Dec 12 1972
From The Space Library
Molniya II--4 communications satellite was launched by U.S.S.R. from Plesetsk into orbit with 39 300-km (24 420-mi) apogee, 470-km (292-mi) perigee, 11-hr 45-min period, and 65.3° inclination. Purpose of satellite was to provide system of distant telephone and telegraph radio communications in U.S.S.R. and transmission of Moscow TV programs to Orbita network. (Tass, FBIS-Sov, 12/13/72, Ll; SBD, 12/5/73; 12/14/72; GSFC SSR, 12/31/72)
Newspaper editorials praised Apollo 17 performance as astronauts worked on moon's surface following Dec. 11 touchdown: Cleveland Plain Dealer: "On time and on target, the Apollo 17 mission has made it to the moon and provides further proof of excellence in American space technology. The temptation is to dismiss such performance as routine, but there is nothing at all routine about the assignments of the men and equipment on this far journey." Apollo 17 was "establishing even more clearly the high degree of expertise and, perfection that is built into the American space exploration effort. It is doing so, however, with Schmitt and Cernan continuing the very unroutine work begun by astronauts Neil A. Armstrong and Edwin E. Aldrin Jr. on the moon three years ago." (Cl PD, 12/12/72)
Caution each of these files are about 87MB, last about three hours and may take time to buffer
Click here to listen to Apollo 17 Mission Audio T+122.09 through T+125.43 Dec 12 1972 SEP Deploy and Station 1
Click here to listen to Apollo 17 Mission Audio T+125.43 through T+128.58 Dec 12 1972 EVA 1 Closeout
Click here to listen to Apollo 17 Mission Audio T+136.27 through T+139.30 Dec 12 1972 Wake-up, EVA 2 Prep
Click here to listen to Apollo 17 Mission Audio T+139.30 through T+140.41 Dec 12 1972 EVA 2 Prep
Click here to listen to Apollo 17 Mission Audio T+140.41 through T+143.51 Dec 12 1972 EVA 2, Station 2
Philadelphia Evening Bulletin: "With all the other firsts of this last Apollo mission to the moon, there is tinge of sorrow mingled with the superlatives of performance." To realize this was "last time humans will visit the moon in the foreseeable future is to feel a certain loss along with the sense of accomplishment." (P Bull, 12/12/72)
Miami Herald: "Knowledge gleaned from the Apollo program is upsetting long-held theories. The venture thus is contributing to the demise of dogmatism, and encouraging open-mindedness which may lead mankind to many new truths." (M Her, 12/12/72)
New York Times editorial criticized Apollo 17 TV coverage: "One might have thought that the Apollo 17 moonwalks would be thoroughly covered by television as they took place. But the published television schedules indicate that the networks have chosen to dish out their usual commercial fare while giving only minimal live coverage to moonwalks that will make history. It is a poor choice from the point of view of public service." (NYT, 12/12/72, 46)
December 12-13; Review of plans for space shuttle external tank and solid-fueled rocket booster was held at Marshall Space Flight Center for 350 industry and Government representatives. Attendees heard presentations by NASA and North American Rockwell Dec. 12. NASA officials conducted separate briefings Dec. 13. (Marshall Star, 12/12/72, 1)
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