Jul 18 1968
From The Space Library
Cosmos CCXXXIII was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodrome by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 1,505-km (935.2-mi) apogee, 199-km (123.6- mi.) perigee, 101.9-min period, and 81.9° inclination. Satellite reentered Feb. 7, 1969. (SBD, 7/22/68, 32; GSFC SSR, 7/31/68; 2/15/69)
Senate passed unanimously H.R. 17023, FY 1969 Independent Offices and HUD appropriations bill, including $4.008 billion for NASA. Total for NASA agreed with House-passed total, but Senate adopted committee amendments increasing funds for construction of facilities by $12.95 million and decreasing R&D funds by same amount. As passed by Sen- ate, bill provided $3.37 billion for R&D, $34.75 million for construction of facilities, and $603.17 million for administrative operations. Senate requested conference with House on amendments. (NASA LAR VII/76; CR, S8910-38; SBD, 7/19/68, 71)
House Appropriations Committee cut $550.5 million from DOD FY 1969 appropriations, including $85 million from USAF Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL) program. (CR, 7/18/68; SBD, 7/19/68, 71)
Defense Communications Agency had declared operational eight satellites added to Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS) by successful June 13 launch from ETR, final launch of Initial Defense Communications Satellite (IDSCP) Project. Total of 24 satellites were in normal use, orbiting eastward in 21,000-mi-altitude synchronous orbit. They would remain in use until 1971. (Dm Release 668-68)
NASA had completed tests to find solution to "longitudinal oscillations" of Saturn V booster which had occurred during April 4 Apollo 6 mission. Tests revealed that natural frequency of vehicle structure and propulsion system frequently had coincided, multiplying amplitude of oscillations. Problem would be corrected by using accumulators, small gas reservoirs, in 1st-stage liquid-oxygen prevalves to change propulsion system frequency. Minor modifications necessary to allow helium injection into prevalves were being made on 1st stages of third and sixth Saturn Vs. (NASA Release 68-128; MSFC Release 68-158)
Ryan Vertifan, jet V/STOL aircraft designated XV-5B by NASA, was undergoing flight tests at Ryan Aeronautical Co. in San Diego before delivery to ARC for use in aeronautical research. Aircraft's counter-rotating fans submerged in wings and driven by jet exhaust provided lift for vertical takeoff, hovering, and vertical landing. XV-5B was improved version of Ryan Aeronautical Co. research aircraft built for USA; modifications and renovations, after damage from October 1966 emergency landing at Edwards AFB, were made under $1-million NASA contract. (ARC Astrogram, 7/18/68, 1)
With U.S. and U.S.S.R. ready to discuss possible mutual restriction on production of strategic missiles, research and testing of advanced spectrometer designed to police agreement had been delayed because of congressional cuts in DOD funds for Arms Control and Disarmament Agency program. Device, which analyzed missile characteristics from their exhaust trails at launch sites, had been developed at cost of $574,000 after 1964 proposal by U.S. for missile agreement with U.S.S.R. Device could be manned by international inspectors positioned one mile from launch site or read by remote control through transmission cable already developed for additional $200,000. Field testing under simulated U.S.S.R. conditions had been postponed one year until summer 1969. (Oberdorfer, W Post, 7/18/68, G4)
The Security of Japan and Prospects for 1970, study produced for Japanese Defense Agency by Security Research Council, said Japan had technical and economic resources to produce uranium and plutonium bombs and ICBM-producing capability similar to that of France. Japanese policy to date had banned construction and importation of nuclear weapons. (W Post, 7/18/68, A3)
Dr. Ernest Harry Vestine, expert on geomagnetism who had joined RAND Corp. in 1957 after 20 yr with Carnegie Institution, died in Santa Monica, Calif., of heart attack at age 62. He had been an originator of 1957-58 International Geophysical Year and had served as consultant to DOD, NASA, and Dept. of Commerce. He had been one of leaders of 1933 International Polar Year expedition, which established observatory to measure earth's magnetic field. (W Post, 7/19/68, B6)
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