Dec 14 1972
From The Space Library
President Nixon issued statement following liftoff from moon of Apollo 17 lunar module Challenger: "As the Challenger leaves the surface of the moon, we are conscious not of what we leave behind, but of what lies before us. The dreams that draw humanity forward seem always to be redeemed if we believe in them strongly enough, and pursue them with diligence and courage. Once we stood mystified by the stars; today we reach out to them. We do this not only because it is man's destiny to dream the impossible, to dare the impossible, and to do the impossible, but also because in space, as on earth, there are new answers and new opportunities for the improvement and the enlargement of human existence. "This may be the last time this century that men will walk on the moon. But space exploration will continue, the benefits of space exploration will continue, the search for knowledge through the exploration of space will continue, and there will be new dreams to pursue based on what we have learned. So let us neither mistake the significance nor miss the majesty of what we have witnessed. Few events have ever marked so clearly the passage of history from one epoch to another. If we understand this about the last flight of Apollo, then truly we shall have touched a `many-splendored thing.' " (PD, 12/18/72, 1758-9)
Cosmos 538 was launched by U.S.S.R. from Plesetsk into orbit with 280-km (174-mi) apogee, 204-km (126.8-mi) perigee, 65.4° inclination, and 89.3-min period. Satellite reentered Dec. 27. (GSFC SSR, 12/31/72; SBD, 12/18/72, 209)
Air Force qualification of parachute decelerator system for NASA's Viking Mars lander, scheduled for 1975 launch, was announced by Air Force Systems Command. Qualification had followed July 11 and 26 and Aug. 13 and 19 tests by Martin Marietta Corp. at Roswell and White Sands, N. Mex. Tests had included supersonic, transonic, and free-fall environments. In Aug. 19 test, decelerator had been dropped from balloon at altitude of 27 000 m (88 000 ft). Previous tests had used rocket motors ignited after balloon had taken test system to desired altitude. In each test, decelerator deployed to slow down simulated softlanding instrument package. (AFSC Release 105.72; Martin Marietta Corp pro)
New York Times editorial commented on discovery by Apollo 17 astronauts of orange dust on moon: Discovery had "astonished the scientific world. Nothing similar had been previously seen on the moon. It is premature, though tempting, to conclude that this is evidence of relatively recent-in geological terms-volcanic activity. Final judgments have to await analysis of this strange material .... Nevertheless, it is already evident that Apollo 17 is turning out to be the most productive of the moon visits; and the probability seems higher than ever that the crew will bring back both the oldest and youngest lunar rocks yet to be found. It is already indisputable that the Taurus-Littrow site was an excellent choice for an Apollo landing since much of the terrain material there is quite different from that found on earlier trips." (NYT, 12/4/72, 46)
Honorary lifetime membership in Auto Body Assn. of America was granted to Apollo 17 Astronauts Eugene A. Cernan and Dr. Harrison H. Schmitt for fender repair work done on lunar rover on moon. Reg Predham, president of national organization of auto repairmen, said astronauts would be sent lapel pins and membership certificates. Boeing Co. would receive certificate for manufacturing "vehicle that can be repaired 250 000 miles [400 000 kilometers] from a part supplier." (AP, C Trib, 12/15/72)
Tenth year of interplanetary exploration was celebrated by Jet Propulsion Laboratory on 10th anniversary of arrival at Venus of Mariner 2, launched by NASA Aug. 27, 1962. Five more Mariners-designed and built by JPL engineers-had been launched during decade. In 1965 Mariner 4 (launched Nov. 28, 1964) flew by Mars, obtaining first close-up pictures. Mariner 5 (launched June 14, 1967) helped determine atmosphere of Venus was 75 to 100 times more dense than earth's. Mariner 6 (launched Feb. 24, 1969) and Mariner 7 (launched Mar. 27, 1969) took photographs of Mars surface from as close as 3500 km (2200 mi). Mariner 9 (launched May 30, 1971) gathered data during 698 revolutions of Mars, provided map of entire planet, and showed evidence of volcanic activity and free-flowing water in planet's geologic history. (Jet Propulsion Laboratory|JPL]] Release 640; A&A 1962; NASA Release 72-241)
Highest energy output level ever reached by man-made machine-400 bev-was achieved by Atomic Energy Commission's nuclear particle accelerator near Batavia, Ill. Level was double original design level of 200 bev. (AEC Release P 433)
Tass announced successful completion of Soviet carrier rocket launchings in Pacific and declared restricted area free for sea and air navigation. (FBIS-SOv, 12/14/72, A4)
New York Times science editor Walter S. Sullivan had been named one of three winners of 1972 science writing awards sponsored by American Assn. for the Advancement of Science and Westinghouse Education Foundation, New York Times reported. Sullivan had won award for third time. Award was for his series "The Einstein Papers." Other winners were Dennis L. Meredith, science editor at Univ. of Rhode Island, and Eugene Kinkead, associate editor of New Yorker. (NYT, 12/14/72)
New York Times editorial commented on Apollo program day after Apollo 17 astronauts lifted off moon's surface: "Over the long term the chief product of Apollo is likely to be in man's consciousness, not only in scientific thinking. Man's entire perspective on the universe and on his place in it has been radically changed. Man evolved on the earth, but he is no longer chained to it. Man has walked on another planet and returned to tell the tale. The impact on the future must be enormous. Yesterday's farewell to the moon was certainly not a fare-well to space." (NYT, 12/15/72, 46)
Apollo 17 Astronaut Ronald E. Evans would receive promotion from commander to captain in Navy despite Government freeze on promotions, Dept. of Defense spokesman Jerry W. Friedheim told press in Washington, D.C. Exemption had been granted specifically for Evans. Apollo 17 commander Eugene A. Cernan had received promotion to captain in Navy for previous space exploits. (W Post, 12/16/72, A4)
President Nixon issued statement on receiving necessary ratifications of Definitive Agreements of the International Telecommunications Satellite Organization: "We can now look forward to the day when nations around the world will be linked together for instantaneous communications. The implications of this development are enormous, presaging improved international relations in the political, economic, cultural, and scientific spheres." (PD, 12/18/72, 1759)
Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.), Chairman of House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, would become Chairman of House Committee on Science and Astronautics in January 1973, Washington Post reported. He would replace Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.), who was defeated for renomination to House. Post quoted Rep. Teague as saying he wanted to push U.S. space program forward because it "seems to be taking a back seat." (Lyons, W Post, 12/15/72)
Federal Aviation Administrator John H. Shaffer received 1972 Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy at annual Wright Memorial Dinner in Washington, D.C. Citation was for "outstanding leadership of the worldwide operations of the Federal Aviation Administration which has greatly enhanced all aspects of U.S. aviation to the benefit and safety of the general public and all who fly." (NAA Release, 9/22/72; FAA PIO)
Astronaut James A. Lovell-holder of record for hours logged in space [see Nov. 22]-had been elected to the board of American Bakeries Co., Chicago Daily News reported. (C Daily News, 12/15/72)
Science article commented on renaming of Jet Propulsion Laboratory in honor of retiring California Congressman: Rep. H. Allen Smith's closest association with aerospace had come in late 1940s when he was security manager for Lockheed Aircraft Corp. "During his years in the House, Smith distinguished himself as a quiet, unwavering conservative dedicated to economy in government." He had voted against supersonic transport "and on at least three occasions opposed the space authorization bill, the ultimate wellspring of JPL's money." No one had asked JPL, California Institute of Technology, or NASA what They thought of redesignation. Rep. George P. Miller (D-Calif.) had approved but "was not in a position to object gracefully." Rep. Miller, too, was retiring and House Committee on Public Works had decided to affix his name to Federal building in Oakland, Calif. Article suggested solution might be "for JPL to acknowledge its new name with a small sign behind a fast-growing evergreen and let time take its course." (Gillette, Science, 12/15/72, 1178)
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