Oct 29 1974
From The Space Library
The Air Force launched three satellites on a single Titan IIID booster from Vandenberg Air Force Base-including S3-1, launched to measure air density, obtain upper-atmosphere composition data, and provide information on atmospheric effects on spacecraft orbits [see 7 Aug.]. The first satellite entered orbit with a 279-km apogee, 152-km perigee, 88.8-min period, and 96.7° inclination and reentered 19 March 1975. The second entered orbit with a 542-km apogee, 540-km perigee, 95.3-min period, and 96.1° inclination. The third entered orbit with a 3711-km apogee, 147-km perigee, 125.4-min period, and 97.0° inclination; it reentered 26 May 1975. (Pres Rpt 74; AFSC PAov, interview, 23 March 76; AFSC Release OIP 137.74)
The Apollo Soyuz Test Project docking module arrived at Kennedy Space Center aboard a C-141 transport aircraft, from the Space Division of Rockwell International Corp., Downey, Calif. The module virtually completed the array of hardware being processed at KSC for the July 1975 launch. (KSC Release 154-74)
Intention to nominate Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., as Administrator of the new Energy Research and Development Administration was announced by President Ford as part of a major reshuffling of key energy posts. Dr. Seamans-former NASA Deputy Administrator, Secretary of the Air Force, and President of the National Academy of Engineering-was reported by the press as selected over former NASA. Administrator Thomas O. Paine and two other candidates to head the new agency replacing the Atomic Energy Commission. Former astronaut and Atomic Energy Commissioner William A. Anders was to be nominated Chairman of the new Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the former AEC Chairman, Dr. Dixy Lee Ray, to the new position of Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs. Dr. Seaman's nomination was sent to the Senate 2 Dec. and confirmed 12 Dec. Anders' and Dr. Ray's were sent to the Senate 4 Dec.; Anders' was confirmed 12 Dec. and Dr. Ray's 13 Dec. (PD, 4 Nov 74, 1382-3; 9 Dec 74, 1546; CR, 4 Dec 74, 520620; 12 Dec 74, 521317; 13 Dec 74, 521497; O'Toole, W Post, 16 Oct 74, A10; 30 Oct 74, Al)
Iran signed an agreement to build a ground station to receive data directly from NASA'S experimental earth resources satellites. Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed with NASA in Tehran, the new site would join six others already in the system-three in the U.S. and one each in Canada, Brazil, and Italy. Iran would bear the full cost of building the facility and would make its data and tapes available to NASA in return for free access to the first two Earth Resources Technology Satellites. Thereafter, NASA had the option to establish a cost-sharing arrangement. (NASA Release 74-289)
NASA's 16th Annual Awards Ceremony was held in Washington, D.C. Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, presented NASA's highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal, to Robert L. Krieger, Director, Wallops Flight Center; Norman Pozinsky, Hq. Director, Network Development and Engineering; Martin L. Raines, Johnson Space Center Director of Safety, Reliability, and Quality Assurance; Lee R. Sherer, Director, Flight Research Center; and John M. Thole, Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Science.
The NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, the agency's highest award to non-Government personnel, was presented to Jack M. Campbell, President of the Federation of Rocky Mountain States and former Governor of New Mexico; Harry Dornbrand, Executive Vice President, Fairchild Space and Electronics Co.; and Jesse L. Greenstein, California Institute of Technology astrophysicist.
The Group Achievement Award went to 12 teams at Centers and Headquarters, the Exceptional Service Medal to 51 persons, and the Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal to 16. (Program; NASA Activities, 15 Nov 74, 20)
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