Jun 20 1972

From The Space Library

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Current revision

NASA held press conference on ERTS-A Earth Resources Technology Satellite (to be launched July 23) at Goddard Space Flight Center. Dr. Arch B. Park, Chief of NASA Earth Resources Survey Program, described experiments that "typify .. , a direct relationship between the results of the experiment and the interest . . of the general public." Most important experiments were in land use and understanding geology, soils, vegetation, and engineering aspects of man's mass works. Second was environmental awareness, including experiments in biological control of pests, water quality, mine safety, forest conservation, and resources management. Primary objective of ERTS was described by project manager Wilfred E. Scull as "the acquisition of multi-spectral images" over U.S. and rest of world and use of data for various disciplines. Spacecraft, scheduled for launch July 21, would weigh 939 kg (2070 lbs) and would be launched into sun-synchronous, circular earth orbit at 920-km (570-mi) altitude, repeating coverage under same conditions of illumination over entire globe every 18 days. Onboard equipment included three return-beam-vidicon (RSV) cameras that would take pictures every 25 sec, multispectral scanner subsystem (MSS) that would continually scan ground directly beneath satellite, and two wide-band video tape recorders (WVNTR) to record and store images for later playback. Data- collection system consisted of remote platforms for measuring soil, water, and air quality and other environmental data and transmitting data to ERTS as it passed overhead. Data would be telemetered to three main stations (Fairbanks, Alaska; Goldstone, Calif.; and Greenbelt, Md.) and processed at GSFC. All images received by NASA would be sent to Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Interior, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (Transcript)

Two NASA research aircraft, each equipped with five cameras, were photo-graphing State of Arizona-area of more than 295 000 sq km (114 000 sq mi)-from 20 000-m (65 000-ft) altitude. NASA, Dept. of Interior, and State of Arizona project to develop land use inventory system for natural resource management included acquisition of film for development of orthophotoquads-large photographic maps of entire state-for use by Arizona agencies. Arizona Land Use Experiment would make comprehensive analysis based on remotely sensed data; document social and economic benefits of experiment; prepare manual on application of remote sensing to solving resource management problems; and provide plan for updating information by including data from spacecraft, high- and low-flying aircraft, and ground surveys. Arizona had appropriated $400 000 to project. Film processed by Ames Re-search Center was sent to U.S. Geological Survey laboratories, where orthophotoquads were to be prepared. (NASA Release 72-129)

U.S.S.R.'s Intercosmos 6 (launched April 7) had detected particle in space with highest energy yet recorded near earth, U.S.S.R. announced. Laboratory analysis of spacecraft's photoemulsion plates, recovered after four-day earth orbital mission, showed track of cosmic ray particle with impulse of 1 million bev-at least 1000 times more than maximum anticipated by Soviet scientists- (FBIS- Sov, 6/21/72, L2; Shabad, NYT, 6/21/72, 10)

Faulty design of water-tight battery enclosure used in underwater astronaut training at Manned Spacecraft Center had been primary contributing factor to February 29 explosion which killed one man and injured another, MSC announced. In report to Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, accident investigation board said explosive mixture of hydrogen and oxygen in battery was detonated when switch was closed. It recommended use of power supplies other than batteries. (MSC Release 72-133)

Signing of $125 000 firm-fixed-price contract with Florida Operations of Honeywell, Inc., St. Petersburg, for study of inertial measurement unit program for space shuttle orbiter was announced by Manned Spacecraft Center. Honeywell would develop alternative approaches to allow NASA to assess feasibility of adapting existing units for space shuttle. (MSC Release 72-132)

Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird, testifying before Senate Committee on Armed Services hearings on military implications of strategic arms limitation agreements, said he would recommend disapproval of agreements unless Congress increased funding for new weapon projects permitted under pacts, (CR, 6/20/72, D703; Getler, W Post, 6/21/72, Al)

President Nixon said in statement on June 5-16 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment: "I believe that the deepest significance of the conference lies in the fact that for the first time.. . the nations of the world sat down together to seek better understanding of each other's environmental problems and to explore opportunities for positive action, individually and collectively." (PD, 6/26/72, 1078)

Air Force grounded entire fleet of U.S.-based F-111 fighter-bomber air- craft "as a precautionary measure" until cause of June 15 and 18 F-111 crashes had been determined. (AP, W Post, 6/21/72, AS)

President Nixon nominated Adm. Thomas H. Moorer (USN) for reappointment as Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff for two-year term ending July 2, 1974. (PD, 6/19/72, 1087)

Atomic Energy Commission designated nearly 81 000 hectares (200 000 acres) of land in South Carolina as first environmental research park in U.S. Land surrounded AEC facilities near Aiken. (AEC Release P-181)

June 20-23: Three Federal scientists attended meeting of Project CICAR (Cooperative Investigation of the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions) in Havana, Cuba, on first official U.S. mission to Cuba since 1959 break in U.S.-Cuban diplomatic relations. State Dept. later said trio, from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, could attend only because meeting was held under aegis of United Nations. (Cohn, W Post, 7/11/72, A4)

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