Sep 26 1968
From The Space Library
USAF Titan III-C booster launched from ETR successfully inserted four satellites into separate earth orbits. Satellites were one Lincoln Experimental Satellite (Les VI), two Environmental Research Satellites (Ers XXI, also called OV V-4; and Ers XXVIII, also called OV V-2), and one Orbiting Vehicle research satellite (OV 11-5). Powered flight of Titan III-C was very close to planned parameters, according to preliminary figures. First transtage burn placed transtage and payload into parking orbit with 107.5-mi (173-km) apogee 90.8- mi (146.2-km) perigee, 87.7-min period, and 28.6° inclination. Second transtage burn moved stage and payload into elliptical transfer orbit with 22,241-mi (35,792.4-km) apogee, 112.7-mi (181.4-km) perigee, 631-min period, and 26.2° inclination. Booster ejected Ers XXVIII (OV V-2) into orbit with 22,236-mi (35,777.7-km) apogee, 115-mi (185-km) perigee, 630.8-min period, and 26A° inclination, where satellite would investigate radiation in Van Allen belts. Third transtage burn put satellite dispenser frame and remaining three satellites into final orbit with 22,201.9-mi (35,729.5-km) apogee, 22,037.4-mi (35,464.9-km) perigee, 1,428-min period, and 3° inclination. Ers XXI (OV V-4), which would conduct research on heat transfer in liquids at zero gravity, was ejected into circular orbit with 22,225- mi (35,760-km) apogee, 22,220-mi (35,771.9-km) perigee, 1,435.8-min period, and 3° inclination. OV 11-5, synchronous-altitude research satellite equipped with 10 sensors to investigate radiation, entered separate orbit with 22,232-mi 35,771.2-km) apogee, 21,827-mi (35,771.2-km) perigee, and 1,418-min period. Les VI, major payload, entered synchronous orbit with 22,236-mi (35,777.7-km) apogee, 22,233-mi (35,772.9-km) perigee, 1,435.9-min period, and 2.9° inclination. Second all solid-state UHF-band comsat, Les VI would transmit radio signals to test communications to aircraft, ships, and ground troops. First Lincoln Experimental Satellite, Les V, had been launched July 1, 1967. USAF officials reported all satellites were functioning properly. (DOD Proj. Off; NYT, 9/26/68, 8; AP, W Star, 9/26/68, Al; B Sun, 9/27/68, A3; GSFC SSR, 9/30/68; Pres Rpt 68)
Univ. of Wisconsin meteorologist Verner E. Suomi said weather satellite research could reduce critical hours needed to identify tornado-producing cloud systems and warn public of threat. Photos from Ats III had shown it was possible to observe rapid expansion at top of tornado-producing clouds, while radar and ground observation tended to show only their "stems." With adequate facilities, Suomi saw possibility of satellite tornado forecasts presented directly to the public via television. (UPI, W Post, 9/26/68, K3)
In Washington Post Rudy Abramson of Los Angeles Times described retiring NASA Administrator James E. Webb as "a huckster. A good one. Maybe the best Washington has ever seen." Even when he could talk politicians into putting up $5 billion in a year for civilian space program, "he left many of them feeling a little guilty because they had not done enough." Congressional opponents had charged he was overzealous to point of dishonesty in protecting his empire at NASA. "Space buffs were piqued because Webb continued calling the Apollo spacecraft a `capsoole' and publicly seemed to view the astronauts with childlike adoration. But Webb had it where it counted. President Johnson ranked him with Robert S. McNamara as an administrator. Influential Congressmen sided with him against their colleagues who challenged the wisdom of the space program and the quality of the Webb management. . "If Richard Nixon is elected President, it is a dead certainty that he would not want to keep Webb on as NASA Administrator. Hubert Humphrey might also want his own man. But even if Webb could stay in the job, it's probably all for the better that he quit now. The investigation following the Apollo accident permanently soured his relations with some members of Congress. One has to suspect that Webb is leaving the space program because the country seemed less and less interested in listening to its evangelist." (W Post, 9/26/68, K4)
Commenting on retirement of James E. Webb as NASA Administrator, Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.) on House floor said: "I share with Mr. Webb his continuing concern that the Soviets are determined to be the No. 1 power in space. Jim Webb has counseled us often and with great clarity on the seriousness of such a situation. We must heed Jim Webb's warning that the United States should be first in space. . . . [He] is to be congratulated for his unselfish dedication and great skill in leadership. . . . It will be difficult for any man to fill those large and capable shoes." (CR, 9/20/68, E8135)
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