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Aviation History
1961
1961 - 1130.PDF
SPACECRAFT SCOREBOARD 1961 Following on from the two previous lists in Flight of August 28, 1959 and August 5,1960, the period covered on these pages is from July 29, 1960 to August 11, 1961. The " Orbit" column gives the initial perigee and apogee, and the period quoted is the initial period of the satellite. The weight quoted is normally total weight, with scientific payload in parentheses where known. Spacecraft Discoverer 13 (I960 Theta) Echo 1 (I960 low) Discoverer 14 (I960 Kappa) Sputnik 5 (I960 Lambda) Discoverer 15 (I960 Mu) Courier IB (I960 Nu) Explorer 8 (1960X1) Discoverer 17 (I960 (Omicron) Tiros 2 (I960 Pi) Sputnik 6 (I960 Rho) Discoverer 18 (I960 Sigma) Discoverer 19 (I960 Tail) Samos 2 (1961 Alpha) Sputnik 7 (1961 Beta) Sputnik 8 (1961 Gamma 3) Venus probe (1961 Gamma 1) Explorer 9 (1961 Delta) i .aunch vehicle Thor-Agena Thor-Delta Thor-Agena multi-stage rocket Thor-Agena Thor-AbleStar Juno 2 Thor-Agena B Thor-Delta multi-stage rockec Thor-Agena B Thor-Agena B Atlas-Agena A multi-stage rocket multi-stage rocket single-stage rocket Scout Date and place Aug. 10, I960 Vandenberg AFB Aug. 12, I960 Cape Canaveral Aug. 18, I960 Vandenberg AFB Aug. 19, I960 Sept. 13, I960 Van den berg AFB Oct. 4, I960 Cape Canaveral Nov. 3. I960 Cape Canaveral Nov. 12, I960 Vandenberg AFB Nov. 23, I960 Cape Canaveral Dec. 1, I960 Dec. 8, I960 Vandenberg AFB Dec. 20, I960 Vandenberg AFB Jan. 31. 1961 Point Arguello Feb. 4, 1961 Feb. 12, 1961 Feb. 12, 1961 launched from Sputnik 8 Feb. 16, 1961 Wallops Island Shape cylinder 19.2ft •, 5ft dia inflatable sphere 100ft dia cylinder 19.2ft 5ft dia cylinder? cylinder 19.2ft <5ft dia sphere 51 in dia double cone 30in x 30in dia cylinder 25ft x 5ft dia pillbox I9in x 42in dia cylinder! cylinder 25ft .< 5ft dia cylinder 25ft 5ft dia cylinder 22ft 5ft dia not disclosed not disclosed complex inflatable sphere 12ft dia Weight <lb) 1.700 (300) 240 (132) 1,700 (300) 10,120 1,700 (300) 500 90.14 2,100 (300) 280 10,060 2,100 (300) 2,100 4,100 14 292 assumed similar to Sputnik 7 1,419 80 Incln (deg) 82.85 47.2 79.6 64.57 80.93 28.3 49.9 81.8 48.5 65 80.9 83.4 approx. polar 65 65 0.3 to ecliptic 38.63 Orbit (miles) 161-436 945-1,049 116-502 190-21 1 130-472 501-658 258-1,423 116-616 387-453 112-155 154-459 128-323 approx. 300-350 139-204 138-174 66.7 m to 94.6m from Sun 395-1,605 Period (min) 94.1 1 18.3 94.5 90.72 94.24 107 112.7 96.45 98.2 88.6 94.1 92 approx. 95 89.8 89.6 300 days 118.3 Purpose obtain data on propulsion, communications. orbital performance, recovery techniques and advanced engineering tests (USAF) munications satellite test (NASA) obtain data on propulsion, communications, orbital performance, recovery techniques and advanced engineering tests (USAF) ultimate development of manned spaceflight system (USSR) systems test including launch technique, propul- sion, communications, orbital performance, advanced engineering tests and recovery tech- niques (USAF)test feasibility of global military communications network using delayed repeater satellites (US Army) investigate ionosphere by direct measurement of positive ion and electron composition; study frequency, momentum and energy of micro- meteorite impacts (NASA)systems test of Agena B satellite including launch techniques, propulsion, communications, orbital performance, recovery techniques and advanced engineering tests (USAF) test experimental television techniques and infra- red equipment leading to eventual worldwide meteorological information system (NASA) test equipment for eventual manned spaceflight (USSR) systems test of Agena 8 satellite including launch techniques, propulsion, communications, orbital performance, recovery techniques and advanced engineering tests (USAF) systems test of Agena B satellite; collect data on atmospheric phenomena and infra-red radiation in Earth's atmosphere in support of programmes such as Midas (USAF) determine capabilities for making observations of space, the atmosphere and the nature of the globe from satellites (USAF)develop and place heavy spacecraft in precise orbit (USSR) test orbital launch technique for space probe (USSR) reach vicinity of Venus, test long-range communi- cations, provide measurements of solar system, make physical observations of outer space (USSR) (1) study performance, structural integrity and environmental conditions of Scout research vehicle and guidance-control system;(2) determine atmospheric density by orbit ot Radio (Mc/s) not disclosed 108.06 107^94 not disclosed 19.995 not disclosed not disclosed 108 not disclosed 235 237.8 108 108.03 19.995 not disclosed not disclosed not disclosed not disclosed not disclosed 922.8 136 Remarks capsule ejected and recovered from sea., August 1 1 voice transmissions successfully reflected capsule ejected and recovered in mid-air, August 19 capsule and carrier recovered August 20 on 18th orbit: carried two dogs, rats, mice, flies, plants, fungi, microscopic water plants and seeds: repor-ted to have landed less than 10 km from planned point capsule ejected and sighted in sea; recovery pre- vented by rough seas messages successfully relayed: capacity 68,000 words per min instrumentation functioned, data telemetered and analysed carried radiation counter, emulsion packs to study lower Van Allen radiation; micro-organisms, plant spore and microscopic, artificially grown human cells; high-intensity light beacon for optical tracking: capsule ejected and recovered in mid-air, November 14narrow-angle camera and infra-red instrumenta- tion transmitted good data: wide-angle photo- graph quality not good carried two dogs and other animal and plant life: craft descended on unplanned trajectory when signalled to re-enter, and burned up in dense atmosphere carried algae, bone marrow, eyelid membrane, gamma globulin, spores, gold foil, analine powder and other material for medical and technical experiments; and light beacon for tracking experiment: capsule ejected and re- covered in mid-air, December 10instrumentation included scanner, preset for specific wavelength, to measure intensity of infra-red radiation, and instruments to measure heat intensity of certain microwave bands.Transmissions ceased December 25 carried photographic and related test equipment, also telemetry, tracking and command equip- mentequipment functioned normally: instrumentation included telemetry system for structural para- meters and "equipment for trajectory measure- ments"Venus probe successfully launched radio contact lost on attempt to re-establish contact from Jodr«ll Bank: inconclusive transmitter on balloon failed to function, requiring optical tracking: First satellite launch by all- snlirf rnckef fir^r From VWIn™ Station 3 t
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