Jul 28 1977
From The Space Library
NASA announced plans to launch the first Italian experimental Comsat Sirio on or about Aug. 17 from ETR on a Delta vehicle. A large segment of Italian industry interested in space technology had worked on the spacecraft and would use the experience for future international space programs. In synchronous orbit over the equator off the west coast of Africa, the Comsat would transmit voice, data, and TV in the superhigh frequency (SHF) range from Europe to North America; its experimenters would study propagation of SHF during adverse weather conditions including rain, snow, and fog. Use of SHF had become necessary because conventional frequencies were overcrowded.
Italy's research agency, Consiglio Nazionale della Richerche (CNR), had contracted with NASA for launch and support services until the craft reached its station 30 to 45 days after launch. The name Sirio was an acronym for Satellite Italiano Ricerca Industriale Orientata (industrial research-oriented Italian satellite). (NASA Release 77-152)
KSC announced it had awarded a $7 325 000 fixed-price contract to Algernon Blair Industrial Contractors, Inc., of Norcross, Ga., for converting a Saturn/Apollo mobile launcher to a mobile-launcher platform for the Shuttle program. Work would include removal of a 400ft umbilical tower and crane and replacement of the single exhaust opening in the original platform with three openings required by the Shuttle main engines. One of KSC's three mobile launchers had almost completed conversion and the new contract would cover work on a second. The reusable Shuttle had been scheduled for its first manned orbital mission in the spring of 1979. (KSC Release 137-77)
Comsat General Corp. announced that the U.S. Navy had agreed to extend its use of three Marisat satellites for an additional 2.5yr, ending in 1981, at a cost of about $138 million [see During June]. The Navy had begun using the Atlantic Marisat in March 1976, the Pacific satellite in June 1976, and the Indian Ocean satellite in Jan. 1977. Each of the three Marisats had a design life of 5yr and could operate in three frequencies: UHF (ultrahigh frequency) for Navy service, and the L-band and C.-band for commercial maritime users. The Navy had leased all UHF capacity in all three Marisats for communications between its own fixed and mobile terminals. The Marisat system was owned and operated by four companies under a joint-venture arrangement approved by the Federal Communications Commission: Comsat General, which acted as system manager, with nearly 87% ownership; RCA Global Communications; Western Union Intl.; and ITT World Communications. (Comsat General Release CG 77-3; WSJ, July 29/77, 6)
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