Jul 16 1971
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
USAF launched unidentified satellite from Vandenberg AFB by Thorad-Agena booster. Orbital parameters: apogee, 506.9 km (315 mi) ; perigee, 487.6 km (303 mi) ; period, 94.5 min; and inclination, 75°. (Pres Rpt 72; SBD, 7/26/71, 109)
U.S.S.R. launched Meteor 9 from Plesetsk into orbit with 642-km (398.9-mi) apogee, 615-km (382.1-mi) perigee, 97.2-min period, and 81.1° inclination. Tass said satellite carried meteorological equipment to obtain pictures of clouds and snowcaps on day and night sides of earth and data on thermal energy reflected and radiated by earth and atmosphere. (GSFC SSR, 7/31/71; SBD, 7/19/71, 78; FBIS-Sov-71-137, 7/16/71, Ll )
Findings on atmosphere of Mars from uv spectrometer observations made during NASA'S 1969 Mariner flyby missions were reported in Science by Univ. of Colorado scientists Dr. Charles A. Barth and Dr. Charles W. Hord: "Mars . . , reflects sunlight in the ultraviolet, but it is the atmosphere, not the surface, that is responsible for the reflected light. Even though there are atmospheric scatterers in addition to the molecular scatterers, it is possible to relate the intensity of the scattered radiation with the atmospheric pressure. The variation of the pressure over the planet reveals the topography to vary over 7 kilometers [41/2 miles] in height and to be correlated with visible features. The carbon dioxide polar cap, in addition to being a cold trap for volatile gases in the atmosphere, may also be a very efficient absorption trap for nonvolatiles. This last property may make the cap a repository for gases produced by geological or biological activity." (Science, 7/16/71, 197-201)
Lowell K. Zoller, Chief of Program Control Group in MSFC Office of Program Development, had been appointed manager of task team for research and applications modules (RAM) by MSFC Director, Dr. Eberhard F. M. Rees, MSFC announced. RAM was proposed family of space payload carrier modules to be delivered to earth orbit by space shuttle. (MSFC Release 71-122)
White House announced President Nixon would accept resignation of Dr. William D. McElroy as Director of National Science Foundation. Dr. McElroy would remain in position until February 1972. (PD, 7/26/71, 1078)
July 16-18: Lewis Research Center celebrated 30th anniversary. Ground-breaking had been on Jan. 23, 1941, but anniversary celebration had been postponed for summer weather. Ceremonies honored former LeRC employees who had transferred to other NASA centers, retired employees, and visiting NASA officials, including Dr. George M. Low, Deputy Administrator. Each employee received 30th anniversary coin and special anniversary edition of Lewis News. Anniversary exhibition included F-106 aircraft, Apollo 8, Gemini 7, and Mercury space- craft. Center Director Bruce T. Lundin described progress of LeRC-which had been dedicated May 28, 1943, as aircraft engineering research laboratory by Dr. George W. Lewis, NACA Director of Aeronautical Research, for whom it was later named. Center now occupied 3400 hectares (8500 acres) with 4000-member staff and plant valued at $311 million. Open House was held for general public July 17 and 18. (Lem Release 71-30; Lewis News, 7/16/71, 1; NASA Hq WB, 7/5/71, 1)
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