Sep 12 1970
From The Space Library
Arab PFLP commandos blew up TWA Boeing 707 and Swissair DC-8 hijacked to desert airport in Jordan Sept. 6 and BOAC VC-10 aircraft hijacked to same airport Sept. 9. Majority of more than 300 passengers and crewmen was permitted to leave Jordan soon after destruction of aircraft but at least 54 were kept as hostages to demands for release of imprisoned commandos. (FonF, 9/10-16/70,653-4)
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, discussed further opportunities for U.S.-U.S.S.R. cooperation in space with Soviet academician Dr. M. D. Millionshchikov during luncheon given by Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., nominee for posts of OST Director and Science Adviser to President Nixon, at Cosmos Club in Washington, D.C. (NASA Off of Admin; Paine speech text, 9/14/70)
Two USAF F-111E tactical jet fighters completed nonstop transatlantic flight from Langley AFB, Va., to join NATO aircraft team at RAF base at Upper Heyford, England. Aircraft were part of conversion program during which 20th Tactical Fighter Wing would be equipped with 72 new F- 111E aircraft. (DOD Release 738-70)
Despite "seeming disenchantment among the young with the so-called 'military-industrial complex,' " DOD was attracting younger and better qualified civilian scientists and engineers than ever before, New York Times said. Federal surveys had indicated "competence of new technical talent is steadily improving:" Among reasons cited were reduction in demand by private industry because of economic slowdown, recent pay raises for Federal technical personnel, Federally supported programs that allowed graduate study by DOD Civilian scientists and engineers, faster promotions for younger men, and intellectual attraction of working for Government. (Lyons, NYT, 9/13/70, 74)
Washington Post editorial on President's Sept. 11 statement on air piracy. "It is particularly important that Mr. Nixon recognizes the cardinal need to deprive hijackers of a safe haven. One of the scandals of international diplomacy is that the proposed treaty to require all countries either to extradite or punish hijackers did not go into effect long ago. It would be unwise, however, to await ratification of this treaty by all the countries concerned: airline security is too important to wait on national politics. What is required is suspension of airline services to countries that cannot or will not crack down on hijackers. Mr. Nixon calls upon the international community to take 'joint action' to this end. This... does not go far enough. The United States should unilaterally suspend air services to offending countries. By its example and influence, it should constrain other governments to follow suit." (W Post, 9/12/70, A18)
September 12-24: U.S.S.R. launched Luna XVI unmanned lunar probe from Baikonur at 6:26 pin local time (9:26 am EDT). Tass said purpose of mission was to explore moon and near-moon space and reported all systems were functioning normally. On Sept. 17 Luna XVI entered near-circular lunar orbit with 110.1km (68.4-mi) altitude. Tass said ground controllers put spacecraft into elliptical orbit with 104.6-km (65-mi) apolune and 14.5-km (9mi) perilune. Rocket firing thrust spacecraft toward moon and braking rockets were fired 295 m (968 ft) from lunar surface. Main braking rockets were shut down 19.8 m (65 ft) above surface and Luna XVI softlanded on moon's Sea of Fertility at 10:18 am Baikonur time (1:18 am EDT ) Sept. 20. Scientists at Bochum Observatory in West Germany monitored spacecraft's signals and reported TV pictures transmitted during: and after landing were of excellent quality. After collecting lunar samples and performing other undisclosed experiments, Luna XVI lifted off from moon. It had spent 26 hrs 25 min on lunar surface. Tans announced that spacecraft's mission was the "solution of a radically new task-automatic unmanned delivery of lunar ground to earth." Samples, Tass said, were obtained with earth-operated electric drill that penetrated to 350 mm (13.7 in) and were placed in container by a "manipulator" and hermetically sealed in. Spacecraft's landing stage was used as launch pad for liftoff from moon on command from earth. After liftoff spacecraft entered "ballistic trajectory of flight to the earth close to the predetermined one." Luna XVI entered earth atmosphere at 10:00 am Baikonur time (1:00 am EDT) Sept. 24 and parachuted onto steppes of Kazakhstan 26 min later, after 11-day 16-hr mission. Capsule containing lunar samples was recovered by helicopter for delivery to Soviet Academy of Sciences. Luna XVI was first unmanned spacecraft to land on moon and return to earth with lunar samples. In last mission in series Luna XV had landed on moon July 21, 1969, but had not returned to earth. (NYT, 9/13-25/70; B Sun, 9/22/70, Al; SBD, 9/18/70, 78; 9/25/70, 102)
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