Apr 4 1973
From The Space Library
Launching of Skylab, the Nation's first space station, was set for May 14 at 1:30 pm EDT from Kennedy Space Center. The launch was scheduled after completion of a comprehensive two-day review of prelaunch test results and remaining work by top Skylab program officials. (NASA Release 73-67)
Nimbus 5 (launched by NASA Dec. 11, 1972) was adjudged a success. It had satisfied the mission objectives of improving the capability for vertical sounding of temperature and moisture in the atmosphere for 10 wks and demonstrating improved thermal mapping of the earth.
Four of the six Nimbus 5 experiments were functioning normally at the end of the 10-wk period ending Feb. 19, 1973. The infrared temperature profile radiometer was operating in a limited mode. The electrically scanning microwave radiometer had failed Jan. 4. (NASA prog off)
The Apollo Honor Awards Ceremony at NASA Hq. celebrated the success of the Dec. 7-19, 1972, Apollo 17 mission and honored 47 persons for contributions to the success of the entire program. Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, said in a foreword to the ceremony that Apollo's richest achievement might be the spiritual unity it provided "by enabling all Americans, and all the world watching our astronauts' progress moonward, to discover the uniqueness of our beautiful yet fragile Earth as viewed from the perspective of the Moon. Unique in the solar system, it is the only home of the Family of Man; and seen from the perspective of the Moon, the common humanity that we all share becomes more evident than the temporal differences that keep us apart."
Dr. Fletcher and Dr. George M. Low, NASA Associate Administrator, presented awards, while Apollo 17 Astronauts Eugene A. Cernan, Ronald E. Evans, and Dr. Harrison H. Schmitt congratulated recipients. The NASA Distinguished Service Award was presented to Dr. Charles A. Berry, Director of Life Sciences, and Director Chester M. Lee of the Apollo Soyuz Test Program, who had been Mission Director for Apollo 12 through 17. Exceptional Service Medals were presented to 21 employees; the Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal to 14 scientists from Government, industry, and universities; and the Group Achievement Awards to 10 teams from industry and Government.
The Distinguished Public Service Medal, NASA's highest award to non-Government personnel, went to: Dr. B. Paul Blasingame, Delco Electronics Div., General Motors Corp.; Joseph F. Clayton, Aerospace Systems Div., Bendix Corp.; Clinton H. Grace, International Business Machines Corp.; Robert E. Greer, George W. Jeff's, and Joseph P. McNamara, Rockwell International Corp.; Thomas J. Kelly, Grumman Aerospace Corp.; H. Douglas Lowrey, Chrysler Corp. Space Div.; Richard H. Nelson, Boeing Co. Space Div. Aerospace Group; and Theodore D. Smith, McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. (Program; NASA Release 73-60; RI PRO)
Appointment of Dr. Myron S. Malkin, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Technical Evaluation), as Director of the State Shuttle Program in the NASA Office of Manned Space Flight effective April 9, was announced by NASA. Malkin would be responsible for planning and directing the design, development, and test of the space shuttle system. (NASA Release 73-68)
Dr, Karl G. Harr, Jr., President of the Aerospace Industries Assn. of America, Inc., testified on the effects of the Apollo program before the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences during NASA FY 1974 authorization hearings: Apollo "did not just sweep across our landscape to successful achievement of its specific objectives. Its effects on Earth are permanent and pervasive. Not just the hundreds of thousands of jobs it provided, the schools and homes it caused to be built, and the economic impact of the program itself; not just the invaluable accretion of scientific knowledge; not just the restoration of faith in American technological leadership-but a radical and enduring upgrading of technological capability throughout American industry.
It is such advances that have enabled the United States to retain its preeminence in high technology production. And it is the continuation of such preeminence that is at stake when we consider the future of our space program.” (Transcript)
April 4-26: Apollo 15 Astronaut James B. Irwin was hospitalized in Aurora, Colo., after a heart attack. He was released April 26 after three weeks treatment in the Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora. A hospital spokesman said recovery ultimately would be complete, but "it will be considerable time before he can return to full action." Since leaving NASA, Irwin had worked for the Johns-Manville Corp. and had begun an evangelistic organization, High Flight, Inc. (B Sun, 4/27/73; NYT, 4/27/73, 43)
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