Oct 30 1962
From The Space Library
MARINER II Venus probe passed the earth on 65th day of its 110-day flight to vicinity of Venus. At that point in its smaller-than-earth's orbit, the 447-lb. spacecraft was 11.5 million mi. from earth and traveling at 70,500 mph relative to the sun.
NASA announced realignment of functions within office of Associate Administrator Robert C. Seamans, Jr. D. Brainerd Holmes assumed new duties as a Deputy Associate Administrator while retaining his responsibilities as Director of NASA Office of Manned Space Flight. NASA field installations engaged principally in manned space flight projects (MSFC, MSC, and LOC) would report to Holmes; installations engaged principally in other projects (Ames, LaRC, LRC, GSFC, JPL, and Wallops) would report to Thomas F. Dixon, Deputy Associate Administrator for the past year. Previously most field center directors had reported directly to Dr. Seamans on institutional matters beyond program and contractual administration.
NASA announced signing of detailed contract with Space and Information Division of North American Aviation, Inc., for development and production of Saturn S-II stage. The $319,922,328 contract, largest single contract ever awarded by NASA, covered production of nine live flight stages, one inert flight stage, and several ground-test units for the Advanced Saturn vehicle.
Oran W. Nicks, NASA Director of Lunar and Planetary Programs, summarized results obtained from MARINER II scientific experiments, at Eighth Tri-Service Conference on Electromagnetic Compatibility in Chicago: "One of the primary scientific objectives in measuring magnetic fields in interplanetary space is to determine the magnitude and direction of the steady field component. . . . The Mariner has indicated a typical steady state transverse component of ten gamma or less, and it has clearly shown how the transverse field becomes large (as high as 25 gamma) during geomagnetic storms. In addition to this, the Mariner II has provided information on the steady interplanetary field indicating that the radial component is apparently more stable, even under storm conditions, and that there are quiet times when the radial component from the sun is essentially constant. . . . Measurements from the ion chamber onboard MARINER have indicated an average radiation level as expected, corresponding to about 1.1 milli-roentgen per hour (about 100 times the cosmic ray intensity at the surface of the earth). It has been reported by measurements [of the probe's cosmic dust detector] thus far that the flux of interplanetary dust particles is at least one thousand times less in interplanetary space than in the near vicinity of the earth. The cause of this is unknown. . . . Preliminary data from the [solar plasma detector in the] Mariner indicate abrupt changes in the velocity and intensity of solar winds, and correlated effects on the magnetic fields in space. Measurements show that the particle energies generally range from about 750 electron volts to 2500 electron volts, although some plasma with an energy of 3225 electron volts has been observed. These variations almost certainly were the results of events on the sun, but the exact nature of these events is not yet understood. . . ." NASA announced 19 experiments would be included on Pogo satellite (Polar Orbiting Geophysical Observatory) to be orbited by Thor-Agena vehicle launched from Pacific Missile Range. Pogo would be second in Ogo (Orbiting Geophysical Observatory) series and first Ogo in polar orbit; it was scheduled for launch in early 1964.
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