Apr 18 1972
From The Space Library
Science briefing on magnetic enigmas of moon was held at Manned Spacecraft Center. Finding that rock samples of different kinds collected at all four Apollo landing sites were imprinted with magnetic field from 3 billion to 4 billion yrs ago was reported by Dr. David W. Strangway, Chief of MSC Geophysics Div. Laboratory tests had shown 400 to 500 gammas of local magnetic field would have been needed to leave magnetism observed in lunar rocks-1/7o to 1/ioo as strong as magnetism on earth's surface. Earth's magnetism was believed to be caused by earth's rapid spin and molten core but moon spun only once a month and had been assumed to be solid throughout. Analysis had determined that lunar rocks cooled from molten state between 3.6 billion and 4 billion yrs ago and it was "almost certain" that rocks had acquired their magnetism at that time. Dr. Paul J. Coleman of Univ. of California at Los Angeles reported that findings obtained with Subsatellite launched from Apollo 15 Aug. 4, 1971, had shown marked variations in lunar magnetism on moon's far side, with sharp, even peak near crater Van de Graaf close to center of moon's far side. Dr. Palmer Dyal, Ames Research Center physicist, said Apollo 16 efforts to find explanation for observed lunar magnetism would include survey of Palmetto Crater north of landing site to assess possibility that impacts of large meteorites could leave residue of local magnetism. Equipment included magnetometers left on moon by previous missions and lunar subsatellite to be ejected from Apollo 16 command module. (Transcript)
Apollo 16 astronauts' electrocardiograms would be transmitted from space to heart specialists at Stanford Univ, and Univ. of Wisconsin if astronauts experienced irregular heartbeats and. potassium loss during mission, Dr. Charles A. Berry, NASA Chief of Life Sciences, said in interview. Dr. Berry said he would stop extravehicular activity if Apollo 16 astronauts developed symptoms experienced by Apollo 15 crew. (Altman, NYT, 4/19/72, 1)
New York Times, in editorial on Apollo 16's technical problems, praised entire Apollo effort: "Whatever the outcome of the present Apollo expedition ... enough has already been accomplished by these vehicles to assure them an imperishable place in the history of technology and science, Each Apollo rocket . . . has been the most complex and complicated machine ever made by man. Each has been composed of millions of parts, all or almost all of which have had to work perfectly for the voyage to succeed." Apollo was "most impressive example of what American engineering can do at its best, and an implicit rebuke to the more routine areas of technology where far lower standards are too frequently the rule." (NYT, 4/18/72)
Langley Research Center was making major effort to formulate advanced supersonic technology program "to help get the United States back into the competition," LaRC Director Edgar M. Cortright said in speech before National Space Club in Washington, D.C. Center was "one of the last remaining strongholds of hypersonic research" in U.S., with broad-based program that represented "national trends in aerospace research and development." LaRC goals were to help solve critical transportation problems, retain U.S. leadership in civil aviation, improve U.S. military aircraft, develop space shuttle technology, successfully complete Viking project, assist other agencies on civil sector problems in expanding program of space applications, and maintain strong foundation of re-search in basic disciplines of aerospace sciences. LaRC advanced supersonic technology program envisioned U.S. supersonic transport for 1980s that was one third faster than Concorde, carried three times more passengers and twice Concorde payload, had 50% longer range, and was quieter and 30% cheaper to operate. In hypersonic field, Cortright envisioned aircraft that could fly to Australia in 21/2 hrs carrying 300 passengers. (Text)
Kennedy Space Center announced award of nine-month $140 090 contract to Martin Marietta Corp. to study operational processing of space shuttle payload carriers at KSC space shuttle launch site. Study would develop objectives, technical information, and recommendations for flexible, cost-effective procedures for shuttle processing. (KSC Release 86-72)
Washington Evening Star article cited results of "intolerable pressure" on astronauts' domestic life. Of 73 original astronauts, 2 had remained bachelors and 6 had received divorces. Astronauts were away from families on average three out of four weeks. As mission time approached they were away continuously. Danger in training and "almost constant cross-country flying" added to pressures; 8 married astronauts had died in accidents. (Recer, W Star, 4/18/72, Cl)
Belgian artist Paul Van Hoeydonck had sculpted small statue "Fallen Astronaut" that was left on moon by Apollo 15 astronauts during July 26-Aug. 7, 1971, mission, New York Times reported. Name of artist had not previously been disclosed, but Smithsonian Institution recently had asked Van Hoeydonck for replica. (NYT, 4/18/72, 51; Smithsonian NASM)
Christian Science Monitor editorial commented on National Academy of Sciences-National Research Council Space Science Board's report, Human Factors in Long-Duration Spaceflight [see April 4]: "What intrigues us most is that the board insists on the need for mental self-knowledge and control. To successfully undertake long space missions, men must make togetherness work in confined quarters." Board had noted significantly that "men must learn to recognize when their thinking is manipulated by the fantasies of a brain challenged by feelings of isolation and boredom." Requirements sounded like "basis for more harmonious living on Space Ship Earth. Perhaps this is space flight's larger challenge: to expand our range even a little way into the cosmos requires us to transcend human shortcomings through deeper self-knowledge." (CSM, 4/18/72)
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