Jan 30 1968
From The Space Library
President Johnson transmitted to Congress his annual report, United States Aeronautics and Space Activities, 1967. "The fruits of . . . technology have not been limited to space exploration alone. The knowledge built through our space program has benefited our earthbound lives. It has: revolutionized communications throughout the world; given us better weather information and more accurate navigational and geographic data; brought improved medical instruments and techniques, advanced education, and added to our store of scientific knowledge; spurred the development of more sophisticated aircraft and improved flight safety; [and] strengthened both the security of this nation and our leadership in the search for a peaceful and secure world." The President was heartened to see that the space program had "moved forward in a spirit of international cooperation, giving new
Engineering mockup of Saturn I orbital workshop readied for crew station review at Marshall Space Flight Center. Space-suited astronaut leaves full-size model of Saturn S-IVB rocket stage which will contain individual sleeping rooms, kitchen-dining area, laboratory work spaces, and waste-management area. hope that the conquest of space can contribute to the establishment of peace." (Text)
MSFC reported "all mission objectives were met" by Saturn IB launch vehicle used in first unmanned flight test of Apollo lunar module, Jan. 22. Flight was fourth consecutive success for Saturn IB and 15th out of 15 for MSFC-developed Saturn launch vehicles. Flight events had been "exactly on time or within a few hundredths of a second until second stage but still within tolerance limits." Trajectories of both stages had been within expected tolerances, and orbit insertion conditions had been met satisfactorily. (MSFC Release 68-17)
ARC scientists Dr. Gordon W. Hodgson and Dr. Cyril A. Ponnamperuma had demonstrated by synthesizing molecules in porphyrin group, of which chlorophyll was a member, means by which chlorophyll might have first appeared on earth. By subjecting ammonia, methane, and water in a simulated primitive atmosphere to continuous lightning charges, scientists created new molecular combinations, including some tentatively identified as porphyrins. Such a process of chemical evolution to form of self-sustaining life probably occurred during billion years of earth's 4.5 billion years. Scientists confirmed synthesis with tests, but warned that materials might not be true porphyrins but structurally related compounds. (ARC Release 68-4)
Shipment of LM-2, second Apollo lunar module, and associated Saturn IB launch vehicle to KSC had been postponed pending further evaluation of Apollo 5 mission results [see Jam 27 and 30]. Initial evaluations of first LM flight, Jan. 22-23, had indicated that second unmanned flight might not be required to qualify spacecraft for manned flight. NASA announced that further "detailed review of Apollo 5 flight data and deliberations by a [NASA] design certification review board in March will determine the final decision." (NASA Release 68-21).
Orbital workshop engineering mockup was readied for five-day crew station review Feb. 12-16 at MSFC. It was second of three design reviews. First had been conducted Dec. 11-14, 1967. In mockup, recently returned to MSFC from McDonnell Douglas Corp., astronauts would carry out tasks on ground that would later be done in orbit under zero gravity conditions, including experiment installation and operation. MSFC announced that third and final critical review in July would precede production of flight model of orbital workshop. (MSFC Release 68-18)
NASA announced award of $7.4-million contract to Link Group, General Precision Systems, Inc., for maintenance and modification support of MSC's simulator complex, continuing services provided by Link Group since March 1964. Apollo mission simulators, at MSC and at KSC, had provided flight training for astronaut crews in which nearly every detail of flight except weightlessness could be simulated. (NASA Release 68-20).
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