May 13 1974
From The Space Library
Dr. Harrison H. Schmitt became NASA Assistant Administrator for Energy Programs. He headed NASA's new Office of Energy Programs, supporting Federal agencies responsible for energy research and development. The office consolidated functions previously performed by other Headquarters offices. Dr. Schmitt, science pilot on the Apollo 17 lunar landing mission, had been Chief of the Science and Applications Directorate in the Astronaut Office at Johnson Space Center. He had been on temporary assignment at Headquarters as Special Assistant to the Administrator for Energy Research and Development since 29 Jan. (NASA Ann, 16 May 74)
An experimental scanning laser doppler system, originally developed at Marshall Space Flight Center to measure atmospheric winds and turbulence, was being tested at MSFC to determine the system's reliability in detecting and monitoring aircraft wake vortices. Flyby tests had been conducted by MSFC and the Federal Aviation Administration at Redstone Arsenal using a Boeing Co. 720 aircraft and two laser doppler units. Early results indicated that, in addition to detecting the vortices, the laser doppler system provided data on the air speeds within them. Two experimental systems would be used in field tests at Kennedy Inter-national Airport in New York after checkout of the units was completed. (NASA Release 74-127)
Johnson Space Center had awarded a $2 104 900 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to Westinghouse Electric Corp. to refurbish and modify 10 color TV cameras from the Skylab program, for use in the Apollo Soyuz Test Project. Westinghouse would also provide two new cameras and equipment. (JSC Release 74-101)
NASA announced the appointment of Judith A. Cole as Deputy Assistant Administrator for Legislative Affairs effective 19 May. She succeeded Gerald J. Mossinghoff, who had been appointed Assistant General Counsel 1 Jan. Miss Cole had been Staff Assistant in the Office of the Director at the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. (NASA Ann, 13 May 74)
NASA had begun a national aerospace fellowship program to encourage women and members of minority groups to seek careers it. engineering and certain scientific fields. NASA had completed arrangements with seven colleges and universities to award 20, $2500 fellowships to students in the top third of the junior or senior class who had demonstrated a potential and interest in these fields of study. Recipients would also be invited to work at NASA following graduation if appropriate job vacancies existed. (NASA Release 74-112)
A New Orleans Times-Picayune editorial advocated international cooperation in space: The U.S. was committed to a reusable space shuttle for possible use in the future with a permanent manned space station. The U.S.S.R. would probably embark on its own space shuttle and space station program. "The cost of establishing a space station ... is such that it would be foolish for each nation to assume the full burden when a common station could provide everything a separate one could-even a `secure section for each side for passive military uses." (T-Picayune, 13 May 74, 23)
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