Jul 6 1966

From The Space Library

PROTON III unmanned scientific space station was launched by U.S.S.R. into earth orbit with 630-km. (391-mi.) apogee; 190-km. (118-mi.) perigee; 92.5-min. period; and 63.5ø inclination. Instruments -including "special scientific apparatus" for continuing complex investigations of cosmic rays-were functioning normally. (Tass, Krasnaya Zvezda, 7/8/66, 1, USS-T Trans.)

NASA had accepted two miniature TV cameras built by Teledyne Systems Co. under $350,000 contract for experimental use in space research. Designated "Microeye," camera measured 1« in. by 4« in., weighed less than 1« lbs., and was powered by small rechargeable battery. One camera, which included low-power transmitter and could telecast distances up to 100 ft., was delivered to NASA Hq. OART to evaluate possible applications in biotechnology and human research work. Second camera, connected by wire to a monitor screen, was delivered to MSFC to evaluate potential use with more powerful transmitter for monitoring functioning of launch vehicle subsystems. Feasibility of mounting camera on spacecraft and focusing on astronauts to record optical responses to spacecraft's rotations would be studied by US. Naval Aerospace Medical Institute, Pensacola. (NASA Release 66-171; MSFC Release 66-144)

July 6-21: NASA's SURVEYOR I, resting on the moon, revived and responded to signals from Tidbinbilla, Australia, tracking station after inactivity during two weeks of lunar night and one week of morning sunlight. Responding to command, spacecraft angled its solar panel toward sun to receive more operating power and began transmitting engineering data. Within a few hours after first response, it was declared "a fully operational spacecraft"; its battery was recharging; its transmitters, receivers, and command system were working; and machinery that moved its solar energy collector and high-gain antenna had been exercised. Performance amazed JPL officials who doubted spacecraft could survive the -260ø cold of lunar night. Spacecraft continued to perform satisfactorily for two days until rapid temperature rise in battery, apparently caused by short circuit, threatened to end spacecraft's life. Temperature was rising at 3ø per hour, and reached 141øF. Near-fatal temperature subsided by July 10 to 115øF and SURVEYOR I later transmitted 257 photos-including pictures of a shattered glass mirror on metal box containing its battery. BOX was insulated to maintain temperature between 40øC and 125øC; segments of mirrored glass helped radiate away heat produced when instruments were operating. JPL officials believed shattering was caused by combined stresses of heat at lunar noontime and cold during lunar night rather than by impact of meteorites or heat from inside compartment. Unexpectedly long life of SURVEYOR I ended July 14 after spacecraft transmitted 9 out of 10 photos commanded by Johannesburg tracking station to search for traces of lunar atmosphere that might scatter light from ring of gases erupting from the sun. JPL officially terminated mission July 21; spacecraft's solar panels would be checked during next period of advantageous sunlight direction, around Aug. 2, to determine if SURVEYOR I were transmitting again. Other checks would be made later to assure that spacecraft's transmissions would not interfere with Surveyor B, scheduled for launch in fall 1966. (Miles, Wash. post, 7/7/66, A4; NYT, 7/9/66, 1; Wash. Post, 7/11/66; Clark, NYT, 7/7/66, 1; 7/13/66, 12; 7/15/66, 11; Av. Wk., 7/25/66,30)

Click here to listen to an interview with Gemini 10 backup pilot Alan L. Bean, recorded on this day.