Sep 19 1974
From The Space Library
The U.S.S.R. launched eight Cosmos satellites on a single booster from Plesetsk, in its second eight-satellite launch of the year [see 23 April]. Orbital parameters were:
Cosmos 677-1466-km apogee, 1398-km perigee, 114.5-min period, and 74.0° inclination.
Cosmos 678-1533-km apogee, 1466-km perigee, 116.0-min period, 74.0° inclination.
Cosmos 679-1511-km apogee, 1466-km perigee, 115.8-min period, 74.0° inclination.
Cosmos 680-1492-km apogee, 1466-km perigee, 115.5-min period, 74.0° inclination.
Cosmos 681-1472-km apogee, 1466-km perigee, 115.3-min period, 74.0° inclination.
Cosmos 682-1466-km apogee, 1453-km perigee, 115.1-min period, 74.0° inclination.
Cosmos 683-1467-km apogee, 1434-km perigee, 114.9-min period, 74.0° inclination.
Cosmos 684-1467-km apogee, 1416-km perigee, 114.7-4n period, 74.0° inclination.
The U.S. press speculated that the satellites were part of an operational systcm for worldwide naval communications. (GSFC Wkly SSR, 19-25 Sept 74; Tass, FBIS-Sov, 20 Sept 74, U1 ; SBD, 23 Sept 74, 101; 21 Oct 74, 52 )
Dr. Richard T. Whitcomb, Head of Langley Research Center's Transonic Aerodynamics Branch, had been selected to receive the 1974 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy for development of the area-rule concept of aircraft design and invention of the supercritical wing, the National Aeronautic Assn. announced. Dr. Whitcomb would receive the award 13 Dec. (NAA Release, 19 Sept 74)
A high-temperature metal alloy and a self-lubricating, bearing material, both developed at Lewis Research Center, had been chosen by Industrial Research magazine as 2 of the 100 most significant products of the year, NASA announced. Composed principally of tungsten, nickel, and aluminum, the alloy was three times stronger at 1480 K (2200°F) than any existing commercial cast-nickel-base alloy. The bearing material-a product of glass, metal, and calcium fluoride-functioned at temperatures up to 1170 K (1650°F) . Both products would be used for more efficient and cleaner turbine engines, electric-power generating systems, and other high-temperature devices. (LeRC Release 74-51; Industrial Research, Oct 74)
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