Jan 9 1969
From The Space Library
USAF released three-volume Scientific Study of Unidentified Flying Objects, report of Univ. of Colorado scientists directed by Dr. Edward U. Condon. It concluded that "nothing has come from the study of UFOs in the past 21 years that has added to scientific knowledge. . . Further extensive study of UFOs probably cannot be justified in the expectation that science will be advanced thereby." Scientists felt "the reason that there has been very little scientific study of the subject is that those scientists who are most directly concerned, astronomers, atmospheric physicists, chemists, and psychologists, having had ample opportunity to look into the matter, have individually decided that UFO phenomena do not offer a fruitful field in which to look for major scientific discoveries." In review of study, NAS special review panel had concluded, "On the basis of present knowledge the least likely explanation of UFO's is the hypothesis of extraterrestrial visitations by intelligent beings." Condon report recommended DOD handle UFO sighting reports in normal surveillance operations and found no basis for contention that UFO data were "shrouded in official secrecy." Report stated, "The history of the past 21 years has repeatedly led Air Force officers to the conclusion that none of the things seen, or thought to have been seen . . . constituted any hazard or threat to national security." Report of two-year study, commissioned by USAF for $500,000, had been approved by NAS panel. (Text; Sullivan, NYT, 1/8/69, 1; 1/10/69, 32; Boffer, Science, 1/17/69, 260-2)
NASA named Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong (commander), Michael Collins (CM pilot), and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. (LM pilot), as prime crew of Apollo 11 lunar landing mission scheduled for summer 1969. Backup crew would be Astronauts James A. Lovell, Jr. (commander), William A. Anders (CM pilot), and Fred W. Haise, Jr. (LM pilot). (NASA Release 69-9)
NASA submitted to BOB proposed FY 1970 NASA authorization bill in which FY 1969 "Administrative Operations" category had been redesignated "Research and Program Management." Bill requested $3.051 billion for R&D, $58.2 million for construction of facilities, and $650.9 million for research and program management-for total budget of $3.761 billion. (Text; NASA LAR, VIII/8)
In farewell speech to JPL as President of Cal Tech, Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, Science Adviser-designate to President-elect Richard M. Nixon, said: "I am sure that under the new administration a change in the general structure of the space program may occur principally because the Apollo landings for 1969 will be carried out. . . [And] that ends an era, so to speak, in the space program which President Kennedy started when he proposed attainment of a landing on the moon by the end of this decade." Question would be raised "in Congress and in the administration and by the 'people of the country, 'OK we're all through now, let's save that four billion or five billion dollars a year and settle back and do something less expensive." I don't believe that this is a very widespread view in the top levels of the new administration. I think the Apollo 8 program came at a very critical moment" to make everyone see that "by lifting the eyes of the people to something beyond this little planet on which we live that the spiritual effect . . . the elevation of morale which has occurred, the pride which the country has taken in this sort of achievement, following on the many other achievements, is going to be a stimulus to redirecting the program, yes, but certainly not abandoning it, and deciding what are the great things that can be done in the future of the space program." (Transcript)
NASA Aerobee 150 MI sounding rocket with VAM-20 booster, successfully launched from WSMR, carried Johns Hopkins Univ. payload to 103.2-mi (166-km) altitude. Primary objective was to measure vacuum uv spectral emission lines from Venusian atmosphere. Rocket and instruments worked satisfactorily, but experiment failed to receive STRAP acquisition and ACS failed to receive tracker lock-on. Except for terrestrial airglow, no useful spectral information on Venus or Procyon was received. (NASA Rpt SRL)
Apollo 8 astronauts were honored in Nation's Capital. Astronauts Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, and William A. Anders received NASA Distinguished Service Medal from President Johnson at White House. Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Acting Administrator, read citation, identical for each astronaut except for designation as commander, command module pilot, or lunar module pilot. Borman received award "for outstanding contributions to space flight, engineering, technology and exploration as Commander of Apollo 8, mankind's first venture beyond Earth into orbit around the Moon. During this flawless mission from December 21 to December 27, 1968, he made critical decisions and carried out complex maneuvers to fly into precise translunar injection, lunar orbit, and transearth injection flight paths to a successful reentry and splashdown within 5,000 yards of the recovery vessel. His scientific observations during the journey to and from the Moon and during 10 orbits of the Moon have added significantly to man's knowledge. He displayed outstanding leadership, courage, professional skill and devotion to duty in accomplishing all planned mission objectives, significantly advancing the nation's capabilities in space. As one of history's boldest explorers, he has blazed a new trail for mankind out into the vastness of extraterrestrial space." President Johnson said: "Our space program, and this, its most spectacular achievement, have taught us some very invaluable lessons. We have learned how men and nations may make common cause in the most magnificent and hopeful enterprises of mankind. We in the United States, are already engaged in cooperative space activities with more than 70 nations of the world. We have proposed a variety of adventures to expand international partnership in space exploration. This morning I renew America's commitment to that principle and to its enormous promise. The flight of Apollo 8 gives all nations a new and a most exciting reason to join in man's greatest adventure." President Johnson presented retired NASA Administrator James E. Webb as "the single man most responsible for successfully administering this program and, I think, the best Administrator in the Federal Government" Astronauts gave President Johnson miniature copies of recent international space treaties which they had carried aboard Apollo 8 spacecraft and "picture of the ranch" (photo of earth taken from space). (PD, 1/13/69, 35-6)
After awards ceremony astronauts were driven in motorcade to address joint assembly of Congress attended by nine Supreme Court Justices. Borman told Congress: "The one overwhelming emotion that we carried with us is the fact that we really do all exist on the small globe. And when you get to 240,000 miles, it really isn't a very large earth." He said voyage was not just an American achievement; "we stood on the shoulders of giants," from Newton and Galileo to present day scientists and space explorers. "If Apollo 8 was a triumph at all," Borman said, "it was a triumph of all mankind." At State Dept. Auditorium press conference, NASA Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs Julian Scheer announced Astronaut Frank Borman had been appointed Deputy Director of Flight Crew Operations at MSC. During conference astronauts disclosed they had not seen moon during approach to lunar orbit; presented slides indicating presence of volcanics on back of moon; and announced their conclusion that conditions on pseudolanding site, B-1, indicated "lighting conditions are . . . adequate for a lunar landing, which was one of our objectives of the flight." Borman said, "I came away with the idea that the moon may be more homogeneous than I had realized . . . that you could get a spoon one place and find it just about the same as the samples somewhere else." In answer to question, he said, "I don't believe we found anything that would be of concern to future flights. We flight-tested the ground system. We flight-tested the airborne system. The command module and service module have effectively performed their designed task, their designed mission, with the exception of docking. We have got magnificent machinery. We have superb ground support." Following press conference, astronauts and their families were guests at Smithsonian Institution dinner in Washington, D.C. (Transcript; NASA Release 69-8; Wilford, NYT, 1/10/69, 1; Maynard, W Post, 1/10/69, 1; Sehlstedt, B Sun, 1/10/69, 1)
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