Sep 30 1971
From The Space Library
Medical instructions relayed by Ats 1 (launched Dec. 6, 1966) from equatorial orbit 35 800 km (22 300 mi) above the earth saved lives of two women in remote native Alaska villages. Native medical aide in Chalkyitsik, northeastern Alaska, and aide in Anatuvuk Pass, north central Alaska, broke into satellite time reserved for relay of educational broadcasts to Alaskan village centers to request advice in treating hemorrhaging pregnant Indian woman and Eskimo woman suffering appendicitus attack. Physician in Anchorage, Alaska, hearing requests, broke into broadcast with instructions and alerted medical personnel nearer scenes. Univ. of Alaska officials handling transmissions telephoned NASA satellite control station at Rosman, N.C., and received permission to extend reserved satellite time during night. Sen. Mike Gravel (D- Alaska) later said in Washington, D.C.: "I am grateful for the teamwork in Alaska and at NASA that so dramatically saved two lives, and I am so proud of my fellow Alaskans who responded once again through the code of the North but this time using a space satellite." (AP, B Sun, 10/8/71, A10)
Apollo 15 Astronauts David R. Scott, James B. Irwin, and Alfred M. Worden thanked USAF personnel at Patrick AFB, Fla., for their sup-port during Apollo 15 mission and presented base with U.S. flag they had carried to moon. Later, astronauts thanked MSFC employees during six-hour visit to Center. (MSFC Release 71-164; NY News, 10/1/71, 64; MSFC PAO)
Formation of new Military Aircraft Programs Office within OART and appointment of Albert J. Evans, Director of Aerodynamics and Vehicles Systems Div. in OART, as its Director were announced by NASA. Office would direct ongoing support to USAF on F-15 and B-1 pro-grams and to USN on F-14 program; USAF/NASA Transonic Aircraft Technology (TACT) Program in which NASA supercritical wing would be flight-tested on modified F-111 aircraft; USA/NASA Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft Technology Program; and other possible joint research, experimental, and prototype aircraft programs. William S. Aiken, Jr., Deputy Director of Aerodynamics and Vehicle Systems Div., would succeed Evans in former post. (NASA Release 71-186)
Lunokhod 1-which landed on moon Nov. 17, 1970, on board Luna 17-was declared officially dead at end of lunar night because resources of its isotope heating system had been exhausted. (SBD, 11/3/71, 18)
Secretary of State William P. Rogers and Soviet Foreign Minister Andrey A. Gromyko signed two nuclear control agreements in formal ceremony at State Dept. Agreements called for improved "hotline" communication between Washington and Moscow via comsats and immediate notification of any unexplained incident involving possible detonation of nuclear weapon which could cause outbreak of nuclear war. (Smith, NYT, 10/1/71, 1)
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