Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1967 - NASA's History Office

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUTICS, 1967 May 16
* Twenty-sixth meeting of Interim Communications Satellite Committee
( ICSC) -17-member governing body of International Telecommunica-
tions satellite consortium ( INTELSAT) -accepted invitation of Japan
to meet in Tokyo, May 18-23. Comsatcorp, representing U.S. in INTEL-
SAT and acting as its manager, announced that international participa-
tion had expanded from 13 countries in 1964 (when interim agreements
were opened for signature) to 56 countries that now account for more
than 95% of world’s commercial communications. Tokyo meeting would
be first to be held in Asia, and was second time ICSC had convened away
from headquarters offices in Washington, D.C., Paris having been site
of meeting in July 1965.
* ComSatCorp announcement summarized commercial satellite communica-
tions in operation around the world: Early Bird Z (INTELSAT I series)
launched April 6, 1965, and Atlantic ZZ (INTELSAT 11 series) launched
March 22, 1967, linking North America and Europe; and Lani Bird IZ
(INTELSAT 11 series) launched Jan. 11, 1967, linking US. and Hawaii,
Japan, and Australia. Fabrication had been started in 1966 on advanced
satellites in INTEISAT m series that would have five times the communica-
tions capability of Early Bird I. ComSatCorp reported that these latest
satellites would be launched beginning in 1968 to expand communica-
tions system to global capability. As to ground facilities, 14 earth sta-
tions were now operating in countries with more than 40 planned for
by the end of 1969. (ComSatCorp Release)
SST program recommended by the Johnson Administration could seriously
weaken the Nation’s balance of payments, Institute for Defense Analyses
(IDA) concluded in report prepared for and released by FAA. Report
said gains from foreign sales of SST would be more than offset by a large
increase in US. tourist spending abroad as well as by a reduction in
sales of subsonic U.S. aircraft. IDA study was one of four reports com-
missioned by FAA for $633,000 but withheld pending President John-
son’s decision to proceed with Phase I11 (prototype construction) of
SST program [see April 291.
New York Times later commented: T he very fact that there can be
no certainty about the sales prospects for the SST or its impact on the bal-
ance of payments argues for a deliberate and conservative approach in
financing it. Statements based on hope and supersalesmanship are con-
siderably less convincing than the hard facts of supersonic economics.
The SST is supposed to be a commercial venture. It should meet com-
mercial standards of investment.” (Lardner, W Post, 5/17/67, C1;
NYT, 5/21/67, E12)
May 17: NASA Argo D-4, (Javelin) sounding rocket launched from NASA
Wallops Station carried Syracuse Univ. Research Corp. payload con-
taining vacuum-ion chamber to 625-mi (1,006-km) altitude on flight to
measure ion densities in the upper atmosphere. Telemetry signal was
received for 18 min. (NASA Rpt SRL)
* NASA test pilot William H. Dana flew X-15 No. 1 to 3,205 mph (mach 4.84.)
and 71,0001-ft altitude in flight at Edwards AFB. Purposes of test: (1)
PCM system checkout; (2) measurement of coldwall heat transfer; (3)
measurement of step panel heat transfer; (4) boost guidance checkout;
(5) energy management checkout; (6) check of tip-pod accelerometer ;
(7) sonic boom study; and (8) study of horizontal tail loads. (X-15
Proj Off)
* U.S.S.R. successfully launched two Cosmos satellites : Cosmos CLZX entered
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