Jul 13 1972

From The Space Library

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Current revision

U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 502 from Plesetsk into orbit with 248-km (154.1-mi) apogee, 208-km (129.3-mi) perigee, 89.1-min period, and 65.4° inclination. Satellite reentered July 25. (csFC SSR, 7/31/72; SBD, 7/20/72, 98)

Press conference on overall aspects of May 24 U.S: U.S.S.R. space cooperation agreement was held at Manned Spacecraft Center during meetings of NASA and Soviet working groups [see July 6- 18]. Participants included Dr. George M. Low, NASA Deputy Administrator; Academician Boris N. Petrov, Chairman of Soviet Intercosmos Council; Dr. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., MSC Director; and Arnold W. Frutkin, NASA Assistant Administrator for International Affairs. Dr. Low said "great deal" had been accomplished in all areas covered by cooperation agreement. Working groups were meeting almost constantly. Nations had exchanged lunar samples from all flights through Apollo 15 and Luna 20 and were about to exchange samples on Apollo 16. Area of greatest interest was rendezvous and docking mission scheduled for 1975. Talks on joint mission were "going extremely well."

Petrov said Soviet people had been informed of plans for joint space flight "at the same time as the American people"-when technical discussions were in progress. "Our press, just as your press, carried information on the discussions." Asked if foreign press would be permitted to witness launch of Soviet Soyuz during joint mission, Petrov said both Apollo spacecraft and Soyuz launch would be conducted "under the same conditions as all previous launches." Question on control of mission was deferred to conference on joint rendezvous and docking mission scheduled for July 17, but Dr. Low said "general principle" would be that, "while the Soviet cosmonauts are visiting in our Apollo command module, we will be in command; when we're visiting in their Soyuz, they will be in command of that ship ... and we will be under their command." Petrov said he hoped, and was certain, "that this first test flight will not be the last one" and that their would be possibility of space rescue flights if needed, "regardless of what country's spacecraft are involved." If test flight was successful, Dr. Low said, "our plans are to equip the Space Shuttle with this kind of a docking system. We don't think that we will need a follow-on test but instead we will be flying operationally with compatible systems beyond that point."

Asked to comment on Soviet Venus probe Venus 8, launched March 27, Petrov said spacecraft should reach planet at month's end. "That vehicle will release another one which should come down onto the surface of Venus." Soviet scientists had done everything possible to guarantee mission's success, "but what is not excluded is the possibility of a landing in such a position ... or place where transmission of information will not last for very long." Probe was expected to provide data to increase understanding of planet's surface and structure, "which is not only a question of increasing our knowledge but which can . . . clarify the origins and structure of . . . Earth." Data already transmitted for Venus 8 had been "so new and so unexpected and so interesting." (Transcript)

NASA announced it was making available to U.S. industry patent rights for commercial production of two scientific devices developed at Goddard Space Flight Center. FLASH (fast luciferace automated assay of specimens for hospitals)-biochemical machine process for quantitative analysis of bacteria in urine samples-had been developed by Emett W. Chapelle and Dr. Grace L: Picciolo from technology to detect extraterrestrial life. FLASH process caused urine sample to glow if bacteria were present; qualitative readings were made automatically by detecting and recording emitted light. Smokey long-range laser traversing system-small back-packable surveying system-had been developed from optical system technology from spacecraft tracking and communications experiments [see April 13]. (NASA Release 72-139)

Apollo 16 Astronaut Charles M. Duke, Jr., received Distinguished Service Medal from Dr. Robert C. Seamans, Jr., Secretary of the Air Force, and Command Pilot Astronaut Badge from Gen. John D. Ryan, Air Force Chief of Staff, in Washington, D.C., ceremony. DSM was for "exceptionally meritorious achievement in a duty of great responsibility." Badge identified Duke, Apollo 16 lunar module pilot, as one of 37 Americans who had piloted powered vehicles more than 80 km (50 mi) above earth's surface. Duke gave Dr. Seamans and Gen. Ryan lunar sample and silver medallion in recognition of Air Force role in space program and as NASA salute to Air Force's Silver Anniversary. (President Truman signed Armed Forces Unification Act creating Dept. of Air Force July 26, 1947.) (DOD Release 509-72)

National Science Foundation released Federal Funds for Academic Science, Fiscal Year 1970 (NSF 72-301). In FY 1970 total Federal support to universities and colleges declined 7% from FY 1969 funding level. Major portion of decrease was in academic science activities, which experienced 8% drop in 1970, contrasting with 3% in support for nonscience activities. Research and development and manpower development support accounted for bulk of total academic science funding. Obligations for these activities totaled $1.396 billion and $429 million. (Text)

Philadelphia Evening Bulletin editorial commented on Apollo 15 astronauts' carrying unauthorized postal covers on mission: It was to crew's credit that they withdrew from plan to profit from venture. "But recognition of their original misjudgment . . does not com- pletely erase the taint of commercialization in an otherwise heroic venture." (P Bull, 7/13/72)

Eugene W. Wasielewski, Associate Director of Goddard Space Flight Center, died at age 59 after long illness. Wasielewski had been principal official for institutional management of GSFC and for operation of worldwide tracking and data-acquisition network. He had joined GSFC in 1960 after career in private industry. (W Post, 7/19/72, C4)

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