Apr 14 1970
From The Space Library
As Apollo 13 approached critical point in efforts to return safely to earth, Dr. Thomas O. Paine, NASA Administrator, told press in Houston, "The performance of the entire NASA team with the remainder of this mission will undoubtedly have an effect on a view that Congress has of the activities that we are proposing for the future." Specific problems encountered by Apollo 13 were "things that will be reviewed by the Congress." (Wilson, W Post, 4/15/70, A13)
President Nixon received 45-min briefing by NASA officials at GSFC on problems of Apollo 13 mission. Dr. John F. Clark, GSFC Director, said President was deeply concerned about mission's difficulties. Later President entertained Danish Prime Minister Hilmar Baunsgaard at White House dinner. President said: "I think tonight of three men . . . in outer space coming around the moon . . . . I do know that they have the spirit of the Vikings. They are men of adventure. They are men of courage. Back home-I talked to the wives of two of the men and the mother of the one who is not married-they have women, who like the wives and the mothers of the Vikings of old waited at home with faith that their men would come back." President, at his request, was informed during dinner of success of Apollo 13 maneuver which put spacecraft on homeward course. (PD, 4/20/70, 538; Lyons, NYT, 4/15/70, 1; Beale, W Star, 4/15/70, F1)
Senate unanimously passed S.R. 388 "that the Senate of the United States commends the Apollo 13 astronauts . . . for their fortitude and courage; extends its support to their families, their friends and all who are involved in their mission; and urges all businesses, commercial operations, communications media, and others who wish to and can comply to pause at 9 p.m. today, April 14, 1970, in order that all persons who so desire may join in asking the help of Almighty God in assuring the safe return of the astronauts." (CR, 4/14/70,85644-5)
International reaction to Apollo 13 crisis: In Moscow, many persons relied on foreign radio broadcasts for information on Apollo 13 progress; Soviet news media continued to give only brief reports. At U.N. in New York, Dr. Anatoly A. Blagonravov, Soviet delegate to Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, said people of world were hoping for safe return of "courageous astronauts." Pope Paul VI told audience of 10 000 Romans and tourists in St. Peter's Basilica, "We cannot forget at this moment the lot of the astronauts of Apollo 13. We hope that at least their lives can be saved." Japanese businessman said in Tokyo: "How could it happen? Why, they almost shuttled to the moon as safely as we ride commuter trains." In Paris, radio stations interrupted regular programs with news bulletins and interviews with space experts. La Monde said, "The whole human race is participating with them in the agony of their return." Thousands flocked to churches in Georgetown, Guyana. They were saying mission should have been called Apollo 12B or Apollo 14, rather than Apollo 13. In Australia, Sydney TV station superimposed Apollo 13 bulletins over film of "Lost in Space." BBC continued newscasts until 4 am local time to report critical maneuver of spacecraft. Budapest woman said, "Oh God, I hope they return safely." Hers was "common theme," Washington Post said; "around the world people, whether lowly or mighty, paused to participate in the first life-and-death drama in deep space." (Johnson, W Post, 4/15/ 70, A 1; Arnold, NYT, 4/15/70, 1)
Families of Apollo 13 astronauts monitored flight communications on NASA squawk boxes and watched TV in their homes. Mrs. Marilyn Lovell and Mrs. Mary Haise kept older children home from school. Parents of unmarried Astronaut John L. Swigert, Jr., remained at home in Denver, Colo. (AP, NYT, 4/15/70,29)
America's "sanguine attitude about manned space flight" had been shattered by Apollo 13's technical problems, Howard Simons said in Washington Post. "As the first words came that the three astronauts were in peril, earthbound fears began to race along with the moonbound craft. The astronauts seemed remarkably calm, most other persons desperate." As tension heightened, "inevitable questions began to intrude on one's innate fears. Would they get back? Could they get back?" It seemed certain situation would revive debate over rescue capability. "Mysterious 'bang' in space is bound to further slow an already slowed effort to stretch man's reach beyond his immediate horizon." (W Post, 4/14/70, Al)
Aerobee 350 sounding rocket, launched by NASA from WSMR, carried GSFC payload to 87.8-km (54.6-mi) altitude. Objectives of mission, first Aerobee 350 launch from WSMR, were to demonstrate suitability of complete Aerobee 350 system for scientific research and to investigate solar and stellar x-ray phenomena. Rocket performance was unsatisfactory because premature sustainer-thrust termination seriously limited apogee. Payload recovery system operated successfully and ACS turned on and tried to erect. No useful x-ray data were obtained, but good performance data were recorded. (NASA Rpt SRL)
House Armed Services Committee, by vote of 25 to 5, authorized $544.2 million for construction of C-5A transport aircraft, including $200 million toward funds requested by manufacturer Lockheed Aircraft Corp. [see March 2]. (AP, NYT, 4/16/70, 31)
Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird and Australian Minister for Defence Malcolm Fraser reached accord in Washington, D.C., on Australian purchase of F-111C aircraft. Delivery of aircraft would be delayed until technical difficulties were fully evaluated and corrected; Australia would be provided on lease or other reimburseable basis up to 24 F-4E Phantom aircraft in interim; alternative Australian actions to meet strike aircraft requirements remained as options. (DOD Release 301-70)
President Nixon submitted to Senate nominations of new members to National Science Board: H. Guyford Stever, President of Carnegie Mellon Univ.; Robert A. Charpie, President of Cabot Corp.; Lloyd M. Cooke, Director of Urban Affairs for Union Carbide Corp.; Robert H. Dicke, Princeton Univ. physicist; David M. Gates, botanist of Washington Univ. in St. Louis; and Frank Press, MIT, geologist and physicist. (PD, 4/20/70, 521-2)
Officials of Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas, Nev., said 22 000 persons had filed past hotel's exhibit of Apollo 12 lunar sample in six days. About 10 000 viewed most successful Strip "show" in one week. (AP, NYT, 4/16/70)
INTELSAT announced election of new officers of Interim Communications Satellite Committee, for term of office beginning July 1. John A. Johnson, ComSatCorp Vice President-International and U.S. representative to INTELSAT, would succeed Carlos Nunez A. of Mexico as Chairman. Yves Fargette, Regional Director of French Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, would succeed Johnson as Vice Chairman. (INTELSAT Release 70-19)
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