Aug 4 1969
From The Space Library
Click here top listen to James Van Allen interview on this day about Grand Tour
Scientists at Lunar Receiving Laboratory opened last box of Apollo 11 lunar samples containing charcoal-gray dust and assorted rocks ranging from gravel to size of orange. NASA geologist Dr. Jeffrey L. Warner described rocks as "different from anything we have on earth." Some of rocks had flat faces and appeared to have been broken off larger chunks of material. Rocks in first box of samples had been rounded. Some rocks contained unidentified crystals that sparkled; others had "an unusual smattering of what appeared to be metallics," possibly ilmenite (iron-titanium mineral oxide), important source of titanium. (W Post, 8/5/69, A6; AP, B Sun, 8/5/69, Al)
NAS-NRC Space Science Board issued The Outer Solar System: A Program for Exploration. Report detailed program for unmanned exploration from 1974 to early 1980s; reaffirmed goals set by earlier study emphasizing experiments contributing to understanding of origin and evolution of solar system, of life, and of dynamic processes in terrestrial environment; and agreed exploration would concentrate on planets but time in flight would permit study of interplanetary medium. Missions recommended were 1974 Jupiter deep-entry probe and flyby, 1976 Jupiter orbit, 1977 earth-Jupiter-Saturn-Pluto probes, 1979 earth-Jupiter-Uranus-Neptune probes, and earth-Jupiter-Uranus entry probes in early 1980s. Vigorous national program could be developed for small fraction of total NASA program cost and increased portion of space budget should be devoted to planetary exploration. Report, originating from June 1968 study chaired by Dr. James A. Van Allen of Univ. of Iowa and Dr. Gordon J. F. MacDonald of Univ. of California at Santa Barbara, recommended NASA include long-term outer solar system exploration plan in 1971 congressional budgetary presentation. (Text)
NASA's Pegasus III meteoroid detection satellite, launched July 30, 1965, reentered earth atmosphere at 2;04 am CDT over Indian Ocean at 3.4°N. latitude and 56.7°E. longitude. Pegasus III was last in series of three Pegasus satellites with 96-ft-long detector panels launched to determine frequency of meteoroids in near-earth environment. All three had been turned off in 1968 after operating for more than double design lifetime. Few hours before reentry, controllers commanded Pegasus III beacon to begin operating again and beacon functioned satisfactorily until satellite was destroyed by reentry heat. (MSFC Release 69-170; GSFC SSR, 8/15/69)
ERC announced it had developed and successfully flight-tested "Flying Baton," simple, low-cost device to provide eye-level artificial horizon for pilots. Developed by Center's William J. O'Keefe, device could contribute to more "head-up" flying, be used for precision attitude flying, and allow pilot more time to look outside aircraft. (ERC Release 69-19)
DOT and HUD announced $166,734 project for studies to recommend short- and long-term relief from aircraft noises at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York; O'Hare International Airport, Chicago; Bradley International Airport, Hartford, Conn.; and Cape Kennedy Regional Airport, Fla. Studies were to define noise problems, to identify activities affecting problems, to identify approaches to land
August 2: JPL press conference reported new information on Mars from the Mariner VI flyby. The far-encounter photo above, taken 463,250 miles from Mars July 29, showed Meridiani Sinus and Sabacus Sinus as a dark feature near the equator. The bright area at the top was Cydonia. The south polar cap showed at the bottom of the planet. August 4-5: Mariner VII transmitted first close-up photo of Mars' south polar cap. In the photo below, taken 3,300 miles from Mars Aug. 4, the south pole was believed to be at the lower right. Three large craters showed partly bare floors. Snowdrift-like formations and an irregular cloud-like object (upper left) were apparent.
August 4-5: Scientific instruments on board Mariner VII collected detailed data on the Mars surface and atmosphere as the spacecraft made its close-encounter flyby of the southern hemisphere and polar regions. Mariner VI used similar instruments to gather information on the equatorial regions of Mars on its July 30-31 flyby. use compatible with airport locations, and to analyze feasibility of compatible land development in high-noise areas. (DOT Release 18369)
Apollo 8 commemorative medallions containing metal carried on mission were being distributed to NASA employees "as a token of appreciation for each individual's efforts in making the United States lunar program possible," NASA Hq. Weekly Bulletin, said. (NASA Hq WB, 8/4/69, 1)
August 4-5: NASA's Mariner VII transmitted first closeup photos of Mars south pole as it flew within 2,100 mi of planet. Dr. Robert P. Sharp, geologist at Cal Tech, said 31 photos might look like "baby pictures of Earth. This is what the Earth might have looked like some four billion years ago before it developed an atmosphere and oceans to weather its surface and nurture life." Photos taken on pass Aug. 4 were transmitted to JPL Aug. 5. Polar cap, which had appeared gleaming white in more distant photos, looked dull gray in closeups. Pictures showed south polar cap with snow-like substance-possibly frozen carbon dioxide-piled up in vast dunes; pocked with deep, steeply walled craters; and much darker than desert to north. Floor of bright circular Hellas desert area, believed to be shallow crater or collapsed area, was strangely free of meteorite impact craters. Mariner VII (launched March 27) with Mariner VI (launched Feb. 24) had provided most detailed information to date on Mars, including 198 photos covering 20% of planet and detailed scientific data from onboard experiments. Data indicated: thin Martian atmosphere had no detectable nitrogen; south polar cap, which appeared white and smoothly circular in telescope pictures, was ragged with dark splotch in center; surface temperatures ranged from 75°F to -100°F; some of narrower thin dark lines called canals might be segments of rubbled rims of craters up to 300 mi across; and Martian surface, though heavily pocked, was not as rugged as lunar surface. (AP, B Sun, 8/6/69, Al; AP, W Star, 8/6/69, A7; Auerbach, W Post, 8/6/69, A3)
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