Jun 29 1972
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Prognoz 2 from Baikonur into highly elliptical orbit to continue research of "processes of solar activity and their influence on interplanetary space and the earth's magnetosphere." Orbital parameters: apogee, 200 000 km (124 000 mi) ; perigee, 550 km (340 mi) ; period, 97 hrs; and inclination, 65°. Prognoz 2 carried Soviet equipment to study corpuscular radiation, gamma ray and x-ray solar emissions, and solar plasma fluxes and their interaction with earth's magnetosphere. Spacecraft also carried French equipment to study solar wind, outer regions of magnetosphere, and gamma rays from sun and to search for solar neutrons. Prognoz I had been launched April 14. (Spacewarn, 7/11/72; Tass, FBIS-Sov, 6/29/72, LI; Sov Aero, 7/3/72, 6; GSFC SSR, 6/30/72)
Federal District in Washington, D.C., issued temporary order restraining NASA from reducing staff at Marshall Space Flight Center on petition of American Federation of Government Employees. MSFC reduction in force had been scheduled for June 29. Judge Joseph C. Waddy scheduled hearing for July 10 to determine if restraining order would become permanent injunction. (MSFC Release 72-80)
Cuban Premier Fidel Castro and Soviet Communist Party Leader Leonid I. Brezhnev visited Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center near Moscow during state visit of Castro to U.S.S.R. Castro placed flowers on monument to Gagarin, first man in space (April 12, 1961). Visitors were shown automatic linking of model spacecraft, Salyut space station, and spacecraft that had returned from space. (Tass, FBIS-Sov, 6/30/72, Gl )
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