Oct 11 1972
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 524 from Plesetsk into orbit with 490-km (304.5-mi) apogee, 264-km (164-mi) perigee, 92-min period, and 71° inclination. Satellite reentered March 25, 1973. (GSFC SSR, 10/31/72; 3/31/73; SBD, 10/13/72, 193)
NASA released specifications of Apollo 17 Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) to be carried to moon on final Apollo mission Dec. 6. Following scheduled Dec. 11 lunar landing, LRV would travel about 37 km (23 mi), about 10 km (6 mi) farther than previous LRVs, and would have loaded earth weight of 725 kg (1600 lbs), increase of about 27 kg (60 lbs) over LRVs used during Apollo 14 and 15. Apollo 17 LRV would carry traverse gravimeter to measure variations in sub- surface structure and provide data on whether Taurus mountains had deep roots or were deposits on uniform subsurface. Surface electrical properties experiment would measure physical properties of lunar interior to 1-km (0.6-mi) depth. Experiment, connected to LRV navigational system by cable, also would indicate subsurface electrical and mechanical properties, extent of subsurface layering, and degree of energy scattering at landing site, and possible existence of under-ground water. First direct LRV linking with experiment would enable scientists on earth to correlate its specific location with experiment data. (NASA Special Release)
Apollo 17 crew had selected mission emblem to emphasize beginning of golden age of space flight that final Apollo flight would usher in Dec. 6, NASA announced. Emblem showed Apollo gazing toward planet Saturn and a galaxy, symbolizing that man's goal in space would someday include planets and even stars. Suspended behind Apollo image was American eagle with four red bars on wing, representing U.S. flag. Three white stars represented Astronauts Eugene A. Cernan, Ronald E. Evans, and Dr. Harrison H. Schmitt. Eagle's wing over-lying moon suggested moon had been conquered by man. (NASA Special Release)
X-24B experimental lifting body was delivered to Air Force and NASA by builder, Martin Marietta Corp., during ceremonies at Littleton, Colo. Lifting body could be used in joint NASA-Air Force research program at Flight Research Center and at Air Force System Command's Air Force Flight Test Center to test its handling qualities for conventional runway approach and landing and for extended near- earth flight. About 30 flights were planned in program starting April 1973. X-24B would be flown to maximum speed of mach 1.5 to obtain performance data from 1450 km per hr (900 mph) down to landing speed. Lifting body arrived at FRC Oct. 22. (FRC PAO; UPI, W Post, 10/13/72; ASFC Newsreview, 11/72, 3)
Establishment of Institute for Computer Applications in Science and Engineering (ICASE) at Langley Research Center was announced by NASA. Institute would be operated by Universities Space Research Assn., consortium of 51 U.S. universities, as cooperative research effort. Purpose was to solve aeronautical and space- related problems, develop efficient use of newest-generation computers, and help universities use LaRC advanced computer facilities for research. (NASA Release 72-202)
Manned Spacecraft Center's Cellular Analytical Laboratory had developed system to improve early detection of illness and assess flight crew health before and after Skylab missions, NASA reported. Unique medical research effort under direction of Dr. Stephen L. Kimzey used sophisticated instrumentation in spectrophotometry, cytofluorometry, and electron microscopy to supplement existing laboratory analyses in detection and identification of cellular elements of blood by structural and chemical analysis. Laboratory would coordinate Skylab M110 hematology experiment series of five experiments and seven scientific investigations outside NASA and would complete one experiment, M115 (special hematologic effects) . Experiment would evaluate influence of long-duration space flight on man's immunological and hematological systems. Program would use complete electron microscopy facility to examine red blood cells for structural changes and x-ray analysis to detect alterations of internal electrolyte composition. Red cell represented model system to evaluate functional state of other body tissues and processes. Laboratory would improve medical care available to public by cooperating with medical schools in MSC area and with Government agencies throughout U.S. Studies with Univ. of Texas Medical Branch had applied Laboratory's procedures to evaluation of lymphocytes of burn patients to determine their cellular resistance to infection; early detection of disease program was under way with Baylor Univ. College of Medicine; and work with Texas Children's Hospital would evaluate changes in muscle potassium and sodium concentrates associated with malnutrition. Joint effort with Environmental Protection Agency and Oak Ridge Laboratory would identify and quantitate early response of sputum cells exposed to agents having carcinogenic potential. (NASA Special Release)
New York Times editorial praised President's launch assistance policy announced Oct. 9: "Only a few days ago the fifteenth anniversary of the orbiting of Sputnik 1 - the beginning of the space age-passed into history. President Nixon's announcement provides welcome evidence that the initial stage of nationalistic and irrational space competition may now be succeeded by a second stage of widening international space cooperation for the benefit of all peoples." (NYT, 10/11/72, 42)
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