Mar 9 1971
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R.'s Lunokhod 1 lunar rover was activated on moon's Sea of Rains after surviving fourth lunar night since landing on moon on board Luna 17 Nov. 17, 1970. (SBD, 3/10/71, 55)
U.S.S.R. had again tested "hunter" satellites, designed to locate and destroy other satellites, George C. Wilson reported in the Washington Post. Cosmos 394 (launched Feb. 9) had entered circular orbit and had been intercepted by Cosmos 397 (launched Feb. 25), he said. Satellites' inclination suggested launches were from Plesetsk rather than Tyuratum Baikonur] and "probably means that the Soviet Union considers its satellite inspection system in the operational rather than experimental category." (W Post, 3/9/71, A3)
Dr. John E. Naugle, NASA Associate Administrator for Space Science and Applications, testified in FY 1972 authorization hearings before House Committee on Science and Astronautics: ". . . true boundaries of our ecological system have not been determined, but they certainly extend to the known dimensions of the universe. The forces and laws which affect the most distant star are directly relevant to the problems of energy generation and control on Earth. Mankind is just beginning to grasp the fact that all natural systems are intimately related and interdependent" and man must learn "to manage wisely what he can, and to live in equilibrium with what is beyond his control. It is to these ends . . that we have structured the nation's continuing space activities in science and applications." Most significant new astronomy program element was HEAO, "designed to unlock some of the most profound and puzzling secrets of modern physics." There was evidence that in pulsars and quasars "a whole new regime of power generation exists and operates at levels that cannot be explained by modern nuclear physics." Understanding these energy processes might lead to harnessing of powers "heretofore unimaginable." Both planetary and lunar exploration should provide clues to earth's past and future, to factors that caused long-period environmental changes and how to control them. Earth observations program also was addressed to fundamental problems of environmental and ecological management. Satellites could see, record, and transmit information on causes and effects in global air- ocean-earth interactions. Trend in U.S. space science and applications had been decreasing budget and launch rates; OSSA had had to "cut back ongoing projects, dispense with backup payloads, stretch launch schedules and mission intervals, and defer promising new projects," but had "preserved a steady momentum and a balanced program thrust wherever possible." High level of productivity in science, exploration, and applications had been possible "because of the background in technology, in engineering, in conceptual thinking that was built up earlier." But many valuable and important missions had been deferred into future, "a future we expect will permit us to revolutionize the way space is explored and used," Key feature of this revolution would be reusable space shuttle "that makes access to space for man and machines an economical, routine excursion rather than the difficult task it presents now." (Transcript)
NAS released Priorities for Space Research, 1971-1980. Report of study group of NAS-NRC Space Science Board recommended priorities for NASA OSSA programs at three funding levels for space missions in 1970s. Study was made at NASA'S request. Highest priorities were recommended for probes of Venus and Jupiter beginning in 1975; completion of three remaining Apollo manned lunar missions and unmanned landers and rovers for lunar and planetary studies; series of HEAO satellites for x-ray, gamma-ray, and cosmic-ray exploration; Small Astronomy Satellites (SAS); increased astronomy rockets, balloons, and aircraft; development of mirror for Large Space Telescope (LST); continued study of earth- orbiting gyroscope and ESRO sun-orbiting satellite for studies of gravitational physics in mid-1970's; pair of satellites to study interaction between earth's magnetosphere and solar wind and doubling of funds for solar-terrestrial physics; three satellite programs and increased data analysis for meteorology and earth resources surveys; and ground-based research to support Viking softlander and future exobiology missions. Report recommended next larger level of NASA funding provide for 1.5-m (60-in) space telescope, OSO, and additional Atmospheric Explorers and Earth Resources Satellites. Grand Tour of planets between 1975 and 1980 was recommended only if NASA'S budget was increased still further. (NAS-NRC-NAE News, 3/9/71)
William A. Anders, NASC Executive Secretary and Apollo 8 Astronaut, and Astronauts John L. Swigert, Jr., William R. Pogue, and Jack R. Lousma met with President Nixon at White House to report on their visits to 17 college campuses from October to December 1970. At White House press conference later, Anders said meetings with students had been "very positive." Students had been "very curious about the Space Program." (PD, 3/15/71, 475; Transcript)
Communist China possibly had made limited-range 3200-km (2000- mi) shot of prototype ICBM in late 1970, Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird said in posture statement before House Armed Services Committee. Range probably had been limited to keep test within Chinese national borders. "Estimated earliest possible [Communist Chinese] ICBM capability is 1973, with the more likely time being the mid-1970s." (Testimony)
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