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Aviation History
1964
1964 - 0573.PDF
338 FUCHT International, 27 February Goddard Space Flight Center scientists Dr Joseph V. Fedor left) and Richard W. Forsythe examine a laboratory unit of the subliming solid control rocket being developed by Rocket Research Corporation (see "A Subliming Solid Control Rocket") Missiles and Spaceflight RECENT ORBITS The following list covers all artificial Earth satellites known to have been launched between January 1 and February 18,1964. It follows on from the "Recent orbits" feature in our January 9 issue. Orbital elements quoted refer to the initial orbit. January 11 1964-01. US Defense Department multiple launch from Vandenberg using a Thor Agena at 20.07 GMT. Orbit (01C and 01D) 906-937km (563-581 miles), inclination 69.88°, nodal period 103.48min. Estimated lifetime 500 years. Components 01 A, Agena (transmitting on 136.833Mc/s); 01B, GGSE (US Navy, transmitting on 136.319Mc/s), 01C, EGRS (US Army, transmitting on 136.8O3Mc/s; rectangular box); 01D, SR-5 (US Navy sphere, transmitting on 136.888Mc/s); 01E, satellite (136.833Mc/s). January 19 1964-02. USAF satellite launched by Thor Agena from Vandenberg at about 11.00 GMT. Orbit 8O8-84Okm (503- 522 miles), 99.02°, 101.35min. Estimated lifetime 100 years. Com- ponents 02A, Agena; 02B and 02C, fragments. January 21 1964-03. Relay 2 launched by NASA using a Thor Delta from Cape Kennedy at 21.15 GMT. Orbit 2,13O-7,38Okm (1,325-4,580 miles), 46.35°, 194.6min. Period (03B) 194.7min. Estimated lifetime indefinite. Components 03A, Relay 2 (octagonal prism 33in long, 29in dia, 1721b, transmitting on 136.620 and 136.14Mc/s); 03B, Altair rocket. January 25 1964-04. Echo 2 launched by NASA using a Thor Agena B from Vandenberg at 13.59 GMT. Orbit 1.030-1,320km (640-820 miles), 81.49°, 108.95min. Period (04B) 108.96min. Esti- mated lifetime (satellite) 100 years, (rocket) 3,000 years. Compo- nents 04A, Echo 2 (inflated 135ft sphere, 5651b, transmitting on 136.02 and 136.17Mc/s); 04B, Agena B rocket body; 04C, 04D and 04E, fragments. January 29 1964-05. Saturn I launched by NASA using SA-5 vehicle from Cape Kennedy at 16.25 GMT. Orbit 257-761km (162- 470 miles), 31.44°, 94.8min. Estimated lifetime 18 months. Only component 05A, Saturn I (cylinder about 84ft long, 21ft 5in max diam, 38,5001b, transmitting on 136.995Mc/s). January 30 1964-06. Elektron 1 and 2 launched from the Soviet Union at about 09.50 GMT. Orbit (06A) 406-7,100km (242-4,400 miles), 60.8°, 169.32min; orbit (06B) 450-67,950km (280-42,200 miles), 60.5°, l,346.6min. Estimated lifetime ten years. Com- ponents 06A, Elektron 1; 06B, Elektron 2. January 30 1964-07. Ranger 6 launched by NASA using an Atlas Agena B from Cape Kennedy at 15.49 GMT. Lunar trajec- tory; hit Moon 30 miles south of Ross crater at 09hr 24min 33sec on February 2. Flight time 65hr 35min. Components 07A, Rant 6; 07B, Agena B rocket. February 15 1964-08. USAF satellite launched by Thor Agena from Vandenberg at about 21.42hr GMT. Orbit 190-450km (118-280 miles), 75.05°, 90.9min. Estimated lifetime three weeks. Only Component 08A, Agena satellite. Four major satellites have decayed in the Earth's atmosphere recently. They are: Agena D (1963-42A) on 21 January (lifetime 84 days); Cosmos 24 (1963-52A) on December 28 (9 days); Cosmos 24 rocket (1963-52B) on January 25 (37 days); and Agena 1963-55A on January 8(18 days). OPERATIONAL WEATHER SATELLITES An agreement to develop a US National Operational Meteorological Satellite System (NOMSS) has been signed by the US Secretary of Commerce, Mr Luther H. Hodges, and NASA Administrator James E. Webb. The system will be based on Tiros satellite tech- nology and is expected to be in operation in 1965. It involves a change in the planned respective responsibilities of the two agencies which, it is estimated, will save approximately f 125m over a five- year period. Under the new agreement NASA will develop the spacecraft to specifications and requirements established by the US Weather Bureau, which will operate the system as part of the National Meteorological Service to meet both military and civilian needs. The Weather Bureau will determine the schedule of launches, and the information to be gathered by the satellite instruments. Once NASA has placed the satellites in orbit, the Bureau will operate and control the system and will analyse, process and distribute the data. Design, procurement, testing, launching and tracking of the satellites will be carried out by NASA for the Weather Bureau. NASA will also continue its research and development on the new satellite technology to permit improvement and eventual replacement of this first operational system. A Subliming Solid Control Rocket for satellites and other spacecraft is being developed by Rocket Research Corporation for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. The rocket uses a solid propellant which sublimes, changing from solid to gas, when thrust is needed for the spacecraft. Since no ignition or combustion is involved, high-temperature problems are avoided, and the storage of the propellant as a solid under very low pressure results in a reduction in total control system weight to about one-half of that of current control systems using high-pressure nitrogen gas. Saturn Guidance Equipment worth over $25m is to be supplied to NASA by the Eclipse-Pioneer Division of the Bendix Corporation. A cost-plus-incentive-fee type contract now being negotiated will cover 29 stabilization platforms for Saturn IB and V launch vehicle guidance systems; engineering services for design and documenta- tion for the inertial reference unit; spare major components; design and manufacture of test equipment and field support service. The platform systems, designated ST-124-M, are modifications of the Bendix ST-124 systems used in the Saturn I. Major modifications include a change in the platform gimbal arrangement and addition of two new assemblies, an inertial reference unit and gyro electronic package. The gimbal change is expected to make it possible to complete most of the scheduled Saturn missions with a three- gimbal platform configuration, resulting in a simpler system and reduced weight and cost. Large Launchers Studied NASA has signed a $1,499,111 contract with the Baltimore Division of the Martin Company for a one-year study of a large launch vehicle. The study is the second part of the overall vehicle definition and preliminary design programme. The first part was performed by Martin and General Dynamics/ Astronautics under contracts granted in August 1962. These studies are directed by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and, accord- ing to NASA, "are aimed at developing information for use some time in the future when the decision is made to build a space vehicle larger and more powerful than those now being built."
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