Sep 15 1970
From The Space Library
Dr. Thomas O. Paine's resignation as NASA Administrator became effective. He was honored at Boiling AFB reception and testimonial dinner given by Dr. George M. Low, who would be Acting Administrator until appointment of successor. Dr. Paine told guests he believed requirements of U.S. space program "are not understood at the highest level of our official life" and said he was confident NASA budget would be approved despite President's Aug. 11 veto of Independent Offices and Hun appropriations bill. U.S., he said, "must be the first nation to put in the first skylab and space stations. We must look to the post-dogsled era of lunar exploration and develop a more permanent type of lunar exploration." Dr. Paine warned that NASA must "face the reality that in the 70s the Soviet Union will attempt to overtake us.... We will be tested against a strong and vigorous Soviet program." U.S. had "held out the olive branch... but if the cold war is extended into space, then NASA will be ready to meet any threat that may develop in space." According to Washington Evening Star, it was first time Dr. Paine had publicly cited threat of Soviet military supremacy in space. Later, in interview following dinner, Dr. Paine said he meant NASA's charge was to keep U.S. in forefront of space technology and to be ready to hand that technology to DOD if required. He believed defense against ICBM might yet, be space based. If SO, NASA should be in technologically superior position because of space station, shuttle, and other concepts. (W Star, 9/16/ 70, B8, C7)
In profile of Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., new OST Director and Science Adviser to President, New York Times said Dr. David's goal was "to combine science and technology with the human factor in society." Associate had said Dr. David was skeptical of value of manned space program and felt space program should be pushed in "very studied fashion." (NYT, 95/70, 26)
Boeing Co. would begin flight testing of Boeing 74713-upgraded version of 747-on Oct. 1, AP reported. Aircraft, already rolled out, had more powerful engines and enlarged center-wing tank. Changes had been made to improve strength of wing, fuselage, and landing gear. Alterations had increased aircraft's weight from 322 000 kg to 351500 kg (from 710 000 lbs to 775 000 lbs) and range from 9000 km to 10 600 km (from 6000 mi to 6600 mi). New version would cost $1 million more than standard 747, which cost $23 million. (NYT, 9/15/ 70,39)
MSC announced selection of Singer-General Precision, Inc., Link Div. to receive $4-million, cost-plus-award-fee contract to design, develop, install, and support Skylab simulator for astronaut and ground crew training at MSC (MSC Release 70-101)
Rep. Robert N. Giaimo (D-Conn.) introduced for himself and cosponsors bill to authorize NSF to conduct research and educational pro-grams to prepare U.S. for conversion from defense to civilian, socially oriented, R&D activities. NASA, DOD, and AEC were cited as agencies that should participate. (CR, 9/15/70, H8735)
Sen. J. W. Fulbright (D-Ark.) on Senate floor summarized views of 17 economists polled earlier in year by members of his staff in cooperation with conservationist Sierra Club on subject of SST. There was "near-unanimous belief that proceeding with the SST would be unwise and is not justified on economic grounds." (CR, 9/15/70, 515397-405)
New York Times editorial on air piracy: "Is it conceivable that the aerial hijackings by the Palestinian terrorists could have one enduring positive result? Could they provoke or inspire the 126 member governments of the United Nations to concur on a modest advance of the rule of law in international affairs to deal effectively with this crime?" Secretary General U Thant had warned that U.N. had perhaps only another decade in which to become effective or perish. U.N. pioneer Lester Pearson had predicted it would not survive 50 yrs unless it could strengthen machinery to maintain peace and security. "An effective move to restore peace and tranquility to international air travel could be a modest first response to those warnings -if member governments, including the United States, are ready." (NYT, 9/15/70, 44)
George A. Derbyshire, Executive Secretary of NAS-NRC Space Science Board, died in Bethesda, Md., at age 52. He had been responsible for more than 20 scientific reports on lunar programs, space goals, and physics goals, and had directed scientific conferences on space program and planetary exploration. (W Post, 9/18/70, CIO) September 16; U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCCLXII from Plesetsk into orbit with 817-km (507.7-mi) apogee, 269-km (167.2-mi) perigee, 95.4-min period, and 70.9° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 9/30/70; SBD, 9/17/70,77)
Summary of confidential DOT report on SST to President's Council on Environmental Quality was released to press by "qualified sources." Report recommended that SST development proceed pending study of possible minor harmful effects on environment. More research was needed on temperature increases that would be caused by water vapor and exhaust from SST; airport noise from SST would be higher than desired; and occupants of SST would receive radiation doses higher than occupants of subsonic jets flying at lower altitudes. However, SST's steep angle of climb should make overall community noise no higher than noise from existing jets. Exposure of SST passengers and crews to high-altitude radiation would be lessened by SST's greater speed, which would shorten transit time. SST might increase UV radiation reaching earth's surface and decrease ozone in upper atmosphere, but these effects were "insignificant" and within present-day variations. Possible effect on temperature from increased water vapor should be of no practical significance in temperate and tropical zones, but could be of significance in some isolated polar areas. (Thelen, W Post, 9/17/70, A3)
President Nixon in Alfred M. Landon Lecture on Public Issues at Kansas State Univ. noted: "When Palestinian guerrillas hijacked four airliners in flight, they brought to 250 the number of aircraft seized since the skyjacking era began in 1961. And as they held their hundreds of passengers hostage under threat of murder, they sent shock waves of alarm around the world to the spreading disease of violence and terror and its use as a political tactic." (PD, 9/21/70, 1227-33)
Jordanian King Hussein announced formation of military cabinet to meet mounting civil strife. Government of Premier Abdel Moneim al-Rifai had been dismissed in midst of unrest over Arab commandos' hijacking and destruction of four Western airliners and their challenge to Hussein's authority. Civil War followed. (FonF, 9/1723/70,669) - USAF launched Minuteman lII missile from Cape Kennedy to Atlantic target 8047 km (5000 mi) away. (UPI, NYT, 9/18/70, 2)
LeRC was honored with IR-100 award in Chicago for "development of one of the 100 most significant technical products of the year." Sponsored by Industrial Research Inc. of Beverly Shores, Ind., award cited LeRC development of electron-bombardment ion thruster. Award was fourth won by LeRC since it entered IR-100 competition in 1966. (LeRC Release 70-47)
NAA President Frederick B. Lee announced selection of C. R. Smith, former Secretary of Commerce and President of American Airlines, to receive Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy. Smith would be honored at annual memorial dinner Dec. 17 for outstanding contributions to aviation over four decades. (W Star, 9/16/70, A2)
NASA announced publication of Apollo 12: Preliminary Science Report (NASA SP-235), 227-page book containing extensive black-and-white photos, charts, and initial scientific findings of Apollo 12 mission. (NASA Special Release)
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