October 1972

From The Space Library

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Current revision

Lunar Science Institute released Post-Apollo Lunar Science, report of July study by Ls' scientists who met at Univ. of California at San Diego. Study had examined progress in lunar science, identified objectives for future work and drafted preliminary plan for long-term lunar science. Major recommendations were that NASA continue to "preserve and describe the samples, data, and photographs, and to make them available to the scientific community" through Lunar Receiving Laboratory at Manned Spacecraft Center; that Apollo lunar surface experiment package (ALSEP) network and subsatellite be operated continuously as long as they provided significant new findings; that selected raw photographic observations be processed to obtain usable scientific product; that lunar science program be continued at "substantial" level; that advisory panels be continued and augmented to emphasize geophysical and photographic data analysis; and that "small, selective program of mission planning be maintained" concurrently with instrument definition program "to provide the desired continuity between the present and the future." LSI also recommended high priority for high-inclination orbital mission to determine geophysical, geochemical, and geological variables on planetwide scale, and joint and multinational lunar missions. (Text)

Tests of resistant characteristics of new space-age materials for furnishings in buildings and homes were conducted for NASA by Battelle Corp. Study included controlled experimental burning of prefabricated rooms containing furnishings treated with fire-resistant and fire-retardant materials. Tests would determine ignition time, fire-spread rate, smoke density, heat movement, chemical analyses, combustion products, and fire-fighting problems that arose. Purpose of program was to provide training for metropolitan firemen and new fire-safety data. (NASA Release 72-200)

House Committee on Science and Astronautics released For the Benefit of All Mankind: The Practical Returns from Space Investment. Updated report of spinoff dividends from space exploration covered application of space technology to communications, weather forecasting, business and industry, management, agriculture, environment, aeronautics, education, medicine, home and marketplace, and municipal and urban affairs and in foreign countries. Committee concluded that dividends were "fallout of ingenious application of space flight experience." Dividends already paid, "coupled with those in sight for the near- term future, affect practically every facet of human convenience and concern. They promise continuing and increasing return on our space investment for the benefit of mankind." (H Rpt 92-1452)

Results of U.S.S.R. research of Mars as released by Soviet press were summarized by Interavia. Initial analysis of data collected by Mars 2 and 3 (launched May 19 and May 28, 1971) spacecraft during inter-planetary flight had indicated large variations in composition of interplanetary plasma ions at 20 million km (12.5 million mi) from earth. Data had also revealed new information on distribution of solar plasma around solar system and its relationship with interplanetary and terrestrial magnetic fields. No magnetic field had been detected near Mars, indicating possible lack of liquid core. Orbits of spacecraft had been selected to cover areas of Martian surface difficult to investigate from earth-central latitudes of southern hemisphere to 65° south, equatorial zone, and northern hemisphere to 29° north.

During Martian orbit infrared radiometer data had shown certain areas of surface to be definitely warmer than immediate surroundings, indicating possible volcanic activity. Mars 2 and 3 had found steam content in Martian atmosphere to be 2000 times less than that existing in terrestrial atmosphere. At times precipitated water could be 50 micrometers; at others, less than 10. Since photos taken by NASA's Mariner 9 revealed impressive valleys which could have been formed by erosion, Soviet scientists had theorized that higher temperatures and pressures, sufficient to produce water in liquid form, existed on Mars in previous era. Very sharp differences in planet's brightness, never before observed from earth, were observed by visible range photometer, Data were collected from measurement of radio-wave reflection. After landing, scientific results from Mars 2 and 3 had been meager. Mars 2 had hardlanded a capsule on Mars Nov. 27, 1971. Photos and measurements by Mars 3 (which softlanded a capsule Dec. 2, 1971) had indicated a dust cloud 6 to 8 km (4 to 5 mi) thick covering landing area, leading to speculation that either dust storms had raged over area and caused capsule to land incorrectly or capsule had sunk into dust layer. Soviet Academician Anatoly A. Blagonravov had said U.S.S.R. planned to use 1973 launch windows if program of Martian exploration continued as planned. (Interavia, 10/72, 1139-41; GSFC SSR, 1/31/73)

Erts 1 Earth Resources Technology Satellite, launched by NASA July 23, was regarded by scientists as "most significant unmanned satellite ever put into space," Aerospace Facts reported. More than 300 independent investigators were examining photos and data being returned by Erts 1. Investigators were from 43 states, District of Columbia, 31 foreign countries, and 2 international organizations. (Aerospace Facts, 10-12/72, 1)

First complete monitoring by Navy satellite of effects on earth's atmosphere of major, long-duration solar flare was reported by Office of Naval Research's Naval Research Reviews. Preliminary data from experiment aboard Dept. of Defense Space Test Program satellite Sesp 1971-2 (launched by Air Force Oct. 17, 1971) had shown Aug. 2-7 solar flare had produced more intense bombardment of earth by plasma showers than any previously watched by satellites. Data would aid Navy scientists in understanding effects of solar storms on polar radio communications and auroral and polar cap phenomena. (ONR Naval Research Reviews, 10/72, 30-31)

Panel of Geophysics Research Board of National Research Council released Summary Report of the Ad Hoc Panel on (NOx) and the Ozone Layer. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration had asked Panel to review paper by Univ. of California at Berkeley physicist Dr. Harold S. Johnston [see Aug. 1] and to consider research to resolve uncertainties that existed in Dr. Johnston's hypothesis that nitrogen oxides from exhausts of supersonic transport aircraft could have destructive effects on ozone concentration. Uncertainties existed because dynamic processes might distort chemical equilibrium model based on static atmosphere, rates of some reactions in scheme of chemical kinetics might not be known, and estimations of SST engine exhaust products seemed uncertain to order of magnitude, at least. Panel had concluded: "There appears to be general agreement that Harold Johnston's conclusions . . . are credible, but with the reservations cited." Possibility of serious effects on the normal ozone could not be dismissed. "To the extent that existing information permits, Johnston has done a very careful and detailed analysis." It was evident "that we suffer from serious ignorance of many fundamental aspects of the chemistry and dynamics of the stratosphere when we attempt to make quantitative assessments of the pollution consequences of high- altitude aircraft operations." (NAS-NRC-NAE News Rpt, 10/72, 2)

National Research Council announced formation, at Dept. of Transportation request, of NRC Committee on the Department of Transportation Climatic Assessment Program, Committee, chaired by Dr. Henry G. Booker of Univ. of California at San Diego, would examine need for studies of effects of aircraft nitrogen-oxide emissions on earth's ozone layer; atmospheric dynamics, physics, and chemistry; nature of prospective emissions into stratosphere; and biological effects on earth of stratospheric activities. (NAS- NRC-NAE News Rpt, 10/72, 2)

Communications Satellite Corp. released At the 10th Anniversary of the Communications Satellite Act of 1962: Comsat Report to the President and the Congress. Transmittal message dated Aug. 27- 10th anniversary of Senate passage of Act-by ComSatCorp President Joseph V. Charyk and Board Chairman Joseph H. McConnell said 83-member International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (INTELSAT) was operating successfully under ComSatCorp management. Satellite services had been provided to developing and developed countries, efficient and economical use was being made of electromagnetic frequency spectrum, and improved communications services were being provided at reduced charges. ComSatCorp believed "it is fulfilling its mandate successfully, and . . . progress is beyond what many expected 10 years ago." Report said regular full-time commercial satellite services were being provided globally by four satellites of Intelsat IV series and by network of 71 earth stations administered by 44 countries. Some 80 countries, territories, and possessions were being served directly, full time. Service was provided via more than 200 communications paths. (Text)

TRW Inc. Systems Group Div., Hughes Aircraft Co., and Philco-Ford Corp. submitted proposals in competition conducted for North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by Air Force Space and Missiles Systems Organization (SAMSO). Competition was for development of NATO Phase 3 communications satellite program. (Av Wk, 10/30/72, 17)

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