Nov 29 1971
From The Space Library
Oso 7 Orbiting Solar Observatory, launched by NASA Sept. 29, had completed more than 850 orbits of the earth and was officially adjudged a success. Primary objective, to obtain high-resolution data from solar corona in particular spectral bands in Euv and in visible regions during one solar rotation, had been achieved. Fulfillment of secondary objective, of investigating intensity and spectrum of solar and cosmic x-rays from nonpointed instruments beyond one solar rotation, continued. All spacecraft systems, including star-tracker gyro night-pointing feature new to OSO-had operated satisfactorily. Tape recorder No. 1, inoperative when first interrogated on seventh orbit, had not recovered despite several attempts to operate unit. Tape recorder No. 2 had performed required data storage and readout functions satisfactorily. (NASA Proj Off)
U.S.S.R. launched two Cosmos satellites from Plesetsk. Cosmos 458 reached 497-km (308.8-mi) apogee, 271-km (168.4-mi) perigee, 92.2-min period, and 70.0° inclination and reentered April 20, 1972. Cosmos 459 reached 286-km (177.7-mi) apogee, 199- km (123.7-mi) perigee, 89.4-min period, and 65.0° inclination and reentered Dec. 27 [see Dec. 27]. (GSFC, SSR, 11/30/71; 12/1/71; 4/30/72; SBD, 11/30/71, 129; SA, 12/13/71, 15)
U.S.S.R.'s Mars 3, launched May 28, was continuing its flight toward Mars. At 9:00 pm Moscow time (1:00 pm EST) spacecraft was 138.8-mih on-km (86.3-million-mi) from Mars, having traveled approximately 472 million km (293 million mi). (NYT, 12/1/71, 20; FBIS-Sov-71-231-3, 12/1/71, L1)
U.N. General Assembly adopted resolutions directing Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space to formulate treaty by 1972 charting international course for space exploration, commending proposed liabilities convention for outer space travel {see Nov. 11], and recommending convention of working group on remote sensing of earth by satellites. (Fulton, C Trib, 11/30/71)
FAA Administrator John H. Shaffer, in letter to Airline Pilots Assn. President John J. O'Donnell, rejected ALPA's Nov. 1 request for accelerated five-year plan to install landing aids at U.S. airports. Shaffer said FAA was legally unable "to accede to one limited group's requests to the prejudice of other legitimate demands." (Text)
NASA announced publication of third annual Research and Technology Operating Plan Summary, RTOP-72. Publication described in capsule form hundreds of NASA research and technology efforts. (NASA Release 71-234)
November 29-30: Mariner 9, orbiting Mars after May 30 launch on 400-million-km (248-million-mi) journey, photographed Mars moon Phobos from 14 682- and 5543-km (9123- and 3444-mi) distances. Photos, released by NASA Dec. 1, clearly showed Phobos was irregular, potato shaped chunk of rock about 21 km (13 mi) wide and 26 km (16 mi) long, with at least one crater 6 km (4 mi) in diameter. (LA Times, 12/2/71; Reuters, NYT, 12/2/71, 26)
November 29-December 7: U.S. and U.S.S.R. space officials met in Moscow in third of series of meetings to discuss design and testing of compatible systems for docking and linking manned spacecraft. U.S. delegation was headed by Dr. Robert R. Gilruth, MSC Director, and U.S.S.R. delegation was headed by Academician Boris N. Petrov. Joint communique Dec. 7 said progress was made in working out agreed technical requirements and planning possible joint test missions. (NASA Release 71-244)
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