May 19 1969
From The Space Library
At dedication of Robert Hutchings Goddard Library of Clark Univ., Worcester, Mass." Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) said: "I am for the space program. But I want to see it in its right priority: One which will let it continue into the future and not have to be cut back or abandoned because the nation that supports it is hobbled by internal disorder. And so, once the lunar landing and exploration are completed, a substantial portion of the space budget can be diverted to the pressing problems here at home. We should develop a plan for an orderly programmed exploration of outer space. But we no longer need an accelerated program. . . . We should continue an orderly and rational space program for the advancement of man's knowledge of the universe and for the considerable benefits it will bring us here at home." NASA program "has been the first time, outside wartime, in which the nation has organized its scientific and industrial disciplines and techniques. "Our challenge today is to use the same techniques and the same discipline: To lower the cost of production of home building . . . ; to develop command and control systems in the fight against crime; to apply the versatility of computers to education and worker training and the vital work of neighborhood health centers; to organize government and scientific resources to find new and cheaper ways to end the destruction of our environment. The American team of government, industry and labor has been able to achieve Dr. Goddard's impossible dream: Certainly the same industries, the same employees, the same techniques and support can be applied to the urgent business here at home. (Kennedy Off Release)
Honorary Doctor of Laws degrees were awarded to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.); J. Leland Atwood, President of North American Rockwell Corp. and general chairman of Goddard Library program; and Jack S. Parker, General Electric Co. Vice Chairman; and Doctor of Science degree to Apollo 11 Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. Mrs. Robert H. Goddard, widow of U.S. rocket pioneer, spoke during ribbon-cutting ceremony at which Dr. Charles G. Abbot, 97-yr-old Smithsonian Institution Secretary Emeritus and Dr. Goddard's close friend, received ovation from audience of 4,000. MSFC Director, Dr. Wernher von Braun, and North American Rockwell Corp. Vice President Francis D. Tappaan received Clark Univ. chairs during luncheon after ceremonies. (Program)
House Committee on Science and Astronautics favorably reported, without amendment, H.R. 11271, NASA FY 1970 authorization bill introduced May 14. (House Rpt 91-255)
William R. Frye described magnificence of Apollo 10 liftoff in Philadelphia Evening Bulletin: "TV cameras do not do it justice. It is like 100 claps of thunder, each following the other with machine-gun speed. "The flame that leaps from behind the rocket could have come straight from Dante's inferno. It is too bright to be seen with comfort by the naked eye. The earth trembles beneath the feet, two miles away. Then the towering rocket, nearly twice as high as Niagara Falls, two- thirds the height of the Washington Monument, creeps with agonizing slowness the first few feet off the ground, enveloped by a white cloud. "Then it is gone-and man is left to wonder and to pray." (P Bull, 5/19/69)
NASA announced it would close transportable tracking station near Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, following August launch of ATSBE and relocate it later for use in advance versions of ATS series scheduled for late 1972 launch. Emplaced in 1966, $6-million station included 40-ft parabolic antenna and trailers containing electronic gear to maintain communications and receive telemetry from ATS satellites. (NASA Release 69-77)
Secretary of the Army Stanley R. Resor announced termination of production phase of AH-56A Cheyenne armed helicopter program for default of contractor, Lockheed Aircraft Corp." and said USA might issue "cure notice" on R&D contract with Lockheed for same aircraft. USA had concluded that any aircraft delivered in accordance with contractual schedule would fail to meet performance specifications, particularly those for safe speed and maneuverability. (DOD Releases 41669, 417-69)
May 19-20: Officials of Eurocontrol, seven-nation organization established under Convention of Cooperation for the Security of Air Navigation, met with DOT and FAA in Washington, D.C., to exchange information on air traffic control and other aviation developments. (FAA Release T 69-30; FAA)
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