Dec 4 1972
From The Space Library
Technicians at Kennedy Space Center's Apollo 17 launch site loaded helium used to pressurize lunar craft's descent rocket system. Liquid hydrogen and oxygen were pumped into command module fuel cell system, source of spaceship's electricity and water supply. Count-down, which began Nov. 30, continued on schedule with liftoff scheduled for 9:53 pm EST Dec. 6. (Wilford, NYT, 12/5/72, 1)
Mariner Mars '71 extended mission of 259 days beyond primary mission was adjudged success. Objectives of extended mission of Mariner 9 (launched by NASA May 30, 1971, and inserted in Mars orbit No. 13, 1971) had been to map 70% of planet with 1-km (0.6-mi) visual resolution and to study dynamic characteristics of Mars at reduced data-acquisition rate. During extended mission Mariner 9 had mapped 100% of planet and had observed large areas with infrared and ultra-violet instruments. S-band occultations and celestial mechanics measurements had proved Mars to be geologically and meteorologically active, (NASA proj off)
Dr, James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, described major alterations in "nature of the space effort" to be expected with 1978 introduction of space shuttle, in signed New York Times article. National space program had "turned an important corner in 1972-a year that, in a very real sense, was a year of decision" in choosing to proceed with shuttle. U.S. had "turned from a period of space exploration to a period of space exploitation for practical purposes." By 1978 it would be "realistic to consider a variety of missions either not practicable at present cost levels or that were beyond the state of the art as it was in the pre-shuttle era." Missions would include advanced, space-based communications systems that, when used for education, would "have the potential for eliminating illiteracy from the face of the earth." Shuttle-launched advanced- version Nimbus satellites, combined with weather-modeling ground computers, would permit experiments in weather modification to dampen violent storms. Earth resources program data would provide precise picture of crop and timber conditions and extent of attacks by disease, drought, and fire. By 1980s, pilot space manufacturing operations might be in progress. "Super pure vaccine could thus be produced. Perfectly homogeneous alloys, fiber composites and perfectly round ball bearings are other possibilities." During 1980s, "program of planetary exploration should record the completion of a close look at all the planets in our solar system as well as a detailed study of Mars, Jupiter and Venus. Large orbiting telescopes will be aimed at the outer reaches of the universe, examining such phenomena as quasars and pulsars." (NYT, 12/4/72, 50)
Term "post-Apollo" had "outlived its usefulness," Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, said in message to staff. "When plans for this decade were still uncertain it made sense to refer to them as post- Apollo plans, But today we are advanced with new programs which stand on their own merits." Skylab, space shuttle, Viking, High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HEAO), and Pioneer and Mariner missions to planets drew heavily on technology of 1960s, "but they take this technology giant steps into the future." Dr. Fletcher suggested names for future years: 1973 would be "Year of Skylab" and of Pioneer 10, 1975 would be year of Apollo-Soyuz rendezvous, in 1976 Viking would land on Mars, and in 1978 first space shuttle orbital flight was scheduled. "Each of these events will make a memorable page in the story of human progress. Each of them will contribute importantly to mankind's knowledge of our planetary environment" (NASA Activities, 12/15/72,244-5)
Columbia Broadcasting System said it had rejoined original TV pool arrangement to cover Apollo 17 launch Dec. 6. Under arrangement, National Broadcasting Co. would act as pool agent for itself, CBS, and American Broadcasting Co. in relaying close-up TV photos of launch from NASA cameras. (AP, W Post, 12/5/72, A3)
S.S. Statendam of Holland-American Line sailed from New York with about 100 passengers for cruise advertised as "Voyage Beyond Apollo." Itinerary included Cape Kennedy for close-up view of Apollo 17 launch, scheduled for Dec. 6. Passengers included novelists Norman Mailer and Katherine Anne Porter, science writer Isaac Asimov, and North-eastern Univ. physicist Dr. Robert D. Enzmann. Dr. Wernher von Braun-Fairchild Industries, Inc., Vice President and former NASA Deputy Associate Administrator-and former astronaut Edgar D. Mitchell and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke, who had been advertised as participants in space seminars aboard ship, did not appear. (Buckley, NYT, 12/12/72, 43)
Environmental Protection Agency issued report on effect of aircraft emissions and proposed standards to limit emissions from aircraft and aircraft engines. Report, Aircraft Emissions: Impact on Air Quality and Feasibility of Control, said aircraft would continue to be major source of air pollution until 1980 even though 90% of U.S. jet trans-port aircraft had been fitted with engines that produced less emission fumes. New, more powerful engines to be used in future would increase nitrogen oxide level in air by 33% in next 10 yrs. Proposed regulations would limit exhaust emission from new and in-use gas turbine engines and aircraft, prohibit fuel venting from gas turbine engines, set exhaust and crankcase emission standards for new piston engines, and establish test procedures to determine compliance. (Text; EPA Release)
Environmental Protection Agency was considering borrowing 12 Army helicopters to evaluate effectiveness of rotary wing aircraft in gathering evidence of waterway pollution, Aviation Week & Space Technology reported. (Av Wk, 12/4/72, 9)
December 4-15: Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) Working Group 3 met in Moscow to work out details of July 1975 U.S.-U.S.S.R. joint mission. Group completed tests of U.S. and Soviet two-fifths- scale model, defined location of interface sensors and force and stroke necessary for actuation, defined surfaces requiring dry film lubrication, exchanged interface seal samples for unilateral testing, and defined load and thermal interaction requirements for docking systems. (NASA proj off)
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