Aug 17 1970
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched 1178-kg (2596-[b) Venus VII probe into heliocentric orbit from Baikonur at 10:38 am local time. Tass said 244-sec burn 81 min after launch placed spacecraft on trajectory to Venus where it would "continue exploration of the planet... which was earlier carried out by Soviet automatic stations." Spacecraft was on trajectory "close to the preset one" with all systems functioning normally and would reach vicinity of Venus around mid-December [see Dec. 15]. Venus VII was seventh spacecraft in Venus series. Venus IV (launched Oct. 18, 1967); Venus V (launched Jan. 5, 1969), and Venus VI (launched Jan. 10, 1969) had transmitted data about planet and landed on surface. (AP, W Post, 8/18/70, A12; SBD, 8/18/70, 208; GSFC SSR, 8/31/70)
Manufacture of 15th and final Saturn V 1st stage (S-IC-15) had been completed by Boeing Co., prime contractor, and stage was being shipped to MTF, MSFC announced. Stage, scheduled to boost Apollo 19 toward moon in 1974, would be static-fired in late September. S-IC program had begun in December 1961. Eight of 15 S-IC stages had flown on Apollo missions, 6 manned and 2 unmanned. (MSFC Release 70-162)
Dr. Lee A. DuBridge tendered resignation as Presidential Science Adviser and OST Director. In letter to President Nixon he said, "I have always been convinced I should retire well in advance of my 70th birthday in 1971." (PD, 8/24/70, 1084)
Senate rejected, by vote of 43 to 22, amendment to H.R. 17123, $19.3billion FY 1971 military procurement authorization, to ensure that weapon Systems and subsystems were thoroughly tested before production was begun. Amendment, proposed by Sen. William Proxmire (D-Wis.), had been called "fly-before-you-buy." (CR, 8/17/70, 513529-44; SBD, 8/17/70, 202)
August 17-20: Space Flight Orientation Course at MSFC was attended by 60 Civil Air Patrol cadets from 45 states, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. (MSFC Release 70-158; NASA PAO)
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