Apr 29 1974
From The Space Library
Bacteria found frozen in Antarctic ice and soil for a possible 1 mil-lion years had grown and reproduced in the laboratory when put into nutrient fluids, the National Science Foundation announced. If the estimate of the age proved correct, the bacteria would be the oldest examples of life ever found on the earth. Results of the project, sponsored by NSF and NASA'S extraterrestrial life detection program, would add weight to the theory that some forms of life might be frozen into the permafrost of planets such as Mars. The bacteria bad been found at a depth of about 130 m near the main U.S. base on Ross Island. Later samples also had been found in Taylor Valley 95 km away. A senior scientist in the project, Dr. Roy E. Cameron of Jet Propulsion Laboratory, said in a telephone interview with the New York Times that rod-shaped, club-shaped, and spherical specimens grew and reproduced, but one type, particularly interesting because it had been capable of spontaneous movement, could not be made to reproduce. (NSF Release 74-155; Schmeck, NYT, 30 April 74)
Dr. James R. Schlesinger, Secretary of Defense, announced plans to consider full-scale development of an air combat fighter (A CF ) as an alternative to costly tactical aircraft. The best option, he said, would be to follow the Air Force lightweight fighter prototype program-including the YF-16 and YF-17--with an ACF development program. Advocates later said the ACF could defend bases from fighter attack while larger aircraft such as the F-4 and F-15 carried the battle to an enemy hundreds of kilometers away. (DOD Release 171-74; AP, W Post, 30 April 74, A6)
Total employment in the aerospace industry was expected to drop back to 948 000 positions in June 1974 after a temporary increase during the last quarter of 1973, according to the semiannual forecast released by the Aerospace Industries Association. September 1973 payrolls had been up 4000 positions over the June 1973 level of 949 000; December employment had added another 9000 positions; end of the year employment totaled 962 000 workers, the highest level since 1970. (AIAA Re-lease, 29 April 74)
The airline industry could not count on "quantum jumps" in technology to ease inflation woes, Aviation Week & Space Technology quoted former astronaut Frank Borman, Senior Vice President of Operations for Eastern Airlines, Inc., as saying in Washington, D.C. Eastern's furlough of more than 4000 employees over the past several months was a "sign of the austerity the industry must accept to offset inflation." He said service might have to be more spartan and less frequent (Av Wk, 29 April 74, 15)
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