Feb 9 1970
From The Space Library
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, received British Interplanetary Society awards commemorating man's first lunar landing at special meeting of Society in London. Awards were silver replica of Apollo 11 LM presented to NASA and gold medals for Apollo 11 Astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. (Spaceflight, 5/70, 191)
President Nixon transmitted to Congress Reorganization Plan 1 of 1970, "to establish an Office of Telecommunications Policy in the Executive Office of the President." Unit would be headed by Director and Deputy Director appointed by President. Existing office of Director of Telecommunications Management would be abolished. New office would serve as President's principal adviser on telecommunications policy, would help formulate policies and coordinate operations for Federal Government's communications systems and carry out responsibilities of President under Communications Satellite Act, and would "enable the executive branch to speak with a clearer voice and to act as a more effective partner in discussions of communications policy with both the Congress and the Federal Communications Commission." (PD, 2/16/70, 156-8)
Dr. Charles A. Berry, MSC Director of Medical Research and Operations, described medical phenomena encountered by Apollo 12 astronauts in keynote address at Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine seminar in San Antonio, Tex. Astronauts Charles Conrad, Jr., Richard F. Gordon, Jr., and Alan L. Bean had observed brilliant flashes of light on closing eyes in darkened portions of spacecraft. They were believed to be caused by charged particles or rays from sun or from space. Astronauts also experienced sensitivity to lunar dust, body changes including face fullness, reddened eyes, and flushed faces during early part of flight, and increase in skin bacteria beyond amount normal on earth. Dr. Berry blamed body changes on pooling of fluids in head from lack of gravity. Behavior of bacteria might make doctors consider altering normal skin surface bacteria content by special baths for astronauts before flight. Dr. Berry also said that woman might share in planetary exploration but tests were needed to ensure "she doesn't create more problems than she solves. I think it would definitely be more comfortable if we took women along." (Huntsville Times, 2/10/70; Huntsville News, 2/10/70)
SAMSO had successfully tested thrust vector control system (TVC), improved steering mechanism for Titan IIIC booster, AFSC announced. TVC was lighter and less complicated than present system and would permit orbiting of heavier payloads by Titan IIIC. Mechanism had ring of 24 electrical valves that injected liquid nitrogen tetroxide from pressurized tank into flaming exhaust to deflect hot gases and steer booster. Operational system already in use had hydraulic valves with spaghetti-like collection of hydraulic lines, heavy pumps, and separate tanks for liquid and pressurizing gas. (AFSC Release 17.70)
Hundredth anniversary of U.S. Weather Bureau. (Latham, W Post, 2/10/69,20)
New Haven Register editorial commented on intention of Apollo 8 Astronaut James A. Lovell, Jr., to end active participation in space after commanding Apollo 13 mission: "The space agency can ill afford to let go of Jim Lovell, whose 24 days in space give him a world's record. When he concludes the Apollo 13 mission he will be, without doubt, the best qualified man in the agency. A top administrative post should be found for him." (New Haven Register, 2/9/ 70)
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