Nov 16 1973
From The Space Library
President Nixon issued a statement following the launch of Skylab 4: "The Skylab flight that begins today marks the conclusion of the single most productive program in the history of man's quest for knowledge about himself and his world. The crew of Skylab will mark in space the 16th anniversary of America's first step toward the heavens. From the launch of a 30-pound [13.6-kg] space satellite, we progressed to the exploration of the Moon, which is helping to determine Earth's place in the universe. Now we are moving to determine through space technology man's own place in the universe, and to greater understanding of our own planet. As we are grateful for the success of our previous ventures into space, and as we look to the success of that which is imminent, let us never take for granted the skill and courage and devotion of those who labor on behalf of the United States space program. Let us rather pause to reflect with pride upon what we have done, asking God's blessings upon our efforts, and God's grace upon those who bravely place their lives at the service of peace for all mankind." (PD, 11/19/73, 1338)
A Today editorial commented on Skylab 4 on the day of launch: "We now talk about the strong probability of an 85-day mission. It will be the extreme test of man's ability to function in a world of weightlessness, and it should settle once and for all the question of whether man can begin to seriously think of visiting other planets in his solar system." (Today, 11/16/73)
Science articles presented geological data from the Dec. 7-19, 1972, Apollo 17 mission. The Apollo 17 Preliminary Examination Team described characteristics of lunar samples in one article. Petrographically, the samples were "the most variable returned by any mission. Some have the cataclastic, highly crushed textures common in Apollo 16 [April 16-27, 1972] return. Many are crystalline breccias whose petrographic characteristics indicate varying degrees of recrystallization or partial melting. Others are friable and dark gray like the many regolith breccias of previous missions. Others display features typical of the lavas returned from the Apollo 11 [July 16-24, 1969], 12 [Nov. 14-24, 1969] and 15 [July 26-Aug. 7, 1971] mare sites and a few have the coarse-grained igneous textures typically developed during the slow crystallization from basaltic melts." Chemically, nearly all the characteristics of the Apollo 17 rocks could also be found in samples from previous Apollo missions. "However, unusually high zinc concentrations in the orange soil and the exceptionally low Ni content of the basalts suggest different source materials than for previously returned igneous rocks. The trace element contents of the anorthositic rocks are significantly different from nearly all those previously returned, again suggesting variations in the source regions."
The Apollo Field Geology Investigation Team reported on the Apollo 17 Taurus-Littrow landing site. Impact-generated breccias underlay the massifs adjacent to the valley "and basalt has flooded and leveled the valley floor. The dark mantle inferred from orbital photographs was not recognized as a discrete unit; the unusually thick regolith of the valley floor contains a unique high concentration of dark glass beads that may cause the low albedo of much of the surface." Apollo 17 scientist-astronaut Dr. Harrison H. Schmitt described the geological investigation of the Taurus-Littrow valley as reported in "the last major report of observations by the crews during the Apollo explorations of the earth's moon." He was confident "that the future holds many other such reports as man continues his exploration of the earth's frontier and his use of the space environment" He believed that "man's abilities and spirit will continue to be the foundation of his evolution into the universe. Full satisfaction from this evolution only comes with being there." (Science, 10/16/73, 659-90)
Soviet Academician Boris N. Petrov said in Moscow that India's first scientific satellite-to be launched in late 1974-would study solar neutrons, gamma rays, and x-ray emissions from outer space and the earth's ionosphere. It would be launched by a Soviet booster of the kind used for Intercosmos satellites. Subsequent Indian satellites would include those for meteorology and the study of natural resources. (SF, 2/74, 41)
An experiment by Greek scientists in Athens had shown that Greek in-ventor Archimedes could have used solar energy to burn the Roman fleet in about 212 B.C., the New York Times reported. In a recent test, the scientists had lined up 50 to 60 sailors on a pier at the Skaramanga naval base, near Athens. Each sailor held a 1.5-m (5-ft) oblong mirror. On command the sailors reflected the sun's rays onto a wooden boat 49 m (160 ft) away. Within seconds the boat had caught fire. (Modiano, NYT, 10/16/73, 16)
A Science editorial commented on the energy crisis: "A combination of environmental concerns and energy shortages is fostering wide-spread beggar-your-neighbor attitudes. Everyone wants cheap, unlimited en-ergy, but all are prepared to fight tooth and nail to protect the environ-ment and to prevent the location of energy facilities in their vicinity. It so happens that we are going to have neither cheap energy nor a perfect environment. Moreover, if we do not learn how to think nationally rather than parochially and to balance energy needs against environ-mental concerns, we are headed for trouble." (Abelson, Science, 10/16/73, 657)
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