Aug 3 1971
From The Space Library
Astronaut-geologist Harrison H. Schmitt praised Apollo 15 astronauts in MSC briefing for their completion of EVA geological activities: "I don't think there is any question that we had a fantastic exploration mission. There's just no question in my mind we sent two very competent observational scientists to the moon." Samples collected, Schmitt said, "sounded very much like . . . crystalline rocks . . . that may well, and I emphasize may . . . represent the early lunar crust. I am not sure until we see the samples that we're much closer to understanding the origin of the rille than when we started, except that there probably are some origin theories that can be eliminated now. "I think that the net result of the mission was to indicate that our preliminary thinking about the moon . . . still looks like a valid pic- ture, it's a valid foundation [on] which to attempt to further select sites and to further approach the analysis of rocks and soils that are brought back." (Transcript; AP, B Sun, 8/4/71, A6)
Listen to Harrison Schmitt press conference:
Apollo 15 Liz Falcon's liftoff from moon was described by Tom Wicker in New York Times: "The first televised liftoff of a manned space- craft from the moon had none of the beauty and power of those moments when a huge Saturn rocket rises majestically into space from Cape Kennedy. The quick pop that sent off the Falcon in a shower of sparks looked more like something held over from the Fourth of July, and the part of the landing craft left on the moon was all too suggestive of an auto graveyard." Two years after first moon- walk, "Americans do not . seem nearly so interested as they were in these prodigious feats of modern man. Even in living color and with that great American love object-an auto, of sorts-to liven up the scene, the latest moon show seemed to need something. Unfortunately the LEM liftoff didn't turn out to be it." (NYT, 8/3/71, 27)
U.S.S.R.'s Lunokhod 1 lunar rover (landed on moon by Luna 17 Nov. 17, 1970) was powered up to begin experiments for 10th lunar day. (UPI, W Post, 8/4/71, A6)
New York Times editorial commented on Apollo 15: "All the evidence suggests that this is the most productive scientific expedition ever carried out in space. Even before the astronauts' own return, the information they have sent back has already forced reconsideration of some key ideas about the natural history of the moon. In ultimate perspective, however, it may turn out that the dividends from the Falcon's stay on the moon will be as substantial in the realm of changed human ideas and aspirations as in scientific knowledge. For millions who watched the superb television pictures of the two astronauts working comfortably on the lunar surface, the image that came across was that of a friendly moon, a place where men could walk and ride and work with ease. This is a far cry from the traditional picture of the moon as a hostile, alien environment totally inhospitable to man." (NYT, 8/3/71)
GAO investigation of NASA selection of NR Rocketdyne Div. for prime contract for final design and manufacture of reusable space shuttle [see July 13] was requested by Bruce N. Torell, President of Pratt & Whitney Div. of United Aircraft Corp., in telegram to Elmer B. Staats, U.S. Comptroller General. Bases for protest were that source selection had disregarded objective of the RFP, NASA had failed to conduct "written or oral discussions" on proposals, Pratt & Whitney felt its proposal was "clearly entitled to a superior technical evaluation to the technical proposal of Rocketdyne," and NASA had failed to give proper consideration to "Pratt & Whitney's test-proven flight weight design and greater experience." In letter to Dr. James C. Fletcher, NASA Administrator, nine senators requested that no award of space shuttle engine contract be made until GAO investigation had been completed. (CR, 8/6/71, S13789)
Arcas sounding rocket was launched by NASA from Wallops Station carrying Univ. of Pennsylvania Ionospherics experiment. Rocket and instruments functioned satisfactorily. (SR list)
Twenty-fifth anniversary of invention of computer by Dr. J. P. Eckert and Dr. John W. Mauchly of Univ. of Pennsylvania. New York Times editorial Aug. 9 commented on anniversary: "Man's invasion of space, up to and including Apollo 15's latest feats, would have been impossible without computers. So would much of the rest of modern science and technology." (Smith, NYT, 8/4/71, 43: NYT, 8/9/71, 28)
Dr. Georgy N. Babakin, prominent Soviet space scientist who had designed equipment for unmanned Soviet spacecraft, died at age 56. Izvestia obituary said Dr. Babakin had been recipient of Hero of Socialist Labor, highest Soviet civilian title, and corresponding member of Soviet Academy of Sciences and had made "a great contribution to the development of Soviet space technology and the study of the moon and Venus." (NYT, 8/5/71, 34)
Of 80 new underground missile silos being constructed by U.S.S.R., at least 6 had been started after U.S. and U.S.S.R. announced May 20 that they would seek to limit construction of nuclear weapons, Washington Post quoted sources as saying. (Getler, W Post, 8/3/71, Al)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
