Apr 28 1970
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Meteor IV from Plesetsk to photograph snow and cloud cover and study "atmospheric thermal energy radiated by the earth." Orbital parameters: apogee, 743 km (461.7 mi); perigee, 636 km (395.2 mi); period, 98.2 min; and inclination, 81.2°. Equipment was functioning satisfactorily. (GSFC SSR, 4/20/70; AP, W Post, 4/30/70, A34; SBD, 5/6/70, 25)
Apollo 13 manned lunar landing mission (APril 11-17), aborted after 56 hrs of flight, was officially adjudged unsuccessful by NASA. (NASA Proj Off)
MSC announced award of $34 065 390 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Boeing Co. Southeast Div. to define letter contract for systems engineering and conduct flight readiness assessment for Apollo program. Contract would cover Jan. 1, 1970, through Dec. 31, 1970, with options for 1971 and 1972. (MSC Release 70-45)
Appointment of Apollo 8 commander Frank Borman as Vice President of Eastern Airlines was announced by EA Vice President and Executive Officer Floyd D. Hall. Borman would assume new duties after completing course for executives at Harvard Univ. (EA Release)
Aerobee 150 sounding rocket launched by NASA from Churchill Research Range carried ARC experiment to study dust particles in atmosphere. (SR list)
U.S.S.R. was using long- and medium-range bombers and, possibly, communications satellites to coordinate global naval exercises, Don sources were reported as saying. No violations of territorial air space of any nation had been reported. (UPI, C Trib, 4/26/70, A4; AP, NYT, 4129/70,8)
James McCormack announced he would not continue as ComSatCorp Chairman and Chief Executive Officer beyond annual shareholders meeting scheduled for May 12. He would continue as a director. (ComSatCorp Release 70-5)
Baltimore Sun editorial commented on Communist Chinese satellite launch: "Of course Peking still runs far behind America and Russia in nuclear and space development.... But not nearly so far behind as only a few years ago. And apart from conjectures about progress in missilery, 'Following Star' [satellite] is a reminder of the potential military dimensions of space which may acquire a new 'importance now that China has entered the extraterrestrial realm." (B Sun, 4/28/70, A 10)
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