Anniversary Echo

When Echo I soared into orbit last summer from Cape Canaveral, space scientists gave the giant balloon a modest life expectancy of two or three weeks. But this week, after 135 million miles. Echo I observed its first anniversary, still 1,000 miles aloft--and still going strong. Trackers now predict that the 100-ft. metalized balloon will probably stay up another two years, and possibly three.

The satelloon's unexpectedly sturdy lease on life is a gift from the sun, whose rays exert a faint pressure on it (one-fiftieth of an ounce). Most satellites are too heavy and dense to be affected. But on Echo's huge and empty sphere, the solar nudge has proved almost enough to counteract atmospheric drag. Swinging from circular to elliptical orbit and back again as it circles the earth, the balloon will ultimately dip low enough to die a fiery death.

Gored by microscopic meteorites, buffeted all out of shape, and down to 100 lbs, from its original 136 Ibs, (most of its gas has seeped away). Echo I is still doing the job it was designed for: bouncing radio waves from one point on earth to another. And by taking strength from the sun, the balloon has taught space science a trick that will certainly be useful when Echo I is joined by Echo II, a heavier (500-lb.) and bigger (135-ft. diameter) balloon, which the National Aeronautics and Space Administration intends to orbit next spring.

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