Apr 26 1970
From The Space Library
International reaction to first Chinese satellite launch: In U.S.S.R. Pravda devoted 10 words on inside page to report of launch. Washington Post said it was "continuation of a war of words"; Chinese had barely mentioned, Soviet space activities since nations became enemies. Romania congratulated Chinese for "fresh successes in the field of scientific investigation of outer space." Albania also hailed achievement. U.K. Minister of Technology Anthony Wedgwood Benn sent message to Chinese government congratulating engineers and space workers on launch. West Germany's Bochum Observatory called event greater technological feat than 1957 launch of Soviet Sputnik I. North Vietnam news agency said launching "brings out the supremacy of socialism and contributes to the development of science and technology in the interests of progressive mankind." Pakistan President Yahya Khan in message to Chinese Premier Chou En-lai called 'launch "great step forward," demonstrating progress of China's technology. He said feat "by our friendly neighbor has been received by us with a feeling of admiration." Japanese officials said if China had developed guidance system for satellite launching, it soon would be able to fire intercontinental missiles with high precision. (W Post, 4/27/70, A9; WSJ, 4/27/70)
Vice President Spiro T. Agnew and Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford attended dedication ceremony of Stafford Field, small airfield in Stafford's hometown, Weatherford, Okla. Airfield was Weatherford's memorial to Stafford who had piloted two Gemini missions. At dedication Vice President said: "While Stafford Field may not be equivalent in size to the giant airports of this country and the world, it. . symbolizes the best of American traditions. . :harnessing that pioneering spirit of old." (W Post, 4/27/70, A4; Text)
ComSatCorp had been "bouncing from one controversy to another" since its 1962 inception, Robert J. Samuelson said in Washington Post. "Last week it was the International Telephone and Telegraph World Communications, Inc., that asked the FCC to scrub the satellite launch. ITT argued that the Commission was favoring satellite communications over underseas cable systems.... Others share ITT's irritation. The remaining communications carriers with cable interests. . are similarly unhappy with their new satellite competitor." ComSatCorp stock holders were displeased that company had yet to pay dividend. "Even foreign countries, which have benefited by Comsat's experience in establishing an 'international satellite network now resent Comsat's dominant position in that system." But international satellite traffic had been growing at annual rate of 20%. With initial investment nearly completed, ComSatCorp's operating revenues were rising rapidly. (W Post, 4/26/70, L3)
F-14; "first completely new American fighter plane... since the XF4111-prototype of the F4 Phantom," would "skim down the runway" at Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corp. before end of January 1971, Washington Sunday Star said. USN would attempt to buy 710 F-14s over next decade at $8 billion including R&D costs. Aircraft would have titanium wings. It was first time any manufacturer had used as much as 2700 kg (6000 lbs) of titanium in aircraft production. (Kelly, W Star, 4/270, A7)
Anthropologist Dr. Margaret Mead in New York Times Magazine discussed prefigurative society in which young became mentors of elders. "A scientist friend of mine was having a conversation with his son and wasn't getting anywhere until he realized that he was standing on the earth looking at the moon, and the boy was standing on the moon looking at the earth." (NYT Magazine, 4/26/70, 102)
April 26-30: During American Physical Society's spring meeting in Washington, D.C., Cornell Univ. physicist Dr. James R. Houck told news conference series of rocket and balloon observations by MIT in autumn of 1969 had confirmed that unexplained infrared radiation impinged on earth's upper atmosphere, apparently from all parts of sky. In meeting he expressed hope that 5400-kg (six-ton) earth satellite, High Energy Astronomy Observatory, could be funded for 1974 launch to observe extremely high phenomena that could not be detected from earth because of intervening atmosphere. (Sullivan, NYT, 4/30/70, 21)
Dr. Reuven Ramaty of GSFC reported measurements of low-energy cosmic-ray positrons by OGO I satellite (launched June 6, 1966) had indicated that relatively young and close cosmic-ray source-a supernova explosion-might have occurred 100000 yrs ago and 300 light years from earth. (CRab Nebula, closest known remnant of any supernova previously discovered, was 5000 light years from earth.) (Press Conf Summary; Text; AP, CSM, 5/2/70)
During meeting, 32 APS members marched on DOD to oppose Vietnam War, ABM and MIRV missile systems, and DOD ties with American universities. (W Post, 4/30/70, A35)
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