Feb 26 1963
From The Space Library
Results of MARINER II flight towards and past Venus were detailed in NASA press conference. Analysis of microwave and infrared radiometer scans revealed Venus is covered by cold, dense clouds in upper atmosphere; preliminary estimate of Venuxian surface temperature was around 800° F. Temperatures are essentially same on dark and sunlighted sides of Venus, with a cold spot in southern hemisphere. Any carbon dioxide in atmosphere above cloud layer was too small to be detected by MARINER II's instruments. High-density electron ionosphere was not detected. Radar observation on Venus from Goldstone Tracking Station established Venus' rotation rate as 230, plus or minus 40-50 days, retrograde, with 225 days as non-rotating status for Venus. This observation together with other ground measurements and data from MARINER II's magnetometer indicated Venus has very low, if any, magnetic field. Analysis indicated solar plasma continuously flows out from the sun, velocity of observed solar winds varying from 200 to 500 miles per second (approximate) and having temperature of about 1,000,000° F. Density is normally about 10 to 20 protons and electrons per cubic inch. Because solar plasma "carries along with it lines of magnetic force which originate in the [sun's corona, and the frequent variations in plasma velocity results in the deformation of these field lines, . . . it is difficult to deduce from the point-by-point measurement of magnetic field what the general undisturbed configuration of the solar field would be . . . . It is hoped that further data may reveal the presence of magnetic waves in space and clarify the interactions between the magnetic field and the plasma. . . . " MARINER II data on ionized particles in space revealed a flux of about 100 million particles per sq. centimeter per sec, in the range from few hundred to a thousand electron volts. In range 0.5 to 10 mev for protons, "very few exist at times, but at other times their flux may be a number of times that of cosmic rays. In the range of energies 10 to 800 mev for protons, there is nearly complete absence of particles normally [with great number possible during solar flare]. Above. 800 mev, galactic cosmic rays enter interplanetary space and these decrease in numbers quite rapidly as the energy decreases. ..... Data obtained from two-way doppler tracking of the probe during its flight would enable scientists to calculate the mass of Venus with probable error of 0.005 per cent (compared to probable error of 0.05 per cent calculated by astronomers) ; to determine precise locations of tracking stations on earth-specifically, to calculate exact location of Goldstone Tracking Station to within 20 yards, calculated to within 100 yards before MARINER II mission; to determine value of Astronomical Unit, established by radar observations as 92,956,220 mi.-50,000 mi. longer than that by classical astronomical observations; and to determine precisely the mass of the moon, now known to certainty of 0.1 per cent. Dr. Eberhard Rechtin, Director of JPL's Deep Space Instrumentation Facility, reported MARINER II's flight "resulted in accumulation of some 65 million bits of information with an accuracy of at least one per cent and yet with the use of only three watts of radio frequency power." (NASA Releases 63-36-1, -2, -3, -4, -5; NASA Press Conf. Transcript)
Near-operational Army Pershing missile launched from tracked-launcher at Cape Canaveral and hit target 130 miles down AMR, its first complete test flight success. (AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 2/26/631 A3)
Completion of M-2 lifting body's successful wind-tunnel testing and analysis was announce by NASA Ames Research Center. A wingless, maneuverable spacecraft capable of orbiting the earth and landing like an airplane, the M-2 lifting body was now ready for full-scale flight research. (Ames Release 63-7)
NASA announced appointment of Capt. Robert F. Freitag (USN) as Director of Launch Vehicles in Office of Manned Space Flight, effective about April 1. Capt. Freitag, since 1959 Director of Astronautics in Navy's Bureau of Weapons and a recipient of Legion of Merit for work in ballistic missile programs, would replace Milton Rosen, who would become senior scientist on staff of NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Defense Affairs, Adm. W. F. Boone (USN, Ret.). (NASA Release 63-38)
Dr. John Billingham, British aerospace medicine specialist, was appointed assistant to Dr. George Smith of Environmental Physiology Branch in Crew Systems Div., NASA Manned Spacecraft Center. Appointment of Billingham was first direct foreign appointment to MSC. (MSC Release 63-35)
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