Jan 11 1967
From The Space Library
January 11-14: NASA launched ComSatCorp's Intelsat II-B comsat from ETR by three-stage Thrust Augmented Improved Delta booster into elliptical transfer orbit in preparation for geostationary orbit. Transfer orbit had 22,904-mi (36,875-km) apogee; 185-mi (298-km) perigee; 10-hr 54-min period; and 26ΓΈ inclination. On Jan. 14 ComSatCorp fired apogee motor transferring satellite into geostationary orbit over the Pacific. Scheduled to enter commercial service Jan. 27, Intelsat II-B would provide 24-hr communications service between US. and earth stations in Hawaii, Japan, and Australia; assist in fulfilling Project Apollo communications requirements; and provide military communications between Hawaii and Japan, and Thailand and the Philippines for National Communications System (NCS) . It was second satellite in ComSatCorp's INTELSAT II program to place two comsats in synchronous orbit-one over the Pacific, one over the Atlantic; first satellite Intelsat IIA-was launched by NASA Oct. 27,1966, but failed to achieve synchronous orbit because apogee motor malfunctioned. Subsequent systems tests" of the apogee motor at Arnold Engineering Development Center indicated malfunction had been thermal in nature. INTELSAT II comsats, larger and improved versions of Early Bird (INTELSAT I) satellite, were capable of handling television and data transmissions of up to 240 voice channels. (NASA Proj Off; ComSatCorp Release; UPI, NYT, 1/8/67,18; 1/12/67,8; 1/15/67,57; AP, W Star, 1/8/67, A18; Reddig, W Star, 1/11/67, A5; W Post, 1/12/67, Cl)
Initial flight test of USAF'S Scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet) -forerunner of hypersonic aircraft-was partially successful. Launched by Scout booster from Vandenberg AFB, vehicle accomplished primary goal by demonstrating it could separate properly from booster, but failed to perform some secondary missions. (AP, NYT, 1/14/67, 4; Tech Wk, 1/23/67,3)
French research balloon, released from southwest France Jan. 5 and last heard from over Mongolia, was found in North Carolina. Purpose of flight was to test onboard equipment: radio transmitter, barometer, and device for measuring angle of sun above horizon. (AP, NYT, 1/13/67, 43)
Rep. Frank T. Bow (R-Ohio) introduced bill (H.R. 112) to establish a Government-owned Supersonic Transport Authority to supervise and privately finance with Government guarantee the development and construction of the SST prototype. (CR, 1/11/67, H104)
Senate Commerce Committee unanimously approved President Johnson's nomination of Alan S. Boyd as Secretary of Transportation. (NASA LAR V1/2)
Sonic booms from military aircraft had caused damage to prehistoric cliff dwellings in Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Arizona and to geological formations in Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, National Park Service said in report to Interior Secretary Stewart L. Udall. Report also cited potential damage to cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. Secretary Udall announced he had received promise of cooperation from USAF, and would seek aid of FAA and special NAS sonic panel. (NYT, 1/12/67,1)
AFSC had awarded Hughes Aircraft Co. $9,000,000 initial increment to contract for R&D of an experimental comsat. (DOD Release 21-67)
Latest Trendex poll indicated 69% of Americans believed US. space program should continue at its present pace even if U.S.S.R. were to achieve first manned lunar landing. (Jackson, LA Herald-Examiner, 1/11/67)
Communist China had been placing considerable emphasis on large-scale production of weapons, particularly medium-range missiles capable of delivering atomic warheads, CIA Director Richard Helms disclosed in a closed briefing of the Joint Congressional Committee on Atomic Energy. (NYT, 1/12/67,4)
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