Dec 24 1968

From The Space Library

Intelsat-III F-2 began carrying segment of coverage of Apollo 8 to Europe. It transmitted moon pictures from capsule and re­layed TV coverage of Pacific splashdown to Europe and Puerto Rico. Intelsat II satellites over Atlantic and Pacific each reserved about 100 voice circuits for NASA support communications with Apollo 8. Ats II and III augmented commercial communications coverage and transmit­ted limited number of weather photos. (OSSA; NASA Release 69-6)

One out of every four persons on earth-nearly one billion people in 64 countries-heard Christmas Eve reading of Genesis by moon orbiting Apollo 8 crew either on radio or TV, according to TV Guide. Delayed broadcasts same day reached 30 additional countries. "The fantastic success of TV on that flight echoed around the world." (TV Guide, 5/10-16/69, 9)

New York Times said of Apollo 8 telecast of earth: ". . . the drama and interest of yesterday's view of earth from space transcended any prosaic considerations of practical utility. Rather the excitement these pictures aroused among millions of stay-at-homes flowed from the vis­ual evidence they provided of man's successful entrance into a com­pletely new realm, one which poses challenges, opportunities and dan­gers such as the human species has never before faced. And yesterday's pictures provided a sobering perspective on man's puny earthly works and rivalries, reminding all humanity that nature is the basic antago­nist, not other men." (NYT, 12/24/68, 22)

FAA announced report Friction Effects of Runway Grooves, Runway 18-36 Washington National Airport [AD 678 645 (DS 68-21) ], result of nine-month test series at Washington National Airport, indi­cated runway grooving, designed to prevent hydroplaning by increas­ing drainage of water, might also enhance braking effectiveness of air­craft on wet runways [see Nov. 17]. (FAA Release T 68-48)

U.S.S.R. announced through Tass successful completion of experiment in which three researchers spent from Nov. 5, 1967, to Nov. 5, 1968, in isolated chamber consisting of living compartment and greenhouse linked to outside world by videotelephone. Purpose of experiment was to test man's ability to live in isolation for year, using water and oxy­gen regenerated from waste products and dehydrated food supple­mented by greenhouse-grown vegetables; study effects of various fac­tors on human organism and establish optimum conditions for long isolation; and evaluate effectiveness of self-contained life-support sys­tems based on regeneration of waste products. Daily requirements of astronauts on long voyage included 700 g of food, 2.4 kg of drinking water plus 5.5 kg of water for other purposes, and 800 g of oxygen, amounting to 11 tons of supplies for one-year space voyage. Report said there were no significant changes in body weight and temperature of ex­perimenters except one lost eight to nine pounds before his weight stabi­lized in five to six months. Electrocardiogram remained unchanged and no dehydration was observed. Pulse and respiration rates had fluc­tuated before assuming lower level than at start of experiment. Re­searchers Gherman A. Manovtsev, Andrey N. Bozhko, and Boris N. Ulybshev were reported in good health at conclusion of experiment. (Shabad, NYT, 12/25/68, 38)

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• 1969