Dec 5 1975
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
Launch of the Dual Air Density (DAD) spacecraft from the Western Test Range failed when a catastrophic event during thirdstage burn caused loss of vehicle control and failure to achieve orbit. The destruct signal was transmitted 341 sec after ignition.
The four-stage Scout-D launch was to have placed into orbit two satellites-a small rigid sphere of aluminum and a large inflatable sphere of mylar-similarly instrumented with a mass spectrometer and associated electronics. The satellites were to have been in 90° polar orbits intersecting periodically, to measure atmospheric densities at two differing altitudes but at the same latitudes at the same local-hour angle of the sun. The measurements would show effects on upper atmosphere readings of changes in solar heat input and the relationships between upper and lower atmospheres.
The launch, scheduled for 3 Dec., had been delayed because of a malfunction in the ignition system of the Scout launch vehicle. (NASA Release 75-300; MOR S-863-75-05, 6 Jan 76; HQ memo, Goozh, 9 Dec 75; SBD, 5 Dec 75, 186)
Marshall Space Flight Center issued a request for quotations from industry for development of a flat conductor-cable wiring system suitable for use in residences and commercial establishments. Surface mounting, a feature of the flat cable system originated by NASA to reduce the size and weight of wiring harness in space capsules, would eliminate the need for routing wires in walls, ceilings, and floors because it could be covered by paneling, tile, or even wallpaper. Use of the flat wiring would reduce costs of wiring new construction and permit savings in renovating, remodeling, and rewiring of existing buildings. The successful proposer would develop a surface-mounted baseboard system using a cable 63.5 mm wide; total thickness of the baseboard-channel, airspace, and cover would be about 11 mm, thickness of the thinnest lumber baseboard strips in use. (MSFC Release 75-257)
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