Dec 2 1969
From The Space Library
Boeing 747 slated for passenger service with Pan American World Airways beginning mid-February 1970 flew from Seattle, Wash., to John F. Kennedy International Airport with 176 passengers in first public preview of jumbo jet flight. Passengers-PAA officials, flight crew, and press-were startled by shudder as plane's wheels were buffeted by rough spots on runway. Phenomenon was repeated when plane touched down in New York after 4-hr 5-min flight. Passengers also were critical of "interior noise level in the rear half of the plane." (Witkin, NYT, 12/3/69, 1)
Scientist Dr. Edwin C. T. Chao, quarantined with Apollo 12 astronauts at LRL, said mound on moon photographed by Astronaut Charles P. Conrad, Jr." during Apollo 12 moonwalk could be crushed rock ejected from crater. MSC geologist Dr. Robin P. Brett said 1.5-lb rock among Apollo 12 samples had been formed far beneath surface and could be deepest piece of lunar material man had yet studied. (um, NYT, 12/4/69, 17)
Gayle Planetarium in Montgomery, Ala." opened formally with exhibit of lunar sample through Dec. 7. MSFC announced it would display lunar rock during February and March 1970. (MSFC Release 69-258)
Austin, Tex." District Judge Jack Roberts dismissed suit by atheist Mrs. Madalyn Murray O'Hair and Society of Separationists, Inc., to stop astronauts from saying prayers in space [see Nov. 25]. He ruled prayers were not NASA policy but individual decision by astronauts. If NASA had forbidden astronauts to pray in space it would have been unconstitutional abridgment of their rights. Mrs. O'Hair planned to appeal decision. (NYT, 12/3/69, 44)
Washington Post editorial praised Nov. 20 speech of RCA President Robert W. Sarnoff which called for use of space technology in "full-scale pilot program" to rehabilitate Washington, D.C.: Nation "needs to know whether the computer-age technology that sent us to the moon twice can be used to solve the problems of American cities. That question in a slightly different form has been plaguing the space community. Are vital national resources needed to meet the crisis at home being diverted to the moon and beyond?" Sarnoff speech "picks up from a series of addresses by Dr. Thomas O. Paine, administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, suggesting that modern technology can assist in solving the problems of cities, provided there is a national commitment to do so." (W Post, 12/2/69, A18)
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