Jul 28 1971
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Molniya 1-18 comsat from Plesetsk to ensure "operation of a system of long-distance telephone and telegraphic radio communications, and also the transmission of programs of USSR central television to points of the 'Orbita' network ... in the far north, Siberia, the Far East, and Central Asia." Orbital parameters: apogee, 39 340 km (24 444.7 mi) ; perigee, 995 km (618.3 mi) ; period, 707.2 min; and inclination, 65.3°. (GSFC SSR, 7/31/71; Tass, FBIS-Sov-71-145, 7/28/71, L1; SF, 1/72, 30)
Senate agreed to conference report on H.R. 7109, FY 1972 NASA authorization bill that recommended $3.355-billion authorization. Bill was cleared for President's approval. (CR, S12328-9)
NASA announced it would start Life Scientist Program, recommended by NAS, to increase cooperation between university and NASA life scientists in advancing disciplines related to NASA mission. Disciplines included medical, biological, behavioral, bioengineering, and life support engineering sciences as related to support of living systems in aeronautic and space operations, and exobiology- inquiry into existence of life outside universe, scientific origin of life, and planetary ecology. Pro-gram would start with selection of five scientists from different universities by evaluation of proposed investigations and their relevance to NASA's needs and interests. Scientists selected would spend one third of time with their graduate students at MSFC, ARC, or LaRC. Each would be awarded three-year grant on step-funded basis. (NASA Release 71-140)
USN had been forced to drop plans for purchase of F-14B jet fighter aircraft-more powerful version of F-14 Tomcat fighters-because of continuing financial problems, which had already pushed estimated price to $16 million per aircraft, Washington Post reported. (Getler, W Post, 7/28/71, Al )
Soviet biochemist Zhores Medvedev, in book smuggled to West, had said that, despite space achievements, science in U.S.S.R. was being throttled by bureaucracy and political ideology, AP reported. In Plight of Soviet Science Today Medvedev had said system willing to let only certain scientists travel abroad harmed U.S.S.R. (AP, NYT, 7/29/71, 37)
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