Aug 7 1972
From The Space Library
Intense solar storm detected by NASA's OSA 7 July 26 produced fourth major explosion. First three explosions had been Aug. 2. During one hour, storm produced enough energy to meet U.S. demand for electrical power for 100 yrs at present rate of consumption. Storm had caused blackout of short-wave radio transmissions in polar regions, disruptions in long-distance U.S. telephone communications, and south-ward extension of aurora borealis. [See also Aug. 2 and 13 and During October.] (NASA Release 72-179; Reuters, B Sun, 8/7/72, A6)
NASA held separate Headquarters debriefings for three losing aerospace firms in $2.6-billion space shuttle contract competition. North American Rockwell had won contract July 26. Grumman Aerospace Corp. President Joseph G. Gavin, Jr., told press after Grumman debriefing that his firm was unsuccessful largely because its shuttle design was more "conservative" than that of NR. Gavin said NASA officials had considered "mission suitability" and not management problems as weakness in Grumman bid. Grumman design had more complex swing arms to hold shuttle stationary before launch and lacked "background with h large cryogenic tanking" used in shuttle's fuel supply. Grumman design ad also been more expensive than NR version. Spokesmen for other losers, Lockheed Aircraft Corp. and McDonnell Douglas Corp., declined to comment after debriefings. [See also Oct. 4.] (Andean, NYT, 8/8/72)
President Nixon transmitted to Congress Environmental Quality: The Third Annual Report of the Council on Environmental Quality- August 1972. He said: "I am pleased that the data presented ... indicate that the quality of the air in many of our cities is improving. Across the nation, emissions from automobiles-a significant portion of total emissions-are declining. We can expect these welcome trends to accelerate as the new standards and compliance schedules called for by the Clean Air Act of 1970 become fully effective." New legislation was "badly needed" in number of areas but international efforts toward "cleaner and healthier environment" were "hopeful sign that the productive pursuits of peace are coming gradually to command increasing attention in the discourse and competition among nations." President cited as examples of international efforts U.S.-U.S.S.R. Cooperative Agreement on Environmental Protection signed May 23, June 5-16 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, and proposal for World Heritage Trust which he made in 1971. (PD, 8/14/72, 1216-9)
Pravda published description by correspondent Pavel Barashev of his flight aboard first serial Tu-144 Soviet supersonic transport aircraft. Aircraft had reached speed of nearly 2500 km per hr (1500 mph). "When the engine started I expected a roar but even when all four of them were working it was unusually quiet in the cabin even for a jet plane." (Tass, FBIS-Sov, 8/7/72, Ll)
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