Feb 1 1972
From The Space Library
NASA released preliminary timeline for Apollo 16 manned lunar landing mission. Apollo 16 would be launched from Kennedy Space Center at 12:54 pm EST April 16-with lunar module landing on moon at 3:41 pm EST April 20 and lifting off moon at 4:39 pm EST April 23. Returning command module would splash down at 3:30 pm EST April 28. (KSC Release)
H.R. 12824, $3.379-billion FY 1973 NASA authorization bill, was intro- duced by Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.), Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics. (CR, 2/1/72, H556)
Apollo 15 Astronauts David R, Scott, James B. Irwin, and Alfred M. Worden visited President Nixon at White House to report on their 16-day goodwill tour to Poland and Yugoslavia. (PD, 2/7/72, 196)
Development of automated visual sensitivity tester was announced by Ames Research Center. Simple, accurate, and easy-to-use device to map individual vision patterns was originally developed for use during long-term confinement, such as during space flight. It mapped position and extent of normal blind spot of each eye and plotted abnormal blind spots. Device was expected to be valuable in diagnosis and treatment of many disorders, including brain damage caused by tumors or injuries, optic track degeneration, glaucoma, and detached retina. It could be used in testing visual acuity, color blindness, dynamic ocular tracking, form discrimination, Optokinetic Nystagmus Reflex, and color sensitivity. (NASA Release 72-21)
Research scientists had been invited to submit proposals for Skylab experiments studying use of weightlessness, NASA announced. Experiments would use weightlessness in space to develop improved techniques for preparing biological materials and for studying crystal growth, solidification, and other aspects of nonorganic substances. One invitation was for electrophoresis- motion of charged particles through fluid while under influence of electrical field. Use of technique on ground was hampered by effects of heat convection in fluid and sedimentation. Second invitation was for investigations of solidification effects, crystal growth, and other phenomena in weightless materials, using either small multipurpose electric furnace or system for levitating small samples of molten materials and closely observing them as they cooled and solidified. First experiments could be flown on Skylab missions beginning in 1973. (NASA Release 72-22)
S.R. 193, joint resolution to redesignate Cape Kennedy as Cape Canaveral, was introduced by Sen. Edward J. Gurney (R-Fla.) and Sen. Lawton M. Childs, Jr. (D-Fla). Resolution would retain name John F. Kennedy Space Center for NASA facilities on Merritt Island. Sen. Gurney said it was from KSC, "and not from the Cape itself, that President Kennedy's dream was realized." Desire of Cape's residents for restoration of 400-yr-old name Canaveral and "desire of a lasting memorial to the President" could be accomplished through adoption of resolution. "From a historical standpoint, no greater justice could be done." (CR, 2/1/72, 5862-4)
Manned Spacecraft Center announced contract award and issuance of requests for proposals for work on space shuttle. One-year, $99 985, firm-fixed-price contract went to Lowey/Snaith, Inc., to study methods for making space shuttle orbiter interior pleasant environment for working and living. RFPS were for design study for orbiter's orbital maneuvering system (oMs). Firm selected would receive one-year, $250 000 firm-fixed-price contract. (MSC Releases 72-29, 72-30)
First avionics testbed aircraft for Air Force Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS)-modified Boeing 707-320 topped by 9-m (30-ft) rotodome-was rolled out at Boeing Co. facility in Renton, Wash. AWACS would detect and track aircraft at high and low altitudes over land and water and track low-altitude aircraft over extended areas. (USAF memo for correspondents)
Highest frequency measurement reported to date was announced by National Bureau of Standards scientists in Applied Physics Letters. Scientists had measured frequency of infrared light waves generated by helium-neon laser to 88 376 245 million cycles-100 times higher than any frequency recorded until 1968. (Evenson, Day, et al., Applied Physics Letters, 2/1/72, 133-11)
Brazilian Agriculture Minister Cirne Lima inaugurated new meteoro- logical satellite tracking station in Brasilia, Brazil. Station was second built in Brazil; first was in Rio de Janeiro. (Fsts-Brazil, 2/3/72, D3)
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