Jul 1 1967
From The Space Library
USAF Titan III-C booster launched from ETR successfully inserted six satellites-three Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP) comsats, one Lincoln Experimental Satellite V , one DOD Gravity Experiment (DODGE) satellite, and one Despun Antenna Test Satellite (DATS) -into circular, near-synchronous orbits. Powered flight of Titan III-C was close to planned parameters. Transtage and payload were inserted into parking orbit with 103-mi (166-km) apogee and 89-mi (143-km) perigee. First transtage burn made necessary course corrections; second transtage burn moved stage and payload into transfer orbit with 20,920-mi (33,666-km) apogee and 111-mi (179-km) perigee. Third burn put satellite dispenser frame and six satellites into final orbit with 20,809-mi (33,438-km) apogee and 20,453-mi (32,915km) perigee. Between 3:21 and 3:23 pm EST satellites were ejected separately into slightly different orbital paths. Three IDCSP comsats, combined with 15 others launched June 16,1966, and Jan. 18, 1967, completed Pacific link of DOD's IDCSP system designed to provide reliable, full-time radio communications between Washington, D.C., and US. troops in Vietnam and other distant outposts. LES V, first all solid-state UHF band comsat, would transmit radio signals and test communications to front-line troops. DODGE satellite would extend 10 metal booms to test satellite's stability, determine whether it could keep one side always facing earth, and transmit first color TV pictures of earth taken from orbit with a 22° camera. DATS, advanced version of IDCSP comsats, carried new antenna designed to transmit 75% of radio signal strength-rather than current 15%-back to earth. USAF officials reported all satellites were functioning properly. (DOD Proj Off; UPI, NYT, 7/2/67, 20; W Post, 7/2/67, A4; Av Wk, 7/10/67,39; Aero Tech, 7/17/67,20)
AFSC's Ballistic systems Div. (BSD) and Space Systems Div. (SSD) were combined to form new Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO) with headquarters in Los Angeles. New organization would be commanded by M/G John W. O'Neill, former Commander of Electronic Systems Div. M/G John L. McCoy, former BSD Commander, was named Deputy Commander for Missiles; M/G Paul T. Cooper, former SSD Commander, was appointed Deputy Commander for Space. (AFSC Release 101.67; SSD Release 67-207)
MSFC awarded McDonnell Douglas Corp. a $496,024 contract to study advanced versions of Saturn S-IVB orbital workshop. Study would explore concepts for a follow-on workshop for the Uprated Saturn I and several more sophisticated versions for the Saturn V, with initial emphasis on uses of the stage in Apollo Applications (AA) program. (MSFC Release 67-16)
Princeton Univ. astronomers were studying photos of ultraviolet spectra of Venus and Jupiter taken by a rocket-borne telescope launched from WSMR May 5 in an effort to provide additional data on Venusian atmosphere, New York Times reported. Photos, taken at 118-mi altitude, provided "50 times more detail than ever obtained before," Dr. Donald C. Morton, director of Princeton's rocket astronomy program, explained. Princeton astronomers would continue analyzing spectrograms to determine composition of planets' gaseous atmospheres, and would compare findings with data transmitted by U.S.'s MARINER V and U.S.S.R.'s Venus IV spacecraft-both expected to reach Venus by late October. (NYT, 7/2/67, 21)
M/G Vincent G. Huston, former Commander of Air Force Eastern Test Range (AFETR) and recipient of NASA Leadership Medal, became Commander of AFSC's National Range Div. He succeeded L/G Leighton I. Davis, who became Commandant of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces in Washington, D.C. (AFSC Release 103.67)
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