Jul 28 1967
From The Space Library
NASA's OGO IV (OGO-D) Orbiting Geophysical Observatory was successfully launched by a Thrust-Augmented Thor-Agena booster from WTR into polar orbit with 564-mi (908-km) apogee, 256-mi (412-km) perigee, 97.9-min period, and 86° inclination. Primary mission objective was "to acquire data for studies of latitude-dependent atmospheric phenomena, from an attitude stabilized platform, during the period of perigee rotation from the Northern Hemisphere across the Arctic pole into the Southern Hemisphere." Secondary objective was to conduct CC detailed correlative investigations in atmospheric physics, energetic particle physics and polar region physics with known spacecraft attitude for the greater part of one diurnal cycle." Carrying 20 experiments, 1,240-lb satellite was fourth of six spacecraft in NASA's Orbiting Geophysical Observatory (OGO) program. OGO I was launched Sept. 4,1964; OGO II, Oct. 14, 1965; and Ogo III, June 7, 1966. To date these missions had provided over 450,000 experiment hours of data on earth's environment and had resulted in over 100 scientific papers and published reports. OGO program was managed by GSFC under OSSA direction. (NASA Release 67-187; NASA Proj Off; AP, NYT, 7/29/67, 7)
NASA successfully conducted at WSMR second of five balloon-launched parachute tests to determine effectiveness of parachutes as decelerators in soft-landing unmanned instrumented capsules on Mars. On ground command, 815-ft-long balloon released disc-shaped flight unit containing parachute, eight acceleration rockets, and 500-lb payload at 129,000-ft altitude, where earth atmosphere is as thin as that of Mars. Rockets then propelled unit to 140,000-ft altitude; parachute deployed and descended with payload into planned recovery area. Test was part of LaRC's Planetary Entry Parachute Program to investigate parachute landing systems for Voyager program. (NASA Release 67-170; Roswell Daily Record, 7/28/67; AP, NYT, 7/29/67, 7)
ComSatCorp informed FCC that it was prepared to finance, build, and operate a pilot program for domestic satellite services. Explaining program ComSatCorp proposed March 31, ComSatCorp Chairman James McCormack said pilot system would include two synchronous satellites serving 34 domestic ground stations. Estimated total cost was $104.7 million: $35.7 million for two satellites, $22 million for 34 earth stations, and $47 million for operating costs during two years. Charges for each type of service could not yet be established accurately, but ComSatCorp would provide, without fee, the capacity equivalent to two television channels for noncommercial TV service. McCormack concluded: "We believe that the pilot program offers the American people a beginning to their realization of the benefits of satellite communications, a beginning to their dividend from space technology in which the Federal Government and American industry have played such an important role. . . ." (ComSatCorp Release 67-38)
Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Harold Brown released a statement on the Minuteman II IBCM [see July 27]: "The effectiveness of a missile depends not only on its alert rate but on the reliability and accuracy with which it will fly to its destination and place its payload on a predetermined target. The overall performance of Minuteman II when fired from alert status has been outstanding by any standard. . . . "Therefore, while the Minuteman II guidance and control system is proving to require more maintenance than predicted earlier, the alert Minuteman II missile force is indeed reliable. . . .' (DOD Release 696-67)
MSC Director of Flight Operations Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., said that new technological developments might enable NASA to make up some of the time lost when three astronauts died in Apollo capsule. In commencement address at St. Louis Univ.'s Parks College of Aeronautical Technology, Cahokia, Mo., he said, "If things go very right for us, we may still put a man on the moon by 1970." He predicted space exploration would contribute solutions to problems posed by world's growing population, specifically in communications, transportation, food production, and weather forecasting. (St. Louis P-D, 7/29/67)
Increased appropriations for riot-torn cities should take precedence over NASA's request for funds to finance unmanned exploration of the planets, Washington Daily News suggested in an editorial. "James E. Webb . . . is concerned over cuts in the agency's $5 billion budget including reduction in money for unmanned exploration of Venus and Mars. Russia, he says, is about to send up the biggest . . . rocket you ever saw. In the present state of domestic affairs, we'd say let 'em! From all appearances our scientists already have more and more exact information about conditions on Venus and Mars than our police and war-on-poverty experts have on Los Angeles and Cleveland. . . ." (W News, 7/28/67, 16)
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