Jun 27 1969
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLXXXVIII into orbit with 270-km (167.7-mi) apogee, 199-km (123.7-mi) perigee, 89.2-min period, and 51.7° inclination. Satellite reentered July 5. (GSFC SSR, 6/30/69; 7/15/69)
Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched by NASA from NASA Wallops Station carried Univ. of Colorado experiment to 65.9-mi (106-km) altitude to measure density of hydroxyl radical between 43.5- and 62.1-mi (70- and 100-km) altitudes, using scanning uv monochromater. Rocket and instruments performed satisfactorily and all experimental objectives were achieved. (NASA Rpt SRL)
In Science, JPL scientist Dr. Leonard D. Jaffe said despite successful landing of seven unmanned spacecraft on moon controversy over density of lunar surface material continued. Further analysis of data showed relation of density of lunar surface layer to depth was best determined from spacecraft measurements of bearing capacity as function of depth. Comparison of these values with laboratory measurements of bearing capacity of low-cohesion particulate materials as a function of percentage of solid indicated bulk density at lunar surface was approximately 1.1 gr per cc at depth of 5 cm. (Science, 6/27/69, 1514-6)
NASA announced selection of Collins Radio Co. to provide two 210-ft space communications antennas and supporting concrete pedestals for NASA Deep Space Network stations near Canberra, Australia, and Madrid, Spain. (NASA Release 69-98)
U.S., U.S.S.R." and 26 other nations agreed during Geneva meeting of subcommittee of Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space that international law, rather than national law, should determine liability for damage caused by spacecraft. Question of whether to fix ceiling on damage claims remained unanswered. (Reuters, NYT, 6/29/69, 2)
Philip M. Boffey in Science said nomination by President Nixon of William D. McElroy to head NSF {see June 19] "was particularly interesting because it seemed to carry out a pledge made by Nixon on 28 April that politics would play no part in selection of a new NSF director." Choice had been "greeted with enthusiastic praise and a sign of relief by leaders of the scientific community," since it had been difficult to find scientist willing to take the $42,500-a-year post. (Science, 6/27/69, 1504-6)
AEC announced it had implanted two compact, 10-w, nuclear-power generators in Pacific Ocean off San Clemente Island, Calif." in depths of 60 and 130 ft to subject devices to marine growth in one- to two-year test to determine their long-term behavior in ocean environment. Deep-water testing would follow in AEC program to develop second generation of highly reliable, long-endurance, economic, radioisotope-power source for terrestrial and marine applications. (AEC Release M-152)
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