Nov 6 1970
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
USAF launched 500th successful U.S. satellite into orbit from ETR by Titan IIIC booster. Orbital parameters: apogee, 35 886.8 kin (22 299 mi); perigee, 26 048.8 km (16186 mi); period, 1197.1 min; and inclination, 7.8°. U.S. press reported that satellite, carrying several new sensors, was part of early warning system to provide 30-min warning of ICBMS fired from U.S.S.R. or Communist China. (Pies Rpt 71; GSFC SSR, 11/30/70; Beecher, NYT, 11/7/70, 1)
Arcas sounding rocket, launched by NASA from Ft. Sherman Canal Zone, Panama, carried GSFC payload to 59.5-km (37-mi) altitude to obtain ozone measurements in conjunction with Nimbus IV satellite overpass. Rocket was first of two-rocket series; second would be launched Nov. 13. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily and good quality data were obtained. (NASA Rpt SRL)
Seismic data from impacts of Apollo 12 LM and 3rd stage of Apollo 13 booster (S-IVB), relayed by seismic station installed on lunar surface by Apollo 12 astronauts, were described in Science. Team of lunar scientists headed by Dr. Gary V. Latham, principal seismic investigator for Apollo program, made report. Unusually long reverberations suggested "that the lunar mare in the region of the Apollo 12 landing site consists of material with very low seismic velocities' near the surface with velocity increasing with depth to 5 to 6 kilometers per second [3.i-3.7 mps] (for compression waves) at a depth of 20 kilometers [12.4 mi]. Absorption of seismic waves in this structure is extremely low relative to typical continental crustal materials on earth. It is unlikely that a major boundary similar to the crustmantle interface on earth exists in the outer 20 kilometers [12.4 mil of the moon. A combination of dispersion and scattering of surface waves implies the presence of heterogeneity within the outer zone of the mare on a scale of from several hundred meters (or less) to several kilometers. Seismic signals from 160 events of natural origin have been recorded during the first 7 months of operation of the Apollo 12 seismic station. At least 26. ..are small moonquakes. Many... are thought to be meteroid impacts." (Science, 11/6/70, 620-6)
MSC Roundup described Skylab food system being developed "to compensate partially for astronauts' long absence from the usual fare of Earthlings and the warmth and delight of home-cooked meals. . . ." Skylab food system would maintain caloric level between 2000 and 2800 calories per day and provide at least minimum' dietary allowances recommended by NAS. Meals would be selected from a variety of foods and cooked by each crewman on special food tray. Four kinds of food would be prepared: dehydrated, including scrambled eggs, beverages, and desserts; intermediate moisture, including peanuts and cookies; wet pack, including turkey' with gravy and meatballs with sauce; and frozen, including filet mignon and lobster Newburg. (MSC Roundup, 11/6/70,1)
President Nixon announced intention to nominate William D. Ruckelshaus as Administrator of Environmental Protection Agency. Agency would bring together major Federal pollution control programs, effective Dec. 2. Nomination was submitted to Senate Nov. 16. (PD, 11/9/70,1545-6; 11/23/70, 1583)
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