Nov 1 1971
From The Space Library
Publication of revised patent licensing regulations to accelerate commercial use of space-related patented inventions or technology was announced by NASA. Revisions would permit granting of exclusive licenses as early as nine months after announcement of invention's availability, granting of more meaningful exclusive licenses to qualified applicants to ensure prompt use of NASA inventions, and provision of royalty payments if appropriate. (NASA Release 71-220)
NASA continued to receive proposals for using surplus Apollo hardware for "Apollo 18" lunar mission, Aviation Week & Space Technology reported. Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, MSC Director, had suggested mission be flown in April 1974 to map moon from polar orbit. During mission, which would cost about $190 million, LM would be converted into "massive scientific experiments bay." (Av Wk, 11/1/71, 15)
Lockheed Missiles & Space Co. and 15 other aerospace firms were constructing advanced comsat model to compete for contract for INTELSAT V series, Aviation Week & Space Technology reported. Hardware from firms in Europe, Canada, and Japan would arrive at Lockheed for assembly before year's end. Frame had already been shipped from Contraves A. G. of Switzerland. Spacecraft would be mounted on platform to permit testing at 1 g in simulated space environment in spring 1972. (Johnsen, Av Wk, 11/1/71, 21)
Airline Pilots Assn. in letter to FAA expressed concern about "decreasing margin of safety in takeoff and landing at U.S. airports." Union President John J. O'Donnell said "length of time now planned by your agency for installation of landing aids is so inadequate that it can only invite more accidents, increased inconvenience to passengers, and increased cost of operation for the airlines." Letter criticized FAA'S 10-yr plan to improve airport safety and called for accelerated 5-yr program. O'Donnell said ALPA studies had shown that 573 persons had been killed in past 10 yrs in approaches to airports not fully equipped with instrument landing systems. (Text)
NSF published "Estimated Academic R&D Direct Price Trends 50 Percent Higher Over Decade 1961-71" in Science Resources Studies Highlights. Price inflation accounted for estimated 50% increase in direct costs of academic R&D over 10 fiscal years ending June 1971. Most of rise had occurred in last five years, when compounded annual increase rate was 5.0%. Preliminary estimates for FY 1971 indicated that increase from FY 1970 was 5.5%, equal to change over preceding year. Increases in salaries- accounting for 65% of academic R&D direct costs-were responsible for large increase in total R&D direct costs. Payments to personnel were estimated to have increased two thirds over decade; prices of equipment, expendable supplies, and miscellaneous services, only one fifth. (NSF Highlights, 11/1/71)
Yugoslavian charter airline Air Yugoslavia announced in Belgrade that it was first foreign carrier to obtain permission from Communist China to organize charter flights to Peking. (AP, W Post, 11/2/71, A4)
November 1-2: Dr. George M. Low, NASA Deputy Administrator, chaired symposium and workshop series sponsored by NAE in Washington, D.C. Program, "Application of Technology To Improve Productivity in the Service Sector of the National Economy," explored methods of using technology to ease social, educational, and health care problems. (NAE Release)
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