Nov 17 1970
From The Space Library
U.S.S.R. launched Cosmos CCCLXXVIII from Plesetsk into orbit with 1723-km (1070.6-mi) apogee, 234-km (145.4-mi) perigee, 104.6-min period, and 74.0° inclination. (GSFC SSR, 11/30/70; SBD, 11/20/70, 86)
Lunar roving vehicle training model, 1-G trainer, was delivered by Boeing Co. to MSFC representatives at Santa Barbara, Calif., marking major milestone in manned LRV program. Two-man trainer was 3.2 m (10 ft 7 in) long and 1.8 m (6 ft) wide with 2.3-m (7.5-ft) wheelbase. It looked like flight version scheduled for use on Apollo 15, 16, and 17 missions, but weighed twice as much and was equipped with both automobile-type and wire mesh tires. Extra weight came from additional strength in frame, wheels, drive motors, and suspension system, which permitted it to carry 362.9 kg (800 lbs), including two men, equipment, and samples. Battery-operated trainer was driven with an aircraft-like stick hand controller and could stop, turn, move forward, and reverse at variable speeds. Top speed was 14.5 km per hr (9 mph) on smooth surface. Trainer would be shipped to MSC in about one week. (NASA Release 70-201)
Fire in KSC rocket gantry extensively damaged "clean room" under reconstruction at Launch Complex 17, Pad B, one of two pads used to launch unmanned spacecraft by Delta boosters. There were no injuries. (W Post, 11/1/70, A8)
U.N. General Assembly approved, by vote of 91 to 2, treaty to prohibit placement of nuclear weapons on seabed outside any nation's 19.3-km (12-mi) limit. Treaty, which required ratification by 22 governments, was outcome of U.S.-U.S.S.R. agreement. New York Times later reported diplomats had likened treaty to 1967 pact barring nuclear weapons from space or celestial bodies. (Teltsch, NYT, 11/18/70,1)
U.S. and Soviet delegates to SALT observed first anniversary of meetings in Helsinki, Finland. (W Post, 11/18/70, A27)
Newly elected Sen. Adlai E. Stevenson III (D-Ill.) was assigned to serve on Senate Committee on Aeronautical and Space Sciences in seat left vacant by retiring Sen. Ralph T. Smith (R-Ill.). (NASA LAR, IX/121; Stevenson Off)
November 17-19: Skylab Subsystems Review Team meeting was held_ at MSFC. Team-chaired by Charles W. Mathews, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight and Acting Space Station Task Force Director---inspected Skylab mockup area, toured simulation facilities, and viewed assemblage of ATM hardware. (MSFC Release 70-235)
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