Nov 12 1970
From The Space Library
Delays caused by sun's gravity in return of radio signals by Mariner spacecraft had verified Einstein theory of relativity, JPL astronomer Dr. John D. Anderson said in report to Conference on Experimental Tests of Gravitational Theories at Cal Tech. In tests begun April 30, Anderson and team including Dr. Duane O. Muhleman of Cal Tech and Dr. Pasquale B. Esposito and Warren L. Martin of JPL had taken several hundred radio measurements of Mariner VI and VII in wide-range solar orbit using precise distance-measuring system and 64-m (210-ft) Goldstone antenna. Experiments tested validity of theory that velocity of light was slower in gravitational field near sun than in interplanetary space where gravitational fields were weaker. "Our experiments to date show that Einstein's predictions are right, to within 2 to 4 per cent. The best measurements we have thus far indicate a maximum delay of about 204 microseconds for Mariner VI, as compared with an expected 200 microseconds using Einstein's theory." Findings cast doubt on more recent theories of Dr. Charles Brans and Dr. Robert H. Dicke that Einstein's formulations could be incorrect by 7% "If the Brans-Dicke theory were correct, the time delay would be much less... perhaps about 186 microseconds. . . if the much older Newtonian theory were correct, there would have been no time delay at all." (NASA Release 70-200)
Advanced version of Boeing 747 transport set world heavyweight record at Edwards AFB , Calif., with takeoff at 372 400-kg (820 700-;b) gross weight. Weight exceeded unofficial record of 362 000 k (798 000 lbs) set by Lockheed C-5A Galaxy Oct. 14, 1969. (AP, B Sun, 11/13/70, A6)
OFO Orbiting Frog Otolith experiment, launched by NASA Nov. 9, was reported successful by NASA. Frogs had completed 72 hrs of flight, during which primary and secondary objectives had been met. Since mission was so successful experiments would be continued few days past originally planned three to five days. (NASA Release 70199) . Soviet supersonic transport Tu-144 was tested for first time near its 2400-km-per-hr (1500-mph) maximum rated speed. Aircraft had reached 2330 km per hr (1448 mph) at 15 500-m (51000-ft) altitude. (UPI, NYT, 11/17/70)
NASA announced selection of experiments for ATS-F Applications Technology Satellite, scheduled for launch in 1973: very-high-resolution radiometric experiment; position-location and aircraft communications experiment (PLACE ); television relay using small terminals (TRUST); radio-frequency-interference measurement experiment; 10.6 mu laser experiment; millimeter-wave-propagation/communication experiment; data-relay experiment (Nimbus); radio beacon experiment; low-energy electron-proton experiment; measurement of low-energy protons; solar cosmic rays and geomagnetically trapped radiation; particle-acceleration mechanisms and dynamics of outer trapping region; magnetometer experiment; auroral-particle experiment; solar-cell-radiation flight experiment; flight demonstration of self-adaptive precision-pointing spacecraft attitude-control systems; and cesium bombardment ion engine experiment. (NASA Release 70-194)
Proposal for space station to be assembled in orbit one module at a time was being studied at MSFC and MSC, NASA announced. Station, to provide centralized facility for research, applications, and operations for 6 to 12 men over 10 yrs, would be composed of cylindrical modules 4.3 m (14 ft) in diameter and 17.7 m (58 ft) long, joined to form variety of shapers. Individual modules would be carried into orbit on reusable shuttle vehicle. Station could be assembled within months in circular orbit 320-480 km (200-300 mi) high with 55° inclination. (NASA Release 70-192)
Achievement described as "first artificial synthesis of a living cell" was reported by State Univ. of New York at Buffalo in letter to press signed by Dr. Raymond H. Ewell, Vice President for Research, and Dr. James F. Danielli, Director of Center for Theoretical Biology, who had led experimenters. Amoebas had been partly dismembered and then reassembled, using components from other amoebas. Reconstituted amoebas had reproduced themselves and were indistinguishable from normal amoebas. Work opened "new era for artificial life synthesis, now being explored" and helped clear way for "synthesis of new micro-organisms, new egg cells and an organism capable of living on Mars." New York Times said officials at NASA, which was supporting the work, had described experiment as "exciting" and "a big step." (Sullivan, NYT, 11/13/70, 1)
Space Development Committee of Japan had requested equivalent of $67 918 900 in space appropriations for FY 1971, Space Business Daily reported. Increase was 63% over FY 1970 budget. (SBD, 11/12/70,43)
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