Apr 19 1968
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXV into orbit with 403-km (250.4- mi) apogee, 255-km (158.4-mi) perigee, 91.1-min period, and 48.4° inclination. Satellite reentered June 30. (SBD, 4/22/68, 292; GSFC SSR, 4/30/68; 7/15/68)
Sixty-day simulated earth-orbital mission for four UCLA students ended when they left McDonnell Douglas Corp. Missile & Space Systems Div. space cabin simulator [see Feb. 21]. Although students had tired of food and missed female companionship, attending doctor said they remained in good health. Leaving simulator they first noticed extreme humidity and "myriad smells and odors in normal air." Experiment had included cycles of rest and work, testing air-water samples, and manning scientific equipment. (AP, B Sun, 4/20/68, A3)
Page Communications Engineers, Inc., and government of South Vietnam were negotiating agreement to permit Page to finance and construct $7-million earth station in Vungtau. Station, which would be used with ComSatCorp satellite to be launched in November, would have 60-channel capacity initially and would be able to expand to 120. South Vietnamese government would receive 20% of gross revenues-expected to total $4-5 million annually-for first five years and 50% for second five years, after which operation would be turned over to a South Vietnamese corporation. (Page PIo; Wilson, W Post, 4/19/68)
NATO's Nuclear Planning Group had concluded that construction of European ABM defense system was not justified under present circumstances, Robert C. Doty reported in New York Times. Recommendation, he said, "which appears certain to be endorsed by the alliance as a whole, ends for the foreseeable future European interest in any multibillion-dollar project to match the antimissile screen now under construction by the Soviet Union." U.S. decision in 1967 to build Sentinel ABM system to protect against possible Chinese Communist attack had promoted NATO review of Europe's nuclear defense. (NYT, 4/20/68, 2)
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