Mar 8 1967
From The Space Library
NASA's OSO III (OSO E) Orbiting Solar Observatory was successfully launched from ETR with three-stage Thor-Delta booster to study the sun and its influence on earth`s atmosphere. Orbital parameters: apogee, 354 mi (570 km); perigee, 336 mi (540 km); period, 96 min; and inclination, 33ΓΈ. Third of eight spacecraft in NASA's OSO program to provide direct observation of the sun, OSO III weighed 627 lbs, carried nine experiments, and had two main sections: the wheel (lower) section provided stability by gyroscopic spinning and housed the telemetry-command equipment, batteries, electronic controls, gas spin-control arms, and seven experiment packages; the sail (upper) section was oriented toward the sun and contained solar cells and two solar pointing experiments. Primary purpose of OSO III was to obtain high-resolution spectral data in the range SA-1300A from pointed solar experiments during major portion of one solar rotation and adequate operational support of spacecraft subsystems to carry out acquisition of these scientific data. Spacecraft's experiments were designed to continue and extend work of OSO I (launched March 7, 1963) and OSO II (launched Feb. 3, 1965) spacecraft by collecting data on solar x-rays, gamma rays, ultraviolet radiation, and other solar activity. Project management officials at CSFC tested or turned on all nine experiments and reported that satellite spin rate, power level, charge rate, and temperatures were normal. Both tape recorders were operating. Last experiment, the high-voltage portion of GSFC's x-ray spectrometer, was successfully turned on March 14. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Releases 67-32,67-52)
First contract for purchase from NASA of launch services for a foreign satellite was signed by NASA and ESRO in accordance with Dec. 30, 1966, Memorandum of Understanding on reimbursable launchings. Under contract, ESRO would purchase a Delta launch vehicle from NASA to launch its HEOS-A interplanetary physics satellite from ETR in late 1968. The 230-lb satellite, carrying eight experiments prepared by 10 scientific groups in six European countries, would be launched into 120,000-mi-altitude orbit to investigate interplanetary magnetic field and study solar-and cosmic-ray particles outside the magnetosphere. NASA would be reimbursed about $4 million. (NASA Release 67-48)
NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket was launched from Churchill Research Range, Canada, and carried GSFC-instrumented payload to 141-mi (227-km) altitude to obtain data on charged particle fluxes and investigate distribution of electric fields in ionosphere during auroral displays. Rocket performance was satisfactory, but only partial data were received from electric field experiment. (NASA Rpt SRL)
The House adopted H.R. 312 authorizing the Committee on Science and Astronautics, during the 90th Congress, to conduct studies, investigations, and inquiries on astronautical, aeronautical, and other scientific R&D. Rep. James G. Fulton (R-Pa.) urged House to authorize an Inspector General in NASA to evaluate complaints and control launch operations. NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications Dr. Homer E. Newell, accompanied by his deputy Edgar M. Cortright and OSSA Director of Space Applications Programs Leonard Jaffe, stressed importance of space science in testimony before the House Committee on Science and Astronautics. "The space research effort has been abundantly fruitful in answering first and second generation questions about our space environment, and in turning up a whole new generation of fundamental and important questions, and potentially fruitful practical applications. To answer these new questions, and to continue advancing in this important field, it is time to select new missions to replace old ones." Past OSSA successes and proposed 1968 program were outlined by Cortright: "During the past two years (1965 and 1966) 23 of the 28 OSSA missions were successful, including 7 out of 8 deep space missions to the Moon and into interplanetary space. In addition, we successfully launched 6 out of 6 payloads for other organizations. Further, the Atlas Centaur development program was successfully completed and Centaur was used to launch Surveyors I and II. The 1966 series of dramatic successes with second and third generation automated spacecraft demonstrated striking advances in the utility, durability, versatility, and effectiveness of this equipment." The 1968 program-including Voyager, Mariner Mars '71, Sunblazer, Nimbus (E and F) , ATS, and Voice Broadcast Satellite -had been carefully planned to meet US.'s most urgent minimum future needs, Cortright stressed. ". . . this is a critical year in the development of our Country's program to explore space and to apply space technology to the benefit of man. . . . Those new missions which we have selected to pursue . . . constitute the most important of a long list of exciting opportunities for space exploration and practical application." (Testimony; Transcript)
March 8-9: First of five two-day symposiums for Federal supervisors on equal opportunity problems was held at ARC. Part of drive in San Francisco area against minority discrimination within the Executive Branch of the Government, symposium was sponsored by ARC; Palo Alto VA Hospital: Menlo Park USGS; Moffett Field Naval Air Station; and Sunnyvale Naval Plant Representative's Office. (ARC Release 67-2)
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