Sep 18 1967
From The Space Library
NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station carried GSFC payload containing Pitot-static probe to measure atmospheric density, pressure, and temperature in observing diurnal variation in the fine structure of the region from 15 to 110 km. Probe was launched in conjunction with thermosphere probe experiments. The 2nd stage of the sounding rocket did not ignite because of low current application. (NASA Rpt SRL)
NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station carried Univ. of Michigan payload to 178-mi (286-km) altitude on flight to measure simultaneously density and temperature of neutral N2 and of electron temperature and density; to compare day and night measurement of these parameters; to compare a new design for the Omegation Gauge System with the flight proven system; and to compare the 120-km region of the Pitot-static probe and thermosphere probe density measurement. All experimental data appeared good. Excellent results were expected (NASA Rpt SRL)
Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara announced his approval for production and deployment of a "thin" Nike-X antiballistic missile (ABM) system at a meeting of UPI editors and publishers in San Francisco. He explained: "Were we to deploy a heavy ABM system throughout the United States, the Soviets would clearly be strongly motivated to so increase their offensive capability as to cancel out our defensive advantage." He opposed a more advanced, heavy, anti-Soviet system and approved the "thin" ABM system because "the system would be relatively inexpensive-preliminary estimates place the cost at about $5 billion-and we would have a much higher degree of reliability against a Chinese attack than the much more massive and complicated system that some have recommended against a possible Soviet attack." McNamara stated : "An ABM deployment designed against a possible Chinese attack . . . would provide an additional indication to Asians that we intend to deter China from nuclear blackmail, and thus would contribute toward our goal of discouraging nuclear weapon proliferation among the present non-nuclear countries." The Secretary of Defense said the defensive move was being made with China in mind, not the Soviet Union. He warned the Soviet Union, however, that if it decided to expand its limited antimissile system, the US. would respond by increasing its offensive forces to maintain its overwhelming retaliatory capacity. The decision was generally applauded by congressional leaders but also unleashed an offensive-expected to be focused in the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy-for building a "heavy" defense system against Soviet missiles, reported John W. Finney in New York Times. The proposed "thin" ABM system would provide each region of the US. with at least one battery of warhead interceptors, reported AP. The exact locations of the batteries, each with several missiles, remained a secret. (DOD Release 868-67; Av Wk, 9/25/67, 11; Beecher, NYT, 9/19/67,1; Finney, NYT, 9/19/67,1; AP, SF Exam, 9/19/67,5)
Interchange of ideas, technology, hardware, and personnel had helped to make progress in space possible, said B/G Edmund F. O'Connor (USAF) , MSFC's Industrial Operations director, in a talk before the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Air Force Association, at Huntsville, Ala. "Today's space program is a joint effort of both military and civilian agencies, and there exists a cooperative give-and-take relationship in the finest sense," he stated. (MSFC Release 67-191)
Britain's leading radio astronomer, Sir Bernard Lovell, was convinced the Soviet Union would attempt one or more space spectaculars during 1967, possibly during October, reported Richard Lewis of Chicago Sun-Times. October would mark the 10th anniversary of the launching of the first satellite, SPUTNIK I, and the 50th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution. The possibilities included a flight around the moon or a lunar landing with animals as passengers, a manned space station in earth orbit, and the first photographs of the planet Venus, the astronomer said. Sir Bernard Lovell said: "I have always believed that 1967 was the year they would try the circumlunar (around the moon) flight, but I should think they would do it unmanned because of the difficulties of the return at lunar flight velocity." (Lewis, C SIT, 9/18/67, 16)
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