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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 0495.PDF
304 FLIGHT International, 20 February 1964 Missiles and Spaceflight stabilized, for the first time, by utilizing gravity-gradient techniques. Also, the first satellites entirely powered by nuclear energy were placed in orbit. With the launch of two identical satellites in the fall of this year, significant steps were taken toward the development of the equipment and techniques for the detection of nuclear tests in space by satellite-borne instruments. The feasibility of voice, teletype, and high-speed digital communications by passive relay via a belt of orbiting dipoles was successfully demonstrated. On the other hand rendezvous with, and inspection of, unidentified satellites still appears technically difficult and there still remain unanswered questions regarding the technical feasibility, complexity and cost-effectiveness of a spaceborne ballistic missile alarm system. Communication Satellites The immediate objective of the Defense Communications Satellite Programme (DCSP), as reoriented by the Secretary of Defense in May 1962, is to provide a worldwide communications system utilizing active medium-altitude random- spaced satellites in polar orbits, with ground stations so located as to satisfy the operational requirements of the Defense Communi- cations System. Under the integrating direction of the Defense Communications Agency, the Air Force has responsibility for the satellites and launch vehicles and the Army is responsible for the surface environment to be comprised of fixed and transportable terminals. In January 1963 a request for proposals for the programme definition phase of the Medium-altitude Communication Satellite Development Programme was distributed to 36 potential contractors. Seven contractors responded. The names of the two successful bidders were released on May 13, 1963. The purpose of the pro- gramme definition phase was to determine feasibility and accept- ability of continuing with the development programme. The study was completed on July 30, 1963. The medium-altitude system would involve four series of six to eight satellites, weighing approximately 1001b each, in random polar orbits. Approximately 24 satellites in four orbital planes, spaced 45° apart, will provide global communication coverage. Initial launches will employ spin-stabilized satellites. Studies are now being conducted on the feasibility of phasing-in gravity- gradient stabilized satellites at a later date. Inspector Work continued this year on various aspects of the satellite inspection problems. DOD/NASA detailed plans for performance of selected experiments on Gemini flights are nearing completion. Conceptual preliminary design studies are under way to define a spacecraft capable of co-orbital inspection of non- co-operative satellites. Further efforts toward an unmanned proto- type co-orbital demonstration have been suspended pending the completion of those studies. ICBM Alarm The objective of this programme is the research and development of a space-based attack alarm system intended to maintain continuous surveillance over ballistic missile launches on a global basis. Such a system would consist of unmanned satellites carrying infra-red sensors which can detect ballistic missiles in powered flights as they emerge from the atmosphere. During 1963, several technical advances were made in furthering this development as the flight test programme was directed toward the actual detection of live ballistic missile launches. Two flights were conducted on which a number of in-space detections were made of both liquid-fuelled and solid-fuelled ICBM launches from the Atlantic Missile Range and the Pacific Missile Range. Hydra Launch Technique The Hydra technique involves the launch of rockets from the sea by appropriately water-proofing the missile, floating it vertically like a spar buoy and initiating under- water ignition. During the past year development tests have been completed for the Hydra concept application to high-altitude rocket probes. Standard land-launched and air-launched missiles have been modified and successfully fired from a floating position to carry instrumentation packages for the Lawrence Radiation Laboratory to altitudes of over a hundred miles. The attractiveness to this application of Hydra involves the very large flexibility in the selec- tion of launch locations for obtaining synoptic information on the Earth's atmosphere and near-space environment. Space Technology Satellites The Air Force continued with an active launch programme of space technology satellites during 1963. m NASA Administrator James E. Webb (centre) testified before the House Space Committee on February 4 that, if the requested $5,300,000,000 space budget were cut, it would not be possible to make a manned lunar landing in this decade. Left, NASA Deputy Administrator Dr Hugh L Dryden; right. Associate Administrator Dr Robert Seamans Propulsion, guidance systems and components used in various US space projects were tested in a space environment. The data were obtained from telemetry and through recovery of the capsules. During 1963 the total payload capability was somewhat increased through the use of an improved booster. However, the increment of payload capacity available for scientific experiments was less than in previous years. A total of 12 experiments was carried out in 1963 on micrometeorite detection, cosmic radiation, ionization density and galactic radio noise. In addition, 20 packs of sensitive materials such as emulsions and metal transmutation samples were carried on recoverable vehicles for determination of particle radiation energies and total radiation doses received in the orbits of the space- craft. Throughout 1963, results of experiments flown in 1962 con- tinued to be analysed. Four experiments on ionization density flown on space technology satellites in 1962 have yielded unique data on electron fine structure in the auroral regions. Starad The Starad Air Force special radiation measuring satellite launched in October 1962 continued to function until January 1963, fulfilling its designated lifetime to within six days. The data on electron and proton energies, fluxes and directional variation continue to be analysed. Five scientific papers from the data have been published. The information from this satellite has been an invaluable contribution to the knowledge of the radiation effects from the high-altitide weapon test of July 9, 1962. Radiation Monitoring Satellite A radiation monitoring satellite was launched from an Air Force space technology satellite while in flight in July 1963. This sub-satellite powered itself into an indepen- dent polar orbit of 180 x 2,240 n.m. and carried a payload to measure magnetically trapped electrons and protons at all signi- ficant energy levels. The sub-satellite yielded stored data read-out on two full orbits each day until September 1963 when the stored data read-out system failed. Since then the data have been read-out on real-time. All instruments have functioned perfectly and the data are of unprecedented high quality and resolution. Preliminary results of analysis show new relations between solar flares and low energy particles in the space plasma. Also, for low energy electrons and high energy protons, there seems to be no clear zone of separ- ation between the inner and outer Van Allen belts, but rather only a gradual transition. Geophysical Research Satellites An Air Force geophysical research satellite was launched using a Scout booster from the NASA Wallops Island Station in June 1963. This small research satellite orbited between 260 and 800 miles, and operated perfectly until telemetering was lost on the 13th orbit. The experiments consisted of a mass spectrometer sensitive to atoms and molecules of all weights from atomic hydrogen to molecular oxygen for the determination of space gas composition, and a retarding potential analyser sensitive to photoelectrons up to 50 electron volts, positive ions up to 20 electron volts, and free electrons up to 30 electron volts. The data are in process of analysis and are regarded as especially valuable because of their clarity, the orbit dimension, and the day-night transition region collection process.
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