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Aviation History
1963
1963 - 0438.PDF
New static test tower for missiles and space vehicles at Vernon, Normandy (see news item on this page) Missiles and Spaceflight OSO IS ONE The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Orbiting Solar Observatory completed one year in orbit on March 7 with eleven of its thirteen experiments still working. The satellite's operating lifetime was originally estimated at six months. Built for NASA by Ball Brothers Research Corporation of Boulder, Colorado, OSO 1 is the first in a series of solar-observatory satellites which will study the Sun's weather, the Sun's composition, and Earth-Sun relationships. During its first year in operation it observed hundreds of solar flares, searched for extra-terrestrial gamma-ray sources, and acted as a materials laboratory for scientists working on the Apollo programme. NASA considers that OSO 1 is one of the most successful and most complicated satellites ever launched. The satellite control systems, which were out of action for several weeks last year, are still operating, and are keeping the satellite pointed at the Sun with an accuracy of ± lmin of arc. The telemetry and command systems are still working correctly, although operational efficiency has been compromised by the failure of two tape recorders aboard the spacecraft. Information can be received now only when the satellite is over a ground receiving station. The OSO satellite is one of those whose solar cells have been damaged by radiation from the US high-altitude nuclear test of July 9,1962. One of the major technological achievements in the OSO pro gramme has been the development of a lubricant which permits slip-rings, bearings and motor brushes to work for extended periods in the high vacuum of outer space. The vacuum-exposed, unsealed components aboard OSO 1 are still working without any measurable deterioration. RN Polaris Submarines The Royal Navy has confirmed its intention to purchase an initial batch of four nuclear-powered submarines armed with the Polaris A3 missile. Two will be ordered from Vickers-Armstrongs (Shipbuilders), of Barrow, and two from either Scott's, of Greenock, or Cammell Laird, of Birkenhead. 418 FLIGHT International, 21 March 1963 Little Joe II Programme The launch vehicle described on pages 419-420 first became the subject of a General Dynamics/Convair contract on May 17,1962. On February 20 last a definitive contract —the first to be signed for a major portion of the Apollo programme —was signed for four Little Joe lis, two launchers and supporting services, the total being $6.33m. First launch is due at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, in the middle of this year. Commands Transmitted to Mars 1 In a routine progress report on the flight of the Soviet spacecraft Mars 1 covering the period from February 20 to March 1, a Tass communique stated on March 2 that radio communication sessions had been held, and that "a series of control commands was transmitted to the station." The distance of the spacecraft from Earth on March 1 was quoted as 78,843,000km. Rest for Relay The National Aeronautics and Space Administra tion's Relay communication satellite resumed operation on March 13 after having been switched off by ground command on March 9 following a severe power drain. Between January 3 and March 9 the satellite had successfully conducted some 500 communication experiments and demonstrations. Sergeant in Europe The US Department of Defense announced on March 7 that the Sergeant ballistic missile will go into service with the US Army in Europe late this month. Vernon Expansion Gen Gaston Lavaud, French Director of Armament, opened the new static-test tower at Vernon, Normandy, on March 8. Some 150ft high, it can accept the largest French ballistic vehicles. Subliming Microrocket A contract to manufacture a new type of miniature rocket has been received by Rocket Research Corpora tion from the Goddard Space Flight Center of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The subliming solid micro- rocket is intended to produce tiny control forces for adjusting the direction of satellites after they have been placed in orbit. "A new kind of solid propellant is used, which can be turned on and off at will, and which does not require the usual complexity of ignition and combustion," states Dr George S. Sutherland, president of Rocket Research. "The low pressure of this system results in light weight, and its simplicity provides the necessary high reliability." Described above, the solid subliming microrocket evolved by Rocket Research Corporation, of Seattle, utilizes a subliming solid charge (in the white sphere) which can be vented through any of the four nozzles. Any number of control impulses can be imparted to a spacecraft by turning the four-way valve appropriately
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