Mar 15 1969
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCLXXI from Plesetsk. Orbital parameters: apogee, 310 km (192.6 mi) ; perigee, 187 km (116.2 mi) ; period, 89.7 min; and inclination, 65.4°. Satellite reentered March 23. (GSFC SSR, 3/15/69; 3/31/69; SBD 3/18/69, 78)
In press interview Transportation Secretary John A. Volpe said he favored building SST. "I certainly don't want to see our country play second fiddle . . . and if this is feasible and economical to build and operate and the economy of the nation budget-wise will permit it, I probably would like to see it go ahead." (UPI, W Star, 3/16/69, All)
In letter to Ambassador Gerard C. Smith, Head of U.S. Delegation to Geneva Disarmament Committee Meeting and Director of Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, President Nixon issued instructions: Delegation was to seek discussion of international agreement prohibiting placement of weapons of mass destruction on seabed, Support conclusion of comprehensive test ban adequately verified, press for agreement to end production of fissionable materials for weapons and transfer materials to peaceful uses, explore proposals for control of chemical and biological weapons, understand that actual reduction of armaments remained U.S. goal, and remember U.S. hoped international situation would permit U.S.-U.S.S.R. talks on strategic arms limitation soon. (PD, 3/24/69, 434-5)
First Soviet press and radio reports of President's ABM announcement spotlighted-without comment-statement that proposed program should not complicate U.S.-U.S.S.R. nuclear arms control talks. Moscow Radio described decision as "compromise" after "exceptionally fierce" congressional struggle over any "antimissile defense system" with "monopolistic corporations and Congressmen faithful to them" favoring powerful system. (Marder, W Post, 3/16/69, Al)
March 15-17: NASA released Apollo 9 pictures-including detailed shots of CM, LM, S-IVB, and Astronaut Schweikart during EVA ; 70-mm color still pictures; and 16-mm color movies. Pictures of earth showed clear views of major cities across Southern U.S. and U.S. East Coast from North Carolina to Long Island. (UPI, C Trib, 3/18/69; W Star, 3/16/69, Al; W Post, 3/18/69, Al)
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