Apr 8 1970
From The Space Library
Nimbus IV (Nimbus-D) meteorological satellite was successfully launched by NASA from WTR by long-tank, thrust-augmented Thor (THORAD)-Agena D booster. Launch was 400th for USAF's Thor booster. Satellite entered orbit with 1098.0-km (682.4-mi) apogee, 1087.2-km (675.7-mi) perigee, 107.1-min period, and 99.9° inclination. USA's Topo I first in new series of topographic satellites to be used with equipment modified from USA's SECOR (Sequential Collation of Range) program, was carried as secondary payload on Agena D 2nd stage. Topo I was ejected into orbit with 1092-km (678.5-mi) apogee, 1085-km (674.2-mi) perigee, 107-min period, and 99.8° inclination, where it would investigate new technique for accurate, real-time determination of positions on earth's surface. Primary objectives for Nimbus IV were to acquire sufficient number of global samples of atmospheric radiation measurements for comparing vertical-temperature, water-vapor, and ozone profiles and to provide basis for comparing merits of at least three of five spectrometric experiments on board. As secondary objectives spacecraft would demonstrate feasibility of determining wind-velocity fields by tracking multiple balloons and demonstrate satisfactory operation of advanced modular three-axis attitude-control system for six months. Nimbus IV carried nine meteorological experiments: three new (backscatter UV spectrometer, filter wedge spectrometer, and selective chopper radiometer) and six carried on previous Nimbus missions (infrared interferometer spectrometer; satellite infrared spectrometer; interrogation, recording, and location system; temperature and humidity infrared radiometer; image-dissector camera system; and monitor of UV solar energy). Spacecraft's new attitude control system stabilized Nimbus IV constantly pointing toward earth within 1° accuracy and permitted initial acquisition and reacquisition of earth from any attitude. Butterfly-shaped, 675.2-kg (1488.6-lb) Nimbus IV was fifth in series of seven spacecraft designed to explore and collect data for understanding nature and development of atmosphere and for reduction of economic impact of adverse weather on all nations. Nimbus III had been launched April 14, 1969. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 70-47; AFSC Release 104.70; GSFC SSR, 4/30/70)
USAF launched two Vela nuclear-detection satellites from ETR on one Titan IIIC booster. Vela XI entered orbit with 110 739.5-km (68 810.3-mi) apogee, 110 091.8-km (68 478.4-mi) perigee, 6695-min period, and 37.7° inclination. Vela XII entered orbit with 111,379.8km (69 281.8-mi) apogee, 111,111.1-km (69 041.2-mi) perigee, 6699min period, and 32.9° inclination. Each 350-kg (770-lb) satellite carried optical sensors to detect electromagnetic pulses-brief radio signals generated by atomic explosions-anywhere in atmosphere. Sensors could also detect atomic weapon tests up to 160 million km (100 million mi) into space and could distinguish between weapon tests and exploding stars. Launch was last in Vela series begun in 1963. (GSFC SSR, 4/30/70; W Post, 4/9/70, A8; AFSC Release 106.70; Pres Rpt 71)
Cosmos CCCXXXI was launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 323-km (200.7-mi) apogee, 203-km (126.1-mi) perigee, 89.6-min period, and 64.9° inclination. Satellite reentered April 16. (GSFC SSR, 4/30/70)
Astronaut John L. Swigert, Jr., Apollo 13 backup CM pilot, began last minute training program to determine whether he could replace Astronaut Thomas K. Mattingly II on mission scheduled for launch April 11. Apollo 13 prime crewmen-James A. Lovell, Jr., Fred W. Haise, Jr., and Mattingly-had been tested for immunity to German measles April 6 after exposure to disease and Mattingly had not shown immunity. NASA said final decision on moving Swigert to prime crew depended upon demonstration that Swigert, Lovell, and Haise could work together as a team and "precisely execute the few intricate time-critical maneuvers which require rapid and close coordination." (Lannan, W Star, 4/9/70, Al; O'Toole, W Post, 4/9/70, A1)
Interview on Apollo 13 cuisine with MSC chief of food and nutrition Dr. Malcolm Smith, Jr., was published by New York Times. Increased use of spoons, use of bowls, and facilities for spreading sandwich fillings on slices of fresh bread would provide Apollo 13 astronauts more nearly normal eating procedures than on previous missions. Freeze-dried pork and scalloped potatoes would contain chunks rather than be of baby food consistency but meal would still be lukewarm. Wider variety of fresh bread had been baked for Apollo 13 mission, in lidded pans to provide uniform crust as insurance against loose crumbs which had been problem with former freeze-dried cracker sandwiches. Loaves were passed through 1900 K (3000°F) flame to destroy all mold-producing spores. Two slices of bread made from irradiated flour would be carried to test potential alternate method of preserving food without refrigeration. Apollo 13's food was 70% freeze-dried, mainly because of space limitation; bread was treated with nitrogen gas to retard staling. Other "firsts" in foods to be carried were pecans to stimulate astronauts' appetites, dehydrated orange crystals modified to prevent caking, and instant rice product to be reconstituted by hot tap water. Dr. Smith was already planning for 120-day Skylab missions, when hot food would be welcomed. Major obstacle was difficulty in heating food at zero g. He hoped to place test heating device aboard Apollo 14. (Hewitt, NYT, 4/8/70, 51)
Wristwatch calibrated on lunar time system developed by Kenneth L. Franklin, Assistant Chairman of American Museum-Hayden Planetarium, had been devised by Helbros Watches Div. of Elgin Nation al Industries, Wall Street Journal reported. Watch used three hands of conventional earth watch plus "window" telling "June" time, based on fact that time from sunrise to sunrise on moon was equal to 29.53 earth days. Franklin called this period "lunation" and divided it into 30 "lunes" each equal to about 24 earth hours. Each lune was divided into 24 "lunours" about an earth-hour long. (WSJ, 4/8/70)
NASA announced selection of General Electric Co. for negotiation of $50 000 000 cost-plus-award-fee contract for development, fabrication, test, and project operations of ATS-F and ATS-G, scheduled for launch into stationary orbit over equator in 1973 and 1975. (NASA Release 70-55)
MSC announced award of $875 000 contract to Hycon Manufacturing Co. for five lunar topographic camera systems. Cameras, each equipped with 457-mm (18-in) focal length lens and 61 m (200 ft) of film to take more than 400 photos without reloading, would be flown on Apollo 13, 14, and 15 missions to photograph future landing sites and other targets. (MSC Release 70-31)
Philadelphia Inquirer editorial commented on Apollo 13 crew's exposure to German measles: "It is an untimely reminder of how much America spends to send men to the moon and how little to combat disease on earth.... We are in favor of continued space exploration, to a point, but we cannot help thinking what the money spent on just one shot to the moon could do if devoted instead to the prevention and cure of diseases that afflict millions of earthlings." (P Inq, 4/8/70)
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