Apr 1 1971
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(New page: Discovery that comets were made of water-ice and discovery of new concept of dynamics of interstellar hydrogen gas from data obtained by OGO 5 (launched March 4, 1968) and OAO 2 (launched ...)
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Discovery that comets were made of water-ice and discovery of new concept of dynamics of interstellar hydrogen gas from data obtained by OGO 5 (launched March 4, 1968) and OAO 2 (launched Dec. 7, 1968) were announced. Dr. Charles Lillie and Dr. Gary Thomas of Univ. of Colorado and Prof. Jacques E. Blamont of Univ. of Paris said at NASA Hq. press conference that OAO observations indicated comets were water with traces of methane, ammonia, and cyanogen. OAO observations showed gas surrounding comets to be composed almost totally of hydrogen and that interstellar wind previously believed to be coming from constellation Hercules actually seemed to be. coming from Sagittarius and Scorpius. Scientists now surmised that there was no stellar wind, but only apparent wind caused by passage of solar system through thin and nearly stationary interstellar medium of hydrogen. (Lannan, W Star, 4/2/71, A9)
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 402 from Baikonur into orbit with 1035-km (643.2-mi) apogee, 948-km (589.1-mi) perigee, 104.9-min period, and 64.9° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 4/30/71; SBD, 4/5/71, 181)
Dr. George M. Low, Acting NASA Administrator, summarized reasons NASA proposed space shuttle development as top space priority for 1970s, during Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences NASA FY 1972 authorization hearings: U.S. "should and will continue an active space program from now on" and new approach was needed to make space "practical and economical" for all users-NASA, DOD, other Government agencies, and commercial enterprises. Reusable shuttle, "entirely new concept in space operation," would deliver and retrieve manned and unmanned payloads; "we will be able to repair, modify, or update payloads in orbit and ... reduce drastically the costs of payloads by taking advantage of the much larger weight and volume that will be available. . . When future space programs using the shuttle are compared with those using conventional launch vehicles, the shuttle offers a very real economic advantage." Shuttle development should proceed in FY 1972 because necessary technology was available, delay in development would widen existing four-year gap in U.S. manned space flight schedule, and shuttle was "keystone to the total plan for the U.S. space program." NASA Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight Dale D. Myers discussed candidate concepts for space shuttle: "The principle objective in examining various systems is to determine which systems have the greatest potential for low operational costs together with low development costs. The most attractive system ... is the fully reusable system where nothing is discarded in the course of the flight and the orbiter and booster are `turned around' with minimum maintenance for reuse. This concept has been the subject of intense 'phase B' definition studies over ... the past 9 months."
Dr. John E. Naugle, Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, reviewed OSSA programs, goals, and motivations: "When we speak of `space' science and `space' applications, we are talking about using a new technology . . . to enhance scientific progress and its translation into benefits. In this role, NASA is a service agency; we provide the technology, the engineering, the management, and the leadership that make possible the exploration of space and the practical use of space flight. The scientific community, which represents the focus of man's unceasing drive for understanding, identifies the problems and the unknowns, and designs the experiments that will answer the key questions. Society levies demands upon us for useful services, valuable products, and improvements in the quality of life." There was no difficulty in identifying needs or new missions; acute problem was to select those offering greatest reward as range of highest national priorities expanded but resources remained limited. (Transcript)
Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.), Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics, introduced H.R. 7109, $3.434 billion FY 1972 NASA authorization bill. Bill added $163 million to Administration's requested $3.271 billion, including additional $45 million for Skylab and $25 million for space shuttle, $39.9 million for NERVA engine, and $25 million for aeronautical research and technology. Bill provided $2.668 billion for R&D, increase of $150 million over re- quested $2.518 billion; $58.6 million for construction of facilities, up $2.3 million from $56.3 million request, and $706.9 million for research and program management, increase of $9.5 million over requested $697.4 million. (H Rpt 92-143)
Soviet Academy of Sciences President Mstislav V. Keldysh told session of Soviet Party Congress that "we must to a large extent apply [space activities] to the solution of practical problems. Armed Forces Journal later observed that previously, U.S.S.R. had spoken mostly of furthering "scientific knowledge" as basis of its space program. (AFJ, 6/71, 54-9)
Leaders of aerospace industry, professional societies, and academic community met with President Nixon; Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., Science Adviser to President; and James D. Hodgson, Secretary of Labor. Meeting discussed Technology Mobilization and Reemployment Program to alleviate unemployment in aerospace industry. (PD, 4/5/71, 592)
Tenth anniversary of Air Force Systems Command. AFSC-in charge of planning, developing, and acquiring all USAF weapon and space systems and supporting technologies-administered annual contracts worth about $48 billion. Annual expenditures accounted for more than one fourth of total USAF budget. AFSC was staffed by 9600 officers, 18 500 airmen, and 31 000 civilians. (AFSC Release 94.71; AFM, 4/71, 43)
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