Jun 6 1969
From The Space Library
NASA'S HL-10 lifting-body vehicle, piloted by Maj. Peter Hoag (USAF), successfully completed 20th flight over Buckhorn, Calif. Vehicle was air-launched from B-52 aircraft at 45,000-ft altitude and glided to landing. (NASA Proj Off)
At New York meeting sponsored by Goddard Institute for Space Studies, MSC, and Columbia Univ.'s Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, MSC scientist Wilbur R. Wollenhaupt said Apollo 8 computer had erred in prediction of spacecraft's position by 15,000 ft in range and 1,500 ft in elevation. Apollo 10 computer erred only 2,000 ft in range and 500 ft in elevation with programming of more accurate model of moon's asymmetrical gravity field. Apollo 10 results made it likely Apollo 11 could be guided to extremely accurate landing in July. Dr. Richard Lingenfelter of UCLA described study of meandering tracks across moon's surface which showed evidence that at least 130 river-like rilles around large circular lunar mare had been formed by flowing water. Evidence was presented from gravity studies and magnetic observations in nearby space that moon's interior was homogeneous rather than subdivided into heavy core surrounded by lighter mantle. (Sullivan, NYT, 6/7/69, 16)
In Life, Hugh Sidey said: "It was just exactly eight years ago that John Kennedy set the moon goal and called the nation into the exciting adventure of space." There have been great space moments in these years, but they have faded rather rapidly as the earth problems pressed in. Now there is a lasting excitement which will build to the big launch Apollo 11 this summer and probably will linger for months or years. . . . History suggests that man, despite his obvious and obsessive miseries, craves something to lift him beyond himself. War too often has been one outlet. Americans in particular have needed a quest, across the mountains or the continent, into the sky and the sea, to the poles or inside the atom." This pointed up "classic dilemma in presidential leadership." Did national pride in space achievement and its technological and military benefits mean more to nation than plans for aid to education, welfare programs, or feeding the hungry? "It could be that the world's ills are not too great to allow such dreams. It could also be that Americans cannot live without them." (Life, 6/6/69, 4)
President Nixon announced intention to appoint Stanford Univ. physicist Hubert B. Heffner as Deputy Director of Office of Science and Technology, succeeding Ivan L. Bennett, Jr., who had resigned. Nomination was submitted to Senate June 9. (PD, 6/9/69, 806; 6/16/69, 845)
NAS and NAE issued Scientific and Technical Communication: A Pressing National Problem and Recommendations for Its Solution. Committee on Scientific and Technical Communication (SATCOM) emphasized need for maintaining pluralistic, diverse communication activities in science and engineering as opposed to monolithic, centralized system and recommended 55 methods for meeting accelerating growth of technical data-product of $27-billion R&D enterprise in U.S. Recommendations included creation of Joint Commission on Scientific and Technical Communications responsible to NAS-NAE councils to stimulate greater coordination among private organizations and facilitate interaction with government. (Text; NAS Release; NAS-NRC-NAE News Rpt, 5-7/69, 1)
Florida Legislature passed concurrent resolution asking President Nixon and Congress to restore name "Cape Canaveral" to Cape Kennedy, subject to agreement by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), brother of late President John F. Kennedy. Original Spanish name meant "plantation of cane." (AP, W Star, 6/7/69, Al)
“Barnstorming the Moon” Apollo 10 article in Life Magazine
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
