Jun 18 1971
From The Space Library
Space News for this day. (1MB PDF)
Discoveries of identical, complex patterns of amino acids and pyrimidines in two meteorites might indicate basic phase of chemical evolution leading to origin of life, ARC scientist Dr. Cyril A. Ponnamperuma told meeting of New York Academy of Sciences. Team of ARC scientists had found that Murray meteorite that fell in Kentucky in 1950 had same 18 amino acids, plus two pyrimidines, as were discovered in December 1970 in Murchison meteorite (which fell in Victoria, Australia, in September 1969). "Starting with these 18 amino acids, it would be theoretically possible to build up a living organism." Discovery appeared to be first conclusive proof of extraterrestrial chemical evolution, strengthening case for chemical evolution theory and increasing likelihood of life elsewhere in universe. (NASA Release 71-709)
David S. Gabriel, Deputy Manager of AEC-NASA Space Nuclear Systems Office, was appointed by Bruce T. Lundin, LeRC Director, to chair Centaur Quality and Workmanship Review Board. Board was to "carefully examine and reevaluate the philosophy, practices and procedures employed in the Centaur quality assurance and workmanship program" and to report findings and recommendations by mid-August 1971. (Review of Recent Launch Failures, House Sci & Astro Com, NASA Oversight Subcom, 10/71; ossA )
U.S.S.R.'s Lunokhod 1 lunar rover, on moon's Sea of Rains, completed experiments for eighth lunar day and was put in stationary position for lunar night. Experiments had included examinations of lunar rocks, stereoscopic panoramic photography, and measurements of chemical composition and physico- mechanical properties of crater 150 m (164 yds) in diameter. Vehicle had traveled more than 10 km (6 mi) sine landing on moon Nov. 17, 1970, and was still functioning normally. (Sov Rpt, 7/8/71, 12)
Second phase of joint NASA, Dept. of Agriculture, and corn belt states 1971 Corn Blight Watch Experiment [see May 17] had been completed and participating RB-57F aircraft was photographing seven-state area of about 11.7 million hectares (45 000 sq mi) in third phase of experiment, NASA announced. (NASA Release 71-112)
Pravda described French bubble hydrogen-filled chamber "Mirabelle," scheduled to enter operation soon for particle research. Active volume of chamber was cylinder 4.5 m (14.8 ft) long and 16 m (52.5 ft) high with 1.6-m (5.3-ft) diameter. In opinion of Soviet Academy of Sciences member Anatoly Logunov, "the considerable volume of `Mira-belle' will make it possible . . . to trace the mechanism of birth of new particles during the collision of the known ones. It is also planned to carry out a research into the symmetry of elementary particles. The chamber which has almost the largest volume in the world today in the aggregate with the most powerful in the world Serphukov Accelerator is a qualitatively new means for research into . . elementary particles." (Fms-Sov- 71-120, 6/22/71, L3)
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