Apr 21 1969
From The Space Library
NASA's Explorer XXXVIII (launched July 4, 1968), orbiting at 3,640-mi altitude, had discovered earth, like Jupiter, sporadically emitted low-frequency radio signals, Radio Astronomy Explorer project scientist Dr. Robert G. Stone told 1969 spring meeting of U.S. National Committee of International Union of Radio Science in Washington, D.C. "In the radio frequency range below 10 megahertz, the Earth looks very much like Jupiter. This suggests that the same processes that account for the Jovian radio noise may also be active in the Earth's magnetosphere." Signals from both planets appeared sharply beamed or directed in narrow cone, were quite intense and increased in intensity rapidly when observed toward lower frequencies, and were impulsive, occurring in rapid but sporadic bursts. Explorer XXXVIII also had revealed sun was more active source of radio outbursts in lower frequencies than expected, providing unique means of studying sun's outer atmosphere to 36-million-mi distance of Mercury orbit. "Such information," Stone said, "could shed further light on mystery of Sun's part in cause of low frequency radio storms on the Earth." Explorer XXXVIII's four 750-ft-long antennas had provided most comprehensive and detailed measurements of cosmic radio noise at low frequencies yet available. Information was providing first low-frequency maps of radio emissions in Milky Way galaxy, showing that most radio emissions originated in plane or disc of Milky Way. Satellite had remained stable since orbit despite repeated movement and had continued to operate successfully. (NASA Release 69-57; AP, B Sun, 4/22/69, A6; O'Toole, W Post, 4/22/69, Al)
President Nixon's amendments to proposed FY 1970 space budget would support post-Apollo manned flight at expense of unmanned planetary space flight, William J. Normyle wrote in Aviation Week & Space Technology. In effect, NASA had received "almost all it wanted for planning post-Apollo manned lunar exploration." Argument was expected in House Committee on Science and Astronautics over relative apportionment. (Av Wk, 4/21/69, 16-7)
Senate Committee on Banking and Currency approved nomination of NASA Associate Administrator for Organization and Management Harold B. Finger as Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. (CR, 4/21/69, D289; W Star, 4/22/69, A3)
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