Jan 13 1970
From The Space Library
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, said at NASA Hq. news conference on future plans he was directing portions of space program to bring operations in line with FY 1971 budget. "We recognize the many important needs and urgent problems we face here on earth. America's space achievements in the 1960's have rightly raised hopes that this country and all mankind can do more to overcome pressing problems of society. The space program should inspire bolder solutions and suggest new approaches. It has already provided many direct and indirect benefits and is creating new wealth and capabilities." Strong space program continued as one of Nation's major priorities. "However, we recognize that under current fiscal restraints NASA must find new ways to stretch out current programs and reduce our present operational base." NASA would "press forward in 1971 at a reduced level, but in the right direction with the basic ingredients we need for major achievements in the 1970s and beyond. . . we will not dissipate the strong teams that sent men to explore the moon and automated spacecraft to observe the planets." NASA would suspend Saturn V production indefinitely after Saturn V 515 completion, stretch Apollo lunar missions to six-month launch intervals, defer lunar expeditions during AAP space station flights in 1972, and postpone Viking/Mars 1973 unmanned lander launch to next Mars opportunity in 1975. Number of employees in NASA program was expected to decline from 190 000 at end of FY 1970 to 140 000 at close of FY 1971. Positive aspects of space program for 1970s included Apollo missions through Apollo 19, use of one Saturn V to launch first experimental AAP space station into earth orbit in 1972, Mars orbit by two unmanned spacecraft in 1971, launch of first Jupiter probe in 1972, launch of spacecraft past Venus to Mercury in 1973, and continuation of scientific satellite launches. Design of reusable Space Shuttle would be started and first experimental space station would be launched, as planned, in 1972. FY 1971 budget would permit proceeding with design of advanced space station as permanent base in earth orbit, continued work on NASA-AEC NERVA project, practical earth applications of space technology, and advances in applications of space technology in fields such as meteorology and communications. Although "austere;" space program for 1971 was "forward looking" and contained "basic ingredients needed for an effective space program in the 1970s." It would "extend our space capabilities, expand our scientific knowledge, and make available new applications of benefit to people here on earth." In response to question, Dr. Paine said he foresaw no shutdown of KSC and had no plans for: closing other centers. Intended actions "represent a decision to proceed through the year 1971 and see what our studies turn up. I think it is important to realize these are very advanced, perhaps, and we have a lot to learn about the technological feasibility, the cost, schedules-and I wouldn't want to say we now have a complete free road into the future. We don't." Asked if he thought NASA was close to point where "team started falling to pieces," Dr. Paine said that "you can carry out space programs for the United States at a large number of different levels. I think the level we have now is a level we can take great pride in and I think the country in the 1970's will be very proud of the achievements NASA will turn in." (Transcript)
At NASA Hq. news conference on future NASA plans Julian Scheer, Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs, announced that 10-kg (22-lb) meteorite recovered Jan. 9 near Lost City, Okla., had come from orbit which took it outside Mars' orbit at planet's farthest point from sun. (Transcript)
NASA launched four sounding rockets from Churchill Research Range. Two Nike-Cajuns carried GSFC grenade experiments. Nike-Apache carried Univ. of Michigan experiment to study atmospheric structure. Nike-Tomahawk carried Univ. of Maryland payload through northern edge of bright aurora to 259-km (160.9-mi) altitude to observe visual aurora. Observations included measurement of energy spectra of auroral electrons and aurora] lights, measurement of electric fields, and measurement of visual aurora and aurora at three wavelengths. (SR list, NASA Rpt SRL)
Robert J. Perchard of Bourne, Mass., had obtained exclusive royalty free patent license from NASA to manufacture and sell inflatable life raft developed for manned space flight program, NASA announced. Patent had been issued to NASA Nov. 11, 1964. Non-tippable raft with radar-reflective surface had been part of survival equipment aboard all Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo spacecraft. Under NASA patent policy exclusive royalty-free license could be granted if commercial use of invention had not occurred within two years after patent's issuance. Perchard had become interested in developing new life raft after death of his son at sea during Coast Guard air rescue mission. (NASA Release 70-3)
Massachusetts Gov. Francis W. Sargent visited President Nixon at White House to discuss other uses for ERC complex in Cambridge, Mass., which NASA was closing. Later governor told press he had received "commitment" from President to seek other uses for the Center and he hoped Administration would consider other kinds of Federal research. (Doyle, W Star, 1/14/70, A15)
Pan American World Airways' Boeing 747 arrived at London Airport after first passenger transatlantic crossing. Aircraft, world's largest passenger plane, carried 361 passengers-mostly staff-on 6-hr 30 min flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York. First regularly scheduled passenger flight had been set for Jan. 21. (NYT,1/13/70, 73)
In FAA pre certification test of Boeing 747 superjet airliner at Roswell, N. Mex., 423 Roswell residents proved passengers could be evacuated through four hatches in less than 86 secs. Five hatches were to have been used, but one evacuation chute failed and "passengers" had to scramble out of remaining exits. (UPI, W Star, 1/14/70, A6)
TV commentator Walter Cronkite was named by Boston Museum, Boston, Mass., as 1970 recipient of Bradford Washburn Award for his "superlative presentation" of U.S. space program. Gold medal and $5000 honorarium were awarded annually in spring for "outstanding contribution toward public understanding of science, appreciation of its fascination, and the vital role it plays in all our lives." (UPI, NYT, 1116/70)
Boeing Co. would lay off some 18 000 persons in Puget Sound area during 1970, company Vice President Lowell P. Michelwait said in Seattle. Company employed 101 500 in peak year 1968. Nation wide force declined by 25 500 during 1969. Boeing employment in Seattle area was 80 000 and would drop to 62 000. Figures indicated 40% drop in work force in 2 1/2 yrs. Decline was attributed to slower commercial aircraft sales, failure to win new Government contracts, reduced Government spending, completion of current Government contracts, and increased productivity in 747 jet airliner assembly lines. (AP, NYT, 1/14/70)
Blanche S. Scott, first woman pilot in U.S. died at age 84. Mrs. Scott had made solo flight in Hammondsport, N.Y., Sept. 6, 1910, in Curtiss Pusher aircraft and had become first woman to ride in jet aircraft in 1948. (UPI, W Post, 1/14/70, C6)
January 13-14: NASA successfully launched one Nike-Cajun and six Nike-Apache sounding rockets carrying chemical cloud experiments from Wallops Station between 5:36 pm and 6:35 am EST. Rockets ejected vapor trails between 40- and 217-km (25- and 135mi) altitudes to measure wind velocities and directions. Nike-Apache launched at dusk was unsuccessful because 2nd stage failed to ignite. Nike-Apache launched at dawn carried sodium experiment that created reddish-orange cloud visible for hundreds of miles along East Coast. Nike-Cajun and four Nike-Apaches carried trimethylaluminum (TMA) payloads that formed pale white clouds. Data were obtained by photographing continuously motions of trails from five ground-based camera sites. Similar tests had been conducted Feb. 13-14, 1969. In conjunction with vapor series two Nike-Apaches and one Nike-Cajun were launched at 6:47 am, 12:23 pm, and 12:55 PM EST Jan, 14, carrying acoustic grenade experiments to obtain correlative data on atmosphere between 48- and 121-km (30- and 75-mi) altitudes by detonating grenades and recording their sound arrivals on ground. Arcas was launched at 1:27 PM EST Jan. 14 to obtain additional meteorological data. (WS Release 70-1)
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