Nov 18 1971
From The Space Library
Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, said in speech before National Space Club that Apollo program would end with Apollo 16 and 17 launches in 1972. Later, responding to question concerning possible cancellation of Apollo 17 because of FY 1973 budget restraints, Dr. Fletcher said, "The fate of Apollo 17 is beyond my control at the present time." NASA was shifting emphasis, Dr. Fletcher said in speech: "When Apollo ends, most of our space activities planned for this decade will be in Earth orbit-and Moon exploration, for a time, will be left completely to the Soviets." Continuing effort to explore planets also was related to earth studies. "I am sure that much of what we learn will have direct and valuable application to our understanding of Earth and our current concern with environmental protection." Apollo photos of earth had helped create concern for world's environment. "I am glad to say that NASA is now well prepared to take a leading role in defining and responding to this concern." Apollo technology and equipment would be used directly in Skylab and directly or indirectly in space shuttle, Dr. Fletcher said. "Moreover, we gained invaluable experience in Earth orbital operations in the Gemini program and on the way to the Moon and back. We are well prepared for the next logical steps in near-Earth space. I wish very much we could continue lunar exploration ... but if we have to make hard choices in this decade, then the right choice is to return to Earth orbit and defer lunar exploration." NASA hoped to keep open option of additional Apollo missions in earth orbit. "This would enable us to carry out additional experiments in our Earth resources program, and would also facilitate our planning for cooperative flights with the Soviet Union." Worldwide demand for applications satellites could be met only by production of space shuttle. "The key to our ability to help our country and to serve mankind is now the shuttle. The sooner we build it, the better we can serve." (Text; Av Wk, 11/29/71, 13)
Bochum Observatory in West Germany said it had received what appeared to be on and off switching signals from Soviet Mars probes, Mars 2 and 3. (AP, ITS Post, 11/19/71, A3)
Atomic Energy Commission announced Communist China had conducted atmospheric nuclear explosion test of low-yield (20 000 tons) at 2:00 pm local time. Explosion was 12th Chinese nuclear test and first since Oct. 14, 1970. Test was conducted at top of Lop Nor proving ground in Sinkiang Province. Dr. Ralph Lapp, physicist, later said pattern of Chinese nuclear tests indicated Chinese had intended to explode larger hydrogen device that required small atomic blast to trigger thermonuclear reaction. Dr. Lapp believed hydrogen bomb failed to go off. Other experts said explosion could have been test of intermediate-range ballistic missile. (Auerbach, W Post, 11/19/71, A3; Lyons, NYT, 11/19/71, 1)
AIAA Louis W. Hill Space Transportation Award was presented to Dr. Hubertus Strughold, former chief scientist of AFSC Aerospace Medical Div., during ceremonies at San Antonio, Tex. Citation was for "significant contributions indicative of American enterprise and ingenuity in the art and science of space travel." Dr. Strughold was cited for establishing rational biomedical functions for manned space exploration. (AFSC Newsreview, 1/72, 13)
Moscow radio reported first Soviet sounding of outer space by radio wave. Scientists at Univ. of Kharkov had used geophysical rockets and other means to explore to 5000-km (3100-mi) altitude. Uninterrupted picture of electronic concentration "and its temporary fluctuations at any point at this height and also in the horizontal plane" had been obtained. Findings had confirmed scientists' model of the earth's ionosphere. (FBIS-Sov-71-237-12/9/71, L4)
Senate Committee on Appropriations favorably reported H.R. 11731, $70.2-billion FY 1972 Defense Establishment appropriations bill, after decreasing House-passed figure by $805.5 million. (Sen Com Off)
MIT had broken even financially during 1970-1971 academic year, AP reported, "but only by using funds that otherwise would have gone into endowments." In final annual report as MIT President, Dr. Howard W. Johnson had said outlook was not bright if MIT had to continue using unrestricted funds for current costs. Another way budget was balanced was by increasing tuition costs. (W Post, 11/19/71, B5)
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