Sep 16 1970
From The Space Library
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)
September 16-17: European and U.S. representatives met on cooperation in post-Apollo space program, at Dept. of State in Washington, D.C. Participating were Theo Lefevre, President of European Space Conference; Lord Bessborough, U.K. Minister of State; J. F. Denisse, representing French Minister for Scientific Research; U. Alexis Johnson, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs; Dr. Edward E. David, Jr., Presidential Science Adviser; Dr. George M. Low, Acting NASA Administrator; and William A. Anders, NASC Executive Secretary. Meetings explored development and use of advanced space transportation system and space station and continued use by European Space Conference members of existing U.S. launch vehicles for their own space programs. (State Dept. Release 272)
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