Oct 25 1967
From The Space Library
Last NASA Arcas sounding rocket in series of seven was launched from Barking Sands, Hawaii, to 36-mi (59-km) altitude, in NOTS experiment to measure incident solar uv irradiance in support of OGO IV's mission. All experimental objectives were obtained. Rocket and payload performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL)
USAF launched unidentified satellite from WTR using Titan III-B booster; satellite reentered Nov. 5. (Pres Rep 1967)
A 2,000-mph USAF SR-71 reconnaissance aircraft on routine training flight from Beale AFB, Calif., crashed near Lovelock, Nev. Its two crew members ejected safely. Aircraft, built for USAF by Lockheed Aircraft Corp. as successor to the U-2, was third SR-71 to crash on routine flight; others had crashed Jan. 25, 1966, and April 13, 1967. (AP, NYT, 10/27/67, 41)
October 25-27: MARINER IV, launched Nov. 28, 1964, responded to a series of commands 56 million mi out in space after three years in orbit. On Oct. 25, the spacecraft was commanded to switch data rate from 8 1/3 to 33 1/3 bps (bits per sec); receive via low-gain antenna; reorient spacecraft so high-gain antenna pointed directly at earth; change to all-engineering data format; and burn midcourse guidance engine for 70 sec. On Oct. 26, commands were sent to actuate planetary scan sub-system and tape recorder. Lines 139 through 199 of picture No. 16 and lines 1 through 59 of picture No. 17 were played back. Initial indications were that photographic data were the same as when first reported July 14, 1965. On Oct. 27, spacecraft responded to commands to test certain redundant equipment-such as transmitter and attitude-control apparatus-and was placed in normal cruise condition by acquiring Canopus. Attitude-control gas in one section of system was thought to be depleted, leaving about 0.2 lb in other section. This would last until early December; when gas was depleted, MARINER IV would no longer be able to retain its orientation with respect to the sun and Canopus. JPL scientists were "delighted" with the firing of midcourse guidance engine, and with transmission of pictures of Mars taken by MARINER IV more than two years ago. Scientists reported "a flawless burn . . . [which] proved we can restart engines in space years after we've put them there." Future spacecraft, exploiting this success, could be launched to distant planets where they could take close-up photographs, swing back toward earth, and, on command, transmit pictures. MARINER IV had taken pictures of Mars from an altitude of 5,500 mi; 21 frames had been exposed and recorded on magnetic tape to be telemetered to earth over a 10-day period. As of 8:00 pm EDT Oct. 27, MARINER IV was in its 1,062nd day of flight, 35,604,255 mi (57,299,604 km) from earth, and traveling at 3.91 mps (6.29 kps) relative to earth. (NASA Proj off; O'Toole, W Post, 10/27/67, A3)
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