Apr 13 1972
From The Space Library
Soviet and NASA scientists exchanged lunar soil samples in ceremony at Soviet Academy of Sciences in Moscow. NASA representatives Dr. Paul W. Gast, Chief of Manned Spacecraft Center Planetary and Earth Sciences Div., and Dr. Michael B. Duke, Lunar Sample Curator at MSC, presented Soviet scientists with 1 g (0.04 oz) of soil brought to earth by Apollo 15 astronauts. Exchange brought total weight of Apollo 15 lunar material given to Soviet scientists to 3 g. Soviet scientists gave NASA representatives 2 g (0.07 oz) of soil brought to earth by Luna 20, several photos of Luna 20 landing site, and pictures of separate rock fragments. (NASA Release 72-77; FBIS-SOv, 4/13/72, L4; NASA OMSF)
NASA announced selection of RCA Aerospace Systems Div. for negotiation on $175 000 fixed-price contract to produce long-range laser traversing system. Nicknamed "Smokey," system had been developed at Goddard Space Flight Center for U.S. Forest Service. Two back-packable, 18-kg (40-lb) units contained vertical- firing laser and telescope receiver that viewed laser pulse above all obstructions, permitting surveyors to lay out property lines over terrain obstacles faster and cheaper than by previous methods. (NASA Release 72-79)
Delaware Valley Council presented its 1972 Aviation Award to NASA in ceremony in Philadelphia. Award, for outstanding achievements in aviation and aerospace, was accepted by Richard C. McCurdy, NASA Associate Administrator for Organization and Management. (P Bull, 4/14/72, 8)
Transmitting to Congress fourth annual report of National Science Foundation [see Feb. 10] President Nixon said: "I have great hope that we can realize the full potential of American technology for serving our national purposes. The commitment of this Administration to continue progress toward that goal is clearly reflected in the array of programs which I have detailed in my latest Budget Message." (SPD, 4/17/72, 750)
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