus promote more effective research on behalf of all mankind." (NYT, 8/7/66, 8E)
Hughes Aircraft Co. engineer's smuggling of a small US. flag on NASA's SURVEYOR I spacecraft which soft-landed on the moon June 2 was a breach of discipline and a violation of international space policy, wrote Joshua Lederberg in the Washington Post. ". . . NASA policy requires `minimum contamination' so that the moon can remain a useful preserve for the detection of any life that might be transported by, say, meteorites. This calls for `clean room' standards during the assembly of spacecraft components. "A bootlegged flag which could not have been subjected to such control for decontamination is a clear violation of a policy to which this country's honor has been attached and calls for strenuous disciplinary measures to insure the integrity and credibility of purpose of our future exploratory missions." (Lederberg, Wash. Post, 8/7/66)
French-Soviet June 30 agreement on space cooperation was arousing speculation about Soviet participation in French Guiana launch site, reported Richard Lewis in Chicago Sun Times. Use of large Soviet launch vehicles--which were also missiles-at French Guiana range would "open a missile corridor to the soft underbelly of the United States early warning system," and "undoubtedly generate serious tension in the Western world and in Europe, Lewis suggested. But French restriction that all satellites launched from site use French. boosters and crew "would make the Guiana port useless to the Russians for space research, since the only space launcher the French have developed is the Diamant" whose payload capability was equivalent to that of the Scout-smallest booster in U.S. inventory. (Lewis, Chic. Sun Times, 8/7/66, 11)
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