Jul 11 1972
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(New page: Viking parachute system to lower instruments onto Mars surface in 1976 was damaged during first in series of three high- altitude tests over White Sands Missile Range. Parachute wa...)
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Viking parachute system to lower instruments onto Mars surface in 1976 was damaged during first in series of three high- altitude tests over White Sands Missile Range. Parachute was carried to 5900-m (19 500-ft) altitude by large balloon and then boosted upward to supersonic speed by rocket. Damage had occurred when parachute deployed at 43 300-m (142 000-ft) altitude, where dynamic pressure reached 689.5 newtons per sq m (14.4 psf), instead of in thinner air at 45 300 m (148 500 ft) with 598.5 newtons per sq m (12.5 psf) as planned. Objective was to demonstrate capability of parachute system at highest speed and most severe loading conditions expected at Mars. NASA said parachute would have functioned satisfactorily in actual Mars landing. Since launch was only partially successful, it would be repeated in August. [See July 26, Aug. 13 and 19, Dec. 14.] (NASA Release 72-118; NASA proj off; Today, 7/14/72)
NASA announced it would reprimand Apollo 15 crew for carrying 400 unauthorized postal covers on July 26-Aug. 7, 1971, mission. Astronauts' actions would be considered in future assignments. Astronauts David R. Scott, Alfred M. Worden, and James B. Irwin had acknowledged giving 100 covers to acquaintance, currently in Germany. Covers later were sold to stamp collectors for $1500 each. NASA inquiry had shown astronauts had at one time agreed to accept "trust fund" for their children in return for the 100 covers but had later realized impropriety of transaction and had voluntarily declined to accept fund or alternative offer of stamps. Dr. George M. Low, NASA Deputy Administrator, said in release to press: "Astronauts are under extreme stress in the months preceding a flight to the Moon and their poor judgment in carrying the unauthorized covers must be considered in this light. Nonetheless, NASA cannot condone the actions." (NASA Release 72-140)
Manned Spacecraft Center awarded North American Rockwell Corp. Space Div. $200 000, fixed-price, research and development contract to study feasibility of manned and unmanned multipurpose spacecraft to provide support for spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit. Spacecraft in geosynchronous orbit were stationed at 37 800- km (23 500-mi) altitude, where they conducted communications, earth observations, and navigation experiments. (MSc Release 72-141)
Vladimir N. Pavlov-director of Soviet exhibit scheduled for Seattle, Wash., Fair Aug. 11 to 20-said exhibit would include display of special-purpose plastic used in Soviet Lunokhod 1 lunar rover and scale model of vehicle. (Shabad, NYT, 7/12/72)
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