Dec 5 1973
From The Space Library
Newspaper editorials commented on the Dec. 3 rendezvous of Pioneer 10 (launched March 2, 1972) with Jupiter. Chicago Tribune: "American technology has done it again. The spacecraft Pioneer 10 has soared past the planet Jupiter, weathering its barrage of radiation and extracting from it secrets of its nature that have tantalized earth people since their earliest days. The flood of data obtained by television photography and transmitted back to earth is so voluminous that no one can yet assay its meaning." (C Trib, 12/5/73)
Philadelphia Inquirer: "We have taken space spectaculars so much for granted in recent years that it may be hard to grasp the amazing feat of Pioneer 10." The spacecraft had been launched "more than three months before Watergate-and has been whizzing through the void ever since." It had provided "a wealth of new knowledge about the solar system's largest planet." (P Inq, 12/5/73)
NASA announced plans for a 1976 launch of a Laser Geodynamic Satellite (LAGEOS) . The satellite would provide information for mathematical models on the earth's movements and strains which caused natural dis-asters such as earthquakes. The measurements made by the spacecraft would be accurate within 2 cm (0.75 in) of actual earth movement. LAGEOS would be a solid sphere weighing about 380 kg (835 lbs) and measuring 0.6 m (2 ft) in diameter. It would be fitted with 600 laser retroreflectors designed to permit accurate laser ranging from ground stations. Marshall Space Flight Center, under the overall direction of NASA'S Office of Applications, had been assigned definition and develop-ment responsibility for the satellite. (NASA Release 73-261)
Marshall Space Flight Center announced two contract awards. A $1 176 872 extension was made in a $5 188 357 contract with Bendix Corp. to provide management, sustaining engineering, and logistics support for the ST-124M stabilized platform for the July 1975 mission of the U.S.-U.S.S.R. Apollo Soyuz Test Project. The contract extension, bring-ing the total contract value to $6 365 229, was from May 1, 1974, through July 31, 1975. A $160 000 contract was awarded Norman Engineering Co. for architect-engineering services to modify a test stand for space shuttle testing. (MSFC Releases 73-190, 73-191)
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