Jan 5 1973

From The Space Library

NASA began program cutbacks to adjust to a lower spending level in compliance with President Nixon's $250-billion target for total Government spending in FY 1973. space shuttle manpower buildup would be slowed, delaying the first orbital flight. Work on the High Energy Astronomy Observatory (HERO) was being suspended at least one year and work on communications satellites would be phased out, with cancellation of ATS-G. Work on nuclear propulsion would be dis­continued and work on nuclear power curtailed. Plum Brook Station of Lewis Research Center would be closed. In aeronautics, quiet, propulsive­ lift, experimental, short takeoff and landing (QUESTOL) aircraft would be canceled, but technology would continue to be developed.

Skylab, space shuttle, Apollo Soyuz Test Project (ASTP), Viking, Mariner Jupiter-Saturn mission, and many applications and aeronautics projects would be retained to continue essential elements for a balanced and productive space and aeronautics program within tight fiscal re­straints. NASA also would continue development of a new front fan to reduce jet aircraft engine noise. NASA spokesmen told the press that the cutbacks would trim 700 civil servants from the NASA payrolls and would save the Government $200 million through June 30, 1973. (NASA Release 73-3 W Post, 1/6/73)

Reductions in the development of space nuclear propulsion and space elec­tric power were announced by the Atomic Energy Commission. The ac­tion paralleled NASA determination to focus research and technology programs on near-term development, AEC said. Programs to be terminated included nuclear rocket propulsion work at Los Alamos Scientific Labora­tory and at Nuclear Rocket Development Station. Contractors affected included Pan American World Airways, EG&G, Inc., and Westinghouse Electric Corp. Cutbacks also would affect space reactor thermoelectric programs at Atomics International Div. of North American Rockwell's Aerospace & Systems Group and space reactor thermionic programs of Gulf General Atomic Div. of Gulf Oil Corp. AEC would continue pro­grams in radioisotope thermoelectric generators, Navy's Transit naviga­tion satellite program, and other unmanned space applications, and work on the isotope electric generator for NASA's Viking Mars landing program, Mariner Jupiter-Saturn mission, and the Dept. of Defense Lincoln space satellite. (AEC Release R-13)

An Apollo 17 post-mission press conference-the last press conference of the Apollo program-was held at Manned Spacecraft Center. Geologist­astronaut Dr. Harrison H. Schmitt said the orange soil discovered at Shorty Crater in the moon's Taurus-Littrow valley was "extremely young material," less than 10 million yrs old, that probably had been formed by "local volcanic vent." The discovery meant "that the moon is still active enough to produce volcanic rock." With data from Apollo 17 and previous Apollo missions, "we now have the capability . . . to get a first order understanding of the evolutionary sequence of the Moon and . . . recent history of the Sun from the soil, and maybe an increased understanding of the Sun itself." Significance of Apollo lunar discoveries to mankind was that we could "hope to get insight . . . primarily for our children and their children" into the distribution of elements on the Earth and what processes effected that distribution for use in the future. Two revolutions in earth science during the decade had been "knowledge we've gained from the Moon" and "insight that terrestrial geologists have gotten into the formation of ocean basins, The effect of those two revolutions, particularly when they're integrated ... is going to be profound." If man could "understand the evolutionary sequences through which Earth has progressed . . . we're going to be able to understand how to utilize the resources of that Earth." Astro­naut Eugene A. Cernan said lunar study might "tell us something about the possibility of some ancient existence of some civilization . . . pos­sibly within our own universe." Cernan and Astronaut Ronald E. Evans said they planned to stay in the space program. Schmitt said he would "stay in government service" but "I'm not sure what that service may be.” (Transcript; W Post, 1/6/73)

Sen. Frank E. Moss (D-Utah), who became Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences Jan. 4, commented on his new post in statement released to the press in Washington, D.C.: "Many people may have the impression that the space program is over now that the last Apollo moon landing has taken place. This is not the case. One important phase of our space exploration program has ended, but a new phase-a more productive phase in terms of benefits to man on earth-has already begun." Sen. Moss would "work diligently with my colleagues on the Committee and with NASA to develop a clear understanding of the program" and its relation to other national needs and priorities. Sen. Moss has been concerned with the "apparent high cost of the space program in relation to other important demands on the Nation's resources." He would "approach the question of current, present and future level of the nation's space program with an open mind.” (Text)

Petrographic and chemical description of Apollo 16 lunar samples was given in a Science article by the Apollo 16 Preliminary Examination Team. Preliminary characterization of samples had "substantiated the inference that the luna terra are commonly underlain by plagioclase­rich or anorthositic rocks. No evidence has been found for volcanic rocks underlying the regolith in the Apollo 16 region, In their place, we have found anorthositic rocks that are thoroughly modified by crushing and partial melting." Anorthositic rocks varied texturally and chemi­cally. Occurrence of deep-seated or plutonic rocks in place of volcanic or pyroclastic materials suggested that "the inference from physiographic evidence that the latter materials are widespread in terra regions may be incorrect."

Other conclusions of the preliminary examination were: (1) Combi­nation of data from the Descartes region and data from the orbital x-ray fluorescence experiment indicated that "some backside, highland regions are underlain by materials that consist of more than 80 percent plagioclase.” (2) Soil or upper regolith between North Ray and South Ray had not been completely homogenized since formation of the craters. (3) Chemistry of the soil indicated that rocks rich in potassium, uranium, and thorium-similar to those at the Fra Mauro site-were relatively abundant in the Descartes region. (4) Potassium-uranium ratio of the lunar crust was similar to that of KREEP basalts. (5) The carbon content of the premare lunar crust was "even lower than that of the mare volcanic rock.” (Science, 1/5/73, 23-24)

The U.S.S.R. had fitted its Tu-144 supersonic transport with retractable wings on the nose for increased lift and control at lower speeds during landing and takeoff, the London Daily Telegraph reported. The aircraft had been lengthened to carry 140 passengers-32 more than the Anglo-French Concorde supersonic transport. Newly designed under­carriage bad been installed, but engines had no reverse thrust to help braking after landing and relied on extra large tail parachutes. The U.S.S.R. still expected the Tu-144 to be operational in 1975. (Donaldson, London Daily Telegraph, 1/5/73)

The Dept. of Defense had recommended expansion of the U.S. Minuteman intercontinental ballistic missile force to include the highly accurate triple warhead multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) on all 1000 missiles, the Washington Post reported. Don had originally planned to put the MIRV on 550 Minuteman missiles and would recommend expansion of the program in the 1974 military budget request. (Getler, W Post, 1/5/73, Al)

A New York Times editorial commented on the research recession caused by changing priorities of the Federal Government and insufficient bud­get appropriations in Federal research programs: "The brilliant record of American scientists ... testifies to the quality of the national research enterprise. But how long can such top quality survive in the face of the present economic stringency and the threat of even worse times ahead?" (NYT, 1/5/73, 28)

• 1973
• January

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