Mar 15 1971
From The Space Library
Detection of "possible spinar"-celestial object which could be link between galaxies and quasars in outer space-was described by NRL team headed by Dr. Herbert Friedman in Astrophysical Journal. Spinar, 200 million light years from earth, could be entire galaxy of collapsed and rotating neutron stars or single, massive pulsar. Object had been found by x-ray detector aboard Aerobee sounding rocket. In interview with Washington Evening Star later, Dr. Friedman said new source, classified as a Seyfert Galaxy, emitted "soft x-rays." Spinar would radiate 1000 times less visible light than quasar and 12 000 times more infrared than visible light energy-approximately what had been found in Seyfert Galaxy. But x-ray emissions perhaps as much as 10 trillion suns indicated it might be powered by same mechanism as pulsar. Dr. Friedman speculated that pulsar such as spinar could be missing link between conventional galaxy like Milky Way and quasars and that spacecraft-mounted x- ray detectors would find "tens of thousands" of such sources. (Astrophysical Journal, 3/15/71, L-81-5; Lannan, W Star, 3/19/71, B5)
NASA launched two Nike-Tomahawk sounding rockets-one from Fox Main, Dew Line Station, Alaska, and one from Pin Main-to study electric fields. Rockets and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (SR List)
House Committee on Appropriations by vote of 26 to 15 approved full $290 million requested by DOT for continued SST development. (CR, 3/15/71, D164; AP, NYT, 3/16/71, 62)
FCC deadline for filing proposals to build domestic comsat systems. Eight proposals had been filed, calling for launch of 19 satellites and expenditure of more than $1 billion. Fairchild Hiller Corp. and Tele-Communications, Inc., had said they would petition FCC for permission to orbit domestic comsat systems, Wall Street Journal reported. Fairchild Hiller proposal called for two satellites in equatorial orbit with third reserve satellite on ground. Tele-Communications envisioned $66-million comsat system of two satellites and six ground stations to start. (WSJ, 3/15/71, 13; 3/16/71, 7)
Feasibility of comsats for helicopter communications had been demonstrated by tests conducted with DOD'S Tacsat 1 comsat over Pacific Ocean, Aviation Week & Space Technology reported. Tests at UHF and super-high (X-band) frequencies used different antennas for each, mounted on Army/Bell UH-ID helicopter atop rotor mast to avoid signal modulation by rotating blades. (Av Wk, 3/15/71, 39)
U.S. and U.S.S.R. opened fourth round of Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) in Vienna. (AP, W Star, 3/15/71, A3)
President Nixon, in Key Biscayne, Fla., sent message to Congress transmitting 10th annual report of U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency: "For the first time a realistic dialogue is taking place between the Soviet Union and ourselves about the management of our strategic relations. The mutuality of interests which brought us to the table encourages our hope that the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks will succeed." (PD, 3/22/71, 492)
New York Times editorial commented on Pioneer F: "The mission of Pioneer F-the spacecraft that will be launched next year to visit giant Jupiter and send back photographs and scientific data-opens some of the most exciting vistas yet in the entire space program. If accomplished . . . this mission would mark a major advance in man's understanding of a hitherto unpenetrated section of the solar system," (NYT, 3/15/71, 38)
March 15-16: NASA launched two Nike-Cajun sounding rockets from Kourou, French Guiana, carrying GSFC experiments to measure ozone distribution at low latitudes near equinox from 70- to 15-km (44- to 9-mi) altitude. Rockets reached 75.5- and 72.5-km (46.9- and 45.1-mi )altitudes with rockets and instruments functioning satisfactorily. Launches were second and third in four-launch series; first had been conducted March 5. (NASA Rpts SRL)
March 15-18: AIAA Space Shuttle Development, Testing, and Operations Conference/NASA Space Shuttle Technology Conference was held in Phoenix, Ariz. Charles J. Donlan, Deputy Associate Administrator (Technical), OMSF, said NASA plans called for unmanned testing of reusable space shuttle beginning in 1976 and manned tests in 1977. Fully operational vehicle would be ready in 1979. Col. John G. Albert, USAF Director of Space Operations, said DOD was "putting its faith in the shuttle and as a result we are not developing any other space rocket beyond the present Titan 3. We intend to use the shuttle for all military space operations." Use would include communications, navigation, weather-watching, and surveillance. Shuttle would place military satellites in orbit and perform specialized missions in orbit for periods up to seven days. Col. Albert told news conference later that DOD would "certainly make a sizable funding contribution at the proper time" to assist NASA in shuttle development. To be useful to the military, shuttle must be able to operate like jet transport with quick turnaround on runway after conventional landing. (AP, B Sun, 3/16/71)
Jean Bernard LaGarde, liaison officer for European Space Conference and French representative to Esc, said Europe would contribute $1 billion to U.S. manned space programs in future if U.S. lifted ban on launching comsats for European nations. LaGarde said U.S. would have to give positive answer by late April or early May. (LA Times, 3/17/71)
AIAA President Martin Goland at banquet March 16 presented Haley Astronautical Award of $500, medal, and certificate, to Apollo 13 Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr., Fred W. Haise, Jr., and John L. Swigert for "exceptional manner in which the Apollo 13 crew conducted themselves and their spacecraft under extraordinary circumstances of extreme stress." Octave Chanute Award of $500 and certificate was presented to William M. Magruder, Director of SST Development for DOT, for "outstanding contributions by a pilot to the development of safer, more efficient air transportation." AIAA History Manuscript Award for "best historical manuscript dealing with the science, technology, and impact of aeronautics and astronautics on society" went to Constance McLaughlin Green and Milton Lomask for "A History of Project Vanguard" [published in NASA Historical Series in March as Vanguard-A History, SP- 4202]. (AIAA Release; AIAA Bull, 3/71; NASA list Off)
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