Mar 6 1975
From The Space Library
NASA announced early findings of the 3 Dec. 1974 Pioneer 11 flyby of Jupiter. Data returned by Pioneer 11 (launched 5 April 1973, and renamed Pioneer-Saturn following the flyby) suggested that Jupiter's magnetic field might be created by a large ring current and many eddies deep within the planet. Earlier measurements from Pioneer 10, launched toward Jupiter on 2 March 1972, had indicated only a simple magnetic envelope with a single "ring current" much like earth's. The more complex magnetic field could explain the Jovian field's high energy particle pattern as well as the bursts of intense radio energy observed emanating from the planet. Jupiter's magnetic field stretched across 14 million km in some places and shrank in volume by three-fourths or more in others; inside this pulsating field were belts of intense radiation with trapped electrons 10 000 times more intense than those in earth's Van Allen belts.
Pioneer had experienced peak intensities of high-energy electrons that were moderately higher than those found by Pioneer 10, encountering 10 times as many electrons as predicted by earth-based studies. Peak intensities of very high-energy protons were 100 times stronger than predicted but concentrated in small shallow regions.
Other early findings of Pioneer 11 included the observation that Jupiter's cloud tops were substantially lower at the poles than at the equator and were covered by a thicker transparent atmosphere. Also, the clouds at the planet's south pole were lower than those at the north pole. Although Pioneer 11 found much less evidence of rapid circulation at the poles than at the equator, the polar areas showed many small convective cells dwarfing similar earth disturbances such as thunderstorms. "Blue sky"-attributed to multiple molecule scattering of light by gases of the transparent atmosphere-was visible at the poles.
Pioneer 11 accurately determined, for the first time, that the mass of Jupiter's moon Callisto was 15 times that of earth's moon. Seen for the first time was an extensive white south polar cap on Callisto. (NASA Release 75-49)
A fleet satellite communications-system simulator developed for the Air Force by TRW Systems Group had been delivered for testing, Air Force Systems Command announced. The simulator would be a low cost means of testing compatibility between FLTSATCOM-an operational near-global satellite communications system for Air Force and Navy Communications-and preproduction terminals for the Air Force Satellite Communications (AFSATCOM) system, which provided reliable worldwide satellite communications for command and control of all DOD forces.
The simulator contained all the communications channels that the actual satellites would have, but used cheaper off-the-shelf components instead of high-reliability electronic parts. (AFSC Release OIP 022.75)
Rep. Olin E. Teague (D-Tex.) and Rep. Charles A. Mosher (R-Ohio) introduced H.R. 4461 "to establish a science and technology policy for the U.S. to provide for scientific and technological advice and assistance to the President, to provide adequate administrative organization to assure effective Federal support and utilization of research and development, to amend the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, to amend the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, and for other purposes." The bill was sent jointly to the Committees of Science and Technology and on Government Operations.
The legislation proposed the establishment of a new cabinet-level Dept. of Research and Technology Operations to bring together Federal research-related activities through a unified and efficient governmental structure; a five-member Council of Advisors on Science and Technology to help form and implement policy at the highest levels of government; and a Science and Technology Information and Utilization Corp. to assure the widest possible dissemination of scientific and technological information.
The proposed legislation would administratively relocate NASA, Energy Research and Development Administration, National Bureau of Standards, National Science Foundation, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration within the new department, but would not alter the basic mission and purpose of each agency. (CR, 6 March 75, H1464; House Com of Sci & Tech Print 48-694)
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