Aug 2 1971
From The Space Library
Twin eight-cent stamps commemorating decade of U.S. achievement in space were issued during ceremonies at KSC, MSC, and MSFC in conjunction with Apollo 15 mission. Stamps, depicting Apollo 15 lunar landing and LRV carrying Apollo 15 astronauts, later went on sale throughout U.S. (MSFC Release 71-132; NYT, 7/18/71, 24; W Star, 8/1/71, B7, MSFC PAO)
Interview of Dr. Rocco A. Petrone, Apollo Program Director, was published by U.S. News & World Report. Dr. Petrone said: "Many people think Apollo had only a singular goal-that is, land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth. That was not the only goal of Apollo. Very clearly, in President Kennedy's address to the Congress in May of 1961, a landing on the moon was chosen as a focal point. The intention was that the U.S. would become preeminent in space-learning to operate, I believe as President Kennedy said, on a new ocean, a new frontier." Space research was "definitely relevant. Many of the problems we're trying to solve have to do with the environment. We've already made a head start in that field with our work on spaceships, which requires that we carry the environment with us. We have got to purify the gases we have, we've got to remove odors, we have to restore the oxygen we use.... We are learning how to rehabilitate an environment. These tools, these techniques, the understandings will have relevance here on earth." (US News, 8/2/71)
Newspapers commented on Apollo 15 mission, while astronauts were exploring lunar surface. Christian Science Monitor editorial praised Apollo 15: "Once again, a superbly synchronized lunar mission has proven man's capacity to focus the knowledge of hundreds of specialists to achieve a singular goal. Apollo 15 is one more grand historic achievement. It testifies to the benefit that science and technology, properly harnessed, can reap for mankind." (CSM, 8/2/71)
French novelist and TV critic Jean Dutourd commented on Apollo 15 TV coverage in France Soir. It had made him walk away from TV set. "It must be confessed," he wrote, "that these experiments are an unspeakable bore." (Reuters, W Post, 8/3/71, All)
New York Times editorial defended manned space flight: "After Apollos 16 and 17 next year, there are no known plans of any nation to send any more men to the moon. A vast and complex technology developed at the cost of many billions of dollars over the last decade is being abandoned even as its vast potentialities are being demonstrated. If American resources do not permit manned lunar exploration beyond the end of next year, the United Nations should take over the task, appealing to all governments for funds and soliciting contributions as well from private individuals and private business enterprises. The dusty planet that is the moon could become the planet of human cooperation, a new frontier of hope for all man-kind." (NYT, 8/2/71, 22)
Senate approved conference report submitted July 26 on H.R. 9382, FY 1972 Hun-space-science appropriations bill that included $3.298-billion NASA and $619-million NSF appropriations. Bill was cleared for President's approval. (CR, 8/2/71, 512832-4; PD, 8/16/71, 1157)
Louis H. Brennwald, former Vice President of Northrop Aircraft Corp. in charge of Puerto Rico operations, became Director of Administration for Ames Research Center. (ARC Astrogram, 9/2/71, 1; ARC Pro)
Senate by vote of 49 to 48 passed and cleared for President's approval H.R. 8432, authorizing $250 million for emergency loan guarantees to major business enterprises. Legislation ended immediate threat of bankruptcy to Lockheed Aircraft Corp. and assured Lockheed adequate funds to complete construction of L- 1011 TriStar jet transport aircraft, Washington Post later said. President Nixon issued statement following Senate action: "The Senate's decision to approve a government loan to the Lockheed Corporation is in the best interests of all the American people. I greet this vote-as I greeted the vote in the House of Representatives last week-with gratitude and deep satisfaction. This action will save tens of thousands of jobs that would otherwise have been eliminated. It will have a major impact on the economy of California, and will contribute greatly to the economic strength of the country as a whole. It will help ensure that the Nation's largest defense contractor, and its largest airframe manufacturer, will continue serving the Nation's needs. It will also help ensure that this country will continue to play a leading role in the development of aerospace technology." (CR, 8/2/71, 512823-63; Samuelson, W Post, 8/3/71, Al; PD, 8/9/71, 116-7)
August 2-6: U.S. and Soviet scientists met in Moscow to recommend joint projects and exchanges in near-earth space research, investigations of moon and planets, development of space meteorology, and space applications related to natural environment. Recommendations of three working groups representing NASA and Soviet Academy of Sciences would be forwarded to Academy President Mstislav V. Keldysh and to Dr. George M. Low, NASA Deputy Administrator, for consideration. U.S. participants were led by Dr. John E. Naugle, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications; Deputy Associate Administrator (Science) Leonard Jaffe; and NOAA's Director of National Environmental Satellite Services David S. Johnson. U.S.S.R. participants were headed by Dr. Boris N. Petrov, Chairman of Council for International Cooperation in Space Research of Soviet Academy of Sciences; Vice President Aleksander P. Vinogradov of Soviet Academy; and Deputy Chief L. A. Aleksandrov, Deputy Chief for Technology, Main Administration of Hydrometeorology Services, U.S.S.R. Council of Ministers. (NASA Release 71-147; NASA Int Aft)
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