February 1980:milestones

October 1979

17 Reports from Far East suggest that China is preparing to test an operational version of the CSS-X-4 intercontinental ballistic missile. Western observers believe that a prototype of the CSS-X-4 was responsible for launching China's recoverable observation satellites. A third stage employing liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen propellants is being developed as a means of up-rating this vehicle.

24 Resumption of clustered Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) testing at the National Space Technology Laboratories, following July malfunction, is postponed for two weeks after discovery of “a small hydrogen leak" in the plumbing between the aft end of the simulated Orbiter and the SSME’s.The previous delay followed a “fatigue failure" in the main fuel valve of one engine.

30 NASA launches 181 kg Magsat by four-stage Scout from Vandenberg AFB,California, into orbit of 355 x 562 km inclined at 96.8 deg to equator; period 93.82 min. Object is to measure the Earth's near-surface magnetic fields and,indirectly, crustal features related to earthquakes and mineral deposits.

November 1979

4 A scheduled 510-second static firing of the Space Shuttle Main Propulsion System test article ends after 9 seconds at the National Space Technology Laboratories: An automatic cut-off of the three-engine cluster was commanded when a sensor detected excessive pressure in a seal cavity of the high-pressure oxygen pump of engine no. 3. Subsequently, engine no. 1 was damaged during the cut-off sequence. According to NASA, “the damage resulted when a hydrogen line ruptured near the base of the engine nozzle. The line carries hydrogen through the nozzle for cooling purposes before it enters the combustion chamber. The rupture resulted in a hotter-than-normal ‘oxygen-rich’ combustion which is likely to have caused substantial damage to the engine interior.”

5 Mr. L. Michael Weeks, General Electric Company executive, becomes Deputy Associate Administrator for Space Transportation Systems Acquisitions at NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. “In this position" (says the NASA Associate Administrator) “he will play a key role in the development and acquisition of NASA’s Space Transportation System, including the space shuttle, its upper stages, associated ground facilities and equipment and systems improvements."

8 Reported in Washington that NASA has informed Congress that chances of Space Shuttle "Columbia” being launched in 1980 are: April, 10 %; July, 50 %; September, 90%.

15 NASA announces that testing of the Space Shuttle main propulsion system will resume about 14 December using a different nozzle from the one which suffered the ruptured hydrogen line.