Jun 3 1969
From The Space Library
USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by Titan IIIB -Agena D booster. Satellite entered orbit with 265.3-mi (426.9-km) apogee, 86.4-mi (139.0-km) perigee, 89.8-min period, and 110.0° inclination and reentered June 14. (GSFC SSR, 6/15/69; W Post, 6/4/69, A18; Pres Rpt 70 [69])
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLXXXV into orbit with 493-km (306.3-mi) apogee, 266-km (165,3-mi) perigee, 92.1-min period, and 71.0° inclination. Satellite reentered Oct. 7. (GSFC SSR, 6/15/69; 10/15/69; AP, NYT, 6/4/69, 5)
International team of scientists might man first U.S. permanent space laboratory, Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, said at London news conference. Work on project would begin about 1975 and additional sections would be added each year for decade, eventually producing laboratory for about 50 scientists. Dr. Paine, on his way to Paris Air Show, said it was too early to say if there would be permanent U.S. lunar space station or to predict if man would land on Mars. He had no information to support rumors of imminent Soviet moon landing. (Reuters, W Post, 6/5/69, E5)
Boeing Co. pilot Don Knutson flew 362-passenger version of Boeing 747-world's largest passenger aircraft-on 9-hr 8-min maiden Atlantic crossing from Seattle-Tacoma Airport, Wash., to Le Bourget Airport, Paris, for 28th Paris Air Show. Aircraft was fourth 747 off assembly line and acquired one-third of its 27 hrs flying time during transatlantic flight at average 570-mph and maximum 656-mph speeds. (NYT, 6/4/69, 74; Amer Av, 6/9/69, 16-7)
House adopted resolution electing Rep. Barry M. Goldwater, Jr. (R-Calif.), to Committee on Science and Astronautics. (CR, 6/3/69, H4401)
London Times published four-page space supplement On the Edge of the Moon. Man had been traveling to moon for centuries in transport which was "romantic, ingenious, foolish and brilliant: chariots of swans, giant guns, artificial clouds and enormous metal springs; even rockets." Journeys, "dreams that ranged between ludicrous fantasy and prophetic imagination," had not been recorded much before second century A.D. "But later, as writers discovered science fiction and the appetite men had for it, the stories proliferated." At times, either by luck, reasoning, knowledge of science, or uncanny inspiration, they foresaw details of voyages like Apollo 10's and that planned for next month." Article traced 1,800 yrs of space travel "from dream to reality." Supplement also described stage sequences planned for NASA's lunar landing, specifications of lunar module and its achievements, data which scientists hoped to extract from lunar explorations, and possible construction of lunar observatory. Costs of observatory would be justified "only as part of a space programme much larger than what is envisaged for the immediate future, and too large, perhaps, for the resources of any one nation." (London Times, 6/3/69, I-IV)
June 3-5: NASA held Spacemobile Conference in Washington, D.C., to familiarize all personnel with Vice President's Summer Space Education Program for the Cities conducted by NASA in cooperation with President's Council on Youth Opportunity. (Program)
The final episode of the television show Star Trek airs on NBC television. Court documents later show that the Desilu studios have lost over $3 million making the show up to this time.
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