Aug 1 1972
From The Space Library
Launch of first Earth Resources Technology Satellite, ERTS 1, and selection of prime contractor-North American Rockwell Corp.-for space shuttle system demonstrated "how we have begun to turn the space program ... around, how we are returning to the home seas of space after 12 years of strenuous and highly successful effort to explore the Moon," Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, said in letter to NASA staff. NASA would continue new direction with 1973 Skylab launch, joint U.S.- U.S.S.R. mission in 1975, and first orbital flight of space shuttle in 1978. Additionally NASA would explore solar system with improved unmanned spacecraft, build and orbit improved unmanned observatories, and accelerate efforts to develop "basic new technology for the most promising space missions of the Eighties and Nineties. We will ... maintain a balanced national space effort with our main area of concentration shifted from the Moon to Earth orbit." (NASA Activities, 8/25/72,160-1)
NASA and Soviet Academy of Sciences approval of recommendations of Joint Working Group on Space Biology and Medicine was announced by NASA. Group-headed by Dr. Charles A. Berry, NASA Director of Life Sciences, and Soviet Academician Dr. O. G. Gazenko-had met at Manned Spacecraft Center May 12-18 to continue exchange of experiences in manned space flight begun at first meeting in Moscow in October 1971. NASA had presented pre- and postflight medical requirements and flight crew health stabilization program for Apollo 16 (launched April 16), mission's preliminary physiological results, and glossary of space medicine for mutual understanding of technical and scientific ex-changes. U.S.S.R. had detailed medical findings from June 26-30, 1971, Soyuz 11-Salyut 1 mission, in which three cosmonauts died; pre- and postflight clinical-physiological examination procedures for cosmonauts; and theoretical aspects of predicting physiological responses of crew during flight. Soyuz- Salyut data had indicated no deterioration of crew's physiological status or performance efficiency before accident. Inflight data were similar to data from previous Soyuz missions and to Apollo data and were consistent with findings by both countries that general adaptive process occurred during weightlessness. U.S.S.R. had confirmed cosmonauts' deaths were due to hypoxia and gaseous embolism (dysbarism), caused by rapid decompression of landing capsule some half hour before return to earth. Review and evaluation of 24-day Soviet mission had indicated no need to modify medical aspects of Skylab plans. Joint Working Group had agreed to develop common medical examination procedures to compare U.S. and Soviet pre- and postflight data on crew body functions and increase information on physiological responses to space flight. Group would exchange correspondence on orthostatic tolerance (cardiovascular response), vestibular measurements, exercise-working capacity, and biochemical examination of body fluids and would discuss these areas in depth at Moscow meeting early in 1973, (NASA Release 72-157; Text)
Marshall Space Flight Center announced completion of design certification reviews on Saturn boosters to be used on Skylab missions. DCRS on Skylab payload-including Orbital Workshop, airlock module, multiple docking adapter, and Apollo Telescope Mount-would be completed within three months. (MSFC Release 72-96)
Photos from Earth Resources Technology Satellite ERTS 1 (launched July 23) would be available to public through imagery dissemination centers at Depts. of Interior, Commerce, and Agriculture, NASA announced. Public and private sector organizations participating in NASA Technology Utilization program could obtain photos, analyses, and background material from six NASA-sponsored regional dissemination centers. (NASA Release 72-158)
Grumman Corp. officials said layoff of 300 employees, from top engineers to maintenance and security personnel, would begin Aug. 4 as direct result of NASA's award of space shuttle contract to North American Rockwell Corp. (Andelman, NYT, 8/2/72)
Apollo 15 astronauts had been "disciplined out of the astronaut corps" for ignoring warning by Chief of Flight Crew Operations Donald K. Slayton not to carry items to moon for commercial gain, Washington Post said. Slayton's warnings had been in personal briefings to crew and memorandum to all astronauts. Warnings had been inspired by discovery that Franklin Mint had profited from melting down coins taken to moon by Apollo 14 astronauts during Jan. 31-Feb. 9, 1971, mission, mixing their molten silver with other metals, and producing 130 000 coins for sale. (O'Toole, W Post, 8/1/72, A8)
Dept. of Transportation announced it had awarded $280 000 grant to Dr. Harold S. Johnston, Univ. of California at Berkeley chemist, to test his theory, propounded in 1971, that exhaust from supersonic transport aircraft could break up earth's ozone shield and let in "blinding and even lethal" radiation. Dr. Johnston would make chemical tests two years under conditions simulating those of stratosphere. Grant was part of DOT Climatic Impact Assessment program to assemble scientific data on environmental effects of high-altitude aircraft. (Russell, W Post, 8/5/72, A3; DOT No)
President Nixon accepted resignation of James H. Wakelin, Jr., as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Science and Technology, effective Aug. 1. (PD, 8/7/72, 1204)
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