Aug 2 1973
From The Space Library
A Today editorial commented on energy conservation efforts at Kennedy Space Center, while the Skylab 3 astronauts, in orbit since July 28, coped with a reaction-control-system oxidizer leak in the command module. Newspaper readers-noting that lights at Launch Complex 39 had remained on throughout July 28, Skylab 3 launch day-had questioned NASA'S compliance with the Nixon Administration's energy conservation edict. One caller had queried all-night lights at the Manned Spacecraft Operations Building parking lot. "A call to Kennedy Space Center confirmed our suspicion: they are human and at times forgetful." But KSC had reduced July energy consumption by 7%, "and it was done very simply: air conditioning equipment was turned off at the end of the working day and one half of the electric light bulbs in halls, corridors and lobbies were removed." KSC had said they would check launch pads and parking lots "to determine if a few hundredths of a percentage point can be added to the seven already realized." (Today, 8/2/73)
NASA launched a Nike-Cajun sounding rocket from Kiruna, Sweden, carrying a Goddard Space Flight Center payload to an 88-km (54.7-mi) altitude. The objective was to study ion composition and density of the ionospheric D- and E-regions at polar latitudes. The data would be compared with data from two Nike-Apaches launched Aug. 1. The rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily and all experimental objectives appeared to have been achieved. (NASA Rpt SRL)
The anti-environmental backlash was in full swing, the Wall Street Journal said. Environmentalists were being blamed for the energy crisis, lingering unemployment, high prices, high taxes, food shortages, and the falling birth rate. Several state legislatures had killed ecology-oriented bills they would have passed a session or two before, "and a few others have voted actually to relax environmental-protection laws enacted in the heyday of concern." Environmental groups were encountering serious fund-raising problems. "Inevitably, businessmen, union officials and others who have felt the lash of environmental power in recent years will now be tempted to hit back hard." This could be a risky, "almost fatal" calculation. While the environmentalists might no longer win all the battles, "chances are, too, that sooner or later a fresh disaster-a new oil spill, a heavy smog-will rebuild environmentalists' strength." (Otten, WSJ, 8/2/73)
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