Nov 1 1972
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched eight Cosmos satellites from Plesetsk with single booster. Cosmos 528 entered orbit with 1469-km (912.8-mi) apogee, 1368- km (850.1-mi) perigee, 114.1-min period, and 74.0° inclination. Cosmos 529 entered orbit with 1469-km (912.8-mi) apogee, 1404- km (872.4-mi) perigee, 114.5-min period, and 74.0° inclination. Cosmos 530 entered orbit with 1469-km (912.8-mi) apogee, 1335-km (829.5-mi) perigee, 113.8-min period, and 74.0° inclination. Cosmos 531 entered orbit with 1471-km (914.0-mi) apogee, 1423-km (884.2-mi) perigee, 114.7-min period, and 74.0° inclination. Cosmos 532 entered orbit with 1469-km (912.8-mi) apogee, 1302-km (809.0-mi) perigee, 113.4-min period, and 74.0° inclination. Cosmos 533 entered orbit with 1470-km (913.4-mi) apogee, 1318-km (819.0-mi) perigee, 113.6-min period, and 74.0° inclination. Cosmos 534 entered orbit with 1469-km (912.8-mi) apogee, 1351- km (839.5-mi) perigee, 113.9-min period, and 74.0° inclination. Cosmos 535 entered orbit with 1470-km (913.4-mi) apogee, 1386-km (861.2-mi) perigee, 114.3-min period, and 74.0° inclination. Last U.S.S.R. eight-payload launch had been on July 20. Western specialists speculated that launches were part of global military communications satellite program. (GSFC SSR, 11/31/72; SBD, 11/2/72, 2; Shabad, NYT, 11/2/72, 11)
NASA's M2-F3 lifting body completed 21st flight from Flight Research Center after air-launch from B-52 aircraft. Flight objectives were to check out pilot, John A. Manke, and to obtain stability and control data at mach 1,1 and mach 0.9 for stability augmentation systems only. Flight objectives were achieved. Vehicle reached 21600-m (71000-ft) altitude and mach 1.24. (NASA proj off)
Doomed civilization theory was disputed by Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, in speech at Carnegie Institute Museum of Art in Pittsburgh, Speech was part of Man and Idea Series sponsored by museum's Women's Committee. "I think these views overlook the very center of civilization-man himself, his intellect and his capacity to learn and act, and thereby retain in some great measure control over his own destiny." Goal of space program was to "place the tools of planetary management into the hands of man." Rather than barrier or constraint, space had become to man "a natural extension of his sphere of activity. I do not see this as ephemeral or temporary; I believe that, both physically and intellectually, our operating environment has been permanently expanded. This is a real contribution to the human spirit." Human spirit was difficult to define; "it is measured by attitudes and aspirations and mature expectations. Our space experience, in the fourteen years past, has given us all a different-and better-view of the future. In a very real sense, the future is already here; we must learn to recognize it and live in it responsibly." (Text)
NASA launched two sounding rockets from Wallops Station. Nike- Apache carried Univ. of Illinois payload containing Geiger counter, Langmuir probe, magnetic aspect sensor, and radio propagation experiment to 195 km (121.2-mi) altitude. Super Arcas carried Pennsylvania State Univ. payload containing electrometer to 78.9- km (49.3-mi) altitude. Primary purpose of flights was to study ionosphere near local mid-night under disturbed magnetic conditions, with emphasis on role of energetic electrons as ionization source. Rockets and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. (NASA Rpt SRL)
NASA announced selection of Xerox Data Systems for contract negotiations to provide central data-handling facility and remote terminals for Atmosphere Explorer (AE) C, D, and E program. Atmosphere Explorers, 450-kg (100-1b) spacecraft, were to be launched by Thor-Delta rockets into elliptical earth orbit between autumn 1973 and summer 1976 to study chemical processes and energy transfer mechanisms that controlled structure and behavior of earth's atmosphere and ionosphere. Project was managed by Goddard Space Flight Center under direction of Office of Space Science. (NASA Release 72-212)
Retirement of Dr. Fred L. Whipple as Director of Smithsonian Astro- physical Observatory-effective July 1, 1973-was announced by Dr. S. Dillon Ripley II, Secretary of Smithsonian Institution. Dr. Whipple would be succeeded by Dr. George B. Field, professor of astronomy at Harvard College Observatory. Director of SAO since 1955, Dr. Whipple received President's Distinguished Federal Civilian Service Medal in 1963 for leadership in developing Baker- Nunn satellite tracking camera and optical tracking network that had gathered data since launch of world's first satellite in 1957. Known internationally for studies of moon, meteors, and comets, he would become a senior scientist at Smithsonian. (Smithsonian Release; NYT, 11/5/72, 12; 6/13/63, 21; Green, Lomask, Vanguard-A History, SP-4202)
President Nixon signed ratification of Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Civil Aviation and urged prompt action on other measures to combat international terrorism. Convention required extradition or prosecution of persons committing sabotage or violence against international civil aviation. Other measures were draft convention for prosecution or extradition of persons who attacked foreign officials, convention suspending air service to countries who failed to punish or extradite aircraft hijackers or saboteurs, and convention requiring prosecution or extradition of persons who injured, kidnapped, or killed innocent civilians to blackmail any state or international organization. (PD, 11/6/72, 1608)
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