FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1963
1963 - 1028.PDF
FLIGHT International, 20 June 1963 fXPERIMENTS FOR UK-3 The scientific experiments to be carried aboard the UK-3 satellite vhen it is launched by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in about four years' time will be chosen (by the Royal Society's National Committee on Space Research) from the following five proposals:— (1) Measurement of vertical distribution of molecular oxygen in the Earth's atmosphere—Meteorological Office, Bracknell (DrR. Frith). i 2) Mapping large-scale radio noise sources in the galaxy—Mullard Radio Astronomy Laboratories, Cambridge University (Dr F. G. Smith). (3) Satellite investigations of very low frequency radiation— Sheffield University (Dr T. R. Kaiser). (4) Continuous measurement of ionisation density and temper ature—Birmingham University (Prof J. Sayers). (5) Measurement of radio noise from terrestrial sources—Radio Research Station (Mr J. A. Ratcliffe, FRS). NEW ZEALAND ROCKET LAUNCH A joint space programme by the New Zealand National Space Research Committee and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration was inaugurated on May 23 with the launch of an Areas sounding rocket from Birdling's Flat on Canterbury Plains, New Zealand. The purpose of the experiment was to measure the electrical characteristics of the lower ionosphere. The rocket payload was designed and built in New Zealand under the direction of Dr John B. Gregory of the University of Canter bury. The RNZAF assisted by assembling and launching the rocket. The joint programme will include two further launchings of Areas rockets, which will carry additional equipment in order to make simultaneous meteorological measurements as well as further electrical investigations. WHEEL-TYPE TIROS A detailed engineering evaluation is being made to decide whether NASA's Tiros meteorological satellite can be modified to increase its ability to take pictures of the Earth's cloud cover. The Astro- Electronics Division of the Radio Corporation of America at Princeton is carrying out this work under contract to NASA. RCA will evaluate modification of the Tiros into what is called a "wheel configuration." Under this concept, two television cameras would be mounted so that they point in opposite direc tions through the side rather than through the bottom of the satellite. The modified Tiros could then be launched into a 400- mile polar orbit spinning on its side like a wheel. Since the side of the spinning satellite would be pointed towards the Earth at all times, such a system, turning at 12 r.p.m., could provide one television cloud-cover picture every three seconds. Complete Earth coverage could be obtained every three days by the "wheel" Tiros. Present Tiros satellites are spin-stabilized and space-oriented, which results in their cameras pointing towards the Earth with proper Sun illumination only about 25 per cent of the time. Tiros has also been limited in picture coverage because of the angle of its orbital inclination. The wheel configuration would theoretically overcome some of these limitations. 997 During a visit to de Havilland Aircraft Co at Hatfield on June 7, the Duke of Edinburgh was shown the business end of a 8/ue Streak stage by Mr C. C. Williams SHRIKE DEMONSTRATED The Shrike air-launched missile—first in a new generation of tactical weapons designed for "brushfire" warfare—was displayed and fired in public on June 7 at the US Naval Ordnance Test Station at China Lake, Calif, where it was developed. It was fired as part of a weapons firepower demonstration before President Kennedy. Shrike is an anti-radiation missile having a homing capability against radar installations (and is for this reason named after a small and quick-darting bird that attacks the eyes of its enemies). With its sensitive all-electronic detection, guidance and control system, the small Shrike will give fleet carrier fighter and attack air craft a new attack capability against heavily defended tactical areas, combined with a reduction in aircraft vulnerability under opera tional conditions. Shrike was developed by NOTS for the Bureau of Naval Wea pons, and is expected to become a major tactical weapon, perhaps with all US Services. Engineering and manufacturing support was provided by the Apparatus division of Texas Instruments Inc, and solid-fuel propulsion support was provided by the Rocketdyne division of North American Aviation. TI's broad electronic and electromechanical background is being utilized in its role as prime electronics contractor. Following a successful static and flight test programme, the firm was recently awarded a contract to begin production of a limited quantity of guidance, control and airframe assemblies for the weapon. This work is being carried out in TFs present Dallas, Texas, facilities, but later production will be con ducted in a portion of a new 435,000 sq ft building. Aerodynamically related to the Sparrow family of air-to-air missiles, the Shrike air-to- surface tactical weapon was developed for the US Navy by the Naval Ordnance Test Station at China Lake (see "Shrike Demonstrated")
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
