Aug 10 1970
From The Space Library
Cosmos CCCLVI was launched by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 502-km (311.9-mi) apogee, 224-km (139.2-mi) perigee, 91.7-min period, and 81.9° inclination. Satellite reentered Oct. 2. (GSFC SSR, 8/31/70, 10/31/70)
Dr. Gary V. Latham, principal seismic investigator for Apollo program, asked astronomers worldwide to study moon each month at its closest approach to earth to determine whether surface cracks were opening and closing under gravitational attraction. Request was made through Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory's Center for Study of Short-Lived Phenomena, which mailed "alert" cards to subscribers. Dr. Latham and NASA team at MSC had determined from lunar seismograph left on moon's surface by Apollo 12 crew that moon's surface might show 7.6-CM (30-in) bulge earthward during these periods. It was also during these periods that astronomers studying moon with ground-based telescopes had reported sudden flares of color. If optical observations from telescopes of opening and closing of lunar surface cracks could be correlated with detection of moonquakes [see July 26], Or. Latham said, "it would be strong evidence that the glows are produced by the escape of gases from the lunar -interior through cracks which open and close each month." (SAO-PAO; Alert card; W Star, 8/9/70, A19)
Space researchers at Bad Godesberg Institute for Aeronautical Medicine in West Germany had reported tests showed athletic achievement was no guarantee against physical hazards in space, Baltimore Sun said. Two groups of 12 persons each had been subjected to simulated space conditions including oxygen shortage, low air pressure, centrifugal force, and constantly shifting positions. Group of highly trained athletes had done no better than group of healthy but untrained students. Tests contradicted Soviet findings in same field and additional experiments would be necessary to verify German results. Institute would conduct similar tests to determine body reaction to weightlessness and to determine whether body adaptation at 4000-m (13 000-ft) altitude would increase physical resistance to space conditions. (B Sun, 8/10/70)
Use of radiotelescopes to identify pollutants in atmosphere had been advocated by astronomers Dr. David Buhl of National Radio Astronomy Observatory and Dr. Lewis E. Snyder of Univ. of Virginia, Washington Evening Star reported. Astronomers believed pollutants from oxides of nitrogen to sulfur dioxide and small particles could be measured day and night in all weather at low cost, but radioastronomers did not have background "to do the chemistry." They recommended modification of equipment to survey regional atmosphere or known polluting sources unattended, by use of receivers feeding into computerized databanks via microwave links. Identification and quantification of pollutants could be instantaneous and single-dish antenna could be electronically controlled to "sweep" wide range of pollutants at regular intervals. (Lannan, W Star, 8110/70, A4)
President Nixon transmitted to Congress Environmental Quality: The First Annual Report of the Council on Environmental Quality. In message published in report, he said: "Our environmental problems are very serious, indeed urgent, but they do not justify either panic or hysteria. The problems are highly complex, and their resolution will require rational, systematic approaches, hard work and patience." (PD, 8110/70, A7)
Australia had sent RAAF contingent to MacDill AFB, Fla., to learn to fly F-4E Phantom aircraft, George C. Wilson reported in Washington Post. It was "fresh evidence," he said, "that Australia is backing away from buying the controversial F-111 fighter-bomber from the United States." (W Post, 8/10/70, A7)
U.S. and U.S.S.R. had reached tentative agreement to expand commercial airline service between New York and Moscow to permit Pan Am and Aeroflot to land at Leningrad and Washington, D.C., AP reported. Agreement also would increase flights from two to six weekly. Diplomatic sources had reported U.S. rejection of Soviet bid to permit transcontinental flights over both nations. (NYT, 8/11/ 70, 55)
August 10-14: International Atomic Energy Agency and AEC held Symposium on Environmental Aspects o Nuclear Power Stations at U.N. in New York. In opening address Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg, AEC Chairman, said: "Tremendous worldwide concerns about environmental matters are certain to cause significant changes in our technical approaches to energy problems. Looking well into the future one can imagine world-wide power transmission networks which will take full advantage of time zone differences and seasonal diversities to equalize the overall global daily demand for electricity. Transmission of large power over such distances may be brought about by cryogenic superconducting cables, which are presently under development. Also, power may in the future be transmitted by microwaves or by light." It might be possible "to convert large amounts of electrical power into lights with a laser beam, transmit this light between continents by satellite and then reconvert the energy to electricity." (Text)
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