Nov 7 1979
From The Space Library
NASA announced flight demonstrations of an experimental pilot advisory system for high-density uncontrolled airport environments (where more than half of midair collisions occur). The WFC test program used a computer-generated voice technique to send messages on air-traffic location and headings every 20 seconds, airport advisories every 2 minutes and collision warnings as necessary. (NASA Release 79-145; WFC Release 79-18)
NASA reported that, after five years of continuous service, Landsat-2 had begun having difficulty with its on-board attitude-control system November 5 and might have to be retired like Landsat-1 (launched in 1972 and serving until 1977). In that event, Landsat 3 would be the only Earth-resources monitor in orbit until Landsat D's launch in 1981. Landsat-2's design life was only one year, but NASA hoped it could supplement Landsat 3 coverage until 1980.
GSFC controllers said the aging lubrication of a spacecraft flywheel governing yaw motion might have caused it to jam; they had succeeded in pointing the solar panels at the Sun, trying to maintain attitude until the flywheel could be freed or an alternate procedure could be tried. (NASA Release 79-148)
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