Feb 27 1972
From The Space Library
Launch of NASA'S Pioneer-F Jupiter probe was postponed because of momentary power shutdown at Eastern Test Range launch pad. (NYT, 3/1/72, 4)
Lunar samples returned to earth by U.S.S.R.'s unmanned Luna 20 (launched Feb. 14) were removed from core tube and examined by scientists at Soviet Academy of Sciences. Tass said lunar material consisted of small round anorthosite stones in ash-colored dust significantly lighter than slate-colored dust recovered by Luna 16 (Sept. 12-24, 1970) . Core material in drill tube was placed in huge cylindrical chamber. After chamber had been sealed, pumps produced vacuum and then introduced an unidentified sterilizing gas which was later replaced with helium gas. After 14-hr procedure, samples were removed from tube and placed on steel tray for examination. (Shabad, NYT, 2/28/72, 17)
More than 70 industrial firms, universities, laboratories, and government agencies were using NASTRAN (NASA's structural analysis computer program) to solve their structural engineering problems, NASA announced. NASTRAN was general-purpose program originally designed to analyze behavior of elastic structures in space program. One major use had been in design of space shuttle. More than 600 engineers had been made familiar with NASTRAN since it was made available to public in November 1970 and program was being used in more than 185 different applications, with at least 55 more planned. Firms using NASTRAN predicted many improvements in product safety, reliability, and quality as direct benefit to their customers. (NASA Release 72- 40)
Apollo 11 Astronaut Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., blamed pressures of public life following participation in first lunar landing July 20, 1969, for mental condition that had forced him to seek psychiatric help. In interview published by Los Angeles Times, Aldrin-who had announced retirement as Commandant of Aerospace Research Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., effective March 1-said he was writing book about "personal experiences." (LA Times, 2/27/72, Al)
U.S.S.R. had tested new SS-NX-8 underwater ballistic missile with 5600-km (3000-nm) range, according to sources quoted by New York Times. Adm. Thomas H. Moorer, Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff, had said weapon "might soon be ready for operational deployment" if tests were successful. (NYT, 2/27/72, 10)
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