Dec 19 1971
From The Space Library
Detailed Tass description of Mars 2 and 3 missions with diagrams of spacecraft and landing procedures appeared in Soviet newspapers. Enroute to Mars, spacecraft had measured solar wind particle streams, measured parameters of interplanetary magnetic fields, determined electron concentrations in interplanetary medium, studied solar radio emissions with Soviet- French Stereo-1 experiment, and studied spacial structure, directivity, and mechanism of radiation processes. In Mars orbit spacecraft had investigated Mars solar wind flow and its interaction with Mars ionosphere, recorded spectrum of charged particles and variations in magnetic field, and measured refraction of radiowaves. Mars 3 descent package had transmitted pictures only briefly after landing on Mars surface Dec. 2, Tass said: "At the computed time, the transmission of video pictures was begun and continued for about 20 sec. During that period a small part of a panorama was transmitted in which no discernible details were detected because of [the lack of] contrast. Now, it is still difficult to say what caused the termination of the transmission. It is possible that it was associated with the local peculiarities in the landing area, which are completely unknown, or with the dust storm raging at the time. Apparently the dust storm acted as a `veil' covering the surface details during the panoramic exposure. The sudden cessation of signals made it impossible to obtain information from the scientific equipment." Orbiting vehicle carried infrared radiometer, two TV cameras, photometer, and instruments to measure CO2 and determine water vapor content, surface radio-brightness temperature, and atmospheric density. (Sov Rpt, 12/31/71, 1-14)
December 19-20: Intelsat-IV F-3 comsat was launched by NASA for ComSatCorp on behalf of INTELSAT. Satellite, launched from ETR at 8:10 pm EST by Atlas-Centaur booster, entered elliptical transfer orbit. Primary objective was to place satellite into transfer orbit accurate enough for spacecraft onboard propulsion systems to place it in planned synchronous orbit. Apogee kick motor was fired at 12:49 pm EST Dec. 20, and Intelsat-IV F-3 entered orbit with 36 052.9-km (22 402.2-mi) apogee, 35 745.5-km (22 211.2-mi) perigee, 1442-min period, and 0.47° inclination. Satellite would drift from position at 284.2° east longitude to permanent station over Atlantic at 19.5° west longitude by end of January 1972. Intelsat-IV F-3 was second comsat in Intelsat IV series. Satellite was 238 cm (93.7 in) in diameter and 528 cm (208 in) high and weighed 1412 kg (3090 lbs) at launch. It had 12 transponders, providing 12 TV channels and 3000-9000 telephone circuits, and was capable of multiple-access and simultaneous transmissions. Expected life-time was seven years. Intelsat-IV F-2 had been launched Jan. 25 and was operating satisfactorily over Atlantic. (NASA Proj Off; ComSatCorp Release 71-66)
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