May 16 1965
From The Space Library
EXPLORER XXIII and PEGASUS I meteoroid technology satellites continued to transmit useful information after months of operation in the space environment, reported Milton B. Ames, Jr, NASA Director of Space Vehicles Research and Technology. EXPLORER launched by Scout rocket from Wallops Station, Va, Nov. 16, 1964, was last of three S-55 series satellites which were the first spacecraft orbited specifically to measure meteoroid penetrations through spacecraft structures, Performance of EXPLORER XXIII had been entirely satisfactory, and indications were that it would have a useful life of more than a year, Ames said. Orbital parameters were: apogee, 615 mi. (990 km.) ; perigee, 290 mi. (467 km.) ; inclination to the equator, 51.95°, PEGASUS I, launched Feb, 16, 1965, was first of a series of three satellites intended to measure meteoroid penetrations of greater structural thicknesses and contained a meteoroid penetration area of almost 2,300 sq, ft. Ames said that although useful results had been obtained with .0015-in,-thick panels, the data obtained with ,008-in.-thick and .016-in,-thick panels had not been fully satisfactory because of difficulties in the operation of the detection system, Still, PEGASUS I had provided significant information leading to improvement of detection systems on the remaining two Pegasus spacecraft. Orbital parameters for PEGASUS I were: apogee, 451 mi. (726 km,) ; perigee, 311 mi. (500.7 km,) ; inclination, 31.75°. (NASA Release 65-157)
Editorializing, the Hartford Courant said: "... LUNIK V's purpose was openly said to be a soft landing on the moon, an experiment that might have sent back the first pictures of the moon from the actual lunar surface, and information about the physical nature of that surface. Possibly the Russians were sure they had the problems of a soft landing solved. But just possibly they decided this time to be frank and out in the open about the whole business. After all, why be scared? Look at all the failures the United States has admitted. And right now the Russians have something to console themselves with, It's called honesty, and its just as good to be distinguished for this as it is for technology." (Hartford Courant, 5/16/65)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
