May 21 1970
From The Space Library
Operation of electron-bombardment thruster on board NASA's Sert II. satellite (launched Feb. 3) was interrupted when excessive arcing triggered automatic shutdown. LeRC controllers returned engine to full thrust within 11 hrs. (NASA Release 70-79)
Apollo 12 Astronaut Charles Conrad, Jr., said in Memphis, Tenn., that U.S. could probably explore Mars or other planets in 13 to 15 yrs but "it will be terribly expensive." Following speech at annual Navy League convention, he told press: "I don't believe we will ever see one nation do it. I look for a multiple-nation group.... Some have as good or better technology and such a combination would not impose abnormal costs on any one." (AP, Knoxville News-Sentinel, 5/22170)
NASA announced award of $1-million contract to TRW Inc. for initial design of subsatellite to be placed in lunar orbit on Apollo 16 and 18 missions. Satellite would operate for year, providing information on charged particles and earth's magnetic field in lunar vicinity. (MSC Release 70-56)
President Nixon signed into law H.R. 14465, to provide for expansion and improvement of U.S. airport and airways system and for imposition of airport and airway user charges.(PD, 55/70, 680)
DOT issued statement defending SST: There was "'little or no substance to the claims of SST critics that harm will result from the plane's development, [and] there are some very real threats to the national interest if it is not put into production on schedule." Planned SST flight rules would confine aircraft's noise to airfield. There was "no scientific support" for allegation that supersonic flights at 18 300 m (60 000 ft) would pollute upper atmosphere and change world's weather. Overpass Of SST at supersonic speeds would not disrupt earth's natural environment. Without SST program, "United States would surely lose its world leadership as an aircraft supplier." Loss Of SST sales, "combined with the increased purchase by U.S. airlines of foreign-built supersonics, is estimated to result in an unfavorable swing of some $16 billion in balance of payments through 1990." Halt or slowdown in SST program "would be equally serious to the domestic economy." (Text)
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