Oct 4 1972

From The Space Library

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Current revision

U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 522 from Plesetsk into orbit with 317-km (197-mi) apogee, 198-km (123.0-m) perigee, 89.6-min period, and 72.8° inclination. Satellite reentered Oct. 17. (GSFC SSR, 10/31/72; SBD, 10/6/72, 170)

Fifteenth anniversary of space age inaugurated by 1957 launch of U.S.S.R.'s Sputnik 1, first man-made satellite. Soviet cosmonauts commemorated anniversary with interviews published in Soviet press. Cosmonaut Vladimir A. Shatalov said: "Mankind's entry into space has opened up ... enormous prospects for the study not only of extraterrestrial space but also of the Earth. Modern space technology can be used to solve mankind's vitally important tasks, such as the protection of the natural environment and the rational utilization of the Earth's resources." Cosmonaut Konstantin P. Feoktistov discussed future in space in Komsomolskaya Pravda interview. In applied space research, "practical cosmonautics will move from purely informational tasks to exerting an active influence on ... natural phenomena." It would be possible "to destroy embryonic hurricanes, influence weather .... And both automatic and manned craft can serve as instruments in resolving these tasks." Other space tasks of future would be study of Earth's environment and study of universe, but "I do not believe that the exploits- Lion of the planets' natural resources for terrestrial needs will begin in our century." (FBIS-Sov, 10/17/72, L2-4)

NASA's Pioneer 10 Jupiter probe (launched March 2) was 424 million km (263 million mi) from earth and 377 million km (234 million mi) from Jupiter. Spacecraft, which entered Asteroid Belt July 15, had traversed radial distance of 102 million km (63 million mi) into belt in 79 days. Spacecraft performance remained satisfactory except that anomalies with stellar reference assembly had necessitated use of sun sensor assembly for primary roll reference until December; scientific instruments were providing good data. (NASA proj off)

NASA released official summary of reasons for selection of North American Rockwell Corp. for $2.6-billion prime contract to build space shuttle. Summary said NR had been chosen over competitors-Grumman Aerospace Corp.; Lockheed Missiles & Space Co., Inc., Space Systems Div.; and McDonnell Douglas Corp.-because "North American Rockwell attained the highest score from a mission suitability standpoint, be-cause its cost proposal was lowest and credible, and because its approaches to program performance gave high confidence to us, to the [Source Evaluation] Board, and to the Manned Space Flight center directors, that it will indeed produce the Shuttle at the lowest cost." Summary-signed Sept. 18 by Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator-said NR's "greatest advantages" within mission suitability area were in management, with efficient control of program and best overall top project management team. NR design provided lightest dry weight. NR's "good understanding of all electrical power subsystems reflected the very thorough studies ... made following the Apollo 13 accident." Analysis of maintainability was excellent. Further, NR management techniques "should provide earlier identification of cost problems" and planned constrained buildup of resources in beginning of program lent confidence in ability to control costs. Grumman Corp, had been "very close behind" but its plan to build up its work force to early manpower peak had been seen by NASA as threat of "premature commitment of resources during the course of the program." Grumman's greatest strength had been in its technical design; McDonnell Douglas design had strong features but some technical drawbacks; and Lockheed's proposal had lacked "consistent technical depth." NASA had originally made summary available only to General Accounting Office and to competing bidders because of potential embarrassment to losers. Agency had later released summary, wall Street Journal said, "to demonstrate that politics didn't play any role in the decision and that the most painstaking selection procedures in the agency's history were observed." (Text; WSJ, 10/5/72, 12)

NASA Assistant Administrator for International Affairs Arnold W. Frutkin received Bronze Medal from British Interplanetary Society (BIS) in London for outstanding contributions to international collaboration. He told sis that time was "running out very rapidly" for Europe to work with NASA on post-Apollo program, "which today essentially means the sortie module." Europe faced dilemma in space. It could decide to work on regional basis of self-sufficiency, or become dependent in some measure on U.S. (SF, 1/73, 37)

Semiannual survey released by Aerospace Industries Assn. said sharp three-year decline in aerospace industry employment had leveled off at slightly more than 900 000. Between June 1972 and June 1973, aerospace employment was expected to decline from 923 000 to 914 000, or one per cent. During previous three years more than 500 000 employees-one third of total aerospace work force-had been dropped from payroll. Survey projected December 1972 employment at 917 000, somewhat above earlier forecast of 887 000. Between June 1972 and June 1973, production workers were expected to decline by 1.8%, scientists and engineers by 0.6%, and technicians to increase by 1.6%. By June 1973 estimated 157 000 scientists and engineers would be employed; 1967 peak had been 235 000. (Text)

Large 1793 penny secreted aboard Gemini 7 earth orbiting mission in 1965 recently had been sold for $15 000 although its numismatic value was about $2000, Associated Press reported. NASA spokesman said coin had been slipped into mission's inflight medical kit by flight surgeon who had left NASA several years ago. No one connected with NASA had profited from recent transaction. (NASA PAO; AP, NYT, 10/5/72, 38)

Personal telephone call from Mrs. Rose P. Kennedy, mother of late President John F. Kennedy, to Rep. Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. (D- Mass.), had helped kill bill to change name of Cape Kennedy back to Cape Canaveral, Miami Herald reported. Paper said Rep. O'Neill had asked Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.), Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics, to block bill. O'Neill aide had admitted congressman had asked Miller to block bill, but had denied that O'Neill had acted on Mrs. Kennedy's behalf. (M Her, 10/4/72)

Rep. Lou Frey, Jr. (R-Fla.), said in Washington, D.C., that he would carry his efforts to restore original name of Cape Canaveral to Cape Kennedy to courts if Congress refused to cooperate. If courts also re-fused, he would try to persuade Florida Gov. Reubin Askew and Florida residents to "ignore Federal name." (DPI, NYT, 10/6/72)

Establishment in Vienna of International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis was announced by Dr: Philip Handler, President of National Academy of Sciences. Institute would specialize in complex global problems that resulted from industrialization, particularly those that would benefit from systematic comparison of remedies being attempted by various nations. Projects being considered included analytical study of short- and long-range projections of world supply of energy resources and demands for energy, dynamic substitutions among energy re-sources, future technologies, and hazards of each source. Projects would be in categories of environment, health care, municipal services, and engineering. Academician Dzherman M. Gvishiani of U.S.S.R. had been appointed Chairman of Institute Council. Dr. Howard Raiffa, Harvard Univ. mathematical statistician, would be Director. NAS would be represented on Council by its Foreign Secretary Dr. Harrison Brown. (NASA Release)

Dept. of Defense spokesmen told press in Washington, D.C., that swing-wing F-111 jet fighter-bombers had been withdrawn from combat service in North Vietnam after Sept. 28 loss of one F-111 but aircraft had since returned to action. (AP, W Post, 10/5/72, A29)

Air Force announced award of $1.7-million letter contract to North American Rockwell Corp. for repair and modification of attack radar and inertial navigation components of Mark II avionics system of F-111 aircraft. (DOD Release 697-72)

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