Sep 15 1974
From The Space Library
Five embryonic stars in the nebula of Orion had been discovered by astronomers using infrared detectors attached to the Hale Observatories' 254-cm telescope on Mount Wilson, the Chicago Sun-Times announced. California Institute of Technology and Hale scientists had reported that the stars, probably less than 10 000 yrs old, were about 1600 light years from earth. (UPI, Chicago Sun-Times, 15 Sept 74)
Space engineers in India were testing subsystems for their first satellite launch vehicle, in preparation for eventual launch of a 40-kg satellite into near-earth orbit. All instruments and payload had been developed at Vikram Sarabhai space center. (Delhi Overseas Service, FBIS-India, 17 Sept 74, U4)
15-22 September: Arab League telecommunications representatives voted to establish a satellite communications system, at a meeting in Beirut, Lebanon. Three proposals were under consideration: Hawker Siddeley Group Ltd. had proposed a spacecraft similar to the Orbiting Test Satellite (OTS) being developed by the European Space Research Organization. Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm had recommended a three-axis stabilized spacecraft. A consortium of Hughes Aircraft Co., Nippon Electric Co. of Japan, and Thomson-CSF of France had proposed a space-craft similar to Telesat Canada's spin-stabilized 12-transponder Anik satellites.
Meanwhile a number of nations also were moving toward domestic satellite systems. Algeria had begun installation of the first of 14 earth terminals for its domestic satellite system following award of a $9.6- million contract to GTE International, a subsidiary of General Telephone & Electronics Corp. The system would begin operations soon after 1 Jan. 1975, when Algeria would lease one transponder from the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization. Brazil would begin leasing an Intelsat transponder for its domestic service 1 June 1975. Indonesia had begun development of two satellites of its own; initial terminals in a 25-station system would be easily convertible from operation with an Intelsat satellite to later operation with an Indonesian comsat. Malaysia was purchasing three ground terminals to use Intelsat comsats. The Phillippine government was considering a similar plan and, with Malaysia, possibility of switching from an Intelsat to Indonesia's planned satellite.
Saudi Arabia had installed two terminals with 11-m-dia antennas for domestic service, which, with the completion of two larger stations in mid-1975, would be moved to remote locations for use with an Intelsat or the planned Arab League satellite. (Av Wk, 23 Sept 74, 23; Johnsen, Av Wk, 30 Sept 74, 22; Hughes contract officer, interview, 27 June 75)
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