Categories
Communications Science & Technology Television

Videotape

Ampex VRX-1000 VTRAt the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) convention in Chicago, Ampex demonstrates the first commercially-available videotape deck, the Ampex VRX-1000 Quad VTR, using two-inch-wide open-reel videotape, in spools with a 14-inch diameter, to record and play back up to an hour of television programming. Over the next four days, Ampex receives orders from broadcasters totaling over two million dollars. CBS will give the VRX-1000 its first national on-air use in November, tape-delaying a newscast to its stations on the west coast, allowing the first broadcast of a single program at the same hour in different time zones. NBC will also have the VRX-1000 in use at the beginning of 1957. A newer model capable of recording and playing back programming in full color will become available in 1958. Though it does not record at the same resolution as film, the relative ease of use of videotape will see it replace kinescope film in most TV operations.

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Apollo Crewed Spaceflight Orion Space Shuttle

Vehicle Assembly Building open for business

Vehicle Assembly BuildingNASA’s massive Vehicle Assembly Building is completed at the spaceport rapidly taking shape on Cape Canaveral ahead of the Apollo lunar missions. Topped off at a total cost of $117,000,000, the VAB is where Saturn V rockets are assembled for the Apollo moonshots, and the huge, eight-acre building will later transition to the assembly of the Space Shuttle launch system elements and the Space Launch System boosters for the 21st century Orion program.

Categories
Science & Technology Uncrewed Spaceflight Weather & Climate

Nimbus 3

NimbusNASA launches the Nimbus 3 satellite, designed to observe weather patterns from orbit and test new weather and climate detection technologies. Nimbus 3 is the first Earth-orbiting spacecraft to test the SNAP-19 radioisotope thermoelectric generator system; devices similar to the SNAP-19 will become the primary power source for later deep space and outer solar system interplanetary missions. Nimbus 3 loses attitude control in 1970, but is kept online for engineering information-gathering purposes until 1972.

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Columbia Crewed Spaceflight Space Shuttle

Columbia returns from orbit

ColumbiaThe first shuttle to return from space, Columbia touches down on the dry lake bed strip at Edwards Air Force Base in California, two days and six hours after liftoff (and after putting a cool million miles on the odometer). The aerodynamics involved in gliding after re-entry are found to be trickier than the previous test landings of the Enterprise. Inspection of the thermal tiles lining the shuttle’s belly reveals more damage than expected, and NASA begins working to refine the process of fitting the tiles to the shuttle.

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Television

The Outer Limits: The Second Soul

The Outer LimitsPremium cable channel Showtime airs the fourth episode of The Outer Limits, a revival of Leslie Stevens’ 1960s science fiction anthology series. D.W. Moffett and Rae Dawn Chong guest star in an episode written by Alan Brennert.

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Television

VR.5: Facing The Fire

VR.5The sixth episode of the science fiction series VR.5 airs on Fox, starring Lori Singer (Fame), Michael Easton (Total Recall 2070), and Anthony Stewart Head (Buffy The Vampire Slayer). Neal McDonough (Legends Of Tomorrow, Star Trek: First Contact) guest stars.

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Television

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Angel

Buffy The Vampire SlayerThe seventh episode of Joss Whedon’s trend-setting supernatural series Buffy The Vampire Slayer, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, airs on the WB network. Anthony Stewart Head and Alyson Hannigan also star; David Boreanaz guest stars.

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Television

The Outer Limits: Stasis

The Outer LimitsShowtime airs the 116th episode of The Outer Limits, a revival of the 1960s science fiction anthology series. Sean Patrick Flanery (The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, The Dead Zone) guest stars.

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