Dec 14 1968
From The Space Library
NASA's Oao II, launched Dec. 7, photographed three unnamed stars in Draco Constellation 2,000 light years from earth, near Vega between Big and Little Dippers-to make first UV photos of stars. Photos were taken by telescopes of Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory experiments aboard satellite and used UV radiation which did not penetrate earth's atmosphere. They gave GSFC astronomers enough information to reconstruct fairly detailed images of stars, GSFC spokesman said. (OSSA; UPI, NYT, 12/15/68, SBD, 12/17/68, 208)
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLIX from Kapustin Yar into orbit with 1,331-km (827-mi) apogee, 213-km (132.4-mi) perigee, 100.3-min period, and 48.4° inclination. Satellite reentered May 5, 1969. (csFC SSR, 12/15/68, 210; SBD, 12/17/68, 210; 3/15/69)
Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched by NASA from WSMR carried Dudley Observatory payload to 98.9-mi (159.2-km) altitude to collect micrometeoroids during peak of annual meteor shower. Particles would be studied to determine chemical composition, size distribution, numerical density in upper atmosphere, and crystal structure. Control experiment had been launched successfully Dec. 5. Although two doors failed to operate properly, scientific objectives were accomplished and payload was recovered. (NASA Rpt SRL)
New Republic reported interview with Dr. Ralph E. Lapp, physicist and assistant laboratory director of World War II Manhattan Project. Dr. Lapp said: "We are pushing our luck, gambling that everything will work perfectly" on Apollo 8 mission. He advised delay in program so that Apollo 9, configured to have relief-capability, would be on pad ready for launch should Apollo 8 "run into trouble." Asked if U.S. could afford to delay Apollo 8, Dr. Lapp said, "The basic factor is not really technical. We are racing the Russians to the moon. A lot of people in NASA and in industry are hoping that a successful Apollo-8 orbiting of the moon-or even circumnavigation-will build up public support for an invigorated manned space program. It's just one of the weighty techno-decisions facing Mr. Nixon. He is committed to funding out the Apollo program-but post-Apollo programs await his decision." (AP, W Star, 12/9/68; W Post, 12/9/68, 3; New Republic, 12/14/68, 16-9)
Deep sea drilling between U.S. and Africa by scientists of Joint Oceanographic Institutions for Deep Earth Sampling (JOinEs) had confirmed that sea floor was spreading and pushing Europe and America farther apart, John Lannan said in Washington Evening Star. Evidence, brought to surface in samples, or cores, extracted from earth's bottom, showed fluid internal mass of molten rock under ocean was still welling up along mid-Atlantic Ridge. Cores indicated "this newly formed crust must spread slowly aside, like a giant conveyor belt, continuously accu- mulating sediment . . . throughout millions of years as it moves," scientists said. (W Star, 12/14/68, Al)
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