Jan 23 1970
From The Space Library
NASA successfully launched Itos I(Tiros-M) Improved Tiros Operational Satellite from WTR at 3:31 am PST by two-stage, longtank Thor-Delta (DSV-3N-6) booster with six solid-fuel, strap-on Thiokol rockets. Satellite entered polar, sun-synchronous orbit with 1478.2-km (918.7-mi) apogee, 1432.3-km (890.2-mi) perigee, 115-min period, 102° inclination, and 0.02° per day orbital drift. Australis Oscar V (Oscar A) Orbiting Satellite Carrying Amateur Radio, carried pickaback on 2nd stage, was successfully ejected and entered orbit with 1482-km (920.9-mi) apogee, 1434-km (891.1-mi) perigee, 115-min period, and 101,9° inclination. Oscar V was fifth in series of Oscar launches; previous spacecraft had been launched in conjunction with DOD missions. Satellite had been constructed by amateur radio operators at Melbourne Univ. in Australia and prepared for launch by U.S. Radio Amateur Satellite Corp.; 17.7-kg (39-lb) satellite would transmit at 29.45 mhz in 10-m band and 144.5 mhz in 2-m band. Primary objective of Itos I was to flight-qualify prototype spacecraft for Improved Tiros Operational System and obtain engineering data for evaluation of single-momentum, wheel-stabilized system for earth-oriented stabilized platform. Secondary objective was to evaluate use of stabilized platform for operational meteorology by observing cloud cover by direct readout. Itos I was first in new series of operational meteorological satellites to be launched in joint NASA-ESSA program to replace TOS satellites operating in National Operational Meteorological Satellite System. Itos I weighed 306 kg (675 lbs)-more than twice as much as previous TOS satellites-and carried both automatic picture transmission (APT) and advanced vidicon camera system (AVCS) cameras, previously carried on separate missions. Satellite was box shaped with three-panel solar array and had new "stabilite" three axis stabilization system. Onboard experiments included two redundant AVCS cameras for stored global cloud-cover data for remote readout; two redundant APT cameras for local readout of global cloud-cover data; redundant scanning radiometers for global cloud cover data for remote and local readout, both day and night; flat plate radiometer for data on global heat balance; and solar proton monitor for routine observation of solar flares. Spacecraft would more than double daily weather coverage possible from ESSA satellites already in orbit and give more effective coverage at less expense for longer time. Nighttime photo capability would provide cloud-cover photos night and day every 12 hrs; ESSA series provided one picture per day. Itos I was 19th spacecraft to be launched in NOMSS. First, Tiros I, had been launched April 1, 1960; last, Essa IX, had been launched Feb. 26, 1969. Itos I was funded by NASA except for meteorological sensors; KSC was responsible for launch operations and GSFC was responsible for Delta booster. Future ITOS spacecraft would be funded by ESSA and would be turned over to ESSA by NASA after postlaunch checkout. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 70-2)
NASA successfully conducted first test firing of experimental solid propellant rocket motor with 1.07-m (42-in) diameter and built-in thrust stopper at Eniwetok Atoll in Pacific. Motor burned 34 secs at 53 400-newton (12 000-lb) thrust before it was stopped by internal water-quench system. Motor had been constructed by Hercules Inc., for JPL. (NASA Release 70-12)
NASA's ALSEP 1, placed on lunar surface by Apollo 12 crew Nov. 19, 1969, was functioning satisfactorily after more than 64 days of uninterrupted operation, MSC announced. Some 1977 commands had been transmitted to and carried out by ALSEP 1 since deployment. Scientific and engineering data were being transmitted continuously and radioisotope power remained constant at 74 w. Passive seismic experiment had recorded episode of large tilts on long-period horizontal sensors that lasted one hour and coincided with third lunar sunrise Jan. 16. (MSC Release 70-12)
NASA released photo of emblem selected by Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr., Thomas K. Mattingly II, and Fred W. Haise, Jr., for Apollo 13 mission. Emblem, designed by Lumen Martin Winter of New York, depicted three horses pulling sun chariot from earth to moon, with Latin phrase "Ex luna scientia" (From the moon; knowledge). (NASA PAO; B News, 1/25/70)
President Nixon announced Administration's recommendations on use of comsats for domestic telecommunications. White House press office released memorandum to FCC Chairman Dean Burch outlining recommendations: Government policy "should encourage and facilitate the development" of commercial domestic comsat systems "to the extent that private enterprise finds them economically and operationally feasible." Subject to appropriate conditions, "any financially qualified public or private entity, including Government corporations, should be permitted to establish and operate domestic satellite facilities for its own needs; join with related entities in common-user, cooperative facilities; establish facilities for lease to prospective users; or establish facilities to be used in providing specialized carrier services on a competitive basis." Common carriers "should be free to establish facilities for either switched public message or specialized services, or both. The number of classes of potential offerers... should not be limited arbitrarily. Nor should there be any a priori ranking of potential types of systems. . . ." Guidelines were set forth for establishment and operation of domestic comsats. (PD, 1/26/70, 66; Text)
ComSatCorp announced it would file promptly with FCC for authority to proceed with domestic satellite services. (ComSatCorp Release 70-5)
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, named Oran W. Nicks, Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, as Acting Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology, effective immediately. Nicks succeeded Bruce T. Lundin, who had been named LeRC Director. (NASA Release 70-11; NASA Ann, 1/23/70)
Results of acquisition measurements of round-trip travel time of light from McDonald Observatory, Tex., to laser ranging retroreflector deployed on moon by Apollo 11 astronauts-made Aug. 20 and Sept. 3, 4, and 22, 1969-were reported in Science by astronomers from Univ. of Maryland, GSFC, and Univ. of Texas. Uncertainty in round-trip travel time was ± 15 nanoseconds, with pulsed ruby laser and timing system used for acquisition. Uncertainty in later measurements of planned long-term sequence from McDonald Observatory was expected to be order of magnitude smaller. Successful performance of retroreflector at several angles of solar illumination, as well as during and after a lunar night, confirmed prediction of thermal design analyses. (Science, 1/23/70; 368-70)
Analytical results for lunar material in Sinus Medii derived from alpha-scattering experiment on Surveyor VI (launched by NASA Nov. 7, 1967; soft landed on moon Nov. 9, 1967) were reported in Science by JPL, Argonne National Laboratory, and Univ of Chicago chemists, Amounts of principal constituents at Sinus Medii mare were approximately same as those at Sea of Tranquility. Sodium contents of both maria were lower than those of terrestrial basalts. Titanium content at Sinus Medii was lower than at Sea of Tranquility. Results suggested important differences in detailed chemical composition at different mare areas on moon. (Science, 1/23/70, 376-9)
USAF announced it was flight-testing dual sidearm controller developed by Hughes Aircraft Co. that might replace pilot's control stick or wheel in future aircraft. Built into copilot's seat frame, device was designed for electrical flight control using power augmentation system similar to power steering in automobile. (AFSC Release 215.69)
New York Times editorial commented on President Nixon's State of the Union address: "Where the President was at his best was in his call for an environmental program not only the most comprehensive in the nation's history but the most costly as well.... The proposal is thoroughly commendable as far as it goes, but unless it is combined with effective legislation to curb private industrial polluters as well, it is bound to fall considerably short of the objective." (NYT, 1/23/70,46)
Situation at Lockheed-Georgia Co. aircraft plant in Marietta, Ga., typified "impact of the changed national priorities outlined by President Nixon in his State of the Union message today," George C. Wilson said in Washington Post. "Workers wonder when-not if they will be laid off as they see the end of the C-5A airplane program." Work force was expected to drop from 29 000 to 24 000 during 1970, "with longer range employment picture much bleaker." (W Post, 1/23/70; 3)
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