Oct 17 1968
From The Space Library
NASA's Ats IV applications technology satellite reentered earth's atmosphere over South Atlantic southwest of St. Helena island. Spacecraft, launched Aug. 10, had remained in parking orbit, tumbling uncontrollably, when Centaur engines failed to reignite for second burn. (NASA Release 68-188)
NASA issued summary of combined findings of Accident Board and Review Board appointed to investigate May 6 accident which destroyed Lunar Landing Research Vehicle (LLRV) at Ellington AFB. Pilot, Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, had to eject few seconds after loss of helium pressure in propellant tanks caused premature shutdown of attitude control rocket system. Helium had been inadvertently depleted earlier than usual in flight. Armstrong incurred minor injuries. Review Board, appointed by then NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. Thomas 0. Paine to study accident's possible impact on Apollo program, discovered no unfavorable effects on lunar landing project, particularly lunar module. It agreed with Accident Investigation Board in calling for improvements in design and operating practices in LLRV and urged more stringent control over such flying programs and greater attention to all NASA lunar landing simulators. (NASA Release 68-182)
Atmospheric scientists at JPL and Ohio State Univ. announced successful high-altitude test of balloon-borne spectrometer to measure atmospheric radiation emitted in four-micron region. Data, obtained on flight from National Center for Atmospheric Research and Information station at Palestine, Tex., indicated sunlight reflected from earth would pose no significant obstacle to continuous effective operation of radiation sensors on spacecraft in earth orbit. Researchers concluded satellite-borne instrument could probe earth's lower atmosphere for global weather prediction. Test marked step in NASA program to define experiments for manned earth-orbiting missions in Apollo Applications program. (NASA Release 68-176; Pasadena Star-News, 10/17/68)
October 17-18: IAF International Institute of Space Law held XIth Colloquium on the Law of Outer Space in New York. Lawyers and jurists from 17 countries presented papers on Treaty on Outer Space, Treaty on Rescue and Return of Astronauts and Space Objects, telecommunications by satellites, and next steps in space law. NASA General Counsel, Dr. Paul G. Dembling, presided. (NASA Hq Memo)
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