May 28 1965
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (4MB PDF)
X-15 No. 3 was flown by Capt, Joe Engle (USAF) to 209,600-ft. altitude at a maximum speed of 3,754 mph (mach 5,17) to obtain data on NSL radiometer, Langley scanner, and boundary-layer noise. (NASA X-15 Proj, Off.; X-15 Flight Log)
NRX A-3 Nerva reactor, joint NASA-AEC project to develop a nuclear rocket, was restarted and operated for the third time at Jackass Flats, Nev. Total operating time was 4.5 min., including about 7 min. at more than 40% of its designated 55,000-lb. thrust capacity. Function of the test was to explore control system response characteristics in low and intermediate power ranges. (SNPO-N-65-9; UPI, NYT, 5/29/65, 8; Rover Chron.)
NASA Administrator James E. Webb said in a statement to Pat Houtz of the Huntsville Times: "It is extremely important that both the Legislature and the Governor fully understand the importance of the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center operation to the success of the current United States effort in space and, also, the importance of our ability to work in that state in an environment conducive to the most effective utilization of our ablest scientists, engineers, technicians, and industrial contractors." (Text; Huntsville Times, 5/28/65)
Dr. George Mueller, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, said at a news conference in Cocoa Beach, Ha, that Astronauts McDivitt and White would attempt to steer the Gemini IV spacecraft to a rendezvous with the spent second stage of its booster rocket. This plan was outlined for the flight: When the Gemini IV spacecraft separated from the second stage six minutes after launching, Maj. James A. McDivitt, as command pilot, would fire jet thrusters to hold a tight formation with the spent stage, which would trail the astronauts by about 300 ft. Throughout the first orbit, the astronauts would make a complete check of all their systems. At the start of the second orbit they would begin preparing for Maj. White's emergence by unpacking life support packs, the maneuvering unit, and the 25-ft. lifeline. Sweeping over the Indian Ocean during this orbit, they would begin to depressurize the spacecraft cabin and pressurize their spacesuits. Over Hawaii, Maj. McDivitt would maneuver the spacecraft to within 25 ft, of the second stage, Maj. White would open his hatch and at a point west of Guaymas, Mexico, he would leave the vehicle. That would be about three hours after launching. Using the hand-gun maneuvering unit, Maj. White would slowly rotate toward the second stage, which is 27 ft, long and 10 ft, in dia. and would be equipped with two flashing lights. The astronaut would carry a 35-mm movie camera to take pictures of the earth, star background, the booster, and the spacecraft. After 10 min, over Florida, Maj. White would begin returning to the spacecraft. The cabin would be repressurized and the suits depressurized. Then Maj. McDivitt would fire thrusters so that the spacecraft would move about 16 mi, away from the booster. During the fifth orbit, about three hours later, the Gemini again would be maneuvered so that it would approach the second stage high over Africa. The craft would close to within 10 ft. this time to determine how well they can approach an orbiting craft, sighting on the flashing lights. (Transcript; Appel, NYT, 5/29/65, 1)
Scientists at NASA Lewis Research Center had successfully operated a high-field-strength cryomagnet having a volume many times larger than any previously known, NASA announced. The cryogenic magnet would provide research facilities for magnetics, solid state physics, and plasma physics. Effects of high-strength magnetic fields on life could also be examined, using plant life, fruit flies, and small animals placed in the field. (NASA Release 65-170; LRC Release 65-38)
Lt, Gen. Walter K. Wilson (USA) received NASA's Outstanding Leadership medal for his "outstanding leadership as Chief of Engineers, United States Army, in directing the effective application and utilization of the resources of the Corps of Engineers in the design and construction of facilities crucial to the successful exploration of space by the United States and the application of its space technology for the benefit of mankind." (NASA Release 65-180)
A tariff for the use of Early Bird satellites for transmission and reception of voice, record, data, telephoto, facsimile, television, and other signals was filed by ComSatCorp with the FCC, Beginning Sunday, June 27, voice channels would be available between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. EDT on a daily basis. Minimum rental period, one month; rent, $4,200. Additional consecutive periods would be rented at $140 per day, Voice channels would be two-way, No refunds would be given for interruptions of less than 30 min, or for those caused by solar eclipse, Interruptions of 30 min, or more not the responsibility of the customer would be refunded at roughly $3 per 30-min, interruption, ComSatCorp could request temporary surrender of a voice channel for TV use and, in that event, would refund charges in amounts proportional to the surrender period if it falls between 5 a.m. and 8 a.m. or between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. or in amounts twice proportional to the surrender period if it falls between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Also beginning June 27, television channels would be available as frequently as feasible, Hours would be 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. (Schedule I) and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Schedule II), Channels would accept standard TV signals. TV channel rentals must be made for at least a 30-min, period. Rent: $2,400 for first 30 min, $475 per immediately following 15 min. (Schedule I) ; $3,825 for first 30 min., $710 per immediately following 15 min. (Schedule II) , Regular channels would be on one-way monochrome. Two-way monochrome and one-way color would rent for an additional 50%, Interruptions of more than 30 sec, and not the responsibility of the customer would be refunded in amounts proportional to the interrupted period. If a customer canceled his application for use of a TV channel, he would be billed as though he had not and would be required to pay any additional charges involved in acquiring temporary use of a voice channel if his application had made such acquisition necessary. TV channels would be rented on a first-come-first-serve basis. Rates covered only transmissions between Andover, Me, and the satellite. The arrangement whereby refunds would be made for temporary TV use of voice channels was necessary because EARLY BIRD cannot handle both kinds of transmissions simultaneously. (ComSatCorp Release)
Supersonic transport airframe and engine design contracts had been extended through the month of June, FAA announced. The airframe contractors were the Boeing Co, and Lockheed Aircraft Corp.; engine contractors were the General Electric Co, and the Pratt & Whitney Div. of United Aircraft Corp. ( FAA Release 65-46)
The House Armed Services Real Estate Subcommittee approved Air Force plans to dispose of Atlas and Titan missile sites representing an investment of $856,900,000. The 14 missile complexes, embracing 113 missile launching silos, were being declared surplus as a result of the obsolescence of the missiles they were built to accommodate. (AP, NYT, 5/29/65, 25)
May 28-29: Fifth Scientific Conference of the Polish Astronautical Society was held in Krakow, Reports were read on many important aspects of rocketry and space travel and on space physics, technology, and biology. Some 93 persons attended the conference which reviewed projects conducted in Poland and abroad. (Skrzydlata polska, 6/27/65, 9)
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