Mar 4 1970
From The Space Library
USAF launched two unidentified satellites on one Thor-Agena booster from Vandenberg AFB. One entered orbit with 226.9-km (141.0-mi) apogee, 224.7-km (139.7-mi) perigee, 88.4-min period, and 88.4° inclination and reentered March 26. Second entered orbit with 506.9-km (315.0-mi) apogee, 439.4-km (273.0-mi) perigee, 94.0min period, and 88.l° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 4/31/70; Pres Rpt 71)
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCCXXV into orbit with 321-km (199.5mi) apogee, 199-km (123.7-mi) perigee, 89.7-min period, and 65.4° inclination. Satellite reentered March 12. (GSFC SSR, 3/31/70)
NASA launched two Nike-Tomahawk sounding rockets 11 min apart, one from Dew Line Station, Bar Main, Barter Island, Alaska, and one from Alaska Rocket Range at Fairbanks-carrying GSFC pay loads. Primary objective was to make simultaneous measurement of electric fields over wide range of latitudes crossing aurora] zone and extending into polar cap region. Four barium clouds were released from each rocket and good photographic coverage was obtained from ground stations. Similar launches had been conducted March l and 3. (NASA Rpts SRL)
NASA announced appointment of Donald P. Hearth, Director of Planetary Programs in OSSA since 1967, as GSFC Deputy Director, effective April 6. Hearth had joined NASA in 1962 as Manager of Advanced Programs and Technology. In 1966 he became Assistant Director for Planetary Flight Programs and was Deputy Director of Voyager Program in 1967. (NASA Release 70-35)
Oran W. Nicks, NASA Acting Associate Administrator for Advanced Research and Technology, testified before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences during NASA FY 1971 authorization hearings: Jet aircraft noise-reduction goals of NASA's acoustically treated nacelle program had been achieved. McDonnell Douglas design modifying nacelles of DC-8 had reduced noise by 10.5 epndb with estimated 4.2% direct-operating-cost increase. Boeing design for 707 aircraft had reduced noise by 15.5 epndb with estimated 9.2% direct-operating-cost increase. Long-range approach to reducing jet transport noise was under way in quiet engine program, with quietness as design requirement for first time in aviation history. Quiet engine incorporating high bypass ratio, low-noise fan de- sign, and sound attenuating ducts would be built by General Electric Co. Three lifting-body vehicles-USAF X-24A, NASA M2-F3, and NASA HL-10-were investigating low-speed flight problems to be encountered by Space Shuttle orbiter and booster in future and providing information on subsonic and transonic flying qualities. In human factors program, NASA was preparing life support systems for extended space missions. "Continuous testing of candidate sub-systems integrated into functional life support systems has been accomplished for up to 60 days. The space vehicle simulation chambers employed... have accommodated four-man teams. A 40-day test with the four-man simulator will be conducted this year." Test would include onboard oxygen recovery system with water electrolysis unit-major component in subsystem for oxygen recovery from carbon dioxide. During 90-day run, advanced subsystems for water recovery employing vacuum distillation and vapor pyrolysis with isotope power source and water vapor electrolysis unit for humidity control would be validated. (Testimony)
Gerald M. Truszynski, NASA Associate Administrator for Tracking and Data Acquisition, testified on communications satellites before Committee; "NASA has recently completed negotiations and signed an agreement with the Communications Satellite Corporation (COMSAT) for a continuation of satellite services.... New contracts have been negotiated for continuing this service with Cable and Wireless, Ltd., England; Australian Overseas Telecommunications Commission; and Compania Telefonica Nacional de Espana, Spain." (Testimony)
NASA was reviewing policy of allowing astronauts to sell publications exclusive personal stories, John N. Wilford said in New York Times. Review had been initiated because current contract with Life magazine would expire July 24. Though magazine denied it had made decision to renew or to drop contract, astronauts' attorney had said he would entertain contract discussion with other publications. NASA committee, which included three. astronauts, was expected to announce policy decision within few weeks. While details of Life contract had not been made public, Wilford said it was understood magazine had paid astronauts $200 000 a year and provided $100 000 worth of life insurance. (NYT, 3/4/70, C13)
Sen. Charles H. Percy (R-Ill.) introduced for himself and several cosponsors S.R. 56, requesting President to call conference on international exploration of space. (CR, 3/4/70, S3020)
Australian government would review urgently its commitment to purchase 24 F-111 fighter-bombers from U.S., Defense Minister Malcolm Fraser told Parliament in Canberra. Fraser said, "Since the last crash [Dec. 22, 1969], the government has been pressing for sufficient information to enable the situation concerning the F-111 to be reassessed." (Reuters, W Post, 3/5/70, A9)
Steady increase of particulate matter in atmosphere might ultimately create eternal winter on earth, ESSA scientist Dr. Earl W. Barrett told International Solar Energy Conference in Melbourne, Australia. His calculations from data gathered in relatively clean environment of Boulder, Colo., indicated current loss of one percent of available solar energy in summer and slightly higher loss in winter. (ESSA Research Labs Release 70/17/54)
Permanent injunction to bar sale of Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory by Cornell Univ. to EDP Technology, Inc., private research company, was issued by Justice Harold P. Kelly of New York State Supreme Court. He ruled Cornell should continue to operate laboratory and its work should be restricted to public research projects. (NYT, 3/5/70,40C)
DOD announced it would close or scale down activities at 371 military bases by June 30, 1971, to trim defense spending by $914 million. (NYT, 3/5/70, 1)
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