Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1967 - NASA's History Office

ASTRONAUTICS AND AERONAUT1 October 19
dioxide and found ionospheric observations on daytime side indicated
electron density; dual-frequency radio propagation provided data on
Venus mass as 81.50% of earth’s mass, and astronomical unit deter-
mination agreed with radar computations; and ultraviolet photometer
found hydrogen corona comparable with that of earth, detected no
oxygen, and found night airglow to be very faint ultraviole emission
detected at dark limb of planet-probably result of chemic8 t reactions,
particle bombardment of electrical discharge. Spacecraft’s mission also
Was to accumulate data on interplanetary environment during period of
increased solar activity. After return to cruise mode, Mariner V would
resume report on interplanetary space weather. By end of November
1967, when earth was no longer in direction of high-gain antenna pat-
tern, communications would be terrninated ; however, three-month-dura-
tion communications would be poss?ble during next five years. (NASA
Proj Off; Wilford, NYT, 10/20/67, 1; Sullivan, NYT, 10/22/67, 12)
* Cone-shaped RAM C-1 spacecraft was successfully launched from NASA
Wallops Station by four-stage Scout booster at 1:33 pm, EDT. On ter-
mination of eight-minute ballistic flight, impact occurred 725 mi down-
range about 150 nm northeast of Bermuda. Spacecraft, 15 in long and
26 in in dia with 12-in-dis hemisphere nose, plunged back into earth‘s
atmosphere at 17,000 mph in flight test to study methods for preventing
loss of radio signals from reentering spacecraft. No recovery was
attempted.
NASA’s Project RAM (Radio Attenuation Measurement) was to meas-
ure effectiveness of water addition concept in maintaining communica-
tions during reentry. Additional experiments were also included to
evaluate X-band telemetry system as a means of overcoming blackout J
study plasma and ablation effects on antenna performance; measure
attenuation as a €unction of signal frequency; and obtain measurements
of ion densities in the flow field of the spacecraft in the presence of abla-
tion and water injection.
Water was injected at three points on spacecraft-on nose cap and on
each side-with nitrogen gas as pressurizing agent. Ion density changes,
due to varying amounts of water injection, were measured. X-band fre-
quency experiment showed blackout period of communications was
reduced by 6 sec, using water-injection method.
Series of Arcasonde meteorological rockets were launched from Ber-
muda before and after RAM C-1 experiment to collect upper atmosphere
density, temperature, and wind data. (NASA Proj Off; NASA Release 67-
261 ; WS Releases 67-33,67-34)
NASA Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched from WSMR reached 118-mi
(182-km) altitude in flight to observe profile of solar hydrogen Lyman-
alpha line and to measure radiation in relation to earth’s planetary hy-
drogen. Experiments performed satisfactorily, but range schedule delay
caused loss of coordination with Mariner V experiment. (NASA Rpt SRL)
NASA Arcas sounding rocket was launched from Barking Sands, Hawaii, to
36-mi (58-km) altitude, fifth in NOTS series of seven to measure incident
solar uv irradiance in support of Ogo ZV’s mission. Excellent data were
obtained. Rocket and payload performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL)
0 USAF F-111A aircraft crashed near Bowie, Texas; two crew members
ejected safely in detachable cockpit. According to General Dynamics
Corp. pilots David Thigpen and Max Gordon, aircraft had faulty hy-
draulic system which made maneuvering impossible. Crash was second
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