Aug 19 1969
From The Space Library
McDonald Observatory in Texas successfully recorded its first hits on laser reflector left on moon by Apollo 11 astronauts at 9:30 pm CDT. Scientists said distance at that moment was 232,271.406 mi and moon was 131.2 ft farther from earth than previously believed. Lick Observatory in California had recorded first hits Aug. 1 and had estimated earth-moon distance to be 226,970.9 mi at that time. (AP, W Star, 8/21/69, A3)
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCXCIV from Plesetsk into orbit with 343-km (213.1-mi) apogee, 205-km (127.4-mi) perigee, 89.7-mi period, and 65.4° inclination. Satellite reentered Aug. 27. (GSFC SSR, 8/31/69; SBD, 8/20/69, 166; UN Public Registry)
NASA announced selection of Chester M. Lee as Apollo Mission Director, succeeding George H. Hage, who had been elected vice president for product development with Boeing Co. Lee, retired USN captain who had served in Polaris missile program and in Directorate of Research and Engineering in Office of Secretary of Defense, had been Assistant Apollo Mission Director since August 1966. (NASA Release 69-122)
“To The Moon and Back – Special Edition” article in Life Magazine
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