Dec 23 1966
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (2MB PDF)
NASA announced Atlas-Centaur booster would replace Atlas-Agena for launching Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) satellites and Applications Technology Satellites (ATS) D and E. Launches were scheduled to begin in 1968. Centaur stage-first to use liquid hydrogen as a fuel-was capable of boosting about 40 per cent greater payload than the Agena into near-earth orbit and about three times the payload on lunar trajectory. (NASA Release 66-328)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb appointed B. L. Dorman, vice president of Aerojet-General Corp., Assistant Administrator for Industry Affairs, effective Jan. 16, 1967, and Gen. Jacob E. Smart (USAF, Ret.) Acting Administrator for Administration, effective Jan. 1, 1967. Both positions were formerly held by William B. Rieke, who resigned to return to Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. (NASA Release 66-327)
NASA awarded General Electric Co. $22.3 million to continue in its fourth year as general support contractor for NASA's Mississippi Test Facility. Award was for period November 1966 to July 1967. (MSFC Release 66-298)
Bell Telephone Laboratories had developed experimental method of impressing over 57,000 two-way telephone conversations on single laser beam-a process essential for the commercial use of the laser in communications, Wall Street Journal reported. Researchers hoped to eventually replace coaxial cables, which could carry only about 32,000 telephone conversations, with cables of laser beams. (WSJ, 12/23/66)
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