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Aviation History
1962
1962 - 0447.PDF
FLIGHT International, 22 March 1962 At the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Langley Research Center, possible lunar-mission spacecraft models are prepared for tests to determine their earth-landing and water-landing characteristics. The models are catapulted by an overhead device, as part of a basic series of Project Apollo studies Missiles and Spaceflight SOVIET SATELLITE LAUNCHED After widespread speculation on the possible types of ambitious space mission which would follow the orbital flights of Gagarin and Titov, the announcement last Friday of the launching of a "conventional" scientific satellite by the Soviet Union came almost as an anticlimax. The official Tass announcement, disclosing that the launch was the first of a series which would include a study of cloud systems among its objectives, stated:— "The programmed launch of an artificial Earth satellite was carried out on March 16 in the Soviet Union. According to pre liminary calculations the satellite has gone into orbit with perigee 217km (135 miles) and apogee 980km (609 miles). The orbital period is 96.35min. The angle of inclination of the orbit to the equator is 49°. "On board the satellite are scientific apparatus, a radio-telemetry system and a radio transmitter working on the frequencies 20.003 and 90.018Mc/s. Observation of the satellite and reception of telemetry data are being carried out by ground stations of the command/measuring complex, located over the territory of the Soviet Union ... "This launch of an artificial Earth satellite is a continuation of the programme being carried out for investigation of the upper layers of the atmosphere and cosmic space, for the fulfilment of which in the course of 1962 a series of artificial Earth satellites will be launched from various cosmodromes in the Soviet Union. "The scientific programme of these investigations entails: study of the concentration of charged particles in the ionosphere with the aim of research into the propagation of radio waves; study of corpuscular streams and particles of low energy; study of the energy composition of the Earth's radiation belts with the aim of evaluating the radiation danger of long cosmic flights; study of the primary components of cosmic rays and variations of their intensity; study of the magnetic field of the Earth; study of the short wave radiation of the Sun and other cosmic bodies; study of the upper layers of the atmosphere; study of the action of meteorite matter on the elements of the construction of cosmic objects; and study of the distribution and formation of cloud systems in the atmosphere of the Earth. "In addition, many elements of the construction of cosmic apparatus will be perfected. Separate communiques will be pub lished for launches of satellites in this series. Soviet scientists will obtain, as the result of this programme, new possibilities for research into the physics of the upper layers of the atmosphere and cosmic space." US Proposals for Space Co-operation President Kennedy's specific proposals for US-Soviet co-operation in space, com municated to Mr Khrushchev on March 7, were made public on March 17. The President suggested: launch by the USA and by Russia of two weather satellites, providing global coverage; pro vision by the USA of a tracking station on Soviet territory operated by Russian personnel, and by Russia of a similar station operated in the USA by American personnel; launch by each country of a satellite for mapping the Earth's magnetic field, one in close orbit and one farther out; co-operation in experimental communication satellites; and pooling of effort and exchanging knowledge on space medicine. In addition, Mr Kennedy invited the sharing of work and costs in the exploration of outer space, such as unmanned explor ation of the lunar surface or investigation of Mars or Venus, including the possible usefulness of manned flight. Khrushchev ICBM Statement On March 16 the Soviet Prime Minister, Mr N. Khrushchev, said, "Our scientists and engineers have created a new intercontinental missile, which they call 'Global'; this missile is invulnerable to anti-missile arms. . . . The new Global missiles can fly around the Earth in any direction, and strike in any given area." He went on to comment that Capt Gary Powers was detailed to fly over Sverdlovsk because the Russian ICBM bases were expected to lie in that area; but today, said Mr Khrushchev, such calculations were meaningless, for the Soviet Union could launch rockets not only across the North Pole but also in the reverse direction. Recent Soviet spacecraft have weighed between 10,000 and 15,000 lb, and rough calculations suggest that the same total impulse could place at least 20,0001b (say, a 10MT warhead) in a "back door" 12,000-mile trajectory. The accuracy of re-entry and final impact should approximate to that achieved during manned orbits; with a time of roughly 50min from lift-off to impact, a pure inert ial system should be able to give an overall accuracy within five miles.
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