Jul 23 1970
From The Space Library
USAF launched unidentified satellite on Titan IIIB-Agena booster from Vandenberg AFB into orbit with 404-km (251-mi) apogee, 118.9-km (73.9-mi) perigee, 90.1-min period, and 59.9° inclination. Satellite reentered Aug. 19. (GSFC SSR, 7/31/70; 8/31/70; Pres Rpt 71)
ESSA announced two-year program to complete U.S.-Canadian satellite triangulation program-highly accurate geodetic-survey network with stations 1000 to 1300 km (600 to 800 mi) apart linking Canada with Alaska and lower 48 states. Program had been initiated in 1964 with Echo I and II balloon satellites and suspended when June 23, 1966, launch of Pageos 1 signaled start of worldwide program in which simultaneous observations from 41 portable camera stations would be used to construct three-dimensional geodetic reference system. System would measure distance between two surface points on earth 4800 km (3000 mi) apart with 9.8-m (32-ft) accuracy. Pageos I would be photographed from U.S. and Canadian sites in new program to enable land surveyors and engineers to start their surveys from geodetic control points with greater accuracy. Completion of North American network could give measurements with accuracy of 1:1000000, comparable to error of 305 mm (12 in) in approximately 322 km (200 mi). (ESSA Release 70-46)
McDonnell Douglas DC-10, first of wide-bodied trijet transport aircraft, was rolled out in ceremonies at Long Beach, Calif. Aircraft was 55 m (180 ft) long, with 5,2-m-dia (17-ft-dia) fuselage. Tail was 17.7 m (58 ft) from ground. (McDonnell Douglas Release 70-111)
Apollo 15 prime and backup crews were among 14 astronauts who observed explosion by Canadian Defence Research Establishment of 453 500 kg (500 tons) of TNT in international test near Suffield, Alberta. Blast produced 70-m-dia (230-ft-dia). crater 4.6 m (15 ft) deep, with central uplift similar to that observed in many lunar craters. Astronauts had been invited to view processes in crater formation. Explosion was second 453 500-kg detonation in series to determine effects on military equipment and civilian shelters of blast forces and ground shock equivalent to those from small tactical nuclear weapon. (MSC Roundup, 7/31/70, 1)
USAF science policy was outlined by Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., Secretary of the Air Force, in testimony before House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Development: "Air Force will still support long-range, fundamental research, but in fewer areas than previously." Research "in aerodynamics, aeropropulsion, and structures will always be directly related to the Air Force missions." Research "in solid state physics and chemistry will be directly related to the Air Force mission as long as we need new electronic systems and lighter, higher temperature materials. But research in fields such as astrophysics (other than solar phenomena that do affect our operations) is probably permanently removed from the Air Force program." (Testimony)
Lawrence Radiation Laboratory scientists Dr. John W. Gofman and Dr. Arthur Tamplin were engaged in "bitter, name-calling battle" with AEC while nuclear power industry "watched uneasily," Donald Rothberg said in Washington Post. Dr. Gofman and Dr. Tamplin claimed Federal standards allowed too much exposure to radiation and that if every American had maximum permissible dose of radiation, cancer deaths would increase by 32 000 per year. AEC said claim was unfounded and incorrect. Watching debate was power industry, "with its 17 nuclear plants now generating electricity, 47 under construction and 48 more proposed." (W Post, 7/23/70, A1)
July 23-24: Intelsat-III F-8 was successfully launched from ETR by NASA for ComSatCorp on behalf of International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (INTELSAT). Three-stage, long-tank, thrust augmented Thor-Delta launch vehicle boosted satellite into planned elliptical transfer orbit with 36 245.1-km (22 526.5-mi) apogee, 260.3km (161.8-mi) perigee, 641-min period, and 27.8° inclination. Apogee motor began scheduled 27-sec burn at 27:00 GET to place Intelsat-III F-8 into planned synchronous orbit over Pacific, but motor cut off after burning for 14.5 secs and contact with satellite was lost abruptly. Repeated efforts to command or locate satellite were unsuccessful and ComSatCorp appointed committee to investigate failure. Intelsat-III F-8, planned as spare for Pacific and Indian Ocean areas, was final launch in Intelsat III series. Of seven Intelsat III satellites launched from Sept. 18, 1968, to April 22, 1970, four were operational with 1200 voice circuits each. (ComSatCorp PIO; GSFC SSR, 7/31/70; NASA Proj Off)
July 23-24: No. 1 thruster on board NASA's orbiting Sert II (Space Electric Rocket Test) satellite failed after 3785 hrs operation-about one month short of design goal-causing early shutdown of one ion engine. Seven attempts to restart it were unsuccessful. No. 2 thruster, turned on July 24, would be turned off in late August during solar eclipse. If attempts to restart No. 1 were unsuccessful after eclipse, No. 2 would be turned on again to complete six-month test. (NASA Special Release)
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