Dec 5 1970
From The Space Library
First positive identification of amino acids of extraterrestrial origin was reported in Nature by ARC scientific team headed by Dr. Cyril A. Ponnamperuma. Dr. Ponnamperuma said discovery of abundance of amino acids in meteorite that fell near Murchison, Australia, Sept. 28, 1969, was probably first conclusive proof of extraterrestrial chemical evolution-chemical processes which preceded origin of life. Discovery was strong new evidence for theory of chemical evolution, suggested possible existence of life elsewhere in universe, and might provide new time sequence for origin of life on earth and elsewhere in universe. Important contributions to find had also been made by UCLA scientist Dr. Ian R. Kaplan and Univ. of Arizona scientist Dr. Carleton Moore. (Nature, 12/5/70, 923-6; NASA Release 70-205)
President Nixon issued statement urging reversal of Senate disapproval of SST funding [see Dec. 31: "1 am well aware of the many concerns that have been voiced about the possible effects supersonic transports, might have on the environment. T want to reassure the Congress that the two prototype aircraft will in no way affect the environment. As for possible later effects, we have an extensive research project under way to insure against damage. Further progress on the part of the United States in the SST field will give this country a much stronger voice with regard to any long range effects on the environment than if we permit other nations to take over the entire field. . . .The SST is an airplane that will be built and own. The issue is simply which nation will build them." (PD, 12/7/70; 1630)
Test flights of Anglo-French supersonic transport Concorde had gone well and protests against its sonic boom had been "less than expected," AP article reported. Big hurdle would come in spring when U.K. and France would decide whether to go into full production. Decision would depend on number of aircraft ordered by then. To date, 16 airlines had taken options on 74 Concordes, with first batch going to Pan American World Airways, Air France, and British Overseas Airways Corp. None had made firm commitment to buy and U.K. and France had assured foreign airlines they could revoke their options if Air France and BOAC backed out. AP said major airlines doubted Concorde would be profitable. It would carry 130 passengers, against Boeing 747's 490, and require more fuel than conventional jets. At possibly $52.8 million, its cost would be about five times that of conventional airliner. Concorde's only selling point was speed. It would halve flying time across Atlantic to 31/2 hrs. (finder, W Post, 12/5/70,A13)
Walker G. Bennett, newly appointed President of Augustana Hospital in Chicago, said at Chicago dinner that he hoped to reduce patient costs by 5% to 10% by equipment and techniques for space industry. Bennett was formally introduced by Dr. Wernher von Braun, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning, who later said sensors developed to monitor astronauts were being used to monitor patients at Augustana and other hospitals. (C Trib,12/6/70)
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