Jul 6 1968
From The Space Library
Ninth Molniya I comsat, Molniya 1-9, was launched by U.S.S.R. to "ensure the operation of the long-range system of . . . communication" and TV transmission to far northern and far eastern U.S.S.R., according to Tass. Orbital parameters: apogee, 39,806 km (24, 734.2 mi) ; perigee, 396 km (246.1 mi) ; period, 11 hr 9 min; and inclination, 65°. Equipment, including instruments for transmission, command, and satellite operation, was functioning normally. (AP, NYT, 7/9/68, 6; SBD, 7/10/68, 26; GSFC SSR, 7/15/68)
Japanese astronomer Minori Honda of Kurashiki Astronomical Observatory, Okayama, discovered new comet south of Capella in Auriga constellation. Tokyo Astronomical Observatory said July 14 discovery had been confirmed by three American observatories. Comet was named Honda Comet No. 6. (AP, C T rib, 7/15/68)
DOD released April 23-24 testimony before Senate Committee on Armed Services' Preparedness Investigating Subcommittee. Dr. John S. Foster, Jr., Director of Defense Research and Engineering, had said F-111A wings had broken off during Jan. 23 ground test-under load greater than expected in flight but less than stipulated 50%-overload safety margin-before introduction into Vietnam combat, where aircraft had operated under protective restrictions. General Dynamics Corp. President Frank W. Davis later termed ground testing which broke wings off USAF F-111A "normal." Tests, he indicated, were made to determine stress limitations. "We've had no failures . .. at stress simulation to be expected in combat." (Transcript; Kelly, W Star, 7/7/68, A3; AP, W Post, 7/7/68, A22; 7/8/68, A15; Corddry, B Sun, 7/7/68, 1)
Washington Evening Star editorial praised USAF C-5 Galaxy jet aircraft and its "impressive" civilian potential; "According to Tom [T.R.] May, Lockheed's president, all the experimental evidence indicates there are virtually no engineering limitations to building strikingly larger C-5s than those scheduled," but its commercial use would cause passenger and baggage congestion. "If the Galaxy is to become a commercial plane, then, at the most, only a third of its space should be for passengers; the rest should be for cargo. . . . Although [May is] con- fident that bigger and bigger C-5s can be made, he doubts that the world is ready for them. We doubt it, too." (W Star, 7/6/68)
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