May 31 1967
From The Space Library
NASA completed membership of its Lunar and Planetary Missions Board and expanded its scope of activities to include: (1) assistance in the "planning and conduct of all manned and unmanned missions to explore the Moon and planets," and (2 ) development of "scientific objectives and general strategy for such missions including specific recommendations for mission design and scientific payloads." Board would report to NASA Administrator James E. Webb through Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications Dr. Homer E. Newell. (NASA Release 67-133)
USAF launched 8 satellites by Thor-Agena D booster from Vandenberg AFB. This solar-cell-powered, 85-lb, satellite experiment, designed for developing satellite navigation technique as easy to use as celestial navigation and more accurate, would assist pilot or navigator of ship or aircraft who could make direct, simultaneous measurements. Signal measurement from two or more satellites with known positions to determine location of ship or aircraft would make use of signal transmission times and standard navigation techniques. Experiment had been built by Naval Research Laboratory as one to be compatible with Doppler equipment for low-altitude satellites. Naval Air Systems Command had been project sponsor. (UPI, W Post, 6/1/67, G4; NRL News 5/31/67)
NASA Nike-Apache sounding rocket launched from WSMR carried instrumented payload to 26-mi (42-km) altitude to gather micrometeoroid particles during a quiet period immediately before the Zeta Perseid/Anetid meteor shower. No scientific data were obtained because "burn-through" near the igniter headcap caused an explosion. (NASA Rpt)
NASA had amended its contract with Bendix Corp. for the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiments Package (ALSEP) to add a heat flow experiment substation. $2.4-million amendment increased total value of contract to $23.6 million, plus incentive fees. Heat flow subsystem would measure net outward flux of heat from moon's interior, providing a comparison of radioactive content of the moon's interior and earth's mantle, a thermal history of moon, a lunar temperature-depth profile, and thermal parameters of the first three meters of moon's crust. (NASA Release 67-135)
Proposal that Canada immediately begin developing a Canadian-owned, multi-purpose communications satellite system to be operational by 1970 was made to Transport Minister John W. Pickersgill by eight major companies of Trans-Canada Telephone System and Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Telecommunications. $80-million system would involve 54 earth stations, the purchase of three comsats, and the launching of two of them into synchronous orbit. Proposal recommended that system be fully integrated with existing networks to carry TV, telephone calls, data, and other services. (Can Press, NYT, 6/1/67)
Two-part report evaluating land use on and around airports and its relation to noise and hazards in the operation of aircraft was released by the FAA [see Feb. 1]. Report, which included surveys of 70 different types of land use on and around 120 U.S. and Canadian airports, pointed out land uses which were compatible with airports and land uses which adversely affected the safety of flight operations. It also considered the problem of aircraft noise. (FAA Release 67-51 )
A national information system for assuring the availability of every significant scientific or technical document, regardless of its origin, was "inevitable," Edward J. Brunenkant, director of AEC's Division of Technical Information, predicted at New York meeting of the Special Libraries Assn. Noting that over 1 million scientific articles were being printed annually in 35,000 journals, Brunenkant conceded that the establishment of a national system would be "extraordinarily complex," but said the need for it was "urgent." (NYT, 6/1/67, 33)
New York`s Mayor Robert Lindsay announced plans to construct a $10-million Hall of Science in Queens during the next 14 mos. Structure, which would be connected to science building used during 1964-65 World's Fair, would constitute the second stage of a center for science study and general education. "The Hall of Science when completed . . . will be not only one of the great science museums of the nation and the world, but also a major center for science research and training," the Mayor said. One feature of the new building would be a $1.5-million nuclear reactor donated by AEC. (Knowles, NYT, 6/1/67, 33)
Soviet carrier Aeroflot would begin operating two flights a week from Moscow to Montreal in early June to accommodate "the big inflow of Soviet tourists to the Expo 67 exhibition," Tass announced. (NYT, 5/31/67,66M)
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