Nov 20 1972
From The Space Library
Apollo 17 crew underwent preliminary medical checks and men were reported in good shape, while final test countdown for mission, begun Nov. 14, proceeded smoothly at Kennedy Space Center. Crew was not present as propellants were pumped into Saturn V rocket, to avoid risk. They planned to participate in dry run Nov. 21 after flammable oxygen and hydrogen had been drained from rocket. (UPI, NYT, 11/21/72, 46)
Apollo 17 experiments were discussed by Apollo Lunar Exploration Director William T. O'Bryant at NASA Hq. press briefing. Mission astronauts would perform "more scientific investigation than on any other Apollo mission." Experiments originally planned for Apollo 18, 19, and 20 would be aboard Apollo 17, last mission in Apollo series. (McGehan, B Sun, 11/21/72, A8)
Fragments of Apollo 17 moon rock would be distributed to other nations for display in scientific and educational institutions, NASA announced. (NASA Release 72-225)
Ground-breaking ceremony for Smithsonian Institution's new National Air and Space Museum was held on Mall in Washington, D.C. Museum was scheduled to open July 4, 1976. Chief Justice Warren Burger, Chancellor of Smithsonian, was principal speaker. (Program)
NASA launched Aerobee 200 sounding rocket from White Sands Missile Range, carrying Goddard Space Flight Center payload to test flight performance. Rocket and instrumentation performed satisfactorily. (SR list)
Air-transportable satellite communications earth station for use in dis- asters would be designed by Nippon Electric Co. of Tokyo and Technology Resources of Berne, Switzerland, under United Nations contract, Aviation Week & Space Technology reported. (Av Wk, 11/20/72, 11)
Army Aviation Systems Command issuance of requests for proposals to 10 aerospace companies for prototype development of advanced armed helicopter was reported by Aviation Week & Space Technology. Helicopter would be equipped with advanced air-to- surface missiles. Airframe contractors were expected to be selected in June 1973. (Av Wk, 11/20/72, 19)
Houston Chronicle editorial commented on Apollo 17 mission and crew: "To some, the Moon trip is already looked upon as routine and there is less public anticipation than ever before. Nonetheless, there is no way to diminish our pride that these are Americans making this flight, that our nation has bridged space and that these men call the Houston area home." (H Chron, 11/20/72)
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