Apr 20 1974
From The Space Library
The U.S.S.R. launched Molniya 1-27 communications satellite from Plesetsk into orbit with a 40 705-km apogee, 623-km perigee, 12-hr 17.6-min period, and 62.9° inclination. The satellite would help provide a system of: long-range telephone and telegraph radio communications in the U.S.S.R. and would transmit Soviet central TV programs to the Orbita network. (GSFC Wkly SSR, 18-24 April 74; Tass, FBIS-Sov, 22 April 74, Ul ; SF, Sept 74, 394)
Japan and the People's Republic of China signed a civil aviation agreement in Peking setting up commercial flights between the two countries. Japan Air Lines Co., Ltd., would be able to fly to Peking and Shanghai. Civil Aviation Administration of China flights to Tokyo would be the P.R.C.'s first service to a non-Communist country. The P.R.C. had purchased 10 Boeing 707s for its expanded international service, including possible future service to Canada the U.S., and Latin America. In addition to ratification by Japan's Diet, technical details would have to be worked out before regular service could begin. Within hours after the agreement was announced the Foreign Minister of the Republic of China (Nationalist) announced termination of service by JAL and Taiwan's China Air Lines between Taiwan and Japan and a ban on JAL flights over Taiwan. (Mackenzie, W Post, 21 April 74, Al; Butterfield, NYT, 21 April 74, I)
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