May 17 1971
From The Space Library
Completion of first phase of high-altitude photography for joint NASA, Dept. of Agriculture, and cornbelt states 1971 Corn Blight Watch Experiment [see April 7] was announced by NASA. RB-57F aircraft based at Scott AFB, Ill., had obtained black and white photos of areas of cornbelt region to orient personnel using remote aerial sensors and ground observations to study possible southern corn leaf blight during 1971 growing season. Second phase, to obtain baseline color infrared photos, was in progress for completion later in month. Infrared photos would be used for analysis of soil conditions before emergence of corn crop. Third phase, from June to September, would consist of high-altitude infrared photography in test areas every two weeks. (NASA Release 71-88)
U.S.S.R.'s Lunokhod 1 lunar rover completed six months of lunar exploration and was still functioning satisfactorily. Pravda reported vehicle was being activated on a month-to-month basis by Crimea tracking station. According to Pravda, Lunokhod 1's systems "began to give out" at beginning of fifth lunar day in early April, but recuperated. "Now at the height of the sixth lunar day the vehicle, heeding command from earth, continues to live, work and move about as if it [were] only yesterday, and not Nov. 17 [1970], that it descended from the landing stage that had brought it to the Sea of Rains. The viability of the Lunokhod's design had turned out to be far greater than its creators expected." (NYT, 5/18/71)
D. J. Fink, Vice President of General Electric Co. and General Manager of Space Div., told Ninth International Symposium on Space Technology and Science in Tokyo that U.S. did not have monopoly on earth resources programs. `"All of us need the ingenuity of the entire world on how to utilize this technology, so I encourage your expanding participation and cooperation." (GE Reprint)
NASA's 13 scientist-astronauts were "fuming," Thomas O'Toole said in Washington Post. They had been selected to be members of Apollo crews landing on moon, primarily as geologists, and members of Sky-lab crews, as physicians, physicists, and chemists. But "no geologist has landed on the moon yet, and only one has a chance of making it," O'Toole said. Among names of nine prime Skylab crew members and six backups recently circulated at MSC, three prime and two backup members were scientists and "this enraged the scientists who were hoping for two-thirds representation on Skylab." Three meetings had taken place between scientist-astronauts and senior NASA officials-Dr. John E. Naugle, Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications; Dr. Homer E. Newell, Associate Administrator; and Dale D. Myers, Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight. Scientist- astronauts had asked for more freedom in developing their scientific careers. O'Toole said NASA officials had been said to be sympathetic, "but the gripe about getting their own experiments aboard Skylab fell on deaf ears." (W Post, 5/17/71, Al)
Eastern Airlines announced it was introducing advanced magnetometer at departure gates of major airports in U.S., Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands to detect potential hijackers carrying weapons. Device, with existing equipment, could provide Eastern with 100% screening capability, according to Eastern Manager of Operational Safety Jack E. Shields. (NYT, 5/19/71, 45)
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