Aug 2 1972
From The Space Library
Cosmos 513 was launched from Baikonur by U.S.S.R. Satellite entered orbit with 322-km (200.1-mi) apogee, 201-km (124.9-mi) perigee, 89.7-min period, and 65° inclination and reentered Aug. 15. (GSFC SSR, 8/31/72; SBD, 8/4/72, 182)
Most intense solar storm in two years, first observed by NASA's Oso 7 Orbiting Solar Observatory July 26, produced three major explosions. Storm was being observed by Oso 7 and 5; Explorer 41, 43, and 45; Pioneer 6 and 10; and ground-based observations. [See Aug. 7.] (NASA Release 72-164)
NASA U-2 reconnaissance aircraft from Ames Research Center, equipped with high-resolution cameras using black-and-white and infrared film, photographed forest fire raging in Big Sur country of California's Monterey County. It was first use of U-2 for forest fire reconnaissance. Photos made from altitudes of 20 000, 14 000, and 8000 m (65 000, 45 000, and 25 000 ft) were used by forestry officials to make plans for fighting fire. Photos and dense fog cover had helped firefighters contain 50% of fire by Aug. 3 and eventually fire was extinguished. (ARC Release 72-55; LA Times, 8/4/72, 18; JPL Hist Off)
Skylab medical experiments altitude test (SMEAT), begun July 26, was progressing satisfactorily, Richard S. Johnston, Director of Life Sciences at Manned Spacecraft Center, said astronauts Robert L. Crippen, Karol J. Bobko, and Dr. William E. Thornton were in good spirits and good physical condition after seven days inside MSC chamber 6 m (20 ft) long. Minor equipment and procedural problems had been solved quickly without disrupting test timeline. Astronauts were scheduled to remain in chamber for up to 56 days. (MSC Release 72-170)
Academician Boris N. Petrov summarized U.S.-U.S.S.R. meetings on Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) [see July 6-18] and praised efforts for joint mission in Pravda: "To prepare for the planned flight both sides will have a lot of strenuous work to do and they will have a lot of difficulties to overcome. The implementation of this joint plan will be a major step forward in the development of international cooperation in the research and utilization of outer space for peaceful purposes. There is no doubt that cooperation in this field of technical progress will be an essential contribution to the conquest of space for peaceful purposes, in the interests of science, technology, and all peoples." (FBIS-SOV, 8/4/72, Ll )
Maritime Administration of Dept. of Commerce announced signing of $7.8-million cost-sharing research contract with General Electric Co. Space Div. to develop and test integrated vessel-control system using shipboard computer linked through orbiting satellites to shore-based computer. Maritime Administration would contribute $4.6 million and GE would pay balance. Project was part of program to adapt aerospace technology to marine operations and to equip fleet of 30-50 ships with satellite communications and navigation systems by late 1970s. (Maritime Release 72-32)
Manned Spacecraft Center announced award of $365 000 contract supplement to LTV Aerospace Corp. for work on space shuttle orbiter thermal-protection system using reinforced pyrolyzed plastic. Supplement brought total funding for work to be done by April 20, 1973, to $859 000. (MSC Release 72-171)
McDonnell Douglas Corp. announced in St. Louis that it was laying off 11 000 employees in next 17 mos, largely because of its failure to win prime contract for space shuttle. President and Chief Executive Officer Sanford N. McDonnell said 260 employees would be laid off immediately and that by year's end figure would reach 6000. Most of 11 000 layoffs-perhaps 9800-would be from California divisions of company that employed total of 92 000 persons. (Andelman, NYT, 8/3/72, 43)
President Nixon submitted to Senate nomination of members to National Science Board: Dr. Wesley G. Campbell, Director of Hoover Institute on War, Revolution and Peace; Dr. T. Marshall Hahn, Jr., President of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univ.; Dr. Anna J. Harrison, Mt. Holyoke College chemist; Dr. Hubert Heffner, Stanford Univ. physicist; Dr. William H. Meckling, Univ. of Rochester economist; Dr. William A. Nierenberg, Director of Scripps Institute of Oceanography; Dr. Russell D. O'Neal, Executive Vice President for Aerospace with Bendix Corp.; and Dr. Joseph M. Reynolds, Louisiana State Univ. physicist (reappointment), Terms would expire May 10, 1978. (PD, 8/7/72, 1198, 1205)
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