Jul 12 1972
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 501 from Kapustin Yar into orbit with 2105-km (1308-mi) apogee, 215-km (133.6-mi) perigee, 108.5- min period, and 48.4° inclination. (csFc SSR, 7/31/72; SBD, 7/14/72, 68)
During five-day visit to Poland Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., Presidential Science Adviser, informed Polish government in Warsaw that U.S. would name OAO-C Orbiting Astronomical Observatory for Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Launch of OAO-C, scheduled for August, would inaugurate U.S. contribution to worldwide Copernican celebration feting 500th anniversary of Feb. 14, 1473, birth of Copernicus, OAO-C would carry 81-cm (32-in) reflecting ultraviolet telescope developed by Princeton Univ. and battery of smaller x-ray telescope developed by Univ. College, Univ. of London, to study uv and x-ray emissions of celestial bodies. OAO-C would weigh 2200 kg (4900 lbs) and would be launched into earth orbit with 740-km (460-mi) altitude by Atlas-Centaur booster. (NASA Release 72-141)
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