Nimbus III, the fourth spacecraft in the Nimbus series was successfully launched from Space Launch Complex 2 EAST at the Western Test Range (WTR) by the thrust augmented Thor Agena at 0254 a.m. EST, on 14 April, 1969. The launch was originally scheduled for Friday 11 April, 1969. Countdown was initiated in parallel with an Air Force launch. When it became apparent that the Air Force vehicle would encounter no difficulties the Nimbus 82 launch was scrubbed and rescheduled for 12 April, 1969 EST. The second countdown proceeded until launch minus 18 minutes. At this time indication of a leak in the Agena D fuel system resulted in a hold and then a scrub. The exact nature of the leak was deter- mined the next day and the launch was rescheduled for 14 April 1969 EST. The final countdown began at 2:24 p.m. EST on 13 April 1969 and continued smoothly with no holds to launch. Separation of the spacecraft from the launch vehicle occurred at 0352 EST. The solar array subsystem was locked on the sun within 5.7 minutes after separation. All three control axes were stabilized in less than 7 minutes after separation. The pneumatics gas supply prior to launch was 13.8 lbs. and after separation and stabilization was 13.63 lbs.
Nimbus III Mission Post Launch Report No. 1
1969
17 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
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