Sep 27 1977
From The Space Library
MSFC reported on the dedication of the world's largest solar-energy cooling system at a hotel on St, Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The hotel, surrounded by the ocean on three sides, had used diesel fuel for energy. The $554 000 system, part of ERDA's solar-energy demonstration program, used 13 000ft2 of solar collectors to air condition the 300-rm hotel, saving an estimated $100 000 per yr over the cost of diesel fuel.
MSFC engineer Bob Middleton, design and installation manager, explained that the system was unique in not storing energy; it provided air conditioning during the day only, and the oil-fired system took over at night, as the most economical arrangement available. MSFC had worked on installations at a total of 59 sites under ERDA's demonstration program; ERDA had shared costs of this system with the hotel owners. (MSFC Release 77-179; NASA Release 77-207)
INTELSAT announced that the People's Republic of Angola had become the 99th member of the organization on Sept. 23, and the 25th African nation to join. Angola's Empresa Publica de Telecomunicacoes (EPTEL) had signed the operating agreement. (INTELSAT Release 77-25-I)
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