Jan 10 1969
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched unmanned Venus VI probe-second in five days [see Jan. 5]-into parking orbit and then on trajectory toward Venus. Tass said 2,491-lb spacecraft would attempt slow descent through Venusian atmosphere and softlanding on part of surface not illuminated by sun. Probe was expected to reach Venus in mid-May. Tass said Venus V had completed 863,700 mi of 155-million-mile journey. Venus VI was last reported 40,762 mi above earth. Information radioed from both spacecraft indicated equipment was working normally. (UPI, W Star, 1/10/69, A8; AP, B Sun, 1/11/69, 1; Moscow News, 2/1-8/69, 11)
New York City held ticker-tape parade for Apollo 8 Astronauts Frank Borman, James A. Lovell, Jr., and William A. Anders, followed by presentation at City Hall Plaza of Medals of City of New York, luncheon at Lincoln Center, appearance at U.N." and Waldorf-Astoria dinner attended by 2,500 political leaders and guests. (NYT, 1/10/69, 30; Aarons, W Post, 1/11/69, Al; AP, B Sun, 1/11/69, A4)
Special six-cent postal stamp honoring Dec. 21-27, 1968, Apollo 8 mission had been approved by Post Office Dept., Postmaster General W. Marvin Watson announced. Stamp would be issued May 5, seventh anniversary of Freedom 7, first U.S. manned suborbital space flight, by Alan B. Shepard, Jr. (PO Dept Release 14)
NASA released "Debrief: Apollo 8," 28-min, 16-mm color film showing first manned lunar orbit. (NASA PAO; Nelson, Science, 1/24/69, 371)
National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena challenged USAF's Condon Report on UFOs [Jan. 8]. At Washington, D.C., press conference Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe (USMC, Ret.), head of private committee, said investigation examined only "about 1%" of "reliable, unexplained" UFO sightings supplied to it. He said his files contained 11,000 reports of sightings, of which 3,000 were unexplained. (UPI, W Star, 1/11/69, 1)
Dr. Frederick Seitz, NAS President, appointed 12-member Universities Organizing Committee for Space Sciences, chaired by Frederick T. Wall, Vice Chancellor of Graduate Studies and Research at Univ. of California at San Diego. It would serve NAS as national Board of Governors of Lunar Science Institute, Houston, Tex." establishing policy, reviewing operations and budgets, and advising Institute's director on program development. Committee also would draft objectives and procedures for consortium of universities operating the facilities for research, development, and education associated with space science and technology. (NAS-NRC-NAE News Rpt, 2/1969, 2)
New York Times editorial commented on USAF UFO report: "Evidently many committed to the belief that reported UFO sightings prove this planet is being reconnoitered and even visited by beings from elsewhere in space will remain unpersuaded that earth has a current monopoly on space voyagers. . . . But outside the ranks of true believers, we suspect this document and its conclusions will find wide acceptance. Professor Condon and his colleagues did make a careful and extensive investigation. They enlisted specialists in the relevant branches of science, interviewed alleged witnesses, examined photographs purporting to show UFO sightings and studied cases of claimed radar detection. . . Those believers will keep on trying, but the rest of society can dedicate themselves to worrying about more serious matters-unless and until there is new and more persuasive evidence than any now available." (NYT, 1/10/69, 46)
Washington Evening Star commented on USAF UFO report: "Man needs his myths and his irrational beliefs-his goblins and witches and monsters. He needs to be reminded that the universe is still a wondrous, awesome and unknown place. He needs to cling to the hope that there is, somewhere, some product of creation more frightening, more powerful and more wise than he. The UFO was the space-age thing that goes bump in the night. It should have been left alone." (W Star, 1/10/69, A10)
FAA announced proposed rule which would require issuance to airline passengers and crew of fireproof, lightweight, plastic smoke hoods to protect against fire and smoke during evacuation following crash landing. (FAA Release 69-4)
Japanese Cabinet approved National Defense Council's decision to produce 104 Phantom F-4E jet fighter aircraft by FY 1977 under licensing agreement with McDonnell Douglas Corp. (NYT, 1/11/69, 15)
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