Sep 12 1969
From The Space Library
NASA began distribution, at MSC, of about 18 lbs (8.2 kgs) of lunar material to 106 U.S. scientific investigators and 36 in eight other countries for university, industrial, and governmental laboratory analyses. Lot comprised one-third of lunar samples returned by Apollo 11. Another 15% would be kept as examples of Tranquility Base material. Remainder would be held for later scientific experiments, with small amount possibly available on loan for public display. Material had been quarantined in LRL since its July 25 return; tests on animal and plant life had shown no ill effects. Interagency Committee on Back Contamination had approved release of samples to principal investigators or their representatives whose plans for safeguarding material had been approved by MSC officials. Preliminary LRL examinations had disclosed two basic rock types, compacted lunar soil and igneous rocks. Rocks had been on lunar surface from 10 to 150 million yrs; igneous rocks had crystallized from 3 to 4 billion yrs ago. Approximately 3 kgs of samples would be destroyed during experiments; residues and remaining 5.1 kgs would be returned to NASA. Results of analyses were to be reported early in 1970. Among measurements to be made were those of physical properties of rocks or soil to help in understanding optical observations of moon from earth and future seismic experiments; mineralogy and petrology to show mineral content, amount of water present when rocks crystallized, and how surfaces were eroded by particles; chemical composition of rocks and fines to determine concentration of 92 elements occurring on earth and in meteorites, times of crystallization of igneous rocks, and periods rocks had lain on lunar surface. Studies of rare gases in soil would furnish first data on isotopic compositions of solar materials. Biologists and organic chemists would determine structures and abundances of carbon compounds in and on lunar surface and their origin, catalog microstructures in terms of organized elements and micro-fossils, and define presence or absence of viable lunar organisms. (NASA Release 69-130)
Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched by NASA from Wallops Station carried Univ. of Illinois and GCA Corp. payload to 117.4-mi (189-km altitude to measure electron density, collision frequency, and temperature in lower ionosphere at midnight. Secondary objective was to test mechanical delay igniter and monitor, its performance. Simultaneous launch from Chamical, Argentina, studied particle precipitation and transport effects across equator. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (NASA. Rpt SRL)
Spencer M. Beresford, former special counsel of House Committee on Science and Astronautics, was appointed NASA General Counsel succeeding Paul G. Dembling, new NASA Deputy Associate Administrator [see Sept. in (NASA Release 69-173)
White House announced President's Science Adviser, Dr. Lee A. Du-Bridge, would visit four Western and two Eastern European countries in September and October to discuss arrangements for international scientific and technological cooperation and explore specific possibilities for strengthening existing arrangements. (PD, 8/15/69, 1251)
Reuters said NASA had accepted offer of French sculptor Marcel Recher to build 140-ft "Platform for the Conquest of the Cosmos" at KSC as memorial to first lunar landing. Recher was looking for sponsor to contribute $145,000 for project. (W Post, 9/11/69, A3)
Dec. 15 debut of Boeing 747 would be delayed six to eight weeks, Boeing Co. said. Pratt & Whitney Div. of United Aircraft Corp. had encountered problems in meeting performance goals in 362-passenger aircraft's engines. (NYT, 9/13/69, 46)
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