Feb 12 1968
From The Space Library
GSFC technicians had moved NASA's Ats III satellite to new position over Pacific off Ecuador's coast to aid in U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey (C&Gs) mapping project. After movement from position on Equator at 95° west longitude to location at 85° west longitude, satellite could provide precise timing signals to C&GS team on South Atlantic islands of South Georgia and Tristan de Cunha. Ats III, carrying communications, meteorological, and navigational experiments, had been launched Nov 5, 1967, into synchronous equatorial orbit at 22,300- mi altitude. (NASA Release 68-30)
"Space Activities and the National Well-Being" were discussed in speech before Detroit's Economic Club by Dr. George E. Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight. "It is a measure of how far we have come in space in 10 years," he said, "to consider that, with the flight of the Apollo-Saturn V last November, and the flight of the lunar module on January 22, we have now successfully flight-tested and proven every piece of the Apollo-Saturn space vehicle, the vehicle the United States will use ... for the exploration of space for years to come." He warned that while U.S. was decreasing its rate of investment in space activities, "Soviets are spending 50 per cent more in terms of real purchasing power than we are. In percentage of gross national product, they are spending 2 or 3 times as much as we are." He noted that "when we launched our first satellite, Explorer I, the cost was several millions of dollars per pound of payload to get it up in orbit. With the Saturn V, we are now able to put payloads into orbit for only about $500 per pound. Considering that reduction from millions of dollars per pound to hundreds of dollars per pound in orbit over a period of only 10 years, one can foresee reducing the cost to $50 per pound or even $5 per pound for getting into and out of orbit." Saturn V development should move U.S. ahead during next year, but U.S.S.R. would soon surpass U.S. "as the full impact of the resources they are putting into their space program at this time becomes evident. And I would expect that by 1971 or 1972 we will be significantly behind them in terms of all of the aspects that we now know will be characteristic of space flight." (Text)
Radar map of planet Venus had been produced by Cornell Univ. scientists from computer-assembled data. Radar-astronomy data had been gathered by world's largest radiotelescope at Arecibo Ionospheric Observatory in Puerto Rico. Principal scientist Raymond F. Jurgens said map was equivalent to what largest optical telescope on earth could obtain were it not for thick cloud cover obscuring Venusian surface. Measurements had been made in 1964 and 1967 when Venus was nearest earth, 26 million miles away. Cornell's Center for Radiophysics and Space Research Director Thomas Gold concluded from measurements that Venus' surface material was denser than moon's. Scientists confirmed that Venus rotated with same face toward earth each time it passed nearest earth. Radar observations revealed rough areas near planet's equator and probable steep mountain range in southern hemisphere. One-third of Venus had already been mapped; data needed for map of almost entire planet were available. (AP, NYT, 2/13/68, 30)
RFPs for two series of advanced comsats, Intelsats III½ and IV, and for design and feasibility study of rotary joint for use in Intelsat III½ satellites had been issued by ComSatCorp. Two 725-lb Intelsat III½ satellites planned for mid-1969 launch would use directive antenna system to increase radiated power directed toward eastern North America and Western Europe and would have 1,900 two-way voice circuits. Rotary joint would transmit four RF signal channels across interface between spinning spacecraft and mechanically despun antenna. Four 2,430-lb Intelsat IV satellites planned for launch beginning in mid-1970 would be larger, more sophisticated comsats with more than 5,000 voice circuits and greater operational flexibility and versatility. Both satellite models would have onboard apogee motors and both would be launched into synchronous circular equatorial orbits. (ComSatCorp Release 68-4)
XB-70 research aircraft flown by NASA test pilot Fitzhugh L. Fulton, Jr., and L/C Emil Sturmthal (USAF) reached 41,000-ft altitude and mach 1.18 during 2-hr 43-min flight from Edwards AFB. About 80% of primary objectives were accomplished, testing stability, control, handling, canard loads, engine performance, airspeed system calibration, fuselage bending photos, and runway noise. (XB-70 Proj Off)
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