Jul 29 1970
From The Space Library
Cosmos CCCLIV was launched by U.S.S.R. from Baikonur into orbit with 208-km (129.3-mi) apogee, 144-km (89.5-mi) perigee, and 50° inclination. Satellite reentered same day. (GSFC SSR, 7/31/ 70; SBD, 7/30/70, 128; Spacewarn, 8/11170, 1)
Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, held press conference at NASA Hq. to comment on his resignation, submitted July 28: "When I faced up to the job in the Space Agency. . there were two major responsibilities, . One. . .was the meeting of the commitment. . .[to] land on the Moon within the decade. . .and the second was to lay out he post-Apollo program which would follow. . . . The action that was taken yesterday by the Congress in conference, which essentially gave us more than ninety-eight percent of the monies that the President had approved for the 1971 budget, but more importantly followed a very intensive review by Congress of the proposals we had made for the new space, program of the seventies, in many ways represents a major step forward in the second concern which I had, which was to lay out the post Apollo program and secure initial approval for it in the Administration and the Congress." NASA "had reached the point where the person who heads up the space program should be prepared now to devote very many months to the prosecution of this new program. . and it was my conclusion that this was an excellent time for a change of command at NASA, since, for personal reasons, I could not give it the many months of continuing activity which would be required." Questioned about future space projects, Dr. Paine said he had found "great depth of support" for space program in U.S. and in foreign countries. Space program was valuable to Nation and world, was on solid foundation, and would probably be funded by Government on its present level or a little higher. He identified key issues facing NASA in FY 1972 budget as future of Apollo program, particularly with suspension of Saturn V production and continuing need to reassess best use of each booster, and question of relative priority within limited resources of Space Shuttle, space station, space tug, scientific missions, application of satellite programs, and increased aeronautical R&D. "It's very important. . .that we take a very long range view because. the direction that the space program takes in the 1970's is indeed going to cast a shadow trough to the end of the century." (Transcript)
House adopted conference report on H.R. 17548, FY 1971 Independent Offices and HUD appropriations bill, which contained $3,269-billion NASA appropriation and $513-million NSF appropriation after defeating motion to reconsider by vote of 227 to 156. (CR, 7/29/70, H7368-82)
Astronaut James A. Lovell, Jr., Apollo 13 commander, received insignia of Chevalier of French Legion of Honor from French Ambassador Charles Lucet during ceremonies at French Embassy in Washington, D.C. (CR, 7/31/70, 512536-7; Dixon, W Star, 7/370, C1)
Western Union Telegraph Co. announced it had filed proposal with FCC to build domestic satellite system to serve all 50 states. Application called for launching of three comsats, initial construction of six earth stations, and construction of 31 terrestrial microwave stations. First comsat would be launched two years after FCC approval. (Western Union Release)
MSC announced award of contract supplements: North American Rockwell Corp. received $92 449 970 for changes in Apollo CSM contract. Agreement formally incorporated changes to increase mission duration, add scientific instrument module (SIM), and provide experiment integration and brought total value of cost plus-fixed-fee/award-fee contract since August 1963 to $3.724 billion. Grumman Aerospace Corp. received $7974400 for changes in Apollo LM contract. Agreement formally incorporated changes previously authorized by NASA for modification to contractor's maintenance and repair program. Modifications brought total value of cost plus-incentive-fee contract since January 1963 to $1.681 billion. (MSC Releases 70-83, 70-84)
Dr. W. D. McElroy, NSF Director, called for reevaluation of U.S. science and technology policies in testimony before House Committee on Science and Astronautics' Subcommittee on Science, Research, and Development. He proposed smooth transition between science and its applications by ensuring continued support of basic science by mission-oriented agencies; raising level of support for academic science from 18% to 35% or 40% of total Federal expenditure; elimination of conflict between "big science" (high-energy physics, etc.) and "little science" (projects of equal importance but smaller scale); long-term, level funding for science to avoid periodic ups and downs; Government sponsoring and funding of research on national problems to avoid competition with "normal" flow of research; and system of priorities with built-in "safeguards to hedge against imprudent judgments." (Testimony)
AP quoted anti-Communist Hong Kong newspaper Ming Pao as reporting Communist China would test her first ICBM before Oct. 1. Chinese army officer in Peking had said missile had sufficient range to reach North America. (AP, W Star, 7/29/70, A11)
USN had identified Soviet trawler cruising off ETR as electronic spy ship Laptev, UPI reported. Vessel's presence reportedly would not affect launch. of Poseidon missile from U.S. nuclear submarine James Madison, which had been rescheduled for as early as Aug. 3, (W Post, 7/30/70, A4)
Mexican Foreign Relations Secretary Antonio Carrillo Flores said he had received assurances from U.S. State Dept. that test-firing of Athena missiles from Green River, Utah, would be suspended until correction of mechanical failure that had caused Athena to veer off course and crashland in Mexico July 11. Search for missile was continuing. (UPI, W Post, 7/30/70, A 14)
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