Dec 15 1971
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 465 .from Plesetsk into orbit with 1011-km (628.2-mi) apogee, 969-km (602.1-mi) perigee, 104.8-min period, and 74° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 12/31/71; SBD, 12/16/71, 210)
U.S.S.R.'s Mars 2 and Mars 3 satellites were "successfully continuing the scientific exploration of Mars and the space near the planet in substantially different orbits," Tass announced. To date, 153 radio communication sessions had been held with Mars 2 and 159, with Mars 3 (FBIS-Sov-71-241)
USAF's X-24A lifting body was shipped by air from FRC to Martin Marietta Corp.'s Denver plant, where it would be modified and redesignated X-24B. Modified vehicle, of new shape with improved hypersonic lift-to-drag ratio, would be delivered to FRC in early fall 1972. X-24A had completed 28 flights in joint NASA-USAF research program, reaching 1676 km per hr (1048 mph) and 21600-m (71 000-f t) altitude. (FRC Release 30-71; SBD, 12/17/71, 215)
Purchase price of $31.2 million for Concorde supersonic transport was announced at Paris press conference by Henri Ziegler, head of French government-owned Aerospatiale. Announcement was made on behalf of Aerospatiale and RAC, manufacturers of Anglo-French aircraft. Ziegler said first six Concordes would be ready for service by October 1974. New York Times later said price was record for civilian aircraft. (Hess, NYT, 12/16/71, 93)
List of Federal agencies using MTF for scientific activities was inserted in Congressional Record by Sen. John C. Stennis (D- Miss.), Agencies included Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey and other Interior Dept. activities, USA Corps of Engineers, NOAA and NASA. Mississippi State Univ. and Louisiana State Univ. had programs at MTF; state governments of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas had established full-time liaison with MTF; and Dept. of Agriculture and other Federal agencies were investigating possible use of facility. (CR, 12/15/71)
Conversation between Mary Ann Harbert, U.S. citizen released Dec. 14 after nearly four-year internment by Chinese Communists, and escort Col. Leonard W. Johnson, Jr., Commander of 9th Aeromedical Evacuation Group at Clark AFB in Philippines, was reported by AP. Miss Harbert had asked, "Have you put any men on the moon yet?" Col. Johnson had responded with description of U.S. space program that had put eight men on moon. Miss Harbert had said, "I really don't know, I hadn't heard about it. Many people in China don't know that. The last thing we knew about space was that Russia had something circling the moon." (B Sun, 12/15/71, A9)
NSF published Industrial R&D Spending, 1970 (NSF 71-39). In 1970 total R&D performance in industry amounted to $17.9 billion-3% below 1969 level of $18.3 billion but more than double 1958 amount. In constant dollars, 1969-1970 decrease was nearly 8%. Entire drop in industrial R&D spending between 1969 and 1970 was accounted for by decrease in Federal R&D funds to industry from $8.4 billion to $7.8 billion. Decline of 8% represented lowest level of Federal R&D dollars in industry since 1965. (NSF Highlights, 12/10/71, 1)
December 15-16: Space Shuttle Aerothermodynamics Technology Conference at ARC discussed technology for manned spacecraft that could fly to aircraftlike landing. More than 30 papers were presented on space shuttle design, operation flight mechanics, flow fields, and heat transfer. (ARC Astrogram, 12/23/71, 3)
European Launcher Development Organization (ELDO) Council, meeting in Paris, adopted $79.3-million budget to cover Europa I and II development, studies and preliminary work on Europa III, construction of F-15 and subsequent launchers, and launchers for Symphonie. Gen. R. Aubiniere of France succeeded Ambassador R. di Carroba of Italy as Secretary General. Gen. H. Hoffman was appointed Technical Director, G. Van Reeth Administrative Director, and J. P. Causse Deputy Director General, to act for ELDO in preliminary talks with U.S. on European participation in post-Apollo program. (SF, 2/72, 8; ELDO PAO)
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