December 1966
From The Space Library
NRC's Space Science Board was studying possible harmful effects to astronomy and other sciences of proposed NASA project to orbit large reflecting mirror that could illuminate land masses at night, NAS announced. NASA's support for the study was expressed by Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications Dr. Homer E. Newell in a letter to Dr. Harry H. Hess, Chairman of NAS Space Science Board: "I am gratified that the committee has promptly undertaken work on this task and am looking forward to their review for guidance with regard to the possible adverse effects of such a project." (NAS NRC-NAE News Report, 12/66, 7 )
Proposal for fleet of 25 stand-by spacecraft which could be launched within three hours of a distress signal to rescue astronauts stranded in orbit was submitted to NASA by MIT aeronautics students. Each 13,000-lb., four-man Nero (Near Earth Rescue Operation) spacecraft, designed with wing-like lift similar to M2-F2 lifting-body vehicle, would be launched with Titan III-C booster to rendezvous with target; it would glide to a landing at a jet airport. Vehicles could also repair crippled satellites, resupply manned orbiting laboratories, inspect unidentified satellites, and remove orbiting debris. System could be implemented with current technology and be in operation by early 1970's at total cost of $2 billion. (Wilford, NYT, 12/6/66, 60C)
NAS published History of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences; 40-page study was prepared by Edwin B. Wilson, managing editor of Proceedings from 1915 until his death in 1964. (NAS-NRC-NAE News Report, 1/67, 8)
"Love as an emotion will play a very important role in the future in the populating of outer space," Soviet scientist Igor Zabelin wrote in Moskva. "In the future when mankind will fulfill its mission of populating outer space, men and women will be sent in spacecraft somewhere for many years." Noting that "when a couple lives together for five to seven years, they may get sick of each other and very often there is a divorce," Zabelin warned that such coolness could cause grave problems in outer space. (UPI, Wash. Post, 12/4/66, M7)
- November 1966
- December
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