Feb 10 1970
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCCXXIII into orbit with 314km (195.1-mi) apogee, 200-km (124.3-mi) perigee, 89.6-min period, and 65.3° inclination. Satellite reentered Feb. 18. (GSFC SSR, 2/15/ 70;2/28/70)
NASA Hq. briefing explained to university administrators effects of NASA budget cuts on funds for educating space scientists. Termination of sustaining university program in FY 1971 would eliminate more than 200 predoctoral training grants which had been funded at $4.18 million. Funding for multidisciplinary research grants also would end. Students would not be cut off immediately, since grants had been step-funded and would be reduced over three years. NASA Assistant Administrator for University Affairs F. B. Smith said other agencies might assume funding of some grants, since university R&D funding in total Federal budget would increase by $114 million during FY 1971. Presidential Science Adviser, Dr. Lee A. DuBridge, said increase would not compensate for leveling off of R&D budgets in past few years nor for effects of inflation. He noted Government support for graduate students was declining generally and said Government did not need as many scientists as previously. Total $21 million would be cut by NASA in contracts and grants to universities. In OSSA, university R&D grants in bioscience would be cut by 30%. Cuts would eliminate a high-energy astronomical observatory. OART would experience 30% cut in university R&D, chiefly affecting electronics and space vehicles research. OMSF contracts with MIT for Apollo program would be reduced by $2 million. University grants and contracts which survived would be reoriented in FY 1971, with emphasis on what universities could do for NASA. (NASA Off of Univ Aff.; Gruchow, Science, 2/20/70, 1107)
President Nixon recommended to Congress 37-point administrative and legislative program on environmental quality. It included five year, $10-billion Clean Waters Act; more rigorous standards to limit pollution by automobiles; establishment of nationwide air quality standards and power to enforce compliance; extension of Solid Waste Disposal Act; use of Federal land near metropolitan areas for recreational purposes; and enlistment of volunteer aid in restoring healthy environment. (PD, 2/16/70, 158-73)
U.S. Patent Office granted patent No. 3 495 260 to GSFC engineers Charles R. Laughlin and Roger C. Hollenbaugb for North Atlantic air traffic control system using satellite. System, in which aircraft would transmit positions to ground stations and data would be relayed to all aircraft via satellite, would be tested with ATS in 1972 or 1973. Position of SSTs flying at three times speed of subsonic aircraft would be calculated by computers and supplied to traffic controllers. (NYT; 2/14/70)
NASA issued RFPS to 14 firms for engineering study on space environment in which average person could work, sleep, eat, and relax comfortably and efficiently for long periods. Objective of study was to prepare handbooks to be used for basic criteria for design and to set standards. (MSC Release 70-23)
Inter-Academy Exchange program of NAS and Soviet Academy of Sciences, renewed and broadened for 1970 and 1971, was signed. Agreement, negotiated in Washington, D.C., was latest in series of two-year agreements begun in 1959. It was retroactive to Jan. 1, 1970. Pact provided for 180 man-months of study in U.S. by scientists designated by Soviet Academy and for 180 man-months of research in U.S.S.R. by scientists selected by NAS. It also contained provision for joint research. (NAS-NRC-NAE News Rpt, 3/70, 1 NAS PIO)
NASA launched two sounding rockets from Churchill Research Range. Nike-Tomahawk carried Univ. of Alaska payload to examine spatial distribution of ionospheric currents near visual auroral forms, ex amine relationship between electron and proton precipitation and usual auroral distributions produced by precipitation, and track flashing light on payload with image orthicon TV system while simultaneously observing aurora. Payload penetrated intense auroral arc forms near northern edge of auroral breakup. All experiments operated successfully and TV system tracked rocket through aurora. Nike-Apache carried Univ. of Texas at Dallas experiment to study ionosphere. Mission did not meet minimum scientific requirements. (NASA Rpt SRL ; SR list)
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