Nov 8 1966
From The Space Library
NASA's SURVEYOR I spacecraft, which soft-landed on the moon's Ocean of Storms June 2, responded to JPL signals almost four months after scientists had announced its "death." Spacecraft did not take additional photos of the lunar surface as commanded. (UPI, Wash. Post, 11/10/66, A7)
In test of hydrogen peroxide attitude control thrusters, INTELSAT II-A ("LANI BIRD") was moved into elliptical orbit with 23,306-mi. (37,523km.) apogee; 2,609-mi. (4,201-km.) perigee; 17ø inclination; and 12-hr. 10-min. period. Systems would be used in future attempt to place comsat in "modified orbit with a 12 hour period," to make possible communications with line-of-sight earth stations for a few hours daily. Preliminary investigations indicated that INTELSAT II-A's failure to achieve planned synchronous equatorial orbit Oct. 30 was due to apogee motor malfunction; launch of Intelsat II-B, scheduled for Nov. 23, would be postponed until exact cause of malfunction was determined. (ComSatCorp Release)
NASA Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket launched from NASA Wallops Station reached 134-mi. (216-km.) altitude in GSFC experiment to evaluate the method of the double floating probe as a tool for monitoring ionospheric electric fields. Rocket performance was excellent, and data obtained by one of two independent antenna systems was in quantitative agreement with the double floating probe theory. Other antenna system failed to deploy properly. (NASA Rpt. SRL)
USAF launched an unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB with Thor Agena D booster. (UPI, NYT, 11/9/66, 4; U.S Aeron. & Space Act., 1966, 158)
Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara was considering USAF proposal for an advanced manned strategic aircraft (Amsa) which would cost $1.5-$2 billion to develop, William Beecher reported in the New York Times. Bomber would reportedly be able to carry internally 25 nuclear tipped short range attack missiles (Sram), plus nuclear bombs; have unrefueled range of 7,000 to 10,000 mi.; and be capable of traveling 1,625 mph-about 2« times the speed of B-52 aircraft, the mainstay of current bomber force. (Beecher, NYT, 11/8/66, 1)
Concept of "flying saucers" violated physical laws of solar system, Rev. Francis J. Heyden, Georgetown Univ. astronomer, declared in Washington Post interview. UFO reports, none of which could be adequately studied scientifically, were either misinterpretations or hoaxes, he said. (Casey, Wash. Post, 11/8/66, B3)
FAA awarded $65,000 contract to North American Aviation, Inc., to study competing Boeing Co. and Lockheed Aircraft Corp. SST designs for possible size reduction that would reduce sonic boom. (WSJ, 12/5/66,12)
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