Feb 1 1973
From The Space Library
The U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos 547 from Baykonur Cosmodrome into orbit with a 311-km (193.3-mi) apogee, 201-km (124.9-mi) perigee, 89.6-min period, and 65.0° inclination. The satellite reentered Feb. 13. (GSFC SSR, 2/28/73; SBD, 2/2/73, 183
NASA held an Apollo Soyuz Test Project news briefing at Manned Spacecraft Center. U.S. Technical Director Glynn S. Lunney said the U.S.S.R. had agreed to lower the Soyuz cabin pressure to within 350 newtons per sq cm (5 lbs per sq in) of Apollo pressure during the July 1975 joint docking mission, to eliminate two-hour depressurization for each crew member before transfer to the other spacecraft. The change would permit time for all three astronauts and two cosmonauts to fly in the others' spacecraft. Previously, only two astronauts had been scheduled to make the transfer.
Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, commander of the U.S. crew, said "the mission is going to be one of the most difficult . . . because it involves a different country, different language, different operating techniques. . . . But it can certainly open the doors for future cooperation between the countries, can enhance. our capabilities" for progress together. Astronaut Donald K. Slayton, who would fly his first mission since he was disqualified from Project Mercury's Aurora 7 flight (launched May 24, 1962) because of an erratic heart rate, said, "I think I've been pretty fortunate. And I don't believe in looking back at the past too much except in relation to what benefit it will give me in the future."
Astronaut Vance D. Brand, who would make his first space flight, said, "I am really happy to get on this mission. I think as we look back over the years, it'll be regarded as a very historic thing . , . having the doors open between the Soviet Union and the United States.” (Transcript)
NASA's Explorer 48 Small Astronomy Satellite (launched Nov. 16, 1972, from Italy's San Marco Equatorial Range) successfully completed a two-month comprehensive study of celestial gamma rays. Its gamma ray detector had been turned on Nov. 19, 1972, and had observed gamma rays in the region of the galactic center, galactic plane, and various x-ray sources. A sky map of gamma rays would be prepared. (NASA Release 73-17)
Tenth anniversary of the formation of Communications Satellite Corp. In 10 yrs, ComSatCorp had grown to its present size from the mandate in the Communications Satellite Act of 1962 stating the corporation should be formed to establish a global commercial communications satellite system in cooperation with other countries. The organization employed 1100 persons at 11 locations to operate satellites in a global system for the International Telecommunications Satellite Consortium (INTELSAT), 7 U.S. earth stations for international satellite communications, ComSatCorp laboratories, and a wide range of technical activities. (ComSatCorp Release)
Sen. Henry M. Jackson (D-Wash.) introduced S. 734 for himself and Sen. Edward J. Gurney (R-Fla.) and Sen. Lawton M. Chiles, Jr. (D-Fla.), "to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to establish a Man in Space National Historic Site at Cape Kennedy." The bill would establish a site on the area comprising Launch Complexes 5 and 6, which had been used for the Redstone, Jupiter C, Juno I and II, and Mercury-Redstone launches, as well as Little Joe II in support of the Apollo program. (CR, 2/1/73, S1798; Draft KSC Hist Note, 2/72)
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