Jan 21 1972

From The Space Library

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Revision as of 00:31, 8 December 2009

Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, discussed NASA plans for continuing fruitful space program in interview published by Christian Science Monitor: "For the next few years, we may have fewer of the more spectacular explorational missions . . . . We will focus more on . . communications satellites, weather satellites, earth re-sources survey satellites." Next Applications Technology Satellite (ATS) would demonstrate direct TV broadcasting in region of Rockies and Alaska, using large satellite with big antenna that could beam programs directly to augmented receivers in individual homes. Demonstration-in cooperation with Dept. of Health, Education, and Welfare-would work through educational network rather than directly to homes, however. Comsats were "not quite so exciting an aspect of space technology" in U.S. but, "worldwide, there has been more interest in this than in almost any other aspect of our program." Interest equaled that of ERT satellite. "Countries with vigorous mineral exploitation and agricultural development are interested in ERT satellites . . . . Countries with under-developed communications and education, such as India, are keenly interested in the broadcasting satellites." In weather satellite field, new sophisticated instruments "give hope that we can get a really world weather observing network going." Infrared sensors, microwave sensors, and high-resolution optics that obtained temperature profiles throughout atmosphere by looking "through holes in cloud systems" should help "to get points all over the globe where we now get only pieces of the picture." NASA would try processing materials in zero g during Skylab program. "If it works with men doing it, there are cheaper ways we could do it without men. It may be one of those things that will be worth doing when we can get routine access to space with the shuttle." In response to question, Dr. Fletcher said second Skylab would be "a very good thing for the country. But I'm not sure the budget needed for both a Skylab and the shuttle would be salable. The shuttle is more important in the long run. Not to do more of the Skylab sort of thing will be bad for prestige. The Russians will be doing much more than we will. I'm sure there will be criticism from Congress and the public." But with shuttle and current budget level, "we could do virtually all those things we have talked about doing in this century. We could go back to the moon and establish crude bases . . . . We could establish a permanent space station. We just might be able to send men to Mars and get them safely home." Apollo industrial base had already been destroyed, Dr. Fletcher said. "We could assemble a nucleus of people who know these things within NASA. But that's about all." As NASA turned toward space shuttle, "We hope and expect that many of the people who worked on Apollo will be in that program, so we won't lose all the basic space flight know-how." In international cooperation, France had asked to participate in Sky-lab mission and U.S.-U.S.S.R. meetings to establish compatible space docking system had progressed. "It looks as though we can do it technically. With existing hardware, we could do a docking in something like 1974 to 1975." Scientific community was "still debating whether it would prefer an intensive Jupiter and Saturn explorational program or some form of grand tour to other planets as well," Dr. Fletcher said. There was "no slackening of interest in Grand Tour" on NASA'S part. (CSM, 1/22/72)

First photos of Mars taken by U.S.S.R.'s Mars 2 and Mars 3 spacecraft were shown on Moscow TV. One photo showed equatorial zone with sun at low angle throwing long shadows over mountainous area. Second photo showed sharply defined, ring-shaped formation against light-colored background. Origin of formation, visible through dust clouds, was not established. Third photo showed craters of Syrtis Major. (NYT, 1/23/72)

Library of Congress Congressional Research Service published United States and Soviet Progress in Space: Summary Data Through 1971 and a Forward Look (72-17 SP). Report-prepared by Dr. Charles S. Sheldon II, Chief of Science Policy Research Div.-updated Senate Document 92-51 released Jan. 6 and discussed future directions and significant aspects of space programs. Soviet planetary probes Mars 2 (launched May 19, 1971) and Mars 3 (launched May 28, 1971) were studying temperatures, density, and constituents of Martian ionosphere, atmosphere, and surface. Joint experiment with France on Mars 3 had been studying solar wind. With Soviet start in planetary exploration during 1971, U.S. should continue to feel competition in planetary pro-gram until NASA Viking landed on Mars in 1976. NASA future plans gave prominent priority to space shuttle. While Soviet plans for reusable space vehicle had not been divulged, "it is hard to imagine their attainment of announced goals . . . without use of a shuttle." U.S.S.R. talked of putting up space station in five years. "It may be that the long awaited new large launch vehicle will find use in lifting major components for such a station. Using this vehicle, the U.S.S.R. could put up its equivalent of the U.S. Skylab any time from 1972 on." U.S.S.R. had recorded "wide variety of commitments . to conduct wide-ranging program" of solar system exploration and of earth applications. They had discussed possibility of Grand Tour flights and of manned planetary missions. In space cooperation, "although no firm commitment has been made and no real timetable set, the possibility has been opened that some of the surplus Saturn IB and Apollo hardware might be used to send an American crew to dock with a future Soviet space station. Then perhaps later if a remaining Saturn V is used to put up a Skylab 2 ... a Soviet Soyuz might send a crew to dock with it. More joint planning and more funds will be required to accomplish these suggestions." (Text)

Apollo 15 Astronauts David R. Scott, Alfred M. Worden, and James B. Irwin arrived in Belgrade from Warsaw, Poland, for tour of Yugoslavia. They would meet with Yugoslav scientists to discuss Apollo 15. (AP, W Star, 1/23/72, All)

RCA Global Communications, Inc., and China National Machinery Import and Export Corp. signed $2.9-million contract under which RCA would sell People's Republic of China P.R.C.'s first permanent satellite earth station. Station, to be completed in time to cover President Nixon's visit to Shanghai Feb. 28, would initially carry TV transmission, 23 two-way voice bands, and 12 two-way teleprinted channels and would be expanded to 60 voice-grade circuits. (W Post, 2/16/72, A29; 3/24/72, D10)

L/C Frank A. Bogart (USAF, Rd.), Manned Spacecraft Center Associate Director since November 1969, retired. Gen. Bogart had joined NASA in 1964 and had received numerous high awards and honors, including 1969 NASA Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to Apollo lunar landing program. (MSC Release 72- 18)

Council of Europe meeting in Strasbourg, France, called for introduction of civil supersonic aircraft to be postponed pending full scientific study of effects on people and environment. (Reuters, W Post, 1/23/72, A34)

January 22-25: Intelsat-IV F-4 comsat was launched by NASA for Communications Satellite Corp. on behalf of International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (INTELSAT). Launched from Eastern Test Range at 7:12 pm EST by Atlas-Centaur booster, satellite entered elliptical transfer orbit with 36523-km (22 694.3-mi) apogee, 5984-km (3718.3-mi) perigee, and 28.2° inclination. Primary objective was to place satellite in transfer orbit accurate enough for onboard propulsion systems to transfer it to planned synchronous orbit for commercial communications over Pacific. Apogee-kick motor was fired at 7:32 pm EST Jan. 24 and Intelsat- IV F-4 entered circular orbit with 35 787-km (22 237-mi) apogee, 25 625-km (22 136.4-mi) perigee, 23-hr 52-min period, and 0.7° inclination over Pacific at 165° east longitude. It would drift 1.1° per day to reach station at 174° east longitude in early February. Satellite's first major mission would be coverage of President Nixon's visit to People's Re-public of China in February. Intelsat-IV F--4 was third comsat in Intelsat IV series. Satellite was 238 cm (93.7 in) in diameter and 528 cm (208 in) high and weighed 1402 kg (3090 lbs) at launch. It had 12 transponders, providing 12 TV channels and 3000-9000 telephone circuits, and was capable of multiple-access and simultaneous transmissions. Expected lifetime was seven years. Intelsat-IV F-3 had been launched Dec. 19, 1971, and was operating satisfactorily over Atlantic. (NASA proj off; GSFC SSR, 1/31/72; NASA Release 72- 16)

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