Mar 11 1962
From The Space Library
Second anniversary of the launching of the unsurpassed PIONEER V space probe. PIONEER V produced first data on the nature of interplanetary Space, including solar flare effects in interplanetary space which were compared with earth-orbiting satellite readings, and sent back telemetry 22.5 million miles from earth on June 26, 1960, a communications record unmatched until the flight of MARINER II.
Space Science Board of the National Academy of -Sciences announced that improvements had been made in the second Project West Ford package soon to be launched into orbit: (1) weight had been reduced from 75 to 50 lbs., thus reducing the number of dipoles in the package from 350 million to 250 million; (2) the container had been redesigned to ensure that it would be imparted with the proper spin by the rifle-like barrel from which it is ejected (this caused failure of the first experiment to disperse); (3) VHF beacon and telemetry were included to ensure tracking capability; and (4) a fail-safe device would prevent the capsule from ejecting at any other than the proper orbit. Report sent to International Astronomical Union to assure astronomers that every care was being taken that the filaments not interfere with astronomical observations.
NASA announced that ECHO I, the 100-ft. balloon-type passive communications satellite launched on August 12, 1960, had recently become increasingly difficult for observers to see. The sphere now presented only ½ to ¼ its original size, due either to shrinkage or distortion during its year and a half in orbit.
Reported in London that U.S.S.R. has nearly completed negotiations with the United Arab Republic and Iraq for supply of Soviet guided missiles.
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