Oct 18 1962
From The Space Library
RANGER V lunar probe launched from Cape Canaveral by Atlas-Agena B]], the Agena B stage attaining parking orbit and 25 min. later reigniting to send RANGER V toward the moon. The spacecraft's solar cells did not provide power, making it impossible for reception of flight-path correction signal and rendering its television cameras useless. RANGER V was to have relayed TV pictures of the lunar surface and rough-landed an instrumented capsule containing a seismometer to send back data on moon quakes and meteoritic impact. Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientists tracked the spacecraft for 8 hours, 44 min. before its small reserve battery went dead.
Transatlantic telephone conversations via TELSTAR opened ceremonies honoring Paul Julius Reuter, founder of international news agency and communications pioneer who in 1550 linked cities of Brussels and Aachen, Germany, using 40 carrier pigeons. TELSTAR, in its 914th orbit, transmitted nearly flawless exchange of telephone messages between Herman Henseh, Lord Mayor of Aachen, and Turner Catledge, managing editor of New York Times.
Japanese Foreign Ministry announced it had filed protest with U.S.S.R. against Soviets' establishing of restricted areas in the Pacific for its rocket tests. Japan said barring ships and aircraft from the areas violated rights of other nations to the open seas.
President Kennedy presented 1961 Harmon International Aviation Trophies to four pilots: Lt. Col. William R. Payne (USAF); Jacqueline Cochran; and Cdr. Malcolm R. Ross (USNR) and Lt. Cdr. Victor E. Prather (USN) (posthumously).
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