Sep 27 1966
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R.’s LUNA XI-which entered lunar orbit Aug. 27-was studying gamma rays and x-rays emitted from lunar surface “to determine its chemical composition more exactly,” Tass reported. ‘‘(Tass, 9/27/66; AP, Wash. Eve. Star, 9/27/66, A1)’’
Space negotiations played important role in visit of West German Chancellor Ludwig Erhard to US. Following discussions with President Johnson, joint statement was released from White House: “The President and the Chancellor discussed possibilities for increased cooperation in technology and science and in particular in the field of space research. The Chancellor expressed his satisfaction that effective steps toward increased cooperation in space research have been initiated since his last meeting with the President in December 1965. The President and the Chancellor welcomed the decision to expand the present cooperative satellite program reached as a result of the recent discussions in Bonn between NASA Administrator Webb and Minister of Science Stoltenberg. “The President and the Chancellor agreed that scientific cooperation should be pressed forward for the mutual benefit of both countries and the advancement of human knowledge, preserving opportunities for additional nations to participate and contribute.” President Johnson and Chancellor Erhard, accompanied by NASA Administrator James E. Webb and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, later flew from Washington, D.C., to Cape Kennedy for tour of KSC. During speech in Vehicle Assembly Building, President Johnson said he was discussing “with the Chancellor, as well as other leaders, my hope that our scientists can join in joint endeavors to reap the full benefits of space research.” He said he had authorized Administrator Webb “to discuss whether solar physicists from Europe may wish to be associated with the American solar physicists” in program for Apollo Telescope Mount (ATM) to be flown “on an Apollo flight in order to study the sun at the height of the solar cycle.” Appealing to the U.S.S.R. for early conclusion of a treaty on outer space exploration, Johnson said: “1 earnestly hope that the Soviet Union-whose space achievements have been very great-will feel as we feel in America: that the rapid evolution of space technology makes . . . a treaty between us governing the use of space a most urgent matter . . . as we explore the vastness of space, and as we dream of new horizons, we work, too, for the manmade controls that will keep these efforts at the service of man and at the service of peace.” He noted that the US. sought and would continue to seek cooperation in space with U.S.S.R.: “We have an agreement to exchange certain kinds of space data. . . . We will soon publish jointly American and Soviet material on space biology and medicine.” The President also mentioned that the US. was “on schedule in our plan and our determination to put men on the moon before 1970.” ‘‘(Pres. Doc., 10/3/66, 1365-6, 1370; Wash. Eve. Star, 9/28/66, C1)’’
West Germany’s Chancellor Ludwig Erhard and President Johnson are briefed by NASA officials at Kennedy Space Center. September 27: President Johnson, in 10th anniversary edition of Russian language America Illustrated, published by USIA for distribution in U.S.S.R., appealed to Soviet people for new era of friendship and understanding between the two countries. Johnson said “constructive steps” toward that goal would be “progress in the field of disarmament and in greater cooperative efforts . . . in space exploration, medical research, and communications.” He added: “We’ve got to get into the habit of peaceful cooperation. The test ban treaty was a significant step. There have been others since 1963. We have agreed not to put bombs in orbit, we are working together on . . . desalination, weather information, exchanges of scientists, artists, and yes, magazines.” ‘‘(Pres. Doc., 10/3/66, 1360-3)’’
In awards ceremony at NASA Hq., Administrator James E. Webb presented Charles Conrad, Jr., command pilot of Sept. 12-15 GEMINI XI mission, gold ribbon attachment to NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal awarded to him after August 1965 GEMINI v spaceflight; pilot Richard F. Gordon, Jr., received Exceptional Service Medal. Webb announced that during Sept. 10-16 visit to West Germany for preliminary negotiations of space agreement, he had been authorized to offer room on manned and unmanned spacecraft for valid scientific experiments submitted by West Germans. Offer applied also to scientists of other nations. ‘‘(AP, NYT, 9/28/66, 21; Wash. Post, 9/28/66, A$; Tech. Wk., 10/3/66, 18)’’
NASA, to “allow a better time and motion evaluation of the workloads and stresses” experienced by an astronaut during extravehicular activity had canceled plans to test USAF Astronaut Maneuvering Unit (AMU) on Gemini XII mission. NASA and DOD would study plans to reschedule experiment on later manned spaceflight. ‘‘(NASA Release 66-258)’’
Prominent details of the moon’s far side photographed by Zond III in July 1965 had been named by Soviet astronomers for great scientists, Tass reported. Among them were the Korolev thalassoid and the craters of Confucius, Spinoza, Mendel, Zhukovskiy, and Galois. Information relayed by Zond III would be included in second part of Atlas of the Other Side of the Moon, currently under preparation. First part was published in October 1960. Prof. Yuri Lipski, in charge of preparing the atlas, said one of the photos taken by LUNAR ORBITER I that had been “kindly supplied by American researchers,” had revealed approximate overlap of details in photo taken by Zond III while remainder of photo coincided in part with photos taken by LUNA III. ‘‘(Tass, 9/27/66)’’
Dr. Eugene M. Shoemaker, chief adviser on geology for Interior Dept.’s Geological Survey, proposed 10-yr. lunar exploration program following first Apollo astronaut landings late in this decade that “would have nothing to do with exploiting natural resources of the moon.” He explained: “We are using our mineral resources at a fantastic rate. What we really need to sustain our economic needs in the years ahead is a . . . theory about how the earth was formed. A good way to develop this theory would be by comparison with another celestial body-and the moon is just such a body.” Cost would be some $1.5 billion a year. Proposal was made during interview with William Hines, Washington Evening Star. ‘‘(Hines, Wash. Eve. Star, 9/27/66, A9)’’
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