Aug 15 1969
From The Space Library
Results of preliminary qualitative study of Mariner VI photos were summarized in Science by Dr. Robert B. Leighton, Dr. Norman H. Horowitz, Dr. Bruce C. Murray, and Dr. Robert P. Sharp of Cal Tech; Alan G. Herriman and Dr. Andrew T. Young of JPL ; Bradford A. Smith of New Mexico State Univ.; Merton E. Davies of RAND Corp.; and Conway B. Leovy of Univ. of Washington: Surface of Mars "appears similar to that of the Moon, but there are significant , differences; some features seen from Earth are characterized; the 'blue haze, hypothesis is disproved; and new phenomena associated with the polar cap are discovered." Mars resembled moon in abundance, form, arrangement, and size of craters, but there appeared to be break in size-distribution curve of craters in some parts of Mars not characteristic of moon-apparently because Mars had more effective weathering and transportation process than moon. Similarities between Martian and lunar surfaces included craters with slump blocks, terrace, and radial dry-debris avalanche chutes on steep inner surfaces; central peaks, polygonal outlines, blocky ejecta rims, and irregular ejecta; and irregularly sinuous ridges. Differences included more subdued relief of many Martian craters, flatter floors, fewer central peaks, more subdued debris blankets, absence of obvious secondary craters and rays, and greater abundance of "ghost" craters. Photos showed no sinuous rifles and no distinctive earth-like phenomena such as mountain ranges, tectonic basins, stream-cut topographs, dune fields, playa flats, or other arid-region features. (Science, 8/15/69, 685-90)
Classical astronomical data on figures of moon and terrestrial planets were being supplemented by new information from Lunar Orbiter program. Comparable future planetary probes would provide fundamental data from simple experiments, Cornell Univ: radiophysicists Dr. Brian T. O'Leary, Dr. Malcolm J. Campbell, and Dr. Carl Sagan said in Science. Lunar Orbiter results had revealed lunar mascons, nonuniform surface distribution that could explain lunar dynamical asymmetries "and perhaps similar asymmetries for Mars and Mercury." (Science, 8/15/69, 651-7)
Astronaut Joseph P. Kerwin was uninjured when faulty landing gear on T-33 jet trainer forced belly landing at Ellington AFB, Tex. (AP, W Star, 8/16/69, A2)
Soviet newspaper said Tu-144, Soviet supersonic transport, had been flying beyond sound barrier "for extended periods of time" with no difficulty, Associated Press reported. (W Post, 8/16/69, A2)
C-5 Galaxy aircraft would demonstrate its cargo and troop delivery capability in joint USAF-USA-Lockheed-Georgia Co. Transport Air Drop and Jettison Test (TADJET) program to begin in early October , DOD announced. Approximately 150 flights from Pope AFB, N.C., would airdrop equipment and men. During transport phase, C-5 would be loaded and unloaded some 50 times and perform mating maneuvers with air-transportable dock that could handle cargo capacity of three C-5s. (DOD Release 683-69)
August 15-17: Second National Air Exposition at Dulles International Airport, Va. featured large static display including first public appearance of Lockheed C-5A, world's largest aircraft, and flying exhibitions by F-111 and other aircraft. (Program; NYT, 8/16/69, 46)
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