Sep 5 1972
From The Space Library
Details of Mariner 10 mission to Venus and Mercury, first dual-planet flight, to be launched from Eastern Test Range in October or November 1973, were released by NASA. Jet Propulsion Laboratory would manage Mariner Venus mission project for NASA Office of Space Science. Project would include first use of one planet's gravitational field (that of Venus) to propel spacecraft to another and first Mercury exploration. Spacecraft's 500-kg (1100- 1b) weight would include 78 kg (170 lbs) of scientific equipment-two TV cameras to take at least 8000 photos of planets and six experiments to return planetary and interplanetary data, with emphasis on Mercury. Objectives of experiments would be to provide celestial mechanics information during flight and physical characteristics of planets and their atmosphere; study structure of solar wind and its interaction with Venus and Mercury; search for magnetic field at both planets and measure interplanetary magnetic fields between orbits of earth, Venus, and Mercury ; search for Mercury atmosphere and obtain data on Venusian atmosphere; measure temperature emissions from both planets and their atmospheres and correlate data with visible features; and measure charged particles over wide energy range to study solar charged-particle bombardment of Mercury and its possible atmosphere. Spacecraft would fly by Venus in February 1974 and by Mercury in March 1974, with closest approach to Venus 5300 km (3300 mi) and to Mercury only 1020 km (635 mi). (NASA Special Release, 9/5/72)
French scientist Michel Siffre emerged from cave beneath Edwards Plateau near Del Rio, Tex., after six-month experiment to determine whether human time cycle was product of planetary system or of man's physiology. Results of experiment sponsored by NASA, French Speleological Institute, and French Defense Ministry would be used to serve astronauts on long-duration missions, jet pilots crossing time zones, and nuclear submarine crews on long cruises. Siffre told news conference that he had achieved 48-hr-day cycle twice, though average daily cycle underground had been 25 hrs. (Anderson, W Post, 9/5/72, A3)
North American Rockwell Corp., winner of $2.6-billion NASA space shuttle prime contract, might retain up to 70% of contract money for itself and four principal subcontractors, New York Times reported. Subcontractors were Honeywell, Inc., International Business Machines Corp., General Electric Co., and American Airlines. Acceptance by NASA of 70% figure could be "major blow" to Grumman Aerospace Corp., Times said. Only hope for Grumman, loser in shuttle contract competition, and other aerospace companies to obtain substantial subcontracting on shuttle project would be to enter competition with NR subcontractors for whom NR might already have preference. (Andelman, NYT, 9/5/72, 3)
Data from geomagnetic sensors near multimegaton nuclear explosion Cannikin detonated on Amchitka Island, Alaska, by Atomic Energy Commission in November 1971 were reported by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. NOAA scientists Dr. W. P. Hasbrouck and J. H. Allen had found evidence that changes in underground stresses could produce small but measurable changes in earth's magnetic field. Finding should provide key to whether geomagnetic signals could be used as earthquake predictors. (not Release NOAA 72-115)
Appointment of Dr. Alan M. Lovelace, Director of Air Force Materials Laboratory, as Director of Science and Technology for Air Force Systems Command was announced by Gen. George S. Brown, AFSC Commander. (AFSC Release 104.72)
September 5-7: ERTS 1 Earth Resources Technology Satellite, launched by NASA July 23, gathered data over Florida including impact of Disney World to aid urban and regional planning. Images would be used to observe changes in transportation, motels, and other tourist-related activities. ERTS 1 data on area's water resources would enable Brevard County to inventory water supply, quality, and fluctuation. (Benedict, AP, Today, 9/6/72)
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