Mar 21 1972
From The Space Library
President Nixon sent letter to Dr. Rocco A. Petrone, Apollo Program Director: "As we approach the final countdown for Apollo 16, I want you and all the men and women of Apollo to know how much this nation values your splendid efforts. The moon flight program has captured the imagination of our times as has no other human endeavor. You and your team have, in fact, written the first chapter in the history of man's exploration of space, and all future achievements must credit all of you for having blazed the path. Countless people throughout the world will soon be sharing with you the excitement of Apollo 16's voyage, and I know I speak for all of them in conveying to you my warmest best wishes for a safe and successful flight. Good luck!" Dr. Petrone later sent copy of President's letter to Apollo team. (Petrone letter)
Soviet scientists V. Moroz and L. Ksanfomaliti described in Izvestia findings on Mars atmosphere from Mars 2 and 3 spacecraft. Difference in contrast on two wavelengths between continents and seas during dust storm and change in contrast in same field had permitted evaluation of dust particle size and cloud thickness. Average radius of particles over Iapigya region Dec. 15, 1971, was estimated to be less than one micrometer and density of particles to be 100 million per sq cm (645 million per sq in). "If clouds of such density uniformly envelop the entire planet, its atmosphere must have contained several thousand million tons of dust." Estimates suggested that particles have mostly silicate composition, "which agrees with the infra-red spectra obtained by Mariner 9. Particles of such a tiny size ... fall very slowly-for about a month even in the absence of supporting vertical currents in the atmosphere. Hence the conclusion that no prolonged storm in the true sense of the word, i.e. constant winds in the period of investigation, occurred." Unlike Venus, where cloud layer and atmosphere were more pervious and created "hothouse effect," surface of Mars "gets cool rather than heated, giving rise to what may be described as an `anti-hothouse effect.' When the storm ended, the temperature rose." Water vapor content of atmosphere was low during and after the dust storm (Tass, FBIS-Sov, 3/22/72, Ll)
Jet Propulsion Laboratory had issued report calling for analysis of potential hazards of 64-m (210-ft) dish antenna at Goldstone Tracking Station near Barstow, Calif., Los Angeles Times reported. Beam could pose electromagnetic threat to electronics components in aircraft and to passengers on board who had cardiac pacemakers. Preliminary estimates indicated high potential hazard within tubular, 400 000-w invisible beam out to 16.9-km (10.5-mi) altitude, where its power diminished to safe levels. (Miles, LA Times, 3/21/72)
Air Force announced award of $1 353 205 firm-fixed-price contract to Space Data Corp. for production of meteorological probes and launch support equipment. (DOD Release 204-72)
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