Nov 26 1969
From The Space Library
Explorer XLI Interplanetary Monitoring Platform (launched June 21) was adjudged successful by NASA. Spacecraft was functioning satisfactorily and mission objectives had been exceeded. Nine operational experiments were providing detailed information on galactic and solar cosmic rays, interplanetary medium, and distant magnetosphere. All systems and experiments were functioning satisfactorily and returning useful data except GSFC and Univ. of Maryland plasma experiment and Univ. of Iowa and Univ. of California energetic particle experiment, which malfunctioned during orbits 10 and 15. Preliminary data indicated that although spacecraft had been launched close to solar maximum, sun had been unusually quiet. However, low-energy galactic cosmic rays appeared to be more strongly modulated than observed previously and interplanetary conditions appeared to be more disturbed. Observations would be continued throughout solar maximum. (NASA Proj Off)
NASA's Pioneer VI (launched Dec. 16, 1965) and Pioneer VII (launched Aug. 17, 1966) were performing three new experiments on solar system scale, possible only because spacecraft's extremely long lifetimes had allowed them to reach necessary positions in space, ARC announced. On Nov. 6, when Pioneer VJ and Pioneer VII were 175 million mi apart on common line with sun, scientists had observed changes in behavior of solar wind particles due to passage through space. On Nov. 29, when spacecraft reached far side of sun on common line with earth, engineers would conduct 150-million-mi interplanetary communications experiment. On Dec. 2, when spacecraft reached points on common spiral line leading out from sun, scientists would measure different kinds of solar particles coming from same events on sun. (ARC Release 69-15)
President Nixon signed H.R. 12307 into P.L. 91-126, Independent Offices and HUD FY 1970 appropriations act, which included $3.697- billion NASA appropriation-down $299 million from $3.995-billion FY 1969 NASA appropriation and $181 million from President Johnson's budget request of $3.878 billion. Act allocated $3.006 billion for R&D, down $364 million from FY 1969 allocation and $162 million below Johnson request. Construction of facilities allocation for FY 1970 was $53.2 million, up $31.4 million from FY 1969 but $5 million below Johnson request. Allocation for research and program management of $637.4 million was $34.3-million increase over FY 1969 and $13.5 million below Johnson request. Act also contained $440-million NSF FY 1970 appropriation: (PD, 12/1/69, 1669; Texts)
Senate confirmed nomination of George M. Low as NASA Deputy Administrator. (CR, 11/26/69, 515140, D1126)
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