1972

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Johnson Space Center Press Releases. (13MB PDF)

U.S. orbited 39 spacecraft in 30 launches-including Apollo 16's 4 payloads and Apollo 17's 3. U.S.S.R. orbited 89 payloads in 74 launches. Italy launched one satellite for NASA on NASA booster. And Japan launched one spacecraft on its own booster. U.S. total included 16 payloads orbited by Dept. of Defense in 13 launches and 23 by NASA in 17 straight flawless launches-NASA's first perfect annual launch record. NASA's Apollo program came to successful conclusion with Apollo 17, most productive of all NASA lunar landing missions and most scientifically rewarding.

Apollo 17, sixth successful manned landing mission, set records for longest manned lunar landing flight (301 hrs 51 min), largest lunar sample return (115 kg; 250 lbs), longest total extra-vehicular activity time (22 hrs 5 min), and longest time in lunar orbit (147 hrs 48 min). Earlier in year Apollo 16 also produced valuable data from surface and lunar orbit investigations. Unmanned NASA program was highlighted by Pioneer 10, first spacecraft to fly beyond Mars orbit, first to penetrate Asteroid Belt, first intended to look at Jupiter close up, and first destined to escape solar system. At year's end Pioneer 10 had passed safely through three fourths of Asteroid Belt.

Mariner 9, launched in 1971, had circled Mars 698 times, photographing Martian moons and completely mapping planet's surface before Oct. 27, 1972, shutdown. Findings revised previous concepts of Mars, showing planet to be geologically active, with volcanic mountains higher than any mountain on earth, with a crevasse three to four times deeper than Grand Canyon, and with indications that free-flowing water might once have existed on Mars. Erts 1, first Earth Resources Technology Satellite, laid groundwork for global inventory of earth's resources and environment. Copernicus (OAO 3) Orbiting Astronomical Observatory, with largest telescope placed in space, set new standards of pointing accuracy and opened new channels of information on far reaches of universe. Nimbus 5 meteorological satellite demonstrated new techniques for daytime and night-time temperature readings through clouds at all levels in atmosphere. Other unmanned missions included Explorer 47 (IMP) to study earth-sun interactions from orbit halfway to moon, Explorer 48 (SAS; launched for NASA by Italy) to survey gamma ray sources, NOAA 2 weather satellite for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Triad 01-1X Transit satellite for Navy. Two dozen space-craft orbited in earlier years continued to return data on solar system and universe beyond. All components of Skylab manned orbital research satellite were assembled at Kennedy Space Center for 1973 launch. Three flight crews and two backup crews began training. Final space shuttle design was selected and prime contract for shuttle orbiter development was awarded, as well as main engine contract. Contractors had progressed well into system definition, design, and early development. Kennedy Space Center and Vandenberg Air Force Base were selected as shuttle launch and landing sites.

M2-F3 lifting body completed 27th and last scheduled flight in joint NASA and Air Force program begun July 12, 1966. During 14 lifting-body flights in 1972, maximum speed of 1718 km per hr (1066 mph)and maximum altitude of 21 800 m (17 500 ft) were attained.

In aeronautics, Flight Research Center celebrated 25th anniversary of its creation in 1947 as Muroc Flight Test Unit of National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. NASA TF-8A jet aircraft with supercritical wing was flown in configuration planned for future flights. Digital fly-by-wire computerized control system was demonstrated in series of flights from FRC. System, for potential use in space shuttle, enhanced aircraft handling and reduced pilot workload. NASA awarded contract to refine design of quiet, jet, propulsive-lift, experimental aircraft QUESTOL in major effort to develop technology for short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft to relieve airport congestion. Progress was made in quiet jet engine, techniques to reduce aircraft emissions, composite materials, avionics, aerodynamics including super-critical and anti-symmetrical wings, general-aviation safety, supersonic and hypersonic research, and research in basic materials and structures. In sounding rocket program, more than 80 successful flights were made to study atmosphere, ionosphere, auroras and airglow, geomagnetic storms, meteor streams, and trapped radiation fluctuations; to make astronomical observations in x-ray, ultraviolet, and radio regions of electromagnetic spectrum; for special projects; and for support.

NASA flew 61 balloon flights in its program to study near-earth phenomena, including balloon that lifted 545 kg (1200 lbs) of scientific equipment to 45 000-m (148 000-ft) altitude. U.S.S.R. launches decreased from record 83 in 1971 to 74. The 89 payloads included 72 Cosmos satellites, 3 Intercosmos, 1 Luna, 3 Meteor, 2 Prognoz, 3 Molniya I, 3 Molniya 11, 1 Venus, and secondary payload Sret I (launched for France). Japan launched Denpa Radio Explorer Satellite. (NASA Releases 7348 and unnumbered of 12/27/72; NASA Lifting Body Off; GSFC Sounding Rocket Br.; GSFC SSR, 11/31/72; 12/31/72; A&A 1972; Myers testimony, 2/27/73)

President Nixon’s January decision to proceed with development of reusable space shuttle keyed transition in U.S. space program from space exploration to space exploitation for practical and immediate benefits to mankind. While budget restrictions and national emphasis of technology applications to improve conditions on earth brought early end to Apollo program, US.-U.S.S.R. space agreement opened new era of international space cooperation. Agreement inspired intensive planning for 1975 joint rendezvous and docking mission of Soviet Salyut and US. Apollo spacecraft in orbit. Apollo program-major drive of US. space program since 1961, triumphantly concluded in 1972 - had begun to give clear picture of moon, how it had evolved and its relationship to sun and earth, and would contribute to understanding of how earth had evolved. Apollo program had also given man new awareness of earth and had given Americans self-confidence in ability to achieve gigantic goal. New space program for 1970s was designed to be funded at constant budget level over several years-yet to maintain space flight capability, contribute to national security, increase opportunities for new scientific knowledge, encourage international cooperation, address problems of society and environment, and continue leadership in aeronautics. Reusable shuttle was expected to give “go to space” by cutting complexity and cost of launches and uses of satellites. It could be used for both manned and unmanned missions and, in military use, could serve national security.

Revision of NASA FY 1972 program to phase in new programs while holding expenditures to $3.4-billion budget level required basic changes in planning. Further stretch-out of period over which NASA long-term objectives in space and science could be achieved was necessary. Shuttle configuration costs were pared to about half of original cost estimate; plans for Grand Tour missions to explore all five outer planets in late 1970s were cut back to focus on Jupiter and Saturn with less expensive spacecraft; and NASA and Atomic Energy Commission’s nuclear engine for rocket vehicle application (NERVA) program was terminated.

Emphasis on aeronautics was increased at urging of congressional committees, but $44.9 million of $50.5-million NASA FY 1973 appropriation for aircraft noise suppression program, engine retrofit studies, and quiet, experimental, short takeoff and landing (QUESTOL) aircraft program was impounded by Office of Management and Budget. Tight NASA funding and end of Apollo program brought reductions in personnel, especially at manned space-flight Centers. NASA total in-house personnel decreased by 1181 from Dee. 31, 1971, to 27 801 persons Dec. 31, 1972, with further cuts scheduled for 1973. Marshall Space Flight Center employment was reduced by 258, to 5501 persons; Manned Space Center 159, to 3882; and Kennedy Space Center 123, to 2518. Employment in aerospace industry throughout the Nation also declined slightly, from 924000 workers at end of 1971 to 917000 at end of 1972, despite infusion of space shuttle program. Aerospace industry remained largest manufacturing employer, however, and industry sales increased for first time since 1968.

To emphasize transition from Apollo to Skylab and shuttle activities, NASA established new Mission and Payload Integration Office within Office of Manned Space Flight. Space Station Task Force became Sortie Lab Task Force. Apollo Program Office became Apollo/ASTP Office to prepare for 1975 US.-Soviet mission. Office of Advanced Research and Technology (OART) was renamed Office of Aeronautical and Space Technology (OAST) to emphasize increasing NASA aeronautical activity. Office of Applications had been separated from Office of Space Science at end of 1971 to increase emphasis on use of space technology for benefits on earth.

Charles W. Mathews, Deputy Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight since 1968, headed new Office of Applications. Dr. Wernher von Braun retired as NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Planning to become Corporate Vice President for Engineering and Development at Fairchild Industries, Inc., after more than quarter of century as leader of space rocket development in the US. His NASA career had begun in 1960 when his Army Ballistic Missile Agency team-which had launched first US. satellite, Explorer 2 in 1958-was transferred to form nucleus of Marshall Space Flight Center. Dr. von Braun had served as MSFC Director from 1960 to 1970, where Saturn V launch vehicle for Apollo moon missions was his major engineering achievement.

In technology utilization, NASA continued to distribute information about aerospace technology to private and public sectors of national economy at ever-increasing rate. NASA-developed technology was being used in medicine, nondestructive testing, and engineering design. NASTRAN computer program to analyze structures under stress was used by more than 70 industrial firms, universities, laboratories, and government agencies to solve structural engineering problems. Technology and interpretive systems developed by NASA in cooperation with other agencies prepared way for worldwide environmental pollution and monitoring network. NASA FY 1973 appropriation of $3.408 billion was equivalent to budget request and $110 million above FY 1972 appropriation of $3.298 billion. Increase reflected funds for design and development of space shuttle. (A&A 1972; Fletcher testimony, 2/28/73; MA Aerospace, 3/73; NASA Pocket Stutzktics, 3/72, 1/73)

In international cooperation program, NASA successfully launched European Space Research Organization’s Heos 2 to study interplanetary space and magnetosphere, ESRO 4 to investigate solar ionosphere, and TD-1 A astronomical observatory satellite) that carried seven experiments from six European universities and research organizations. NASA also launched Anik 1 (Telesat A ) domestic communications satellite for Telesat Canada, Aeros scientific satellite in joint U.S.- West German project, and Oscar 6 (developed by US., German, and Australian radio amateurs) for Radio Amateur Satellite Corp.-in addition to two International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium comsats. Italian crew trained by NASA launched NASA’s Explorer 48 Small Scientific Satellite from Italian platform off coast of Kenya.

May 24 agreement signed in Moscow by President Nixon and Soviet Premier Aleksey N. Kosygin on cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space included Apollo Soyuz Test Project in which Apollo spacecraft would rendezvous and dock with Soviet Soyuz spacecraft in earth orbit. Mission was scheduled for July 1975 and meetings in US. and U.S.S.R. advanced project to point of testing models of spacecraft linking device. US. and U.S.S.R. exchanged data from 1971 Mariner 9 and Mars 2 and 3 probes of planet Mars.

After series of meetings in US. and abroad, ESRO decided to develop sortie laboratory to fly with NASA’s space shuttle in 1980s. President Nixon announced new policy making US. launch assistance available to interested countries and international organizations for satellites intended for peaceful purposes.

Third Annual Lunar Science Conference at Lunar Science Institute in January was attended by more than 600 researchers from US. and 17 foreign countries. Participating Soviet scientists consulted with US. scientists, examined lunar samples, and helped select Apollo 14 samples to return to U.S.S.R. as part of U.S.-U.S.S.R. exchange agreement. Apollo 15 lunar soil samples were exchanged for soil samples collected by U.S.S.R.’s Luna 20. Apollo 16 materials were distributed to scientists in 15 foreign countries, and Apollo 17 samples also would be distributed to other nations for analysis and display.

NASA launched 29 sounding rockets in cooperative international program to test weather data systems for France, Japan, and U.S. Program was sponsored by United Nations World Meteorological Organization’s Commission for Instruments and Methods of Observation.

Since beginning of international program in 1962 with launch of U.K. satellite Ariel 1 (April 26) and Canadian satellite Alouette 1 (Sept. 29), number of foreign countries and international organizations with which NASA had participated in space activities had reached 134. Total of 55 foreign agreements included cooperative flight projects with 25 countries, earth resources survey with 39, lunar sample analysis with 20, tracking and data acquisition with 22, and reimbursable launchings with 4. Scientists from 85 countries and organizations had worked with NASA in meteorological research, 41 in personnel exchanges, and 52 in other space projects. Total countries and organizations exchanging scientific and technical information with NASA reached 63; total sending visitors to NASA reached 126, and total cooperating in some form with NASA reached 94. (NASA Release, 12/27/72; A&A 1972; Fletcher, NASA Activities, 1/15/73, 2-3; NASA Int Aff)

Aerospace industry sales increased for first time since 1968. Sales for 1972 were $23.5 billion, up 5.9% over 1971. Commercial aerospace sales increased 11.670, to reach estimated $4.8 billion. Increase reflected increase in deliveries of helicopters and general-aviation aircraft. Major aerospace sales included $13.8 billion to Dept. of Defense, up from $12.6 billion to DOD in 1971; missile sales to DOD at $5.2 billion, up from $4.7 billion; and military aircraft sales at $8.1 billion, up from $7.4 billion.

Space sales continued to decline in 1972, to $3.0 billion from $3.2 billion in 1971. Utility and executive aircraft sales increased from $321 million in 1971 to $500 million-up 55.8%. Units delivered increased 23.2%. Civilian helicopter sales increased from $69 million in 1971 to $95 million in 1972, gain of 37.7%

Aerospace exports declined for first time since 1964-from $4.2 billion in 1971 to $3.9 billion, 6.6% decrease. Major reason for decline was drop in military aerospace exports-down 23.8% from $1.1 billion in 1971 to $854 million in 1972. Aerospace imports in 1972 were valued at $500 million, increase of 34.0% from $373 million in 1971.

Aerospace industry profits were expected to increase from 1.8% in 1971 to 2.2%. Aerospace industry employment declined from 924 000 in December 1971 to estimated 917000 in December 1972, but industry remained Nation’s largest manufacturing employer. (AIA Aerospace, 3/73, 3)

Worldwide scheduled airline industry increased 14% in scheduled traffic over 1971-double 1971 growth rate. Total 1972 traffic was estimated at 47 120 million ton-miles. Revenue-passenger-miles flown increased 13% over 1971, with estimated 450 million passengers flown. U.S. international carriers showed 22.5% increase in revenue- passenger-miles, with 12% increase in available seat-miles. Load factors rose 4.8% over 50% level of 1971. U.S. domestic carriers increased revenue-passenger-miles 11.20J0, with only 1.9% increase in available seat-miles. Average load factor rose to 52.4% from 48% in 1971. (Av Wk, 1/8/73, 22)

At least 1944 persons died in civilian aircraft accidents involving air- craft weighing more than 5700 kg (12 500 lbs). World accident rate in terms of facilities per 100 000 flight-hours was 0.126, up from 0.094 in 1971 and highest rate since 1969’s 0.134. Number of actual deaths in U.S. airline accidents dropped from 203 in 1971 to 190 in 1972. (Interavia, 3/73, 201)

NASA published Physics of the Space Environment (NASA SP-305). Series of lectures, presented originally in colloquia at Univ. of Alabama 1970-1971, had been sponsored by Marshall Space Flight Center’s Aero-Astrodynamics Laboratory. Major topics covered were dynamics and transient state of upper atmosphere, chemical composition of upper atmosphere, and solar flare forecasting. Flare forecasting “fiasco” was described by Frederick W. Ward, Jr., Air Force Cambridge Laboratories physicist: Forecasters dreamed of discovering cause, energy source, and antecedent conditions for solar flares. “This ‘tunnel vision’ has had a profound and deleterious effect on the state-of-the-art. It has diverted attention from many promising approaches and relegated them to limbo. More importantly, it has actually inhibited the scientific search for the underlying physical mechanisms.” Examples of neglected aspects ranged from observing techniques and equipment to availability and accuracy of archived data. Inspection of available data “leads to an obvious conclusion: there are at least two suns up there.” (Text)

Federal Aviation Administration completed installation of automated flight-data processing system in all 20 of its contiguous air route traffic control centers, rendered 34 automated radar terminal systems (ARTS 111) operational, and installed 53 instrument landing systems. (DOT Release 99-S-72

U.S. helicopter manufacturers exported record total of 259 rotary-wing aircraft valued at $73673000. Shipment was 17% increase in dollar value and 6% increase over the 244 helicopters valued at $62 853 000 shipped in 1971. (AIAA Release 72-2)

Kennedy Space Center minority and female employees increased steadily. During first 18 mos of KSC Equal Employment Opportunity-from April 1971 through September 1972-contractor employees increased by 249, to 11 382. Female employment increased by 128 persons, to 1240, an 11.5% increase. Minority personnel members increased from 609 to 847, 39.1%. During third quarter 1972, KSC contract personnel increased by 162 and minority employees increased by 70 to peak 7.44% of KSC contractor work force. Minority population in Brevard County, based on 1970 census, was 9.47%. (KSC Release 348-72)

Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum completed first year under new Director, former astronaut Michael Collins. Major emphasis was on preparation for new museum to be opened in US. Bicentennial year, 1976. Domed planetarium chamber 9 m (30 ft) high was being constructed as laboratory for experimentation and design of programs and equipment for Spacearium in new museum. Museum library was being reorganized to standards of other Smithsonian Institution libraries. Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) progress and plans were being assessed against standards recommended by Astronomy Survey Committee of National Academy of Sciences and National Research Council [see June 11.] (Smithsonian Year 1972, 61, 62)

Swiss Transport Museum in Lucerne had record 608000 visitors- increase of about one third over 1971. Museum was considered most active museum in Switzerland and Europe’s most popular transport museum. Planetarium rated second to New York‘s American Museum- Hayden Planetarium in number of annual visitors. Swiss Transport Museum’s Air and Space Wing was dedicated July 1. Dedication ceremonies were attended by Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator; Apollo 11 Astronaut Neil A. Armstrong; and Mercury Astronaut John H. Glenn. During year, James E. Webb, former NASA Administrator, officially presented model of Goddard Space Flight Center’s computer facility to Museum. (Dir Swiss Trans Museum letter to NASA Hist Off, 2/19/72; A&A 1972)