Apr 6 1971
From The Space Library
Intelsat 1 (Early Bird), in orbit over Pacific, was reactivated to mark its sixth anniversary and relay first message ever transmitted directly from Hawaii to U.S. East Coast via commercial satellite. Satellite-first commercial comsat-had been launched from KSC April 6, 1965, (ComSatCorp Release 71-23)
Distribution of about 6.8 kg (15 lbs) of the 42.6 kg (94 lbs) of samples returned from moon's Fra Mauro area by Apollo 14 astronauts had begun, NASA announced. To date, 187 scientific teams in U.S. and 14 foreign countries had been scheduled to receive samples. Additional proposals for consideration under Apollo 14 through Apollo 17 sample program were under review. More than 700 scientists would analyze samples, believed to include material formed at same time as original lunar crust. Investigating teams in U.S. were at 65 different institutions in 30 states and Virgin Islands. The 56 foreign teams were at 41 institutions. (NASA Release 71-62)
Third attempt to test manned Apollo 15 LM in simulated environment was completed at KSC. Two attempts during previous week had been unsuccessful because technician failed to open oxygen valve and because two oxygen regulators failed. (SBD, 4/7/71, 192)
LeRC announced award of $7 939 400 follow-on contract to General Dynamics Corp. Convair Div. for Centaur launch and test support services at ETR. Cost-plus-award-fee contract would cover one year, during which six Centaurs would be launched. (LeRC Release 71-13)
Dr. F. A. Speer, head of MSFC's Mission Operations Office in Program Management, became manager of newly augmented HEAD task team at MSFC. Team would continue feasibility and definition work for proposed 1975 mission. (MSFC Release 71-75)
AP quoted Fairchild Hiller Corp. spokesman as saying firm was serving as clearinghouse for proposals for SST funding. "Sketchy and tentative plans" existed, AP said, to finance SST through public stock issue backed up by $1 billion in bank loans. (AP, B Sun, 4/7/71, A6)
April 6-7: Space Shuttle Technology conference at MSFC discussed space vehicle propulsion systems with operational life requirements of 100 flight missions. (MSFC Release 71-59; MSFC PAO)
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