Oct 15 1967
From The Space Library
JPL announced development of double vacuum chamber, designed by JPL's James B. Stephens, to simulate extreme effects of interplanetary space on spacecraft. Called Molsink (molecular sink of outer space), chamber was expected to determine what happened to paint, components, and even microorganisms on spacecraft. The eight-foot-dia chamber would be capable of capturing 99.97% of all condensable molecules emanating from test item by freezing the molecules to the walls at -400°F with super-cold helium gas. Conventional vacuum chambers had not been able to pump, or capture, more than half of gas molecules flying off test item. Space scientists believed Molsink chamber would provide reliable tool to measure and counteract problem of spacecraft out-gassing. In testing, long periods would simulate actual flight time of spacecraft to planets-four months to Venus, seven months to Mars, for example. The chamber was expected to be fully operational early in 1968, when testing would be stepped up for NASA's Mariner Mars 1969 exploration program. (JPL Release 459)
October 15-31: Surveyor V responded to commands on Oct. 15. Spacecraft had been in hibernation for its first lunar night that had begun Sept. 24, and had survived in fair condition. TV camera had weak video level; alpha-back scattering instrument was noisier; and thermal control was reduced in Compartment A. Thermal data, which exhibited effects of lunar eclipse on Oct. 18 (03:58-043:59 EDT) would be analyzed for both engineering and scientific implications. Local sunset for second lunar day occurred on Oct. 23. Spacecraft operating time from turn-on command until second sunset was 232 hrs. Total of 1,043 TV pictures were obtained. By sunset Surveyor V had been configured for hibernating through second lunar night. Estimates were that engineering interrogations and compartment heating would be discontinued Oct. 31. (NASA Proj Off; UPI, W Post, 10/16/67, A3; AP, NYT, 10/17/67, 9)
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