Dec 2 1967
From The Space Library
25th anniversary of first controlled, self-sustaining nuclear reaction, achieved by the late Enrico Fermi at Univ. of Chicago in 1942. At two-day meeting at Univ. of Chicago sponsored by AEC and the International Atomic Energy Agency, AEC Chairman Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg said US. nuclear plants currently generated 2.8 million kw of electrical power. By 1980, he said, figure would reach 150 million kw and by 2000,700 million kw. President Johnson, stressing significance of the anniversary, said: "Throughout history, man has struggled to find enough power-enough energy-to do his work in the world. He domesticated animals, he sold his brother into slavery, and enslaved himself to the machine all in the desperate search for energy. . . . By learning the secret of the atom, we have given mankind, for the first time in history, all the energy he can possibly use." Urging acceptance of a nonproliferation treaty, he noted that countries with a single reactor, while generating electricity, could produce enough plutonium to make dozens of bombs every year. Even if their purpose were peaceful, he said, "the fact remains that the secret diversion of even a small part of the plutonium they create could soon give every nation power to destroy civilization. . . ." To prove US. desire to halt spread of nuclear weapons he announced that "when such safeguards are applied under the treaty, the [U.S.] will permit the International Atomic Energy Agency to apply its safeguards to all nuclear activities in the [US.]-excluding only those with direct national significance.'`(Sullivan, NYT, 12/3/67, 1; PD, 12/11/67, 1650-1)
Trendex poll conducted for Thiokol Chemical Corp. in six American cities indicated that interest in the national space program had dropped to lowest in more than four years. Some 41% of persons questioned thought the Government was spending too much on the space program; 83% thought more attention should be given to water pollution, 82% to air pollution, 68% to training unskilled workers, 51% to beautification program, 45% to antipoverty drive, and 26% to space exploration. Competition to achieve first manned lunar landing was favored by 51%, dropping from 77% in September 1965, and opposed by 35%. Most significant change of attitude, Trendex said, was increase in number of respondents who did not know whether they favored the competition-14%, compared to 1% in 1963. (NYT, 12/3/67,28; Thiokol PIO)
FAA announced establishment of a one-year study (Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 1968) of causes of near midair collisions. To encourage full reports vital to study's success, FAA said that no action would be taken against any person involved in a reported near collision during the period of study. In addition, FAA would withhold the report and the identity of persons from public disclosure at the reportee's request. (FAA Release 67-85)
Moscow Aviation Institute professor Feliks Zigel had called for a "joint effort of all the scientists of the world," to determine the nature of unidentified flying objects (UFOS), according to Soviet press agency Novosti. Group of which he was a member had had 200 reports of sightings, Zigel said. Typical of these was "a luminous orange-colored crescent flying with its outward bend forward. Its surface is only a little duller than that of the moon. The horns of the crescent throw out jets, sometimes with sparks. The outer contour of the crescent is sharp and the inner contour blurred and wavy." The main task, Zigel asserted, was to organize a systematic study of the phenomena from astronomical and meteorological observatories to determine whether the objects were of protoplasmic or extraterrestrial origin. "Unfortunately, certain scientists both in . . [U.S.S.R. and US.] deny the very existence of the problem instead of helping to solve it. . . . The U.F.O. phenomenon is a challenge to mankind. It is the duty of scientists to take up this challenge, to disclose the nature of the U.F.O. and to establish the scientific truth." (Kamm, NYT, 12/10/67, 70)
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