Feb 22 1971
From The Space Library
Portable magnetometer carried during Apollo 14 EVA had detected unexpected bulge in moon's magnetic profile, ARC announced. Data indicated lunar magnetic field at point 297 m (325 yds) north-east of Apollo 14 landing site was about 100 gammas-three times higher than measurements at Apollo 12 site. Another reading, 457 m (500 yds) away near edge of Cone crater, measured about 40 gammas, (ARC Release, 71-4)
First flight model LRV had begun six-week acceptance testing by Boeing Co. preliminary to scheduled delivery to NASA on April 1, NASA announced. Model would transport two astronauts on three extravehicular traverses during Apollo 15 mission in July. Second LRV flight model, being built at Boeing, was scheduled for testing in last week of March and for April delivery. Third model was scheduled for May delivery. (NASA Release 71-25)
Julian W. Scheer resigned position as NASA Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs. He had joined NASA as consultant in November 1962 and directed NASA public affairs activities since November 1963. Announcing Scheer's resignation Dr. George M. Low, Acting NASA Administrator, said, "Under Julian Scheer's leadership, the story of our achievement in space has been told well, and the public was fully and openly informed." Under Scheer's direction, NASA had handled press requirements for Apollo flights, including worldwide communications network for disseminating live TV photos from moon; developed worldwide exhibit program; begun regular TV and radio network services; started publications program; produced more than 100 major films on NASA programs; and developed education program. (NASA Release 71-26)
President Nixon accepted resignation of Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins as Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs effective April 11. Collins would become Director of Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum. (PD, 3/1/71, 384)
Aerobee 350 sounding rocket was launched by NASA from Wallops Station carrying Columbia Astrophysics Laboratory payload to study x-ray polarization. Mission was unsuccessful. (SR list)
Reuters quoted sources as saying DOD would pay Lockheed Aircraft Corp. $10 million incentive award to 1969 $1-billion contract for development and first year production for superior work on Poseidon missile. Award increased contract price from $70 million to $80 million. Lockheed had bettered contract's specifications for delivery schedule, reliability, and range. (NYT, 2/23/71, 41)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
