Nov 5 1967
From The Space Library
Sen. Henry M. Jackson (D-Wash.), Chairman, Joint Committee on Atomic Energy's Military Applications Subcommittee, in informal remarks, characterized U.S.S.R. development of FOBS as "a warning to the world that they are hell-bent on obtaining a superiority over the U.S. in strategic weapons development," and stated: ". . . the significant point is that the Soviet Union has now led the way in the development of three nuclear weapon systems [ICBM, ABM, and FOBS].)' Starting Nov. 6, he would preside at Subcommittee hearings on ABM systems, and he said that FOBS would be an important topic for consideration. (UPI, W Post, 11/6/67, A9)
Carl B. Squier, U.S.'s 13th Federally licensed pilot and one of its earliest air daredevils, died at Burbank, Calif. Born in Decatur, Mich., he had worked since 1929 for Lockheed Aircraft Corp., becoming president in charge of sales and working as consultant beyond his retirement. He was a friend of such notables in US. aviation as Wiley-Post, Charles A. Lindbergh, and Capt. Edward Rickenbacker. (NYT, 11/7/67, 41)
Magnetometer intended as an accurate satellite-borne instrument for measurement of magnetic field in space would be calibrated successfully only through use of discarded 19th-century theodolite, ESSA announced. Discovery of theodolite in storage at ESSA's Fredericksburg Geomagnetic Center would ensure better accuracy for future magnetometers; theodelite would precisely position three coils of wire to improve accuracy. (ESSA Release 67-78)
November 5-6: NASA's 805-lb ATS III (ATS-C) (Applications Technology Satellite) was successfully launched from ETR by Atlas-Agena D booster. Primary purpose of launch was to place spin-stabilized spacecraft into geostationary orbit, operate it for at least the first 30 days, and obtain useful data from onboard experiments. Spacecraft entered elliptical transfer orbit with 22,148-mi (35,643-km) apogee, 111-mi (179-km) perigee, 10-hr 28-min period, and 28° inclination. At 16:01:00 GET (Nov. 6) apogee motor was fired to place satellite into near-synchronous orbit with 22,186-mi (35,704km) apogee, 111-mi (179-km) perigee, 10-hr 28-min period, and 0.536° inclination, where it would be allowed to drift to stationary position over the Atlantic at 47° west longitude. ATS III was third in series of five satellites designed to improve spacecraft technology, develop long-life control systems, advance spacecraft communications, and improve long-range weather predictions. Five of spacecraft's nine major experiments-Multicolor Spin-Scan Cloud Camera (SSCC) , Omega Position Location Experiment (OPLE) , Self Contained Navigation System (SCNS), Image Dissector Camera (IDC), and Mechanically Despun Antenna-would be tested in space for first time. SSCC would provide first full-disk photos of earth for continuous detailed viewing of short-lived weather phenomena. In addition, spacecraft carried VHF and SHF transponders, resistojet thruster, reflectometer experiment, communications equipment, and engineering experiments to evaluate spacecraft performance. ATS I (launched Dec. 6,1966) had exceeded its test objectives and was still operating flawlessly. ATS II (launched April 5,1967), though adjudged a failure, was transmitting some useful data. ATS III was last spacecraft to be launched from ETR's Complex 12 and last ATS to be launched with Atlas-Agena; two remaining spacecraft in series would be launched with Atlas-Centaur. ATS program was managed by GSFC under OSSA direction. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 67-276; W Post, 11/6/67, A1)
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