Mar 14 1968
From The Space Library
USAF launched two unidentified satellites from Vandenberg AFB using Long-Tank Thrust-Augmented Thor (LTTAT) -Agena D booster. First entered orbit with 242-mi (382.0-km) apogee, 114-mi (183.5-km) perigee, 90.2-min period, and 83.1° inclination and reentered April 10. Second entered orbit with 326-mi (524.6-km) apogee, 299-mi (448.2-km) perigee, 94.6-min period, and 31.6° inclination. (Pres Rpt 68; SBD, 3/18/68, 91)
U.S.S.R. successfully launched Cosmos CCVI, carrying television and infrared cameras for meteorological observations. Orbital parameters: apogee, 640 km (398 mi); perigee, 598 km (372 mi) ; period, 97.1 min; and inclination, 81.2°. (GSFC SSR, 3/15/68; AP, NYT, 3/20/68, 10)
Spacecraft for first manned Apollo mission would use 60% oxygen and 40% nitrogen cabin atmosphere while on launch pad and pure oxygen in orbit, NASA announced. Astronauts would continue to breathe pure oxygen in their spacesuits before and during launch phase, at higher pressure than that of cabin to avoid leakage into suits. Spacecraft environmental control system in orbit would gradually replace mixed cabin atmosphere with pure oxygen. Since October 1967, more than 140 flammability tests on full-scale simulated spacecraft at MSC had shown that spacecraft modifications and installation of fire extinguisher and new quick-opening hatch for crew egress had drastically reduced fire hazards. Detailed physiological review of new mixed gas atmosphere had included considerations of operational characteristics of spacecraft and life support equipment. Astronauts would be adequately protected physiologically during all phases of atmosphere change. Crew procedures during period when diluted oxygen atmosphere would be in cabin were only slightly affected. (NASA Release 68-47; O'Toole, W Post, 3/6/68, 1; UPI, NYT, 3/15/68, 41)
NASA's Ats III (launched Nov. 5, 1967), in synchronous orbit above equator over mouth of Amazon River, was photographing cloud patterns with multicolor spin-scan camera to identify possible tornado-breeding storm clouds. Scientists would prepare movies from photos in effort to determine whether tornado breeding situations could be identified from characteristic cloud motions before tornadoes developed. Ats III was capable of photographing cloud patterns over northern hemisphere every 15 min. (ESSA Release 68-20; NYT, 3/14/68, 88)
Sen. Frank Carlson (R-Kan.), ranking member of Senate Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, addressed Space Age Law Conference in Cape Kennedy, Fla. "The continuing progress of our nation in trying to solve the age old problems of poverty, ignorance and disease simply cannot be achieved if we neglect the basic strength of our national economy-the advancing frontier of technology. The basic point to remember is not whether this nation can have its space program-meet the crisis in the cities and fight a controversial war in Vietnam-but rather how we can possibly solve these problems unless we push ahead into the frontiers of technology." Sen. Carlson praised Earth Resources Observation Satellite program which would provide "new ability to improve harvests-prevent crop diseases-attack air and water pollution -inventory our agricultural resources-and perhaps even control floods. Frankly, I think this program alone would justify all that the space effort is costing!" (CR, 3/21/68, S3130-1)
MSFC awarded $49,985 nine-month study contract to Lockheed Aircraft Corp. to assess possible radiation damage to film used on ATM to record solar activity and to consider radiation hazards to astronauts in Saturn I orbital workshop. (ran Release 68-43)
Geneva disarmament conference completed draft of nuclear nonproliferation treaty and referred it to U.N. General Assembly special session. (Hamilton, NYT, 3/15/68, 18; Egli, W Post, 3/15/68, A19)
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