Mar 29 1972
From The Space Library
Apollo 16 spacecraft, loaded with propellants, completed countdown demonstration test at Kennedy Space Center. (KSC Release 55-72)
Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects was signed simultaneously in Washington, Moscow, and London. In statement following signing, Secretary of State William P. Rogers said convention had been formulated to compensate, fairly and promptly, if space object of one party caused injury or damage to citizen of another party. "I believe that the convention which we have signed today will accomplish that purpose. I concur in Admiral Alan Shepard's statement in the U.N. General Assembly last year that it is a 'sound treaty based on realistic perceptions of mutual interest and mutual benefit.' Like its predecessor, this treaty is the result of intensive work in the United Nations Outer Space Committee and represents both a practical and an imaginative step in developing just international rules governing man's activities in space. Many countries have had an active part in its formulation during years of intensive negotiations. The conclusion of the agreement has again demonstrated what note-worthy results a cooperative approach to international negotiations can achieve." (Tass, FBIS-Sov, 3/29/72, Al; Rogers Text)
Dept. of Justice charged 20 major U.S. aircraft companies and Manufacturers Aircraft Assn., Inc., with violating Sherman Antitrust Act by agreeing to suppress competition in research and development of aircraft and patentable components. Alleged agreement "hindering and delaying" development of new inventions dated back to 1928, Justice Dept. charged. Civil suit filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, N.Y., asked dissolution of manufacturers' association and injunction against aircraft companies entering into future agreements to restrict research or reduce competition in R&D by patent policies. Suit said U.S. manufactured nearly $8 billion worth of aircraft in 1967, more than half of which was military, and that four largest companies accounted for 60% of work, and eight largest for 88%. Manufacturers Aircraft Assn., Inc., and Boeing Co. later said charges were "completely unfounded in fact and law." (Shanahan, NYT, 3/30/72, 1)
Nike-Javelin III sounding rocket, carrying Naval Research Laboratory cesium cloud experiment, was launched by NASA from Wallops Station at 5:07 am EST. Huge yellowish clouds formed were visible along East Coast. Launch was third in series of five to collect atmospheric data; previous launches had been conducted March 25 and 27. (WS PAo; WS Release 72-4)
President Nixon sent message to Congress urging Executive reorganization: "The product would be four entirely new, goal- oriented departments concerned with our communities, our earth, our economy, and our potential as individuals-plus a revitalized fifth department concerned with keeping America in food and fiber." New Departments of Community Development, Natural Resources, Economic Affairs, and Human Resources would replace Departments of Interior, Commerce, Labor, Health, Education, and Welfare, Housing and Urban Development, and Transportation. Dept. of Agriculture would be "streamlined." Several independent Federal agencies "would be drawn into the consolidation process as appropriate." (PD, 4/3/72, 708-14)
Award of $361 494 contract to EGNG Inc. Bedford (Mass.) Div. for production and testing of prototype cold fog dissipation (CFD) system was announced by Air Force Systems Command. CFD system, designed by Air Force Air Weather Service for global use, would be deployed to U.S.-operated bases in United Kingdom, Germany, Alaska, and Netherlands. CFD system used liquid-propane spray vaporized from tanks at preselected sites upwind of runway complex to disperse fog affecting aircraft at airports. (AFSC Release 023.72)
Dr. Donald Blessing Rice, Assistant Director of White House Office of Management and Budget, was named President of RAND Corp. (Belair, NYT, 3/30/72, 17)
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