Sep 26 1974
From The Space Library
The U.S.S.R. announced the mission of the Salyut 3 space station (launched 25 June) had been "completely fulfilled." The "main program of work" had ended 23 Sept. and the recoverable module containing research materials and experiments had separated from Salyut 3. Engines were discarded before entry into the atmosphere, and the parachute system was activated at an altitude of 8.4 km to land the module in a preset area of the U.S.S.R. Salyut 3 plans had been for a 90-day mission but the station would continue in orbit for more experimentation.
Equipment tested during the 90-day flight included power supply systems with revolving panels of solar batteries, an electromechanical stabilizing system, a high-precision control system, an autonomous navigation system, thermoregulating life-support and radio communication systems, and engine systems.
A two-man crew aboard Soyuz 14 (launched 3 July) had successfully docked with the orbiting station 5 July for 15 days of scientific experimentation. However, the press reported Western observers doubted that Salyut 3 had accomplished its entire mission, since the Soyuz 15 cosmonauts (launched 26 Aug.) had failed to dock with the station. (Tass FBIS-Sov, 27 Sept 74, U1-2; W Post, 27 Sept 74, A22; SBD, 27 Sept 74, 132)
The House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Aeronautics and Space Technology, reporting on almost a year's investigation of NASA's tracking and data acquisition program, said the program was effective and efficient and that planned consolidation was progressing well. The consolidation, to be completed by 1976 with a reduction of stations from 25 to 15, would combine the Manned Space Flight Network and the Space Tracking and Data Acquisition Network into one Spaceflight Tracking and Data Network (STDN) . The Subcommittee recommended that the FY 1976 NASA Authorization request include a detailed analysis of the need for an additional subnet of three 64-m antennas for the Deep Space Network and report on the status of relations and agreements with the U.S.S.R. The Subcommittee warned that NASA'S T&DA capabilities were not designed for the workload that future operational systems would require; solutions should be studied by the President's Science Adviser. NASA was asked to furnish an analysis of lease versus purchase of satellites for the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) in its FY 1975 authorization request. (Com Print)
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