SSLV-5 NO. 9 POST FIRING FLIGHT TEST REPORT (FINAL EVALUATION REPORT) AND MOL-EFT FINAL FLIGHT TEST REPORT

Program 624A, Standard Space Launch Vehicle C-9 MOLHSQ was launched from Complex 40 at the Eastern Test Range on 3 November 1966 at 135042.20 GMT 085042.20 EST. This vehicle was the sixth test of the Titan 3C configuration and the tenth test of 624A program. The flight test was conducted according to Flight Plan VI. The payload consisted of a MOL simulated laboratory containing 11 experiments and the MOL configuration Gemini capsule using a heat shield containing an egress hatch. The countdown for the vehicle was picked up at T-615 minutes and proceeded without incident until T-30 minutes. A hold was called at that time to evaluate abnormally high winds aloft and their effect on the Gemini wind load constraint Q-Alpha of 4500 lbdegsq ft. During the 1 hour and 45 second hold, it was necessary to repressurized the Stage I oxidizer tank due to decaying pressures resulting from the 44 F ambient temperature. The count was resumed and proceeded until T-3 minutes when another hold lasting 6 minutes was called to evaluate the latest meteorological data. The count was resumed and the vehicle was launched from Pad 40 at 135042.20 GMT 0850 EST.