Mar 10 1971
From The Space Library
Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences unanimously approved nomination of Dr. James C. Fletcher as NASA Administrator, following one-hour hearing. Dr. Fletcher told Committee U.S. had made "some small steps" toward cooperation with U.S.S.R. in space. "I think we can make these even larger steps." Asked if he thought NASA needed any change in direction Dr. Fletcher said, "No organization is perfect, and a new administration will always look at the program to see if it can make any changes and I intend to do that." In response to question from Sen. Margaret Chase Smith (R-Me.), Dr. Fletcher said it was "not NASA's mission" to act as technological WPA in aiding depressed areas through the channel of space contracts. (CR, 3/10/71, D144; O'Toole, W Post, 3/11/71)
NASA launched series of five sounding rockets from Wallops Station to collect data for comparison with data collected during March 7, 1970, solar eclipse. Two Nike-Cajuns each carried 31-grenade payload to 113-km (70.2-mi) altitude. All but one grenade ejected and exploded as planned. Three Nike-Apaches carried pitot-static probe payloads to 179-km (111.2-mi), 178-km (110.6-mi), and 171- km (106.3-mi) altitudes. Rockets and instruments functioned satisfactorily and good data were obtained. (NASA Rpts SRL)
First flight model LRV was formally delivered to NASA in ceremony at Boeing Co.'s Space Center at Kent, Wash. Dr. Eberhard F. M. Rees, MSFC Director, accepted first of three flight models from Boeing Co. Group Vice President for Aerospace O. C. Boileau. Model would be shipped to arrive at KSC March 15 for final checks and installation aboard Apollo 15 LM. Delivery would be two weeks before April 1 contract delivery date. (NASA Release 71-38; Boeing Release 3/10/71)
NASA plans to develop first space rescue capability during 1972 Skylab program were described by Dr. Wernher von Braun, Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning, before AAS meeting in Washington, D.C.: Studies indicated NASA could have rescue spacecraft standing by on launch pad 20 days before scheduled Skylab launch in spring 1973. Rescue technique would be facilitated by equipping Apollo spacecraft with two extra seats beneath three regular crew seats. In space emergency, modified spacecraft would be launched with two-man crew rather than three. It would rendezvous with distressed Skylab vehicle to recover three-man Skylab team. Rescue vehicle would have improved hydraulic telescoping landing legs to absorb impact on land if water landing was not practical. (AP, Huntsville Times, 3/11/71)
NASA Associate Administrator for Tracking and Data Acquisition Gerald M. Truszynski testified on FY 1972 budget request during House Committee on Science and Astronautics authorization hearings. During 1970 OTDA supported some 50 ongoing scientific, applications, planetary, and lunar experiment missions as well as some 14 new flight projects launched in year by NASA and DOD. During Apollo 13 mission, with safe return after inflight explosion, MSFN "demonstrated that it is, in fact, the astronauts' life-line to earth." Valuable clues to origin of explosion were found in analysis of recorded telemetry data. MSFN was still supporting experiments left on moon by Apollo 12 and 14 missions. After FY 1972's Apollo 15 and 16 missions, network would be continuously monitoring 16 ALSEP experiments. Satellite network provided tracking and data acquisition for average monthly workload of some 40 earth orbital satellites, including NASA's scientific and applications satellites and projects of other Government agencies and foreign countries. DSN supported Mariner 6 and 7 probes in extended mission phase and Apollo 13, as well as four ongoing Pioneer missions (6 through 9). Data acquired by Goldstone antenna on effect of solar gravitation on Mariner spacecraft signals had verified Einstein theory of delay of 200 microseconds in return of signals from gravitational field of sun. Construction continued on second 64-m (210-ft) antenna at Tidbinbilla, Australia, and ground was broken for third near Madrid, Spain. (Transcript)
ComSatCorp released 1970 annual report. Highlights of 1970 included: declaration of corporation's first dividend; increase in net income from 70 cents per share to $1.75; submission to FCC of proposal for domestic comsat system for lease to AT&T; completion of Bartlett earth station at Talkeetna, Alaska, and nine new foreign earth station antennas, bringing total antennas to 51; beginning of construction of new antenna at Andover, Me.; launch of the last three Intelsat III satellites; and election of Joseph H. McConnell as ComSatCorp Chairman. (Text)
Informatics Tisco announced it had received one-year, $4.8-million, incentive contract extension from NASA for operation of NASA Scientific and Technical Information Facility at College Park, Md. (Informatics Release)
Sen. Joseph M. Montoya (D-N. Mex.) introduced S. 1184, "to establish a Department of Science and Technology, and to transfer certain agencies and functions to such Department." Bill provided that NASA, NSF, and AEC be transferred to new department. Sen. Montoya had introduced similar legislation on Oct. 12, 1970. (CR, 3/10/71, 52800-12; NASA LAR, X/22)
Sen. Winston L. Prouty (R-Vt.) introduced S. 1168, $619-million NsF FY 1972 authorization bill. (CR, 3/10/71, S2783-4)
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