Dec 24 1968
From The Space Library
Intelsat-III F-2 began carrying segment of coverage of Apollo 8 to Europe. It transmitted moon pictures from capsule and relayed TV coverage of Pacific splashdown to Europe and Puerto Rico. Intelsat II satellites over Atlantic and Pacific each reserved about 100 voice circuits for NASA support communications with Apollo 8. Ats II and III augmented commercial communications coverage and transmitted limited number of weather photos. (OSSA; NASA Release 69-6)
One out of every four persons on earth-nearly one billion people in 64 countries-heard Christmas Eve reading of Genesis by moon orbiting Apollo 8 crew either on radio or TV, according to TV Guide. Delayed broadcasts same day reached 30 additional countries. "The fantastic success of TV on that flight echoed around the world." (TV Guide, 5/10-16/69, 9)
New York Times said of Apollo 8 telecast of earth: ". . . the drama and interest of yesterday's view of earth from space transcended any prosaic considerations of practical utility. Rather the excitement these pictures aroused among millions of stay-at-homes flowed from the visual evidence they provided of man's successful entrance into a completely new realm, one which poses challenges, opportunities and dangers such as the human species has never before faced. And yesterday's pictures provided a sobering perspective on man's puny earthly works and rivalries, reminding all humanity that nature is the basic antagonist, not other men." (NYT, 12/24/68, 22)
FAA announced report Friction Effects of Runway Grooves, Runway 18-36 Washington National Airport [AD 678 645 (DS 68-21) ], result of nine-month test series at Washington National Airport, indicated runway grooving, designed to prevent hydroplaning by increasing drainage of water, might also enhance braking effectiveness of aircraft on wet runways [see Nov. 17]. (FAA Release T 68-48)
U.S.S.R. announced through Tass successful completion of experiment in which three researchers spent from Nov. 5, 1967, to Nov. 5, 1968, in isolated chamber consisting of living compartment and greenhouse linked to outside world by videotelephone. Purpose of experiment was to test man's ability to live in isolation for year, using water and oxygen regenerated from waste products and dehydrated food supplemented by greenhouse-grown vegetables; study effects of various factors on human organism and establish optimum conditions for long isolation; and evaluate effectiveness of self-contained life-support systems based on regeneration of waste products. Daily requirements of astronauts on long voyage included 700 g of food, 2.4 kg of drinking water plus 5.5 kg of water for other purposes, and 800 g of oxygen, amounting to 11 tons of supplies for one-year space voyage. Report said there were no significant changes in body weight and temperature of experimenters except one lost eight to nine pounds before his weight stabilized in five to six months. Electrocardiogram remained unchanged and no dehydration was observed. Pulse and respiration rates had fluctuated before assuming lower level than at start of experiment. Researchers Gherman A. Manovtsev, Andrey N. Bozhko, and Boris N. Ulybshev were reported in good health at conclusion of experiment. (Shabad, NYT, 12/25/68, 38)
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