Dec 13 1962
From The Space Library
RELAY communications satellite launched into orbit by Thor-Delta vehicle from Cape Canaveral (about 800-mi. perigee; 4,600-mi. apogee; 3 hr., 5 min. period). Built by RCA for NASA, RELAY was designed to be first active repeater satellite linking three continents—North America, South America, and Europe. Efforts to turn on RELAY’s communications equipment (by NASA test station at Nutley, N.J.) were unsuccessful, the satellite's onboard battery power being too low to operate the transponders. NASA said telemetry data indicated "abnormal drain upon the power supply" was probable cause of low voltage; RELAY communications experiments were postponed indefinitely. Objectives of NASA Project Relay were to test intercontinental microwave communications by low-altitude active repeater satellites, measure energy levels of space radiation in its orbital path, and determine extent of radiation damage to solar cells and electronic components.
NASA and Canadian Government launched two Black Brant III sounding rockets from NASA Wallops Station, in joint U.S.-Canadian experimental test series to determine vehicle flight performance characteristics and to obtain engineering data on effectiveness of instrumentation. In each flight, 100-lb. payload carried a cosmic ray sensor for measuring altitude, roll-rate magnetometer, and new telemetry transmitter and related antennae.. Both vehicles reached 61-mi. altitude and both flights were considered successful.
Attempts to launch scientific experiment from NASA Wallops Station failed when malfunction occurred in launch vehicle and caused "some damage to the launch tower and building." Experiment was to have determined distribution of certain molecular and atomic species in the upper atmosphere.
USAF would undertake "development program to advance the technology of large solid propellant rocket motors" under recent NASA-DOD agreement, DOD announced. Program was designed to "keep open the possibility of expedited development" in case large solid-propellant motors should be required for future space boosters. Principal effort would be devoted to providing techniques for and proving feasibility of manufacturing, handling, transporting, and firing motors measuring 260-in. diameter and capable of about six million lbs. thrust.
Howard Simons, science writer for the Washington Post, was named winner of 1962 newspaper science writing award by AAAS. Award was based on Simons' article on structure of matter, entitled "There's Dichotomy Among Neutrinos," appearing in the Post July 8, 1962.
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