Mar 2 1972
From The Space Library
Isis 2 International Satellite for Ionospheric Studies (launched by NASA March 31, 1971, in joint U.S. and Canadian program) was ad-judged successful by NASA. Spacecraft had exceeded mission objectives. All 12 scientific instruments were operational and were still acquiring detailed information on latitudinal and diurnal variations of ionosphere. Spacecraft was obtaining radio- sounder and correlative direct measurements to allow continuation and extension of ionospheric studies during period of declining solar activity, and long lifetime was anticipated. Isis 2 was fourth and final mission in U.S.-Canadian program to study ionosphere that began with launch of Alouette 1 Sept. 28, 1962. All four spacecraft were operational and were providing useful data. Isis program had acquired wealth of knowledge on worldwide morphology of topside ionosphere, virtually unknown region before Alouette-Isis program, and in discoveries in plasma physics and radio-wave propagation. (NASA proj off)
Bellcomm, Inc., scientist Dr. Farouk El-Baz had suggested that water vapor detected on moon March 7, 1971, could have come from water and urine dumped into lunar orbit from Apollo 14 spacecraft, Reuters reported. He had shown particles of waste water could have combined, orbited moon for several weeks at gradually decreasing altitudes, and finally descended to lunar surface, where they were detected as water vapor. Bellcomm's findings were rejected by Dr. H. Kent Hills of Rice Univ., who said waste discharge would have spread out in orbit and would not have produced as high a reading on two suprathermal ion detectors as he and codiscoverer Dr. John W. Freeman had found. Discovery of water vapor had been announced Oct. 15, 1971 [see also March 3]. (NYT, 3/3/72, 22; Bellcomm Inc; NASA proj off)
Roy P. Jackson, NASA Associate Administrator for Aeronautics and Space Technology, discussed role of aircraft technology in alleviating airport terminal congestion in speech before American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' National Capital Section in Washington, D.C.: Total number of civil air operations was expected to double approximately every decade throughout the rest of this century. "The busiest airports will have to handle twice to three times their present operations. Since most jetports are too noisy today, the capacity increase must be accomplished with an actual integrated decrease in noise. Steeper operational procedures, retrofitted engines, and quieter engines in new terminal-configured aircraft must all be considered as companions to dual run-ways, improved automation, and success in the Discrete Addressable Beacon and Microwave Landing Systems Programs. "To design the next generation of civil aircraft as terminal- configured vehicles, the designer will need technology advancements that will permit steep and curved vertical profiles for noise abatement, curved ground tracks for noise abatement and airspace efficiency, and an ability to satisfy a specified time- of-arrival at the runway threshold to maximize runway capacity." NASA had "a new start in FY '73 to lead the way in technology . .. the Terminal Configured Vehicles and Avionics Operating Experiments Program, for which funding of $4.2 million will be programmed." (Text)
NASA applications program was reviewed by Associate Administrator for Applications Charles W. Mathews in testimony before House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications during FY 1973 NASA authorization hearings. Objectives of program were "to establish useful applications of space and space know-how through the development of user relationships, through the development of requisite technology, and through the conduct of appropriate ground, airborne and space flight investigations." Space was "a magnificent vantage point to survey the surface of the earth and to expedite and enhance the flow of information around the globe." Core of program was new applications of earth observations and communications, but "other areas associated with the unique environment of space, particularly weightlessness, show promises which must be explored, developed and exploited." Space manufacturing processes offered good example. "Space applications, however, should not be envisioned just as activities that lead to satellites or laboratories in space, for . . . applications relate to contributions to men and women who ... reside right here on the ground. Know-how provided by experience with the development of space systems can be applied to . . areas involving housing, transportation, health care and many others" NASA participation in Global Atmospheric Research Program (GARP) would increase significantly in FY 1973 as transition occurred from planning to carrying out Tropical Experiment and Data Systems Test, both planned for CY 1974. Planning would be accelerated for Global Experiment during 1976-1977. GARP was being conducted by World Meteorological Organization and International Council of Scientific Unions to increase understanding of circulation of atmosphere and provide mathematical and physical basis for long-range weather prediction, determination of feasibility of large-scale climatic modification, and assessment of consequences of man's pollution of atmosphere. (Transcript)
Officials of NASA Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) testified during House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Aeronautics and Space Technology's final hearings on NASA FY 1973 authorization. William H. Woodward, Director of Space Propulsion and Power, cited importance of isotope power systems to NASA planetary program: "The ability of nuclear electric power systems to operate for long periods ... without consideration to distance from the sun is the primary feature which makes nuclear systems mandatory for outer planet missions. This self-contained energy input characteristic also provides a relative insensitivity to the operating environments encountered and this capability may be important on many missions, e.g., lander missions on planetary surfaces or missions which encounter high natural radiation fields." Power requirements of most missions could be satisfied with low-level isotope power systems using radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGS). "Currently, RTG's are scheduled for flight on the Pioneer Jupiter Flyby and the Mars Viking Lander missions and in addition, are planned for use in future outer planet programs." Associate Administrator for OAST Roy P. Jackson testified that solar energy could prove important energy resource. National Science Foundation's RANN (Research Applicable to National Needs) program had budgeted $4 million for solar energy investigations in FY 1973.
Atomic Energy Commission, Dept. of Interior, and NASA were conducting in-house studies. Solar Energy Subcommittee had been established by Federal Council on Science and Technology Committee on Energy Research and Development Goals to assess benefits to recommend R&D funds and programs. Subcommittee was first time solar energy had been considered at this level of national planning. NASA was evaluating concept for generating electric power from solar cells in space and transmitting power to earth via microwave beam, which would deliver more concentrated solar energy than naturally received on earth's surface. Collecting in space also could be continuous, rather than having to stop at night or in cloudy weather. Edwin C. Kilgore, Deputy Associate Administrator for Management, described OAST manpower problems and methods to alleviate them. Though OAST manpower applied to aeronautics had increased 90% since 1966, manpower for all other efforts had decreased by 56%. Growth in aeronautics could not be provided continuously by transferring personnel from space projects. "In the short term we will continue to meet the increased need for aeronautics manpower by re- training and reassignment of personnel at the Research Centers. For the long term we have initiated a program to encourage the training of students interested in aeronautical sciences. . . we are continuing the cooperative NASA/university graduate research and study program begun in FY 1971 where faculty and students are working with the Research Centers." R. D. Ginter, Director of Technology Applications, testified on NASA and National Science Foundation cooperation in applications: NSF's RANN program contained "two broad areas of mutual interest: Advanced Technology Applications and Environmental Systems Resources. One of our senior people has been assigned to focus this effort, coordinate task selection, and provide program management. During the next year we intend to expand our problem definition activity and prepare specific proposals for NSF consideration." (Transcript)
Report of Soviet progress in space presented at annual meeting of Soviet Academy of Sciences appeared in Sotsialisticheskaya Industriya. Academician M. D. Millionschikov said 1971 had been year of achievement in space. Creation of "the world's first manned orbital scientific station, Salyut, was a major event.... Exploration of the moon and the planets with the help of automatic space vehicles has continued. Recently, a magnificent space experiment was completed-the Luna 20 automatic station's delivery to earth of soil samples from the almost inaccessible' lunar mountain region. Two automatic 'Mars' stations were created. . . Separating from the Mars 2 station, a capsule landed a pennant . . . and the Mars 3 descent vehicle made the first soft landing on the surface of Mars. In addition to the scientific exploration of space, broad plans were elaborated for utilizing satellites for extra-atmosphere astronomy. Work began on the utilization of satellites for exploring natural resources in the interests of the national economy including geological survey work, agriculture, forestry, water economy, fishing, the hydro-meteorological service, and geodesy." (FBIS-SOV, 3/13/72, L2)
Cutbacks in NASA budget would necessitate dismissal of some 40 civil service employees at Kennedy Space Center during March, KSC Director, Dr. Kurt H. Debus, announced. Cutback was part of NASA-wide work force reduction. Similar reduction might be required in 1973. (Today, 3/2/72)
World's first nuclear-powered artificial heart was exhibited for first time by National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. Dr. Theodore Cooper, Director of National Heart and Lung Institute in NIH, said heart might be perfected for human use toward end of decade. Electrically powered version and atom-powered heart-helper had already been implanted in calves. System was expected to operate for 10 yrs. (Asher, W Post, 3/3/72, Al)
March 2-24: NASA'S Pioneer 10 (Pioneer-F) Jupiter probe was launched from Eastern Test Range at 8:49 pm EST by three-stage Atlas-Centaur-TE-M-364 4 booster, used for first time. Spacecraft reached highest launch velocity ever attained, 51 500 km per hr (32 000 mph) relative to earth. Primary objective was to obtain precursory scientific information beyond Mars orbit with emphasis on investigation of interplanetary medium, asteroid belt, and Jupiter and its environment. Secondary objective was to advance technology for long flights to outer planets. The 258-kg (569-1b), spin-stabilized spacecraft carried 11 scientific experiments to provide new knowledge about Jupiter, solar system, and Milky Way galaxy. It would return first closeup images of Jupiter and make first measurements of Jupiter's twilight side, never seen from earth. Two additional experiments-celestial mechanics and S-band occultation-would use communication signal and earth-based equipment. Pioneer 10 would be first spacecraft to observe Asteroid Belt between orbits of Mars and Jupiter, first man-made object to escape solar system, first spacecraft to use orbital velocity and gravity of Jupiter for escape, and first NASA spacecraft powered entirely by nuclear energy-four radioisotope thermoelectric generators developed by Atomic Energy Commission.
Pioneer 10 would make 20 kinds of measurements of Jupiter's atmosphere, radiation belts, heat balance, magnetic field, moons, and other phenomena. It would also characterize solar atmosphere, interstellar gas, cosmic rays, asteroids, and meteoroids. Spacecraft also carried pictorial plaque designed to show scientifically educated inhabitants of another star system-who might intercept it millions of years later-the time spacecraft was launched, from where, and by whom. Plaque design was etched into gold- anodized aluminum plate 15 by 23 cm (6 by 9 in) and 1.27 mm (0.05 in) thick attached to spacecraft's antenna support struts. Radiating lines on left of plaque represented positions of 14 pulsars, with mathematical binary code "1-" symbols representing pulsars' frequencies relative to hydrogen atom, which was used as "universal clock." Hydrogen atom was also used as "universal yardstick" for sizing human figures and outline of spacecraft on right of plaque. Man's hand was raised in good-will gesture. Across bottom of plaque were planets ranging outward from sun, with spacecraft's trajectory arching away from earth, passing Mars. and swinging past Jupiter.
Initial orientation of Pioneer 10 was achieved six hours after launch so that communications high-gain antenna was directed toward earth. By March 3, four scientific instruments-magnetometer, charged particles experiment, geiger tube telescope, and meteoroid detector-had been turned on. First midcourse maneuver, March 7, increased velocity by 14 m per sec (45.9 fps), adjusted trajectory, and shortened flight time to Jupiter by nine hours. At 3:00 pm EST March 8, Pioneer 10 was 4 570000 km (2 840 000 mi) from earth traveling at 32 800 km per hr (20 400 mph). Round-trip radio communication time was 31 sec. By March 10 trapped radiation detector and ultraviolet photometer had been turned on and meteoroid detector had recorded several hits. Second midcourse maneuver, with two brief thruster firings March 23 and 24, delayed arrival time by 21/2 hrs and moved arrival point at Jupiter about 6400 km (4000 mi) closer to planet. Maneuver was also attempt to fly Pioneer 10 behind Jupiter's moon Io. Whether flight path behind Io had been achieved would not be known until spacecraft neared Jupiter. To go behind lo, spacecraft had to arrive within period of less then eight minutes.
By March 24 remaining instruments-plasma analyzer, cosmic ray telescope, imaging photopolarimeter, infrared radiometer, and asteroid/meteoroid detector-had been turned on and all experiments were recording good data. Meteoroid detector had recorded 10 impacts, and asteroid/meteoroid telescope had seen one meteoroid. Spacecraft was expected to enter Asteroid Belt in early July and to reach Jupiter Dec. 3, 1973. Pioneer 10 was first spacecraft to attempt Jupiter probe. Pioneer 5 was launched March 11, 1960, to study heliocentric space environment inward toward sun. Pioneer 6 (launched Dec. 16, 1965) and Pioneer 7 (launched Aug. 17, 1966) were studying heliocentric space environment. Pioneer 8 (launched Dec. 13, 1967) and Pioneer 9 (launched Nov. 8, 1968) were studying interplanetary phenomena. Last four were still operating satisfactorily. (NASA proj off; NASA Releases 72-25, 72-32, 72- 50, 768)
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