Dec 21 1972
From The Space Library
Air Force launched unidentified satellite by Titan IIIB-Agena booster from Vandenberg Air Force Base into orbit with 391- km (243-mi) apogee, 138-km (86-mi) perigee, 90.0-min period, and 110.5° inclination. Satellite reentered Jan. 23, 1973. (Pres Rpt 73; SBD, 12/26/72, 245; GSFC SSR, 1/31/73)
Cosmos 539 was launched from Plesetsk by U.S.S.R. into orbit with 1381-km (858.1-mi) apogee, 1343-km (834.5-mi) perigee, 74° inclination, 112.9-min period. (GSFC SSR, 12/31/72; SBD, 1/3/73, 2)
Apollo 17 astronauts arrived at Ellington Air Force Base, Tex., after flight from Samoa, via Hawaii, aboard Air Force C-141 jet transport. After reception at airport by crowd of 5000, they went to Manned Spacecraft Center for debriefings that would continue through Dec. 23. (Wilford, NYT, 12/22/72, 15; WSJ, 12/22/72)
Romanian President Nicolay Ceausescu had sent telegram to President Nixon on successful conclusion of Apollo,17 mission, Romanian news agency Agerpres announced in Bucharest. Telegram had said: "We express our conviction that the remarkable successes in outer space exploration scored during the Apollo programme that concluded with this brilliant mission will serve the general progress of science and technique and will be put in the service of humanity, peace and under-standing among people." (FBIS-Romania, 12/22/72, H1)
Newspaper editorials continued comment on Apollo program. Christian Science Monitor: "Such technological feats as going to the moon do not absolve people of responsibilities on earth. It may be only an irony but the last Apollo splashdown, amazingly within a mile of its target, occurred while the United States again renewed bombing of North Vietnam in that excruciating war. Millions in America and elsewhere are hungry or unhappy. Great leaps in human relationships comparable to those in space are called for. Nonetheless, though we do not yet fully grasp the impulse that led to the moon venture, and though it but the more reveals what remains unresolved in the human lot, we are aware that Apollo 17 has written finis to something marvelous in mankind's annals." (CSM, 12/21/72)
Pasadena, Calif., Star-News editorial praised Apollo Program: "The American know how and resources, which have made the Apollo missions and space travel so successful, have confirmed for the world our scientific leadership and perfection. This has resulted in more pride and esteem for our nation than all the foreign aid, diplomacy or pats on the back that Uncle Sam has bestowed in his lifetime." (Pasadena Star-News, 12/21/72)
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