Orbiting Astronomical Observatory

Fifty years ago, on December 7, 1968, that idea culminated in NASA’s launch of the first successful space-based observatory: the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, or OAO-2.

After examining data transmitted from OAO-II, its second Orbiting Astronomical Observatory�which is still functioning effectively after a year in space �NASA this month declared that "astronomers are contemplating the possibility that the universe may be several times larger than previously believed."

NASA's apparent error in cosmological calculations in no way detracts from the splendid performance of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory.

At full blast, Saturn will ride on a 1,500,000?lb. push, making it the basic vehicle for Von Braun's hopeful space-flight timetable: 1960, first suborbital astronaut flight; 1961, manned orbital flight and a moon shot with scientific payload; 1962, first space probe in the vicinity of Mars and/or Venus; 1963-64, controlled landing on the moon and an orbiting astronomical observatory; 1964, unmanned lunar circumnavigation and first launching of a three-stage Saturn; 1965-67, beginning of manned circumlunar program and establishment of a permanent space station; after 1970, manned flight to the moon.

The fresh view of the universe was made possible by the successful launching of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, which began probing the heavens with eleven telescopes while circling the earth in a 480-mile-high orbit�well above the confining atmosphere.