Dec 3 1970
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCCLXXXIII from Plesetsk into orbit with 323-km (200.7-mi) apogee, 180-km (111:9-mi) perigee, 89.5-min period, and 65:4° inclination. Satellite reentered Dec. 16. (GSFC SSR, 12/31/70; SF, 6/71,213)
NASA announced consolidation of all NASA life science activities under new position of Director of Life Sciences in OMSF and named MIG James W. Humphreys, Jr. (USAF, Ret.), Director of Space Medicine, to post. (NASA Release 70-206)
Dr. Wernher von Braun, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning, spoke on future of national space program before AIAA in Washington, D.C. He said he thought if U.S. "can still afford foreign travel, still afford Scotch whiskey, can still afford to buy our wives Italian shoes, it is mainly due to the space program." Unprecedented growth in U.S. economy during first decade of space could have been accomplished only "by such programs as demanding as the landing of men on the Moon." Endeavor focused science, and technology "into a direction that raises the entire plateau of knowledge and the plateau of engineering to enable you to do better things." (Program; SBD, 12/4/70, 133)
MSFC announced award of $21029 756 modification to Boeing Co. contract for work on Saturn V 1st stages and extension of contract performance period through March 31, 1973. MSFC also issued RFP on preliminary design of Research and Applications Module (RAM) that could be used with space station and Space Shuttle. Proposals were due Jan. 8, 1971. (MSFC releases 70-250,70-251)
NASA decision to search nationwide for suitable site for launching $6billion Space Shuttle had stirred "anguished complaints from Florida politicians and other proponents of Cape Kennedy," Wall Street Journal said, But NASA experts had insisted shuttle's unique characteristics and estimated $200-million to $400-million cost of complex ground equipment made search essential. While Cape Kennedy was "leading launch-site candidate," other possibilities included FRC, WSMR, and Dugway Proving Ground in Utah. Essential requirement was fiat area for landing shuttle, with several alternate landing locations in case of emergency. Cape Kennedy was not equipped for shuttle landings and lacked facilities to support plane-like flight through atmosphere. (Spivak, WSJ, 12/3/70, 36)
Senate, by voice vote, passed H.R. 17755, $2.7-billion FY 1971 DOT appropriations bill, after voting 52 to 41 to strike $290 million for SST development. (CR, 12/3/70, S19327-95)
President Nixon announced establishment of Aviation Advisory Commission and designation of Crocker Snow, Director of Aeronautics for Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as Chairman. Com mission would make recommendations on long-term aviation requirements, including airport plans and use of surrounding lands, ground access, airways; air service, and aircraft compatible with plan to be prepared by Secretary of Transportation. Commission would report to President and Congress on or before Jan. 1, 1972. (PD, 12/7/70, 1619-20)
H. W. Withington, director of SST development for Boeing Co., said in Seattle that total rejection of SST program could cost Seattle area about 4800 Boeing jobs. Washington state had 1.2 million persons working and 96 700 seeking unemployment benefits. Jobless figure in Seattle area was 12.1% of insured workers. Boeing's earnings had fallen from peak $83.9 million in 1967 to operating loss in 1969, although other factors had offset deficit. (AP, B Sun, 12/5/70)
NAS published The Life Sciences, report of four-year study by Committee on Research in the Life Sciences: "From the best estimates we can make, in the current year (fiscal year 1970) appropriations for research, per se, are approximately 20 percent less than required to ensure that the nation's truly qualified life scientists are fully and usefully engaged." (NAS Release)
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