Mar 12 1972
From The Space Library
Philippines successfully launched Bong Bong II, its first liquid-propellant rocket. Rocket was successfully retrieved from South China Sea. (SBD, 3/22/72, 121)
U.S.S.R. hoped to land robot life-detection laboratory on Mars within few years, according to Leninskoye Znamya (Lenin's Banner) news-paper article by Soviet space experts. Automatic Microbiological Laboratory would scoop up sample of Martian soil and examine it for microorganisms such as bacteria, yeasts, and fungi that might be able to survive in thin Martian atmosphere. Laboratory would also draw Martian air through filter to trap and analyze microorganisms and would detect emission of heat and carbon dioxide. (Wilford, NYT, 3/27/72, 7; uPI, W News, 3/13/72, 5)
Bridgeport (Conn.) Post commented on March 1 launch of Air Force reconnaissance satellite. Satellite "is intended to monitor rocket tests of the Soviet Union and Communist China. And it is to remind us all not to get so carried away in the new approaches to the two Communist giants that we will let down our guard against them. ... informed guesses are that the new spy satellite's major job is to monitor sub-marine launching missiles. In its high position, the sensors would be able to observe one third of the globe. Another outpost would complete surveillance of the whole globe." Despite President Nixon's visit to China and prospective visit to Soviet Union "spy satellites are needed precautions." (Bridgeport Post, 3/12/72, 23)
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