Dec 24 1966
From The Space Library
Tass reported that detailed chart of earth's magnetic field which would enable cosmonauts to determine radiation conditions in earth's environs had been compiled by scientists using data from Cosmos satellites. (Reuters, Wash. Post, 12/25/66, A3)
Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, Univ. of Chicago astrophysicist, was one of 11 scientists named by President Johnson to receive 1966 National Medal of Science. (Pres. Doc., 1/2/67, 1832-3)
December 24-31: U.S.S.R. achieved her second soft-landing on the moon when LUNA XIII spacecraft landed an instrument package near Ocean of Storms to photograph and test the lunar surface. Landing sequence began when spacecraft was oriented vertically to the moon. At 43-mi. (69-km.) altitude, radar system aimed at lunar surface and turned on retrorocket, and shock-absorbing system was prepared. Less than one second before impact, after spacecraft had been slowed to 18 mph, instrument capsule was ejected and soft-landed. Four minutes later, its petal-like covering opened, its antenna opened, and radio transmissions began 18 hrs. after touchdown, LUNA XIII began photographing a panorama of the moon's surface. Pictures showed barren, heavily pitted landscape littered with stones ranging upward in size from one inch, which Soviet scientists concluded had resulted from either volcanic eruptions or impacting meteoroids. There was no evidence of a thick layer of dust. In addition to photographic equipment, spacecraft also carried two mechanical manipulators to test firmness and density of lunar soil: (1) a rod which was driven into surface with specific force; and (2) a meter which measured soil's resistance to radiation. Analysis of data indicated that lunar surface could bear manned spacecraft and that soil from 8-to 12-in. depth was similar to medium-density terrestrial soil. Also onboard were a dynograph which tested firmness of lunar surface by recording duration and force of impact impulse, and a radiation meter which revealed that moon's surface reflected about 25 per cent of electrically-charged particles which struck it. Tass commented on LUNA XIII's successful mission: "There is no doubt now that it is these cosmic stations that can supply the information permitting a new approach to solve such important problems of science as the origin of the solar system, the origin and development of life on other planets, and the internal structure of celestial bodies.' (NYT, 12/25/66, 1, 40; 12/26/66, 19; 12/31/66, 6; AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 12/26/66, A3; 12/27/66, A4; UPI, Wash. Post, 12/27/66, Al; 12/31/66, 17)
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