Dec 21 1965
From The Space Library
USAF Titan III-C, launched from Eastern Test Range, encountered trouble with its transtage-third stage-and failed to reach near-synchronous equatorial orbit with four pick-a-back satellites. At lift-off, the booster's two 1.2-million-lb,-thrust strap-on engines and the Titan III-C core vehicle functioned as scheduled, propelling the booster to 400,000-ft, altitude at 10,300 mph. Second stage ignited and the stages separated simultaneously with first stage burnout. Ten-second coast period followed second stage shutdown before stage was separated; three seconds after separation, the transtage, powered by twin engines rated at 8,000-lb. thrust each, ran for 17 sec. to drive vehicle into temporary parking orbit with apogee, 194 mi. (311 km,) ; perigee, 103.6 mi. (167 km.) ; inclination, 28.6°; orbital insertion velocity, 25,609 fps. About three-quarters through its first orbit (75 min, after lift-off) guidance system commanded transtage engines to restart and burn for 297 sec. to drive transtage and payload upward toward synchronous altitudes; transtage entered transfer orbit with apogee, 20,948 mi. (33,725 km.) ; perigee, 113.4 mi. (182.6 km.). Vehicle coasted in this deep elliptical orbit almost five hours before transtage was scheduled to restart its engines for third and final time to circularize its orbit, For unknown reasons, the engines did not restart and the vehicle entered a highly elliptical earth orbit with apogee, 20,900 mi. (33,649 km,) ; perigee, 120.8 mi. (194.4 km,). Telemetry indicated the LES III and IV satellites were released, as was the OSCAR IV satellite, but all three much later than planned and into the wrong orbits, Fourth payload, OV2-3, remained attached to transtage, Titan III, most powerful rocket currently in use by the U.S. was being developed by USAF for use with the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL)) . This was the second time in three Titan III tests that the transtage had failed. (AP, Wash, Post, 12/22/65, Al; AP, NYT, 12/22/65, 14; AP, Houston Post, 12/22/65; Av. Wk, 12/27/65, 27; U.S. Aeron. & Space Act, 1965, 157-158)
COSMOS CI unmanned satellite was launched by the U.S.S.R. "to continue space investigations," announced Tass. Orbital data: apogee, 550 km. (341 mi.) ; perigee, 260 km. (165 mi,) ; period, 92.4 min,; inclination, 49°. Equipment was functioning normally. (Pravda, 12/22/65, 1)
Gemini VII Astronauts Lovell and Borman completed the medical phase of their debriefing at KSC. Dr. Charles A. Berry, Chief of Medical Programs for SC, said that "a quick look at data available ... indicates man has fared extremely well in two weeks of space environment." A detailed medical analysis would be available later, NASA released several terrain photographs taken by Astronaut Lovell during Gemini VII's spaceflight Dec. 4-18. (AP, NYT, 12/22/65, 14; AP, Wash, Post, 12/22/65, A3)
In conversations with West German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard, President Johnson announced he would send a commission to Europe early in 1966 to consult with nations wishing to join the U.S. in "a major endeavor" in space exploration. The group would be headed by NASA Administrator James E. Webb. The President said: . we would like to discuss with you-and others-an even more ambitious plan to permit us to do together what we cannot do so well alone. Examples would be two projects which stand high on the space agenda. Both are very demanding and complex, One would be a probe to the sun, and another a probe to Jupiter. To cooperate on such a major endeavor would contribute vastly to our mutual knowledge and our mutual skills." (Marder, Wash. Post, 12/21/65, Al)
Dr. Robert C. Seamans. Jr, was sworn in as NASA Deputy Administrator, succeeding Dr. Hugh L. Dryden who died Dec, 2. Dr. Seamans, who had been Associate Administrator, would also retain that position for an indefinite period. (NASA Release 65-388)
At NASA Industry Briefing on Computer Procurement, held at Hq., NASA briefed representatives of 14 leading companies in the automatic data processing industry on NASA's present and future plans and policies for the procurement of large-scale computing systems. William Rieke, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Industry Affairs, pointed out that NASA's principal purpose in future Adp procurements would be to increase competition throughout the computer industry, Citing the growing concern in recent years over expanding Adp inventories and increasing dollar expenditures for computers throughout Government, Rieke outlined a three-point plan to improve the exchange of information between NASA and the computer industry: (1) NASA would hold annual industry briefings to inform computer firms of its long-range plans, problems, needs for improved system technology, and projected procurements with the first to be held next May; (2) individual computer manufacturers would be given an opportunity to conduct annual briefing for NASA's personnel to inform NASA of their plans, problems, and developments; (3) in connection with large or unusual Adp procurements with restrictive requirements, NASA would hold prespecification briefings for interested companies in advance of issuing requests for proposals. Edmond C. Buckley, director of NASA's Office of Tracking and Data Acquisition, outlined NASA's methods for long-range planning on computer acquisition and utilization, and emphasized that the agency's future Adp procurements would be for computing systems rather than just hardware. NASA Administrator James E. Webb traced the cooperative history of the NASA-Industry-University "team" in contributing to NASA's accomplishments since 1958, He emphasized the importance of the computer industry's contribution to the space effort, in particular, and solicited the industry's continued cooperation in carrying out NASA's mission. (NASA Release 65-391)
L/Col. Frank Borman and Cdr, James A. Lovell, Jr., had brought back proof of the endurance records set in space. Each had a $1 bill with recorded serial number at lift-off. Bills were turned over to a member of the National Aeronautic Association and then to the Fédération Aeronautique Internationale in Paris-world flight record-keeping organization, FAI announced NASA had filed spaceflight records set by Gemini VI and VII. (UPI, NYT, 12/19/65, 67; UPI, NYT, 12/22/65,4)
Gemini VI Astronauts Schirra and Stafford were made honorary members of the American Federation of Musicians for their rendition of Jingle Bells during the GEMINI mission. (AP, Wash, Eve. Star, 12/21/65, A2)
NASA had selected the Range Systems Div, of Ling-Temco-Vought, Inc., to provide computer support services for the Michoud Assembly Facility. A cost-plus-award-fee contract would be negotiated for a one-year period with provisions for three consecutive one-year renewals. Cost for the first year was estimated to exceed $15 million. (NASA Release 65-386; MSFC Release 65-310)
Karl G. Harr, president of the Aerospace Industries Assn, told the Aviation-Space Writers Assn, in Washington, D.C., that the aerospace industry would "jump at the chance" to attack social problems such as urban congestion and water pollution, He said this was so even though space companies had lost money in the first experiment in applying their techniques to urgent public problems. (Clark, NYT, 12/26/65, 43)
EARLY BIRD I comsat relayed pictures for a televised debate between students of Oxford and Harvard on whether the U.S. should carry out its Vietnam commitment. (Adams, NYT, 12/10/65, 87)
New York's Mayor-elect John V. Lindsay announced formation of a Science and Technology Advisory Council composed of representatives of universities, foundations, and corporations. Council would attempt to attract science-oriented industries into New York City and assist those already there. It would meet monthly with the Mayor and conduct studies into the scientific and technological advances that might affect industries in the city. (NYT, 12/22/65, 12)
Second B-70A research bomber underwent a 10-min, heat-friction test from Edwards AFB withstanding 530°C heat at 1,900 mph at 70,000 ft. The air inlets control system was also tested at twice the speed of sound at 63,000 ft. in the 145-min. flight. (AP, NYT, 12/23/65, 43)
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