May 10 1973
From The Space Library
Skylab 1, scheduled for launch May 14, would carry 950 kg (2100 lbs) of food, including lobster newburg, prime ribs of beef, filet mignon, asparagus, strawberries, and after dinner mints, the Washington Post quoted Dr. Malcolm C. Smith, Chief of Food and Nutrition at Johnson Space Center, as saying. Each Skylab mission would carry more than 70 different foods prepared by an automatic meal-reconstitution module. Semisolid food could be eaten out of the can with a fork and spoon and prevented from flying around in the weightless environment by a polyethylene membrane. Beverages could be consumed one swallow at a time from a multichambered bellowslike canister. Previously, astronauts had to drink the entire beverage at one time once the valve was opened. Fruit juices were fortified with potassium gluconate to re-place the potassium lost in weightlessness. The use of alcoholic beverages had been rejected because of medical drawbacks and public opinion. The astronauts arranged their own meals with the correct combinations of nutrients and calories. Frozen foods would be used the first time in the U.S. space program. The cost of the Skylab food was $26.35 per man per day. Twenty percent more food than required would be carried. There would also be a rescue food supply of 16 days for three men. (Ross, W Post, 5/10/73, El)
The Senate passed S. 70, the Energy Policy Act of 1973, establishing a Council on Energy Policy to coordinate energy activities and recommend policy. The Senate also passed S. 373, to limit presidential power to impound appropriated funds. (CR, 5/10/73, 58809-10, 8828-55)
Western Union Telegraph Co. announced it had received Federal Communications Commission authorization to construct the first of five earth stations for the $70-million WESTAR domestic communications satellite system [see May 3]. The first station would be built in Vernon Town-ship, N.J. (Western Union Release)
President Nixon's intention to nominate Dr. James R. Schlesinger, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and former Atomic Energy Commission Chairman, to be Secretary of Defense succeeding Elliot L. Richardson, was announced by the White House Press Secretary. William E. Colby would succeed Dr. Schlesinger. The nominations were submitted to the Senate May 24 and confirmed June 28. Richardson would become Attorney General May 25. (PD, 5/14/73, 661-2; 5/28/73, 709, 714; CR, 6/28/73, S12394)
Sen. Lawton M. Chiles (D-Fla.) introduced S.J. Res. 107 to redesignate Cape Kennedy Cape Canaveral. (CR, 5/10/73, 58740)
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