Decree 'On appointment of S. P. Korolev as Chief of Department No. 3 of NII-88 SKB' was issued. References: 474 .

Rocket performance test. Launched at 1540 local time. Reached 75.7 km.

First successful launching of NACA Langley's PARD of an underslung or "piggyback" rocket booster system, at Wallops Island, Va. References: 17 .

Second covert Argus launch to study effect of nuclear explosions on the Van Allen radiation belts. The launch location was 49.5 deg South, 8.2 deg West; altitude reached 294 km; yield of the nuclear warhead, 1.7 kilotons.

Decree 866-361 'On the Status of Cosmonauts--medical requirements for cosmonauts' was issued. References: 474 .

The Goddard Space Flight Center GSFC conducted its industry conference in Washington, D.C., presenting details of GSFC projects, current and future. The objectives of the proposed six-month feasibility contracts for an advanced manned spacecraft were announced. Additional Details: Industry briefing on feasibility studies for the Apollo spacecraft. References: 16 .

An investigation was conducted as a result of the premature activation of the Mercury-Redstone 4 (MR-4) explosive egress hatch. Tests were initiated in an environment more severe than had been conducted in prelaunch activities and tests, but no premature firings occurred. As a backup, McDonnell was asked to design a mechanical-type hatch. The model weighed some 60 pounds more than the explosive type, so other methods had to be sought to prevent any recurrence of the incident. A procedure was initiated which stipulated that the firing plunger safety pin would be left in place until the helicopter hook was attached to the spacecraft and tension was applied to the recovery cable. References: 483 .

Silo launch

KH-3; film capsule recovered 2.1 days later. First use of KH-3 camera system. All frames out of focus. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

NASA Associate Administrator Robert C. Seamans, Jr., approved the Lunar Orbiter program. Objectives of the program were reconnaissance of the moon's topography, investigation of its environment, and collection of selenodetic information.

The document called for five flight and three test articles. The Lunar Orbiter spacecraft would be capable of photographing the moon from a distance of 22 miles above the surface. Overall cost of the program was estimated at between $150 and $200 million. References: 16 .

Decree 'On formation of NIIP-53 at Angara' was issued. References: 474 .

Washington-to-Moscow “hot line” communications link opens, designed to reduce risk of accidental war

Maximum Speed - 5701 kph. Maximum Altitude - 30540 m. References: 38 , 49 , 97 .

Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .

Guidelines were issued by NASA Hq for release, disposition, and storage of all unneeded Skylab Program equipment. Two Saturn Vs, two Saturn IBs, three command and service modules, the backup Skylab cluster, and appropriate spares would be placed in minimum cost storage as soon as program requirements permitted.

Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. Operation of a system of long range telephone-telegraph radiocommunication, and transmission of USSR Central Television programmes to the stations of the Orbita network. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite; returned film capsule; separated capsule. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .

Area survey photo reconnaissance satellite. References: 279 .

Astronomical Netherlands Satellite; lower than planned orbit. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Maximum Altitude - 500 km. References: 98 .

Continued operation of the long-range telephone and telegraph radio-communication system; transmission of USSR central television programmes to stations in the Orbita network and international cooperation. Uncertain if Molniya-1T model was Molniya-1 or Molniya-1T. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

The Soviet Su-15 fighter had tracked the airliner for two hours; all 269 aboard are killed, including 61 Americans

Released from STS 8 8/31/83; also carried transponders for domestic communications. Operational multipurpose satellite for telecommunications, meteorological imaging and data relay, radio and television programme distribution and direct television broadcasting for community reception. Geostationary longitude 74.0 +/ - 0.1 deg E. Deployment from US Space Transportation System flight no 8, orbiter Challenger, on 31 Aug 1983. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

First night launch and night landing. Deployed Insat 1B. Payloads: Deployment of INSAT (lndia communica-tion satellite) with Payload Assist Module (PAM)-D, Payload Flight Test Article (PFTA)/ Payload Deployment Retrieval System (PDRS), Continuous Flow Electrophoresis (CFES), biomedical experiments. 250,000 express mail envelopes with special cachet for U.S. Postal Service were carried for a first-day cover. Additional Details: STS-8. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 33 .

3rd generation, high resolution photo surveillance; film capsule; maneuverable. Investigation of the natural resources of the earth in the interests of various branches of the national economy of the USSR and international cooperation. References: 1 , 2 , 6 .

Manned six crew. First flight of space shuttle Discovery; deployed SBS 4, Leasat 1, Telstar 3C. Payloads: Satellite Business System (SBS)-D commu-nications satellite with Payload Assist Module (PAM)-D deployment, Syncom IV-2 communica-tions satellite with its unique stage deployment, Telstar (American Telephone and Telegraph) 3-C with PAM-D deployment, Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST)-1 experiments. Deployment and restowing of large solar array. Continuous Flow Electrophoresis (CFES). IMAX camera. Additional Details: STS-41-D. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 33 .

Released from STS 41D 8/31/84; 101 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Released from STS 41D 8/31/84; 105 deg W; leased to U.S. government. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Released from STS 41D 9/1/84; stationed at 125 deg W. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Covered Oko constellation plane 3 - 355 degree longitude of ascending node. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 , 100 .

UK military communications; 1 deg W. United Kingdom military communications satellite. Owner/operator: UK Ministry of Defence. Expected operational life 10 years. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Stationed at 13 deg E. Telecommunications satellite. Registered by France in ST/SG/SER.E/234 and 239 until EUTELSAT can register the satellite. EUTELSAT is the European Telecommunications Satellite Organization. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

X-ray imaging of Sun. References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Global Positioning SYstem. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C). References: 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 .

Ministry of Defence authorizes work to start on Angara launch vehicle. Angara will replace Zenit (built in Ukraine) and Proton as future Russian medium launch vehicle, launched from Plesetsk and Svobodny. References: 42 .

Stationed at 80 deg E. Relaying of telegraph and telephone information. References: 2 , 5 , 6 , 67 , 274 .

The first burn of the Proton's Block DM3 put the spacecraft into a 220 x 36,007 km x 51.6 deg transfer orbit. Astra 2A satellite was a Hughes HS-601, owned by Societe Europeene de Satellites, based in Luxembourg. Luxembourg has not registered any of the Astra satellites with the United Nations, in violation of treaty requirements. Geostationary at 28.3 degrees E. Used HS-601 XIPS ion engine for station keeping.