Sept 15 1975
From The Space Library
In a letter to Rep. Don Fuqua, chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Science and Technology Subcommittee on Space Science and Applications, NASA Administrator Dr. James C. Fletcher summarized options for missions that could use the remaining Apollo-Saturn flight hardware. Options included an earth orbital mission as an Apollo-Soyuz Test Project backup; a Skylab revisit; an Apollo geosynchronous mission; a lunar orbital mission; an earth-orbital mission to visit a Soviet space station; and a manned satellite inspector. The hardware could also be used to launch a U.S. unmanned space station carrying a large U.S.S.R. payload, a large orbiting reflector, a space solar-power demonstration, a planetary probe, or multiple payloads. Another possibility might be to carry an Apollo spacecraft into space aboard the Space Shuttle to provide a crew-rescue capability or to serve as a habitable module, to demonstrate a Shuttle-serviced free-flying module, or to inspect and service orbiting satellites.
Dr. Fletcher's letter added that he did not foresee that funds would be available to support additional Apollo-Saturn missions in the period preceding the Space Shuttle operation. The subcommittee at a 25 March meeting had asked NASA to summarize the options when the agency had sought permission to dispose of surplus Apollo-Saturn equipment [see 9 April]. (Text, letter from Fletcher to Fuqua and attachment "Conceptual Flight Possibilities for Saturn-Apollo Hardware," 15 Sept 75)
Norman Pozinsky's appointment as Deputy Associate Administrator for Tracking and Data Acquisition became effective. Pozinsky was replacing H. R. Brockett, who retired. Pozinsky previously had been director of the Network Development and Engineering Diva in the Office of Tracking and Data Acquisition. (NASA anno 17 Sept 75) 16 September: Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, presented 23 awards to Marshall Space Flight Center employees and contractor personnel for contributions to the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project mission (15-26 July). Ellery B. May, former manager of the Saturn Program Office at MSFC, received NASA's highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal. Exceptional Service Medals were awarded to 14 MSFC employees; Public Service Awards went to six contractor employees active in the ASTP mission. The Group Achievement Award went to the ASTP Experiments Team and the Stress Corrosion Review Team. ASTP astronauts Thomas P. Stafford, Vance D. Brand, and Donald K. Slayton, as well as NASA Deputy Administrator Dr. George M. Low, Associate Administrator for the Office of Space Flight John F. Yardley, and ASTP Program Director Chester M. Lee, attended the ceremony honoring MSFC workers who had provided the Saturn launch. vehicle as well as 10 of the 27 onboard experiments for the mission. (MSFC Release 75-196; Marshall Star, 17 Sept 75, 1-2)
NASA announced appointment of Gonzalo Fernandez as Assistant Associate Administrator for Center Operations, replacing Raymond A. Kline, appointed Assistant Administrator of Institutional Management. Fernandez, who came to NASA from the Air Force, would be responsible for the Offices of Administrative Data Processing Management, Information Systems, NASA Aircraft, Safety and Environmental Health, and Operating Systems. (NASA anno, 16 Sept 75)
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