FlightGlobal.com
Home
Premium
Archive
Video
Images
Forum
Atlas
Blogs
Jobs
Shop
RSS
Email Newsletters
You are in:
Home
Aviation History
1963
1963 - 2209.PDF
1010 FLIGHT International, 19 December 1963 Missiles and Spaceflight BLUE STREAK PROGRESS A successful 20sec static firing of the DA model of the Blue Streak rocket stage at Lake Hart, Woomera, on December 10 marked the completion of compatibility tests of the ground installations at the European Launcher Development Organization's launch pad at the Australian range. This test firing was stated to have taken place "within a few days of the date originally scheduled for the event more than a year ago." Meanwhile, in the United Kingdom, preparations were being made for the shipment to Australia of the first flight model Blue Streak, designated F.l, which completed its final static firing at Spadeadam on November 20. First flight is scheduled for April 1964 at Woomera. RECENT ORBITS The following list covers all artificial Earth satellites known to have been launched between October 19 and December 10. It follows on from the "Recent Orbits" list in our October 31 issue. Orbital elements quoted normally refer to the initial orbit. October 25 1963-41. USAF satellite launched by Atlas Agena from Point Arguello at about 19.07 GMT. Orbit 145-335km (90-208 miles), 99.05°, 89.0min. Decayed October 29, lifetime 4 days. Components 41A, Agena; 41B, C and D, fragments. October 29 1963-42. USAF satellite launched by Thor Agena from Vandenberg at about 21.15 GMT. Orbit 280-350km (175-217 miles), 89.95°, 90.9min. Estimated lifetime 2 months. Compon ents 42A, Agena; 42B and C, fragments. November 1 1963-43. Polyot 1, launched from the Soviet Union at 08.56 GMT. Initial orbit 339-592km (211-368 miles), inclination unknown, 94.0min. Orbit after manoeuvres 343-1,437km (213-893 miles), 58.92°, 102.46min. Rocket's orbit 335-1,410km (208-875 miles), 58.9°, 102.13min. Estimated lifetime satellite four years, rocket 1J years. Components 43A, satellite (transmitting on 19.945Mc/s); 43B, rocket body; 43C and D, fragments. November 11 1963-44. Cosmos 21, launched from the Soviet Union at about 07.00 GMT. Orbit 195-229km (121-142 miles), 64.80°, 88.5min. Satellite decayed November 14, lifetime three days; rocket decayed November 12, lifetime 2 days. Components 44A, satellite (transmitting frequency unknown); 44B, rocket body. November 16 1963-45. Cosmos 22, launched from the Soviet Union at about 10.47 GMT. Orbit 203-374km (126-232 miles), 64.91°, 90.36min. Satellite decayed November 22, lifetime 6 days; rocket decayed December 3, lifetime 17 days. Components 45A, satellite (transmitting on 19.995Mc/s); 45B, rocket body. November 27 1963-46. Explorer 18 (Interplanetary Monitoring Platform 1) launched by NASA using Thor Delta from Cape Kennedy at 02.30 GMT. Orbit 200-260,000km (124-162,000 miles), 33.3°, 9,165min (152fhr). Estimated lifetime several years. Com ponents 46A, Explorer 18 (transmitting on 136.1 lOMc/s); and Altair rocket body. November 27 1963-47. Centaur 2, launched by NASA using Atlas Centaur 2 from Cape Kennedy at about 19.00 GMT. Orbit 490-l,750km (305-1,085 miles), 30.35°, 107imin. Estimated lifetime 5 years. Components 47A, Centaur; 47B and C, fragments. November 27 1963-48. USAF satellite launched by Thor Agena from Vandenberg at about 21.20 GMT. Orbit 185-310km (115-192 miles), 69.63°, 90.08min. Estimated lifetime 2 weeks. Only component 48A, Agena. December 5 1963-49. DOD launch by Thor Ablestar from Vandenberg at about 21.55 GMT. Orbit l,055-l,085km (655-675 miles), 89.97°, 106,8min. Estimated lifetime several thousand years. Components 49A, B and C. Ablestar rocket in orbit also. Several major satellites have decayed in the Earth's atmosphere in recent months: they are Agena 1963-35A on November 7 (lifetime 43 days); Agena 1962 Omega 1 on October 30 (498 days); Agena 1962 Sigma 1 on November 26 (560 days); Explorer 17 rocket (1963-9B) on November 24 (236 days); Cosmos 20 (1963-40A) on October 28 or 29 (11 days); Cosmos 20 rocket (1963-40B) on October 30 (13 days). The two Vela Hotel satellites launched on October 17 (see 13W »*£ UI8INSS MSiuriM mm < t»j Till in nu M TIM TIEI mm iij mmm mm $t i rmisr: T Hi » ENSUES (1) is x mmm mm uct 111 MUKI ENSUES III |$5 I Ha Configuration of Centaur vehicle launched by NASA on November 27 (see "Centaur Orbit") 1963-39 in previous "Recent Orbits") have been injected from the elliptical transfer orbit into high circular ones: Vela 1 99,300- 115,800km (61,680-71,900 miles), 6,408min (106.8hr); Vela 100,200-116,800km (62,300-72,550 miles), 6,486min (108.1hr). The orbital inclination for both is 38.0°. Centaur Orbit Observed orbit of the second stage of the Centaur launch vehicle launched from Cape Kennedy on November 27 was stated by NASA on November 29 to have an apogee of 1,050 miles, perigee of 340 miles, orbital period 108min and angle of inclination 30°. Orbital information is based on the Smithsonian Baker-Nunn camera network, "since a tracking beacon on the second stage is no longer operating." On December 4 NASA an nounced that "several objects varying in size" had been observed by the Smithsonian camera network in the vicinity of the second stage of the Centaur vehicle in orbit. It was believed that these were insula tion panels and the nose fairing of the Centaur stage, which had become separated when the stage began to tumble because of the venting of gaseous hydrogen after control of the vehicle's attitude had been discontinued. In its forthcoming lunar missions, the Centaur vehicle will have its nose fairing and insulation panels jettisoned shortly after the vehicle leaves the Earth's atmosphere on its direct ascent to the Moon. Explorer 18 Orbit was stated by NASA on November 29 to have an apogee of 122,800 miles, perigee of 120 miles, orbital period of about four days and angle of inclination 33.3°. The apogee appeared to be below original estimates, but "well within the parameters needed for a successful mission." The satellite was launched b> Delta from Cape Kennedy on November 26. Systems aboard Explorer 17, according to a NASA statement on December 4, appeared to be functioning as planned. The satellite reached its second apogee of 122,800 miles at 3 a.m. on November 30. Second Atomic-powered Satellite to be launched by the USA wa reported by the Atomic Energy Commission on December 9 to be working well. The Commission said that the satellite had been launched by the US Air Force "recently" from California, and was transmitting signals to Earth using electricity produced by SNAP-9A radio-iosotope generator. The first US satellite to be powered in this manner, as reported in our October 10 issue, wa an earlier USAF satellite, details of which were announced by t» AEC on September 30.
Sign up to
Flight Digital Magazine
Flight Print Magazine
Airline Business Magazine
E-newsletters
RSS
Events
