Sep 20 1972
From The Space Library
Astronauts Robert L. Crippen, Dr. William E. Thornton, and Karol J. Bobko emerged from Skylab simulator at Manned Space-craft Center, where they had been isolated since July 26. They had conducted Skylab medical experiments altitude test (SMEAT) to gather medical data to compare with data from actual missions. Astronauts said that, although they were very glad to be out, confinement had not been as difficult as expected. Astronauts were slightly weaker and their muscles were slightly smaller, but they had experienced no changes that would affect Skylab plans. Crew had been on space food diet during test and would remain on same diet for two weeks while doctors evaluated effects of diet. (AP, B Sun, 9/21/72, A3; AP, C Trib, 9/21/72, 1)
Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, denied reports that he had announced he might resign after Apollo 17 mission in December and return to Univ. of Utah. Reports had followed Administrator's dinner speech before Knife and Fork Club in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sept. 19. Dr. Fletcher-who had headed NASA since April 27, 1971-issued reply to queries received at NASA Hq. saying that "he had given no thought to resigning from NASA and could not possibly commit [himself] to going back to the University of Utah at this time." (NASA PAO; Off of Admin; SBD, 9/21/72, 84,90)
Industrial Research magazine's IR-100 award for 1972 had been awarded to Lewis Research Center and Arthur D. Little, Inc., for process for producing pure, very-high-strength, single-crystal, refractory ceramic fibers, LeRC announced. Award, given annually to developers of 100 most significant new products selected from some 1000 entries through-out vU.S., had been received by LeRC every year except one since Center first entered competition in 1966. (Lem Release 72- 82)
First Lady Patricia Nixon visited Ames Research Center. She was received by ARC Director; Dr. Hans Mark; witnessed demonstration takeoff and landing by ARC augmentor-wing jet, short takeoff and landing (STOL), research aircraft; and was taken for "ride" in flight simulator for advanced aircraft. (ARC Astrogram, 9/28/72, 1)
Plans for 1976 private space probe "Mankind 1" were described by spokesmen of Committee for the Future at Beverly Hills, Calif., press conference. Committee of private citizens proposed to buy U.S. or Soviet spacecraft and launch system for one of three proposed missions: orbiting laboratory, 14-day mission to place giant illuminator with one sixth moon's reflective capacity in orbit 650 km (400 mi) above earth, or combination of both missions. Mankind 1 was suc- cessor to Project Harvest Moon which Committee had hoped to finance by selling moon rocks. Committee Chairman John J. Whiteside said first project had been scrapped after July 18 meeting with NASA officials who were skeptical about possibility of flying lunar mission after Apollo 17. (Sweeney, LA Times, 9/21/72)
Tu-144 Soviet supersonic transport on flight from Moscow to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, flew 3000-km (1860-mi) distance in 1 hr 57 min, setting flight time record. (Tass, FBIS-Sov, 9/20/72, Kl)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced appointment of Dr. George H. Ludwig as Director of System Integration. Dr. Ludwig, who had assumed position in early September, had been Associate Director for Data Operations at Goddard Space Flight Center since 1971. (NOAA Release 72-120)
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