Jun 8 1971
From The Space Library
USAF launched Sesp satellite on Thor-Burner II booster from Vandenberg AFB into orbit with 579.4-km (360-mi) apogee, 544- km (338-mi) perigee, 95.8-min period, and 90.2° inclination. Satellite would test infrared celestial mapping sensor system. (GSFC SSR, 6/30/71; Pres Rpt 72; SBD, 6/11/71, 221)
Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences favorably reported H.R. 7109, $3.281-billion NASA FY 1972 authorization bill- $152 million less than $3.433 billion approved by House June 3 and almost $10 million above NASA request of $3.271 billion. Committee deleted $45 million increase voted by House for Skylab and additional $25 million House had voted for space shuttle. Committee version of bill would provide $2.543 billion for R&D, $55.3 million for construction of facilities, and $681.3 million for research and program management. Total of $3.281 billion was lowest total recommended by Senate Committee since FY 1962 and was $35.1 million less than total Committee recommended in FY 1971. (S Rpt 92-146)
U.S.S.R.'s Mars 2 and Mars 3 spacecraft were functioning normally en route to Mars, Tass announced. At 6:00 am Moscow time June 8 (11:00 pm EDT June 7) Mars 2, launched May 19, had completed 14 communications sessions and was 4 897 000 km (3 042 900 mi) from earth. Mars 3, launched May 28, had completed 19 communications sessions and was 2 880 000 km (1 789 000 mi) from earth. (Sov Rpt, 6/25/71, 7)
FAA released statistics on aircraft hijacking: Since 1961, 28 persons had been convicted for hijacking U.S. aircraft and had received sentences of up to 50 yrs or life; 12 cases were awaiting trial or outcome of mental examinations; and in 8 others charges had been dismissed when offenders were committed to mental institutions. FAA said 146 persons had participated in 113 successful and unsuccessful hijackings of U.S. aircraft. Of these, 92 persons were listed as fugitives, one of whom was believed to have committed suicide. Fifteen hijackers who fled to Cuba had returned and had been tried. (FAA Release 71-82)
NR Rocketdyne Div. had been granted $26 228 158 contract modification for continued support on Saturn launch vehicle rocket engines, MSFC announced. Contract effective July 1, 1971, through Dec. 31, 1972-allowed analysis of F-1, J-2, and H-1 engine performance, field engineering, logistics, and retention of Rocketdyne problem-solving group for remainder of Saturn program. (MSFC Release 71-97)
Washington Daily News editorial commented on Salyut 1-Soyuz 11 mission: "What is significant ... is not the docking, in itself, but the evidence of the Soviet Union's zealous determination to exceed every-body in space-for whatever purpose, There is nothing in all this that the U.S. space agency cannot, when it chooses, accomplish-given the funds and priorities. It is not a question of firsts-the U.S. has had its share of those, and more. The difference is that to Russia the priorities and judgments are made in one place, the Kremlin. In the United States, not only the space agency but the President, Congress and the prevailing public mood share the decisions," (W News, 6/8/71)
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