Jun 23 1972
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched two Cosmos satellites from Plesetsk. Cosmos 494 entered orbit with 804-km (499.6-mi) apogee, 789-km (490.3-mi) perigee, 100.7-min period, and 74.0° inclination. Cosmos 495 entered orbit with 320-km (198.8-mi) apogee, 171-km (106.3-mi) perigee, 89.4-min period, and 65.4° inclination and reentered July 6. (GSFC SSR, 6/30/72; 7/31/72; SBD, 6/26/72, 241)
Apollo Telescope Mount was shipped from Marshall Space Flight Center to Manned Spacecraft Center, where it would undergo alignment tests. The 11 800-kg (24 000-lb) spacecraft, housing telescopes and other instruments for studying sun, would be launched on Skylab Orbital Workshop in April 1973. (MSFC Release 72-77)
U. Alexis Johnson, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, and Dr. George M. Low, NASA Deputy Administrator, testified on space agreements with U.S.S.R. signed in May, before Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences' special hearing. Johnson said agreement signed May 24 endorsed at highest level understandings reached over past 18 mos between NASA and Soviet Academy of Sciences for cooperation in space science and applications such as meteorology, study of earth's environment, further exploration of moon and planets, and space biology and medicine. It permitted development of compatible rendezvous and docking systems which "should enhance safety and value of space flight" and opened possibility of further areas of cooperation. It demonstrated "in full view of the world that the two great space powers have both the will and the capability to work together on important and difficult tasks. We have high hopes ... that this agreement will be a milestone in our relationship with the Soviet Union. . . . It serves our broad national purposes, as well as our specific foreign policy objectives." Dr. Low outlined earlier agreements and gave details of joint rendezvous and docking mission agreed on for 1975. During April visit to Moscow, agreement had been reached that astronauts must under-stand Russian to extent normally used in both regular and contingency operations. Soviet cosmonauts also would need to understand other language and be able to respond. Dictionary would be . developed of commonly used phrases. Some astronauts, all interested in flying this mission, had begun studying Russian on their own. Astronauts selected would take formal language training. Others in NASA would also learn Russian. (Transcript)
F-5E international fighter aircraft was unveiled in ceremony at Northrop Corp. Aircraft Div. in Hawthorne, Calif. Aircraft, not part of Air Force inventory, would be available to U.S. allies through Military Assistance Service funding program. Aircraft was powered by J-85-21 engines and had greater maneuverability, speed, payload, and range than previous F-5s, with new fire control system that included search and-track radar. F-5E was scheduled for delivery in 1973. (AFSC Newsreview, 8/72, 1)
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