Aug 21 1970
From The Space Library
Results of Apollo 12 experiment to measure permanent and induced magnetic fields on lunar surface with magnetometer deployed on eastern edge of Ocean of Storms during EVA were reported in Science by ARC scientists Palmer Dyal, Curtis W. Parkin, and Charles P. Sonett. Magnetometer had measured steady magnetic field of 36±5 gammas on lunar surface. Surface gradient measurements and data from lunar orbiting satellite Explorer XXXV (launched July 19, 1967) indicated field was localized rather than global. Data suggested source of field was large magnetized body that had acquired field during epoch in which inducing field was much stronger than any now on moon. (Science, 8/21/70, 762-4)
International Academy of Astronautics announced selection of Soviet Cosmonauts Andrian G. Nikolayev and Vitaly I. Sevastyanov to receive Daniel and Florence Guggenheim International Astronautics Award for 1970. Award and $1000 stipend, presented annually for outstanding contribution to space research and exploration, would be presented to cosmonauts at Oct. 4-10 IAA Congress, for 18-day Soyuz IX mission (June 2-19). (IAA Release 38)
Scripps Howard newspaper survey had shown NASA's rocket building program "all but grounded" because of budget cuts, Washington Daily News reported. With last rocket of $9.3-billion Saturn project nearing completion, layoffs of scientific and technical personnel had reached 80% in some areas. At peak of 11-yr Saturn project, NASA had employed more than 125 000 engineers, scientists, and technicians to build 37 Saturns including 15 Saturn Vs. "Today only 10000 ... are still with the space program. And the boom towns that built, tested and launched the rockets. . .are starting to deflate." At Seal Beach, Calif., NR had said only 1743 out of 10 800 engineers and technicians who built Saturn V 2nd stage were still employed, an 84% decline. At New Orleans, Boeing Co. and NASA had laid off all but 1800 of 11 994 Saturn V 1st-stage builders. NASA was constructing only 21, smaller and less expensive, rockets for planetary exploration. Two of five kinds of rockets used to explore space and launch satellites were out of production and no new rockets were being developed. (Kirkman, W News, 8/21/70)
New York Times editorial commented on appointment of Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., to succeed Dr. Lee A. DuBridge as President's Science Adviser: "Not surprisingly for one who has been engaged in industrial research. for many years, Dr. David has indicated he is most concerned with applied areas such as health-care delivery, transportation, housing and defense. But he is certainly aware that the long-term scientific and technological health of the nation depends on the vitality of its basic research enterprise. Even the best medical organization m the world will be able to do little to conquer cancer. . .until molecular biologists and other basic scientists understand why cells grow out of control and how to prevent them from doing so. As science adviser, Dr. David will have to help as- sure that basic research is not sacrificed to the urgent demands for solving society's immediate problems." (NYT, 8/21/70)
AT&T had urged FCC to adopt overseas communications policy that would permit building of 10 additional undersea cables by end of 1979, Wall Street Journal reported. Company had told FCC it did not object to FCC approval of pending applications for four additional satellites beyond four new ones already approved for launching, but asked that FCC also approve new cable projects "to avoid a serious imbalance between cable and satellite facilities in the future." (WSJ, 8121/70)
Washington Evening Star editorial on SST: "Backers of the SST program say it is necessary for maintenance of technological primacy and a favorable world trade position, and that, besides, this bird is another of those inevitabilities. But certainly the nation that placed the first men on the moon isn't hurting for technological status. As to the other arguments, the United States is capable of putting the kibosh on everybody's SST ambitions, through denial of U.S. landing rights, if the environmental sacrifices appear too forbidding." (W Star, 8/21/70)
U.S. District Court Judge John H. Pratt, in Washington, D.C., refused to order release of top-secret report prepared by team headed by physicist Richard L. Garwin at request of President Nixon and said to be critical of SST. Judge Pratt dismissed suit brought by Sierra Club, Friends of Earth, and cities of New York and Boston to compel release of report. (Ungar, W Post, 8/22/70, A3)
Dr. Theodore P. Wright, Civil Aeronautics Administrator from 1944 to 1948 and former Vice President and Director of Engineering with Curtiss-Wright Corp., died in Ithaca, N.Y., at age 75. (Bachinski, W Post, 8/24/70, C4)
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