Feb 15 1969
From The Space Library
Project Tektite, multiagency-industry program to determine ability of men to perform scientific research mission while living isolated on ocean floor under saturated diving conditions for long period, began at St. John, Virgin Islands. Four U.S. aquanauts, Richard A. Waller, H. Edward Clifton, John G. Van Derwalker, and Conrad V. W. Mahnken jumped into sea at Beehive Cove and swam to "habitat," underwater capsule moored 42 ft below sea level for 60-day experiments. Tektite program was jointly sponsored by USN, NASA, and Dept. of the Interior, with participation by U.S. Coast Guard. Prime contractor, General Electric Co." furnished undersea habitat. NASA and USN behavioral and biomedical teams would observe aquanauts continuously to identify psychological and physiological reactions to long-term mission performed in hostile and isolated environment common to undersea and space missions. (NASA OMSF PAO ; Lannan, W Star, 2/16/69, A3; 2/17/69, A6)
Pope Paul VI received Apollo 8 Astronaut Frank Borman and family for 17-min audience in Papal library. Pope said in English, "Man's reaching out to unravel the mysteries of the universe reveals more and more the wonders of God's work and shows forth His glory." Pope Paul sent personal greetings to Astronaut James A. McDivitt who had audience in 1967. (UPI, W Star, 2/16/69, C5)
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