Jul 18 1969
From The Space Library
In response to telephone inquiry by Astronaut Frank Borman, Mstislav V. Keldysh, President of Soviet Academy of Sciences, sent telegram guaranteeing that Luna XV, orbiting moon, would not interfere with Apollo 11 mission and assuring Borman that he would be notified of any changes in spacecraft's course. Under 1967 U.N. Outer Space Treaty, U.S. and U.S.S.R. were bound to furnish each other this kind of information. (Wilford, NYT, 7/19/69, 1)
Apollo passive seismic experiment, part of extravehicular activity to be performed by Apollo 11 astronauts on moon, was described in Science as "the most exciting experiment in seismology." Dr. G. Latham and Dr. M. Ewing of Columbia Univ.'s Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Dr. F. Press of MIT, and Dr. G. Sutton of Univ. of Hawaii explained objective was to detect naturally occurring seismic events on lunar surface through early Apollo scientific experiment package (EASEP) planted on moon. Package weighed 105 lbs and would transmit data to earth one year (or maximum two years), during lunar days because its solar cell panels required illumination to provide power. Complete Apollo lunar surface experiments package (ALSEP), containing at least three additional experiments for measurements of solar wind and magnetic field, would be included on Apollo 12 for day and night operation. In Apollo 11 experiment astronaut would remove instrument from LM to smoothest area within 6.6-9.8 ft (20-30 m) of LM, unfold solar panels, adjust package level to within 5°, orient it with azimuth for maximum illumination of solar panels, and aim antenna toward earth. MSC would issue commands to uncage and level seismometers and select proper gain. Expected sources of lunar seismic activity included several hundred monthly moonquakes, thermal stresses produced by rapid temperature variations at surface; tidal stresses exerted by earth and sun; and meteoroid impacts. By end of Apollo Program, scientists hoped to have achieved crude curves of travel time for body and surface waves and beginning of seismicity map of moon. During post-Apollo period, seismologists wanted to achieve wider distribution of detectors to map seismically active belts in greater detail; study mechanisms of energy release; lower minimum detectable ground motion of individual seismometer; and improve performance of long-period seismometer systems at ultra-long-period end of spectrum for recording surface waves from moonquakes, free oscillations of moon, and lunar tides. (Science, 7/18/69, 241-50)
White House confirmed President Nixon would talk with Apollo 11 astronauts over two-way TV hookup as they first set foot on moon. Nixon and Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr." would be visible on split screen to earth TV viewers. President could watch on White House TV, but astronauts would have no view of him. President Nixon planned to spend evening of July 20 watching Apollo 11 progress on TV with former Astronaut Frank Borman, White House liaison with NASA. (Lyons, W Post, 7/19/69, A9)
Apollo 10 mission (May 18-26), first lunar orbital mission with complete Apollo spacecraft, was adjudged successful by NASA. Mission had achieved all objectives; systems had performed according to plan with only minor anomalies and crew had acquired major quantities of photographic training materials for subsequent Apollo missions. (NASA Proj Off)
Izvestia gave first U.S.S.R. report of President Nixon's July 17 announcement that medals of two dead Soviet cosmonauts would be placed on moon by Apollo 11 astronauts. Factual account of mission carried no comment. (W Post, 7/19/69, A10)
Pride Inc. Operations Director Marion Barry called on black community to work during July 21 National Day of Participation declared by President Nixon in honor of Apollo 11 lunar landing. During Washington press conference he said, "Why should blacks rejoice when two white Americans land on the moon when white America's money and technology have not even reached" the inner city? "Why should blacks celebrate Monday .. . when President Nixon didn't feel that Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination deserved to be observed?" (Paka, W, Post, 7/19/69, A9)
Richmond, Va. News-Leader editorial approved Vice President Spiro T. Agnew's calling for flight to Mars by end of century [see July 16]: "One day, man will go beyond the planets, to other solar systems; right now . . . that is not within our technological reach. But Mars is, and so are the other planets. The moon is in earth's, and man's, own crib. Plans and commitments should be made-now-for man to take grown-up strides in the real world of space." (R News-Leader, 7/18/69)
After four years of "running at top speed," MSC had failed to turn Houston, Tex., into "science city," said Thomas G. Plate in Science. Houston area, as largest petrochemical industry area in U.S., was "going its own booming way" while 4,600 NASA people and 9,000 employees of 125 private firms working on NASA business in area helped to shape space age community at MSC. "The injection of $140 million a year in NASA, money and the impact on the life of the area of NASA workers-some 2500 of them R&D scientists and engineers-and of the 9000 employees of . . . high-technology firms serving MSC has so far had surprisingly little effect. But meanwhile the space community has developed its own special character with its own style of life and its own special goals." (Science, 7/18/69, 265-9)
ComSatCorp reported second quarter earnings of $1,976,000 (20 cents per share) ; earnings had been $1,506,000 (15 cents per share) in similar 1968 period. Earnings for first six months of 1969 totaled $3,501,000 (35 cents per share) and $3,405,000 (33 cents per share) in 1968. (ComSatCorp Release 69-43)
“To The Moon” article in Time Magazine
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