Mar 25 1971
From The Space Library
ARC researchers had used sensors on twin-engine Cessna 401 light aircraft to detect and measure oil spills in Pacific Ocean off California, NASA announced. Sensors had detected slicks from heavy and light crude oils and light diesel oil. ARC researchers John P. Millard and John C. Arveson had said approach should be applicable to satellite-borne sensor system. (NASA Release 71- 42)
West Germany's Bochum Observatory reported Communist China's second satellite (launched March 3) had stopped transmitting signals on March 23. Scientists did not know whether satellite had failed or had been turned off. (AP, W Star, 3/25/71, Al)
President Nixon sent message to Congress proposing establishment of Dept. of Natural Resources, Dept. of Community Development, Dept. of Human Resources, and Dept. of Economic Affairs. Dept. of Natural Resources would absorb Dept. of Interior and would include functions of DOT, NO, and civilian power functions of AEC. While DoT was relatively new entity it was "organized around methods and not around purposes." Much of DOT would be moved into new Dept. of Economic Affairs, "but those functions which particularly support community development would be placed in the Department which is designed to meet that goal." Dept. of Economic Affairs would include National Transportation Safety Board, Transportation Systems Center, FAA, Science Information Exchange program from Smithsonian Institution, and Office of Technology Utilization from NASA (PD, 3/25/71, 545- 60)
President Nixon spoke by telephone with Boeing Co. employees in Seattle, Wash., and Wichita, Kans., to express thanks for work on SST project: "The reason I fought so hard to keep the SST project alive was that I believe deeply that America must remain in the vanguard of scientific and technological progress - the kind of progress your team represents." (PD, 3/25/71, 560-1)
Report that Japan planned to build supersonic transport aircraft since U.S. had dropped SST program was denied by Shoichi Akazawa, official of Japanese International Trade and Industry Ministry in Tokyo. (Reuters, W Post, 3/25/71, A23)
Economic impact of end of SST subsidy was described by Frank C. Porter in Washington Post: While move could idle 13 000 workers across U.S., "it is unlikely immediately to cause more than a ripple in the $1 trillion American economy." Some experts had suggested that continued SST development could cost more jobs ultimately than it would create. Meanwhile, it would cost U.S. Government extra $97 million to scrap program: contract termination costs of $52 million to Boeing Co., $33 million to General Electric Co., $10 million in miscellaneous termination costs, and $2 million to close SST project office at DOT. Government also would have to return $22.4 million in down payments made by airlines. (W Post, 3/25/71, A23)
Tass announced construction by Soviet scientists of "world's first operating installation" to convert atomic energy directly into electricity. Installation had produced "several kilowatts" for "new major achievement of Soviet atomic science and technology." AEC said later that, while U.S. had done same thing on smaller scale, U.S.S.R. might be closer to building unit large enough to power giant, multichannel comsats, long-range space missions, or compact power station under sea or in remote places. (Cohn, W Post, 3/26/71, Al)
Sen. Edmund S. Muskie (D-Me.) introduced, for himself and cosponsors, S. 1382, "to authorize the Secretary of Transportation to carry out a special program of transportation research and development utilizing the unique experience and manpower of the airframe and defense industries." (CR, 3/25/71, S3900)
French government approved plans for construction of world's first commercial air-cushion railroad to relieve auto traffic crisis. (Hess, NYT, 3/26/71, 65)
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