Mar 14 1974
From The Space Library
Gerald M. Truszynski, NASA Associate Administrator for Tracking and Data Acquisition, testified on the proposed Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) in FY 1975 authorization hearings before the House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Aeronautics and Space Technology: TDRSS essentially would be two tracking network stations in synchronous orbit to support all low-earth-orbit satellites, giving real-time control and data with a significant in-crease in reliability. The system would provide close to six times the coverage given by ground networks because supported satellites would be visible to the orbital stations during 85% of the orbits rather than the 15% from ground stations. Close to continuous visibility would also pro-vide greater flexibility in programming satellite use and would simplify operations, Number of ground tracking stations could be reduced from the 1974 total of 18, plus one ship and two aircraft, to 8 by 1981. (Transcript)
The U.S.S.R. was developing two new supersonic bomber aircraft and another missile-firing submarine, the Baltimore Sun reported. A new heavy bomber, the Backfire, was already in production. The Backfire was believed to have a top speed of 2100 km per hr and, with inflight refueling, a range of 9700 km. The second bomber, a Sukhoi prototype, could take off at a weight of 136 000 kg and reach altitudes of 21 000 to 24 000 m traveling at 3400 km per hr. The new submarine was to carry 16 missiles with ranges of 6400 km and was comparable to a development planned by the U.S. Navy for 1979. (Corddry, B Sun, 14 March 74, Al)
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