Jan 6 1972
From The Space Library
Apollo 16 command module (CM) pilot Thomas K. Mattingly II described some of Apollo 16 experiments at Manned Spacecraft Center press conference. ALFMED (Apollo light-flash moving- emulsion detector) experiment would test hypothesis that light flashes seen by astronauts on previous Apollo missions were "high energy particles, nuclei of heavy particles coming from the sun with a great deal of energy penetrating and causing some response in the eyeball by perhaps triggering one of the photocells in your eye. It may ... be hitting the optic nerve, or it may be going into the head or some other location and creating a stimulus which appears to be a visual clue." MEED (microbial ecological evaluation device), a package containing organisms, would be carried to determine effect of ultraviolet (uv) radiation, solar radiations, and zero g. MEED would be opened during extravehicular activity (EVA) and exposed to sun; parts of experiment would be exposed to uv radiation and parts to different bands of solar spectrum. Organisms would be covered by superimposed filters; colony of one material could be exposed to different wavelengths by using different filters. Biostack, West German-made package of organisms in silicon biological material, would be carried to investigate effects of high-energy particles on the organisms. Photographic tasks would include photography of solar corona and two new areas at galactic poles, Gegenschein experiment, and uv photography of earth. (Transcript)
NASA's Mariner 9 Mars probe photographed area of Mars 800 km (500 mi) from south pole from 3335-km (2072-mi) altitude. Photos, released to press Jan. 11, showed pits and hollows-including two large closed basins 16 km (10 mi) wide-with more detail than seen before. According to Dr. Carl E. Sagan of Cornell Univ., spots occurred in sizes from more than 160 km (100 mi) to size of Yankee Stadium in New York. Many blotches seemed to be associated with craters, cating that they might be wind shadows where hill or other feature had protected downwind area from dust deposition. (Sullivan, NYT, 1/12/72, 1)
NASA announced establishment of joint Civil Aeronautical Research and Development (CARD) Review Group by National Aeronautics and Space Council, Dept. of Transportation, and NASA to help maintain close relationships among agencies with interests and responsibilities in aeronautics. (NMI 1052.160)
Sen. Walter F. Mondale (D-Minn.) in press release called for "full and open debate" on space shuttle development issue, "leading to the rejection of this wasteful program." It was "typical' that Nixon Administration "can squander $6.5 billion to fly four people into orbit when it refuses to invest less than one-third that amount to provide desperately needed day care and development programs for millions of children." Space shuttle was "many times worse than ssr" in "magnitude of its cost, in the folly of its concept and in its damage to the country." (Text)
President Nixon's decision to support development of space shuttle was expected to stir "some loud opposition in Congress," New York Times said, "but probably not enough to sidetrack initial funding. . " Opposition was expected "from those who question the President's decision to back an expensive new space effort at a time when so many down-to-earth social programs have to wait in line for a share of the Federal dollar." NASA officials had expressed "confidence that they have sufficient Congressional support for an initial shuttle appropriation." (Wilford, NYT, 1/6/72, 14)
Soviet Space Programs, 1966-70 (Senate Document 92-51) was released by Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences. The 670-page report-prepared by Library of Congress under direction of Dr. Charles S. Sheldon II, Chief of Science Policy Research Div.-noted that Soviet space program remained "a strong and growing enterprise" unhindered by budgetary strain and undimmed by deaths of three Soyuz cosmonauts in 1971. Current level of Soviet space activity exceeded that of U.S. at its peak in 1966, with perhaps 2% of Soviet gross national product devoted to space (U.S. spent about 1% of its GNP at peak). Although U.S. launch record had been declining steadily since 1966, Soviet launches had continued to climb, at least until 1970. Contrary to assertion that it was concentrating its efforts on unmanned program rather than manned program, U.S.S.R. apparently was still planning manned lunar landing and might spend $49 million on both advanced unmanned and manned lunar programs. U.S. would have committed $35 billion to total Apollo program when complete. In unmanned research satellite program "the level of activity currently runs ahead of the corresponding level of work at NASA." Compendium of every known Soviet launch that had achieved orbit showed that, along with scientific satellites, Cosmos program consisted of unmanned tests of spacecraft designed to carry cosmonauts, lunar and planetary probes that failed to leave earth orbit, unsuccessful Mars probes, and military research and development and observation satellites that accounted for 80% of Cosmos payloads. According to study, Cosmos series through April 1971 had included at least 16 tests of fractional orbital bombardment system (FOBS) and 22 tests of experimental spacecraft designed to inspect and destroy other nations' observation and navigation satellites. Soviet achievements in near future were dependent on success or failure of G booster (in Saturn V class) or similar booster. Studies of moon with Luna series spacecraft would continue, perhaps with spacecraft launched by advanced booster carrying both rovers and sample returners. Planetary program would continue, probably with flyby mission to Jupiter and landing mission to Mars. Dr. Sheldon stressed that "the Soviet program is not a sham. It may be exploited for political purposes, but it is real and it is pursued in earnest." (Text)
Super Areas sounding rocket, launched by NASA from Wallops Station, carried Pennsylvania State Univ, experiment to 66.8•km (41.5-mi) altitude to measure electrical conductivity in upper atmosphere with parachute-borne payload and to flight-certify payload and vehicle for later launches. Although some data were missed because of lower apogee than planned, flight was judged successful. (NASA Rpt SaL)
National Science Foundation released Scientists, Engineers, and Physi- cians from Abroad: Trends Through Fiscal Year 1970. Immigrant scientists and engineers admitted to U.S. in FY 1970 totaled 13 300-one third more than in 1969 and two and one half times 1965 number. Increases over 1965 level had occurred under October 1965 amendments to immigration law. More than 50% of immigrant scientists and engineers in 1970 had last lived in Asia. In 1965, only 10% of smaller total had been from Asia. Total of 2900 Indian scientists and engineers in 1970 had been largest number admitted from any one country over last 20 yrs. (Text)
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