Sep 3 1971
From The Space Library
Successful free-flight development test of parachute system for Viking Mars landers to be launched in 1975 was conducted by NASA at DOT Joint Parachute Test Facility in El Centro, Calif. Test was to verify functioning of main decelerator parachute and its deployment mechanism and confirm structural adequacy of system design. Deployment mortar and parachute-16 m (53 ft) in diameter, packaged in instrumented drop vehicle 3 m (10 ft) long and 51 cm (20 in) in diameter-were dropped from NASA B-57 aircraft at altitude of 15 200 m (50 000 ft). (NASA Release 71-162; FRC Flo)
President Nixon released statement on dedication of new USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio: "The United States Air Force Museum demonstrates in a most compelling fashion the tremendous progress which American aviation has made in a remarkably brief time. It will afford a valuable opportunity for future generations of Americans to learn about the dedication and courage and skill which have made that progress possible." At dedication ceremonies President said, ". . . the United States intends, and we resolve today, that having been first in aviation from the beginning, we will attempt to be first in aviation for the time to come. This should be our goal, and one that we can achieve." (PD, 9/13/71,1240-2)
MSC announced resignation of Dr. Gene M. Simmons, MSC Chief Scientist since 1969. Dr. Simmons would return to MIT as professor of geophysics. (MSC Release 71-63)
New York Times editorial said scientists were pressing NASA to "take another look at the cancelled Apollo 18 and 19 flights-flights for which much equipment is available. The Soviet contribution to the new picture of the moon is still miniscule, despite the feats of the Luna space vehicles. But it would make good sense for the United States and the Soviet Union to get together and plan joint manned moon flights, perhaps by making Apollo 18 and 19 the first truly international ventures to earth's companion in the skies." (NYT, 9/3/71, 26)
International Institute for Strategic Studies published The Military Balance 1971-1972. Annual report of London-based independent research group said Communist China had entered nuclear missile race, U.S.S.R. had moved further .ahead of U.S. in ICBM deployment, and U.S.S.R. was challenging supremacy of U.S. underwater nuclear strike force. (Reuters, B Sun, 9/3/71, 1)
Astronaut Information: American and Soviet (Revised) (71-204 SP) was published by Library of Congress Congressional Research Service. Paper provided general reference on astronauts and cosmonauts, table of U.S. and Soviet space flights, and description of highlights of each flight. (Text)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
