Apr 4 1972
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Molniya 1-20 comsat and France's Sret 1 (Satellite de Recherches et d'Environment Technique; Satellite for Environmental and Technical Research) from Baikonur on one RD-107B booster. Molniya 1-20 entered orbit with 39911-km (24799.6-mi) apogee, 442-km (274.7-mi) perigee, 717.7-min period, and 65.5° inclination. Satellite would ensure "operation of a remote telephone-telegraph radio-communication system, as well as . . . the transmission of Soviet central television programs to stations of the Orbita network." Sret 1 entered orbit with 39 250-km (24 388.8-mi) apogee, 458- km (284.6-mi) perigee, 704.6-min period, and 65.6° inclination. The small, 15-kg (33-lb), autonomous satellite would study characteristics of solar batteries for space operations and degeneration of solar cells from cosmic ray exposure in Van Allen Belts. It was first of three SRET satellites planned for launch in French-Soviet cooperative program. SRET 2 would be launched in late 1974 or early 1975 and SRET 3 one year later. (GSFC SSR, 4/30/72; Sov Aero, 4/10/72, 108; FBIS-Sov, 4/5/72, Ll )
Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, told press in Washington, D.C., he believed U.S. and U.S.S.R. would sign agreement during 1972 for joint mission in which Apollo spacecraft would dock with Soviet Salyut orbiting laboratory in 1975. At dinner party for seven newsmen Dr. Fletcher said: "We certainly don't believe that the first mission of American and Soviet astronauts together will be the last." Mission would "take a lot of planning and some hardware changes.... I also think the crews will need time to train together for the first flight." Crews would be bilingual and familiar with each other's spacecraft. Astronauts Thomas P. Stafford, John L. Swigert, Jr., and Donald K. Slayton were already studying Russian. First joint docking mission would cost U.S. as much as $300 million, most of it to keep manned flight facilities intact after conclusion of 1973 Skylab mission. Dr. Fletcher foresaw series of joint U.S. and U.S.S.R. missions, each longer and more ambitious. U.S.S.R. was emphasizing space station while U.S. emphasized shuttle. "I think it only logical that the two hook up together, especially since the shuttle will have rescue capability." U.S.S.R. was expected to continue Lunokhod lunar rover and lunar sample return programs and "probably marry the two some time in the next two years. I also think they will attempt a manned lunar landing, but not until late in the '70s, perhaps 1977." (O'Toole, W Post, 4/6/72, A2)
Chances of joint U.S. and U.S.S.R. space mission, "probably in 1975," were "75-to-25," Dr. Christopher C. Kraft, Jr., Manned Spacecraft Center Director, said in press interview. NASA had spent about $700 000 on technical study for flight. Additional hardware would cost between $100 million and $200 million. (W Post, 4/5/72, A16)
NASA announced award of 90-day, $9 800 000 letter contract to North American Rockwell Corp. Rocketdyne Div. to begin work on development and production of engine for space shuttle orbiter stage. Rocketdyne would begin work immediately, while negotiating $450 000 000, cost-plus-award-fee contract with NASA for engine. (NASA Release 72-73)
Marshall Space Flight Center announced establishment of Sortie Can Task Team to plan project definition phase for sortie can-low-cost, space shuttle payload carrier for manned research and applications studies in earth orbit. Team would be managed by Fred E. Vreuls, with Hans R. Palaora as chief engineer. (MSFC Release 72-41)
Marshall Space Flight Center announced request for proposals for nine-month space tug operations and payload support study. Contractor selected would define flight operations to be conducted by tug after deployment from space shuttle and define interface between tug and automated payload or satellite that tug was delivering or returning. Proposals were due by April 10. (MSFC Release 72-39)
National Academy of Sciences published Human Factors in Long- Duration Spaceflight. Report of study made for NASA by Space Science Board of NAS and National Research Council analyzed behavioral, psycho-logical, and medical factors of manned space flights lasting up to two years. Object was to assess "whether man's participation is possible and feasible and to identify major obstacles and unknowns that must be resolved." Common problems were life support in space environment, confinement of crew in spacecraft and isolation from outside world except for communication with ground, maintenance of health without access to elaborate medical facilities, provision of crew training facilities, and crew selection with regard to ability to tolerate long-term isolation psychologically. Unknown factors included possible hazardous effects of prolonged weightlessness and of high-energy cosmic ray particles (high Zs) in deep space. Major recommendations were: research to determine course of physical deconditioning over two years of weightless and restricted activity; study of effects of radiation from high-Z particles; research program on effects of confinement to emphasize cognitive functioning; measurement and test of crew's physiological, psychological, and performance status in flight; incorporation of life- support and safety requirements, including medical and dental facilities, into spacecraft engineering and emphasis on habitability of spacecraft; adoption of systems analysis approach to mission to provide common frame of reference for interdisciplinary planning and implementation; and priority study of crew composition and criteria. (Text)
Marshall Space Flight Center began crafts apprentice program in which 20 persons would work at MSFC and study at Calhoun Technical College in Decatur, Ala., during alternate periods. MSFC would pay for books and tuition during college period and would pay wages for work done at Center. Participants in program would be predominantly veterans, with many from minority groups. They would be trained to become machinists, sheet metal workers, or electrical technicians. (Marshall Star, 3/29/72, 1; MSFC PAO)
President Nixon accepted resignation of John H. Chafee as Secretary of the Navy, effective at undetermined date. President also submitted to Congress nomination of R/A Allen L, Powell to succeed R/A Don A. Jones as Director of National Ocean Survey in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Dept. of Commerce. R/A Jones was retiring effective April 30. Senate confirmed nomination of Powell May 3. (PD, 4/10/72, 722, 725, 737; CR, 5/3/72, D484)
April 4-6: Moscow meeting of NASA and Soviet Academy of Sciences delegations confirmed desirability of joint U.S.-U.S.S.R. rendezvous and docking test mission and established understanding on management and operation of mission to be conducted in 1975, subject to government approval. Dr. George M. Low, NASA Deputy Administrator, led U.S. delegation. Soviet delegation was headed by Vladimir A. Kotelnikov, Acting President of Soviet Academy. Parties agreed to use of U.S. Apollo spacecraft and Soviet Soyuz spacecraft with systems developed by both sides, to specific documents for development of joint documentation, and to principles for preparatory and operational phases of mission. (Summary of results; NASA Release 5/24/72)
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