December 1972
From The Space Library
“Apollo 16 Brings Us Visions From Space” article appears in National Geographic Magazine
House Committee on Science and Astronautics released Solar Energy Research: A Multidisciplinary Approach, responses of Federal agencies to requests for information on solar energy research. NASA and National Science Foundation-agencies primarily responsible for Government's solar energy efforts-had recommended Federal program of research and development to apply solar energy to U.S. heat and power needs. NASA had recommended development of economical systems for heating and cooling buildings; economical methods for producing and converting organic materials to liquid, solid, and gaseous fuels; and economical methods for generating electricity. If programs were successful, NASA had said, building heating could reach public use in 5 yrs and building cooling in 6 to 10 yrs, synthetic fuels could be produced from organic materials in 5 to 8 yrs, and electricity could be generated from solar energy in 10 to 15 yrs. There were no significant environmental disadvantages to wide use of solar energy. (Text)
Asteroid discovered in constellation Leo by Crimean Astrophysical Observatory scientists had been named after late Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin -first man in space, on Vostok 1 April 12, 1961- Spaceflight reported. (SF, 12/72, 457)
Armed Forces Journal article described small tactical aerial mobility platform (STAMP), two-man version of individual flight system designed by Bell Aerospace Div. of Textron Corp. and powered by Williams Research fan-jet engine. STAMP could carry 227-kg (500- 1b) payload plus driver and would fly for 30 min with 50-km (30-mi) range at 100-170 km per hr (60-90 knots) . Marine Corps was experimenting with STAMP for infantry use. (AFJ, 12/72, 20, 34)
Award by U.K. government of two contracts for definition phase of Geostationary Technology Satellite (GTS) was reported by Space/light. Hawker Siddeley Dynamics Ltd. would be responsible for project co-ordination and design of spacecraft and equipment; Marconi Co. Ltd. Space and Defence Systems Div. would design communications package and electronic subsystems. (SF, 12/72, 457)
Task Force on Energy of House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Development published Energy Research and Development. Report called for immediate implementation of "greatly increased national energy research and development effort" with adequate funding and technical manpower; national energy R&D effort as part of overall policy with White House as focal point; establishment of operating agency to manage Government-supported R&D; increased R&D for environmental protection and energy conservation; and establishment of priorities in basic research, materials research, and solar, geothermal, and nuclear energy research. (Text)
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