Mar 1 1973
From The Space Library
Cosmos 550 was launched by the U.S.S.R. into orbit from Plesetsk with a 313-km (194.5-mi) apogee, 204-km (126.8-mi) perigee, 89.7-min period, and 65.4° inclination. The satellite reentered March 11. (GSFC SSR, 3/31/73)
Contractor project definition and cost (Phase 132) studies were begun in Europe on the European Space Research Organization (ESRO) Spacelab (sortie lab) for NASA's space shuttle. (NASA Release 73-191)
The House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Manned Space Flight resumed hearings on the FY 1974 NASA authorization.
Dale D. Myers, NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight, testified that a thorough analysis of the space shuttle's possible environmental effects had been made in 1972 and a report had been filed with the Environmental Protection Agency. The shuttle's effect on atmosphere, water, and noise would be "minimal and below allowable limits." Safeguards to be added would further minimize any potential environmental impact. NASA and Dept. of Defense studies with space experienced companies to determine the reduction in satellite costs by use of the shuttle for launch and retrieval had shown "payload costs reductions of 40 to 50 percent" from "present-day payload costs." Plans for FY 1974 called for "an orderly buildup" in prime and subcontractor manpower for the orbiter and space shuttle main engine development and award of contracts for all remaining major elements of the shuttle, including the external tank and Solid Rocket Booster. FY 1974 funds, although less than requested, would provide for "an expanded scope of design, development, and testing activities and for continuation of subsystems and component development."
Director Douglas R. Lord of NASA'S Sortie Lab Task Force testified that the lab would be designed for installation in the space shuttle's cargo bay "to allow non-astronaut scientists to use nearly conventional laboratory equipment at orbital altitudes." The lab would consist of a closed, pressurized module for experimenters and their laboratory subsystems and apparatus, as well as a pallet section exposed to space when the payload bay doors were opened, for large sensors requiring space exposure, such as telescopes. The pallet could be used either with the pressurized module or separately, mounted in the payload bay and supported by the shuttle orbiter. The sortie lab would provide "an opportunity for international participation, . . . for the first time in the manned program, in the initial development of a completely new capability.” (Transcript)
NASA Associate Administrator for Applications Charles W. Mathews testified on NASA's FY 1974 applications program in authorization hearings before the House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications. With communications satellite services being provided throughout the world "on a highly useful, economic, and profitable basis," NASA had turned its emphasis to earth resources observations from satellites. "Perhaps the most significant event occurred last July [23] with the launch and successful operation of the first Earth Resources Technology Satellite, . . . whose very special images of the Earth's surface are being provided to users and investigators here and throughout the world every day." More than 300 investigations were under way and "important uses are being defined in almost every area under study." The Noaa 2 satellite launched by NASA for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Oct. 15, 1972, "afforded for the first time the measurement of temperatures at various heights in the atmosphere throughout the entire world on a truly operational basis." The information was being rapidly provided to the U.S. Weather Service for prediction programs. In addition, more precise images of global cloud cover were being obtained night and day. Noaa 2, in conjunction with the continuation of the experimental program through the launch of Nimbus 5 in December, "bodes well for continued progress in meteorology." New efforts in earth observations to start under the FY 1974 budget were in pollution monitoring, oceanography, and earth and ocean physics. In technology applications, NASA was supporting the Dept. of Housing and Urban Development on integrated utility systems to minimize energy consumption and waste output in housing units and the Dept. of Transportation in urban mass transportation. Special programs also included manufacturing in space.
In a new lead-center concept, responsibility for support in particular disciplines had been assigned to Centers: Johnson Space Center-Earth Resources Center; Goddard Space Flight Center-Weather and Climate Center; and Ames Research Center-applications aircraft program. The Applications Program Integration Board (APIB) had been established to evaluate major new proposals for applications or modifications to major ongoing efforts. (Transcript)
NASA held a Hq. press conference with French oceanographer Jacques-Yves Cousteau on the joint NASA and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration project in which Cousteau and his oceanographic research ship Calypso had participated [see Feb. 8, 15, and 21]. Cousteau had gathered data on ocean temperature, color, and breeding areas which would be compared with data from satellites in the NASA Applications Satellite program and from NOAA's Environmental Satellite Service. Cousteau said the opportunity to contribute to the project had been "very thrilling, because we believe that one of the most urgent tasks is to monitor the earth's resources and the ocean resources, and also to control-later on-directly from outer space, the degree of pollution of the surface of the ocean." During the expedition in Antarctic waters Cousteau had received satellite photos from Nimbus 2 satellite (launched by NASA May 15, 1966), Essa 8 (launched Dec. 15, 1968), and Noaa 2 (launched Oct. 15, 1972) to help him navigate the dangerous Drake passage between Antarctica and Ushuaia, Argentina. They were "the most valuable tool we had to plan our trip.” (Transcript)
Remote-sensing techniques developed by NASA for space and aircraft investigation of earth resources had been used to map land uses in the 18-county area surrounding Houston, Tex., Johnson Space Center announced. The experiment had been carried out with a specially equipped B-57 aircraft by the Earth Observations Div. of JSC to show the effectiveness of remote sensing to prepare fast,' accurate land use inventories for large areas. (JSC Release 73-15)
NASA launched a Nike-Apache sounding rocket from Churchill Research Range, Canada, carrying a Univ. of Pittsburgh payload to 135.1-km (84-mi) altitude. The primary objective was to confirm an initial observation of nitric oxide in the auroral zone and collect data on processes producing it in certain auroral arcs. The rocket and recovery system performed satisfactorily. The telemetry signal varied from good with good scientific data on the upward trajectory to poor with marginal data on the down. (NASA Rpt SRL)
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