Apr 13 1970
From The Space Library
With Apollo 13 proceeding "in almost textbook fashion," newsmen at MSC were discussing "minor 'glitches' " because "there had been nothing of major nature to talk about," Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, said. Houston TV had failed to carry launch live and only 295 U.S. and 55 foreign journalists were covering MSC. Apollo 13 astronauts had prompted complaints from newsmen for being "too quiet." Reason might be "that few newsmen have listened to find out whether the crewmen are talking or not.'" (Bane, LA Her-Exam, 4/13/70)
Timing of Apollo 13 could upstage U.S.S.R. 's plans for "biggest ideological event in Soviet history, the Lenin centennial," New York Times reported. Mission had been launched on 1970 Leninist Sub botnik-day when loyal citizens donated full day's work to their country. Second day of Apollo 13 mission was Cosmonauts Day, anniversary of Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin's triumph as first man to orbit earth. Apollo 13 astronauts were scheduled to return to earth the day before the Lenin anniversary, "almost exactly at the hour that Secretary General Leonid I. Brezhnev is scheduled to crown his career by delivering the major address commemorating the founder of the Soviet system." (Schwartz, NYT, 4/13/70)
Baltimore Sun editorial on Apollo 13 launch: "If there is less national emotional interest in the moon flights now as they become almost routine, and as their goals are related to specific scientific quests, rather than to the romance of just making the flight and landing, there is still great interest and concern for a safe voyage. That America is not jaded by these brave and difficult ventures is shown in the large crowds that show up for launches in Florida and the attention televised coverage draws in the rest of the nation." (B Sun, 4/13/70, A12)
Aerobee 150 sounding rocket was launched by NASA from WSMR carrying Univ. of Michigan experiment to study airglow. Mission was unsuccessful. (SR list)
Papers of U.S. rocket pioneer Dr. Robert H. Goddard, recording his life work, were published by McGraw-Hill Book Co. of New York. (AFJ, 4/18/70, 6)
President Nixon sent to Congress annual report on marine resources and engineering development. Budget request for FY 1971 would provide $533.1 million for marine science and technology activities to improve management of coastal zone, expand Arctic research, develop program for restoring damaged lakes, expand collection of data on ocean and weather conditions, and undertake other projects. Funds also would support U.S. participation in International Decade of Ocean Exploration. (PD, 4/13170, 518)
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