Oct 2 1972
From The Space Library
Air Force launched two satellites in Dept. of Defense Space Test Program (STP) from Vandenberg Air Force Base by single two-stage Atlas-Burner II booster. Stp 72-1 entered orbit with 749-km (465-mi) apogee, 729-km (453-mi) perigee, 99.5-min period, and 98.4° inclination. Objectives were to measure background gamma radiation over entire earth; measure flux and spectra of low-altitude charged particles; determine effects of space environment on thermal control coatings; measure ultraviolet radiation and hydrogen and helium atoms and ions; and observe extreme- and far-ultraviolet radiation originating in interaction of solar wind with interplanetary medium or from galactic sources. Spacecraft was 566-kg (1248-lb) cylinder 2.1 m long and 1.4 m in diameter (7 by 4.5 ft), carrying antenna booms that extended 2.7 m (9 ft) from each end, gamma ray spectrometer, and low-altitude particle-measuring sensor. Radcat entered orbit with 751-km (467-mi) apogee, 729-km (453- mi) perigee, 99.5-min period, and 98.4° inclination. Spacecraft- cylinder 3 m long with 1.2-m diameter (10 by 4 ft) and weighing 220 kg (485 lbs)-would provide passive optical and radar calibration target. STP program was managed by Air Force Space and Missile Systems Organization (SAMSO). (Pres Rpt 73; LA Times, 10/3/72)
Significance of NASA and Soviet Academy of Sciences joint Apollo Soyuz test project (ASTP) was discussed by Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, in letter to NASA staff. Eyes of world would be on NASA and Soviet manned space flight teams as never before. There "must be a near certainty that the mission will be successful, or it should not be attempted." Not just NASA reputation but "future of manned space flight and international cooperation in space will be significantly influenced by the success or failure." Mission also was "important first step to facilitate rescue missions in space and to enable manned spacecraft from two or more countries to participate in future cooperative activities. And because several years of friendly cooperation are required just to plan and fly this one test mission, it takes on an added symbolic significance and gives us the feeling that even now, long before the flight, we may be making a contribution to the cause of peace and better understanding between our two countries." Decision to cooperate in project was "optimistic vote of confidence in the future of manned space flight by the two leading powers." But project had practical limits. Neither side would transfer its technology as such. "So neither side has to give away anything, but each has much to gain." Biggest concession to be made by each country was "recognition that close and visible cooperation between the two countries on an important aspect of manned space flight has become desirable." (NASA Activities, 10/15/72, 200-2)
Flight Research Center announced successful remote-control landing of 1600-kg (3500-1b) modified Piper Comanche (PA-30) aircraft at FRC. Safety pilot was on board aircraft. Landing test demonstrated new technique to provide safer and more economical means of testing advanced aircraft and spacecraft when risk to aircraft or pilot was high or when costs precluded manned full-scale flight test vehicle. PA-30 was equipped with preliminary version of system that used telemetry to send control commands to aircraft and flight information to pilot displays in ground "cockpit" several miles away. Ground pilot used TV and radar to navigate aircraft. In later tests, large-scale models up to 9 m (30 ft) long would be launched from carrier aircraft. Test pilot on ground would "fly" remotely piloted research vehicles (RPRV) using TV and telemetry. (FRC Release 16-72)
Use of M518 multipurpose electric furnace developed by Marshall Space Flight Center for Skylab would permit increase in number of metals and metal-processing experiments to be carried on earth- orbiting station in 1973, NASA announced. New furnace would accommodate original composite casting experiments and 10 others to explore possibility of manufacturing and processing materials in zero g. Furnace would be delivered to NASA in December by principal contractor Westinghouse Corp. It would facilitate experimentation in solidification, crystal growth, composite structures, alloy structural characteristics, and other thermal processes that altered materials in weightlessness. (NASA Release 72-196)
StarQuest Ltd., nonprofit firm to promote values of space exploration to U.S. public, had rented $350 000 ocean Iiner for cruise off Cape Kennedy during Apollo 17 launch Dec. 6, Chicago Sun-Times reported. Firm's honorary board included science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke and former astronaut Edgar D. Mitchell. Firm intended to make motion picture of Apollo 17 launch. (Ziomek, C Sun-Times, 10/2/72)
Air Force announced award of $2 471 953 fixed-price-incentive-fee con-tract to Lockheed Missiles & Space Co., Inc., for operations, technical and civil engineering support at Satellite Test Center, and scientific-technical support at Vandenberg Tracking Station. (DOD Release 692-72)
Gerhard B. Heller, Director of Space Science Laboratory at Marshall Space Flight Center, died in Nashville, Tenn., at age 58 of injuries received in automobile accident. Heller had begun career in 1940 at Peenemuende Rocket Center in Germany. He had come to U.S. with Dr. Wernher von Braun's rocket group after World War II and worked with Army Ordnance Corps until transfer of group to MSFC in 1960. During NASA career Heller had pioneered in thermal control of earth satellites. He had served as director of Space Sciences Laboratory's Thermophysics Div. before becoming Laboratory director in 1969. (MSFC Release 72-128)
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