Nov 8 1965
From The Space Library
Failure of the Gemini Agena Target Vehicle (GATV) which aborted the Gemini VI mission October 25 was probably caused by a hard start of the primary propulsion system which either shook the rocket apart or caused an explosion that destroyed it, reported a USAF Flight Safety Review Board which had met with the NASA Design Certification Review Board. Series of continuing tests was being scheduled to assure reliability of future Gatv flights. (Text; Clark, NYT, 11/9/65, 3)
USAF launched two unidentified satellites with Atlas-Agena D booster from Vandenberg AFB. (UPI, Chic, Trib, 11/9/65; U.S. Aeron, & Space Act, 1965, 154)
The Gemini IX crew was announced by MSC Public Affairs Officer Paul P. Haney at a press conference in Houston: Elliot M. See, Jr. (civilian), command pilot; Charles A. Bassett II (Capt, USAF) , pilot; Thomas P. Stafford (Maj., USAF) and Eugene M. Cernan (LCdr. USN), backup crew. Scheduled for the third quarter of 1966, the mission would probably last two or three days, and would include rendezvous and docking and extravehicular activity. Bassett, who would remain out- side the spacecraft for at least one revolution, would wear the USAF-designed manned maneuvering unit (MMU) backpack, a self-propelled hydrogen peroxide system with gyro stabilization. (Transcript)
Production of Gemini spacecraft and F-4 Phantom jet fighter aircraft was halted when 16,000 machinists struck McDonnell Aircraft Corp. in a wage dispute after rejecting the company's contract proposals and the ten-day contract extension recommended by IAM leaders. The unauthorized strike was not expected to interfere with the scheduled December flights of Geminis VI and VII from KSC. (AP, Balt, Sun, 11/9/65)
An 11-ton, 60-ft.-dia, radio antenna was erected on a mountain near San Diego, Calif., by USN Electronics Laboratory to bounce signals off the moon and certain artificial satellites. R. U. F. Hopkins, director of the Microwave Space Relay Project, said the antenna could improve the tracking and monitoring of active satellites such as the NASA Tiros weather-forecasting series, aid in studying refraction of radio waves caused by atmosphere, and beam powerful signals into space. (AP, NYT, 11/17/65, 33)
November 8-9: The NASA-Western University Conference at JPL presented to over 200 educators from 13 western states a comprehensive view of NASA's current programs of interest to universities and described ways for faculty members to participate in these programs, JPL Director Dr. William H. Pickering was the conference chairman. (JPL Release)
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