Apr 20 1967
From The Space Library
NASA successfully launched ESSA V (TOS-C), fifth meteorological satellite in ESSA's TIROS Operational Satellite (TOS) system, from WTR using Thrust-Augmented Thor-Delta booster. Satellite achieved nearly polar, sun-synchronous orbit with 883-mi (1,421-km) apogee; 840-mi (1,352-km) perigee; 113.5-min period; and 101.9° inclination. Wheel orientation maneuver would be completed during 18th orbit [see April 24], at which time first photos would be programmed and NASA would check out spacecraft before turning its operation over to ESSA. An advanced version of the cartwheel configuration, 325lb ESSA V carried two Advanced Vidicon Camera System (AVCS) cameras which would provide 24-hr global weather coverage. Photos would be stored on magnetic tape until readout by ESSA's Command and Data Acquisition (CDA) stations at Fairbanks, Alaska, and Wallops Island, Va., to supplement ESSA III-expected to become almost completely inoperable by early June. ESSA financed, managed, and operated TOS system; GSFC was responsible for procurement, launch, and initial checkout of spacecraft in orbit. ESSA I was launched Feb. 3, 1966; ESSA II, Feb. 28, 1966; ESSA III, Oct. 2,1966; and ESSA IV, Jan. 26, 1967. (NASA Proj Off; ESSA Release 67-39)
NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., testifying on NASA's FY 1968 authorization bill (H.R. 6470) before House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Advanced Research and Technology, urged congressional approval for funding to begin program to develop NERVA II nuclear rocket engine. Estimated cost over 10 yrs would be $2 billion: $500 million would be needed to develop nuclear stage and $1 billion for ground testing. NASA's decision to develop NERVA II was based primarily on "our own national objectives in space; what do we do in the future; now looking ahead to the late '70s and `80s, as a requirement for booster capability in this country. . . . However, we also must consider our capability in the world arena and, of course, specifically today we have to be cognizant the best that we can of the Russian capability and the Russian plans." Dr. Seamans noted that Soviet Proton booster could launch 50,000 lbs into earth orbit, compared to 40,000-41,000-lb capability of Uprated Saturn I . "We have every reason to believe that in the [Soviet] program they recognized the same kind of needs that we recognized for our program and that they are moving on a broad front, including the development of very large boosters." (Transcript, 1131-4)
NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications Dr. Homer E. Newell, testifying on NASA's FY 1968 authorization bill (S. 781) before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences, urged congressional approval to begin 10-yr, $2.2-billion Voyager program. "Our concept in developing the Voyager spacecraft is to develop a technology that can be used for exploring the solar system. Although we talk in terms of going to Mars for the first missions, our plan is to modularize the system so that by rearranging and reorganizing pieces, one can go to Venus or one might develop a spacecraft to go out to Jupiter . . . we are planning on developing for planetary exploration the kind of technology that we developed in the Explorer series for exploration of the vicinity of the earth." Dr. Newell said NASA had no proposal for manned exploration of the planets at the present time. (Transcript, 320-2)
Testimony by NASA and NAA officials at congressional hearings on Apollo accident was loaded with technical information to avoid discussion of mismanagement and responsibility, William Hines charged in the Washington Evening Star: "In execution, it was a masterful operation. Experts avalanched data on the committees until . . . [they had] far more technical information than they could possibly handle. . . ." Hines cited statement by Sen. Walter Mondale (D-Minn.) which "got to the very core" of the problem: " `I am not interested in knowing enough about building spacecraft so that I can build one in my backyard, but I do think I have a responsibility to know enough about questions of management, contractor performance and quality control so I can pass judgment on the question of whether these are fundamental issues that we need to deal with.' " "If members of the House committee had all kept their eyes on this central issue and refused to be confused by the irrelevant and the trivial, the hearings on that side of the Capitol would have been far more fruitful to date." (Hines, W Star, 4/20/67, A6)
Unconfirmed reports in Moscow indicated that "a spectacular and significant" space venture by U.S.S.R. would occur within one week, according to AP. (AP, W Star, 4/20/67, 1)
Third U.S. Redstone rocket in the "Project Sparta" antimissile-missile research program was fired from Woomera Rocket Range near Canberra, Australia, Supply Minister Denham Henty announced. (AP, C Sun-Times, 4/21/67)
Large antennas on satellites, missiles, aircraft, and household rooftops might soon be replaced by a tiny two-or three-ounce microcircuit device called Subminiature Integrated Antenna (SIA) being developed by USAF. Broad-banded SIA would have several octaves of bandwidth to cover entire VHF and UHF range; allow 50-100 times as much inflow of electrical current for sharper TV pictures; replace larger antennas that sometimes revealed presence of combat troops to the enemy; and reduce weight of future air and space vehicles by 10-500 lbs. (AFSC Release 40.67)
NATO was considering establishing a $45-million comsat system which would permit simultaneous consultation of its leaders during crisis, William Beecher reported in New York Times. US. would supply and launch two satellites; costs would be shared by NATO members. Proposal was expected to be formally approved during May. (Beecher, NYT, 4/21/67, 11)
April 20-21: Thirteen high school students from Northwestern states presented scientific papers at regional Youth Science Congress at ARC. Congress was sponsored jointly by NASA and National Science Teachers Assn. to "encourage promising students to enter science as a career, and to develop their abilities in science through scientific investigation." (ARC Release 67-6)
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